US1960639A - Land anchor - Google Patents

Description

May 29, 1934.

G. KUHN LAND ANCHOR Original Filed March 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 29, 1934. KUHN 1,960,639

LAND ANCHOR original Filed Maron 1'?,l 195o 2 shetsheet 2 Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES LAND ANCHOR George Kuhnf'akoma Park, Md.

Application March 17, 1930, Serial No.'436,575 Renewed October 17, 1933 7 Claims. (Cl. 189-91) The present invention relates to an earth an- Vchor and particularly to such an anchor of the screw type provided with helical blades which, when the anchor has been screwed into iinal position, may be radially projected relative to the shank of the anchor to lock the latter securely in the ground. Inasmuch as according to the present invention a relatively large projection of the blades is possible, these may be made of relatively small size so as to be easily turned in sinking the anchor and yet provide adequate resistance to dislodgrnent of the same.

According to the present invention, the blades may be projected, when the anchor has been sunk to the desired depth, by a further rotation of the shank in the unscrewing direction in the one instance, or by a further rotation in the entering direction in another instance. In the rst instance, a tubular socket wrench may be utilized to prevent the projection of the blades upon reverse rotation of the shank so that if an obstruction is encountered the anchor may be removed and set in a new position. In the second instance, such a tubular wrench must be provided in order to prevent the projection of the blades as the anchor is being sunk. In this latter instance, after the blades have been projected, they may again be retracted upon reverse rotation of the shank so as to enable the anchor to be withdrawn from the ground.

The invention will be particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the lower end of the anchor with the tubular socket Wrench shown in section. l

Figure 2 is a plan View of the lower end of the anchor with the shank in section.

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the blades in projected position. Y

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 or" Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged end View of the socket implement.

Figure 6 is an elevation of a second embodiment of theinvention with the socket implement shown in section.

Figure 7 is a plan View of the second embodiment with the shank shown in cross section.

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 7 with the blades shown in projected position, and

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Referring rst to Figures 1 to 5, reference numeral 10 denotes an elongated rod or shank having at its lower end a radially expanded portion 11 terminating in a point 12. The extremity of portion 11 opposite point 12 forms an annular shoulder 13 whose face is in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the shank.

As shown in Figure 1, the main portion of the shank is cylindrical, but above its enlarged extremity it is squared off or reduced at its opposite sides and projecting from these sides in spaced relation to shoulder 13 are oppositely projecting shoulders 14 and 15, each of substantially the same radial projection as shoulder 13.

These shoulders 14 and 15 are provided with bores parallel to the axis of shank 10 and adapted to receive pivot pins in the form of cap screws 16 and 17, whose lower ends may be screw threaded in registering bores-in shoulder 13.

As shown, in the drawings, two helical blades or wings 18 and 19 are provided, each having integral with its leading end and at its inner edge, a lug 20 or 21 extending a substantial distance around shank 10 and each having a portion in advance or" the leading edge of its associated blade adapted to be engaged between shoulders 14 or 15 and 13 and having a bore adapted to receive a pin 16 or 17. Lug 20 has an extension 22 adapted to lie along rod 10 and lug 21 has a similar extension 23, these extensions dening, in the retracted position of the blades and in conjunction with shoulders 14 and 15, a crown adapted to be received in a socket element 24 xed to the end of a tubular meinber 25. The opposite end of tubular element 25 is squared to receive a wrench as is also the upper extremity of rod 10. The lower portionsof the lugs form a continuation of the cylinder dened by enlargement 1l, and it will be seen that the portion of each lug engaged by the pivot pin is at substantially right angles to its main body portions.A Y

It will be noted that the reduced portion of rod 10 immediately above shoulders 14 and 15 serves to permit the insertion of pivot pins l@ and 17 in their respective bores. As a matter of fact, these pivoting elements need not be in the form or" cap screws but can be in the :form of simple pins which may be dropped in their receiving apertures and seated against the bottom of the bores in expanded portion 11.

It will be obvious that the anchor as described may be screwed in position either by rotation to the right of rod 10 or tube 25. 'Ihe tube will ordinarily be used since otherwise if an obstruction is encountered before the anchor has been fully sunk, it will be impossible to withdraw it by reverse rotation of rod 10, since such rotation causes the projection of the blades and consequent locking of the anchor. When the socket implement is used, however, it is obvious that it will prevent projection of the blades and the anchor may be unscrewed and set in a new position.

It will be understood that when the sunk rod is reversely rotated, the socket member having previously been withdrawn, the frictional engagement of the blades with the earth will restrain them from participation in the rod rotation and they will be cammed into radially projected posi- 4tion and engaged in earth not disturbed during the entering operation. The resistance of the earth to the reverse rotation or the blades is greater than its resistance to their radial projection.

