Surveying spike for use on vertical surfaces

• US 6,202,315 B1
• Filed: 01/20/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BenchTie L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: BenchTie L.L.C.
• Inventors: Schmick, Robert H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Francis, Faye
• Application Number:
  US09/235,603
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1.H, 33/1.G, 332/86, 332/93, 333/91, 335/33, 336/13, 336/45, 33/1.CC, 332/90, 116/209
• US Class Current: 33/290
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/04 Permanent marks; Boundary markers

Abstract

A surveying spike is described which includes a single nail portion and an end portion; the end portion is attached to the nail portion and coaxial therewith. The end portion has a body portion, and a reference surface forming portion projecting radially from the body portion and having a reference surface formed thereon parallel to the axis of the end portion. The reference surface has a dimple formed therein. When the surveying spike is driven into a vertical surface, the reference surface may then be horizontal and the dimple may receive a vertical pole; this facilitates surveying using EDM (electronic distance measurement) techniques. The surveying spike may advantageously be manufactured by providing a metal nail portion and a plastic end portion, and inserting the nail into the end portion.

Claims

1. A surveying spike comprising:

a single nail portion having an axis; and

an end portion having a longitudinal axis, said end portion being attached to said nail portion and being coaxial therewith, and said end portion having a body portion and a reference surface forming portion projecting radially from the body portion, the reference surface forming portion having a reference surface formed thereon parallel to the axis of said end portion, the reference surface having a dimple formed therein.

2. A surveying spike according to claim 1, wherein said nail portion is formed of a metallic material and said end portion is formed of a plastic material.

3. A surveying spike according to claim 2, wherein said nail portion has a head and a pointed end opposite thereto, and the head is in contact with said end portion.

4. A surveying spike according to claim 1, wherein said reference surface is orthogonal to a plane containing the axis of said nail portion and the dimple.

5. A surveying spike according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is generally cylindrical and a radial distance between the reference surface and the axis of said end portion is greater than a radius of the body portion.

6. A surveying spike according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a surface of said nail portion is striated.

7. A casing through which a nail is inserted to form a surveying spike, said casing having a longitudinal axis along which the nail is inserted, said casing comprising:

a body portion; and

a reference surface forming portion projecting radially from the body portion,

wherein the reference surface forming portion has a reference surface formed thereon parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the reference surface has a dimple formed therein.

8. A casing according to claim 7, wherein said casing is formed of a plastic material.

9. A casing according to claim 7, wherein said reference surface is orthogonal to a plane containing the longitudinal axis and the dimple.

10. A casing according to claim 7, wherein said body portion is generally cylindrical and a radial distance between the reference surface and the longitudinal axis is greater than a radius of said body portion.

11. A method of manufacturing a surveying spike, comprising the steps of:

providing one metal nail;

providing a plastic member having a longitudinal axis and having a body portion and a reference surface forming portion projecting radially from the body portion with respect to the axis, the reference surface forming portion having a reference surface formed thereon parallel to the axis, the reference surface having a dimple formed therein; and

inserting said nail into said plastic member along the longitudinal axis.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of a surface of said nail is striated.

13. A surveying marker assembly, comprising:

a surveying spike, said surveying spike comprising;

a nail portion having an axis, and

an end portion having a longitudinal axis, said end portion being attached to said nail portion and being coaxial therewith, and said end portion having a body portion and a reference surface forming portion projecting radially from the body portion, the reference surface forming portion having a reference surface formed thereon parallel to the axis of said end portion, the reference surface having a dimple formed therein; and

an information tag adapted for being coupled to said surveying spike.

14. A surveying marker assembly according to claim 13, wherein a hole is formed in said information tag for receiving the nail of the surveying spike therein.