WO2012134263A1

WO2012134263A1 - Earth anchor

Info

Publication number: WO2012134263A1
Application number: PCT/MY2012/000065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wai Ming Ang
Original assignee: Wai Ming Ang
Priority date: 2011-03-25
Filing date: 2012-03-26
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: MY156591A; AU2012233787B2; AU2012233787A8; CN103620121A; WO2012134263A8; CN103620121B; AU2012233787A1

Abstract

An earth anchor (1) use for slope stabilization, anchorage or similar works comprises a body (10), a guider (30) detachably connected to the lower end of said body (10) and a plurality of wings (40, 40a) pivotally hinged and secured to the peripheral of said body (10). The plurality of pivotally hinged wings (40, 40a) extends outwardly from the body (10), when the earth anchor (1) is progressively withdrawn from its settled position in the passageway, providing a large projected area to form a wider frustum cone thus enabling a higher anchorage force. A desired anchorage force can be achieved with a lower depth of soil penetration with the earth anchor (1). The design of the earth anchor (1) enables more than one unit of said earth anchor (1) to be interlocked together to increase in number of extended wings (40, 40a) in order to provide for a more positive and solid frustum cone.

Description

EARTH ANCHOR

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Earth anchor for slope stabilization, anchorage or similar works has been in used for quite a while with said earth anchor usually made of metal and attached to a rod or cable and driven into the ground, usually a slope, up to a prescribed depth from the surface. The earth anchor typically comprises a body and a wing that is pivoted to said body and with said wing able to extend outwardly to an angle when said earth anchor is progressively withdrawn. The extended wing provides for a frustum cone for supporting an applied load for slope stabilization, anchorage or similar works. Most of the existing earth anchors have provision for one pivotal wing only.

The weight of the soil within the frustum cone together with the shear forces at the peripheral of said frustum cone define the force that can be provided by the earth anchor. The size and the shape of the frustum cone are largely depended on the projected area of the extended wing of the earth anchor. Likewise the force that can be supported by the earth anchor is also largely depended on the projected area of the extended wing of the earth anchor. The size and profile of the wing, hence its extended projected area, of an existing earth anchor is limited by it not being too large in size as to affect its handling and its positioning to the desired depth.

An earth anchor that is compact in design and having a plurality of pivotal wings to provide for a large projected area by said wings to provide for large frustum cone is hence desirable. An earth anchor with this design will be able to support a higher applied load for a certain depth or be able to support a desired applied load at a lower depth.

It is the objective of the present invention to forward a design of an earth anchor wherein said earth anchor comprises a plurality of extendable pivotally hinged wings enabling a wider frustum cone to be formed or with said earth anchor having to penetrate to a lower depth for the same anchorage effect.

It is a further objective of the present invention to forward a design of an earth anchor wherein more than one unit of said earth anchor can be interlocked together, forming an integral unit and with the wings on each unit offset angularly, to provide a more positive frustum cone for anchorage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An earth anchor use for slope stabilization, anchorage and similar works of the present invention comprises a body, a guider detachably connected to the lower end of said body and a plurality of wings pivotally hinged and secured to the peripheral of said body by attachment means.

In the preferred embodiment, the body comprises a externally threaded spigot at its lower end, an intermediate body above said spigot, a plurality of radial extensions that extend outwardly from the peripheral of said intermediate body, an upper body locating above said intermediate body and a coupling means towards the top of said slopping upper body for coupling to an end of an extension rod, cable or for coupling another unit of the earth anchor onto it. On each radial extension is a horizontally positioned through hole and in between adjacent said radial extensions are limit stoppers.

The guider comprises an inverted cone locating at the lower end, a main body extending upward from the base of said cone and an internally threaded section extending downwards from the top face of said main body. The threads of the internally threaded section are able to engage cooperatively with the external threads on the spigot and in doing so detachable connects the guider onto the body of the earth anchor.

