Abstract:
The present invention describes an anchor for securing an object the ground. The anchor is especially useful for securing, either temporarily or permanently, fixing objects to the ground, such as signs, poles, mailbox posts, tent or net supports. Placement of the device requires no digging and few or no tools, and visible damage to the landscape is reduced. Advantageously, subterranean obstructions can be detected and avoided while securing the device to the ground, thereby protecting utility lines from damage. Typically, little strength and low torque is needed to secure the anchor to the ground.

Description:
[0001]    The present applicant claims priority to U.S. 60/777,360, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to anchoring device for securing an object to the ground. More particularly, the invention relates to an anchoring device that may be set, removed and reused with few or no tools. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Posts, such as sign posts, fence posts, mailbox posts, etc., are typically set into the ground by digging a hole, placing the post in the hole, and filling the hole with concrete or compacted soil. The process is tedious and time-consuming, and below ground placement of a post can lead to rot or corrosion. Further, removal or repositioning of the post requires digging the post from the hole. The removal process can be even more difficult than initial placement. 
         [0004]    Prior art includes a number of devices that facilitate placement or removal of a post. U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,997 describes a pre-fabricated anchoring base that may be set into the ground. A post may be securely yet removably set into the base. Disadvantageously, a hole must still be dug in the ground, the insert placed into the hole, and the hole backfilled with a suitable material. Digging scars the landscape, disrupts the land, requires replanting or reseeding, and dirt must be hauled away. Further, the post is still anchored below grade, so rot and corrosion could be problematic. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,468 teaches an anchor stake that is driven into the ground and over which a pole may be fitted. Digging of a hole is unnecessary, but a sledgehammer or other driver is needed to insert the stake. Variations on the anchor stake include U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,032, U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,990, U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,084 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,446, which include stakes having a plurality of fins for improved stability. The stakes are driven into the ground and provide a supporting platform for a post. The platform permits the post to rest above grade. 
         [0006]    Another type of anchor includes a helical member that screws into the ground. U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,192 teaches a single helical rod fixedly secured, such as by welding, to a flat plate. The rod may be twisted into the ground until the flat plate rests on the ground. The plate may include means to attach a post to the plate. The single helical rod lacks lateral stability and can be lifted from the ground by sideways movement. Larger helical rods may be used to reduce this defect, but a large helical rod is more difficult to screw into the ground and may require a tool, such as a large wrench or pipe. Also, because the helical rod is fixedly secured to the plate, the plat would not be level and any post fixed to the plate would be out of plumb if the helical rod is screwed into the ground off perpendicular. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,202,368, 4,858,876, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,107 substitute a screw or auger for a helical rod. The screw or auger is fixedly attached a post mounting means. The larger cross-sections of the screw and auger demand greater power to drive the devices into the ground. A tool would probably be needed. Again, the fixed screw or auger could be inadvertently set so that the mounting means is out of plumb. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,627 teaches a sign and anchor apparatus. The sign includes a plurality of legs that penetrate the ground. The sign is set separately from the anchor, thereby facilitating vertical placement of the sign even if the anchor is out of plumb. The anchor includes an auger on a terminal end that is screwed into the ground. The other end of the anchor locks to the sign so that the sign cannot be easily pulled from the ground. 
         [0009]    The above-described prior art, including the digging of holes or use of stakes, screws or augers, utilize rigid and often sharp points or edges forced into the ground. This requires the marking of utility services before placement. Failure to mark such services can result damage to the service line. Helical rods of the prior art do not necessarily have sharp points or edges, but only a large diameter rod provides sufficient holding power to secure a post to the ground. Such a large rod even lacking points or edges can damage a utility line. 
         [0010]    A need exists for an anchoring device that securely yet removably fixes an object, such as a post, pole, or cable, to the ground, and does not pose a risk of damaging utility lines. The object could be plumbed regardless of the orientation of the anchors used to secure it to the ground. Advantageously, the anchoring device could be installed or removed without tools. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention describes an anchor for removably fixing objects to the ground. Objects include, for example, posts, mailboxes, poles, and tie-outs. The anchor is especially useful for securely fixing, either temporarily or permanently, objects to the ground, such as signs, mailboxes, clothesline poles, tent supports, and sports nets. Placement of the anchor requires no digging and no special tools. Advantageously, subterranean obstructions can be detected and avoided while securing the anchor to the ground, thereby protecting utility lines from damage and causing no visible damage to the ground surface. Typically, the torque is needed to secure the anchor to the ground can be achieved using merely hands, a bar or wrench. A driving device, such as a sledgehammer, is unnecessary. 
