Abstract:
A compression anchor for holding a support member, such as a cylindrical handrail, is disclosed. The anchor includes a body having a cavity and a wedge portion that connects to the body using thick threads, such as 2-4 ACME 2-G threads. The wedge is substantially cylindrical and encircles a support member received in the cavity. A compression ring is in contact with the body and the wedge portion. As the wedge portion turns relative to the body using the threads, the compression ring expands and contracts to loosen or tighten the connection between the received support member and the anchor. The wedge portion and the body are corrosion resistant.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an anchor for supporting a swimming pool accessory, such as a handrail, chair, platform, or diving board. More particularly, it relates to a corrosion-resistant compression anchor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of handrails and support accessories, such as swimming pool accessories, it is desirable to anchor supports, such as handrails, chairs, lifeguard platforms, diving boards and platforms, and starting platforms, into a ground surface, such as a pool deck. A typical handrail or support is cylindrical, approximately 1.9 inches in diameter. Various means are known for anchoring such supports into a pool deck or other ground surface. One such means is the use of a metal anchor that is embedded in the ground surface, for example, by installing the anchor during the construction of the pool deck by pouring the concrete or other pool surface around the anchor. Anchors receive the support member and hold it in place. Existing compression anchors, for example, utilize a compression ring that wraps around the cylindrical support when the support member is received in a cylindrical cavity of the anchor. The compression ring can be tightened to hold the support member in place and can be loosened to release the support member. 
     The use of existing anchors in a wet environment, such as around a swimming pool, poses particular problems. Because the water corrodes many metal materials, hand rails and other supports use stainless steel to present a clean, rust-free appearance. Conventional compression anchors, however, are formed from bronze or other material that tarnishes. When two pieces of stainless steel are pressed tightly together, a permanent bond may be formed. In the case of a support member and an anchor, this is undesirable because one purpose of the anchor is to allow the support structure to be removed from the anchor; if a permanent connection was intended, the support structure would be permanently mounted in the ground surface during construction and there would be no reason to use an anchor. As a result, existing anchors are formed from metal other than stainless steel, such as bronze. 
     One problem with the use of bronze and other materials is that they tarnish in a wet or damp environment. As a result, existing anchor systems include a stainless steel escutcheon plate that wraps around the support and covers the exposed portion of the anchor. The escutcheon plate is undesirable in many applications because it rises above the ground surface and because it is another piece of construction material that must be purchased and installed. What is needed is an improved compression anchor. 
     SUMMARY 
     A compression anchor for holding a support member, such as a cylindrical handrail, is disclosed. The anchor includes a body having a cavity and a wedge portion that connects to the body using thick threads, such as 2-4 ACME-2G threads. The wedge is substantially cylindrical and encircles a support member received in the cavity. A compression ring is in contact with the body and the wedge portion. As the wedge portion turns relative to the body using the threads, the compression ring expands and contracts to loosen or tighten the connection between the received support member and the anchor. The wedge portion and the body are corrosion resistant. 
     An anchor is also disclosed for supporting a cylindrical support member. The anchor includes means for receiving the support member and means for releasably securing the support member in the anchor by compressing a compression ring around the support member in response to a torsional force exerted on the means for receiving. The anchor also includes means for preventing the anchor from moving relative to a ground surface in which the support member is positioned, in response to the torsional force. 
     An anchor is also disclosed having a body and a wedge portion. The body defines a cylindrical cavity having a length in the range of 4-6 inches. The wedge portion connects to the body and includes an upper surface having a plurality of holes defined therein. The holes receive complementary pins on a key that is used to rotate the wedge portion relative to the body. The wedge portion encircles a support member received in the cavity. The upper surface of the wedge portion is substantially flush with an upper end of the body when the support member is received and secured in the cavity. 
