Anchor with deoperable screw

An anchor for boring into a deformable substance which includes an elongate shaft adapted for disposition in the deformable substance is provided. The anchor has proximal and distal end portions and a central longitudinal axis. A handle is carried by the proximal end portion for causing rotation of the shaft about the axis. A drive screw is carried by the distal end portion for moving the shaft in opposite first and second longitudinal directions when the shaft is rotated in respective opposite first and second rotational directions about the axis. The anchor also includes a disengagement assembly carried by the shaft for deactivating the drive screw so that the shaft can rotate relatively freely without longitudinal movement thereof. The drive screw has an outer surface with a helical screw thread formed thereon and is rotatably mounted to the shaft distal end portion for rotation about the axis. The disengagement assembly includes a clutch assembly carried within the shaft for rotationally locking and delocking the drive screw with the shaft. In one embodiment, the end piece has a tip for piercing the soil. In another embodiment, the shaft and screw are provided with longitudinal bores therethrough for permitting the passage of soil therethrough. A fin with a leading end can be pivotly mounted near the trailing edge of the drive screw thread for increasing the torque necessary to rotate the end piece in the second rotational direction.

This invention pertains generally to anchors, and more particularly to 
anchors with screws at the end thereof. 
Anchors have been provided for disposition in sand, soil and deformable 
substances for securing objects ranging in size from scuba equipment and 
skis to boats and construction equipment thereto. In general, these 
anchors can be divided into two categories: anchors of a permanent nature 
and anchors of a more temporary nature. Most permanent anchors cannot be 
readily removed or reused. On the other hand, most temporary anchors can 
be too easily removed and therefore do not provide meaningful protection 
against theft of the objects secured thereto. 
It is in general an object of the invention to provide a new and improved 
anchor with a screw on the distal end which overcomes the limitations and 
disadvantages of the anchors currently provided. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the above 
character which can be easily placed in deformable substances such as sand 
or soil without the use of any tools. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the above 
character which can be locked to preclude its unauthorized removal from 
the sand or soil. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the above 
character to which objects can be secured. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the above 
character which, when unlocked, can be readily removed from the sand or 
soil for reuse. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the above 
character which can be folded for ease of storage and transportation. 
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by 
providing an anchor for boring into deformable substances which includes 
an elongate shaft adapted for disposition in the deformable substance and 
having proximal and distal end portions and a central longitudinal axis. 
Means is carried by the proximal end portion for causing rotation of the 
shaft about the axis, and drive screw means is carried by the distal end 
portion for moving the shaft in a first longitudinal direction when the 
shaft is rotated in a first rotational direction about the axis and for 
moving the shaft in an opposite second longitudinal direction when the 
shaft is rotated in an opposite second rotational direction about the 
axis. The anchor also includes disengagement means carried by the shaft 
for deactivating the drive screw means so that the shaft can rotate 
relatively freely without longitudinal movement thereof. 
The drive screw means includes an end piece having an outer surface with a 
helical screw thread formed thereon and mounting means for rotatably 
mounting the end piece to the distal end portion of the shaft to permit 
rotation about said axis. The disengagement means includes clutch means 
carried within the shaft for rotationally locking and delocking the end 
piece with the shaft. In one embodiment, the end piece has a tip for 
piercing the soil. In another embodiment, the shaft and end piece are 
formed with bore-forming inner surfaces which extend longitudinally 
therethrough for permitting soil to pass through the shaft and end piece 
as the anchor moves through the soil. 
A fin with a leading end can be pivotly mounted near the trailing edge of 
the screw thread formed on the end piece for increasing the torque 
necessary to rotate the end piece in the second rotational direction. 
Pivot means is provided for pivoting the fin at its leading end when the 
shaft is rotated in the second rotational direction from a first position 
where the fin is in general juxtaposition with the screw thread to a 
second position where the fin is inclined with respect to the screw 
thread. 
Attention is now directed to FIGS. 1 through 21, which are not necessarily 
drawn to scale. 
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the anchor with deoperable screw of 
the present invention embedded in soil. 
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially cut away, of a 
portion of the anchor shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 
with the screw in an engaged condition. 
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view similar to FIG. 2 of the anchor 
shown in FIG. 1 with the screw in a disengaged condition. 
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the anchor shown in FIG. 
1, rotated 90 degrees, with the screw in an engaged condition. 
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of the anchor shown in 
FIG. 1 with the screw in a disengaged condition. 
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the anchor 
shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 1 and rotated 90 
degrees, with the first and second shaft sections unlocked and separated. 
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the anchor shown in FIG. 1 
rotated 90 degrees. 
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 of the anchor shown in 
FIG. 1 with the first and second shaft sections unlocked and partially 
separated. 
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the anchor shown in FIG. 1 
when the screw is in an engaged condition. 
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 9 but 
axially rotated 90 degrees, of the anchor shown in FIG. 1 when the screw 
is in a secured disengaged condition. 
