Patent Publication Number: US-2013227782-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for securing a ground cover at an area

Description:
This application claims benefit of prior filed copending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/606,032, filed Mar. 2, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to securing apparatuses, and especially to securing apparatuses and methods for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base or area. The present invention is especially useful for securing a towel or other ground cover over sand at a beach. 
     Throughout this disclosure, reference to a “towel” is intended to be an exemplary reference not limited to a towel per se, but including other ground covers such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a tarp, a blanket or other sheet of flexible material. For purposes of this disclosure the term “sheet” shall mean “a surface or part of a surface in which it is possible to pass from any one point of it to any other without leaving the surface.” By way of example and not by way of limitation, a sheet of flexible material may be embodied in a towel, a tarp, a blanket or another flexible sheet that is generally planar when under tension. 
     When one lies on a towel over sand there is often collection of sand or other debris or detritus upon the towel that can irritate a user. Further, as one moves about on a towel over sand the towel often wrinkles or bunches up, presenting further discomfort to a user and oftentimes causing sand or debris to further collect on the towel. 
     There is a need for an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base or area, such as ground or sand, in a manner to reduce collection of sand or debris on the towel or other grounds cover. 
     There is a need for an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base, such as ground or sand, in a manner to ease removal of debris and to mitigate wrinkling or bunching of the sheet of flexible material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground; the ground cover having an at least one edge substantially defining the area; includes: (a) a plurality of fixing structures; selected fixing structures of the plurality of fixing structures being fixed at a first end in the ground generally outside the area; (b) a plurality of accessory structures; each respective accessory structure of the plurality of accessory structures being attached with a respective fixing structure at a second end distal from the first end; (c) a plurality of engaging structures; selected engaging structures of the plurality of engaging structures being engaged with the ground cover at a plurality of engagement loci; the engagement loci being distributed about the edge; and (d) a plurality of elastomeric connector structures coupling respective selected fixing structures with respective selected engaging structures. The accessory structures may include at least one of a storage compartment having a latching lid, a container receiving structure, a lighting unit, and an audio speaker unit. The audio speaker unit may be configured for wireless coupling with a base unit. 
     A method for securing a ground cover situated at an area of ground, the ground cover having at least one edge substantially defining the area, includes the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a plurality of fixing structures; each respective fixing structure of the plurality of fixing structures having a first end and a second end; each respective fixing structure having an attached accessory structure at the second end; (2) providing a plurality of engaging structures; and (3) providing a plurality of elastomeric connector structures; (b) assembling a plurality of securing assemblies; each respective securing assembly comprising a respective fixing structure and a respective engaging structure coupled by a respective connector structure; each respective securing assembly having a respective relaxed reach defined by a maximum distance reachable by the respective securing assembly with the connector structure untensioned; (c) selecting at least one securing assembly as an installation securing assembly; (d) in no particular order: (1) effecting engagement between an engaging structure of at least one installation securing assembly and the ground cover at at least one the engagement locus; and (2) installing an installation securing assembly in the ground at a fixing locus; the fixing locus being situated an installation distance from the area; the installation distance for each respective installation securing assembly being greater than the relaxed reach of the respective installation securing assembly; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until the ground cover is substantially fixedly situated generally at the area. 
     It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base or area, such as ground or sand, in a manner to reduce collection of sand or debris on the towel or other grounds cover. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base, such as ground or sand, in a manner to ease removal of debris and to mitigate wrinkling or bunching of the sheet of flexible material. 
     Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic top plan view of the preferred embodiment of a ground cover installation using the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a representative prior art embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of an engaging structure for use with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an integral storage compartment with a lid. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a first alternate embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an integral storage compartment with a lid. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a container receiving structure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a container receiving structure with a container received. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a storage compartment and an integral container receiving structure with the storage compartment open. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a storage compartment and an integral container receiving structure with the storage compartment closed and with a container received. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a lighting unit activated by a push button. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a lighting unit activated by a manual switch. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a basketball design. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a golf design. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a football design. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a tennis design. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a first alternate embodiment of an anchoring terminus for use with a fixing structure of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a partial side view of a second alternate embodiment of an anchoring terminus for use with a fixing structure of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view of a first representative embodiment of the embodiments of an anchoring terminus illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of a second representative embodiment of the embodiments of an anchoring terminus illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of a third representative embodiment of the embodiments of an anchoring terminus illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
         FIG. 21  is a flow chart illustrating the method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention permits securing a towel, by way of example and not by way of limitation, under tension using easily installed fixing structures installable by pressing into the sand, partially burying in the sand or similarly employing the sand to substantially immovable establish the location of the fixing structures. 