    
    
     
       SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description will refer to the following drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a compression anchor adapted to hold a support such as a cylindrical handrail for use in connection with a swimming pool; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the anchor shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the compression anchor; 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of the wedge anchor shown in  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  4 - 4 ′; 
         FIG. 5  shows an enlarged view of the cross-section of the upper portion of the anchor identified in  FIG. 4  by the area  5 - 5 ′; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top view of the anchor body, with the wedge portion; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-section view of the body portion shown in  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 - 7 ′; 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of the body of the anchor; 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross-section of the body shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows an enlarged view of the cross-section shown in  FIG. 9 , identified by the encircled area  10 - 10 ′; 
         FIG. 11  shows a top view of the wedge portion of the anchor; 
         FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of the wedge portion shown in  FIG. 11 , taken along the line  12 - 12 ′; 
         FIG. 13  shows a side view of the wedge portion; 
         FIG. 14  shows a compression ring; 
         FIG. 15  shows a cross-section of the compression ring  3  shown in  FIG. 14 , taken along the line  15 - 15 ′; 
         FIG. 16  shows a top view of a base plate next to a lower of the body of the anchor; 
         FIG. 17  shows a side view of the plate; 
         FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the anchor with an anti-rotation tab positioned approximately midway along the length of the body; 
         FIG. 19  shows a side view of the anchor shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of the anchor shown in  FIG. 18 , including a portion of a support member positioned in the anchor; 
         FIG. 21  shows a side view of the anchor and the support member shown in  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  shows a top view of the anchor and support member shown in  FIGS. 20 and 22 ; 
         FIG. 23  shows a cross-section of the anchor and support member shown in  FIG. 22 , taken along the line  23 - 23 ′; 
         FIG. 24  shows a more detailed view of the chamfered bottom corner shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  shows a more detailed view of one of the spacers that extends into the cylindrical cavity and abuts the support member; 
         FIG. 26  shows a bottom view of a key used to rotate the wedge portion relative to the body of the anchor; and 
         FIG. 27  shows a side view of the key shown in  FIG. 26 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a compression anchor  10  adapted to hold a support member such as a cylindrical handrail for use in connection with a swimming pool. The anchor  10  includes a body  1  having an upper end  12  and a lower end  11 . The lower end  11  is connected to a bottom plate  4 . The base plate  4  also includes an electrical grounding connection  5 , such as a screw. The upper end  12  of the body  1  is connected to a rim  8 . The upper end  12  of the body  1  is wider in diameter than the rest of the body  1 , as the body  1  tapers at a tapered portion  7  outward. An anti-rotation tab  6  is connected to the anchor body  1  to provide stability to the anchor body  1  and to prevent the anchor body  1  from rotating relative to the ground surface when the wedge portion  2  is turned to tighten and loosen the wedge  2 , as described herein. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation tab  6  is substantially flat and extends outward from the body  1 . 
     The upper surface  9  of the rim  8  of the anchor body  1  is substantially flat. In one embodiment, the anchor  10  is fixedly connected to a ground surface, and the upper surface  9  of the rim  8  is positioned substantially flush with the surface, such as a pool deck. The compression anchor  10  defines a cylindrical cavity  20  for receiving a support (not shown). 
     In use, the wedge portion  2  connects to the body  1  via threads. The wedge portion  2  is tightened or loosened to connect or disconnect a support member (not shown) received in the cylindrical cavity  20 . A compression ring (not shown) is disposed inside the cylindrical cavity  20 . As the wedge portion  2  is tightened relative to the body  1 , the wedge portion  2  moves downward in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , thereby compressing the compression spring (not shown) against an interior wall of the tapered portion  7  of the anchor body  1 . The wedge portion  2  includes an upper surface  21  that is substantially flat. In one embodiment, the upper surface  21  is substantially flush with the upper surface  9  of the anchor body  1  when the support (not shown) is tightened into place. The wedge portion  2  also includes holes  22  defined in the upper surface  21 . The holes  22  receive a key (not shown) that is used to tighten and loosen the wedge portion  2  relative to the body  1  of the anchor  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of the anchor  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , including the interior walls and structures of the anchor  10  shown in phantom lines. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the bottom plate  4  includes a hole  24  defined therein. The hole  24  is generally aligned with a central axis of the wedge body  1 , in communication with the cylindrical cavity  20 . The wedge portion  2  is connected to the inside of the body  1  via threads  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the compression ring  3  in positioned inside the cylindrical cavity  20  at the tapered portion  7  of the body  1 . As the wedge portion  2  is tightened downward into position, the compression ring  3  compresses, thereby engaging a support member that is received in the cylindrical cavity  20 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the wedge portion  2  has been tightened into position and the upper surface  9  of the rim  8  of the anchor body  1  is substantially flush with the upper surface  21  of the wedge portion  2 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of the compression anchor  10 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the hole  24  in the bottom of the base plate  4  is generally concentric with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cavity  20 . Due to the shape of the bottom plate  4  in the example of  FIG. 3 , portions of the bottom plate  4  extend into view at the left side of  FIG. 3 . The top surface  21  of the wedge portion  2  includes four holes  22  in the example of  FIG. 3 . The holes  22  may be used in connection with a key (not shown) to engage and disengage the wedge portion  2  with the body  1  of the compression anchor  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of the wedge anchor  10  shown in  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  4 - 4 ′. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the compression ring  3  is a generally cylindrical ring formed, for example, from metal that is positioned at the inner side of the tapered portion  7  of the anchor body  1 . An example of  FIG. 4  the wedge portion  2  has completely engaged the anchor body  1  using the threads  30 . The wedge portion  2  is turned into position such that the upper surface  21  of the wedge portion  2  is substantially flush with the top surface  9  of the rim  8  of the anchor body  1 , in this example. 
