Patent Publication Number: US-9414667-B1

Title: Ground-penetrating utility article holding device and method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates broadly and generally to a ground-penetrating utility article holding device and method. In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a device designed for use at the beach to readily and conveniently hold a beach article, such as an umbrella, table top, fishing rod, or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below. Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way of example only, and any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “exemplary embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. 
     It is also noted that terms like “preferably”, “commonly”, and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure comprises an article holding device including an elongated rigid ground shaft with a radiating helical (or advancing spiral) surface, a generally C-shaped crank shaft fixed to the ground shaft, and an elongated hand shaft fixed to the crank shaft opposite the ground shaft. The crank shaft comprises a crank handle laterally offset from and substantially parallel to the ground shaft. The crank handle includes a first swivel sleeve adapted for being grasped by a first hand of a user. The hand shaft includes a second swivel sleeve adapted for being grasped by a second hand of the user. The user manually rotates the ground shaft by grasping the first swivel sleeve of the crank handle and turning the crank shaft, while simultaneous grasping and holding the second swivel sleeve of the hand shaft, thereby driving the helical surface of the ground shaft into and through a penetrable ground surface. Means adjacent a free end of the hand shaft are provided for holding an outdoor utility article. 
     The term “radiating helical surface” refers broadly herein to any radially projecting twisted, angled, or spirally-extending surface capable of advancing the ground end of the exemplary device (when the device is turned) into and through a ground surface. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the ground shaft comprises a plurality of angled blades radiating from a central hub, such that each blade forms part of the radiating helical surface. In this embodiment, the exemplary “radiating helical surface” has a propeller-type design which may be either integrally molded with the ground shaft or separately permanently attached to a distal end of the ground shaft. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the ground shaft has a substantially closed pointed end. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the means for holding the utility article comprises an elongated substantially hollow extension shaft adjacent the hand shaft, and defining an open end for receiving a mounting post of the utility article. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the ground shaft, crank shaft, and hand shaft are integrally joined together, and rotate as single unit upon manual rotation of the crank shaft. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the first swivel sleeve is formed independent of the crank handle, such that the crank shaft turns freely relative to the first swivel sleeve. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the second swivel sleeve is formed independent of the hand shaft, such that the hand shaft turns freely relative to the second swivel sleeve. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the hand shaft is substantially hollow, and defines an open end for receiving a mounting post of the outdoor utility article. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the ground shaft, crank shaft, and hand shaft are fabricated of a rigid synthetic plastic polymer. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure comprises an outdoor utility article used in combination with an article holding device, as described further herein. The utility article comprises an elongated rigid mounting post. The article holding device is adapted for engaging the mounting post to support the utility article above a ground surface. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the outdoor utility article is selected from a group consisting of an umbrella, a table top, and a fishing rod holder. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a method using an article holding device, as described further herein, for holding an outdoor utility article above a penetrable ground surface. The method includes vertically positioning the article holding device such that the ground shaft points downward at the ground surface. A first swivel sleeve of the crank shaft is then grasped by the user with a first hand. With the second hand, the user simultaneously grasps a second swivel sleeve of the hand shaft. Using the first hand, the user manually turns the crank shaft thereby driving the helical surface of the ground shaft into and through the ground surface. A mounting post of the outdoor utility article is then positioned adjacent the hand shaft to support the utility article above the ground surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utility article holding device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a first elevational view of the exemplary article holding device; 
         FIG. 3  is a second elevational view of the exemplary article holding device; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the exemplary article holding device; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary article holding device; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the exemplary article holding device, and showing direction arrows indicating the manual cranking-type motion for driving the device into and through the ground surface; and 
         FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  illustrate various exemplary applications of the article holding device in combination with a beach umbrella, table, and fishing rod, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE 
     The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to like elements throughout. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad ordinary and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one”, “single”, or similar language is used. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. 
     For exemplary methods or processes of the invention, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal arrangement, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or arrangement, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention. 
     Additionally, any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present invention are not intended as an affirmation that the invention has been previously reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed. Likewise, unless stated otherwise, use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or preterit) is not intended to indicate or imply that the invention has been previously reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed. 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, a ground-penetrating article holding device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and shown generally at reference numeral  10 . While various exemplary applications of the present device  10  are illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9  and described further below, the device  10  may be used in a wide variety of other activities and events, and in any environment comprising a penetrable ground surface including a sand beach, campsite, construction site, snow and ice surfaces, grass yards, dirt and gravel roads, and others. In other exemplary applications, the present device  10  may be used for holding flag posts, sign posts, distance markers at run races, posts for a volleyball net or the like, tent poles, and other elongated article supports and objects. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the exemplary article holding device  10  incorporates an elongated rigid ground shaft  11 , a generally C-shaped crank shaft  12  fixed to the ground shaft  11 , and an elongated hollow hand shaft  13  fixed to the crank shaft  12  opposite the ground shaft  11 . The shafts  11 ,  12 ,  13  are formed of a tubular lightweight PVC material or other synthetic polymer, and are integrally joined together using an adhesive, screws, rivets, or other hardware. In one embodiment best shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 , the crank shaft  12  has slightly enlarged female ends  21 ,  22  designed to closely receive complementary proximal male ends  23  and  24  of the ground shaft  11  and hand shaft  13 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 , the exemplary crank shaft  12  may be fabricated in multiple parts comprising first and second angled fittings  26 ,  27  and an intermediate crank handle  28 —the shaft parts  26 ,  27 ,  28  being permanently joined together using (e.g.) a suitable plastic adhesive or hardware. The crank handle  28  is laterally offset from and substantially parallel to the ground shaft  11 , and has opposing male ends  31 ,  32  designed to insert in respective slightly enlarged female ends  34 ,  35  of the angled fittings  26 ,  27 . 
     A first swivel hand sleeve  38  is separately applied to the crank handle  28  and intended for being grasped by a first hand of a user, while a second swivel sleeve  39  is separately applied to the hand shaft  13  and intended for being simultaneously grasped by a second hand of the user. The swivel sleeves  38 ,  39  are formed independent of the crank handle  28  and hand shaft  13 , such that upon manual operation of the holding device  10  (as described further below) all three shafts  11 ,  12 ,  13  turn simultaneously together as a single unit relative to the two swivel sleeves  38 ,  39 . The exemplary swivel sleeves  38 ,  39  are fabricated of a resilient plastic polymer and are longitudinally split, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , to enable convenient snap-attachment to the crank handle  28  and hand shaft  13 , respectively. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, the elongated ground shaft  11  of the holding device  10  comprises a plurality of angled or twisted blades  41 A,  41 B,  41 C radiating from a central hub  42  located at a distal end of the shaft  11 , such that each blade  41 A,  41 B,  41 C forms part of a radiating helical (or advancing spiral) surface. The ground shaft  11  may also have a closed pointed end  44  formed with the central hub  42  to precisely locate the holding device  10 , and to facilitate penetration into and through the ground surface. In alternative embodiments, the ground shaft  11  may comprise a radiating helical screw thread or other related structure capable of penetrating a ground surface when rotated. 
       FIG. 6  demonstrates operation of the exemplary article holding device  10 , and the working motion of the integrally joined shafts  11 ,  12 , and  13 . The user manually rotates the ground shaft  11  by grasping the first swivel sleeve  38  of the crank handle  28  and turning the crank shaft  12  in a cranking-type motion, as indicated by arrows  51 A and  51 B, while simultaneous grasping and holding the second swivel sleeve  39  of the hand shaft  13 . The swivel sleeves  38 ,  39  allow free independent rotation of the integrally joined shafts  11 ,  12 ,  13  (indicated by arrow  52 ) as the ground shaft  11  penetrates the ground surface and is driven downward to a depth sufficient to enable the device  10  to securely hold the particular outdoor utility article. 
       FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  illustrate various exemplary uses of the article holding device  10  in combination with a beach umbrella  60 , table  70 , and fishing rod mount  80 . Each of these utility articles  60 ,  70 ,  80  has an elongated mounting post “P” designed to fit into an open end of the holding device  10 . For added support strength and stability, the exemplary holding device  10  may further comprise an elongated hollow extension shaft  91  (See  FIGS. 5, 7, and 9 ) having a proximal male end  92  designed to insert into the open distal female end  93  of the hand shaft  13 . The hand shaft  13  and extension shaft  91  may be permanently or removable joined together by complementary screw threads, an adhesive, friction fit, or any other suitable means. In the case of beach umbrella  60  and fishing rod mount  80 , shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the posts “P” insert into and through the open distal end  94  of the extension shaft  91  to securely hold the article  60 ,  80  above the ground surface. In the case of the table  70  shown in  FIG. 8 , the extension shaft  91  may be removed and the table post “P” inserted directly into the open female end  93  of the hand shaft  13 . 
     In further alternative exemplary embodiments, the article holding device  10  may be integrated (or integrally formed) with the post of a beach umbrella or other outdoor utility article, such that the holding device and outdoor article comprise one single integrally joined unit. In this embodiment, the crank shaft and swivel hand sleeves may be located along any portion of the article post. 
     For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the use of relative terms, such as “substantially”, “generally”, “approximately”, and the like, are utilized herein to represent an inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. Unless the exact language “means for” (performing a particular function or step) is recited in the claims, a construction under §112, 6th paragraph is not intended. Additionally, it is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.