     Elastomeric connector structures are preferably employed grippingly engaging the towel and attached under tension to the fixing structures to maintain a desired tension in the installed towel. 
     Maintaining the towel under tension reduces wrinkling or bunching of the towel as a user lies upon the towel or moves about on the towel. Further, maintaining the towel under tension permits easy removal of sand or other debris from the towel by simply pulling the towel to momentarily increase tension on the connector structures and suddenly releasing the towel thereby effecting a “snapping” reaction by the towel as the tension on the connector structures is quickly eased to cause collected sand or other detritus to separate from the towel. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic top plan view of the preferred embodiment of a ground cover installation using the apparatus of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  includes a sheet  12  of flexible material. As mentioned earlier herein, for purposes of this disclosure the term “sheet” shall mean “a surface or part of a surface in which it is possible to pass from any one point of it to any other without leaving the surface.” By way of example and not by way of limitation, sheet  12  of flexible material may be embodied in a towel, a tarp, a blanket or another flexible sheet that is generally planar when under tension. 
     Sheet  12  of flexible material may be configured in any polygonal shape including a circle or ellipse, and is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , by way of example and not by way of limitation, as a rectangular shape. Sheet  12  is circumscribed by an edge  14  defining a first area  16  that is substantially co-extensive with sheet  12 . 
     A plurality of fixing structures  18   1 ,  18   2 ,  18   3 ,  18   n  is arrayed about sheet  12  in a manner establishing a second area  20  (indicated by dotted-line boundary  22 ). Second area  20  substantially contains first area  16 . The indicator “n” is employed to signify that there can be any number of fixing structures employed with apparatus  10 . The inclusion of four fixing structures  18   1 ,  18   2 ,  18   3 ,  18   n  in  FIG. 1  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of fixing structures that may be included in the apparatus of the present invention. Throughout this description, use of a reference numeral using a generic subscript herein may be taken to mean that any respective member of the plurality of elements having the same reference numeral may be regarded as included in the description. Thus, by way of example and not by way of limitation, referring to fixing structure  18   n  in describing  FIG. 1  may be taken to mean that any fixing structure— 18   1 ,  18   2 ,  18   3  or  18   n  (FIG.  1 )—may be regarded as capable of employment as described. 
     Each respective fixing structure  18   n  is attached with sheet  12  at a respective engagement locus  24   1 ,  24   2 ,  24   3 ,  24   a . There are generally, but not necessarily, a number of engagement loci  24   a  equal with the number of fixing structures  18   a . For example a particular fixing structure  18   n  may involve more than one engagement locus  24   a . The indicator “a” is employed to signify that there can be any number of engagement loci employed with apparatus  10 . The inclusion of four engagement loci  24   1 ,  24   2 ,  24   3 ,  24   a  in  FIG. 1  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of engagement loci that may be included in the apparatus of the present invention. 
     Each respective engagement locus  24   1 ,  24   2 ,  24   3 ,  24   a  has a respective engaging structure  26   1 ,  26   2 ,  26   3 ,  26   b  and an associated respective elastomeric connector structure  28   1 ,  28   2 ,  28   3 ,  28   c . The indicator “b” is employed to signify that there can be any number of engaging structures employed with apparatus  10 . The inclusion of four engaging structures  26   1 ,  26   2 ,  26   3 ,  26   b  in  FIG. 1  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of engaging structures that may be included in the apparatus of the present invention. The indicator “c” is employed to signify that there can be any number of elastomeric connector structures employed with apparatus  10 . The inclusion of four elastomeric connector structures  28   1 ,  28   2 ,  28   3 ,  28   c  in  FIG. 1  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of elastomeric connector structures that may be included in the apparatus of the present invention. 
