Abstract:
A ground anchoring system for trash cans designed to secure trash cans from scavenging animals and during windy conditions. The apparatus comprises a steel pole assembly that is anchored in the ground with concrete and extends up from the ground. An upper end of the pole is provided with a decorative cap and at least one (1) hook provided at a position to engage the handles on at least one (1) trash can. The upper end further comprises a spring-loaded mechanism to allow the hooks to ride up and down the pole, thus allowing them to engage trash containers of different sizes, especially those of large wheeled totes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Mar. 16, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to container retaining apparatus, and more particularly, to a ground anchor for trash cans. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The task of taking out the trash is one that most people do not enjoy. Typically, one must endure smelly trash, leaking bags, flies, and other undesirables while taking the day&#39;s trash out to the trash can. One (1) facet of this task that is particularly annoying is the fact that many cans, especially when empty, tend to blow all over the yard, get run over and damaged by passing traffic, are disturbed by wild and domestic animals looking for food, or just generally become lost. Those who are unable to retrieve their cans on trash collection day from the curb when they are emptied, usually arrive home to find them nowhere in sight, and must cruise the neighborhood looking for them. 
     Many support apparatus exist which are intended to retain a trash can or other container in a desired position. Most of the existing holders and supports provide rigid support rack which is secured to the ground surface and include flanges, chains, hooks, or other supports to retain the trash can to the support rack. Some of these apparatus also include a means to adjust the height of the support rack through a series of telescoping members which can be tightened at a desired height. Other apparatus provide a planer stand onto which a bottom end of a trash can is removably mounted. 
     Examples of these types of apparatus can be seen by example in several U.S. Patents, including: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,448,456, issued in the name of Niskanen et al.; 3,288,306, issued in the name of Walters; 3,527,355, issued in the name of Boyer; 3,638,802, issued in the name of Westerfield; 4,513,938, issued in the name of Seymour; 4,517,775, issued in the name of Engel; and, 6,439,517, issued in the name of Applegate. 
     While these supports and holder may provide some benefit related to their respective, particular objectives, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency with respect to design, function, or effectiveness. These devices are typically designed for use with a particular size and type of trash can. These devices further fail to provide a simple yet effective means of securing the trash cans in a desired location, requiring complicated set up, multiple points of attachment to the trash can, and even require tools to adjust the position of the retaining means or to mount and remove the trash can. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which trash cans can be retained on windy days in a manner that is quick, easy, and effective. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing art, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed the need for a novel means by which various sizes and types of trashcans may be secured at a desired location and thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which prevents empty trash cans from blowing away, being toppled due to wind or animals, and being lost or damaged. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which increases the aesthetic quality of a yard and a neighborhood. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is securely anchored to the ground surface. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is operates at any location and can secure a trash can at alternative points. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which enables easy access and use of the trash can while secured in a desired location. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which has an extended useful life. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple and intuitive to use with little to no training. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is durable and economical to manufacture. 
     To achieve the objects of the invention, a preferred embodiment of the present apparatus includes a ground anchor for trash cans comprising a fixed member which is rigidly mounted to a ground surface having a tubular member with an open top end and a closed bottom end. The fixed member further comprises a lower portion which is inserted into the ground surface. A sliding member is telescopingly mounted to the fixed member and comprises a tubular member having a closed top end and an open bottom end. The sliding member and the fixed member are cooperatively mounted such that the sliding member moves with respect to the fixed member in a vertical direction and the open bottom end of the sliding member receives an upper portion of the fixed member. A planar ground plate is affixed above the lower portion of the fixed member to engage the top of the ground surface and stabilize the fixed member. A hook is affixed to the sliding member to releasably secure the trashcan. A helical compression spring is attached between the fixed member and the sliding member to resist an applied compression force applied by the sliding member when the trash can is releasably secured to the hook. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus also provides the lower portion of the fixed member to be secured within a concrete bonding material. The bonding material is applied to a hole in the ground surface and the lower portion of the fixed member includes at least one (1) length of rigidly affixed rebar which provides a means of supporting the fixed member within the bonding material. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the invention may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The invention can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a ground anchor for trash cans  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another side view of the ground anchor for trash cans  10  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the ground anchor for trash cans  10  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 ground anchor for trash cans 
               
               
                 15 
                 trash can 
               
               
                 16 
                 handle 
               
               
                 17 
                 ground surface 
               
               
                 18 
                 bonding material 
               
               
                 20 
                 cap 
               
               
                 30 
                 hook 
               
               
                 40 
                 “U”-bolt 
               
               
                 45 
                 fastener 
               
               
                 50 
                 sliding member 
               
               
                 60 
                 fixed member 
               
               
                 70 
                 ground plate 
               
               
                 80 
                 support means 
               
               
                 90 
                 first catch 
               
               
                 95 
                 second catch 
               
               
                 100 
                 spring 
               
               
                 105 
                 lower spring hook 
               
               
                 106 
                 upper spring hook 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a ground anchor for trash cans (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for retaining a trash can  15  in a secure position, thereby preventing the trash can  15  from blowing away, scavenging animals, or from becoming lost. The apparatus  10  comprises a cap  20 , a hook  30 , a sliding member  50 , a fixed member  60 , and a spring  100 . The apparatus  10  is approximately four (4) feet in length and may be fabricated in a variety of colors, patterns, or logos that which complement a structure&#39;s exterior. The apparatus  10  is utilized in conjunction with an existing trash can  15 . Various trash can  15  styles which comprise a handle  16  may be utilized with the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a cylindrical form fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or the like and may also be coated with a plastic or a rubberized coating, thereby protecting the apparatus  10  from the weather, automobiles, or the like. An upper portion of the apparatus  10  comprises a sliding member  50 , thereby providing a retaining means to a trashcan  15  and a protecting means to internal components. The sliding member  50  is approximately two (2) inches in diameter and thirty (30) inches in length with an approximate stroke length of ten (10) inches to allow for various lengths of conventional trash cans  15 . The upper distal portion of the sliding member  50  comprises a conventional circular fencing cap  20 , thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing decorative cover to the upper distal portion. The cap  20  is an appropriate diameter to engage the upper portion of the sliding member  50  and secure thereto via an interference fitting means. 
     An upper side portion of the sliding member  50  comprises at least one hook  30  providing a means to secure and suspend the trash can  15 . In a preferred embodiment, a single hook  30  is attached to the sliding member  50  via a common “U”-bolt  40  and a pair of fasteners  45 . The “U”-bolt  40  is inserted through the hook  30  and sliding member  50  and secured at an opposite side with fasteners  45  such as, but not limited to: nuts, rivets, or the like. The hook  30  is approximately twenty-seven (27) inches from a ground surface  17 , thereby allowing various sized trash cans  15  to be utilized, and fabricated from durable materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, or the like. In other embodiments, the sliding member  50  comprises a plurality of hooks  30  affixed thereto. The hooks  30  are preferably disposed at, at least ninety degree (90°) increments around the circumference of the sliding member  50 . Each hook  30  is attached to the sliding member  50  by at least one mechanical fastener, including but not limited to, screws, bolts, nuts, or the like. In a two (2) hook embodiment, the hooks  30  are preferably positioned at one hundred eighty degree) (180° increments and in a three (3) hook embodiment, the hooks  30  are preferably positioned at one hundred twenty degree (120°) increments. Although other quantities and relative positions of hooks  30  can be utilized without altering the scope of the apparatus. 
     A bottom portion of the apparatus  10  comprises a fixed member  60 , thereby providing a means for the apparatus  10  to be secured into the ground surface  17  and providing a means for the sliding member  50  to travel thereupon. In use, approximately fourteen (14) inches of a bottom portion of the fixed member  60  is inserted into the ground surface  17  and a bonding material  18  such as, but not limited to: cement, concrete, or the like fills around the fixed member  60 , thereby securing the apparatus  10  into the ground portion  17 . The bottom portion of the fixed member  60  which is inserted into the bonding material  18  comprises a support means  80  which is preferably rebar, yet other devices which reinforce a structure may also be utilized without limiting the functions of the device. The fixed member  60  also comprises a ground plate  70 , thereby providing a stabilization means to the upper portions of the apparatus  10 . The ground plate  70  is preferably a disc-shaped device fabricated from a durable material which engages the top portion of the ground surface  17  once the apparatus  10  is inserted thereinto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , another side view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In use, the apparatus  10  is compressed, thereby enabling the sliding member  50  to travel downwardly on the fixed member  60  via a spring  100  (see  FIG. 3 ). A handle  16  on the trash can  15  is then positioned onto the hook  30 , thereby allowing the trash can  15  to be securely suspended thereon. The weight of the trash can  15  enables the apparatus  10  to remain in a compressed state until removal of the trash can  15 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view of the apparatus  10  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Internally, the apparatus  10  comprises a first catch  90 , a second catch  95 , a spring  100 , a lower spring hook  105 , and an upper spring hook  106 , thereby enabling the apparatus  10  to compress and retract. The first catch  90  is attached to an intermediate inner portion of the cap  20 , thereby enabling the upper spring hook  106  to be attached thereto. The second catch  95  is attached to an intermediate inner bottom portion of the fixed member  60 , thereby enabling a lower spring hook  105  to be attached thereto. The first catch  90  and second catch  95  are comprised of circular eyelet devices which allow the spring hooks  105 ,  106  to fastener onto, respectively. Each catch  90 ,  95  is attached to their respective locations via fastening means such as, but not limited to: adhesive, integral molding, threadably engaging, or the like. Each hook  105 ,  106  is integral parts of a conventional spring  100 . The conventional spring  100  is preferably a hardened steel tension spring, yet other elastic device or springs may be utilized without limiting the features of the apparatus  10 . The spring  100  is located at an intermediate position within the sliding member  50  and fixed member  60 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; digging a level hole approximately two (2) foot by six (6) foot at a desired trash pick-up location; inserting the fixed portion  60  of the apparatus  10  into the hole with the ground plate  70  engaging a top portion of the ground surface  17 ; pouring a conventional bonding material  18  around the bottom portion of the fixed portion  60  and covering the support means  80 ; allowing the bonding material  18  to cure; positioning a trash can  15  upon the hook  30 ; allowing the sliding member  50  to travel downwardly towards the fixed member  60 , thereby enabling the spring  100  to compress; removing the trash can  15  as desired and allowing the spring  100  to retract; utilizing the apparatus  10  as necessary; and, retaining trash cans  15  in an effective manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.