Elongated hold down and barrier device

Abstract

A ground cover hold down device that includes a flexible elongated bladder made of durable, U-V resistant, coated vinyl capable being rolled into a compact rolled configuration for storage and unrolled to form an elongated expanded bladder capable of being filled with water. Formed on the top surface of the bladder is at least one filling port that allows the worker to fill the bladder with water. Located along two longitudinal edges of the bladder is a plurality of laterally extending eyelets. Each eyelet is made of rigid PVC and designed to remain laterally extended as the bladder is filled with water and assumes an oval cross-sectional configuration. A stake is then extended through each eyelet to hold the bladder in place over the ground cover. The bladder also includes a drain plug located at the opposite end of the bladder so that the water may be selectively removed from the bladder.

1 . A ground cover hold down and barrier device comprising: 
 a. a flexible elongated bladder with a top surface and two parallel longitudinal edges and two end surfaces, said elongated bladder being made of water tight material sufficiently flexible to allow said body to be folded and rolled into a compact configuration for storage or expanded into a straight configuration over a ground cover;    b. at least on filling port formed on said top surface of said bladder near one said end surface;    c. means for selectively closing of said filling port;    d. a plurality of laterally extending eyelets formed on said lateral edges, said eyelets being located along said longitudinal edges so that when said bladder is filled with water, said bladder has an oval cross-section configuration;    e. a drain port formed on said top surface of said bladder near the end surface opposite said filling port; and,    f. means for selectively closing said drain port.    
   
   
       2 . The ground cover hold down and barrier device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said filling port includes an upward extended neck with external hose connector threads formed thereon capable of connecting threaded cap.  
   
   
       3 . The ground cover hold down and barrier device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said drain port includes internal threads that connect to a plug that includes external threads capable of being connected thereto to selectively open and close said drain port.  
   
   
       4 . The ground cover hold down and barrier device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bladder is made of PVC coated polyester woven material weighing approximately 18 to 42 oz. per square yard.  
   
   
       5 . The ground cover hold down and barrier device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bladder is sold as a kit with a plurality stakes capable of being inserted through said eyelet and holding said bladder over a sloped ground cover.  
   
   
       6 . The ground cover hold down and barrier device, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said drain port closing means is a two-way valve.  
   
   
       7 . The ground cover hold down and barrier device, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said drain port closing means is a two-way valve.  
   
   
       8 . A method for holding down a ground cover, comprising the following steps: 
 a. unfolding a ground cover over a section of ground;    b. selecting a ground cover hold down device comprising a flexible elongated bladder that includes two parallel longitudinal edges and two end edges, and a top surface, said bladder includes a filling port formed on said top surface near one end edge and a drain port formed on said bladder near the end edge opposite said filling port, said bladder also including a plurality of laterally extending eyelets formed on said longitudinal edges of said bladder, said bladder being made of water proof material sufficiently flexible to allow said bladder to be rolled into a compact configuration when drained and unfold into a straight configuration over a ground cover;    c. unrolling said bladder over a desired section of said ground cover to be held downward over the section of ground so that said top surface faces upward;    d. inserting a stake at least two said eyelets and striking each said stake to at least partially imbed said stake into the ground;    e. opening said filling port and filling said bladder with water;    f. closing said filing port when a desired volume of water has been added to said bladder; and,    g. reviewing each said stake to determine if said stake is force against said eyelet so that said bladder is held firmly in place over said ground cover.