Umbrella with ground engagement structure

An umbrella includes: a pole part having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a pole axis extending through the first end and the second end; an umbrella part at the first end; and a ground engagement structure extending from the second end for engaging a ground. The ground engagement structure includes: a material shifting structure extending radially relative to the pole part; and a material receiving groove adjacent to the material shifting structure.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an umbrella, and more particularly, to an umbrella including a ground engagement structure for implanting in various terrains.

2. Description of Related Art

According to the American Cancer Society, when engaging in outdoor activities, especially during the summer months and at locations of constant sun-exposed climates, people are encouraged to cover as much as the unprotected portion of the exposed skin as possible to prevent promotion of the possible development of skin cancer and/or other forms of heat-exposed injuries (e.g., heat stroke, sun-burns, dehydration, and/or the like). Thus, portable umbrellas that may be installed into the ground to provide shade have become popular. However, the installation and placement of these umbrellas have posed various challenges, especially in order to obtain a deeper based foundation in a shifting terrain, which may be exacerbated as some foundations may be harder due to moisture, rocks, or other forms of obstacles (e.g., vegetation, roots, and/or the like) that may be present.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an umbrella having a ground engagement structure to allow for ease of placement and installation of the umbrella in various terrains.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an umbrella includes: a pole part having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a pole axis extending through the first end and the second end; an umbrella part at the first end; and a ground engagement structure extending from the second end for engaging a ground. The ground engagement structures includes: a material shifting structure extending radially relative to the pole part; and a material receiving groove adjacent to the material shifting structure.

In some embodiments, the material shifting structure may be a threaded structure extending radially relative to the pole part, and the material receiving groove may be a channel extending between threads of the threaded structure.

In some embodiments, widths of the threads may increase towards the pole part from an engagement end of the ground engagement structure.

In some embodiments, widths of the threads may be constant along a length of the material shifting structure.

In some embodiments, the material shifting structure may include a plurality of arms that extend radially relative to the pole part, and the arms may be spaced apart from one another by the material receiving groove.

In some embodiments, the arms may be bent or curved.

In some embodiments, the material shifting structure may include: an upper surface facing the pole part; a lower curved surface opposite the upper surface, and defining an engagement end; and a lip connecting the upper surface to the lower surface. The lower curved surface may have a width that increases from the engagement end towards the upper surface.

In some embodiments, the material receiving groove may be a channel extending through the lower curved surface and the upper surface of the material shifting structure.

In some embodiments, the pole part may include a first pole part including the umbrella part and a second pole part including the ground engagement structure.

In some embodiments, the first pole part may be slidably connected with the second pole part.

In some embodiments, the first pole part may include the first end of the pole part, a third end opposite the first end, and an elongated body extending between the first and third ends; the second pole part may include the second end of the pole part, a fourth end opposite the second end, and a tubular body extending between the second and fourth ends; and the third end may be insertable into the fourth end such that at least a portion of the first pole part may be received in the second pole part.

In some embodiments, the umbrella may further include a handle part connected to the pole part.

In some embodiments, the handle part may be hingedly connected to the pole part.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an umbrella includes: a pole part having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a pole axis extending through the first end and the second end, the pole part including: a first pole part including the first end, a third end opposite the first end, and an elongated body extending between the first and third ends; and a second pole part including the second end, a fourth end opposite the second end, and a tubular body extending between the second and fourth ends; an umbrella part at the first end; and a ground engagement structure extending from the second end for engaging a ground. The ground engagement structure includes: a material shifting structure extending radially relative to the pole part; and a material receiving groove adjacent to the material shifting structure. The third end of the first pole part is insertable into the tubular body via the fourth end of the second pole part.

In some embodiments, the material shifting structure may be a threaded structure extending radially relative to the pole part, and the material receiving groove may be a channel extending between threads of the threaded structure.

In some embodiments, widths of the threads may increase towards the pole part from an engagement end of the ground engagement structure.

In some embodiments, widths of the threads may be constant along a length of the material shifting structure.

