Vehicle anchor

Abstract

An anchor for securing equipment to a substrate comprising a base that includes two barrels that are configured to pivotally receive a pivot pin having an anchor loop, the base further comprising at least one installation aperture located on the periphery of the base and at least one anchor bolt with a drive inset, at least one for each installation aperture.

Description

This application is a continuation in part of pending application 29/261,390, filed on Jun. 13, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of devices that are used to secure large equipment and anchor vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Many owners of larger equipment and vehicles are dismayed when their equipment go missing. There are many different methods by which this occurrence may be prevented. The equipment may be housed in a secure facility, wheels may be removed, batteries may be removed and the like.

Not all owners of these equipment have a secure housing facility available, especially at remote construction sites and the removal of portions of the equipment is time consuming and takes much effort.

Thus, there are present and continuing needs for new and improved devices that help secure or anchor vehicles and other large equipment to a site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for anchoring vehicles to a site.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that anchors vehicles to concrete pads.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the installation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the present invention installed on a floor, prior to drilling out the bolt heads.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the present invention after the bolt heads are drilled out.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is useful for anchoring and securing vehicles and other large vehicles.

With reference to the figures, the present invention is an anchor 20 that can be secured to a substrate 10, such as a floor or wall. The anchor 20 comprises a substantial base 22. The base 22 includes at least two pivot barrels 24 that are configured to pivotally receive a pivot pin 26 having an anchor loop 28.

Further, the base includes at least one, more preferably two, even more preferably three and most preferably four installation apertures 23, located around the periphery of the base 22. In the most preferred embodiment, the upper portion of the installation apertures are countersunk 25 in order to fully receive a bolt 30, more specifically the bolt head 32. The base 22 is preferably rectangular in shape, but may have any of a wide variety of different shaped. The base 22 is made of a hard steel, but other materials may be used and still considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

The anchor loop 28 preferably further contains a securing aperture 29. The shape of the anchor loop 20 is preferably arcuately shaped, such as a half-circle, but other shapes may be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention. The shape of the securing aperture 29 is preferably circular, but may be other shapes and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

There are two preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the first preferred embodiment, the base 22 is secured to a prepoured substrate 10, such as a concrete pad, by embedding at least one, preferably to, more preferably three, and most preferably for anchor bolts 30. This is done by placing the anchor 20 on the substrate and using the installation apertures 23 to guide a drill bit as it prepares a hole in the substrate to receive anchor bolts 30. After any debris caused by the drilling, the anchor bolts are inserted thorough the installation apertures and into the substrate, thereby securing the anchor to the substrate. After installing the anchor bolts 30, the insets in the heads are drilled out, thereby preventing unwanted removal of the anchor bolts 30 and subsequent removal of the anchor and any secured equipment.

More specifically, place the anchor 20 in a suitable location, away from walkways, and the like.

Using a pencil or marker trace all mounting hole onto the substrate concrete 10.

Remove the anchor 20 and drill a ⅝″ hole at one of the marked locations using a ⅝″ concrete drill, to a depth of 2¼″. Keep the drilled hole perpendicular to the concrete mounting surface 10. Do no drill the remaining holes at this time.

Blow the drilled hole clean of dust and other materials. Insert a bolt anchor into the hole and tap flush with surface. Using the bolt anchor setting tool specifically, set the bolt anchor by driving the tool with a sufficient number of hammer blows until the shoulder of the tool is seated against the bolt anchor. The bolt anchor will not hold allowable loads required if shoulder of setting tool does not seat against the bolt anchor.

Install the locking plate over the holes previously marked and install an Allen bolt 30 into the bolt anchor, and tighten

Using the anchor 20 as a drill template, drill a hole in the opposite corner of the first drilled hole using the previous described method for drilling holes and anchor installation.

Install Allen bolt 30 into the new hole and tighten.

Drill the remaining two holes and install bolt anchors and bolts using the previous described method for installation.

Drill out hex of countersunk Allen bolts 30 using a ⅜″ drill bit, to disable fastener removal.

In the second embodiment, the base 22 is installed within the substrate 10 while it is being poured, but inserting at least one, preferably four, concrete retaining legs (not shown) into freshly poured cement. In this embodiment, the base may have, but does not require, the installation apertures 23.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An anchor for securing equipment to a substrate comprising a base that includes two barrels that are configured to pivotally receive a pivot pin having an anchor loop, the base further comprising at least one installation aperture located on the periphery of the base and at least one anchor bolt with a drive inset, at least one for each installation aperture.

2. The anchor according to claim 1 wherein the at least one installation aperture is two installation apertures.

3. The anchor according to claim 1 wherein the at least one installation aperture is four installation apertures.

4. A method for securing an equipment anchor to a substrate comprising the steps of:

a) providing a substrate;

b) providing an anchor to be secured to the substrate, said anchor comprising a base that includes two barrels that are configured to pivotally receive a pivot pin having an anchor loop, the base further comprising at least one installation aperture located on the periphery of the base;

c) placing the anchor onto the substrate;

d) drilling holes into the substrate using the installation apertures in the base as a template;

e) removing any debris caused by drilling the holes in the substrate;

f) driving bolts with drive insets into the installation apertures and into the substrate, thereby securing the anchor to the substrate; and

g) drilling out the drive inset in the head of the bolt, thereby preventing unwanted removal of the bolt from the substrate.