ANCHOR DEVICE
A portable secure anchor device may comprise a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end having a helical surface located at the distal end, and a housing which rotatably receives the proximal end of the shaft. The housing may include a locking mechanism in communication with an internal engagement mechanism connected to the proximal end of the shaft. The locking mechanism may have two or more positions, which either locks the internal engagement mechanism and allows the anchor device to be inserted or removed from the ground, or allows the engagement mechanism to freely spin and not be able to remove the anchor device from the ground.
The present disclosure relates generally to an anchor device operable as an anchor point and configured to be installed in a variety of locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREAnchor points are used in a number of industries to secure valuable goods. However, anchor points are not always readily available. For example, in outdoor recreation it may be difficult to find a suitable anchor location. Additionally, even in more civilized settings, it may be difficult to locate an anchor point that can be used to secure goods. While permanent structures such as trees, rocks, and/or buildings may be used, these structures have obvious drawbacks. Portable devices such as ground stakes/spikes may also be used. However, these devices can essentially be removed as easy as they are installed. Lacking a secure portable anchor point can lead to the loss of valuable items that cannot be continually attended to.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn accordance with various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a portable secure anchor device. The secure anchor device may comprise a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end having a helical surface located at the distal end, and a housing which rotatably receives the proximal end of the shaft. The housing may include a locking mechanism in communication with an internal engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism may be connected to the proximal end of the shaft. The locking mechanism may be movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a first position. The first position may locate the internal engagement mechanism in a free position allowing the housing to rotate freely relative to the shaft in response to rotating the housing in both directions. The locking mechanism may be movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a second position. The second position may engage the internal engagement mechanism such that the internal engagement mechanism prevents rotation of the shaft relative to the housing in at least one direction. The secure anchor device may also comprise an attachment point. The attachment point may be connected to a proximal end of the housing.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein:
The detailed description herein makes use of various exemplary embodiments to assist in disclosing the present invention. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that modifications of structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the instant invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of the present invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.
In accordance with various embodiments, an anchor device may be a portable device which secures property. In accordance with various uses, an anchor device may be suitable for use in outdoor environments. The anchor device may create a stationary mounting point for a chain or cable lock in the absence of another suitable structure such as a tree or post. The anchor device's construction may enable it to anchor into a securing surface in numerous environments including soil, sand, ice, mud, lake bed, sea floor, wood, concrete, and/or any available securing surface which the anchor device penetrates and is able to be driven into the securing surface.
In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device may be utilized to secure a diverse range of items used in a wide spectrum of activities such as hiking, camping, cycling, skating, skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, fishing and RVing. Items could include kayaks, bikes, beach accessories, hiking gear, trailers, barbecue grills, pack animals, construction equipment, golf carts, lobster traps, storage receptacles, etc.
In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device may be installed in a securing surface such as, for example, the ground by rotating the anchor device. After installation in the surface, the internal operation of the anchor device may then be modified by manipulating an access protected actuator such as, for example, a lock. The manipulation of the internal operation of the anchor device may cause a portion of the anchor device exposed above the surface to rotate independently of the anchor device below the surface. With independent rotation, the exposed portion of the anchor device above the surface may be unable to apply sufficient torque to rotate the portion of the anchor device below the surface. Without sufficient torque, a person may not be able to remove the anchor device from the ground. The anchor device may be operable as a theft deterrent. The anchor device may be operable as a strong and secure mounting point, able to protect secured items from washing away, blowing away or being stolen.
In accordance with various embodiments as illustrated for example in
In accordance with various embodiments, an anchor device 100 may comprise locking mechanism 114. In various embodiments, locking mechanism 114 may be housed in housing 116. In other various embodiments, locking mechanism 114 may be housed in attachment point 112. Locking mechanism 114 may be any kind of lock configured to prevent and/or limit access to the internal mechanisms of the anchor device 100. Locking mechanism 114 may also be configured to actuate the internal engagement mechanism. In various examples, locking mechanism 114 may be a keyed lock. In various examples, locking mechanism 114 may be a combination lock.
In accordance with various embodiments, anchor device 100 may comprise an attachment point 112 connected to the exposed portion of the anchor device 100. Attachment point 112 may be configured to attach a chain, cable, lock or other securing method to the anchor device 100. In various examples, attachment point 112 comprises a loop fixedly attached to the top of housing 116 (see e.g.
Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments, attachment point 112 can be a connection point configured to accept modular attachments. A modular attachment may include, but is not limited to, a retractable cable, a flagpole, a chain, an umbrella, a sports net such as volleyball or badminton net and or other accessories.
In accordance with various embodiments as illustrated for example in
In accordance with various embodiments, housing 116 may receive the proximal end (the end that is not driven into the securing surface and/or out the ground or the end closest to the top of the anchor device 100) of shaft 105. Engagement mechanism 700 may be located within housing 116. Locking mechanism 114 may be in communication with engagement mechanism 700. In accordance with various embodiments, the housing 116 may be coupled to anchor shaft 105 through internal engagement mechanism 700. This engagement allows housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105 to rotate together when torque is applied to the anchor device. In accordance with various embodiments, internal engagement mechanism 700 may be operable to separate the housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105. Without engagement by internal engagement mechanism 700, the housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105 may rotate individually. In various embodiments locking mechanism 114 may directly connect engagement mechanism 700 with the proximal end of shaft 105.
