Emergency anchoring device for recreational vehicles

Abstract

An emergency anchoring device for use when a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile or ATV is stuck in mud, snow, or in a ditch. The anchoring device is planted in the ground and has a reinforced head, fashioned to be hit upon using a hammer, a sledge hammer, etc. . . . so as to be planted deep enough to provide good anchoring characteristics, and for that, it also has a removable extension arm which allows for the anchoring device to be set very deep while still having a high enough extension to make it easier for hitting. A winch cable is then attached to the anchoring device's arm. The anchoring device itself features a reinforced head and has a two fold design for increased strength and grasp in the ground.

Description

This application claims priority based on provisional application 60/523,290 filed Nov. 20, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to anchors but more particularly to an emergency anchoring device for recreational vehicles.

2. Background of the Invention

Anchors are generally known for ships but the general term also describes hooks that are planted into the ground in order to serve as a relatively fixed and secure point onto which an attachment can be secured.

In this regard, a number of stakes, plows or hooks have been developped over the years for certain specific applications.

There are no practical anchoring devices that are compact for easy storage when not required on an ATV or any such vehicle or offer any inherent advantages for users of such vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing lack of known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an emergency anchoring device for use when a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile or ATV is stuck in mud, snow, or in a ditch. The anchoring device is planted in the ground and has a reinforced head, fashioned to be hit upon using a hammer, a sledge hammer, an axe (reversed), or a rock so as to be planted deep enough to provide good anchoring characteristics, and for that, it also has a removable extension arm which allows for the anchoring device to be set very deep while still having a high enough extension to make it easier for hitting. Also, that extension can be used as a guide when a second person is available to align it and hold it steady in the first few strikes. A winch cable is then attached to the anchoring device's arm. The anchoring device itself features a reinforced head and has a two fold design for increased strength and grasp in the ground. The removable extension has a girth smaller than the arm so that it can be slid into it.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 Side view open.

FIG. 2 Side view closed.

FIG. 3 Perspective view of the extension arm.

FIG. 4 Front view closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An emergency anchoring device for recreational vehicles (10) has a body (12) which has a generally pointed shape when viewed from the front as in FIG. 4 but also from the side as in FIG. 1. This shape is given by three fold lines A, B, and C with <<A>> being in the middle and <<B>> and >>C>> being paired, one on each side of <<A>> so as to make a progressive fold which creates a shape having a strength by design which is suitable for planting in the ground as well as providing sufficient structural strength to support a load. A handle (14) is rotationaly attached to the body (12) at one end by way of a connecting rod (16), and at its opposite end, it has a hook (18), preferably rotationally connected to the connecting rod. Moreover, the handle (14) has a stopper (20) which limits the degree to which the handle (14) opens in relation to the body (12). This stopper (20) provides a proper angle for when a vehicle needs to be pulled as well as displaces the point of contact between the handle (14) and a re-enforced connector head (24) which substantially reduces leverage pressure on the handle (14) so that it is less likely to bend.

In order to facilitate planting the anchoring device (10) into the ground, a removable arm (22) engages onto the connector head (24) situated at one end of the body (12) proximal to the connecting rod (16). Although the anchoring device is functional without the removable arm (22), it is a nice feature to have and the fact that it can be slid inside the handle (14) allows for unobtrusive storage but also brovidesextended leverage when it is needed for removing the anchor, either by jiggling it when partially engaged into the handle (14) or when engaged onto the connector head (24).

The removable arm (22) has a <<C>> opening (26) which wraps around the connector head (24). The removable arm (22) has a reinforcement webbing (28) at its base which connects with the <<C>> opening (26) in order to provide extra strength.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An emergency anchoring device for recreational vehicles comprising:

a body having a generally pointed shape by way of fold lines so arranged as to make a progressive fold which creates a shape procuring strength by design;

a handle rotationaly attached to said body at one end by way of a connecting rod, and at its opposite end, having a hook, preferably rotationally connected to said connecting rod;

said handle having a stopper to limit the degree to which said handle opens in relation to said body;

a connector head to substantially reduce leverage pressure on said handle;

2. An emergency anchoring device for recreational vehicles as in claim 1 wherein:

a removable arm engaging onto said connector head situated at one end of said body proximal to said connecting rod so as to facilitate planting said anchoring device;

said removable arm having a <<C>> opening wrapping around said connector head.

3. An emergency anchoring device for recreational vehicles as in claim 2 wherein:

said removable arm having a reinforcment webbing at its base which connects with said <<C>> opening.