Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With piercing or expanding earth anchor – Pivot means connecting separate fluke or hook
Patent
1991-08-15
1993-10-26
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
With piercing or expanding earth anchor
Pivot means connecting separate fluke or hook
52154, 52160, 52163, 52164, E02D 574
Patent
active
052554805
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a ground anchoring system of the type in which an object is anchored to the ground by a ground anchor secured at one end of a flexible anchor line, the other end of the line being secured to the object, and the anchor being forcibly driven into the ground by a driving tool. The system can be used underwater, for example when anchoring mats of synthetic fronds to a river or sea bed.
It is important in such a system that the anchor should resist extraction once it has been driven into the ground. For example, where the anchor is in the form of a flat plate which cuts a channel while driving into the ground, some means for skewing the plate across the channel is generally required or the plate will be simply pulled back up the channel when the anchor line is tensioned.
Invariably, however, this has required the addition of fixed or moving parts, such as flaps, barbs or flukes, which project from the plate and engage the sides of the channel. Such projections necessarily complicate the structure of the anchor and offer undesirable resistance to the passage of the anchor when driving it into the ground.
The plate also requires some form of socket or locating pin for receiving the driving tool, and this further increases the number of external projections. Correct operation of such plates is often hampered by soil collecting in the hinges associated with the moving parts.
It would therefore be an advantage to provide a ground anchor without any external projections or moving parts, but which is still capable of resisting extraction once it has been driven into the ground.
According to the present invention, there is provided a generally flat anchor plate device folded into a U or V-shape against a resilient bias, means for releasably retaining the anchor plate device in its folded state while driving the plate device into the ground, and means for releasing the retaining means so that the plate device springs open to resist subsequent extraction.
The folded anchor plate device is preferably secured to one end of a flexible anchoring line. In one embodiment, the line incorporates a ground-engaging stop member spaced from the anchor plate device such that, when the anchor reaches a depth which brings the stop member into engagement with the ground, further downward movement of the anchor extends the anchor line and trips the release mechanism.
In one alternative embodiment, the release mechanism is actuated by an independent release line which extends upwardly from the anchor alongside the anchor line.
The anchor line is preferably in the form of a web, strap or tape, which is secured independently to each of the opposed inside faces of the folded U or V-shaped anchor plate.
A driving tool for driving the anchor downwardly into the ground is preferably inserted between the two opposing inside faces of the folded U or V-shaped anchor device and extends upwardly alongside the anchor line. The anchor therefore has a clean, smooth external profile with no projections, hinges or other devices impeding the downward movement of the anchor into the ground. The use of a folded plate also doubles the effective area of the anchor when the plate is sprung open.
The driving tool preferably comprises an elongate shaft attached, for example, to a pneumatic hammer, and terminating in a device having a plurality of driving surfaces for engaging respective portions of the folded anchor device.
The generally flat anchor plate device preferably comprises a single continuous sheet or plate, and the resilient biasing force is preferably provided by a flat plate spring. In one embodiment the anchor sheet or plate itself forms the spring. Alternatively, an independent flat plate spring is secured to the anchor sheet or plate and symmetrically disposed about the fold line. Other forms of spring, such as a leaf spring, can also be used.
The generally flat anchor plate device might alternatively comprise two plates hinged to one another or independently connected to respective inside or outside faces of a flat plat
REFERENCES:
patent: 2243886 (1941-06-01), Scott
patent: 2366997 (1944-04-01), Brand
patent: 2633947 (1953-04-01), Schiff
patent: 3012644 (1961-12-01), Bush
patent: 3282002 (1966-11-01), Jefferson et al.
patent: 3772838 (1973-11-01), Virnig
patent: 3774361 (1973-11-01), Tanner
patent: 4015433 (1977-04-01), Shibata
Friedman Carl D.
Hydracor International, Inc.
Wood Wynn E.
LandOfFree
Ground anchoring system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ground anchoring system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ground anchoring system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-950652