GB2340854A

GB2340854A - Ground anchor device

Info

Publication number: GB2340854A
Application number: GB9912591A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive Rolfe; Mathew Nils Browning
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-21
Filing date: 1999-06-01
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-01
Also published as: GB9912591D0; GB9818165D0; GB2340854B

Abstract

A ground anchor device (10) is described which comprises a straight element (12) having a tapered lower end (13) and a helical element (14) arranged concentrically around and radially spaced from the straight element (12). The helical element has a tapered lower end (15) and is connected at its upper end to the upper end of the straight element (12). The device (10) may be surmounted with a ring as a securing means, with a socket for a fence post, or with any other such attachment.

Description

2340854 GROUND ANCHOR DEVICE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a ground anchor device.

Background of the invention

There are a number of situations where a secure fixing into the ground is required, for example for fence posts, boat moorings, aircraft tie-downs or for securing caravans and trailers. Ground anchor devices have been proposed which comprise a helical coil for screwing into the ground, but these are generally difficult to install.

Object of the invention The present invention seeks to provide a ground anchor device which is relatively easy to insert into the ground and provides a very firm fixing point.

Summary of the invention - In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ground anchor device which comprises a straight element having a tapered lower end and a helical element arranged concentrically around and radially spaced from the straight element, the helical element having a tapered lower end and being connected at its upper end to the upper end of the straight element.

Preferably, the two elements of the device are formed integrally with one another by bending a single elongate rod.

2 - Preferably the tapered end of the straight element projects downwards beyond the tapered end of the helical element.

In use, the device is inserted into the ground by a screwing action so the helical element advances into the ground while the straight element acts to centre the device and to define the axis about which the helical element is rotated. Accordingly the straight element guides the device along a straight line path into the ground, preventing it from diverging from the required vertical line of insertion.

The upper end of the device may be provided with any appropriate anchorage means, several examples of which are described below.

The device may be provided with means for locking it against rotation relative to the ground, once it has been inserted into the ground, to prevent its unauthorised removal.

As an alternative, unauthorised removal of the ground anchor device may be provided that can be locked in position relative to the article anchored to the ground.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of ground anchor device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a view of a second embodiment of ground anchor device inserted into the ground and intended for anchoring a trailer, Figure 3 is a view of the ground anchor device of Figure 2 with the tow bar of a trailer engaged to it; Figure 4 is a side view of a third embodiment of ground anchor device having a locking blade for preventing it from being rotated relative to the ground, the device being shown inserted into the ground but prior to insertion of its locking blade; Figure 5 is a similar view of the ground anchor device of Figure 4, shown with its locking blade inserted into the ground; Figure 6 is a side view of fourth embodiment of ground anchor device in which the anchorage means comprises a threaded bolt projecting from the ground; Figure 7 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of ground anchor device in which the anchorage means comprises a ring; Figure 8 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of ground anchor device in which the anchorage means comprises a square socket for a fence post; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the anchorage socket alone of the embodiment shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of ground anchor device in which the anchorage means comprises an L-shaped bracket having a lock aperture; Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the anchorage bracket alone of the embodiment shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of ground anchor device in which the anchorage means is again intended for a trailer; and Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the anchorage means alone of the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

Detailed description of the 2referred embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a ground anchor device 10 which comprises a length of round- section metal rod, pointed at its opposite ends, and formed into the illustrated configuration. The device comprises a straight element 12, tapered to a point 13 at its lower end, 4 and a helical element 14 which surrounds the straight element 10 and is radially spaced from it. The upper end of the helical element 14 is integral with the upper end of the straight element 12 and its lower end 15 is tapered to a point. The helical element 14 consists of several turns of constant diameter, concentric with the straight element and the pointed end 13 of the straight element 12 projects axially beyond the lower end of the helical element 14. Although in the example shown the device is formed from a single length of metal rod, it may alternatively be formed from two lengths of metal rod, respectively a straight section and a helical section suitably joined together at their upper ends, for example by means of a plate.

The ground anchor device is inserted into the ground by first driving the pointed end of the straight element 12 of the device into the ground surface then rotating the device so that the pointed end 15 of the helical element 14 penetrates into the ground and advances the helical element into the ground in a screw action. This screw action causes the entire device to advance into the ground, the straight section 12 being forced progressively deeper.

It will be appreciated that, as the helical section 14 advances into the ground in a screw action, the straight section 12 acts as a firm guide axis around which the helical section rotates.

The ground anchor device shown in Figure 1 is common to the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 13, which differ from one another in the design of the anchorage means provided above the ground.

In Figures 2 and 3, the anchorage means comprise a ball hitch 18 for a trailer. The ball-shaped head in this embodiment may be welded to the top of the ground anchor device and is arranged to receive the socket-shaped coupling 20 of a trailer tow bar 22, as shown in Figure 3.

The embodiment of Figure 4 and 5 has an anchoring ring 30 which can be used for anchoring a chain or a rope. In addition, this embodiment has a locking member 32 that can pivot on the head of the ground anchor device about a pivot pin 35. The locking member has a blade 32 that can be driven into the ground, in the manner shown in Figure 5 and member can be locked in this position by means of a padlock that is passed through aligned holes in the locking member 34 and a flange 36 projecting from the top face of the ground anchor device. It will be appreciated that once the blade 32 is inserted into the ground and locked in position in this manner, the ground anchor device cannot be unscrewed out of the ground.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the anchorage means above the ground comprise a vertical threaded bolt 40. This can be used as a firm anchorage for an apertured plate.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, the anchorage means above the ground comprise a vertical ring 42. This can for example be used as an anchorage for a rope or a chain.

In the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9, the anchorage means above the ground comprise a socket 44 for a fence post. After the ground anchor device 10 has been screwed into the ground, a fence post is inserted in the socket 44 and is can be nailed or bolted in position within the socket 44.

In the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11, the anchorage means above the ground comprise an angle bracket 46 having an aperture 48.

The embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, is once again designed to anchor a trailer and has a ball 50 equivalent to the ball 18 of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment, there anchorage means additionally comprise 5 a pivoted U-shaped strap 52 that can fit around the tow bar 22 and locked in position by means of a padlock inserted into the aperture 54. As with the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, this has the effect of preventing the ground anchor device from being unscrewed from the ground but in this case the device is locked relative to the trailer rather than directly relative to the ground.

Claims

1. A ground anchor device which comprises a straight element having a tapered lower end and a helical element arranged concentrically around and radially spaced from the straight element, the helical element having a tapered lower end and being connected at its upper end to the upper end of the straight element.

2. A ground anchor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two elements of the device are formed integrally with one another by bending a single elongate rod.

3. A ground anchor device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the tapered end of the straight element projects downwards beyond the tapered end of the helical element.

4. A ground anchor device as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, having a ball secured to the upper end of the straight and helical elements for attachment of the ball socket of a trailer.

5. A ground anchor device as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, having a ring secured to the upper end of the straight and helical elements to serve as an anchorage means.

6. A ground anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, having a vertical bolt secured to the upper end of the straight and helical elements to serve as an anchorage means.

7. A ground anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, having square socket secured to the upper end of the straight and helical elements to serve as an anchorage means for a fence post.

8. A ground anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, having an aperture L-shaped bracket secured to the upper end of the straight and helical elements to serve as an anchorage means. 5

9. A ground anchor device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a locking member pivotably mounted on the upper end of the straight and helical element and engageable while in a lockable position with the ground or with the anchored article in order to prevent unauthorised unscrewing of the ground anchor device from the ground.