     A respective elastomeric connector structure  28   c  and an associated engagement structure  26   b  cooperate with each respective fixing structure  18   n  and associated engagement locus  24   a  to effect connection of a respective fixing structure  18   n  with sheet  12 . Preferably elastomeric connector structures  28   c  may be tensioned when apparatus  10  is installed so that sheet  12  may be maintained under tension in a plurality of axes when apparatus  10  is installed. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a representative prior art embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , a stake  30  includes a pointed end  32  configured for driving into a base, such as earth or sand. Integrally formed with pointed end  32  is a shaft  33  and an attachment end  34 . Attachment end  34  includes an attachment aperture  36  through which an attachment cord  38  may be passed. Attachment end  34  may also include an engaging hook structure  42  in addition to or instead of attachment aperture  36 . Attachment cord  38  may be looped around stake  30  in a manner permitting a hooking interaction between attachment cord  36  and engaging hook structure  42  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ; understood by those skilled in the art of tie-downs or tent anchoring) in a manner similar to engaging tie-downs or tent stakes. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of an engaging structure for use with the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , an engaging structure  50  includes a pair of opposingly situated toothed jaw structures  52 ,  54 . Jaw structures  52 ,  54  are integrally formed with a body section  56  and depend from a common locus  58  to permit jaw structures  52 ,  54  to rotatingly move about common locus  58  to engage a sheet  60 , as indicated by arrows  53 ,  55 . The integral structure of body section  56  with jaw structures  52 ,  54  provides a bias force to jaw structures  52 ,  54  urging jaw structures  52 ,  54  apart. A collar  62  may surround body section  56  and jaw structures  52 ,  54 . Collar  62  may be configured to encounter jaw structures  52 ,  54  as collar  62  is moved to the right in  FIG. 3 , as indicated by an arrow  64  to urge jaw structures  52 ,  54  toward each other and to maintain jaw structures  52 ,  54  in compressing contact with sheet  60  when jaw structures  52 ,  54  are sufficiently urged together to effect such compression upon sheet  60 . Collar  62  may be moved to the left in  FIG. 3  as indicated by arrow  64  to release jaws structures  52 ,  54  from contact with sheet  60  in response to the bias force experienced by jaw structures  52 ,  54 . A connection cord  66  may be attached with engaging structure  50  for effecting connection with a fixing structure (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). Connection cord  66  may be looped through an attachment aperture (not shown) in body section  56  and secured with a clamp  67  to effect attachment of cord  66  with engaging structure  50 . Securing of cord  66  with engaging structure  50  may also be effected such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, by tying a loop in cord  66  or by employing another way to form a loop in cord  66 . A tension adjuster  68  may be installed with cord  66  to aid in adjusting tension of cord  66  in an installed orientation under tension between a fixing structure and a sheet. Tension adjuster  68  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  as installed at an end of cord  66  nearer to a fixing structure (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) than to engaging structure  50 . If desired, tension adjuster  68  may be installed at an end of cord  66  nearer to engaging structure  50  than to a fixing structure in an installed orientation. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an integral storage compartment with a lid. In  FIG. 4 , a fixing structure  70  includes a first end  72  configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus  74  for driving into a base, such as earth or sand. Terminus  74  may be sharpened if desired. Integrally formed with first end  72  is a shaft  73  and a second end  76 . An accessory structure  78  is attached with fixing structure  70  at second end  76 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  70  (not shown) accessory structure  78  may be integrally formed with shaft  73 . 
     Attachment accessory structure  78  may also include a storage compartment  84  having a lid  86 . Lid  86  may have a hinge  88  attached with attachment accessory  78  to permit repeatable opening and closing of lid  86 , as indicated by an arrow  89 . 
     Accessory structure  78  presents an enlarged surface  80  to aid a user in installing fixing structure  70  in a base such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, earth or sand (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). Surface  80  presents an enlarged surface configured to accommodate a user&#39;s hand or foot (when lid  86  is fully closed) when pressing terminus  74  into a base such as earth or sand. 
     Accessory structure  78  may present an attachment aperture  82  through which an attachment cord (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) may be passed. Alternatively (or additionally) an attachment aperture  83  may be provided traversing shaft  73  to accommodate an attachment cord. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a first alternate embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an integral storage compartment with a lid. In  FIG. 5 , a fixing structure  90  includes a first end  92  configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus  94  for driving into a base, such as earth or sand. Terminus  94  may be sharpened if desired. Integrally formed with first end  92  is a shaft  93  and a second end  96 . An accessory structure  98  is attached with fixing structure  90  at second end  96 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  90  (not shown) accessory structure  98  may be integrally formed with shaft  93 . 
