WO1996007805A1

WO1996007805A1 - Anchorage

Info

Publication number: WO1996007805A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/002096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Carver Finch
Original assignee: Douglas Carver Finch
Priority date: 1994-09-06
Filing date: 1995-09-05
Publication date: 1996-03-14
Also published as: AU3395795A; GB9417925D0

Abstract

A tent peg (2) comprises an elongate straight shank (4) having a pointed end (6) and screw-threaded region (8) adjacent the end (6). End region (10) of the peg (2) is formed into a hook-shape and is arranged such that, in end view, opposing walls converge towards one another slightly. The end region (10) corresponds in shape to that of opening (30) in an adaptor (24) so that adaptor (24) can only be engaged with the end region (10) of the peg (2) in one orientation and, therefore, the adaptor (24) and peg (2) cannot be incorrectly engaged. The adaptor (24) includes a body which is arranged to be secured in a chuck of a drill which can then be used to insert the peg (2) into the ground. The arrangement of the adaptor (24) and peg (2) ensures that the respective axes of rotation are orientated correctly so that the effectiveness of the adaptor (24) in screwing the peg (2) into the ground is optimised. Other tent pegs and adaptors which function in a similar manner are also described.

Description

ANCHORAGE

This invention relates to anchorage and particularly, although not exclusively, provides an anchoring device for insertion into the ground, an anchoring device engagement means, a method relating to the use of the device and a kit.

U.K. Patent Publication No. GB 2 256 883 (Finch) describes a number of anchoring devices and respective adapters for engagement with the anchoring devices for aiding screwing of the anchoring devices into the ground.

Problems can be envisaged with at least some of the anchoring devices and adapters described, in that it is possible to incorrectly engage an adapter and anchoring device, with the consequence that the adapter and anchoring device may become jammed together and/or that the respective axes of rotation of the adapter and anchoring device are so disorientated that it is difficult to effect satisfactory rotation of the anchoring device for screwing it into the ground.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with anchoring devices and/or adapters therefor.

According to the invention, there is provided an anchoring device comprising a shaft arranged to be inserted into the ground and a securement means to which a securement part of a tent or the like may be attached, the device including a lateral part which extends laterally to the elongate axis of the shaft for cooperation with an anchoring device engagement means, said lateral part including opposing walls which when viewed in the direction of said elongate axis converge towards one another in a region along their extent.

By providing the anchoring device with a lateral part as described, the anchoring device and the anchoring device engagement means may be optimally engaged with one another in order to screw the anchoring device into the ground.

Said opposing walls preferably extend parallel to one another along part of their extent.

Preferably, said device includes co-operation means for co-operation with the anchoring device engagement means, said co-operation means including a first part arranged to engage a first part of the anchoring device engagement means and a second part arranged to engage a second part of the anchoring device engagement means, wherein the first and second parts of the cooperation means have different cross-sections.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second parts of the cooperation means are different. Preferably, the area of the cross-sections of the first and second parts of the cooperation means are different.

Preferably, one of either said first or second parts includes a substantially planar area.

Preferably, the securement means of the anchoring device defines a hook. A free end region adjacent the free end of the hook preferably has a different cross- section compared to an inner region of the hook which is disposed inwardly of the free end region. The free end region preferably has a cross-sectional shape which is different from that of the inner region. The free end region preferably has a cross-sectional area which is different from that of the inner region. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the free end region is less than the cross-sectional area of the inner region.

The free end region may comprise substantially the whole extent of the part of the securement means which extends laterally to the elongate axis of the shaft or may comprise only a distal part of the part of the securement means which extends laterally to the elongate axis.

Preferably the free end region includes a substantially planar region. Preferably, the free end region includes two spaced apart, preferably diametrically spaced apart, substantially planar regions.

In one embodiment, wherein the securement means of the anchoring device does not define a hook, the part of the securement means which extends laterally preferably extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongate axis of the screw threaded shaft. In this event, an outermost part of the laterally extending part preferably includes said first and second parts of the cooperation means. Preferably, the first and second parts of the cooperation means are symmetrically arranged relative to the elongate axis of the screw-threaded shaft of the device.