2-Position Locking Mechanism
In accordance with various embodiments, the lock and the internal engagement mechanism may be configured to provide a variety of functions. The lock may have two or more positions, depending on the functionality. For example, and as illustrated in
In various examples the internal engagement mechanism 700 may be any of a variety of ratcheting mechanisms or transmissions configured to engage and/or disengage housing 116 from shaft 105. In various embodiments shaft 105 may be connected either directly or indirectly with engagement mechanism 700. In various embodiments and with reference to
3-Position Locking Mechanism
Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments and with reference to
The anchor device may also be configured for directional engagement. In accordance with various embodiments, the internal engagement mechanism 700 may be operable to allow housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105 to rotate relative to one another in one direction but fixed relative to one another in the opposite direction. For example, rotating the housing 116 clockwise may not rotate anchor shaft 105 clockwise as the parts may not be fixed relative to one another by engagement mechanism in the clockwise direction. However, rotating the housing 116 counterclockwise may rotate anchor shaft 105 clockwise as the parts may be fixed relative to one another by engagement mechanism in the counterclockwise direction. As used herein, relative movement indicates one part may move while the other relative part may be stationary or that one part may move while the other part may move differently. As used herein, fixed relative to one another indicates that one part moves the same or substantially the same as the relative other part.
In accordance with various embodiments, as illustrated in
In accordance with various embodiments and as illustrated in
In accordance with various embodiments, and similar to the engagement mechanisms described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10A-10C, an internal engagement mechanism may comprise a pawl configured to contact teeth on a shaft as illustrated in
In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device is operable to be rotated into a surface such as for example the ground. The handles may be extended. After the unit is fully planted in the ground, the user turns the key to “locked” and removes the key rendering the anchor device tamper resistant. The locked mode, as illustrated in
In accordance with various embodiments, handle 110 may be attached to housing 116. Handle 110 may be attached to attachment point 112 or any point on the housing. Handle 110 may not be attached to shaft 105 without having an internal engagement mechanism intervening in the attachment to prevent handle 110 from transmitting torque to shaft 105 when the anchor device 100 is meant to be secure.
In accordance with various embodiments, as illustrated in
In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device 100 may be extendable. For example, shaft 105 may be telescoping shaft. Shaft 105 may be slidably received in housing 116. Housing 116 may be connected to sheath 102 (as illustrated in
Various principles of the present invention have been described in exemplary embodiments. However, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically described, can be varied without departing from those principles. Various embodiments have been described as comprising automatic processes, but this process may be performed manually without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the invention. The scope of the invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Further, a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a helical surface located at the distal end;
- a housing which rotatably receives the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the housing includes a locking mechanism in communication with an internal engagement mechanism wherein the internal engagement mechanism is connected to the proximal end of the shaft,
- wherein the locking mechanism is movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a first position which locates the internal engagement mechanism such that the internal engagement mechanism is located in a free position allowing the housing to rotate freely relative to the shaft in response to rotating the housing in both directions,
- wherein the locking mechanism is movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a second position which engages the internal engagement mechanism such that the internal engagement mechanism prevents rotation of the shaft relative to the housing in at least one direction; and
- an attachment point, wherein the attachment point is connected at a proximal end of the housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second position also engages the internal engagement mechanism such that the internal engagement mechanism allows the housing to rotate freely in a clockwise direction relative to the shaft and in a counterclockwise direction the internal engagement mechanism prevents the shaft from rotating relative to the housing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a third position which allows the housing to rotate freely in a counterclockwise direction relative to the shaft and in a clockwise direction the internal engagement mechanism prevents the shaft from rotating relative to the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second position the locking mechanism engages the internal engagement mechanism such that the internal engagement mechanism prevents the shaft from rotating relative to the housing in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle which extends from the side of at least one of the housing and the attachment point, wherein the handle is configured for multiplying torque applied to shaft during installation or withdrawal of the helical surface from the ground.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of handles which extend from the side of at least one of the housing and the attachment point, wherein the plurality of handles are configured for multiplying torque applied to shaft during installation or withdrawal of the helical surface from the ground.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical surface comprises a blade extending from the shaft forming a partial revolution.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical surface comprises a blade extending from the shaft forming a plurality of revolutions.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical surface comprises a plurality of blades extending from the shaft forming a partial revolution.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical surface comprises a plurality of blades extending from the shaft forming a plurality of revolutions.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical surface comprises a shaft end proximal to a tip extending in a cork screw shape.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a removable key and a keyed actuator which manipulates the internal engagement mechanism.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a combination lock and an actuator which manipulates the internal engagement mechanism.
14. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the handle is telescoping.
15. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the handles are telescoping.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft is telescoping.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve covering the shaft.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment point can be a connection point configured to accept modular attachments.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft can be configured to accept modular blades for different substrates.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 9, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 12, 2015
Inventor: Joshua W. Frank (Sedona, AZ)
Application Number: 13/963,902
International Classification: E02D 27/00 (20060101);