Ground anchor

An anchor for anchoring a structure to the ground includes an anchor shank (10) having a connection point (18) at which a connecting member is coupled to the anchor shank (10). An anchor body (12) is pivotally connected to the anchor shank (10) at a point (14) remote from the connection point (18).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to anchoring systems, and more 
particularly to a ground anchor. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Ground anchors are used in a wide variety of applications, both on dry land 
and under water, for example in anchoring antennae or floating structures, 
such as docks. 
Ground anchors are generally driven lengthwise into the ground (either 
directly or through pre-drilled holes) and then pulled upward when the 
desired depth has been reached. The pulling action results in tilting the 
anchor into a transverse position for the anchoring function. The tilting 
occurs about a pivot point. With prior art anchors, a connection feature 
(such as a socket, padeye, or shackle, among others) is formed at the 
pivot point for coupling to a connecting rod, cable, or chain ("connecting 
member"). The connecting member connects the anchored structure to the 
anchor. 
Such prior art anchors are exemplified in the following United States 
patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,108 issued to Hugron on Dec. 15, 1992; U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,050,355 issued to Pildysh on Sep. 24, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 
5,031,370 issued to Jewett on Jul. 16, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,317 
issued to Chandler on Feb. 7, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,063 issued to 
Alsop on Apr. 19, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,693 issued to Rockenfeller, et 
al. on Mar. 1, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,360 issued to Luong, et al. on 
Aug. 25, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,446 issued to Beavers, et al. on Sep. 
16, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,673 issued to Deike on Jun. 27, 1978; U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,969,854 issued to Deike on Jul. 20, 1976; and U.S. Pat. No. 
3,888,057 issued to Zubke on Jun. 10, 1975. These patents are herein 
incorporated by reference. 
with prior art anchors, the bulk of material needed to form the connection 
feature is added to the pivot point. Because the pivot point often has a 
significant cross-section in and of itself, the addition of the connection 
feature results in an even larger cross section. Such large cross sections 
result in difficult insertion of anchors into the ground, and often 
require the drilling of holes of diameters sufficient to accommodate the 
cross section of the combination pivot point and the connection feature. 
Furthermore, the weakest point of a ground anchor is generally at the pivot 
point, since this is where force is exerted between the connecting member 
and the anchor. Therefore, the strength of the anchor will generally be 
determined by the type of material and geometry of the pivot point. With 
prior art systems, the connecting member is attached at the pivot point, 
and thus the connection feature is formed at the pivot point. Such 
features can reduce anchor strength, since they are formed at the weakest 
point, unless the anchor is appropriately sized up. 
Therefore, a need has arisen for a ground anchor that is relatively 
stronger for its size than prior art anchors, thus allowing for easier 
driving of the anchor into the ground. In particular, a need has arisen 
for a ground anchor that can be driven into narrower holes, since narrower 
holes can be drilled into the ground more quickly and at less cost than 
wider holes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, a ground anchor is provided herein which substantially 
eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with prior art 
ground anchors. In particular, an anchor is provided for anchoring a 
structure to the ground, the anchor coupled to the structure through a 
connecting member. The anchor includes an anchor shank having a connection 
point at which the connecting member is coupled to the anchor shank and an 
anchor body pivotally connected to the anchor shank at a point remote from 
the connection point. In a particular embodiment, the anchor shank 
includes a socket to facilitate insertion of the anchor into the ground. 
In another particular embodiment, the anchor shank includes a recessed 
shoulder for engaging with the anchor body. With this recessed shoulder, 
the anchor body is locked into the anchor shank during insertion of the 
anchor into the ground. 
In another embodiment, a hollow anchor piece is provided for coupling with 
a fluid (e.g., water) supply to allow jetting operations for easier 
insertion into the ground. 
An important technical advantage of the present invention is the fact that 
an anchor shank is provided which couples with a connecting member. The 
point at which the connecting member couples with the anchor shank is 
remote from a pivot point at which an anchor body pivots on the anchor 
shank. This remote connection allows for a ground anchor which is smaller 
in cross section than anchors of comparable strength. 
Another important technical advantage of the present invention is the fact 
that the anchor shank includes a socket or other receiving fitting for 
receiving an insertion device. The insertion device is used to drive the 
anchor into the ground. By disposing this insertion socket on an anchor 
shank, the insertion cross section of the anchor of the present invention 
is smaller than anchors of comparable strength. 
Another important technical advantage of the present invention is the fact 
that a recessed shoulder may be used for locking the anchor body to the 
anchor shank during insertion of the anchor into the ground. 
Another important technical advantage of the present invention is the fact 
that it can be hollowed to allow the passage of fluids for jetting 
operations, to allow easier insertion into the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are 
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, like 
numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various 
drawings. 
