Abstract:
An anchor for vertical uprights includes a spring, the spring having a mounting spike integrally formed therewith for insertion into a soft, outdoor surface, and the spring allowing the post to fold over upon impact; and at least one laterally extending flange connected to the mounting spike at a point beneath the spring.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/762,380, filed Feb. 8, 2013. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to sign and post anchors and, more particularly, to an improved anchor for signs, posts and other vertical upright structures incorporating a lay-down or fold-over feature. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    There exist in the prior art a variety of anchoring methods and devices for sign posts and other permanent and temporary vertical upright structures. The simplest method, of course, is to dig a hole into which the supporting post is inserted. For permanent installations, the post may be surrounded by concrete. While relatively simple and inexpensive, this method is typically less than ideal for shorter term use where it is not reasonable to use concrete for added stability because the post can contact with the post can result in movement of the post within the hole, which expands the hole and results in rapid destabilization of the post. This is a particularly prevalent issue in softer base material applications, such as snow, gravel, loose solid, or mulch. It is very difficult to obtain a solid installation that lasts longer than a few moments or an hour or two. 
         [0004]    In addition, this traditional post installation method requires a shovel to dig the necessary hole, which increases the time and labor associated with installation, which can be a significant issue in applications involving the use of numerous posts. 
         [0005]    Further, the traditional method results in a relatively rigid post rising out of the ground. In many applications, for example installation of marking signs or gates on ski runs, this presents a significant injury hazard. While there are examples of flexible anchors in the prior art, many of them still require digging a hole for installation or are relatively complex, making them expensive and difficult to manufacture. These prior art anchors also provide insufficient stability. 
         [0006]    Therefore, providing an anchor capable of being installed quickly and manufactured and sold inexpensively, which does not present a significant safety hazard, would be highly desirable. 
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide an affordable anchor for sign posts and other vertical uprights that is quickly and easily installed without the need for digging a hole. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an anchor that provides increased stability, particularly in softer base materials, while not impairing ease of installation. 
         [0010]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an anchor that is capable of folding over upon impact to minimize the chances for injury or damage to a person or object that impacts the attached vertical upright while readily enabling the vertical upright to an upright position after impact. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the above aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor for vertical uprights that includes a spring, the spring having a mounting spike integrally formed therewith for insertion into a soft, outdoor surface, and the spring allowing the post to fold over upon impact; and at least one laterally extending flange connected to said mounting spike at a point beneath the spring. 
         [0012]    These aspects are merely illustrative of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention and should not be deemed as limiting in any manner. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a vertical upright anchor according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vertical upright anchor of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a vertical upright anchor according to another embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of sign installed with a vertical upright anchor according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, the invention is not limited in scope to the particular type of industry application depicted in the figures. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
         [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrate an anchor  10  for signs, posts, and other relatively small, vertical upright structures according to an embodiment of the present invention. The anchor  10  includes a spring  12  at its uppermost end. The spring  12  is a coil spring, in one embodiment preferably constructed of ⅜″ diameter wire. The spring  12  can be formed with an inside diameter matched to the outer diameter of the post, sign post or other vertical member  100  that will be inserted into the spring  12 . In one embodiment, the spring  12  is formed with an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the vertical member  100  in order to create an interference fit between the spring  12  and the vertical member  100 . In other embodiments, slightly larger inside diameters for the spring  12  may be used to provide a friction fit or sliding fit, depending upon the material of the vertical member and the intended time frame for use of the anchor  10  with the vertical member  100 . 
         [0020]    The spring  12  terminates in a vertically-downward extending mounting spike  14 . The mounting spike  14  is provided with one or more laterally extending flanges  16  along its length. In a preferred embodiment, a flange  16  is provided at the distal tip of the mounting spike  14 . Additional flanges  16  may be provided along the length of the mounting spike  14  between the distal tip thereof and the lower end of the spring  12 . Each flange  16  serves to provide lateral stabilization and minimize rotation of the anchor  10  and vertical member  100  once the anchor is inserted into the ground. This is particularly advantageous when the anchor  10  is utilized in softer base materials, for example snow, gravel, loose soils, mulch, or similar materials. In an alternate embodiment, the lateral stabilization may be further enhanced by the addition of right angle extensions to the flanges as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]    At the same time, the flanges  16  may be arranged to minimize interference with the ease of installation of the anchor  10  into the base material. In a preferred embodiment, each flange  16  is made with upwardly angled lower portions  18  that provide the flanges  16  with a roughly “arrow” shape that points downward relative to the spring  12 . 
         [0022]    The flanges  16  may be connected with the mounting spike  14  in any known manner. However, in a preferred embodiment, the flanges  16  are made of steel, stainless steel, or another metal suitable for outdoor use and are welded to the mounting spike  14 . Using metal for the anchor  10  provides greater rigidity and increased weight bearing capacity, allowing for use with larger vertical upright structures. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for the anchor  10  to be molded from rigid plastic materials, especially as a unitary structure, for smaller or lighter applications or shorter term use. Similarly, the present invention includes applications in which the anchor  10  and vertical member  100 , as well as any sign, flag or other item associated with the vertical member  100 , are all integrally molded to form a low cost, easy to install item that will typically best be suited to temporary usage. 
         [0023]    Embodiments of the anchor  10  have been found to be particularly well suited to snow resort applications, such as marking signs for ski runs gates for slalom courses, and similar items, where the anchor provides increased safety in the event of collisions between skiers and these items and where quick installation and removal are also desired. Other possible applications include shorter term road construction or maintenance signage, fence posts, novelty and seasonal signage or lighting for homeowners, and yard toys and games. 
         [0024]    In any of these applications, the spring  12  acts as a pivot point for the vertical member  100 . If a person, vehicle or other item comes into contact with the vertical member  100 , the spring  12  allows the vertical member  100  to fold over during impact from any angle and subsequently automatically return to an upright position when the person moves on, thereby minimizing the likelihood of injury or damage to the impacting person, vehicle or other item or damage to the vertical member  100  and associated items installed on the vertical member  100 . 
         [0025]    The preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in the best mode known to the inventors. However, as various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiment, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.