Anchor Device and Method

Abstract

An anchor device includes a spear assembly having a driving tip, four flutes, and four flights for driving and holding the spear assembly into a ground volume, a flange, and an attach point for connecting the submerged spear assembly and flange to an external object. The anchor device is useful for securing an external object to the ground in a manner that requires no additional digging or cement to keep the anchor device in position. In addition, the anchor device is reusable and configured in a plurality of lengths and dimensions for varying applications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/452,613 filed Jan. 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of static structures and anchoring means of existing art and more specifically relates to an anchor device.

RELATED ART

Currently, in order to install posts, building segments, tie-downs, and more into the ground, two or more workers must dig holes and remove stones in the ground, as well as mix concrete with water, allowing cure time before use. Unfortunately, not only is this inconvenient and expensive but also time consuming and cumbersome. Additionally, if driving long posts into the ground, workers may be required to stand on a ladder while pounding, which is unsafe and inconvenient. A more efficient alternative is needed.

U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0144888 to Mark Snyders relates to a ground-mounting fixture. The described ground-mounting fixture includes a fixture for mounting in soft earth or sand to anchor the lower end of a pole, comprises an upright post having radially extending fins extending along its length. A rectangular steel bar lattice is attached to the post which has a cap plate to which the lower end of the pole can be bolted. The fixture has the post mounted in a post hole and the lattice buried in a well of rectangular cross-section surrounding the upper end-portion of the post. The post and lattice are united with one another so that the lattice resists tilting of the post.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known anchoring means art, the present disclosure provides a novel anchor device. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an anchor device for supporting posts or other external objects.

An anchor device is disclosed herein. The anchor device may include a spear assembly, a flange, and an attach point. The spear assembly may include a driving tip for penetrating a ground volume, along with four flutes (more or less may be used in alternate embodiments), each flute having a flight outwardly fixed thereto. The flange may feature a generally planar surface that may be used to apply force against for installing the anchor device into a ground volume. An attach point may further be affixed to the flange for connecting the anchor device to a post or other external object by means of a cable and tie-down connector. Other suitable attachment means may be employed.

According to another embodiment, a method of use for an anchor device is also disclosed herein. The method of use may include providing an anchor device for anchoring external objects into a ground volume, driving the anchor device into the ground volume, and attaching the external object to the attach point of the spear assembly.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an anchor device and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the anchor device during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anchor device of FIG. 1 showing the anchor device with a male attach point affixed to the flange, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the anchor device of FIG. 1 showing the anchor device with a female attach point affixed to the flange, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anchor device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for an anchor device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to anchoring means and more particularly to an anchor device as used to provide an efficient and reusable device for securing an object to a ground volume.

Generally, the anchor device is a stand-alone device that may offer a high degree of resistance to torque and lateral forces, thereby anchoring objects into a ground volume. This innovative product may comprise an anchor base including a flange and attach point and a four-fluted spear assembly. The anchor base may consist of a flange, preferably cut from a steel plate with a center hole cut or drilled into the flange. The flange may be threaded in the center hole, or welded to a steel stud, or welded to a steel socket. The stud or socket may or may not be threaded, depending on user requirements. For the four-fluted spear, two pieces of steel angle iron may be cut at an angle at one end and cut in a flat square shape at the opposite end. The resulting two pieces can be welded lengthwise at or near their vertices to form the spear, which is pointed at one end and squared flat at the other end.

Four flights may be cut from flat steel, approximately the same thickness and width as the flutes. Each flight may be cut at an angle at one end and cut in a flat square at the opposite end. The squared end of each flight can be welded to the spear lengthwise at the squared end of each flute on the same plane. The anchor base and spear can then be joined at their vertical centerlines on the flat plane.

The anchor device may be produced in a plurality of sizes, lengths, and dimensions to accommodate varying applications and install sites. One alternate embodiment may include a high-production model of the anchor device comprising a combined flute and flight design. In this alternate embodiment, the flutes may be tapered at an angle from the driving tip up to the flange in a manner that eliminates the need for a separate flight to be fixed to the outer wings of the flutes. This configuration may be lighter, less expensive, and faster to produce than other embodiments of the anchor device, thereby offering additional alternative solutions to consumers for specialized installations.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an anchor device 100.

FIG. 1 shows an anchor device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the anchor device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to provide an efficient and reusable device for securing external objects 10 to a ground volume 20. As illustrated, the anchor device 100 may include a spear assembly 110 having a driving tip 120, preferably four flutes 130, and preferably four flights 135. The spear assembly 110 may be configured to be driven into the ground volume 20, with each of the flights 135 being outwardly fixed to a respective one of each of the flutes 130. The anchor device 100 may also include a flange 140 and an attach point 145, where the attach point 145 may further be configured to couple with an external connector 30 designed to tether or mount an external object 10 to the ground volume 20.

According to one embodiment, the anchor device 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the anchor device 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the anchor device 100 such that the anchor device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2 shows the anchor device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the anchor device 100 may include a spear assembly 110, a flange 140, and an attach point 145. The spear assembly 110 may include a driving tip 120 which may be reinforced with hardened metals 121, four flutes 130 featuring a cross-shaped configuration 131, and four flights 135 outwardly fixed to a respective one of each of the four flutes 130. The flutes 130 and flights 135 may themselves also feature an angled edge 132 for penetrating the local ground volume 20. Other materials may be used.