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a ground anchor according to the 
teachings of the present invention. The ground anchor of the present 
invention may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited 
to, cast iron, stainless steel, or any combination of suitable materials 
or alloys. As shown in FIG. 1, the ground anchor of the present invention 
includes an anchor shank 10 pivotally connected to an anchor body 12 at 
pivot point 14. Anchor body 12 includes end 16. End 16 initiates, upon 
pulling of the anchor after it has been inserted in the ground, the 
pivoting of anchor body 12. In particular, end 16 engages with the ground 
upon the pulling operation, resulting in the pivotal action. 
Also shown in FIG. 1 is padeye 18 formed on anchor shank 10 remote from 
pivot point 14. Padeye 18 provides a connection feature for coupling a 
connecting member (a chain is illustrated in the FIGUREs) to the anchor. 
The connecting member is used to connect the anchor to the structure to be 
anchored. It should be understood that any type of connecting member, such 
as a rod, cable, chain, or any other suitable connection member, can be 
used for connecting the ground anchor of the present invention with the 
structure to be anchored. Thus, the padeye 18 shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary 
only, and other types of connection features, such as screw fittings for 
threaded connecting rods, or any other type of connection fitting, can be 
used without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. 
It is important only that the connection feature be remote from the pivot 
point 14. 
By providing a connection point that is remote from the pivot point 14, the 
present invention provides a significant advantage over prior art systems. 
In particular, the bulk of material required to form the connection 
feature (such as padeye 18) is placed remote from the pivot point 14, and 
therefore the cross section of the ground anchor of the present invention 
(for purposes of insertion) is greatly reduced over that of prior art 
systems. This advantage results because the pivot point of a typical 
ground anchor has a significant cross section in and of itself, and thus 
placing the connection point at the pivot point, as in prior art systems, 
presents an even larger cross section. With the present invention, the 
cross section attributable to the connection feature is placed "in line" 
with that of the pivot point, and is thus not added to that of the pivot 
point. Therefore, the anchor of the present invention can be inserted into 
the ground more easily, and in particular into holes of smaller diameters, 
than prior art systems. The ability to be inserted into holes of smaller 
diameters provides a significant advantage, since smaller holes can be 
drilled for less cost and more quickly than wider holes. The present 
invention provides cross sectional reductions over anchors of comparable 
strength on the order of fifty percent or more. 
FIGS. 2-6 illustrate particular views of a ground anchor according to the 
teachings of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the anchor 
before it has been set, while FIGS. 4A and 5 illustrate the anchor after 
it has been set. As shown in these FIGUREs, the anchor shank 10 includes a 
socket 20 for use in coupling an applicator (insertion device) to the 
anchor shank 10, for use in driving the ground anchor into the ground. 
Socket 20 may be any suitable fitting or socket, such as a threaded 
fitting for use with an applicator to be discussed below in connection 
with FIG. 7, or a socket for directly receiving a driving device, such as 
a jackhammer. 
As shown in the FIGURES, anchor body 12 includes a leading end 22 which 
joins anchor body members 12a and 12b. Leading end 22 may be beveled, 
pointed, or angled to accommodate insertion into the ground. Anchor body 
12 also includes a pivot pin 24 for providing the pivotal connection with 
anchor shank 10. Pivot pin 24 may be formed integrally with or separate 
from anchor body 12. Leading end 22 includes an anchor body shoulder 26. 
Shoulder 26 engages with a recessed driving shoulder 30 of anchor shank 
10. The recessed driving shoulder 30 allows the anchor body 12 to "lock" 
into anchor shank 10 during insertion of the ground anchor into the 
ground, thereby avoiding premature pivoting of the anchor body 12 about 
anchor shank 10. 
The pivot pin 24 of anchor body 12 pivots within pivot pin slot 34 of 
anchor shank 10. This pivot pin slot 34 is defined by pivot pin upper and 
lower shoulders 36 and 38 and slot cap 40. Anchor shank 10 and slot cap 40 
extend beyond recessed shoulder 30. 
Because of the recessed driving shoulder 30 discussed above, the pivotal 
connection between the anchor shank 10 and anchor body 12 of the present 
invention provides an important technical advantage. In particular, during 
insertion or driving of the anchor into the ground, the anchor body 12 
"locks" into anchor shank 10, thus avoiding premature setting of the 
anchor. However, it should be understood that this feature need not be 
included. Furthermore, other locking mechanisms could be used without 
departing from the intended scope herein. 
Furthermore, other types of pivotal connections between the anchor shank 10 
and anchor body 12 may be used without departing from the intended scope 
herein. For example, anchor shank 10 could be forked, with anchor body 12 
pivoting between the forks of anchor shank 10. 
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, anchor body members 12a and 12b are angled at 
ends 16. As shown in FIG. 4A, these ends may be beveled, or, as shown in 
FIG. 4B, need not be beveled. By beveling the end 16, the ground anchor of 
the present invention can be more quickly set upon the pulling action. The 
anchor members 12a and 12b may also be joined at or near the end 16 to 
increase strength. 