In some embodiments, the material shifting structure may include a plurality of arms that extend radially relative to the pole part, and the arms may be spaced apart from one another by the material receiving groove.

In some embodiments, the material shifting structure may include: an upper surface facing the pole part; a lower curved surface opposite the upper surface, and defining an engagement end; and a lip connecting the upper surface to the lower surface, and the lower curved surface may have a width that increases from the engagement end towards the upper surface.

In some embodiments, the material receiving groove may be a channel extending through the lower curved surface and the upper surface of the material shifting structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are not limited to the three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction may be perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions from each other that are not perpendicular to one another.

FIG.1Ais a perspective view of an umbrella according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.1Bis a partially exploded perspective view of an umbrella according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1A and1B, an umbrella100may include an umbrella part102, a pole part104, and a ground engagement structure108. In some embodiments, the umbrella100may further include a handle part106, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The umbrella100may have a distal end, a proximal end, and a central axis C extending through the distal and proximal ends. The umbrella part102may be located at the distal end, the ground engagement structure108may be located at the proximal end, and the pole part104may connect the umbrella part102to the ground engagement structure108.

The umbrella part102may be attached to an upper portion of the pole part104to provide cover and/or shade. The umbrella part102may be attached to the upper portion of the pole part104using any suitable method known to those skilled in the art, and thus, the present disclosure is not particularly limited to any one method. In some embodiments, the umbrella part102may be deployed from a first compressed state to a second expanded state. For example, the umbrella part102may be deployed from a first compressed state in which end portions of the umbrella part102are closer to the pole part104to the second expanded state with respect to the pole part104in which the end portions are farther from the pole part104as shown inFIGS.1A and1B. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the umbrella part102may be configured to be in only one state (e.g., the expanded state), or more than the two states described above.

The pole part104may extend in a first direction, and may include a first end (e.g., an upper end or a distal end), a second end (e.g., a lower end or a proximal end), and an elongated section between the first and second ends. The central axis C (also referred to as a pole axis) may extend through the first and second ends of the pole part104. The umbrella part102may be connected to the first end (e.g., also referred to hereinafter as an umbrella part end) of the pole part104. The ground engagement structure108may be connected to the second end (e.g., also referred to hereinafter as a ground engagement end) of the pole part104, or may be formed on or with at least a portion of the pole part104at the ground engagement end. The pole part104may include (e.g., may be formed of) a suitable material that has a sufficient stiffness in order to enable the umbrella100to be implanted into the ground. For example, the pole part104may include (e.g., may be formed of) a suitable plastic material, metal material, composite material, alloy material, and/or the like. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pole part104may include (e.g., may be formed of) any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, and thus, the pole part104is not limited to any particular material. For convenience of illustration, the figures show that the pole part104extends in the first direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the pole part104may extend in various suitable directions, or may be bendable in one or more directions.

In some embodiments, at a distance from the second end of the pole part104, the handle part106may be connected to or integrally formed on the elongated section of the pole part106. For example, the handle part106may be integrally formed with, welded to, bolted to, screwed to, or otherwise attached at a suitable position along the pole part104to enable the user to grasp the handle part106in order to rotate the pole part104relative to the central axis C, and thus, rotate the ground engagement part108. In other words, the handle part106may provide a hand-hold for a user when implanting the umbrella100into the ground. In some embodiments, the handle part106may serve as a functional cantilever that assists with a twisting/torque motion to implant the umbrella100into a desired depth of a given terrain. For example, this rotational (e.g., centripetal) motion allows for the ground engagement structure108to burrow deeper into the ground.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the handle part106may be omitted. For example, in other embodiments, instead of the handle part106, the user may grasp the pole part104directly, or the pole part104may include a gripper, a bent part, a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of indentations, a non-slip material, a non-slip area, and/or the like at a suitable position along the pole part104to assist the user with grasping the pole part104. While the figures show that the handle part106has a bar-type shape extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the handle106may have any suitable shape known to those skilled in the art. Various examples of the handle part106will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS.3A to3C.

The ground engagement structure108may be formed on at least a portion of the pole part104or may be connected to the pole part104to facilitate the user with implanting the umbrella100into the ground. For example, the ground engagement structure108may be integrally formed with at least a portion of the pole part104adjacent to and/or including the second end of the pole part104, or may be removably connected to, welded to, bolted to, screwed on, or otherwise attached to the pole part104at the second end. The ground engagement structure108may be rotated according to a rotational force applied to the pole part104(and/or via the handle part106) to burrow deeper into the ground. An opposite rotational force applied to the pole part104(and/or via the handle part106) may cause the ground engagement structure108to rotate in an opposite direction to be retracted or released from the ground. Various examples of the ground engagement structure104will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS.4A to4E.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1B, the pole part104may include a first pole part104aincluding the first end (e.g., the umbrella part end) of the pole part104, and a second pole part104bincluding the second end (e.g., the ground engagement end) of the pole part104. In other words, the first pole part104amay include the umbrella part102, and the second pole part104bmay include the ground engagement structure108. In this case, the first pole part104amay be connected to the second pole part104bat a connection portion along the elongated section of the pole part104, such that a height of the umbrella100may be adjusted by adjusting a length of the elongated section of the pole part104. For example, the first pole part104aand the second pole part104bmay slidably engage each other to adjust the length of the elongated section of the pole part104, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, a substantial length of the first pole part104amay be received in the second pole part104bto reduce an overall length of the umbrella100, and to increase the portability of the umbrella102. For example, an end (e.g., a third end201inFIGS.2A and2B) of the first pole part104aopposite to the umbrella part end (e.g., the first end) may be received in an end (e.g., a fourth end203inFIGS.2A and2B) of the second pole part104bopposite to the ground engagement end (e.g., the second end), and may be movable (e.g., may be slidable) towards the ground engagement end within the second pole part104bto be adjacent to the ground engagement end. Accordingly, for example, when the umbrella100is not in use, a substantial length of the first pole part104amay be compacted (e.g., retracted or otherwise compressed) into the second pole part104bto increase ease of portability of the umbrella100.

In some embodiments, the first pole part104amay be detachably connected to the second pole part104b. In this case, ease of installation of the umbrella100may be improved. For example, the second pole part104bincluding the ground engagement structure108may be first implanted into the ground, and thereafter, the first pole part104aincluding the umbrella part102may be connected to the second pole part104b. Accordingly, the umbrella part102may not pose an obstacle (e.g., may be out of the way) when the user applies a rotational force to rotate the ground engagement structure108for implanting in the ground. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the pole part104may be a unitary pole part104, for example, as shown inFIG.1A, or the first pole part104aand the second pole part104bmay be connected to each other without being detachable from each other.

FIGS.2A-2Bare partial views of a portion of the umbrella shown inFIG.1Baccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In more detail,FIGS.2A and2Bare partial views illustrating a connection portion of the pole part104shown inFIG.1B.

Referring toFIGS.2A and2B, in some embodiments, the pole part104may include the first pole part104aincluding the umbrella part102, and the second pole part104bincluding the ground engagement structure108. In some embodiments, the first pole part104aand the second pole part104bmay be slidably connected to each other at the connection portion of the pole part104. For example, in some embodiments, the first pole part104amay include a third end201opposite to the umbrella part end, an elongated body between the umbrella part end and the third end201, and a stop engagement structure204or206at (e.g., in or on) the elongated body at a distance from the third end201. The second pole part104bmay include a fourth end203opposite to the ground engagement end, a tubular body between the ground engagement end and the fourth end203, and one or more stops202along the tubular body at a distance from the fourth end203.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the third end201of the first pole part104amay be insertably received into the tubular body of the second pole part104bthrough the fourth end203. For example, in some embodiments, a width (or a diameter) of at least a portion of the first pole part104amay be smaller than a width or a diameter of the second pole part104bto enable the first pole part104ato be slidably received in the second pole part104b. In some embodiments, the third end201of the first pole part104amay be tapered to allow for ease of insertion into the fourth end203of the second pole part104b, but the preset disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the elongated body of the first pole part104amay also be tubular or substantially tubular, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