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 when the 
first and second shaft sections are unlocked. 
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 when the 
first and second shaft sections are unlocked and separated. 
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the anchor shown in FIG. 9 
taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 9. 
FIG. 14 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the anchor 
screw shown in FIG. 1, rotated 90 degrees. 
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the first and second shaft sections 
of the anchor shown in FIG. 1 in an unlocked and separated condition. 
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, partially cut away, of another 
embodiment of the anchor with deoperable screw of the present invention 
embedded in soil. 
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor shown in FIG. 16 taken 
along the line 17--17 of FIG. 16 with the screw in an engaged condition. 
FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17 of the 
anchor shown in FIG. 16 with the screw in a disengaged condition. 
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor shown in FIG. 17 taken 
along the line 19--19 of FIG. 17. 
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor shown in FIG. 17 taken 
along the line 20--20 of FIG. 17. 
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor shown in FIG. 18 taken 
along the line 21--21 of FIG. 18.

The locking portable anchor 31 of the present invention includes an 
elongate tubular shaft 32 which is adapted for disposition in a deformable 
substance such as soil. Shaft 32 is centered on a longitudinal axis 33 and 
is formed from first or bottom and second or top sections 36 and 37 as 
illustrated in FIG. 1. Bottom section 38 has an inner bore-forming surface 
38 and an outer surface 41 which are each generally circular in 
cross-section, and a bottom end portion 42 which serves as the distal or 
bottom end portion of shaft 32 and an opposite top end portion 43. 
Similarly, top section 37 has an inner bore-forming surface 46 and an 
outer surface 47 which are each generally circular in cross-section, and a 
bottom end portion 48 and an opposite top end portion 51 which serves as 
the proximal or top end portion of shaft 32. Connector 56 serves as means 
for rigidly joining shaft sections 36 and 37 and is generally cylindrical 
in shape. Connector 56 has a central portion 57 which is hexagonal in 
cross-section and opposite first or bottom and second or top end portions 
58 and 60 of reduced diameter (See FIGS. 6 through 8). A bore-forming 
inner surface 61, which has a circular-shaped cross-section, extends 
longitudinally through end portions 58 and 60 and is generally centered on 
axis 33. Connector end portions 58 and 60 extend into respective top and 
bottom end portions 43 and 48 of shaft sections 36 and 37, with shaft end 
portions 43 and 48 having similar ends 62 which are hexagonal in 
cross-sectional shape and dimensioned for snugly and nonrotatably 
receiving connector central portion 57. One or more dimples 63 formed in 
shaft top end portion 43 serve to attach connector 56 to shaft bottom 
section 36. 
Anchor 31 further includes drive screw means in the form of a generally 
tubular end piece or screw 71 carried by bottom end portion 42 (See FIGS. 
1 through 5). Screw 71 is generally centered on axis 33 and has a first or 
bottom end portion 72 and a second or top end portion 73. Screw top end 
portion 73 is provided with a longitudinal bore 76 extending therethrough. 
Bottom end portion 72 is pressed together, shaped to form a tip and joined 
by any suitable means such as welding. Screw 71 has an outer surface 77 
which is generally circular in cross-section and has a helical screw 
thread 78 formed thereon. Screw thread 78 is separately formed, having a 
leading edge 81 and a trailing edge 82, and is mounted to outer surface 77 
by any suitable means such as welding. 
Mounting means or assembly 85 is provided for rotatably mounting screw 71 
to bottom end portion 42 of shaft bottom section 36 to permit rotation of 
the screw about axis 33 and includes a generally cylindrical first dog 
element 86. First dog 86 has an annular shoulder 87 thereabout from which 
longitudinally extends a mounting portion 88 of a reduced diameter. 
Extending longitudinally and in the opposite direction from mounting 
portion 88 along one side of first dog 86 is a locking portion 89 which is 
generally semicircular in cross-sectional shape and formed from a recess 
90 in the first dog. Locking portion 89 has a generally planar mating 
surface 91 parallel with axis 33. 
Mounting portion 88 is configured and sized for relatively snug disposition 
in screw bore 76. Mounting portion 88 is rotatably locked with and secured 
to screw top end portion 73 by any suitable means known to those skilled 
in the art such as a tubular expansion pin 92 disposed in aligned 
transverse bores 93 and 96 provided in screw 71 and mounting portion 88. 
First dog 86 is rotatably carried within bottom end portion 42, having a 
radial extremity configured and sized for slidable disposition therein. 
First dog 86 is rotatably retained in bottom end portion 42 by a tubular 
bushing 97, of a type known to those skilled in the art and made of a 
suitable material such as oil-less bronze, which comprises part of 
mounting assembly 85. Bushing 97 has an inner surface 98 radially 
dimensioned to slidably receive mounting portion 88 and to permit the 
mounting portion to angularly rotate within the bushing, and an outer 
surface 101 radially dimensioned for snug disposition within bottom end 
portion 42. The bushing is mounted to bottom end portion 42 adjacent the 
end thereof by annular crimps 102 which preclude longitudinal movement of 
the bushing with respect to shaft bottom section 36. First dog 86 and 
screw 71 mounted thereto are longitudinally fixed with respect to axis 33 
and positioned with respect to shaft bottom section 36 by shoulder 87 
generally abutting one end of bushing 97 and screw top end portion 73 
generally abutting the other end of the bushing and the end of bottom end 
portion 42. First dog locking portion 89 extends longitudinally in shaft 
bottom section 36 toward top end portion 43 as shown in FIG. 3. 
A second dog element 105 is slidably carried within bottom end portion 42 
of shaft 32 and, together with first dog 86, serves as part of the clutch 
means or assembly 106 carried by shaft bottom section 36 for rotationally 
locking and delocking screw 71 with shaft 32. Second dog 105 moves 
longitudinally with respect to axis 33 between a first engaged position 
with first dog 86 and a second disengaged position with the first dog. The 
second dog is generally cylindrical in shape and has a top tubular portion 
107 with a longitudinal bore 108 extending therethrough and a bottom 
locking portion 111 extending longitudinally from the tubular portion 
along one side of second dog 105. Locking portion 111 is generally 
semicircular in cross-sectional shape, being formed from a recess 112, and 
has a generally planar mating surface 113 parallel with axis 33. 
Second dog 105 is carried within shaft bottom section 36 so that locking 
portion 111 extends toward first dog 86 and bottom end portion 42. A stop 
116 is included in shaft bottom section 36 for, among other things, 
limiting the downward longitudinal travel of second dog 105 within the 
bottom section. Stop 116, which has a cross-sectional shape generally 
complementary to second dog locking portion 111, snugly abuts and is 
mounted to inner surface 38 longitudinally adjacent first dog locking 
portion 89 by any suitable means not shown in the drawings such as 
welding. Second dog 105 is in a first or lower engaged position when 
tubular portion 107 abuts stop 116 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Dog locking 
portions 89 and 111 are sized so that second dog locking portion 111 can 
slide down shaft bottom section 36 into recess 90 and alongside first dog 
locking portion 89. The stop has a mating surface 117 for abutting second 
dog mating surface 113. 
A tubular bulkhead 121 is included in shaft bottom section 36 for limiting 
the upward longitudinal travel of second dog 105 therein. Bulkhead 121 is 
configured and sized to snugly abut bottom section inner surface 38 and is 
rigidly mounted in bottom end portion 42 at a longitudinal position 
inwardly stop 116 and toward top end portion 43 by any suitable means not 
shown in the drawings such as welding. Bulkhead 121 has an annular 
shoulder 122 thereabout from which a stem portion 123 of reduced diameter 
extends toward stop 116, and is provided with a bore 126 extending 
longitudinally therethrough which is generally centered on axis 33. Second 
dog 105 is in a second or upper disengaged position when tubular portion 
107 abuts bulkhead stem portion 123 as illustrated in FIG. 5. 
Stop 116 also serves as means for rotatably locking and coupling second dog 
105 to shaft bottom section 36. Second dog locking portion 111 is 
longitudinally sized and bulkhead 121 longitudinally disposed within 
bottom end portion 42 so that second dog mating surface 113 generally 
abuts stop mating surface 117 at all times. In this manner, as illustrated 
in FIGS. 4 and 5, second dog 105 rotates about axis 33 with shaft bottom 
section 36. When dogs 86 and 105 are in the first engaged position, as 
illustrated in FIG. 4, first dog 86 and screw 71 mounted thereto are 
rotatably coupled to second dog 105. In this position, first and second 
dog mating surfaces 91 and 113 abut to transmit torque from second dog 105 
to first dog 86. When dogs 86 and 105 are in the second disengaged 
position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the dogs are rotatably decoupled. 
A spring means in the form of coil spring 131 is carried within shaft 
bottom section 36 for biasing second dog 105 toward the first engaged or 
home position. Spring 131 is sandwiched between fixed bulkhead shoulder 
122 and second dog tubular portion 107, exerting a constant force on the 
tubular portion which urges second dog 105 downwardly within bottom 
section 36. When spring 131 is in its compressed condition, as illustrated 
in FIG. 5, bulkhead stem portion 123 assists in preventing the spring from 
assuming a damaging distorted configuration. 
Anchor 31 further includes an elongate element in the form of a flexible 
cable 136 made from a suitable material such as steel and ranging in gauge 
from one-quarter to three-eighths inch. Cable 136 extends longitudinally 
within the confines of shaft bottom and top sections 36 and 37, being 
generally centered on longitudinal axis 33, and has a first or bottom end 
137 and a second or top end 138. The bottom portion of cable 136 extends 
through bulkhead bore 126 and second dog bore 108, with bottom end 137 
being coupled to second dog 105 by means of a metal retention tube 141 
attached thereabout by any suitable means such as silver soldering. 
