Patent ID: 8434732

Claim:
A portable, quick assembly anchoring apparatus for hitching a large animal at a safe distance from an anchoring object, the apparatus comprising an anchoring platform; a plurality of elongate base members including a first base member and a second base member, wherein each base member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the anchoring platform is removably attachable along a portion of the respective lengths of the base members at or near the respective first ends of the base members; a rail apparatus including a first end and a second end, wherein the rail apparatus is removably attachable adjacent the base members at or near the respective second ends of the base members; an elongate first extension member removably attachable at or near the first end of the rail apparatus; and a first side support removably attachable at or near a distal end of the first extension member, the first side support including a bridle holder for hitching a large animal to the anchoring apparatus, wherein the first side support is oriented substantially orthogonal to the extension member, and wherein a distal end of the first side support is configured to rest adjacent the ground when assembled to provide support for the first extension member; wherein at least part of the first extension member may be linearly reciprocated relative to the rail apparatus and wherein the first extension member may be set in a temporary fixed position relative to the rail apparatus by an attachment apparatus whereby the portion of the length of the first extension member extending from the first end of the rail apparatus may be selectively adjusted wherein the anchoring platform further comprises a mass receiving platform having a first end and a second end, the mass receiving platform including a substantially planar plate configured for receiving one or more anchoring objects; a first guide member attached at or near the first end of the mass receiving platform, the first guide member oriented substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the mass receiving platform wherein the first guide member is configured for removable attachment adjacent the first end of the first base member; and a second guide member attached at or near the second end of the mass receiving platform, the second guide member oriented substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the mass receiving platform wherein the second guide member is configured for removable attachment adjacent the first end of the second base member.