While the first pole part104ais described as being inserted into the second pole part104b, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the second pole part104bmay be inserted into the first pole part104awith appropriate modifications as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. However, for convenience of illustration and description, the first pole part104aand the second pole part104bwill be described in more detail hereinafter with the first pole part104abeing insertable into the second pole part104b, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The stop engagement structure204and206of the first pole part104amay engage with at least one of the stops202of the second pole part104b. For example, as shown inFIG.2A, the stop engagement structure204may be implemented as a spring-loaded protrusion or button member204that protrudes from a surface of the first pole part104ato engage one or more of the stops202of the second pole part104b, which may be implemented as a hole or opening202along the tubular body of the second pole part104b, such that the first pole part104amay be fixed relative to the second pole part104b.

As another example, as shown inFIG.2B, the stop engagement structure206may be implemented as a hole or opening206along the elongated body of the first pole part104ato engage with one or more of the holes or openings202of the second pole part104b. For example, the hole or opening206of the first pole part104amay be aligned with one of the holes or openings202of the second pole part104b, and an engagement member208, for example, such as a screw, may be inserted into the holes or openings202and206to fix the first pole part104arelative to the second pole part104b.

As shown inFIGS.2A and2B, in some embodiments, the one or more stops202of the second pole part104bmay include a plurality of stops202that are spaced apart from each other along a length of the second pole part104b. In this case, a length of the pole part104(and thus, an overall height of the umbrella100) may be variously adjusted by engaging different ones of the plurality of stops202. In some embodiments, the second pole part104bmay further include a stop formed at or near (e.g., adjacent to) the ground engagement end, such that the stop engagement structure204and206of the first pole part104amay engage with the stop formed at or near the ground engagement end. In this case, the first pole part104amay be prevented or substantially prevented from sliding along the second pole part104bwhen a substantial length thereof is compacted (e.g., when retracted or otherwise compressed) into the second pole part104bas described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the stop engagement structure204and206and/or at least one of the stops202may be variously modified or may be omitted as needed or desired.

In some embodiments, when the umbrella100further includes the handle part106, the handle part106may be attached at a suitable position along the second pole part104bsuch that a rotational force applied to the handle part106may be applied to the ground engagement structure108, even when the first pole part104ais detached from the second pole part104b. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the handle part106may be formed on the first pole part104a, or may be omitted as needed or desired.

WhileFIGS.2A and2Billustrate that the first pole part104aand the second pole part104beach have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, such that each of the first pole part104aand the second pole part104bmay have a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shape, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, each of the first pole part104aand the second pole part104bmay have any suitable cross-sectional mating shape, for example, such as an oval, a polygon (e.g., triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or the like), an oblong shape, or the like. When the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second pole parts104aand104bare different from the circular shape, the shapes thereof may prevent or substantially prevent the first pole part104afrom rotating relative to the second pole part104b, which may facilitate the alignment of the stop engagement structure204and206with the one or more stops202, and/or the rotation of the ground engagement structure108via a rotational force applied to the first pole part104a.

FIGS.3A-3Dare partial views of a handle part according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The location of the handle part106may vary in position being proximal or distal from the umbrella part102, the ground engagement structure108, and/or the connecting portion of the pole parts104aand104b. Further, the variation of the height and location of the handle part106may allow for better torque/leverage and/or stability when applying greater forces thereon for different ground densities.

