Moving technology from minds to markets ®
Raising A Big Tent - Made Easy
Printer-friendly version
Send to friendRight Image:
The US Air Force seeks to commercialize through licensing a user-friendly, time-saving, tent stake driver/puller that is especially suitable for the insertion and removal of double-headed stakes commonly used with large tents. Large tent stakes are normally driven with a sledge hammer and removed with a pry bar placed under the upper head of the stake. This method of driving and pulling tent stakes, while effective, often leads to damage to the stake or adjacent tent rails and creates personnel safety issues such as: someone maybe holding the stake or swinging of the hammer may connect with a passerby. The device of the current invention is compact, easy for even inexperienced personnel to use, substantially improves safety for both the user and other personnel in the immediate vicinity, and imparts a direct, linear force to the stake during use, enabling the stakes to be easily installed and removed, even in extremely hard soil and rocky conditions.
The Technology:
The double-headed tent stake driver/puller is comprised of a driving tool and a coupler mounted on the distal end of the driving tool. The coupler has an elongate body with an open end and a hollow core sized to receive the head of the stake. The coupler includes a retractable keeper. The keeper retains the stake when inserted into the coupler and provides a hardened surface for imparting the extraction force for pulling a stake from the ground. Conversely, the closed end of the coupler provides a surface for imparting the driving force when inserting the stake into the ground. Although primarily designed for use with large tent stakes, the invention could be easily sized for recreational tent stake use.
Benefits:
- Quicker and more efficient – particularly for new and/or inexperienced personnel.
- Enhanced personnel safety – less likelihood of user causing injury to themselves or passersby. Coupler holds the stake while driving without needing an additional person to stabilize the stake. Substantial reduction in risk of flying metal chips from the stake.
- Reduction in cost – reduces tent and stake damage. The stake driver/puller is less likely to be diverted to other uses and misplaced.
The Opportunity:
- US patents 6932164 and 6935436 are available for licensing
- The device has been prototyped and field tested by USAF medical personnel
Contacts: