Abstract:
A combination earth anchor and shovel capable of being used as an earth excavating tool and anchoring device having a particular application to secure an outdoor umbrella in soil.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/859,258 filed on Aug. 18, 2010 currently pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to earth anchors designed to be particularly useful as earth excavating tools. More particularly, it relates to a device that may be used as a shovel and as an anchor to secure a device in the ground. The application further relates to such a device integrated into an outdoor umbrella assembly. 
         [0003]    Items typically inserted into the ground such as outdoor umbrellas, posts, and signs are often not adequately supported and at times are difficult to position as desired. These objects are particularly difficult to insert into ground hard enough to adequately support them in an upright position. Ground that is soft enough for easy insertion, however, generally provides little support. Attachments exist to aid the user in inserting such objects into the ground. Common attachments include spikes, screws and flat spades. Spike attachments aid the user by decreasing the force needed to pierce though the soil. Spikes lack the ability, however, to adequately support the object in softer soil. Screw anchors allow the user to secure the object by twisting it into the ground. Screw shaped anchor attachments can be difficult to work into hard ground, and may pullout of soft sand too easily. If of sufficient size to provide adequate purchase, screw attachments will often be large, heavy and cumbersome. Spade type attachments provide a relatively easy method of inserting the object into the ground, provide increased surface area to secure the object in sandy soil and, may double as a shovel-like digging tool to excavate a hole to provide additional purchase. Absent complicated folding mechanisms, these shovel like tools often lack the cross-sectional area needed to resist pullout. 
         [0004]    A need exists for an anchorage device which provides a means to easily insert an object, such as a beach umbrella, into the ground while providing additional stability and resistance to pullout. Such an item would desirably be capable of creating a hole in the ground, be relatively simple to use and carry, and provide adequate pull-out resistance when placed in the ground. 
         [0005]    One particularly useful application of the present invention is in the area of beach umbrellas. People enjoying outdoor activities commonly find it desirable to rest from the direct sun in a shady area. Such shade offers protection from the sun&#39;s heat and skin damaging radiation. Not all locations possess an adequate amount of shaded areas to relax, especially beaches, where beach dwellers often desire to experience the sensations of relaxing on a sandy beach while not succumbing to blistering sun. 
         [0006]    Erecting a temporary sun shade, such as a beach umbrella, requires one to secure the umbrella shaft or pole to the ground to prevent movement. Such umbrellas are desirably lightweight for portability and possess a sufficiently large surface so as to adequately shade an individual. Such design criteria means that the slightest breeze can shift, lift and otherwise move the umbrella from its desired location. Fixing the umbrella to the ground generally requires tools or equipment to partially burry the umbrella shaft in soil that may vary from sand to dirt, clay or rock. 
         [0007]    Heavy screw devices, complicated folding shovel like attachments, and spiked tips all have been used with limited success to anchor umbrellas into various soil conditions. Each has certain disadvantages. For instance, the screw devices can be awkward to transport and work well only in limited soil conditions, while complicated folding shovel like attachments are prone to breaking and can add unnecessary expense to their own construction, while simple spike attachments may be wholly inadequate in sandy soil conditions often found at the beach. 
         [0008]    There remains a need for an attachment that provides a firm anchor in a variety of soil conditions, resists pull-out, lightweight, compact, self contained and preferably attached to the umbrella shaft itself. The attachment should also be relatively easy to manufacture and use no moving parts to assemble, manipulate, wear out or break. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The disclosed anchoring device attaches to an umbrella shaft or pole and provides three general modes of use. Pressed into firm ground the wedge shape provides stability to the attached umbrella. Used as a shovel, the large flat blade allows the user to create a hole in the ground. A curved tip enables the user to easily break firm ground, while the bent shoulder step plates enable the user to comfortably exert the necessary pressure to pierce the soil. The device may then be used as a buried anchor, the device is placed in the hole and the removed soil is replaced, covering the device and enabling it to provide additional anchorage for the umbrella. A wedge shaped protrusion provides additional pull-out resistance and lateral stability. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the invention attached to an umbrella pole showing the invention employed as an anchor buried below the surface of the earth. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the invention showing the invention employed as a digging apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the invention showing a user pressing the invention into the ground with the user&#39;s foot. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of the invention with a blade having a slight curvature. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the invention with a planar blade. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a right side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a right side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 6B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention having opposing thumbscrews. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the embodiment having opposing thumbscrews. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment having a front face lacking a pronounced concave depression corresponding to the wedge shaped protrusion. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section of the invention taken on line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10  showing the non-uniform thickness of the wedge shaped feature. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention formed from stamped sheet metal. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a rear view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a perspective top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a cross-section of the invention taken on line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The drawings illustrate an invention that enables an individual to secure an object such as a beach umbrella in the ground. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention  1  employed as an anchor below the surface  10  of the ground  5 , anchoring a device  13 , such as the shown beach umbrella  13 , in a desired orientation. The invention enables a user  3  to secure the umbrella  13  from movement and enjoy shade and wind protection in an otherwise unprotected area such as a beach  6  beside an ocean  7 . The device  13  to which the invention  1  is attached, may be secured in a non-releasable manner, including but not limited to: welding, bonding, gluing, riveting, press fitting, crimping or any combination thereof. The device may be secured to the invention  1  in a releasable manner including such means, including but not limited to: clamping, screwing, threading, bolting, clipping or any combination thereof. In this embodiment, the invention  1  is releasably secured at the neck or socket portion  110 . Here, the umbrella shaft  15  is inserted into the socket portion  110  of the invention  1  and releasably secured with thumb screw clamps  105 . 
