Abstract:
A portable surface anchor is presented. Such portable surface anchor is able to be transported to various and difficult geographical areas, placed on the surface and able to provide support for vertically elevated objects.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a surface anchor able to be transported to various geographical areas, placed on the surface and able to provide support for vertically elevated objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exist many means of stabilizing elevated structures. In the petroleum industry, the earth anchor is one of the most common. Earth anchors are often used for anchoring derricks, which can often reach up to approximately one hundred feet in height. Earth anchors come in a variety of types, including: expandable wing anchors; helical (helix) anchors; flat plate anchors; and, T-bar anchors. All of these types of anchors require excavation for installation in the earth. 
     Typically, the derrick position is chosen in light of many factors, including: local geographical features; field equipment; and, underground structures. These same considerations as well as manufacturers&#39; engineering specifications and governmental regulations, also mandate where derrick-supporting anchors are to be placed. Underground structures include cables, lines, conduit and piping for utilities, such as gas, electricity and water. 
     Frequently underground structures are compromised during excavation, which is required for placement of an earth anchor. The results can be devastating, including property damage, loss of product, environmental harm, personal injury and loss of life. Over the years, safety regulations have increased in response to injuries and death caused by excavation that compromises underground structures. Restrictions on excavation location and depth have become ever more stringent in order to avoid the above-mentioned damages. 
     Natural variations in local terrain, climate and geography limit placement of earth anchors. Rocks, unstable soil, previously excavated soil, and shallow ground water levels often make excavation impractical, if not impossible, in the fewer and fewer sites where excavation is allowed. 
     In addition to the regulatory and geographical limitation, excavation also faces constraints regarding surface and mineral interests. Rights-of-way, pits, roads, fences, and equipment limit excavation possibilities for placement of earth anchors. An example of both underground and surface limitations is a multiple well pad site. With more than one well per location, there are often separate underground utilities, property interests for both the surface and mineral estates, and multiple company ownership of structures and equipment. All the competing interests found in a multiple well pad site often impede and severely curtail excavation, thereby limiting earth anchor preparation for placement. 
     Vertically elevated structures require support. Earth anchors have become too cumbersome to meet the needs in the field. Thus, there is a long felt need for alternatives to earth anchors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a portable surface anchor stabilization of vertically elevated objects. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the portable surface anchor for deployment on a ground surface includes: a support frame comprising at least two rails; a container comprising a front wall and an opposing back wall and attached to said support frame; at least two pointed front teeth, each of said front teeth comprising a spike adapted for penetrating said surface beneath said surface anchor; first means attached to the front wall of said container for deploying said at least two pointed front teeth. 
     In another embodiment the portable surface for deployment on a ground surface hereof includes: a support frame, a rectangular container attached to the support frame, at least two pointed front teeth, each of the front teeth adapted for penetrating the surface beneath said surface anchor, first means attached to the front wall of said container for deploying said at least two front teeth, at least two pointed back teeth, each of said back teeth adapted for penetrating the surface beneath said surface anchor, and second means attached to the back wall of said container for deploying said at least two back teeth. 
     The support frame of the portable surface anchor comprises a first side rail, a second side rail parallel to said first side rail and spaced apart therefrom, a third rail parallel to said first side rail and said second side rail and disposed therebetween, a front cross member perpendicular to and attached to said first rail, said second rail and said third rail, a rear cross member perpendicular to and attached to said first rail, said second rail and said third rail, two first parallel cross members between the front cross member and the rear cross member, one of said first parallel cross members attached to the first and third rails and the other said first parallel cross members attached to the second and third cross rails, two second parallel cross members between the two first parallel cross members and the rear cross member, one of said second parallel cross members attached to the first and third rails and the other said second parallel cross members attached to the second and third cross rails, two intermediate parallel cross members disposed between the two first parallel cross members and the two second parallel cross members. 
     The rectangular container of the portable surface anchor has a front wall, an opposing back wall, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall, and a bottom, and attached to the support frame. 
     Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing an apparatus stabilizing elevated objects, which is portable and can function in a variety of terrains, and accommodate a wide variety of ground surfaces, including frozen tundra. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of one embodiment of the present invention showing the frame and the rectangular container. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the top of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  hereof. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another perspective view of the top of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2  hereof, further showing the front teeth in the retracted condition and internal support members of the container. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates yet another perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2  hereof, further showing the front teeth and back teeth in their deployed condition. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3  here of showing the teeth in their retracted condition. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of a pointed tooth, pursuant to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a side view of the fully deployed tooth shown in  FIG. 6A  hereof. 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a side view of the pointed tooth shown in  FIG. 6B  in its fully retracted condition. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the top of and embodiment of the present invention, showing a divider placed in the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a support frame  5  underneath and supporting a rectangular container  10 . The support frame  5  comprises a first side rail  101 , a second side rail angle support attachments, and a third side rail  103  therebetween. The support frame  5  also comprises a front cross member  21  perpendicular to and attached to the first rail, the second rail and the third rail. The support frame also comprises a rear cross member  22  perpendicular to and attached to the first rail, the second rail and said the rail. The front cross member  21  is parallel to the rear cross member  22 . The rails  101 ,  102  and  103  are parallel to each other. 