     Attachment accessory structure  98  may also include a storage compartment  104  having a lid  106 . Lid  106  may have a hinge  108  attached with attachment accessory  98  to permit repeatable opening and closing of lid  106 , as indicated by an arrow  109 . Storage compartment  104  may extend to within shaft  93  if shaft  93  is configured sufficiently large to accommodate an internal hollow volume  105 . 
     Accessory structure  98  presents an enlarged surface  100  to aid a user in installing fixing structure  90  in a base such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, earth or sand (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). Surface  100  presents an enlarged surface configured to accommodate a user&#39;s hand or foot (when lid  106  is closed) when pressing terminus  94  into a base such as earth or sand. 
     Accessory structure  98  may present an attachment aperture  102  through which an attachment cord (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) may be passed. 
     A latch structure  110  and an associated catch structure  112  for capturing latch structure  110  in a manner known in the art may be provided to permit lid  106  to be latchable. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a container receiving structure.  FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a container receiving structure with a container received. Regarding  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  together, a fixing structure  120  includes a first end (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus for driving into a base, such as earth or sand and having an integrally formed shaft  122  and a second end  124 . An accessory structure  126  is attached with fixing structure  120  at second end  124 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  120  (not shown) accessory structure  126  may be integrally formed with shaft  122 . 
     Attachment accessory structure  126  may include a container receiving structure  128  including a well  130  substantially surrounded by a wall  132 . Wall  132  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  as extending in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis  134  of shaft  122  from the bottom of well  130  a distance d substantially less than the height h of a received container  136  (see  FIG. 7 ). Wall  132  may extend any distance d from the bottom of well  130  as may be desired to accommodate taller received containers, to protect against accidental spilling of received containers or for another reason. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a storage compartment and an integral container receiving structure with the storage compartment open.  FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a storage compartment and an integral container receiving structure with the storage compartment closed and with a container received. Regarding  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  together, a fixing structure  140  includes a first end (not shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus for driving into a base, such as earth or sand and having an integrally formed shaft  142  and a second end  144 . An accessory structure  146  is attached with fixing structure  140  at second end  144 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  140  (not shown) accessory structure  146  may be integrally formed with shaft  142 . 
     Accessory structure  146  may include a storage compartment  148  having a lid  150 . Lid  150  may have a hinge  152  (not visible in  FIG. 8 ; see  FIG. 9 ) attached with accessory structure  146  to permit repeatable opening and closing of lid  150 , as indicated by an arrow  151 . A latch structure  154  and an associated catch structure  156  (not visible in  FIG. 9 ; see  FIG. 8 ) for capturing latch structure  154  in a manner known in the art may be provided to permit lid  150  to be latchable. Latch structure  154  and catch structure  156  may interact physically to effect latching or may interact magnetically to effect latching. 
     Accessory structure  146  may include a container receiving structure  158  including a well  160  substantially surrounded by a wall  162 . In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , container receiving structure  158  is preferably embodied in lid  150 .  FIG. 9  illustrates lid  150  as transparent so as to emphasize that lid  150  incorporates container receiving structure  158 , revealing items  164  contained in storage compartment  148 . Lid  150  may alternatively be constructed using opaque material to hide contents of storage compartment  148 . Wall  132  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  as extending in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis  134  of shaft  122  from the bottom of well  130  a distance d substantially less than the height h of a received container  136  (see  FIG. 7 ). Wall  132  may extend any distance d from the bottom of well  130  as may be desired to accommodate taller received containers, to protect against accidental spilling of received containers or for another reason. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a lighting unit activated by a push button. In  FIG. 10 , a fixing structure  170  includes a first end  172  configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus  174  for driving into a base, such as earth or sand. Terminus  174  may be sharpened if desired. Integrally formed with first end  172  is a shaft  173  and a second end  176 . An accessory structure  178  is attached with fixing structure  170  at second end  176 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  170  (not shown) accessory structure  178  may be integrally formed with shaft  173 . 