         [0012]    In a broad aspect, the anchor includes a base defining a plurality of holes. The base is set on the ground at the desired inclination. Fasteners pass through the holes and screw into the ground. The plurality of fasteners prevents the base from moving. The base prevents lateral movement of the fasteners that could weaken the holding power of the individual fasteners. 
         [0013]    The base includes a central portion surrounded at least in part by a skirt. The central portion accepts and is shaped to receive the object. The central portion also comprises a retainer for the object. The retainer may be a flange, tenon or other mechanical connector. The skirt stabilizes the base and resists tipping. The size and shape of the skirt depends on the object to be secured. The skirt may include, for example, at least a portion of a disc or frusto-conical member surrounding the central portion. Alternatively, the skirt may include a plurality of legs. The skirt defines a plurality of holes through which the fasteners secure the base to the ground. 
         [0014]    A fastener comprises a helical structure. The fastener may include a central shaft, such as a screw, or simply a helical coil. In one embodiment, the fastener should be flexible enough not to penetrate or sever utility lines. The flexibility of the fastener permits detection of subterranean obstacles, such as utility lines. In another embodiment, the fasteners may be screwed into the ground without tools. In still another embodiment, the fastener includes head. The head may be flattened or may define an eyelet. A wrench may be applied to the flattened head and the fastener screwed into the ground. An elongated object, such as a pipe, bar or screwdriver, may be inserted into the eyelet and the fastener screwed to the ground. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an anchor of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a helical coil. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is side perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is side perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away side view of an anchor of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an anchor of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is side view an anchor of the present invention having a cover. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a washer for use in the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows the anchor  1  of the present invention. The anchor  1  includes a base  2  and a plurality of fasteners  5 . The base  2  includes a central portion  4  surrounded at least in part by a skirt  3 . The central portion  4  is adapted to receive an object (not shown). The skirt  3  defines holes  6  through which fasteners  5  imbed in the ground  7 , thereby securing the anchor  1 . The base  2  reduces relative movement of the fasteners  5 , thereby reducing lateral displacement that could lead to weakening of the fastener/ground contact. 
         [0024]    The base  2  preferably has a flat bottom  7  so that the base  2  may be set on the ground to assure vertical positioning of the object. The base  2  may even include an integrated level. Unlike prior art, plumb may be set before the fasteners  5  secure the base  2  to the ground. The base  2  should comprise a rigid material, such as metal, wood or plastic. Plastic is resistant to corrosion and can be molded into a variety of shapes. 
         [0025]    The skirt  3  at least partially surrounds the central portion  4  and may comprise at least a part of a disc, a plate, a frusto-conical element, or separate legs. The skirt  3  defines a plurality of holes  6 . The holes  6  should be located for stability. For example, two holes may be placed on either side of the central portion  4  or three holes may be positioned equally surrounding the central portion  4 . The holes  6  must be of sufficient size to permit the fasteners  5  to pass through. Each fastener  5  includes a head  8 . When the fastener  5  is fully imbedded in the ground, the head  8  presses the skirt  3  against the ground  7 . The fasteners  5  prevent the base  2  from moving while the fasteners  5  are set into the ground. The size of the skirt  3  will depend on its intended use. For example, when used as a post anchor for a mailbox, the skirt  3  should have a diameter at least about three times the width of the post. A larger diameter skirt  3  reduces tipping. A larger skirt would be necessary for larger or taller objects or for objects more prone to tipping. 
         [0026]    The central portion  4  fixes the object to the base  2 . The shape and size of the central portion  4  will vary depending of the object. For example, the central portion  4  may include at least one vertical flange to which the object may be fixed. The flange may have a hole adapted to receive a mechanical interlock. A solid post may be fitted into box formed by a plurality of vertical flanges. Alternatively, a mortise-tenon arrangement is suitable for hollow objects. The central portion  4  may have an interlock that prevents the object from lifting off the central portion. The interlock may be any mechanical structure or chemical that fixes the object the central portion. Interlocks include, for example, flanges, screws, bolts, rivets, glues, snaps, springs, etc. Preferably, the interlock permits the object to be removed. In one example, the central portion includes a flange defining a hole. A screw is placed through the hole and into the object. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a fastener  5  comprises a helical portion  22  and a handle  21 . The fastener  5  should consist essentially of a corrosion-resistant material. Preferred materials include stainless steel, galvanized steel, or engineering plastics. The helical portion  22  screws into the ground, and may include a central shaft, surrounded by a screw, coil or auger. The handle  21  exerts a vertical pressure on the base when the fasteners are secured to the ground, thereby fixing the base in place. To this end, the handle  21  will often have a larger diameter than the helical portion  22 . 