       FIG. 5  shows an enlarged view of the cross-section of the upper portion of the anchor  10  identified in  FIG. 4  by the area  5 - 5 ′. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the rim  8  of the body  1  includes an inner sidewall  15 . The inner sidewall  15  is spaced from the outer wall  29  of the wedge portion  2 . The rim  8  also include an inner horizontal surface  13  which is spaced from a lower surface  23  of the wedge portion  2  when the wedge portion engages the threads of the body  1 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the lower side  23  of the wedge portion  2  is spaced from the inner horizontal surface  13  of the body  1  by a distance A. In one embodiment, the distance A is in the range of 0.01 to 0.10 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance A is 0.040 inches. 
       FIG. 6  shows a top view of the anchor body  1 , without the wedge portion ( 2  in  FIG. 1 ). As shown, the body  1  includes an upper side  9  of the rim  8 . The rim  8  also includes an inner sidewall  15  and an inner horizontal surface  13 . Threads  14  are used to engage the wedge portion ( 2  in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross-section view of the body portion  1  shown in  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 - 7 ′. In the example of  FIG. 7 , the inner diameter between the inner walls  15  of the rim  8  of the body  1  is shown by the distance G. In one embodiment, G is in the range of 2.5 to 2.6 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance G is 2.565 inches, plus or minus 0.005 inches of tolerance. The height of the rim  8  from the inner horizontal surface  13  to the top surface  9  is given by the distance H. In one example, H is in the range of 0.3 inches 0.4 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance H is approximately 0.352 inches. The distance from the top surface  9  of the rim  8  to the lower most thread  14  is given by the distance I. In one embodiment, the distance I is in the range of 1.0 inches to 1.2 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance I is approximately 1.102 inches. The distance from the top surface  9  of the rim  8  to the lower end of the inside of the tapered portion  7  is given by the distance J. In one embodiment, the distance J is in the range of 1.000 to 2.000 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance J is approximately 1.561 inches. The distance from the top surface  9  to the bottom of the tapered portion  7  measured on the outside of the body  1  is given by the distance K. In one embodiment, the distance K is approximately 1.801 inches. In the example of  FIG. 7 , the tapered portion  7  tapers relative to the rest of the body  1  by an angle L-degrees. In one embodiment, the angle L-degrees is in the range of 10 degrees to 30 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the angle L is approximately 20 degrees. The inner diameter of the cylindrical cavity  20  is given by the distance B. 
