Snow stake driver and associated method for using the same

Abstract

A snow stake driver that allows for fast, safe, and convenient placement of snow stakes at controlled and/or predetermined depths in soil with aggregate and/or rocks, including: a body, wherein the body is elongated and includes a first end and a second end; a handle member, wherein the handle member is positioned proximate to the first end of the body; a depth setting plate, wherein the depth setting plate is positioned proximate to the second end of the body; and a ground-engaging drive rod.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A snow stake driver that allows for fast, safe, and convenient placement of snow stakes at controlled and/or predetermined depths in soil with aggregate and/or rocks, comprising:
 a body, wherein the body is elongated and comprises a first end and a second end;   a handle member, wherein the handle member is positioned proximate to the first end of the body;   a depth setting plate, wherein the depth setting plate is positioned proximate to the second end of the body; and   a ground-engaging drive rod.   
     
     
         2 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an outer wall, an inner wall, an inner top surface, and an aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 2 , wherein the inner wall of the body includes a ground-engaging drive rod stop member that serves to limit lower displacement of the ground-engaging drive rod. 
     
     
         4 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle member forms a T-handle with the body. 
     
     
         5 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle member is secured to or forms part of the first end of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle member comprises a weighted sub-assembly that is positioned above the body of the snow stake driver. 
     
     
         7 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 1 , wherein the depth setting plate comprises a disc positioned at the bottom of the second end of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 3 , wherein the ground-engaging drive rod comprises a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         9 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 8 , wherein the first end of the ground-engaging drive rod comprises a head that contacts the inner top surface of the body while in a retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 8 , wherein the first end of the ground-engaging drive rod comprises a head that contacts the ground-engaging drive rod stop member while in a fully extended position. 
     
     
         11 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the ground-engaging drive rod comprises a tip that is adapted to break up aggregate and/or rocks. 
     
     
         12 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 1 , wherein the body, the handle member, the depth setting plate, and the ground-engaging drive rod are independently fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, and/or wood. 
     
     
         13 . A snow stake driver that allows for fast, safe, and convenient placement of snow stakes at controlled and/or predetermined depths in soil with aggregate and/or rocks, comprising:
 a body, wherein the body is elongated and comprises a first end, a second end, an inner top surface, and a ground-engaging drive rod stop member;   a handle member, wherein the handle member is positioned proximate to the first end of the body;   a depth setting plate, wherein the depth setting plate is positioned proximate to the second end of the body;   a ground-engaging drive rod, wherein the ground-engaging drive rod include a head and is at least partially positioned in the body of the snow stake driver;   wherein the snow stake driver is infinitely displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position;   wherein when in the retracted position, the head of the ground-engaging drive rod contacts the inner top surface of the body; and   wherein when in the extended position, the head of the ground-engaging drive rod contacts the ground-engaging drive rod stop member of the body.   
     
     
         14 . The snow stake driver according to  claim 13 , wherein the body, the handle member, the depth setting plate, and the ground-engaging drive rod are independently fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, and/or wood.