         [0028]    In order to produce greater torque when screwing the fastener  5  into the ground, the handle  21  may include a flattened portion, an extension or an eyelet. The flattened portion is adapted to receive a wrench. The extension may be, for example, T-shaped or L-shaped. A pipe may even be slipped over the extension for greater torque. An elongated object, such as a bar, may be passed through the eyelet. The helical portion  22  must be strong enough to be screwed into the ground, but preferably, the helical portion  22  may be sufficiently flexible that underground obstructions, such as utility lines, may be detected without harm to the obstruction and the fastener  5  easily repositioned so as to avoid such obstructions. A flexible fastener that is inserted with low torque is less likely to puncture an underground obstruction, such as a gas line, water pipe or electrical line. Because a plurality of fasteners is used, the fasteners need not penetrate into the ground as deeply as a single fastener of the prior art. Preferably, the fasteners will penetrate into the ground no more than about nine inches. In contrast, conventional post anchors often exceed two or more feet and may even require concrete reinforcement. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a first embodiment of the anchor  1 . The anchor  1  comprises a base  2  including a central portion  4  surrounded by a disc-shaped skirt  3 . The skirt includes three holes  6 , two of which are visible in the figure. The fasteners  5  include helical coils  22  having a pointed end  13  and a handle  21 . The handle  21  is shaped so that its rotation about the longitudinal axis  15  of the fastener  5  defines a frusto-conical shape. At least a section of the holes  6  have a recess  16  with a complimentary profile matching the shape defined by rotation of the handle  21 . Engagement of the handle  21  with the recess  16  secures the base  2  to the ground. Optionally, a cap  111  may be placed over the handle  21  and hole  6 . In this embodiment, the central portion  4  is rectangular in cross-section and includes an abutment  17  on which would rest the object to be secured. The abutment  17  should be on at least two sides of the central portion  4 . The central portion  4  accepts a hollow, rectangular post. At least one interlock  12  secures the object to the central portion  4 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a second embodiment of the anchor  1 . The anchor  1  includes a base  2  having a central portion  4  surrounded by a plurality of legs  3 . Each leg  3  defines a hole  6  through which a fastener  5  passes and secures the base  2  to the ground. The interlock  12  comprises a bolt and wing-nut. The use of a bolt and wing-nut permits securing the object to the anchor  1  without tools. 
         [0031]    A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The base  2  includes central portion  4  and a skirt  3  and has a flat bottom  7 . The central portion comprises a tenon adapted to receive an object  52  having an end with a complimentary mortise  53 . The skirt  3  defines two holes  6 . Above the holes  6 , the skirt has a flattened mounting area  54 . In use, a fastener presses against the mounting area  54  to secure the base  2  to the ground. The fastener typically will include a washer. The skirt also includes a step  55 . A cover  51  may cover at least a part of the skirt  3 . As shown, the cover rests on the step  55 . The cover  51  can be aesthetic and functional. For example, the cover  51  will channel water away from skirt and fasteners, thereby reducing corrosion. The cover  51  may conform to the shape of the skirt  3  and fasteners  5 . Alternatively, the cover  51  may be of any desired color or shape. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows an anchor  1  having a central portion  4  surrounded by a skirt  3 . A fastener  5  passes through each hole  6  in the skirt  3 . Washers  71  rest on the mounting area  54 . The washers  71  are configured so that the handle  21  of the fastener  5  cannot pass therethrough. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the washer  71  defines a slot  81  into which a bottom portion of the handle  21  will fit, thereby locking the fastener  5  in place. Advantageously, the handle  21  of the each fastener  5  includes an eyelet  72 . An elongated object, such as a pipe or bar, may be slipped into the eyelet  72  so that greater torque can be applied to the fastener  5 . A cover  51  fits over the skirt  3  and fasteners  5 . The cover may comprise one or more pieces. A single piece cover  51  defines an opening large enough so that the cover  51  can be slipped over the central portion  4 . A two-piece cover could be assembled around the central post  4 . The outer perimeter of the cover  51  rests on a step  55 . The inner perimeter of the cover  51  rests on an abutment  73  around the central portion  4 . A mortised object  52  fits over the central portion  4  and holds the co ver  51  against the abutment  73 . 
         [0033]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. While this invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, different variations, modifications, and additions to the invention will become evident to persons of ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications, variations, and additions are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.