Tubular portion 107 includes a radially inwardly extending lip 142 
adjacent the end thereof which abuts retention tube 141. In this manner, 
retention tube 141 and lip 142 serve to longitudinally couple cable 136 to 
second dog 105. Cable 136 serves as movement means for causing relative 
longitudinal movement of dog elements 86 and 105 between the first engaged 
position where the dog elements are rotatably locked about axis 33 and the 
second disengaged position where the dog elements rotate about axis 33 
generally freely of each other. 
For assembling shaft bottom section 36, cable bottom end 137 is first fed 
through bulkhead 121, coil spring 131 and second dog 105 and secured 
within second dog bore 108 by retention tube 141 in the manner discussed 
above. This assembly is loaded through bottom end portion 42, and bulkhead 
121 longitudinally positioned within and attached to bottom section 36. 
Stop 116 is then inserted in bottom end portion 42 and mounted to bottom 
section 36. After bushing 97 is slidably disposed about first dog mounting 
portion 88 and the mounting portion attached within screw bore 76 by 
expansion pin 92, first dog 86 and bushing 97 are slid into bottom end 
portion 42. Annular crimps 102 are formed on bottom section 36 for 
securing bushing 97, and hence first dog 86 and screw 71, to shaft 32. 
Flexible cable 136 extends through the bore in connector 56 formed by inner 
surface 61 and is also part of a locking assembly 145 which acts as means 
for locking shaft bottom and top sections 36 and 37. In this regard, a 
hardened metal tubular sleeve 146 with an inner radial dimension sized to 
snugly receive cable 136 is mounted thereabout by a suitable means not 
shown in the drawings such as silver soldering. Sleeve 146 is formed by an 
outer surface 147 which is generally circular-shaped in cross-section and 
has a radial dimension which permits the sleeve to slidably engage 
connector inner surface 61. 
Locking assembly 146 further includes a ball 148 disposed in a bore 151 
extending through one side of connector top end portion 73. Either cable 
36 or sleeve 146 contact ball at all times within connector 56 to prevent 
the ball from dislodging within connector 56. A lip 152 formed on top end 
portion 73 defines the outer radial extremity of bore 151 and is sized to 
retain ball 148 within bore 151. When locking assembly 145 is in its 
locked position and dogs 86 and 105 are in the second disengaged position, 
as illustrated in FIG. 7, sleeve 146 on cable 136 abuts ball 148 and 
presses it against lip 152. An annular crimp 153 formed in shaft bottom 
end portion 48 is longitudinally positioned thereon so that when bottom 
and top sections 36 and 37 are tightly secured together and sleeve outer 
surface 147 is engaging ball 151, the ball abuts crimp 153 preventing 
connector 56 from sliding out of bottom end portion 48. In this manner, 
connector 56 and shaft bottom section 36 are longitudinally locked with 
shaft top section 37. Sleeve 146 has a length sufficient to continually 
engage ball 148 when cable 136 is pulled upwardly to move second dog 105 
to its second disengaged position. When cable 136 and sleeve 146 are moved 
downwardly within connector 56, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the sleeve moves 
out from under ball 148 so that the ball can move radially inwardly a 
sufficient distance to permit passage of crimp 153 and separation of 
bottom and top sections 36 and 37. 
An elastic generally tubular boot 156 is attached to connector bottom end 
portion 58 for preventing soil or decontaminants which may enter connector 
top end portion 60 and shaft top end portion 43 from traveling down shaft 
bottom section 36 and possibly disrupting clutch assembly 106 and/or 
mounting assembly 85. Boot 156 has a bottom opening 157 for snugly 
receiving cable 136 and an enlarged opposite top opening 158 for mounting 
the boot about bottom end portion 58. A plurality of annular claws 161 are 
provided on bottom end portion 58 for retaining boot 156 thereon. 
Cable 136 is coupled to shaft top section 37. More specifically, cable top 
end portion 138 is mounted to a slide element or plunger 166 slidably 
disposed within top end portion 51 of shaft top section 37 (See FIGS. 9 
through 12). Plunger 166 is generally cylindrical in shape, having an 
outer radial extremity sized to slidably engage top section inner surface 
46. The plunger has a tapered first or bottom end portion 167, with a 
generally axially centered bore 168 extending therein, and an opposite 
second or top end portion 171 formed with first and second opposite 
generally planar and parallel surfaces 172. Cable top end 138 is disposed 
in bore 168 and secured therein by and annular crimp 173 formed therein. 
Cable top end 138 is accessible, via plunger 166, at shaft top end portion 
51 for controlling movement at top end portion 51 of second dog 105 
between the first engaged and second disengaged positions discussed above. 