     The support frame  5  also comprises two first parallel cross members  31 A and  31 B between the front cross member  21  and the rear cross member  22  and attached to the first rail  101  and third rail  103  and second rail  102  and third rail  103 , respectively. The support frame further comprises two second parallel cross members  32 A and  32 B disposed between the two first parallel cross members  31 A and  31 B and the rear cross member  22  and attached to the first rail  101  and third rail  103  and second rail  102  and third rail  103 , respectively. The support frame further comprises two intermediate parallel cross members  33 A and  33 B disposed between the two first parallel cross members  31 A and  31 B and the two second parallel cross members  32 A and  32 B and attached to the first rail  101  and third rail  103  and second rail  102  and third rail  103 , respectively. 
       FIG. 1  also depicts six pointed teeth  500 A,  500 B,  500 C,  500 D,  500 E, and  500 F fully deployed. The three pointed front teeth  500 A,  500 B and  500 C protrude through teeth guides  61 ,  62  and  63 , respectively. Typically, such teeth are fully deployed prior to placing the portable surface anchor on the ground in its desired location. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a rectangular container  10  having a front wall  11 , a side wall  13  and a bottom  15 .  FIG. 1  further depicts a first front buttress  111  attached to the first rail  101  and to the front wall  11 . A second front buttress  112  is attached to the second rail  102  and to the front wall  11 . A third front buttress  113  attached to the third rail  103  and to the front wall  11 . Although not depicted, a first back buttress  121  is attached to the first rail  101  and to the back wall  12 , second back buttress  122  is attached to the second rail  102  and to the back wall  12 , and a third back buttress  123  is attached to said third rail  103  and to the back wall  12 . The attachments of the back buttresses  121 ,  122 , and  123  to the back wall  12  are not depicted in  FIG. 1 . However, the attachments are the same as the front buttresses  110 ,  111 , and  112 , to the front wall  11 . The buttresses provide support to the container when it is filled with concrete. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the support frame  5  underneath the rectangular container  10 . The rectangular container  10  comprises a front wall  11 , an opposing back wall  12 , a first side wall  13 , an opposing second side wall  14 , and a bottom  15 . The rectangular container  10  is attached to the support frame  5 , whereby the first side wall  13  and bottom  15  are attached to the first side rail  101 , the second side wall  14  and bottom  15  are attached to the second side rail  102 , and the bottom  15  is attached to the third rail  103 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts tooth guide  61  attached to the first side rail  101  and the first parallel cross member  31 A.  FIG. 2  also depicts tooth guide angle support attachments  71 A and  71 B attached to tooth guide  61  and the wall  11 . Likewise, tooth guide  62  is attached to the second side rail  102  and first parallel cross member  31 B with tooth guide angle support attachments  72 A and  72 B attached to tooth guide  62  and the front wall  11 . Tooth guide  63  is attached to the third rail  103  and first parallel cross member  31 B with tooth guide angle support attachments  73 A and  73 B attached to tooth guide  63  and the wall  11 . The angle support attachments provide stability and support for the tooth guides as the portable surface anchor is deployed and used in operation. 
       FIG. 2  also depicts an at least one D-ring  80  attached to the bottom of the first side wall  13 , two D-rings  81 A and  81 B are attached to the third rail  103 . Although not depicted, the invention typically comprises at least one D-ring attached to the bottom of the opposing second side wall  14 .  FIG. 2  depicts reinforced plates  91 A and  91 B attached to the third rail  103  underneath D-rings  81 A and  81 B, respectively. As lines are attached to D-rings during attachment to vertically elevated objects, the reinforced plates provide additional support to maintain D-ring attachment and rail integrity for the portable surface anchor. 
       FIG. 2  shows mounting gear mounting plates  241 ,  242  and  243  for landing gear attachment to the front wall  11 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Such mounting plates provide additional support and maintain attachment of the landing gear to the remainder of the portable surface anchor when in use.  FIG. 2  also shows landing gear support gussets  250 A,  250 B and  250 C attached to the landing gear mounting plate  242  and the front wall  11 . 