For example, in some embodiments, the handle part106may allow for increased rotational force that can be applied to the ground engagement structure108to facilitate its entrance into various different terrains. In other embodiments, the handle part106may be omitted, and/or use of various suitable forms of grips may be utilized. Further, in some embodiments, the use of variable shapes of the pole parts104aand104band/or grooves, edges, and other forms of grips along the pole part104may similarly allow for better twisting/turning motions. In some embodiments, the use of supplemental grips that are not implemented and/or designed into the pole part104may be utilized. Use of various materials for supplemental grips, which may be attached to (e.g., directly attached to) the pole part104, may include plastic, rubber, cloth, gel-foam, cushion, and/or the like, but are not limited to such materials. In other embodiments, the handle part106may be attached to the pole part104, and is not limited to via welding, bolting, or screws, which may be relatively permanent in an affixed position. In other embodiments, the handle part106may be temporary/transient in its connection, whether by assembly required with detachment or by partial connections (which are not limited to plates or hinges) that allow for transitions between active use and passive storage. For example, in some embodiments, the handle part106may include flexible hinges, locking pins that are inserted into the handle part106with openings that are aligned with the overall structure in a lateral/transverse plane. In some embodiments, a flexible plated hinge and/or a locking pin may be used to secure a suitable position and/or orientation of the handle part106.

Referring toFIG.3A, in some embodiments, the handle part106may be moved from a first position in which the handle part106is parallel to or substantially parallel to the pole part104and a second position in which the handle part106is perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the pole part104. The handle part106may be used to rotate the pole part104when in the second position, for example, by being extended downward into a lateral/transverse plane for better use. For example, the handle part106may be connected to the pole part104via a plate part302, which may be stabilized on the pole part104via openings formed therein that are aligned with corresponding openings formed in the pole part104, and small screws304, bolts, or the like that are inserted into the openings, but the present disclosure is not limited to. The handle part106may be connected to the plate part302via a hinge306. The hinge306may allow for both collapsible/vertical plane and also deployed transverse/horizontal position for use of the handle part106to rotate the ground engagement structure108.

Referring toFIG.3B, in some embodiments, the handle part106imay further include end grasping members310to allow for further stability when in the second position (e.g., the transverse/deployed position). For example, when the handle part106iis moved to the second position, the end grasping members310may be outwardly flexed and then may return towards a resting position to grasp around a circumference of the pole part104. In this case, increased stability may be provided, and the handle part106imay be prevented from being easily moved back to the first position. InFIG.3B, the handle part106iis illustrated in the first position (e.g., in an upward folded position) for better storage, but can be moved via the hinge306downward into the second position (e.g., the transverse/horizontal position) and temporarily locked in the second position relative to the pole part104via the end grasping members310to have a more secure connection with the pole part104.

Referring toFIGS.3C and3D, the handle part106iimay be detachable from the pole part104. For example, the handle part106iimay have a form fitting shape that may be inserted into a corresponding mating shape of an opening320formed in the pole part104. Once inserted, whether partial or completely to midline, the handle part106iimay be used to apply a rotational force to the ground engagement structure108. The shapes of the pole part106iiand the corresponding opening320are not limited to the circle shape shown inFIG.3C, and may include any suitable form-fitting shapes, for example, such as an elliptical, a triangle, a curvilinear triangle, a rhombus, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, a octagon, a nonagon, or the like. The removability of the handle part106iimay also allow for better portability and transportation of the umbrella100.

FIGS.4A-4Eare partial views of a ground engagement structure according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ground engagement structure108may be formed on at least a portion of the pole part104, or may be connected to the pole part104to facilitate the user with implanting the umbrella100into the ground. For example, the ground engagement structure104may be rotated (e.g., via a rotational force applied to the pole part104) in a first rotational direction with respect to the central axis C to burrow deeper into the ground. In some embodiments, a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction may retract or release the ground engagement structure108from the ground.

In more detail, referring toFIGS.4A through4E, in various embodiments, the ground engagement structure108may include a material shifting structure MSS, and a material receiving groove MRG adjacent to the material shifting structure MSS. As the ground engagement structure108is rotated, the material shifting structure MSS may shift or otherwise displace ground material to burrow into or otherwise traverse through the ground. In some embodiments, the material shifting structure MSS may have a width (e.g., in the second direction) that is greater than a width of the pole part104in the second direction. In other words, in some embodiments, the material shifting structure MSS may extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part104, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The material receiving groove MRG may receive the ground material displaced by the material shifting structure MSS, and may transport or otherwise further displace the ground material away from the ground engagement structure108. For example, the material receiving groove MRG may form a recess or a channel for the displaced ground material to be moved away from an engagement end or an engagement tip of the ground engagement structure108. The material receiving groove MRG may be adjacent to the material shifting structure MSS, and may be formed between portions of the material shifting structure MSS.