Plunger 166 is in a first home position, as shown in FIG. 9, when second 
dog element 105 is in its first engaged position shown in FIG. 4. Plunger 
166 is pulled in a first or upwardly axial direction to a second secured 
position shown in FIG. 10 for disengaging second dog 105 and rotatably 
deactivating screw 71. When plunger 166 is released, coil spring 131 
returns the plunger to its home position and second dog 105 to its engaged 
position. In this manner, cable 136 and plunger 166 serve as means 
operable from top end portion 51 of shaft top section 37 for operating 
clutch assembly 106. 
Plunger top end portion 171 is provided with a semicircular notch 176 along 
one side thereof and extending between surfaces 172 for facilitating 
gripping and pulling thereof. Plunger top end portion 171 is also provided 
with retention means for retaining second dog 105 in its second disengaged 
position which includes bore 177 extending between surfaces 172. Bore 177 
is accessible when plunger 166 is pulled to its second secured position. A 
padlock 178 can be inserted in bore 177, as shown in FIG. 10, for 
precluding plunger 166 from returning to its home position and thereby 
retaining anchor 31 in its rotatably decoupled and secured position. 
Padlock 178 also acts as securement means adapted to secure objects to 
anchor 31. 
Plunger 166 is pushed in an opposite second or downwardly axial direction 
to a third position shown in FIG. 11 for unlocking locking assembly 145 to 
permit decoupling and separation of shaft bottom and top sections 36 and 
37 as discussed above. Cable 136 is sufficiently flexible and shaft bottom 
section 36 has a sufficient inner radial dimension and length so that the 
cable can distort in section 36 as it is pushed downwardly therein to so 
unlock shaft sections 36 and 37. In addition, cable 136 has sufficient 
stiffness and the resistance forces between connector inner surface 61 and 
sleeve outer surface 147 are sufficiently low so that sleeve 146 and cable 
136 move downwardly in connector 56 for delocking as discussed above. 
When shaft bottom and top sections 36 and 37 are unlocked and separated, 
cable 136 remains coupled to sections 36 and 37. Plunger 166 is precluded 
from sliding downwardly through shaft top section and out bottom end 
portion 48 by an annular crimp 181 formed in top end portion 51. Crimp 181 
abuts plunger bottom end portion 167 when plunger 166 is in its downward 
or fourth position as illustrated in FIG. 12. Crimp 181 is longitudinally 
positioned on shaft top section 37 to expose sufficient cable 136 between 
shaft sections 36 and 37 for bending of the shaft sections as shown in 
FIG. 15. In this manner, cable 136 serves as means for interconnecting 
shaft sections 36 and 37 when the shaft is rigidly decoupled. 
Means for causing rotation of shaft 32 about longitudinal axis 33, in the 
form of elongate tubular handle 186, is mounted transverse of shaft top 
end portion 51. Handle 186, as shown in FIG. 9, has first and second end 
portions 187 and a central portion 188 therebetween. A bore 191 
perpendicularly extends through central portion 188, being formed by an 
inner surface 192 which is generally hexagonal in cross-sectional shape. 
Shaft top end portion 51 has an end 193 which is formed to be hexagonal in 
cross-sectional shape and sized for snug disposition in handle bore 191. 
An annular lip 196 extends radially inwardly from one end of inner surface 
192, as illustrated in FIG. 13, serving to restrict shaft top section 37 
from extending through handle 186. Rubber tubular grips 197 are mounted on 
handle end portions 187 for facilitating the use of handle 186. 
A drag device or fin 201 is mounted on screw thread 78 adjacent trailing 
edge 82 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Fin 201 is formed from a plate 
202 contoured to the shape of thread 78. Plate 202 has opposite top and 
bottom surfaces 203 and 206 and opposite first or leading and second or 
trailing ends 207 and 208. A hook 211 extends downwardly from bottom 
surface 206 adjacent leading end 207 and a keel element 212 extends 
downwardly from the center of bottom surface 206 behind hook 211. Thread 
78 is provided with a first or forward and second or rear holes 213 and 
216 extending therethrough and aligned, configured and sized to receive 
hook 211 and keel element 212. 
Fin 201 is positioned on screw thread 78 so that fin trailing end 208 
extends over thread trailing edge 82. Hook 211 serves as pivot means for 
permitting fin 201 to pivot at leading end 207 from a first position where 
the fin is resting on thread 78 in general juxtaposition therewith and to 
a second position where the fin is inclined with respect to thread 78. The 
first position is shown in solid lines in FIG. 14, while the second 
position is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 14. Keel element 212, with 
opposite forwardly and rearwardly extending protrusions 217 on the bottom 
thereof which are sized to abut screw thread 78 adjacent rear hole 216, 
serves as means for limiting the pivot travel of fin 201 to its second 
position and for retaining keel element 212 within rear hole 216. 
Shaft sections 36 and 37, connector 56, screw 71, dogs 86 and 105, stop 
116, bulkhead 121, plunger 166, handle 186 and fin 201 are each made of a 
suitable material such as stainless steel. Anchor 31 can range from 40 to 
60 inches in length, shaft bottom and top sections 36 and 37 each ranging 
from 15 to 25 inches in length and screw 71 ranging from five to ten 
inches in length. Sections 36 and 37 and screw 71 each range from 
five-eighths to two inches in outer diameter width. Handle is sized from 
15 to 30 inches in length. Screw threads 78 can have an outer diameter 
ranging in size from two to five inches. 
