Patent Publication Number: US-9845585-B2

Title: Ground anchoring support apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent specification relates to the field of anchoring devices for securing an object to the ground. More specifically, this patent specification relates to an apparatus for supporting and anchoring an object securely to a plurality of ground surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various products have been developed for securing objects to the ground. These products seek to secure objects, such as posts, poles, pipes, conduits, and the like, to a supporting ground surface. Some products incorporate a skewer which is inserted into a ground surface and which is coupled to the object. When pressure is continually cycled on and off the object, over time the object and skewer become loose and less secure. Additionally, the object may eventually sink into the ground surface which may also decrease the stability of the object. Other methods to secure or support an object include the use of support pads which may be dug into the ground and then filled with concrete. However, not only are these methods expensive labor intensive, but they are difficult to remove should the need or positioning of the object change. 
     Therefore, a need exists for novel apparatuses which are able to anchor and support an object, such as a post, pole, pipe, conduit, and the like to a ground surface. There also exists a need for novel ground anchoring support apparatuses which are able to secure an object to the ground even when the object is subjected to continual on and off pressure cycles. There is a further need for novel ground anchoring support apparatuses that are not expensive labor intensive to install. Finally, there exists a need for novel ground anchoring support apparatuses which may be removed or repositioned with less exertion than conventional anchoring devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A ground anchoring support apparatus for securing and supporting an object to the ground is provided. In some embodiments, the ground anchoring support apparatus may comprise a tensioning element which may include a lead with a tensioning fastener coupled to a first end of the lead and a ground anchor coupled to a second end of the lead. The tensioning fastener may be coupled to the object. The apparatus may also comprise a ground support element which may include a base and a cavity, and in which a portion of the object may be received within the cavity. The ground anchor may be inserted into the ground and the first end of the lead may be tensioned against the second end of the lead by tensioning the tensioning fastener. In this manner, the ground anchor and tensioning fastener may be drawn or tensioned together to secure the object to the ground support element and also to the ground. 
     In further embodiments, a ground support element  12  may comprise a cavity and the object may be coupled to the ground support element by inserting a portion of the object within the cavity. 
     In still further embodiments, a ground anchor may comprise a penetration tip and a driving end. By inserting the penetration tip into the ground and pressing against the driving end, the ground anchor may be driven into the ground as the penetration tip travels through a desired amount or depth of ground. When the ground anchor is at the desired depth, tensioning the lead to produce an upward pull on the lead may rotate the ground anchor to a parallel position in which the penetration tip and the driving end are orientated generally parallel to the ground surface into which the ground anchor was driven thereby anchoring ground anchor in the ground. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an example of four ground anchoring support apparatuses engaged to a swing set according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a ground anchoring support apparatus supporting an object on a ground surface according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an example of a ground anchoring support apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an example of a tensioning element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a ground support element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  shows a sectional, through line  6 - 6  shown in  FIG. 5 , elevation view of an example of a ground support element according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an elevation view of an example of a ground anchor being inserted into the ground according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an elevation view of an example of a ground anchor being driven into the ground according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  shows an elevation view of an example of a ground anchor that has been driven into the ground according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an elevation view of an example of a ground anchor that has been driven into the ground as the lead is being tensioned according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an elevation view of an example of a ground anchor that has been driven into the ground with the lead tensioned according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 12  shows a sectional, through line  12 - 12  shown in  FIG. 2 , elevation view of an example of a ground anchoring support apparatus securing an object to a ground surface according to various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     New ground anchoring support apparatuses are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , examples of ground anchoring support apparatuses  100  supporting an object  200  on a ground surface  301  are illustrated. In some embodiments, an object  200 , which may be received by the apparatus  100 , may comprise one or more cylindrical poles such as may be used to support a swing set  210 . In this example, a portion of a pole object  200  may be inserted into the cavity  19  ( FIGS. 3, 5, 6 ) of the ground support element  12 . Also, a tensioning element  11  ( FIGS. 3, 4, 12 ) may be coupled to the pole object  200  such as by coupling a tensioning fastener  13  to the pole object  200 . Once received by the ground support element  12 , the ground contact surface  28  ( FIG. 6 ) of the skirt  18  may prevent the pole object  200  from sinking into the ground  300 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an example of a ground anchoring support apparatus  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the apparatus  100  comprises a tensioning element  11  and a ground support element  12 . The tensioning element  11  may be coupled to an object  200  ( FIGS. 5-7 ), such as with a tensioning fastener  13 , which may comprise a lead  20  at a first end  14  and may be coupled to a ground anchor  15  at a second end  16 . The ground support element  12  may comprise a base  17  with a skirt  18 . The ground support element  12  may also comprise a cavity  19  which may be coupled to a portion of the object  200 , such as by receiving a portion of the object within a cavity  19 . In some embodiments, the first end  14  of the tensioning element  11  and the ground support element  12  may be coupled to an object  200 . The ground anchor  15  may be inserted into the ground and the first end  14  may be tensioned to the second end  16 . Once tensioned, the apparatus  100  and object  200  may be anchored and supported by the ground which is between the ground anchor  15  and the skirt  18 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an example of a tensioning element  11  according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, a tensioning element  11  may comprise a ground anchor  15  which may be coupled to a tensioning fastener  13 . In further embodiments, a tensioning element  11  may comprise a lead  20  which may couple the ground anchor  15  to a tensioning fastener  13 . In some embodiments, a portion of the lead  20  such as a portion of the second end  16  may be received, such as through an anchor aperture  21  of the ground fastener  15 , by the ground anchor  15  and then the second end  16  may be coupled or secured back onto itself to coupled the ground anchor  15  to the lead  20  thereby pivotally coupling the second end  16  of the lead  20  to the ground anchor  15 . In further embodiments, the second end  16  may be coupled to the anchor aperture  21  with a fastener such as a bolt, rivet, and the like. The fastener may allow the ground anchor  15  to pivot relative to the lead  20 , or the flexible material of the lead  20  may allow the ground anchor  15  to pivot relative to portions of the lead  20  such as the first end  14 . A portion of the lead  20 , such as a portion of the first end  14  may be coupled to a tensioning fastener  13 , such as by inserting a portion of the first end  14  through an aperture of the tensioning fastener which may extend through or otherwise be coupled to the tensioning fastener  13 . In other embodiments, a portion of the lead  20 , such as a portion of the first end  14  may be coupled to a tensioning fastener  13 , such as by bonding a portion of the first end  14  to the tensioning fastener  13 . 
     A lead  20  may comprise a first end  14  and a second end  16 . A tensioning fastener  13  may be coupled to a first end  14  and a ground anchor  15  may be coupled to a second end  16 . In some embodiments, a lead  20  may comprise a length of flexible material which may be suitable for receiving and transferring tension between two objects such as between a ground anchor  15  and a tensioning fastener  13 . In further embodiments, a lead  20  may be of any length and may comprise a flexible metal cable, a braided stainless steel cable, a cable made from other metals and metal alloys, vinyl-coated wire rope, galvanized vinyl-coated wire rope, any other wire rope, stainless steel straight link chain, galvanized proof coil chain, jack chain, or any other flexible material which may be suitable for receiving and transferring tension between two objects. In alternative embodiments, a lead  20  may comprise a generally inflexible material, such as an elongated threaded bolt, or other elongated textured object, and the optional texturing on the lead  20  may be configured to allow a tensioning fastener  13  to grip and draw the second end  16  of the lead  20  towards the tension fastener  13  by rotating or by otherwise tensioning the tension fastener  13 . 
     In some embodiments, a tensioning fastener  13  may comprise a bolt, machine screw, or any other fastener. A tensioning fastener  13  may be rotationally coupled to an object  200  by inserting a portion of the tension fastener  13  through a portion of the object  200  such as through a bolt or screw hole in which the tensioning fastener  13  may rotate freely. A secondary fastener  22  may then be threaded onto and coupled to the tensioning fastener  13  to couple the tension fastener  13  through a portion of the object  200  while allowing the tension fastener  13  to rotate. In further embodiments, a secondary fastener  22  may be coupled to the tensioning fastener  13  and then tightened to squeeze the object against the tension fastener  13  so that friction between the secondary fastener  22 , tensioning fastener  13 , and the object  200  may prevent the tensioning fastener  13  from rotating thereby rotationally arresting the tensioning fastener  13  relative to object  200 . In still further embodiments, one or more star washers  23  may also be received on the tensioning fastener  13 . Optionally, one or more star washers  23 , or other friction enhancing device, may be used to frictionally secure a portion of the tensioning fastener  13  and/or a portion of a secondary fastener  22  to the object  200  ( FIGS. 5-7 ) which is to be secured by the apparatus  100  ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ). A secondary fastener  22  and one or more star washers  23  may be coupled to the tensioning fastener  13  and then tightened to squeeze the object against the tension fastener  13  so that friction between the star washers  23 , secondary fastener  22 , tensioning fastener  13 , and the object  200  may prevent the tensioning fastener  13  from rotating thereby rotationally arresting the tensioning fastener  13  relative to object  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a ground anchor  15  may be generally elongated and comprise a penetration tip  24  and a driving end  25 . In some embodiments, a ground anchor  15  may comprise an elongated body  30  with a longitudinal axis  60  and with a penetration tip  24  at a first end  61  of the longitudinal axis  60  and a driving end  25  at a second end  62  of the longitudinal axis  60 . A ground anchor  15  may also comprise an anchor aperture  21  which may be coupled, such as pivotally coupled, to the body  30  and which also may be coupled to the second end  16  of the lead  20 . In further embodiments, the anchor aperture  21  may be coupled to the body  30  at a position on the body generally equidistant to the penetration tip  24  and the driving end  25 . For example, if the penetration tip  24  and the driving end  25  are separated by three inches on the body  30 , the anchor aperture  21  may be coupled to the body  30  at a position on the body generally one and a half inches from the penetration tip  24  and generally one and a half inches from the driving end  25 . 
     In some embodiments, the penetration tip  24  of the ground anchor  15  may be tapered to facilitate the movement of the ground anchor  15  through the ground  300 . For example, the penetration tip  24  may be tapered by providing one or more edges  31  which may be pointed, angled, beveled, or the like to contact and ground as the ground anchor  15  moves through the ground  300  to displace the ground  300  around the body  30  and the lead  20 . In further examples, the penetration tip  24  may be tapered by comprising a beveled edge  31  fashioned into a point or one or more rounded or pointed edges  31 . 
     In some embodiments, the driving end  25  of the ground anchor  15  may comprise a driving cavity  32 . A driving cavity  32  may be configured as a depression or recess on the driving end  25  which may be shaped to receive a portion of a linear driver  400 . For example, a linear driver  400  may comprise a shaft, a portion of which may be received into the driving cavity  32 , which may be hammered or otherwise driven in a linear fashion. In further embodiments, the ground anchor  15  may be driven into ground  300  by inserting the penetration tip  24  into ground and by driving a linear driver  400  into the driving cavity  32 . By inserting the penetration tip  24  into the ground  300  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) and pressing against or driving the driving end  25 , the ground anchor  15  may be driven into the ground as the penetration tip  24  travels through a desired amount or depth of ground  300 . Once the ground anchor  15  is at the desired depth, an upward pull on the lead  20  may rotate or pivot the ground anchor  15  to a parallel position in which the penetration tip  24  and the driving end  25  are orientated generally parallel to the ground surface  301  into which the ground anchor  15  was driven. In alternative embodiments, a ground anchor  15  may comprise an auger or any other ground anchor which may be driven into the ground  300  and which, once driven into the ground  300 , may resist removal from the ground  300  to resist drawing the ground anchor  15  towards the tensioning fastener  13  when the lead  20  is tensioned. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show an example of a ground support element  12  according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, a ground support element  12  may comprise a base  17  which may be coupled to a skirt  18 . In further embodiments, a base  17  may be coupled to an object  200  ( FIGS. 1, 2, 12 ), such as a post, pole, pipe, conduit, and the like, which is to be secured to a ground  300  surface  301 . The skirt  18  may extend around the base  17  to enlarge the footprint of the ground support element  12  to prevent the ground support element  12  from sinking into the ground  300  ( FIGS. 2, 7-12 ). In some embodiments, a skirt  18  may comprise a ground contact surface  28  which may enlarge the surface area of the ground support element  12  that may contact the surface  301  ( FIGS. 2, 7-12 ) of the ground  300 . Generally, the larger the surface area of the ground contact surface  28 , the greater the resistance of the ground support element  12  to sinking into the ground that it may be supporting an object  200  over. For example, heavier objects and/or looser ground material may require a larger the surface area of the ground contact surface  28  to prevent the ground support element  12  to sinking into the ground that it may be supporting an object  200  over. 
     In some embodiments, the base  17  may include a cavity  19  which may be coupled to a portion of the object  200 , such as by receiving a portion of the object  200  within a cavity  19 . The cavity  19  may be generally complementarily shaped to the portion of the object  200  which is to be secured within the cavity  19 . The cavity  19  may comprise an object support surface  26  which may be disposed within the cavity  19  and on which a portion of the object  200  may rest on when inserted into the cavity  19  to prevent the object  200  from passing through the ground support element  12 . A cavity  19  may also comprise an object stabilizing surface  29  which may be disposed within the cavity  19  and which may contact a portion of one or more sides of an object  200  when a portion of the object is inserted into the cavity  19 . By contacting a portion of the object  200 , an object stabilizing surface  29  may stabilize and or frictionally secure the object  200  to the ground support element  12 . 
     Optionally, the cavity  19  may be angled relative to ground contacting surface  28  to allow the ground support element  12  to support an object  200  at an angle relative to the ground  300  surface  301 . In some embodiments, the cavity  19  may be disposed in the base  17  relative to ground contacting surface  28  with a cavity angle  50  that is between 10 and 90 degrees. For example and referencing the swing set of  FIG. 1 , the cavity  19  may be angled relative to ground contacting surface  28  with a cavity angle  50  that is approximately 45 degrees to receive and support an object  200  such as a swing set  210  support that is configured to contact the ground surface  301  at approximately 45 degrees. 
     In further embodiments, the cavity  19  and therefore a ground contact surface  28  and/or an object stabilizing surface  29  may be generally complementarily shaped frictionally secure a portion of the object  200  which is inserted within the cavity  19 . In other embodiments, a portion of the base  17  may be inserted into a hollow portion of the object  200 , such as within the hollow interior of a pipe or tubular object  200 . In alternative embodiments, the base  17  and/or portions of the skirt  18  may be coupled to an object  200  with one or more fasteners, adhesive, heat bonding, or by integrally forming or molding the object  200  and ground support element  12  together. 
     In some embodiment, the ground support element  12  may comprise a lead aperture  27  which may extend through the ground support element  12  to allow a lead  20  ( FIGS. 3, 4, 7-12 ) to pass through the cavity  19  base  17 , and ground contact surface  28  of the ground support element  12 . The lead aperture  27  may extend through the ground support element  12  from the ground contact surface  28  to the cavity  19  to allow a lead  20  to pass through the ground support element  12 . In further embodiments, by decreasing the size of the lead aperture  27 , the size of an object contact surface  26  may be increased to allow the ground support element  12  to support heavier objects  200 . Conversely, by increasing the size of the lead aperture  27 , the size of an object contact surface  26  may be decreased to allow the size of the lead  20  to be increased. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, 6 , in some embodiments, a cavity  19  may be generally cylindrical in shape a configured to receive generally cylindrically shaped poles, posts, and other like objects  200 . In other embodiments, the cavity  19  may be generally rectangular prism shaped or triangular prism shaped to receive generally rectangular prism shaped or triangular prism shaped, respectively, poles, posts, and other like objects  200 . In some embodiments, the ground contact surface  28  may be generally circular in shape. In further embodiments, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that a cavity  19 , base  17 , and/or ground contact surface  28  may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7-11 , an example of a ground anchor  15  being inserted into the ground  300  is shown. A ground anchor  15  may be inserted or driven into the ground  300  in order to secure the ground anchor  15  within the ground  300  thereby also securing the second end  16  of a lead  20  which is coupled to the ground anchor  15  within the ground  300 . In some embodiments, the second end  16  of a lead  20  may be coupled to the ground anchor  15  and a linear driver  400  may be positioned to against the driving end  25 , such as within the driving cavity  32  ( FIG. 9 ) of the ground anchor  15 . The ground anchor  15  may then be driven into ground  300  by inserting the penetration tip  24  into the surface  301  of the ground  300  as shown in  FIG. 7  and by driving the linear driver  400  to drive or more the ground anchor  15  further into the ground  300  to a desired depth in the ground  300  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In some embodiments, the ground anchor  15  may be driven into ground  300  with the lead  20  generally parallel as shown in  FIGS. 7-9  to the longitudinal axis  60  of the ground anchor  15 . By inserting or driving the ground anchor  15  into ground  300  so that the longitudinal axis  60  is generally parallel to the desired direction of insertion into the ground  300 , the resistance of inserting the ground anchor  15  may be reduced. Once the ground anchor  15  is driven to a desired depth in the ground  300  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the linear driver  400  may be removed from contact with the driving end  25  and also from the ground  300  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The ground anchor  15  may then be secured within the ground  300  by tensioning the lead  20  so that the second end  16  is drawn towards the first end  14  ( FIGS. 3, 4, 12 ). As the lead  20  is tensioned, the driving end  25  may catch in the ground  300  and the ground anchor  15  may pivot relative to portions of the lead  20  and the ground  300  as shown in  FIG. 10 . As the tension on the lead is increased, the second end  16  of lead  20  is drawn towards the first end  14  to pivot ground anchor  15  so that the longitudinal axis  60  of the ground anchor  15  may be generally perpendicular to the lead  20 , such as generally perpendicular to the first end  14 , and/or to the ground surface  301  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The elongate body  30  may resist being retracted or removed from the ground  300  thereby securing the ground anchor  15  within the ground  300 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a sectional, through line  12 - 12  shown in  FIG. 2 , elevation view of an example of a ground anchoring support apparatus  100  securing an object  200  to the surface  301  of the ground  300  according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, once the tension fastener  13  is coupled to the lead  20  and by rotating the tension fastener  13 , the lead  20  may be wrapped around the tension fastener  13  thereby drawing or tensioning the second end  16  towards the tension fastener  13 . In alternative embodiments, any other type of tensioning fastener  13  which may be secured to the first end  14  of a lead  20  and also to an object  200  and configured to draw or tension the second end  16  towards the tension fastener  13  may be used. 
     In some embodiments, the first end  14  of the tensioning element  11  may be coupled to the object  200  such as by coupling a tensioning fastener  13  to the object  200 . The object  200  may then be coupled to the ground support element  12  such as by inserting a portion of the object  200  into the cavity  19  ( FIGS. 1, 3, 4 ). The tensioning element  11  may comprise a ground anchor  15  coupled to a second end  16  of a lead  20  and a first end  14  which may be coupled to the tensioning fastener  13 , such as by inserting a portion of the first end  14  through an aperture on or coupled to the tensioning fastener  13 . The lead  20  may be passed through the interior  202  of the object  200  and through the cavity  19 , base  17 , and ground contact surface  28  by passing the lead  20  through a lead aperture  27  of the ground support element  12 . The ground anchor  15  may further comprise a penetration tip  24  and a driving end  25 . By inserting the penetration tip  24  into the ground  300  and pressing against the driving end  25 , the ground anchor  15  may be driven into the ground as the penetration tip  24  travels through a desired amount or depth of ground  300 . When the ground anchor  15  is at the desired depth, an upward pull on the lead  20  may rotate the ground anchor  15  to a parallel position in which the penetration tip  24  and the driving end  25  are orientated generally parallel to the ground surface  301  into which the ground anchor  15  was driven thereby anchoring ground anchor  15  in the ground  300 . 
     Once the ground anchor  15  is anchored into the ground  300  and the ground support element  12  with the received object  200  is positioned proximate, such as over, the ground  300  through which the lead  20  is extending from, the tensioning element  11  may be tensioned. In some embodiments, the tensioning element  11  may be tensioned by rotating the tensioning fastener  13  thereby wrapping the first end  14  of the lead  20  around the tensioning fastener  13  as the tensioning fastener  13  is tensioned. As the first end  14  is wrapped around the tensioning fastener  13 , the second end  16  and the first end  14  may be drawn together. In this manner, the ground anchor  15  and tensioning fastener  13  may be drawn or tensioned together to secure the object  200  to the ground support element  12  and also to secure the object  200  to the ground  300  tensioned between the ground anchor  15  and the ground contact surface  28  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  such as the tensioning element  11  and ground support element  12  may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the apparatus  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.