The embodiment according to Figures 6 to 9- is exactly the same as that described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, with the exception that in this instance lugs 28 and 27, kwhich have up- Ward squared extensions 26 and 2'7 f ,are xed to the trailing ends of blades 28 and 29, and their pivoting portions are disposed to the rear of the trailing ends. According to each of the embodiments, the blades extend somewhat more than half way about the shank, which means that the inner edges of the blades'at their free ends must be cut away to permit their free pivotal movement. This being the case, the inner edges of the leading ends of the blades, according to Figures 6 to 9, are somewhat spaced from enlargement ll, thus forming crevices likely to catch .roots or the like and prevent rotation of the anchor. I accordingly form lugs 3G andBl on enlargement 11 as shown in Figures l and 9, these being so formed as to ll in the spaces which would otherwise exist so that the blades present a substantially continuous entering edge up to the enlargement.

According to this second embodiment, upon rotation of rod 10 in the entering direction, the same camming action is exerted on the blade as is exerted upon reverse rotation in the first embodiment, and consequently in sinking this type of anchor, it is essential that the socket irnplement be engaged Yaround extensions 25" and 2 to hold them against the shank. When the anchor has been sunk to the desired extent, the implement is withdrawn and upon rotating shank l0, still in the entering direction, the blades are expanded due to the resistance oi the earth to their rotation. It it is desired to remove the anchor, shank 10 is turned in the unsorewing direction, whereupon the blades are nrst retracted to the position of Figures 6 and l and then :nove upwardly out ,of the ground. This form of anchor is particularly useful in temporary installations.

It will be understood that l do not limit myself to the precise mechanical details shown and described, since many modiications are possible without departing from the invention as deiined in the following claims.

' I claim: f

l. In a deviceof the class described, an elongatederod having a pointed lower end, a downwardly unobstructed helical blade extending part way around the rod adjacent the lower end of the latter, and pivoting means mounted on the rod and engaging the blade, the axis of said pivoting means being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, the blade being outwardly raially movable relative to the rod about said pivoting means.

2. In a device of the class described, an elongated rod having a radially expanded terminally pointed portion at one end thereof provided with a bore substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis oi thev bar, said portion being tapered from its extreme outer periphery to its point, a helical blade extending part way around the rod adjacent said expanded portion, and a pivot pin mounted in-saidbore and in engagement with said blade, the, blade being outwardly radially movable relative to vthe rod about said pin.

3. Ina device of the class described, an elongated rod having a radially expanded terminally pointed portion at one-end tl'lereof-provided with a vborev substantially parallel tothe longitudinal oi the rod, saidportion beingtapered from its extreme outer-periphery toit's point, a shoulder on said rod spaced from said expanded portion'and having a bore in alignment with-said first-mentioned bore, a helical blade partially surrounding the rod adjacentsaid expanded portion, a lug ori-said -blade'engaged'betweenv said expanded portion and said shoulder and provided with a bore aligned with those above mentioned, and a pin engaged in said bores, the blade being outwardly radially movable relativeto the rod about said pin.` 'f f f 4. In a device or" the class described, a lower end portion tapered to a point at its lower extremity, a pair oi pins vsecuredto the upper end of said portion within the peripheral-outline of said upper end and in parallel relation to the axis of said portion, and helical blades respectively pivoted adjacentl their leading ends on said pins andradially projectable relative to the rod upon reverse rotation of the latter. Y

5. n a device ci the class described, a lower end portion tapered to a point at its lower extrennty, a pair or' pins secured to the upper end kof said portion within the peripheral outline of said upper end and in parallel relation to the axis of said portion, and helical blades respectively pivoted adjacent their-trailing ends on said pins vand radially projectable relative to the rod upon rotary movement of the latter in the entering direction.

6. ln a device of the class described, a lower end portion tapered to a point at its lower extremity, a pair of pins secured to the upper end Vof said portion within the peripheral outline of said upper end and in parallel relation to the ci said portion, lugs mounted on said pins and adapted to lie substantially within the peripheral outline of said upper end, and helical blades having their respective inner edges fixed to said lugs adjacent their leading ends, the blades being projectable upon. reverse rotation of said lower'end portion, the lugspprojecting upwardly to denne a polygonal crown adapted to be engaged in a socket wrench. v

7. ln a device of the class described, a lower end portion tapered to a point at its lower extremity, a pair of pins secured to the upper end or" said portion within the peripheral loutline of said upper end and in parallel relationto the axis of said portion, lugs mounted on said pins: and adapted to lie substantially within the peripheral outline of said upper end, and helical blades having their respective inner edges xed to said lugs adjacent their trailing ends,the blades being radially projectable upon rotaryll" movement of said lower end portion in the entering direction, the lugs being upwardly extended to denne a polygonal crown adapted to be engaged in a socket wrench.

GEORGE KUHN. M5

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