Each wing comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs towards its lower end with each lug having a horizontal through hole and with the horizontal through holes on said pair of lugs substantially co-axial and a vane extending upwardly from said pair of lugs and with the upper section of said vane ending with a pointed tip. Optionally on the external surface of each vane is a plurality of wedges. In another embodiment of the wing the upper section of the vane ends with a horizontal edge and on the internal surface of said vane is a plurality of steps that staggered towards and meeting said horizontal edge. Each wing is pivotal hinged and attached to the body of the earth anchor.

In the preferred embodiment the earth anchor comprises three wings hinged to similar number of radial extensions present on the body with each said wing attached and hinged to a said radial extension at the pair of spaced apart lugs with the outer section of said radial extension positioned in between said spaced apart lugs and with the horizontal through hole on said radial extension positioned coaxial with the horizontal through holes on said spaced apart lugs. A pin is cooperatively fitted and securely positioned, with a locking means, at the horizontal through holes on the spaced apart lugs and the horizontal through hole on the radial extension to secure the wing to said radial extension.

Towards the top of the body is a segmented flange and an internally threaded cylindrical cavity. The internal threads of the cylindrical cavity are able to engage cooperatively with the external threads at the end of an extension rod. The internal threads of the cylindrical cavity are also able to engage cooperatively with the external threads on the spigot whereby two units of earth anchors are interlocked together in situation where additional anchorage is needed. The segmented flange is for detachable connection to an earth anchor driver.

These and other features, advantages and objectives of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by the following specification, appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the isometric view of the earth anchor with its wings in the extended position.

Fig. 1 A shows the isometric view of the earth anchor with its wings in the closed position.

Fig. IB shows the exploded view of the earth anchor of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows the isometric view of the body of the earth anchor.

Fig. 2A shows the front view of the body of the earth anchor.

Fig. 2B shows the top view of the body of the earth anchor.

Fig. 3 shows the isometric view of a wing of the earth anchor.

Fig. 3 A shows the front view of a wing of the earth anchor.

Fig. 3B shows the side view of the wing of the earth anchor.

Fig. 4 shows the isometric view whereby two units of the earth anchors are interlocked together.

Fig. 4A shows the front view whereby two units of earth anchor interlocked together.

Fig. 4B shows the top view whereby two units of earth anchor interlocked together.

Fig. 5 shows the side view of the second embodiment of the wing of the earth anchor. Fig. 5 A shows the second embodiment of the wing of the earth anchor viewed from direction 'X' of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5B shows the second embodiment of the wing of the earth anchor viewed from direction 'Y' of Fig. 5.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An earth anchor (1) use for slope stabilization, anchorage and similar works, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 1A and Fig. IB, comprises a body (10), a guider (30) detachably connected to the lower end of said body (10) and a plurality of wings (40), pivotally hinged and secured to the peripheral of said body (10) by attachment means.

In the preferred embodiment of the body (10), as shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2B, said body (10) comprises a spigot (1 1) at its lower end, an intermediate body (15) locating above said spigot (11), a plurality of radial extensions (12) that are symmetrically spaced angularly about the vertical axis of said body (10) and extend outwardly from the peripheral of said intermediate body (10) and with each said radial extension (12) having a horizontally positioned through hole (13), limit stoppers (14) in between adjacent said radial extensions (12), an upper body (16) locating above said intermediate body (15), a coupling means towards the top of said upper body (16) for coupling to an end of an extension rod, cable (via an eye bolt or similar) or interlocking onto said body (10) of the existing earth anchor (1) another unit of a similar earth anchor (1) and a coupling means for detachably connecting a earth anchor driver to the earth anchor (1). The spigot (1 1) has a set of external threads that act as part of a means for detachable connection of the guider (30) to the body (10) of the earth anchor (1). Towards the top of the body (10) is a segmented flange (17) and an internally threaded cylindrical cavity (19) having its axis substantially coaxial with the vertical axis of the body (10) as shown in Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2B. The internal threads of the cylindrical cavity (19) interact cooperatively with the external threads at the end of an extension rod, a cable (via a eye bolt or similar) or to interlock cooperatively with the external threads on the spigot (11) whereby two units of earth anchors (1) can be interlocked together) form part of the coupling means to engage, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 4 A, in situation where additional anchorage is needed for a single setup. To interlock two units of earth anchors (1) the guider (30) of the upper positioned earth anchor (1) is not required and is removed to expose the external threads on the spigot (11) for interlocking onto the internal threads of the cylindrical cavity (19) of the lower positioned earth anchor (1). The segmented flange (17) forms the coupling means for detachably connecting an earth anchor driver (not shown) onto the earth anchor (1) with said earth anchor driver use for injecting said earth anchor (1) down the drilled passageway and beyond. The earth anchor driver is subsequently detached from the earth anchor (1) and removed once said earth anchor (1) is satisfactorily positioned and settled in the passageway.