     In one embodiment, the anchor  10  is used to support a 1.5 inch handrail used in connection with a swimming pool or pool deck area. In this example, the distance B is in the range of 1.500 to 1.600 inches. In one particular embodiment, the diameter B is 1.515 to 1.520 inches. The outside diameter of the body  1  is shown by the distance C in the example of  FIG. 7 . In one example, the distance C is in the range of 1.900 to 2.000 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance C is approximately 1.940 inches. The outer diameter of the upper portion  12  of the body  1  is shown by the distance D in the example of  FIG. 7 . In one example, the distance D is in the range of 2.250 to 2.500 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance D is approximately 2.377 inches. The outer diameter of the rim  8  is shown as the distance E in the example of  FIG. 7 . In one example, the distance E is in the range of 2.750 to 3.250 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance E is approximately 3 inches. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view of the body  1  of the anchor  10 .  FIG. 9  shows a cross-section of the body  1  shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along the line  9 - 9 ′. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the body  1  includes the cylindrical cavity  20 . Threads  14  are formed in the upper portion  12  of the body. A tapered portion  7  tapers such that the upper portion  12  has a diameter that is wider then the lower portion  11  of the body  1 . The rim  8  of the body  1  includes an upper surface  9 , and inner surface  15 , and an inter horizontal surface  13 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an enlarged view of the cross-section portion shown in  FIG. 9 , identified by the encircled area  10 - 10 ′. As shown in  FIG. 10 , threads  14  are defined in the upper portion  12  of the body  1 . In the example of  FIG. 10 , the length of the threads is given by the distance N. In one embodiment, the distance N is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance N is 0.75 inches. The distance from the top surface  9  of the rim  8  to the bottom of the threads  14  is shown by the distance M in the example of  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, the distance M is in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance M is approximately 1.23 inches. 
       FIG. 11  shows a top view of the wedge portion  2  of the anchor  10 . The wedge portion  2  includes an upper surface  21  having defined therein four holes  22 . The holes  22  are generally spaced evenly along the circumference of the upper surface  21  in this example. The wedge portion  2  defines an interior cavity  25 . In use, the interior cavity  25  of the wedge portion  2  generally aligns with the cylindrical cavity  20  of the anchor body  1 , and the support member passes through. 
       FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of the wedge portion  2  shown in  FIG. 11 , taken along the line  12 - 12 ′. The upper portion of the wedge portion  2  extends outward and has an outer side  29 . A sidewall  32  defines the interior cavity  25  of the wedge portion  2 . In the example of  FIG. 12 , the holes  22  extend through the upper portion from the upper surface  21  to the bottom surface  23  of the wedge portion  2 . Corners  26 ,  27 ,  28  of the wedge portion  2  are chamfered in this example. In the example of  FIG. 12 , the threads  30  of the wedge portion  2  extend a distance T along the sidewall  32 . The distance from the upper surface  21  to lower surface  23  is given by S in the example of  FIG. 12 . In one example, the distance S is in the range of 0.30 to 0.325 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance S is approximately 0.132 inches. The inner diameter of the cavity  25  of the wedge portion  2  is approximately the same diameter as the inner diameter of the cylindrical cavity  20  of the body  1  shown in  FIG. 7 . The inner diameter P is approximately 1.515 to 1.520 inches in 1 embodiment period. The outer diameter of the threads  30  is given by the distance Q in the example of  FIG. 12 . In one example, the distance Q is in the range of 1.988-2.000 inches. In one particular example, the distance Q is approximately 1.994 inches. The outer diameter of the upper portion of the wedge portion  2  is given by the distance R in the example of  FIG. 12 . In one example, the distance R is approximately 2.5 inches. 
       FIG. 13  shows a side view of the wedge portion  2 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the upper portion includes an outer sidewall  29  that generally runs around the outside of the wedge portion  2 . The outer side  29  has a chamfered corner  27 . Similarly, the lower end of the wedge portion  2  shown in  FIG. 13  shows a chamfered corner  28 . Threads  30  extend outward from the sidewall  32  and are adapted to engage similar threads inside the body portion ( 14  in  FIG. 9 ). In one example, the threads are 2-4 acme-2G threads. The initial thread and the final thread may be trimmed to have a thickness of 0.03 inches in one example. In one example, the body  1  and the edge portion  2  of the anchor  10  are both formed from a stainless steel. In this example, the use of the acme threads has been shown to prevent the threads  30  on the wedge portion  2  from seizing with threads  14  on the body  1 , as may otherwise occur with stainless steel connections using different types of threads. 
