Patent Publication Number: US-5890842-A

Title: Ground anchor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a ground anchor and, more particularly, to an anchor configured to resist above the ground forces acting thereon. 
     Various types of earth anchors have been proposed for securing various structures, e.g. a tarpaulin, to the ground. Although assumably effective in their operation such anchors have become relatively complex in construction, which increases their manufacturing costs. Moreover, such anchors may be difficult to drive into the ground. Once driven, the head of the anchor may protrude above ground and cause above ground interference which may lead to injury. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In response thereto I have invented a ground anchor which presents a generally planar drive head having an elongated, ground-penetrating shank extending therefrom. The shank comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned segments. Each segment presents a shaft portion or proximal end and a tapered portion or distal end extending therefrom. The tapered portion terminates at the proximal end of the shaft portion of an adjacent downstream segment. As such, indentations are formed at the juncture of adjacent segments with the tapered portion of the distal shank segment, relative to the head, terminating in a ground penetrating point. Upon ground penetration of the shank, the earth collapses into the indentations so as to more firmly anchor the shank at the plurality of indentations along the shank. The planar head of the anchor is positioned along the ground to preclude above the ground extension. Upon extension of the shank of the anchor through an aperture in an above the ground structure, such as a tarpaulin or the like, the anchor firmly secures the tarpaulin to the ground. 
     It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an improved ground anchor. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an anchor, as aforesaid, having a drive head and a segmented shank extending therefrom. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a ground anchor, as aforesaid, the segmented shank presenting a plurality of indentations along the length of the shank, the indentations presenting areas for receiving collapsed earth therein upon shank penetration. 
     Another particular object of this invention is to provide an anchor, as aforesaid, which is economical to manufacture and easy to use. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth, by way of illustration and example, a now preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ground anchor utilizing four inline shank segments; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the anchor of FIG. 2 taken along the center line thereof; and 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a tarpaulin held in place by four ground anchors as shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the anchor 100 as comprising a drive head 110 and shank 120 extending therefrom. A free distal point 200 is longitudinally spaced from the head 110 for initial ground penetration upon pressure being exerted on the head 110 either by a tool or the user&#39;s hand or foot. As shown, the drive head 110 presents an underlying tapered base 112 to enhance ground penetration. 
     The shank 120 comprises a plurality of longitudinally adjacent segments 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d. Each segment is generally identical in construction and comprises a shaft portion 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d and a tapered portion 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d extending from the bottom of each shaft portion. The lower end of each tapered portion terminates at the upper/proximal end of the adjacent downstream shaft portion. As such a plurality of annular indentations 136a, 136b, 136c are presented between adjacent segments 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d. Each indentation includes a shoulder 138a, 138b, 138c presented by the upper end of each shaft 132b, 132c, 132d. 
     The tapered portion 134d of the most distal segment 130d terminates in a free point 200 for initial ground penetration. The length of the tapered portion 134d of segment 130d is greater than the length of the tapered portions of the upstream segments 130a, 130b, 130c so as to enhance initial ground penetration. 
     In use the shank 120 is initially extended through an aperture in the structure, such as the tarpaulin 500, the tarpaulin aperture usually being reinforced with a grommet or the like. Upon pressure being exerted on the drive head 110, the point 200 penetrates the earth and is driven therein until the drive head 110 lies adjacent the ground. Upon the head 110 being level with the ground, the tarpaulin 500 portion is secured to the ground. 
     Upon the shank 120 penetrating the earth, as displaced by the shaft portion of each segment, collapses into the annular indentations 136a, 136b, 136c including atop the shoulders 138a, 138b, 138c. This action occurs at a plurality of points longitudinally spaced apart along the extent of the shank 120 proper. I have found that this structure presents a plurality of anchor points along the shank 120. The collapse of the earth into such indentations more firmly secures the embedded shank 120 in the earth so as to resist upward movement of the shank which may be caused by forces acting on the tarpaulin 500, e.g. by winds or the like. Such forces must overcome a plurality of anchor points presented along the length of the shank. Thus, the tarpaulin is firmly held in place. 
     Although four shank segments 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d have been shown, it is understood that the number of shank segments can be varied. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of this invention has been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalent thereof.