In operation and use, portable anchor 31 provides a secure anchor to soil. 
Separable but tethered shaft sections 36 and 37 and removable handle 186 
permit anchor 31 to be easily transported and stored. Once at the desired 
location, shaft sections 36 and 37 are easily assembled without the use of 
tools, connector 56 and locking assembly 145 longitudinally and angularly 
locking the shaft sections together. Handle 186 is mounted to shaft top 
end portion 51. 
When placing anchor 31 in soil, screw bottom end portion or tip 72 serves 
to pierce the soil. With plunger 166 in its home position and dogs 86 and 
105 in their first rotatably locked engaged position, handle 186 is 
rotated in a first or clockwise direction about axis 33. As the handle is 
so rotated, shaft 32 rotatably locked thereto moves in a first 
longitudinal or downwardly direction through the soil. Shaft sections 36 
and 37 have generally smooth outer surfaces 41 and 47 which are free of 
projections for reducing the resistance or drag forces on anchor 31 as it 
travels through the soil. If desired, a wrench or other standard tool can 
be used together with or in lieu of handle 186 for rotating shaft 32. 
Shaft ends 62 and top end portion 51 have hexagonal configurations which 
facilitate gripping by such tools. 
Once anchor 31 reaches the desired depth in the soil, plunger 166 is pulled 
to its second position for placing dogs 86 and 105 in their second 
disengaged position. With clutch assembly 106 now disengaged, screw 71 is 
no longer rotatably locked with shaft 32. Further rotation of handle 186 
or shaft 32 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction will not 
advance or withdraw anchor 31 from the soil. In this manner, dogs 86 and 
105 and bushing 97 act as disengagement means for deactivating screw 71 so 
that shaft 32 can rotate relatively freely without longitudinal movement 
thereof in the soil. 
The forces necessary to remove anchor 31 from the soil depend on the size 
and configuration of screw 71 and screw threads 78, the depth of 
installation and the characteristics of the substance into which anchor 31 
is disposed. Tests have shown that forces in excess of 1,000 pounds are 
required to pull out a disengaged or secured anchor 31 screwed to a depth 
of 30 inches in packed soil when screw threads 78 are approximately two 
inches in outer radial diameter. In other experiments, a force in excess 
of 2,000 pounds has been required to pull out an anchor 31 having screw 
threads 78 of approximately three and one-half inches in outer radial 
diameter which has been installed to a depth of 42 inches in beach sand. 
It has been found that the torque necessary to withdraw an installed screw 
78 is significantly less than the torque necessary to install it. Fin 201 
serves to increase the torque necessary to withdraw screw 71 from the 
soil. Mounted on screw thread 78 adjacent its trailing edge 82, fin 
trailing end 208 extends over trailing edge 82 so as to engage the soil as 
screw 71 is rotated in a second rotational or counterclockwise direction. 
The soil acts on fin bottom surface 206 causing it to pivot about leading 
end 207 to its second position. Rear keel protrusion 217 abuts screw 
thread 78 adjacent rear hole 216 to counteract the uplifting forces 
exerted by the soil on fin 201 and prevents separation of the fin from the 
screw thread. In its second position, fin 201 increases the soil necessary 
to be displaced by screw thread 78 as it backs out of the soil. 
Fin 201 ensures, when anchor 31 is locked and secured and clutch assembly 
106 disengaged, that the screw withdrawing torque exceeds the breakaway 
force between screw 71 and shaft bottom section 36. This can be 
particularly important if soil or other decontaminants have lodged between 
bushing 97 and first dog 86 so as to increase the resistance or breakaway 
forces necessary to rotate screw 71 with respect to shaft bottom section 
36. In this manner, fin 201 acts as means for hindering rotation of screw 
78 in a counterclockwise direction about axis 33 and for hindering 
longitudinal movement of screw 71 and shaft 32 in the second or upward 
direction in the soil. 
Plunger 166 can be retained in its second secured position by placing a 
padlock 178 through bore 177 therein. Padlock 178 abuts against handle 186 
or shaft top end portion 51 to resist the biasing forces of coil spring 
131. With padlock 178 so installed, clutch assembly 106 cannot be engaged 
and shaft sections 36 and 37 cannot be unlocked. The padlock can also be 
used for securing objects to anchor 31. 
Anchor 31 is easily removed from the soil. Once padlock 178 is removed from 
plunger 166, coil spring 131 returns dogs 86 and 105 to their first 
engaged position. Some rotation of shaft 32 may be necessary to rotatably 
align the dogs about axis 33. Once clutch assembly 106 is so engaged, 
rotation of shaft 32 by handle 186 in a second rotational or 
counterclockwise direction about axis 33 moves withdraws anchor 31 from 
the soil by moving shaft 32 in an upwardly direction. As discussed above, 
counterclockwise rotation of screw 71 causes fin 201 to pivot to its 
second position, thereby increasing the torque otherwise necessary to 
remove shaft 32 from the soil. 