       FIG. 14  shows a compression ring  3 . The compression ring  3  has first and second ends  33 ,  34  separated by a distance U when the ring  3  is at rest (i.e., when no force is exerted compressing the ring  3 ). In one example, the distance U is in the range of 0.25 to 0.75 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance U is approximately 0.409 inches. The ends  33 ,  34  may be cut substantially perpendicular to the ends of the ring  3 . An angle V is formed between the sides of the ends  33 ,  34 . In one example, the angle V is in the range of 20 to 40 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the angle V is approximately 30 degrees. 
       FIG. 15  shows a cross-section of the compression ring  3  shown in  FIG. 14 , taken along the line  15 - 15 ′. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the ring  3  has a diameter W. In one example, the diameter W is in the range of 1.5 to 2.0 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance W is approximately 1.776 inches. The ring  3  is formed from a stainless steel spring wire. In one example, the wire has an outside diameter of approximately 0.0915 inches and is a type  316  spring stainless steel wire. 
       FIG. 16  shows a top view of a bottom plate  4  next to a lower end  11  of the body  1  of the anchor  10 . The bottom plate  4  has a hole  24  defined therein. In use, the hole  24  is generally in communication with, and may be aligned concentric with, the cylindrical cavity  20  of the body  1 . The bottom plate  4  also defines a hole  35  for receiving a grounding screw ( 5  in  FIG. 1 ). The hole  35  may be tapped for this purpose. In the example of  FIG. 16 , various dimensions of the bottom plate  4  are illustrated. The bottom plate  4  has widths X and Y. In one example, the width X is approximately 2.5 inches and the width Y is approximately 2.75 inches. The center of the hole  24  is spaced from one side by a distance Z and by another side by the distance AA. In one example, the distances Z and AA are both 1.25 inches. The center of the hole  24  is spaced by a distance BB from the center of the hole  35 . In one example, the distance BB is approximately 1.25 inches. The center of the hole  35  is spaced from the other side of the bottom plate  4  by a distance CC. In one example, the distance CC is approximately 0.25 inches. 
       FIG. 17  shows a side view of the bottom plate  4 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the bottom plate  4  has a width given by the letters DD. In one example, the thickness DD is approximately 0.10 inches. 
       FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the anchor  10  with an anti-rotation tab  50  positioned approximately midway along the length of the body  1 . In use, the anchor  10  is embedded into a ground surface, or other surface, for example by pouring concrete or other foundation substrate around the anchor  10 . To move the wedge portion  2  relative to the body  1 , a user exerts a torsional force about a longitudinal axis of the anchor  10  using a key (not shown). The anti-rotation tab  50  is a flange that extends outward from the anchor body  1 . Anti-rotation tab  50  prevents the anchor  10  from rotating relative to the ground, or other surface, in response to the torsional force. In the example of  FIG. 18 , the grounding screw  5  is connected to the anti-rotation tab. Also in this example, the bottom plate (not shown in  FIG. 18 ) is round and does not extend beyond the walls of the body  1 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a side view of the anchor  10  shown in  FIG. 18 . As shown, the anti-rotation tab  50  extends outward from the body  1  of the anchor  10 , and the grounding screw is connected to the anti-rotation tab  50 . 
       FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of the anchor shown in  FIG. 18 , including a portion of a support member  100  positioned in the anchor  10 .  FIG. 20  generally illustrates the position of the support member  10  when the support member  100  is received in the cylindrical cavity ( 20  in  FIG. 18 ) of the anchor.  FIG. 21  shows a side view of the anchor  10  and the support member  100  shown in  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 22  shows a top view of the anchor  10  and support member  100  shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the support member  100  fits snugly in the anchor  10 . 
       FIG. 23  shows a cross-section of the anchor  10  and support member  100  shown in  FIG. 22 , taken along the line  23 - 23 ′. In the example of  FIG. 23 , a hole  51  in the anti-rotation tab  50  receives a grounding screw ( 5  in  FIG. 18 ). In the particular example of  FIG. 23 , the bottom plate  52  is substantially circular and does not extend beyond the side walls of the body  1 . In the particular embodiment of  FIG. 23 , the support member  100  is spaced apart from the body  1  and the bottom plate  52  of the anchor  10 . The walls of the body  1  include spacers  54 ,  55  that are wider portions of the body  1 , having smaller inside diameters than the rest of the body  1 , thereby creating spaces between the support member  100  and the walls of the body  1 . Also, the body includes a spacer  53  that contacts the received support member  100  near the bottom of the body. In the example of  FIG. 23 , the spacer  53  is a chamfered bottom corner formed at the lower corners of the body  1 , where the lower portion  11  of the body  1  meets the bottom plate  52 . The chamfered bottom corner forms a centering cone that spaces the lower end  101  of the support member  100  from the bottom plate  52  and from the side walls of the lower portion  11  of the body  1 . In so doing, the spacer  53  (the centering cone in this example) provides added stability to the support member  100 . 