The guider (30) of the earth anchor (1), as shown in Fig. IB, comprises an inverted cone (31) locating at the lower end, a main body (32) extending upward from the base of said cone (31) and a internally threaded section (34) extending downwards from the top face of said main body (32). The threads of the internally threaded section (34) are able to engage cooperatively with the external threads on the spigot (11) and in doing so detachable connects the guider (30) onto the body (10) of the earth anchor (1).

Each wing (40) of the plurality of wings (40) of the earth anchor (1) comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs (41) towards its lower end with each lug (41) having a horizontal through hole (42) and with the horizontal through holes (42) on said pair of lugs (41) being substantially co-axial and a vane (43) extending upwardly from said pair of lugs (41) and with the upper section of said vane (43) ending with a pointed tip (45) as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3B. In the preferred embodiment the lugs (41) and the vane (43) form an integral unit. Optionally on the external surface of each vane (43) is a plurality of wedges (44) as shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B. Each wing (40) is pivotal hinged and attached to the body (10) of the earth anchor (1) at a radial extension (12) of said body (10) as shall be explained later.

In another embodiment of the wing (40a), as shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5B, said wing (40a) comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs (41) towards its lower end with each lug (41) having a horizontal through hole (42) and with the horizontal through holes (42) on said pair of lugs (41) being substantially co-axial and a vane (43a) extending upwardly from said pair of lugs (41) and with the upper section of said vane (43a) ending with a horizontal edge (45a) and with said the lugs (41) and said vane (43a) form an integral unit. Additionally on the internal surface of the vane (43a) is a plurality of steps (46) staggered towards and meeting the horizontal edge (45 a) as shown in Fig. 5 and on the external surface of each said vane (40a) is a plurality of wedges (44). . Each wing (40a) is pivotal hinged and attached to the body (10) of the earth anchor (1) at a radial extension (12) of said body (10) in a manner substantially similar to that of wing (40). In the preferred embodiment of the earth anchor (1), as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 1A and Fig. IB, said earth anchor (1) comprises three wings (40, 40a) that are spaced apart and pivotally hinged to a similar number of radial extensions (12) present on the body (10). Each wing (40, 40a) is attached and pivotally hinged to a radial extension (12) at the pair of spaced apart lugs (41) with the outer section of said radial extension (12) positioned in between said spaced apart lugs (41) and with the horizontal through hole (13) on said radial extension (12) positioned coaxial with the horizontal through holes (42) on said spaced apart lugs (41). A pin (2), with an enlarged head at one end and a groove towards the other end, is cooperatively fitted and positioned at the horizontal through holes (42) on the spaced apart lugs (41) and the horizontal through hole (13) on the radial extension (12) to secure the wing (40, 40a) to said radial extension (12). Upon the pin (2) being suitably fitted and positioned a circlip (3) is slipped onto the groove to lock said pin (2) in its intended position. The limit stoppers (14), that are located between adjacent radial extensions (12) are there to restrict the pivotal hinged plurality of wings (40, 40a) from extending outwardly further then their desired positions. A ratchet like mechanism is present to allow the plurality of wings (40, 40a) to extend outwardly from the body (10) about their hinged positions but prevents said plurality of wings from closing back onto said body (10) subsequently.

In the situation whereby more than one unit of earth anchors (1) are needed and interlocked onto one another the angular positions of said earth anchors (1) are such that, when extended, the plurality of wings (40, 40a) of said earth anchors (1) do not over shadow one another. This is illustrated in Fig. 4, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B whereby two units of earth anchors (1) are interlocked together with the plurality of wings (40, 40a) of one set occupying different angular positions as compared to the plurality of wings (40, 40a) of the other set. With this approach a larger projected area is presented by the combined plurality of wings (40, 40a) of the two interlocked earth anchor (1) resulting in a larger and more positive frustum cone.

To stabilize a slope a series of passageways are drilled to depths as advised by a learned consultant. At each passageway an extension rod or a cable is coupled to the cylindrical cavity (19) and an earth anchor driver is interlocked to the segmented flange (17) of the earth anchor (1). With the plurality of wings (40, 40a) closed up onto the body (10) of the earth anchor (1), said earth anchor (1), the coupled extension rod or cable and the interlocked earth anchor driver are driven down the drilled passageway, guider (30) first, by said earth anchor driver till the end of said drilled passageway is reached. More than one extension rod may be required with the exact number dependent on the depth of the passageway. Upon satisfactory positioning of the earth anchor (1) at the end of the passageway, said earth anchor (1) is pushed down further a short distance and slightly displaced angularly, about the axis of the body (10), through rotation of the earth anchor driver. Next the earth anchor (1) is progressively and gently withdrawn along the passageway resulting in the wedges (44) and the tips (45) of the plurality of wings (40, 40a) anchoring themselves to the respective adjacent soil surfaces. Further withdrawal of the earth anchor driver, with the attached earth anchor (1), along the passageway results in the plurality of wings (40, 40a) extending outwardly about their hinged positions on the body (10) and away from said body (10) of the earth anchor (1). The plurality of wings (40, 40a) are satisfactorily extended when said wings (40, 40a) are restricted from extending outwardly further by the limit stoppers (14) that are located between adjacent radial extensions (12). With the plurality of wings (40, 40a) satisfactorily extended, the coverage by said plurality of wings (40, 40a) is sufficiently and enabling a wide frustum cone to be formed.

It should be noted that for the sake of clarity all the components and parts of the earth anchor (1) may not be shown and marked in the drawings. Additionally the terms as used in this description refer to the items as orientated in the drawings and they may in any various orientations when in use and as such the orientations as illustrated in the drawings are not necessary for operability.

The foregoing description is considered as illustration of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An earth anchor (1) use for slope stabilization, anchorage and related work wherein said earth anchor (1) comprises :- a body (10) that comprises a spigot (11) at its lower end, an intermediate body (15) above said spigot (11), a plurality of radial extensions (12) symmetrically spaced angularly about the vertical axis of said body (10) and extend outwardly from the peripheral of said intermediate body (10), limit stoppers (14) locating in between adjacent said radial extensions (12), an upper body (16) above said intermediate body (15), a coupling means towards the top of said upper body (16) for coupling to an end of an extension rod, cable or for interlocking onto said body (10) another similar unit of said earth anchor (1) and a coupling means for an earth anchor driver to couple onto said earth anchor (1) at the top;- a guider (30) detachably connected to said spigot (11) at the lower end of said body (10);

and

a plurality of wings (40, 40a) pivotally hinged and secured to said plurality of radial extensions (12) of said body (10) by attachment means and with the number of wings (40, 40a) equal to the number of radial extensions (12) and with said limit stoppers (14) to limit the outwardly extension of the wings (40, 40a) about their hinge positions.

2. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein the body (10) further comprises a set of external threads on the spigot (11), a horizontally positioned through hole (13) on each radial extension (12) and a segmented flange (17) and an internally threaded cylindrical cavity (19) having its axis substantially coaxial with the vertical axis of said body (10) towards the top of said body (10) with said segmented flange (17) for detachably connecting an earth anchor driver and said internally threaded cylindrical cavity (19) for cooperatively coupling with the external threads at the end of an extension rod, a cable (via a eye bolt or similar) or to interlock another unit of earth anchor (1) onto the existing one.

An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein the guider (30) comprises an inverted (31) at the lower end, a main body (32) extending upward from the base of said cone (31) and a circular internally threaded section (34) extending downwards from the top face of said main body (32).

4. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 3 wherein the threads of the internally threaded section (34) of the guider (30) are able to engage cooperatively with the external threads on the spigot (1 1) of the body (10) for detachable connection of said guider (30) onto the lower end of said body (10).

5. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein each wing (40) of the plurality of wings (40) comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs (41) towards its lower end with each lug (41) having a horizontal through hole (42) and with the horizontal through holes

(42) on said pair of lugs (41) being substantially co-axial and a vane (43) extending upwardly from said pair of lugs (41) and with the upper section of said vane (43) ending with a pointed tip (45).

6. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 5 wherein on the external surface of each vane

(43) of a wing (40) is a plurality of wedges (44).

7. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 5 wherein the attachment means of a wing (40) to peripheral of the body (10) comprises of having a radial extension (12) positioned in between the spaced apart lugs (41) and with the horizontal through hole (13) on said radial extension (12) positioned coaxial with the horizontal through holes (42) on said spaced apart lugs (41) and with a pin (2) cooperatively fitted and securely positioned at said horizontal through holes (42) of said spaced apart lugs (41) and said horizontal through hole (13) on said radial extension (12) with a circlip (3).

8. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein three wings (40) are present and pivotally hinged to a similar number of radial extensions (12) present on the body (10).

9. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein a ratchet like mechanism is present to allow the plurality of wings (40) to extend outwardly from the body (10) about their hinged positions but prevents said plurality of wings (40) from closing back onto said body (10) subsequently.

10. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein each wing (40a) of the plurality of wings (40a) comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs (41) towards its lower end, with each lug (41) having a horizontal through hole (42) and with the horizontal through holes (42) on said pair of lugs (41) being substantially co-axial and a vane (43a) extending upwardly from said pair of lugs (41) and with the upper section of said vane (43a) ending with a horizontal edge (45a) and for each said vane (43a) on the external surface is a plurality of wedges (44) and on the internal surface is a plurality of steps (46) staggered towards and meeting said horizontal edge (45a).

11. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 10 wherein the attachment means of a wing (40a) to peripheral of the body (10) comprises of having a radial extension (12) positioned in between the spaced apart lugs (41) and with the horizontal through hole (13) on said radial extension (12) positioned coaxial with the horizontal through holes (42) on said spaced apart lugs (41) and with a pin (2) cooperatively fitted and securely positioned at said horizontal through holes (42) of said spaced apart lugs (41) and said horizontal through hole (13) on said radial extension (12) with a circlip (3).

12. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein three wings (40a) are present and pivotally hinged to a similar number of radial extensions (12) present on the body (10).

13. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 wherein a ratchet like mechanism is present to allow the plurality of wings (40a) to extend outwardly from the body (10) about their hinged positions but prevents said plurality of wings (40a) from closing back onto said body (10) subsequently.

14. An earth anchor (1) as in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein one unit of an earth anchors (1) can be interlocked onto another unit of earth anchor (1) by cooperatively coupling the external threads on the spigot (11) of the upper positioned earth anchor (1) to the internally threaded cylindrical cavity (19) of the lower positioned earth anchor (1) with the guider (30) of the upper positioned not in use and removed.