Agricultural stake to support plants and associated methods

Abstract

An agricultural stake to support plant includes a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, and an exterior coating impregnated with an aggregate covering an exterior surface of the elongated member. The exterior coating is configured to provide purchase to a line attached to the elongated member. A cap may be secured over the top end of the elongated member and is configured to withstand a force used to drive the elongated member into a ground surface

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An agricultural stake to support plants, the agricultural stake comprising:
 an elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the elongated member comprises fiberglass reinforced plastic and exhibiting no flex memory; and   an exterior coating comprising a fire-retardant additive and an aggregate, the exterior coating covering an exterior surface of the elongated member to protect the elongated member from burning, the exterior coating comprising a material different than the fiberglass reinforced plastic of the elongated member;   wherein the aggregate is angular in shape and randomly dispersed within the exterior coating to provide a randomized textured surface pattern of the aggregate within the exterior coating on the elongated member.   
     
     
         2 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap secured over the top end of the elongated member and configured to withstand a force used to drive the elongated member into a ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises an ellipse cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises an oval cross section. 
     
     
         5 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises an octagonal cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises a polygon cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior coating comprises an ultraviolet (UV) protection additive. 
     
     
         9 . The agricultural stake of  claim 2 , wherein the cap comprises one of a metal or plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the stake comprises a tube having an outside diameter of ¾ inches. 
     
     
         11 . The agricultural stake of  claim 10 , wherein the tube comprises a thickness of approximately 4 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member having a length between 40 to 75 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregate comprises sand having between 60 to 80 grit size. 
     
     
         14 . The agricultural stake of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the elongated member is consistent along its length and comprises an extruded material. 
     
     
         15 . An agricultural system to support plants, the agricultural system comprising:
 a plurality of stakes spaced apart from each adjacent stake in a plurality of rows, wherein each stake of the plurality of stakes comprising,
 an elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the elongated member comprises fiberglass reinforced plastic and exhibiting no flex memory; and 
 an exterior coating comprising a fire-retardant additive and an aggregate, the exterior coating covering an exterior surface of the elongated member to protect the elongated member from burning, the exterior coating comprising a material different than the fiberglass reinforced plastic of the elongated member; 
 wherein the aggregate is angular in shape and randomly dispersed within the exterior coating to provide a randomized textured surface pattern of the aggregate within the exterior coating on the elongated member. 
   
     
     
         16 . The agricultural system of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated member comprises one of an ellipse cross section, an oval cross section, a rectangular cross section, an octagonal cross section, and a polygon cross section. 
     
     
         17 . The agricultural system of  claim 15 , wherein the exterior coating comprises an ultraviolet (UV) protection additive. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making an agricultural stake to support plants, the method comprising:
 extruding an elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the elongated member comprises fiberglass reinforced plastic and exhibiting no flex memory; and   applying an exterior coating comprising a fire-retardant additive and an aggregate, the exterior coating covering an exterior surface of the elongated member to protect the elongated member from burning, the exterior coating comprising a material different than the fiberglass reinforced plastic of the elongated member;   wherein the aggregate is angular in shape and randomly dispersed within the exterior coating to provide a randomized textured surface pattern of the aggregate within the exterior coating on the elongated member.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising securing a cap to the top end of the elongated member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the elongated member is extruded to form one of an ellipse cross section, an oval cross section, a rectangular cross section, an octagonal cross section, and a polygon cross section.