Once removed from the soil, anchor 31 is disassembled for transportation 
and storage by removing handle 186 therefrom and unlocking shaft bottom 
and top sections 36 and 37 by pushing plunger down within shaft top end 
portion 43 to unlock locking assembly 145 in the manner discussed above. 
Shaft sections 36 and 37 remain interconnected by cable 136 for storage 
and future ease of assembly. 
The portable locking anchor of the present invention can have other 
configurations for suiting the desired use or otherwise and be within the 
scope of the present invention. For example, an anchor used for securing 
large objects such as construction equipment, watercraft or portable 
building may have a larger radial diameter than an anchor used for 
securing smaller objects such as scuba gear, bicycles or camping 
equipment. For anchors desired to be of a more permanent nature, such as 
for flag poles, antennas or survey bench marks which are not expected to 
be removed once installed, the disengagement means for deactivating the 
screw means can be a shear pin or similar nonreactivating device. The 
portable locking anchor of the present invention can also be used in other 
generally loose materials or earth surfaces or substances such as sand, 
gravel or snow. In addition, the anchors of the present invention can be 
used in deformable substances such as wood. 
By way of example, another embodiment of the present invention is 
illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 21. Locking portable anchor 226 includes 
an elongate shaft 227 adapted for disposition in a deformable substance 
such as soil. Shaft 227, which is generally circular in cross-sectional 
shape and centered on a longitudinal axis 228, has distal or bottom and 
proximal or top end portions 231 and 232. The shaft is formed from inner 
and outer tubes 233 and 236 which are each made of a suitable material 
such as stainless steel and are colinear with axis 228. For simplicity, 
tubes 233 and 236 are not shown in FIG. 16. Inner tube 233 is 
concentrically carried within and mounted to outer tube 236 (See FIGS. 17 
and 18). Tubes 233 and 236 are welded or otherwise suitably joined 
together, inner tube 233 being formed with a crease 237 along one side 
thereof to provide a longitudinal separation 238 which extends 
longitudinally between the tubes. An elongate second dog element or rod 
241 having opposite bottom and top end portions 242 and 243 is slidably 
disposed in separation 238. Rod 241 is made of a suitable material such as 
stainless steel. Crease 237 is sized and configured, as illustrated in 
FIG. 20, so that rod 241 is generally angularly fixed between tubes 233 
and 236 and rotatably locked with shaft 227. 
Inner tube 233 has an inner surface 246 extending longitudinally 
therethrough, which forms a central bore 247 and serves as shaft 227 inner 
surface, and a bottom end 248. Outer tube 237 has an outer surface 251 
which serves as the outer surface of shaft 227, and a bottom sleeve 
portion 252 which extends beyond end 248 and has a distal or bottom end 
253. 
Anchor 226 further includes drive screw means in the form of a generally 
tubular end piece or screw 261 made of a suitable material such as 
stainless steel and generally centered on axis 228. Screw 261 has first or 
bottom and second or top end portions 262 and 263 and a generally circular 
cross-sectional shape. A bore 266 formed by an inner surface 267 extends 
longitudinally through end portions 262 and 263. Screw end portion 263 
serves as a mounting portion and has an outer surface 268 with a plurality 
of longitudinally aligned first dog elements or blocks 269 welded or 
otherwise suitably mounted thereon. Blocks 269 are spaced 
circumferentially about the outside of screw end portion 263 adjacent the 
end thereof (See FIGS. 18, 19 and 21). Bottom end portion 262 generally 
tapers toward the end thereof for serving as a hollow screw tip and has an 
outer surface 271 with a helical screw thread 272, substantially similar 
to screw thread 78, formed thereon. Outer surfaces 268 and 271 are 
separated by an annular shoulder 273. 
A mounting means or assembly 276 substantially similar to mounting assembly 
85 is provided for rotatably mounting screw 261 to shaft bottom end 
portion 231 to permit rotation of the screw about axis 228. Mounting 
assembly 276 includes a tubular bushing 277 made of a suitable material 
such as oil-less bronze. Bushing 277 has an inner surface 278 radially 
dimensioned to slidably receive screw mounting portion 263 and permit 
mounting portion 263 to angularly rotate within the bushing, and an outer 
surface 281 radially dimensioned for snug disposition within outer tube 
sleeve portion 252. The bushing is mounted to sleeve 252 adjacent the end 
thereof by annular crimps 282 which preclude longitudinal movement of the 
bushing with respect to shaft bottom end portion 231. Annular shoulder 273 
generally abuts outer tube end 253 and bushing 277 and screw top end 
portion 263 generally abuts inner tube bottom end 248 for limiting the 
upward longitudinal movement of screw 261 with respect to shaft 227. A 
spacer 283 is mounted to sleeve portion 252, by any suitable means not 
shown in the drawings such as welding, between the sleeve portion and 
screw top end portion 263. Spacer 283 is disposed adjacent and between 
bushing 277 and blocks 269 and generally abuts the blocks for limiting the 
downward longitudinal movement of screw 261 with respect to shaft 227. 