Various examples of the ground engagement structure108will now be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.4A-4E. For example, in some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B, the ground engagement structure108may include a threaded or drill-type base (e.g., an auger-type base408as shown inFIG.4A, a carbide drill-type base410as shown inFIG.4B, or the like). As another example, in some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4C, the ground engagement structure108may include a tiller-type base412. As another example, in some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.4D and4E, the ground engagement structure108may include an anchor-type base (e.g., a grapple anchor-type base414as shown inFIG.4D, a mushroom anchor-type base416as shown inFIG.4E, or the like). However, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples shown inFIGS.4A-4E, and the ground engagement structure108may be implemented with various suitable types of bases, for example, including but not limited to Auger/cork screw-type bases, Mushroom-shaped anchor bases, Grapnel-shaped bases, Plough-shaped bases that may utilize one or more of flukes, hooks, claws, or scoops, and/or the like.

In more detail, referring toFIGS.4A and4B, in some embodiments, the material shifting structure MSS may extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part104, and may be a threaded structure formed on at least a portion of the pole part104at the second end, or connected to the second end of the pole part104. In some embodiments, the material receiving groove MRG may be adjacent to and formed between portions of the threaded structure, for example, such as a channel extending between threads450or450′ of the material shifting structure MSS.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4A, widths of the threads450of the material shifting structure MSS may increase from an engagement tip or end452towards the pole part104. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, as shown inFIG.4B, the widths of the threads450′ may be constant or substantially constant along a length of the material shifting structure MSS.

Referring toFIGS.4C and4D, in some embodiments, the material shifting structure MSS may extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part104, and may include a plurality of arms454or454′ that extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part. The arms454or454′ may be spaced apart from each other by the material receiving groove MRG.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4C, each of the arms454may extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part104, and may be bent or curved such that a tip456of the arms454extend (e.g., point) away from the second end of the pole part104. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4D, each of the arms454′ may extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part104, and may be bent or curved such that a tip456′ of the arms454′ extend (e.g., point) towards the first end (e.g., the umbrella part end) of the pole part104.

Referring toFIG.4E, in some embodiments, the material shifting structure MSS may extend radially relative to the pole part104from the second end of the pole part104, and may be formed to have a shape similar to a shape of an upside down mushroom. For example, the material shifting structure MSS may have a hemispherical shape having a diameter that increases from an engagement tip or end460towards the pole part104to a lip462of the material shifting structure MSS. The lip462may form an edge where an upper surface464of the material shifting structure MSS meets or is otherwise connected to a lower curved surface466of the material shifting structure MSS. The material receiving groove MRG may be formed to be adjacent to the material shifting structure MSS, for example, as a channel extending through the lower curved surface466and the upper surface464of the material shifting structure MSS.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.4A through4E, the ground engagement structure108may be detachably connected to the pole part104(e.g., the second end of the pole part104or the second pole part104b). For example, in some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4A, the pole part104may further include a spring-loaded protrusion or button member403that protrudes from a surface of the pole part104at a distance from the second end to engage a connection hole404formed in the engagement structure108. As another example, in some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4B, the pole part104may further include an engagement hole402formed in a surface of the pole part104at a distance from the second end to be aligned with the connection hole404formed in the engagement structure108, and fixed therewith via a fixation member406, for example, such as a screw. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the ground engagement structure108may be integrally formed with at least a portion of the pole part104adjacent to the second end, or may be welded to, bolted to, screwed on, or otherwise attached to the pole part104at the second end such that the ground engagement structure108may not be easily detached from the pole part104.