Abstract: A device is disclosed for facilitating the anchoring and release of a structure to a medium, such as sand. The device is operable to inject a liquefying fluid into a medium upon a down stroke so as to facilitate liquefication within an area of the medium. The structure is simultaneously inserted into the area of the medium where liquefication has occurred by creating a vacuum within the structure, upon an upstroke, which facilitates the insertion operation. The distal end of the structure to be anchored is fitted with at least one protrusion for increasing the holding force of the medium. If desired, the distal end of the structure is also fitted with at least one fin operable under selective control of a user for reducing the holding force on the structure. In one embodiment, the user, when desiring to release the structure, rotates the structure, thereby rotating the fin.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for facilitating the anchoring of a structure to a medium. For example, the disclosed device may facilitate anchoring an umbrella assembly into sand. The device is operable to inject a liquefying fluid into a medium upon a downstroke so as to facilitate liquefication within an area of the medium. The structure is then inserted into the area of the medium where liquefication has occurred by creating a vacuum within the structure, upon an upstroke, which facilitates the insertion operation. For example, a stand structure for holding the umbrella assembly may be inserted into the sand using the techniques herein. The medium displaced by the insertion operation has the geometrical contours of the structure such that the structure easily slides into the medium. The vacuum draws a portion of the medium into the structure and creates a seal that facilitates compacting of the medium and provides a superior anchoring strength.