Patent ID: 7281349

Claim:
A ground anchoring stake assembly for securing animal traps to a ground surface, said stake assembly comprising: an anchor plate formed from hardened material, said anchor plate being formed from steel, said anchor plate having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and further having opposing sides equidistantly spaced from the axis, said sides extending parallel to the axis and traveling along an entire length of said anchor plate, said anchor plate being provided with a plurality of spaced apertures formed therein; at least one elongated stake removably inserted through at least one said apertures and directly interfitted into the ground surface in such a manner that said anchor plate is prohibited from being disengaged from the ground surface while said stake is traversed therethrough; and a flexible and elongated chain including a plurality of substantially annular child links directly connected end-to-end, said chain further including a plurality of parent links having a greater thickness and a greater diameter than a diameter and a thickness of said child links, said parent links being directly and permanently fastened to another one of said apertures and the animal trap respectively, said parent links being directly and permanently fastened to outer ones of said child links respectively; wherein said anchor plate and said at least one stake resist external forces acting on said chain so that the animal trap is prevented from moving beyond a maximum distance defined by a longitudinal length of said chain; wherein said anchor plate has a square shape and said apertures include first, second and third apertures formed in said anchor plate, said anchor plate further including a monolithically formed shaft protruding vertically upward from a center thereof, said stake assembly further including an animal trap provided with an elongated and flexible body having a bottom end intermitted directly into said shaft in such a manner that said body is vertically supported during operating conditions, said animal trap including a plurality of rigid cups positioned about said body, said animal trap further including a string passed through a top end of said body and supported by a top one of said rigid cups, said anchor plate further including a threaded screw directly positioned through said shaft and abutted against said bottom end of said body for preventing said body from disengaging said shaft during operating conditions.