         [0032]    The invention&#39;s blade portion  120  increases the surface area upon which pressure exerted by the soil  5 , including sand, dirt, gravel, rock, clay, and mixtures thereof, can act upon the umbrella shaft  15  to maintain the desired position of the umbrella  13 . A wedge shaped feature  140  extends outward from the rear surface of the blade  120 . The wedge shaped feature  140  of the blade  120  provides additional surfaces  145 ,  150  and  152  against which the soil  5  can act upon. The triangular shaped left lateral wedge surface  150  and corresponding right lateral wedge surface  152 , increase the lateral surface area and increase the blades resistance to side to side movement. The upper surface  145  of the wedge feature  140  increases the horizontal surface area thereby increasing the invention&#39;s resistance to being pulled vertically out of the ground  5 . While these surfaces  145 ,  150  and  152  are shown in the present embodiment as planar, it should be understood that such surfaces may be curved and blended to form a protrusion in the general shape of a wedge having curved edges and non-planar surfaces. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows the user  3  employing the invention  1  as a digging apparatus. The blade portion  120  enables the user to remove soil  5  forming a hole  30 . Once the user  3  digs the hole  20  to an adequate depth, the user can place the invention  1  and attached device to be anchored  13 , in the hole  30 . After placement, the user  3  refills the hole with the previously removed soil  35  securing the device in the desired orientation. 
         [0034]    The rounded tip  125  aids the user in breaking though firm soil. The wedge shaped feature  140  on the rear surface  123  of the blade portion  120  provides additional strength. The present embodiment shows the wedge shaped feature  140  having a corresponding concave depression  143  on the front  121  surface of the blade portion  120 . The depression  143  further aids in removal of the dirt by enabling the invention to hold a larger volume of soil  5  that it could without the depression  143 . Alternatively, the invention may possess a wedge feature  140 , but lack the concave wedge shaped depression  143 . In such an embodiment, the blade  120  would have a generally flat front surface  121 . Furthermore, regardless whether the invention possesses a wedge shaped depression  143 , the invention may have a planar blade  120 , or as shown in the present embodiment the blade  120  may have a slight curvature where the right lateral edge  126  and the left lateral edge  128  are slightly curved upward toward the front face  121  of the invention  1 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows the user  3  pressing the invention  1  into the soil  5 . The shoulder  127  of the blade  120  provides a surface for the user  3  to step. In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder  127  protrudes rearward and is connected to the top edge  122  of the blade  120 . The shoulder  127  also provides additional strength to the blade  120  and improved pullout resistance when the blade  120  is buried. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows the invention  1  from a front perspective view. The front surface  121  of the blade  120  possesses a concave wedge shaped indention  143  corresponding to the wedge shaped feature  140 . This wedge shaped indention  143  possesses a right lateral surfaces  147  and a left lateral surface  149  that aid in resisting side-to-side movement of the invention  1  when buried in soil  5 . Lateral surfaces  147  and  149  also provide additional strength to the blade  120 . The neck or socket portion  110  possesses a bore  113  adapted for receipt of the shaft  15  of the object to be secured  13 . One or more thumb screws  105  secure the shaft  15  inside the bore  113  of the socket  110 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of the invention  1 . The blade portion  120  is generally rectangular in shape, but may possess a rounded tip  125  to aid the user in piercing harder soil  5 . 
