Patent ID: 9215847
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
1. An anchor unit for anchoring a mobile irrigation tower to underlying farm ground soil the anchor unit comprising: (a) an irrigation tower including a generally upright frame fixed thereto having an upper end and a lower end, (b) a motor movably mounted to the frame for translation between a first retracted position and a second extended position, (c) an elongated upright anchor member to anchor the mobile irrigation tower in any desired location so as to render the irrigation tower immobile at that location, the anchor member being connected to the motor for rotation by the motor, the anchor member having an upper end connected to the motor and a lower end extending downwardly from the motor, the anchor member having at least a portion which is fashioned from a flat bar having a generally constant thickness which has been twisted into the shape of a helix thereby defining a helical anchor portion, the helical anchor portion presenting opposing helical surfaces, the helical anchor portion also having a pitch defined by a pitch distance which is a longitudinal length of the helical portion that spans a full helix rotation, (d) an anchor member engaging portion which is fixed to the frame, the anchor member engaging portion including a pair of opposite diagonally oriented rods which are oriented, spaced and sized to engage the opposing helical surfaces of the helical anchor portion, the rods being sufficiently spaced apart to receive the helical anchor portion there-between, the rods arranged such that when the helical anchor portion is turned by a full rotation in a direction of rotation, the helical anchor portion either advances or retracts depending on the direction of rotation by the pitch distance, (e) a remotely operable control unit suitable for activating the motor causing the motor and the anchor member to move from the first retracted position to the second extended position such that the anchor member screws into the soil at any desired location beneath the irrigation tower to thereby render the irrigation tower immobile at a desired location, and subsequently for causing the motor and the anchor member to turn in a second direction suitable for causing the motor and the anchor member to move from the second extended position to the first retracted position to thereby render the irrigation tower mobile and unanchored.