       FIG. 3  further depicts reinforcement bars  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D,  50 E,  50 F,  50 G and  50 H attached to the walls inside container  10 . The portable anchor depicted in  FIG. 3  shows the front cross member  21  and the rear cross member  22  comprising tail roll piping. Tail roll piping provides for effective hauling of the portable surface anchor and provides for less wear and tear on cables and ropes as the invention is picked up in order to be transported. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a landing gear assembly  200 , showing landing gear crank  201 , landing gear drive box  202 , landing gear drive rod  203 , landing gear sleeves  211 ,  212  and  213  and landing gear sleeve collars  231 ,  232  and  233 . In  FIG. 3 , the pointed teeth are not deployed, therefore the landing gear drive shafts are not exposed, and the teeth remain in tooth guides  61 ,  62  and  63  (similar to the non-deployed teeth shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 4  shows a view of deployed teeth, as shown in  FIG. 1 , although only deployed tooth  500 B is visible in  FIG. 4 . When the teeth are fully deployed, the surface anchor becomes highly effective for maintaining its position relative to horizontal movement. Because an anchor is horizontally separated from the vertically elevated object it is supporting, it is essential that no horizontal movement of the surface anchor occurs. 
       FIG. 4  shows the landing gear drive shafts  221 ,  222  and  223 , which are in communication with the landing gear drive rod  203 . When the landing gear shafts  221 ,  222  and  223  are fully retracted, they are partially contained in the landing gear sleeves  211 ,  212  and  213 , respectively. The landing gear shaft collars  231 ,  232 , and  233  are attached to the bottom of the landing gear sleeves  211 ,  212 , and  213 , respectively. In  FIG. 4 , the landing gear shaft sleeves,  211 ,  212 , and  213 , are attached to the front wall  11 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 4 , the back wall has similar landing gear assembly attachments as the front wall. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a fully deployed pointed tooth  500 A. The tooth  500 A comprises a spike casing  501 A and a spike  503 A. The spike casing comprises a rim  502 A and an apexed portion  504 A.  FIG. 6A  shows the landing gear mounting plate  241  which is attached to a front wall  11 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 6 , the tooth features and tooth attachments are the same for teeth  500 B,  500 C,  500 D,  500 E, and  500 F. 
     When the tooth  500 A is fully retracted, the landing gear shaft  221  is at least partially inside the landing gear sleeve  211 . Deployment of the tooth requires the landing gear rod  203  to communicate with the landing gear shaft  221 . Prior to deployment of tooth  500 A, the landing gear collar  231  is in contact with the rim  502 A, as shown in  FIG. 6C . 
       FIG. 6A  shows a portion of the spike  503 A with a pointed end  505 A, which enhances the tooth&#39;s ability to penetrate frozen and very rocky terrain.  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6C  show how the spike  503 A is partially contained in the spike casing  503 A and attached to the landing gear shaft  221  with its non-pointed end  506 A. The apexed portion  504 A of the spike casing  501 A provides additional support for the spike  503 A as ground is punctured and aids in the movement of earth as the portable surface anchor is lowered to its anchoring position. 
       FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of the current invention wherein a divider  99  separates the container into at least two containers. The divider  99  also provides support for D-ring  80  and the opposing side D-ring (not depicted). One or more dividers, like divider  99 , provide for concrete blocks to be deposited into the one or more containers. Concrete blocks can be shipped separately, thereby making the anchor and its weights easier to be transported. 
     In actual use, the portable surface anchor is tied off with a line connecting the D-ring to an upper portion of an elevated structure. The six tooth design has been an improvement over a four tooth design. The six tooth design allows the portable surface anchor to be deployed without preparation and smoothing of the underlying earth. Given the variety of terrain where anchors are required, a six tooth design accommodates curvature and uneven terrain as well as frozen earth. Thus, the surface does not have to be smoothed, softened or thawed. 
     There are a variety of means for deploying the teeth. One such means is the landing gear assembly shown herein. Such landing gear is commercially available and typically used in the trucking industry, e.g., SAF/Holland Model LG 4000-720000000. Such landing gear can accommodate very heavy portable surface anchors. In one embodiment, the portable surface anchor, when fully constructed weighed over 48,000 lbs. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the pointed teeth typically extend approximately 12 inches from the bottom of the portable surface anchor when fully deployed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the spike portion extends approximately 2 inches from the apexed portion. The 12 inch penetration of earth is a safe depth relative to the deeper locations of almost all underground structures including utility lines and water piping or structures. 
     In one embodiment, the deployable are adjustable. Thus, the depth of surface penetration can be selectively chosen in order to avoid underground structures that are at a more shallow depth. The portable surface anchor was tested at a 2 inch depth for all six pointed teeth. Even at this minimal depth of deployment/penetration, the portable surface anchor remained in constant position with an applied load well above industry standard service loads and required field testing limits. 
     The figures herein have shown a front view of the invention. It is important to note that in one embodiment the front and back sides identical in tooth, landing gear attachments and buttresses. 
     It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.