The flange 140 may include a generally planar surface 141 that may be fixed to the spear assembly 110 for positioning near ground-level once the anchor device 100 has been driven into the ground volume 20. The attach point 145 may feature a male mounting stud 146 or a female socket configuration 148 (first shown in FIG. 3). The male mounting stud 146 may include a threaded portion 147 for coupling with an external connector 30 (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the anchor device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the anchor device 100 may include a spear assembly 110, a flange 140, and an attach point 145. The spear assembly 110 may itself include a driving tip 120, four flutes 130, and four flights 135 outwardly fixed to a respective one of each of the four flutes 130.

The flange 140 may include a generally planar surface 141 that may be fixed to the spear assembly 110 for positioning near ground-level once the anchor device 100 has been installed. The attach point 145 may feature a female socket configuration 148 which may resemble a hole 142 in this current embodiment. The hole 142 may have a threaded portion 147 for coupling with an external connector 30 (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anchor device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the anchor device 100 may be configured in varying lengths, each of which may include a spear assembly 110 having a driving tip 120, four flutes 130, and four flights 135. Also shown, the flutes 130 and flights 135 (having angled edges 132 for penetrating a variety of surfaces) may be configured in a cross-shaped configuration 131. Here again, a flange 140 may be fixed to the end furthest from the driving tip 120.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use 500 for an anchor device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use 500 for an anchor device 100 may include one or more components or features of the anchor device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use 500 for an anchor device 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing an anchor device 100 for anchoring external objects 10 into a ground volume 20, the anchor device 100 including a spear assembly 110, a flange 140, and an attach point 145, the spear assembly 110 configured to be driven into the ground volume 20; step two 502, driving the anchor device 100 into the ground volume 20; step three 503, attaching the external object 10 to the attach point 145 of the spear assembly 110; step four 504, disconnecting the external object 10 from the attach point 145 of the spear assembly 110; and step five 505, removing the anchor device 100 from the ground volume 20.

It should be noted that step 504 and step 505 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for an anchor device 100, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope 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 scientist, 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.

Claims

1. An anchor device for anchoring external objects into a ground volume, the anchor device comprising:

a spear assembly having; a driving tip; four flutes; and four flights;

a flange; and

an attach point;

wherein said spear assembly is configured to be driven into the ground volume;

wherein each of said flights are outwardly fixed to a respective one of each of said flutes;

wherein said flange comprises a generally planar surface that is fixed to said spear assembly for positioning near ground-level once said anchor device has been driven into the ground volume; and

wherein said attach point is configured to couple with an external connector.

2. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said flutes are welded in a cross-shaped configuration.

3. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said flutes include an angled edge nearest said driving tip for penetrating the ground volume.

4. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said driving tip is reinforced with hardened metals.

5. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured as a single-unit-construction without any moving parts.

6. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said device is ground-mountable without any prior ground preparation.

7. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said attach point includes a male mounting stud.

8. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said male mounting stud is unthreaded.

9. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said male mounting stud includes a threaded portion.

10. The anchor device of claim 9, wherein said threaded portion is coupled with said flange by screwing it into a hole in a center of said flange.

11. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said attach point includes a female socket configuration.

12. The anchor device of claim 11, wherein said female socket configuration is threaded for receiving a threaded external connector.

13. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said spear assembly is at least 1 foot in length.

14. The anchor device of claim 13, wherein said flights do not extend down a full said length of said flutes.

15. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said flights feature an angled-edge.

16. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein said device is able to be removed from said ground volume and reused.

17. An anchor device for anchoring external objects into a ground volume, the device comprising:

a spear assembly having; a driving tip; four flutes; and four flights;

a flange; and

an attach point;

wherein said spear assembly is configured to be driven into the ground volume;

wherein each of said flights are outwardly fixed to a respective one of each of said flutes;

wherein said flange comprises a generally planar surface that is fixed to said spear assembly for positioning near ground-level once said anchor device has been driven into the ground volume;

wherein said attach point is configured to couple with an external connector;

wherein said flutes are welded in a cross-shaped configuration;

wherein said flutes include an angled edge nearest said driving tip for penetrating said ground volume;

wherein said driving tip is reinforced with hardened metals;

wherein said device is configured as a single-unit-construction without any moving parts;

wherein said device is ground-mountable without any prior ground preparation;

wherein said attach point includes a male mounting stud;

wherein said male mounting stud is unthreaded;

wherein said male mounting stud includes a threaded portion;

wherein said threaded portion is coupled with said flange by screwing it into a hole in a center of said flange;

wherein said attach point includes a female socket configuration;

wherein said female socket configuration is threaded for receiving a threaded external connector;

wherein said spear assembly is at least 1 foot in length;

wherein said flights do not extend down a full said length of said flutes;

wherein said flights feature an angled-edge;

wherein said device is able to be removed from said ground volume and reused.

18. The anchor device of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein said device is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of use for an anchor device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an anchor device for anchoring external objects into a ground volume, said anchor device including a spear assembly, a flange, and an attach point, said spear assembly configured to be driven into said ground volume;

driving said anchor device into said ground volume; and

attaching said external object to said attach point of said spear assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

disconnecting said external object from said attach point of said spear assembly; and

removing said anchor device from said ground volume.