     Accessory structure  178  may include a lighting unit  180  having a button-shaped actuator  182  presenting an expanse substantially equal with the top expanse of lighting unit  180 . Actuator  182  may be configured as a push button switching unit whereby a user may depress button-shaped actuator  182 , as indicated by an arrow  183 , to turn on lighting unit  180 , and may subsequently depress button-shaped actuator  182  again, as indicated by arrow  183 , to turn off lighting unit  180 . Alternatively lighting unit  180  may be solar powered, may be light actuated, may be motion activated, may be timer controlled, or may be sound activated. An attachment aperture  184  may be provided in shaft  173  through which an attachment cord (not shown in  FIG. 10 ) may be passed. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including a lighting unit activated by a manual switch. In  FIG. 11 , a fixing structure  190  includes a first end  192  configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus  194  for driving into a base, such as earth or sand. Terminus  194  may be sharpened if desired. Integrally formed with first end  192  is a shaft  193  and a second end  196 . An accessory structure  198  is attached with fixing structure  190  at second end  196 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  190  (not shown) accessory structure  198  may be integrally formed with shaft  193 . 
     Accessory structure  198  may include a lighting unit  200  having a switch  202  for controlling operation of lighting unit  200 . Switch  202  is illustrated in  FIG. 11  as a slide switch by which a user may control ON-OFF operation of lighting unit  200  by sliding switch  200  as indicated by an arrow  204 . Other types of switches may be employed for switch  202  including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a toggle switch, a push button switch, a capacitively actuated switch, a magnetically actuated switch, a light actuated switch and other types of switches capable of controlling voltage or current to lighting unit  200 . 
     Alternatively lighting unit  200  may be solar powered, may be light actuated, may be motion activated, may be timer controlled, or may be sound activated. An attachment aperture  204  may be provided in shaft  193  through which an attachment cord (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) may be passed. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a basketball design.  FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a golf design.  FIG. 14  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a football design.  FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an accessory structure including an audio unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit and decorated with a tennis design. Regarding  FIGS. 12-15  together, a fixing structure  210  includes a first end  212  configured with a diminished breadth anchoring terminus  214  for driving into a base, such as earth or sand. Terminus  214  may be sharpened if desired. Integrally formed with first end  212  is a shaft  213  and a second end  216 . An accessory structure  218  is attached with fixing structure  210  at second end  216 . In alternate embodiments of fixing structure  210  (not shown) accessory structure  218  may be integrally formed with shaft  213 . 
     Accessory structure  218  may include an audio speaker unit  220  having a capability to wirelessly couple with a base unit  222  such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, via a Bluetooth coupling (Bluetooth is a trademark of L.M. Ericsson). Accessory structure  218  may be undecorated (not shown) or may be decorated using a basketball design (see  FIG. 12 ). Other decorative designs may be applied to accessory structure  218  such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a golf design (see  FIG. 13 ), a football design (see  FIG. 14 ) or a tennis design (see  FIG. 15 ). An attachment aperture  204  may be provided in shaft  193  through which an attachment cord (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) may be passed. 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of a first alternate embodiment of an anchoring terminus for use with a fixing structure of the present invention. In  FIG. 16 , a shaft  230  for a fixing structure (not shown in its entirety in  FIG. 16 ) has a longitudinal axis  231  and a shaft end  232  configured with an anchoring terminus  234 . Anchoring terminus  234  has a generally rectangular side profile, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . Viewed along axis  231 , anchoring terminus  234  may have a polygonal or circular shape as representatively presented in  FIGS. 18-20 . 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of a second alternate embodiment of an anchoring terminus for use with a fixing structure of the present invention. In  FIG. 17 , a shaft  240  for a fixing structure (not shown in its entirety in  FIG. 17 ) has a longitudinal axis  241  and a shaft end  242  configured with an anchoring terminus  244 . Anchoring terminus  244  has a generally bulbous side profile, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . Viewed along axis  241 , anchoring terminus  244  may have a polygonal or circular shape as representatively presented in  FIGS. 18-20 . 
       FIG. 18  is a plan view of a first representative embodiment of the embodiments of an anchoring terminus illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 18 , a shaft  230 ,  240  is configured with an anchoring terminus  234 ,  244 . Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  has a generally rectangular shape as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  may be substantially centered about shaft  230 ,  240 , but is not necessarily so oriented. 