FIG. 4C illustrates another alternative for anchor body end 16, in which 
several ends 16a-16d are presented to reduce overall insertion cross 
sectional area. Rather than angling the end 16, the thickness of end 16 is 
built up with end 16d to ensure engagement with the ground during anchor 
setting. The end 16 shown in FIG. 4C may also be beveled to improve 
ground-engagement. The members 16a-16d need not be separate, but can be 
formed as one end. Moreover, the shape or thickness of the end 16 may be 
varied to embodiments other than those shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. 
FIG. 7 illustrates insertion of the ground anchor according to the 
teachings of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a pre-drilled hole 
42 is provided into which the ground anchor is inserted, although no 
pre-drilled hole is needed. An applicator tool 44 may be coupled to anchor 
shank 10, for example at socket 20. This applicator tool 44 includes a 
socket 46 for receiving a driving tool, such as a jackhammer 48. 
Applicator tool 44 also includes outwardly extending stop 50. 
In operation, the hole 42 is drilled, and applicator tool 44 is coupled to 
anchor shank 10. Also, the connecting member for connecting the anchor to 
the structure to be anchored is coupled to the anchor shank 10. In a 
particular example, this connecting member may be a chain connected to 
padeye 18, with a shackle 52. The driving instrument, such as jackhammer 
48, is coupled to the applicator tool and used to drive the anchor into 
the pre-drilled hole 42. Once the anchor is inserted to the desired depth, 
the applicator tool 44 is disengaged from anchor shank 10, such as by 
unscrewing it. The anchor is then set by pulling on the connecting member, 
such as the chain shown in FIG. 7. As discussed above, this pulling 
operation results in the end 16 of anchor body 12 engaging with the 
ground, thus resulting in the pivoting of anchor body 12 to a transverse 
position (as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5). 
The use of applicator tool 44 allows for the ground anchor to be inserted 
to a greater depth than if the drive instrument were coupled directly to 
the ground anchor. However, it should be understood that the applicator 
tool is not necessary, and the drive instrument can be coupled directly to 
the anchor shank 10. Furthermore, as discussed above, applicator tool 44 
may include a stop 50. The stop 50 extends out from the applicator tool 
and should be of a size that is wider than the diameter of the hole 42. 
This stop operates to stop insertion of the ground anchor once the stop 
reaches the ground. In this way, the desired depth of the anchor can be 
insured. 
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the 
present invention, in which an angled shoulder 60 is provided on anchor 
shank 10. With this embodiment, members 12a and 12b are joined at end 16. 
Angled shoulder 60 facilitates pivoting of anchor body 12 because it is 
angled in the direction end 16 pivots. In particular, when the end 16 
engages with the ground during setting of the anchor, the angled shoulder 
60 contacts the inside shoulder of end 16 and directs anchor body 12 in 
the pivoting direction. 
In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, anchor shank 10 is hollow, and 
includes an open end 70 (or nozzle), to facilitate jetting operations. By 
"hollow" it is meant that the piece has a channel or other void allowing 
for the flow of a fluid. A supply of water or air (or other fluid) is 
coupled to socket 20 to supply a fluid through the anchor shank 10 and end 
70. This fluid supply can be supplied through a hose or hollow driving 
tool, or other possible supply couplings. This process assists in clearing 
a passage through the ground for insertion of the anchor. This jetting 
capability simplifies anchor insertion in many soil conditions that have 
previously presented significant difficulties, such as sand, clay, and 
mud. Indeed, the jetting advantage can be implemented without an anchor 
shank, for example with certain prior art anchor systems. To take 
advantage of the present invention's jetting capability to improve prior 
art anchors, the prior art anchor pieces can be hollowed and adapted to 
couple with a water or air supply, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, a 
driving tool used to drive the anchor of FIG. 10 can be hollowed to allow 
a fluid to pass through the driving tool and hollowed anchor piece. 
Alternatively, the fluid supply can be coupled directly to the hollow 
anchor piece, for example with a hose, and the anchor can then be driven 
with the connecting member. 
The ability to supply fluids for jetting operations avoids the need in many 
cases for machinery needed for driving, such as hydraulic or pneumatic 
hammers, and the associated hydraulic or pneumatic systems. 
In summary, a ground anchor is provided which an anchor shank includes a 
connection point for attachment of connecting member, the connection point 
being remote from a pivot point of an anchor body. By making the 
connection point remote from the pivot point, the anchor of the present 
invention has a smaller cross section than anchors of comparable strength. 
Furthermore, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism 
between the anchor body and anchor shank, thus avoiding premature setting 
of the anchor during insertion of the anchor into the ground. Furthermore, 
an applicator tool is provided for allowing the anchor of the present 
invention to be inserted a desired distance into the ground. Also provided 
is a hollow embodiment to facilitate jetting operations. 
The particular shape of various members of the present invention may be 
changed without departing from the intended scope. For example, shank 10 
and other members may have a round, square, polygon, elliptical, or other 
shaped cross section. 
Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be 
understood that various modifications, substitutions, or alterations can 
be made without departing from the intended scope as defined by the 
appended claims.