Flexible Line Stake Anchoring in Loose Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stake systems fail to provide sufficient anchoring resistance in loose, non-compacted materials like sand or snow due to their bulkiness and high weight, making them impractical and ineffective in mild wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A stake system comprising a stake member with a flexible line that cuts through loose material, maintaining a constant orientation and extending tautly at an angle between 45 degrees and 135 degrees, providing anchoring resistance by coupling to an object above the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If longer stakes or stakes with auger type ends are employed to provide reinforcement in non-compact material, then anchoring resistance in loose material is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stake is divided into two functional segments: a flexible line portion and a stake member portion. The flexible line cuts through the loose material while the stake member provides structural support, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for its specific function rather than requiring the entire stake to be heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible line acts as a thin, flexible element that can cut through loose material like sand or snow. This flexible component provides anchoring capability without the weight and bulk of traditional rigid stakes, as it conforms to the material it penetrates while maintaining tensile strength
2Reliability
If longer stakes or stakes with auger type ends are employed to provide reinforcement in non-compact material, then anchoring resistance in loose material is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the stake into a flexible line and a simple stake member, the overall device complexity is reduced. Each component has a straightforward structure and function, avoiding the complex auger mechanisms or extended lengths required by traditional stakes while achieving superior anchoring in loose material
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the anchoring system by using a flexible line with specific dimensional relationships (width ratios between flexible line and stake member) and material properties that enable it to cut through and anchor in loose material without complex structures
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional stakes are used in loose material, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but anchoring resistance becomes insufficient even in mild wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible line functions as a thin film element that can be manufactured from flexible materials and configured with specific width dimensions. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving anchoring resistance in loose material compared to traditional rigid stakes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional relationship between components (the width ratio between flexible line and stake member) that creates new anchoring mechanics. The flexible line extends laterally beyond the stake member width, allowing it to cut through and engage loose material in a way that traditional stakes cannot achieve
Data Source
AI summary
A stake system and method configured to be used in substantially loose material to anchor an object are provided. In one embodiment, the stake system includes a flexible line and a stake member having an elongated portion and a distal portion. One end of the flexible line couples to the distal portion of the stake member. The distal portion of the stake member and the flexible line are driven into the loose material. The flexible line is moved to extend tautly from the distal portion and through the loose material at an angle such that an end of the flexible line above the loose material couples to the object.