Said shaft is preferably screw-threaded.

The invention extends to an anchoring device engagement means having a head which is arranged to cooperate with the cooperation means of the anchoring device. The head of said anchoring device engagement means preferably includes an opening which leads into a hollow region of the device. Said opening preferably includes opposing walls which converge towards one another in a region along their extent. Said opening preferably includes first and second parts which correspond in shape to the first and second parts of the cooperation means.

Said anchoring device engagement means is suitably arranged to engage the anchoring device such that said anchoring device is a close fit in the hollow region such that there is substantially no relative rotational movement between the anchoring device and the engagement means when engaged with one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the anchoring device engagement means is arranged so that, in order for it to correctly engage the anchoring device, it must be orientated in a single predetermined angular position relevant to the anchoring device. The anchoring device and/or anchoring device engagement means are preferably arranged so that the head of the anchoring device cannot be extended into the hollow region unless the anchoring device and engagement means are arranged in a single predetermined relative annular position.

The anchoring device engagement means preferably includes an axial shank arranged to be engaged with a rotator, for example an electric or manual drill.

The invention extends to a method for maintaining a tent or the like, at least in part, in an erect state, the method using an anchoring device and an anchoring device engagement means of the invention and comprising the steps of engaging the anchoring device engagement means with the anchoring device and screwing the anchoring device into the ground, securing a securement part of the tent or the like directly or indirectly to the securement means and using said part to maintain, at least in part, said tent or the like, in an erect state.

The invention extends to a kit comprising one or a plurality of anchoring devices of the invention and an anchoring device engagement means.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tent peg;

Figure 2 is a cross-section along line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is the view of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a cross-section through an adapter arranged to cooperate with the tent peg;

Figure 5 is an end view of the left hand end of the adapter shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end view of the right hand end of the adapter shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a cross-section through an alternative adapter; Figure 8 is an end view of the right hand end of the adapter shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of an alternative tent peg;

Figure 10 is a cross-section along line X-X of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is the view of Figure 10 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of an alternative tent peg;

Figure 13 is a cross-section along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is the view of Figure 13 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 15 is a side elevation of an alternative tent peg; and

Figure 16 is an end elevation from the left hand end of the tent peg of Figure 15.

In the figures, the same or similar parts are annotated with the same reference numerals.

The tent peg 2 , shown in Figures 1 to 3, comprises an elongate straight shank 4 having a pointed end 6 and a screw-threaded region 8 adjacent the end 6. End region 10 of the peg is formed into a hook shape. The peg 2 is of constant circular cross-section between a position 12 and a position 14 just prior to the screw-threaded region 8. However, the cross-sectional shape between position 12 and free end 16 of the peg is different from that between positions 12 and 14. More particularly, the peg includes diametrically spaced apart flattened areas 18, 20 which extend between position 12 and the free end 16. The cross-section of the peg between position 12 and the free end 16 is constant.

The adapter 24 shown in Figures 4 to 6 includes an adapter body 26 having a projecting drive hexagon 28 at one end. The drive hexagon 28 is arranged to be engaged in the chuck of a hand or electric drill.

The adapter 24 includes an opening 30 which leads into a recess 32 having a shape which corresponds to the shape of the end region 10 of the peg 2. Thus, the angle between walls 34, 36 is the same as the angle defined by the hook-shaped end region 10 of the peg. Additionally, the opening 30 is key-hole shaped and includes a part- circular portion 38 arranged to receive part of the shank 4 of the peg 2 and planar opposing sides 40, 42 between which the flattened areas 18, 20 of the peg 2 can pass.

Thus, it should be appreciated that adapter 24 can only be engaged with the end region 10 of the peg in one orientation and, therefore, the adapter and peg cannot be incorrectly engaged. Furthermore, the arrangement of the adapter 24 and peg 2 ensures that the respective axes of rotation are orientated correctly so that the effectiveness of the adapter in screwing the peg into the ground is optimised. Referring next to Figures 7 and 8, the adapter 40 shown therein differs from adapter 24 only in that adapter 40 includes a drive hexagon 42 of greater cross-sectional area.