Blocks 269 and rod 241 serve as part of clutch means or assembly 287 for 
rotatably locking screw 261 with shaft 227. More specifically, blocks 269 
are sized and spaced apart so that rod bottom end portion 243 can slide in 
between adjacent blocks 269, as illustrated in FIG. 19, for engaging 
clutch assembly 287. 
Rod 241 is longitudinally sized so that top end portion 243 extends above 
shaft top end portion 232 and is accessible for the operator to grasp rod 
end portion 243 and move rod 241 between a first engaged position where 
rod 241 and blocks 269 are rotatably locked about axis 228, as illustrated 
in FIGS. 17 and 19, and a second disengaged position where rod 241 and 
blocks 269 rotate about axis 228 generally freely of each other, as 
illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 21. Spacer 283 limits the downward travel of 
rod 241 and protects bushing 277 from damage therefrom. 
Rod top end portion 243 is provided with a semicircular notch 291 along one 
side thereof for facilitating gripping and pulling of rod 241. Notch is 
accessible above shaft 227 when rod 241 is in both its first engaged 
position and its second disengaged position. Rod top end portion 243 is 
also provided with a bore 292 therethrough which aligns with a transverse 
bore 293 in shaft top end portion 232, extending through one side of tubes 
233 and 236 in angular alignment with separation 238 therebetween, when 
plunger rod 241 is pulled to its second disengaged position. Bores 292 and 
293 serve as retention means for retaining rod 241 in its second 
disengaged position. A padlock 296 can be inserted through bores 292 and 
293, as shown in FIG. 18, for retaining rod 241 in its second position and 
thereby retaining anchor 226 in its rotatably decoupled and locked 
position. Padlock 296 also acts as securement means adapted to secure 
objects to anchor 226. 
Means for causing rotation of shaft 227 about longitudinal axis 228, in the 
form of elongate tubular handle 301 made of a suitable material such as 
stainless steel, is mounted transverse of shaft top end portion 232. 
Handle 301 is disposed in a transverse bore 302 extending through tubes 
233 and 236 as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. Bore 302 is angularly 
separated approximately 90 degrees about axis 228 from separation 238 and 
bore 293. Handle 301 has opposite first and second end portions 303 with 
rubber tubular grips 306 mounted thereon for facilitating the use of 
handle 301. 
Anchor 226 operates in substantially the same manner as anchor 31. Once 
shaft 227 is aligned with screw 261 so that rod 241 can be pushed 
downwardly between adjacent blocks 269 to its first engaged position, 
anchor 226 moves downwardly through the soil in a first longitudinal 
direction when rotated in a first rotational or clockwise direction about 
axis 228 and upwardly in an opposite second longitudinal direction when 
rotated in a second rotational or counterclockwise direction about axis 
228. 
Shaft 227 and screw 261 are hollowed, having respective bores 247 and 266 
extending therethrough, for permitting the soil to pass longitudinally 
through anchor 226 as the anchor passes therethrough. Bore-forming inner 
surfaces 246 and 267 are generally centered on and colinear about axis 228 
and free of projections for facilitating the passage of soil through 
anchor 226. 
Once the desired installation depth has been reached, screw 261 is 
rotatably disengaged and deactivated by pulling rod 241 to its second 
secured position as discussed above. With rod 241 in this position, shaft 
227 can be rotated relatively freely without longitudinal movement 
thereof. 
The relatively large radial dimension of anchor 226, as compared to anchor 
31, permits significant torque to be applied to the anchor if necessary 
for installation. The hollow configuration of anchor 226 reduces 
significantly the frontal area of the anchor requiring far less soil to be 
pushed out of the way than would be required for an anchor similar to 
anchor 31 having an equivalent radial dimension. The significant radial 
dimension also adds to the stability of the anchor once installed and 
increases the forces necessary to forcibly remove the anchor when locked. 
In addition, the large radial dimension distributes the side load stress 
from anchor 227 over a wide area of soil or substance making the anchor 
particular secure with respect to side loads; these features are 
particularly helpful when anchor 227 is used for a flag pole, a tent stake 
or a guy wire anchor. 
It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved anchor with a 
screw on the distal end has been provided. The anchor can be easily placed 
in deformable substances such as sand or soil without the use of any tools 
and locked to preclude its unauthorized removal therefrom. Objects can be 
secured to the anchor which, when unlocked, can be readily removed from 
the sand or soil for reuse. The anchor can be folded for ease of storage 
and transportation. 
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, as 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, and 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. It is intended that the 
scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their 
equivalents.