       FIG. 24  shows a more detailed view of the chamfered bottom corner  53  shown in  FIG. 23 . In the particular embodiment of  FIG. 24 , the spacer  53  forms a 45-degree angle relative to the bottom plate  52  and the lower portion  11  of the body  1 . The lower end  101  of the support member  100  contacts the spacer  53  in the example of  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 25  shows a more detailed view of one of the spacers  54  that extends into the cylindrical cavity ( 20  in  FIG. 18 ) and abuts the support member  100 . In one embodiment, edges of the spacer  54  taper at a 30-degree angle. 
       FIG. 26  shows a bottom view of a key  200  used to rotate the wedge portion  2  relative to the body  1  of the anchor  10 . The key  200  includes a handle  202  and an engagement portion  204  connected to the handle  202 . The engagement portion  204  includes two curved, extended members  216 . Three pins  220  are connected at the engagement portion  204 . In use, the pins  220  engage respective holes  22  of the wedge portion  2 . The curved, extended members  216  allow the pins  220  of the key  200  to engage the holes  22 , by wrapping around the support member ( 100  in  FIG. 20 ) in a semicircle shape. 
     The handle  202  in the example of  FIG. 26  is bent in the embodiment of  FIG. 26 . The handle  202  includes a first flat portion  210 , a second flat portion  212  that forms a 30-degree angle with respect to the first flat portion  210 , and a third flat portion  214  parallel to the first flat portion  210 . This provides the user more room to maneuver the key  200 . 
       FIG. 27  shows a side view of the key  200  shown in  FIG. 26 . As shown, the pins  220  extend outward from the curved, extension portions  216  and engage the holes  22  of the wedge portion  2 . The first flat portion  210  is spaced from the third flat portion  214  by a distance EE. In one embodiment, the distance EE is in the range of 1.25-2.00 inches. In one particular embodiment, the distance EE is 1.59 inches. The length of the handle  202  is shown by the distances FF, GG, and HH. In one embodiment, the distance FF is approximately 4.75 inches, the distance GG is approximately 2.75 inches, and the distance GG is approximately 3.5 inches. 
     In use, the key  200  is used to exert a torque on the wedge portion  30 , thereby turning the wedge portion  30  relative to the body  20 . The pins  220  on the key  200  engage the holes  22  on the upper surface  21  of the wedge portion  30 . The user then turns the handle  202  to exert a torque on the wedge portion  30 . 
     To engage a support member  100  in the anchor  10 , the wedge portion  30  is fitted loosely into the threads of the body  1 . The support member  100  is inserted though the cavity  25  of the wedge portion  30  and into the cavity  20  of the body  1 . The lower end  101  of the support member  100  contacts the spacer  53  at the bottom  11  of the body  1 . The key  200  then engages the wedge portion  30  using the pins  220  and holes  22 . The key  200  turns the wedge portion  30  relative to the body  1  in a first direction (e.g., clockwise), thereby tightening the compression ring  3  around the support member  100 . When the wedge portion  30  is tightened into place, the upper surface  21  of the wedge portion  30  is substantially flush with the upper surface  9  of the body  1  of the anchor  10 . 
     To remove the support member  100  from the anchor  10 , the key  200  engages the holes  22  in the wedge portion  30  and turns the wedge portion  30  in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) relative to the body  1 . This loosens the compression ring  3 , thereby releasing the support member  100  so that the support member  100  may be removed from the anchor  10 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, variations are possible. The present invention may be embodied in specific forms without departing from the essential spirit or attributes thereof. It is desired that the embodiments described herein be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive and that reference be made to the appended claims and their equivalents for determining the scope of the invention.