The peg 46 shown in Figures 9 to 11, is similar to peg 2 described above. Peg 46 is, however, of constant circular cross-section between a position 48 and position 14 just prior to the screw threaded region 8. The cross- sectional shape between position 48 and the free end 16 is different from that between positions 48 and 14 in that the peg includes diametrically spaced apart flattened areas 50, 52 between position 48 and the free end 16.

An adapter (not shown) which may be similar to the adapters 24, 40 of Figures 4 to 8 includes an opening and recess arranged to receive end region 10 of the peg 46 and is thereby adapted so that the adapter and peg can only be engaged in one orientation as described above.

The peg 54, shown in Figures 12 to 14, is similar to the pegs described above. However, peg 54 is of constant circular cross-section between a position 56 and position 14 just prior to the screw threaded region 8. The cross- section between position 56 and the free end 16 includes diametrically spaced apart portions 58, 60 which taper inwardly on moving towards the free end 16. Thus, it should be noted that the cross-section of peg 54 between position 56 and the free end 16 is not constant.

The peg 54 is arranged to cooperate with an adapter (not shown) as in the other embodiments.

The peg 70, shown in Figures 15 and 16 includes a shank 4 having a pointed end and a screw-threaded region 8. An eye arrangement 72 is secured to the shank 4. The eye arrangement includes an opening 74 which may cooperate with a guy rope or a strap arrangement to hold a tent in an erect state. A distal end 76 of the eye arrangement 72, includes two spaced apart, axially positioned trapezium-shaped slots 78, 80.

The distal end 76 is arranged to be engaged by an adapter (not shown) . The adapter includes projections which are arranged to snugly engage with slots 78, 80.

The pegs 2, 50 and 54 may be simply and cheaply manufactured from steel bar by removing material from the bar as appropriate to form the end regions 10. The peg 70 may be manufactured by securing a suitably formed eye arrangement 72 to shank 4.

In use, a selected adapter is secured within the chuck of a drill. The pointed end 6 of the appropriate peg is then placed against the ground, and the adapter engaged with the end region 10 of the peg. The drill is then used to screw the peg into the ground.

Once the peg is secured in the ground, it may be used to secure, for example, a guy rope of a tent in position.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this speci ication (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. An anchoring device comprising a shaft arranged to be inserted into the ground and a securement means to which a securement part of a tent or the like may be attached, the device including a lateral part which extends laterally to the elongate axis of the shaft for co¬ operation with an anchoring device engagement means, said lateral part including opposing walls which when viewed in the direction of said elongate axis converge towards one another in a region along their extent.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said opposing walls extend parallel to one another along part of their extent.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said device includes co-operation means for co-operation with the anchoring device engagement means, said co- operation means including a first part arranged to engage a first part of the anchoring device engagement means and a second part arranged to engage a second part of the anchoring device engagement means, wherein the first and second parts of the co-operation means have different cross-sections.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the cross- sectional shapes of the first and second parts of the co¬ operation means are different.

5. A device according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein one of either said first or second parts includes a substantially planar area.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securement means defines a hook wherein a free end region adjacent the free end of the hook has a different cross-section compared to an inner region of the hook which is disposed inwardly of the free end region.

7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein the free end region comprises substantially the whole extent of the part of the securement means which extends laterally to the elongate axis of the shaft.

8. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the lateral part of the securement means extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongate axis of the shaft.

9. An anchoring device engagement means having a head for co-operation with an anchoring device as described in any of Claims 1 to 8, said head including an opening which leads into a hollow region of the engagement means, wherein said opening is defined by opposing walls which converge towards one another in a region along their extent.

10. A method for maintaining a tent or the like, at least in part, in an erect state, the method using an anchoring device according to any of Claims 1 to 8 and an anchoring device engagement means according to Claim 9, the method comprising the steps of engaging the anchoring device engagement means with the anchoring device and screwing the anchoring device into the ground, securing a securement part of the tent or the like directly or indirectly to the securement means and using said part to maintain, at least in part, said tent or the like in an erect state.

11. A kit comprising one or a plurality of anchoring devices according to any of Claims 1 to 8 and an anchoring device engagement means according to Claim 9.