         [0038]    The blade rear surface  123 , surrounds the wedge shaped feature  140  on the sides and top, while the tip portion  125  of the blade rear surface  123 , is located below the wedge shaped feature surrounds the wedge  140  on the bottom side. The wedge  140 , is thus encircled by the rear surface of the blade on the left, right, top and bottom sides of the wedge  140 . The rear surface  123  provides a non-parallel surface to the rear wedge surface, against which the soil may act. The blade and wedge surfaces form a simply connected surface, having no holes in them through which soil could pass, reducing the effectiveness of the device as an anchor. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6A  shows a top view of the invention  1 . The blade portion  120  possesses a curvature for increased strength and to help contain soil when the device is used as a digging apparatus. Thumbscrews  105  are threaded into the rear portion of the socket  110 . From this perspective, the top portion of each shoulder  127  of the blade  120  can be seen. The shoulder  120  provides increased surface area to allow the user to press the invention  1  into the soil with increased comfort. The shoulder  127  also helps to increase the overall strength of the blade  120 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6B  shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention  1  where the blade  120  lacks a curvature. In this embodiment, the blade surface is planar, with or without the wedge shaped depression  143 . The planar blade  120  increases resistance for increased stability when anchored in soil  5 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 7A  shows a left side view of the invention  1 . The wedge shaped feature  140  can be seen protruding rearward from the blade  120  of the invention forming a horizontal surface area  145  for increased vertical pullout resistance. The socket portion  110  is shown at a slight angle from the blade  120  to aid in removal of soil when used as a digging apparatus. The socket portion  110  possesses a capped end portion  112  to prevent ingress of sand or other soil into the hollow tubular portion of the socket  110  and prevent egress of the secured shaft  15  past the lower end of the socket  110 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7B  shows a left side view of the alternative embodiment of the invention  1  shown in  FIG. 6B  where the blade  120  surface is planar, with or without the wedge shaped depression  143 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  shows a front prospective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention  1  having opposing thumb screws  105  on the left and right sides of the tubular neck portion  110 . A pointed tip  225  provides easier penetration into hard soils. The wedge shaped feature  140  provides additional pull out stability while a shoulder  127  provides a comfortable step along the top edge of the blade  120  for pressing the wedge shaped feature below the surface of the soil. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of the alternative embodiment having opposing thumb screws  105 . The inventions wedge shaped feature possesses an upper surface  145  positioned below the top edge  127  of the blade  120 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of another alternative embodiment of the invention  1  where the front face  121  of the blade  120  lacks a pronounced concave depression corresponding to the wedge shaped feature. The front face  121  is generally planar where the blade  120  is planar, or following the contour of the shape of the blade  120 . In this particular embodiment, the front face  121  follows the slight curvature of the blade  120 , the blade  120  being slightly curved about a vertical axis. 
         [0046]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the alternative embodiment of the invention  1  lacking a pronounced concave depression corresponding to the wedge shaped feature. The wedge shaped feature  140  protrudes from the rear face  123  of the blade portion  120  of the invention  1 . The top surface  145  of the wedge  140  is positioned below the top edge  127  of the blade  120 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of the invention  1  taken on line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 10 . The wedge shaped feature  140  possesses a non-uniform thickness of the wedge portion as measured from the front face  121  of the blade portion  120  to the rear wedge surface  151 . In this embodiment one can observe the narrowing of the thickness of the wedge from the top of the wedge  140  to the bottom of the wedge  140 . The neck portion  110  possesses a bore  113 . The bore  113  forms an inner bore surface  115 . As with other embodiments of the invention  1 , the top surface  145  of the wedge  140  is positioned below the top edge  122  of the blade  120 . When the user steps upon the shoulder  127  of the blade  120 , pushing the blade  120  such that the top edge  122  is level with the top surface of the soil, the top surface  145  of the wedge  140  will be below the soil surface, providing additional pull-out resistance of the invention. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of yet another embodiment of the invention  1  where the invention  1  is formed from a sheet of material such as being stamped from sheet metal. The elongated neck portion  110  possesses a thumb screw  105  for securing the end of an umbrella shaft in the interior bore  113  of the neck portion  110 . The blade  120  has a slightly wider shape toward the top of the blade, and narrows toward the middle and bottom portion s of the blade when viewed from the front. The neck portion  110  is formed from the folding or wrapping of a portion of the sheet to form a cylindrical socket or bore for receiving the end of the umbrella shaft. The blade portion  120  is formed from another portion of the sheet being bent into the desired shape. The wedge shaped feature  140  may also be bent from this portion of the sheet. This construction saves assembly steps by forming the socket, blade and wedge from the same sheet material, while allowing the use of curves to strengthen the structure of the invention. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention. In the current embodiment, the blade  120  and lower portion of the elongated neck  110  possess a curved shape. The protruding wedge  140  is and lower tip portion of the blade  120  are angled from the axis of the neck portion  110 . This angle provides additional vertical pull out resistance, while the top surface  145  of the wedge  140  provides additional pull out resistance. 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  shows a rear view of the current embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the elongated neck portion  110  is formed from the wrapping of the sheet metal in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape forms a bore  113  in which the end of a shaft of an umbrella may be secured. In this particular embodiment, the walls of the elongated neck portion  110  do not completely encircle the bore  113 , leaving a vertical opening  117  along the rear surface of the neck portion  110 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  shows a top perspective view of the current embodiment of the invention  1 . The neck portion  110  possesses a generally cylindrical inner bore  113 . The bore  113  forms an inner bore surface  115 . The thumbscrew  105  passes from the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion and through the inner bore surface  115 . In this particular embodiment, the wall of the neck portion  110  do not completely encircle the bore  113 , leaving a small gap  117 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-section side view of the lower portion and tip  125  of the blade portion  120  of the current embodiment of the invention  1  taken on line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 13 . The interior of the wedge may possess an optional fillet plate  153 , or otherwise possess a filled section, in the upper corner of the wedge. The fillet plate  153  may be welded, riveted, glued, or otherwise secured to the blade portion  120  of the invention  1 . The fillet plate  153  or filled section allows for easier penetration of the blade  120  into the soil.