       FIG. 19  is a plan view of a second representative embodiment of the embodiments of an anchoring terminus illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 19 , a shaft  230 ,  240  is configured with an anchoring terminus  234 ,  244 . Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  has a generally circular shape as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  may have a generally elliptical shape (not shown) if desired. Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  may be substantially centered about shaft  230 ,  240 , but is not necessarily so oriented. 
       FIG. 20  is a plan view of a third representative embodiment of the embodiments of an anchoring terminus illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 20 , a shaft  230 ,  240  is configured with an anchoring terminus  234 ,  244 . Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  has a generally polygonal shape as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . A regular hexagonal shape is presented in  FIG. 20  representing a polygonal-shaped anchoring terminus  234 ,  244 . However, any polygonal shape—regular or irregular—may be advantageously employed for anchoring terminus  234 ,  244 . Anchoring terminus  234 ,  244  may be substantially centered about shaft  230 ,  240 , but is not necessarily so oriented. 
       FIG. 21  is a flow chart illustrating the method of the present invention. In  FIG. 21 , a method  300  for securing a ground cover situated at an area of ground begins at a START locus  302 . The ground cover has at least one edge substantially defining the area. 
     Method  300  continues with, in no particular order: (1) providing a plurality of fixing structures, as indicated by a block  304 ; each respective fixing structure of the plurality of fixing structures has a first end and a second end; each respective fixing structure has an attached accessory structure at the second end; (2) providing a plurality of engaging structures, as indicated by a block  306 ; and (3) providing a plurality of elastomeric connector structures, as indicated by a block  308 . 
     Method  300  continues with constructing a plurality of securing assemblies, as indicated by a block  310 . Each respective securing assembly includes a respective fixing structure of the plurality of fixing structures and a respective engaging structure of the plurality of engaging structures coupled by a respective connector structure of the plurality of connector structures. Each respective securing assembly of the plurality of securing assemblies has a respective relaxed reach defined by a maximum distance reachable by the respective securing assembly with the connector structure untensioned. 
     Method  300  continues with selecting at least one the securing assembly as an installation securing assembly, as indicated by a block  311 . 
     Method  300  continues with, in no particular order: (1) effecting engagement between an engaging structure of at least one installation securing assembly and the ground cover at at least one the engagement locus, as indicated by a block  312 ; and (2) installing the first end of a fixing structure of at least one installation securing assembly in the ground at a fixing locus, as indicated by a block  314 . The fixing locus may be situated an installation distance from the area. The installation distance for each respective installation securing assembly is greater than the relaxed reach of the respective installation securing assembly. 
     Method  300  continues with posing a query whether the cover is fixed as desired, as indicated by a query block  332 . If the cover is not fixed as desired, method  300  proceeds from query block  332  via a NO response line  322  to a locus  309 . Method  300  thereafter proceeds from locus  309  substantially as described in connection with blocks  311 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 . 
     If the cover is fixed as desired, method  300  proceeds from query block  332  via a YES response line  322  to a terminate at an END locus  320 . 
     Method  300  may involve additional steps when elastomeric connector structures are provided with a tension-adjusting structure such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, tension adjuster  68  ( FIG. 3 ). When a tension-adjusting structure is provided, method  300  includes providing tension-adjusting structures with connector structures, as indicated by a dotted-line block  330 . The dotted-line format of boxes in  FIG. 21  describing method  300  when a tension-adjusting structure is provided is intended to indicate an optional nature for the indicated method steps. 
     When tension-adjusting structures are provided, method  300  proceeds from a step indicated by dotted-line block  330  substantially as earlier described in connection with blocks  310 ,  311 ,  312 ,  314 . 
     When tension-adjusting structures are provided, method  300  proceeds from blocks  312 ,  314  to pose a query whether it is desired to adjust tension in a connector structure, as indicated by a dotted-line query block  332 . If it is desired to adjust tension in a connector structure, method  300  proceeds from query block  332  via a YES response line  334  to apply tension as desired in a desired connector structure, as indicated by a dotted-line block  336 , and method  300  thereafter proceeds substantially as earlier described in connection with query block  316 . 
     If it is not desired to adjust tension in a connector structure, method  300  proceeds from query block  332  via a NO response line  338 , and method  300  thereafter proceeds substantially as earlier described in connection with query block  316 . 
     It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of the invention, they are for the purpose of illustration only, that the apparatus and method of the invention are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims: