Silt and visual fence for erosion control

Abstract

A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker comprising a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, a generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein and spaced along at least a portion of the flat surface, a strip of fabric, comprising, a lower portion having a first visual indicia associated therewith, an upper portion having a second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from the color of the first portion, the upper and lower portions being connected; and, a plurality of fasteners for fastening the strip of fabric to the plurality of stakes. The fence preferably also includes a wire grid or mesh backing to provide additional strength and support to the lower portion fabric.

1 . A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, 
 i) a generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein and spaced along at least a portion of said flat surface,  
   b) a strip of fabric, comprising, 
 i) a lower portion having a first visual indicia associated therewith,  
 ii) an upper portion having a second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from the color of said first portion,  
 iii) said upper and lower portions being connected; and,  
   c) a plurality of fasteners for fastening said strip of fabric to said plurality of stakes.    
   
   
       2 . The fence of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tabs extending from and spaced along said flat surface of said stake.  
   
   
       3 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein said stake further comprises a support portion extending from and generally perpendicular to said flat surface.  
   
   
       4 . The fence of  claim 3 , wherein said support portion and said flat surface form a T-shaped stake.  
   
   
       5 . The fence of  claim 4 , wherein said support portion and said flat surface form an L-shaped stake.  
   
   
       6 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener comprises a shank portion having a plurality of radially or horizontally projecting portions extending therefrom and a head portion attached to said shank portion.  
   
   
       7 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the color of said lower portion of said strip is black.  
   
   
       8 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the color of said upper portion of said strip is orange.  
   
   
       9 . The silt fence of  claim 1 , further comprising a support member for reinforcing said fabric, said support member being attachable to said fabric and said stake.  
   
   
       10 . The silt fence of  claim 1 , wherein said support member comprises a wire mesh or grid.  
   
   
       11 . A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, 
 i) a generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein and spaced along at least a portion of said flat surface, and,  
   b) a strip of fabric, comprising, 
 i) a lower portion having a first visual indicia associated therewith, and  
 ii) an upper portion having a second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from the color of said first portion, said upper and lower portions being connected.  
   
   
   
       12 . A fastener, comprising: 
 a) a head having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface having a plurality of spaced protrusions extending outward therefrom; and    b) a shank having at least one second protrusion extending from said shank.    
   
   
       13 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said front surface is rounded.  
   
   
       14 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said protrusion is elongated.  
   
   
       15 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said protrusion is arranged in a series of concentric circles or ellipses.  
   
   
       16 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said protrusion is arranged in a series of rows.  
   
   
       17 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said head has a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, rectangular, rhomboid, elliptical, oval, hemispherical, square, wedge, irregular, asymmetric and the like.  
   
   
       18 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one second protrusion comprises a male thread.  
   
   
       19 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one second protrusion comprises a rib.  
   
   
       20 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said second protrusion is annular and extends substantially around the circumference of said shank.  
   
   
       21 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said shank terminates at its distal end in a pointed tip.  
   
   
       22 . A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, 
 i) a generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein and spaced along at least a portion of said flat surface;  
   b) at least one strip of fabric, comprising, 
 i) a lower portion having a first visual indicia associated therewith,  
 ii) an upper portion having a second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from the color of said first portion, 
 iii) said upper and lower portions being connected;  
 
   c) a support member for reinforcing said fabric, said support member being attachable to said fabric and said stake; and,    d) a plurality of fasteners for fastening said strip of fabric to said plurality of stakes or for attaching said support member to said stake, each said fastener comprising 
 i) a head having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface having a plurality of spaced ribs extending outward therefrom, and,  
 ii) a shank having at least one protrusion extending from said shank.