U.S. patent application number 10/700534 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for ground cover anchor.
Invention is credited to Clouston, Alan R..
Application Number | 20050091746 10/700534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34551232 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050091746 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clouston, Alan R. |
May 5, 2005 |
GROUND COVER ANCHOR
Abstract
A ground cover anchor for securing a ground cover such as a
beach towel or a blanket in sand or other types of ground. The
ground cover anchor comprises a shaft, with one end for inserting
into the ground, and the other end comprising a clamp for securing
the ground cover to the anchor. The end for inserting into the
ground my comprise barbs, an inverted cone, or a spiral to increase
the hold in the ground. The clamp may comprise two lengths held
together by a nut, elastic properties, or other means to secure the
ground cover.
Inventors: |
Clouston, Alan R.;
(Edmonton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON LAMBERT
SUITE 703D, CRYSTAL PARK TWO
2121 CRYSTAL DRIVE
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Family ID: |
34551232 |
Appl. No.: |
10/700534 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/417 ;
135/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/417 ;
135/118 |
International
Class: |
E04H 015/62; A47G
009/06 |
Claims
1-31. (canceled)
32. A ground cover anchor for anchoring a ground cover, comprising:
a shaft having threads at one end and a point at the other end for
inserting into the ground; a nut threaded onto the shaft; a bottom
length extending perpendicularly from the shaft and fixed to the
shaft below the threads; a top length extending perpendicularly
from the shaft and movable between the nut and the bottom length;
and the bottom and top lengths each having an end for receiving a
ground cover, the ground cover being secured when the ends come
together by moving the nut down the shaft.
33. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the shaft
comprises a smooth surface between the point and the bottom length,
the surface being suitable for printing on.
34. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the point of the
shaft comprises barbs.
35. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the point of the
shaft comprises an inverted cone.
36. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the point of the
shaft comprises a spiral, the spiral being suitable for screwing
into the ground.
37. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the ground cover
is a towel.
38. The ground cover anchor of claim 37 in which the anchor is
inserted into sand.
39. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the ground cover
is a picnic blanket.
40. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the ends of the
lengths comprise teeth.
41. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the ends of the
lengths each have a series of ridges, the series of ridges on one
length being staggered in relation to the series of ridges on the
other length.
42. The ground cover of claim 32 in which one of the top and bottom
lengths further comprises a protrusion and the other of the top and
bottom lengths further comprises a hole for receiving the
protrusion such that when the hole receives the protrusion, the
lengths are oriented along each other.
43. The ground cover of claim 32 in which the nut is a wingnut.
44. The ground cover of claim 32 in which the nut is a knurled
thumb nut.
45. The ground cover of claim 32 in which a stop is attached above
the threads at one end of the shaft such that the nut cannot be
removed from the shaft.
46. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the ground cover
anchor is plastic.
47. The ground cover anchor of claim 32 in which the ground cover
anchor is brightly coloured so as to be easily located.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In recreational settings, ground covers, such as beach
towels or picnic blankets, are used for cleanliness and comfort.
However, wind may cause these ground covers to move. Users are
required to anchor their beach towels or blankets with heavy
objects. This invention is intended to provide a means of anchoring
a ground cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is therefore provided, according to an aspect of the
invention, a ground cover anchor for anchoring a ground cover, the
ground cover anchor comprising a shaft, the shaft having one end
for inserting into the ground; a clamp on the other end of the
shaft for securing the ground cover; and means for staying the
clamp on the ground cover. The shaft may comprise barbs at the end
for inserting into the ground, an inverted cone at the end for
inserting into the ground, or a spiral, the spiral being suitable
for screwing into the ground. The shaft may comprise a smooth
surface between the barbs and the clamp, the surface being suitable
for printing on. The ground cover may be a towel or a blanket. The
anchor may be inserted into sand.
[0003] According to a further aspect of the invention, the clamp
comprises an upper length and a lower length, the upper length and
lower length oriented perpendicular to the shaft, the upper and
lower lengths being attached to the shaft at one end, and the other
ends being disposed to receive the ground cover such that the
ground cover is secured. The ground cover may be secured by teeth
on the inside of each length, or by a series of ridges on the
inside one length and a series of ridges on the inside of the other
length staggered in relation to the ridges on the inside of one
length. The means for staying the clamp may comprise the bottom
length being attached immovably to the shaft, the top length being
free to move along the shaft between the bottom length and a nut,
which may be a wingnut, the shaft comprising threads above the
bottom length, and the nut holding the top length and the bottom
length together when moved down the shaft. The means for staying
the clamp may comprise a protrusion from one length and a hole
corresponding to the size and position of the protrusion such that
when the hole receives the protrusion, the lengths are oriented
along each other. A stop is attached to the top of the shaft such
that the nut cannot be removed from the shaft. The lengths may be
attached to the shaft and are held together by elastic means such
that the lengths can be separated, the ground cover inserted, and
the lengths will secure the ground cover when released.
[0004] According to a further aspect of the invention, the ground
cover anchor may be plastic. The ground cover anchor may be
brightly colored so as to be easily located.
[0005] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of
anchoring a ground cover using the ground cover anchor of the
invention.
[0006] These and other aspect of the invention will become apparent
from the description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] There will now be given a description of the drawings, by
way of illustration only and not with the intent of limiting the
invention, where like reference characters denote like elements,
and where:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a ground cover anchor according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an anchoring means;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts another anchoring means;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a means of securing a ground cover;
[0012] FIG. 5a depicts a top length of a clamp;
[0013] FIG. 5b depicts a bottom length of a clamp; and
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts the ground cover anchor inserted into the
ground and securing a ground cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a ground cover
anchor or peg 100, which may be used for anchoring a beach towel,
picnic blanket, mat, or other ground cover. The ground cover anchor
100 is comprised of a shaft 102, the shaft having one end 104 for
inserting into the ground and a clamp 106 on the other end 105 for
attaching to the ground cover. The anchor 100 also comprises means
for staying the clamp on the ground cover 108. To provide more
stability to the anchor, especially if used in sand for a beach
towel or mat, the anchor may also comprise barbs 110. FIG. 2
depicts the end 104 for inserting in the ground comprising an
inverted cone 202 such that, when the end 104 is inserted into
sand, the cone 202 fills with sand, and provides more resistance to
being removed. Another option is a spiral 302 down the length of
the shaft 102 as shown in FIG. 3. The advantage of employing barbs
110 or an inverted cone 202 is that the shaft 102 can be made
smooth and suitable for printed advertising, such as a store
logo.
[0016] Referring again to FIG. 1, the clamp 106 will now be
discussed in more detail. Two lengths, an upper length 118 and a
lower length 116, are oriented perpendicular to the shaft 102, with
one end 112 and 113 of each length attached to the shaft 102, such
that the ground cover can be received between the other ends 114
and 115, and secured. This may be accomplished by having the lower
length 116 fixed to the shaft 102, while the upper length 118 is
free to move along the shaft 102. Above the upper length 108 is a
nut 120, such as a wingnut that can be finger-tightened and
loosened, that engages threads 122 along the shaft 102. There may
also be a stop 122 attached to the top of the shaft 102 to prevent
the nut 120 from being removed. There may also be a hole 124 and a
protrusion 126 on the lengths. By ensuring that the hole 124
receives the protrusion 126 when the nut 120 is tightened, the
lengths 116 and 118 will be properly oriented along each other. As
the nut 120 is tightened, the lengths 116 and 118 are held close
together, and the ground cover that is between the lengths will be
secured. Different ways of improving the hold exist, such as the
teeth 130 that are shown along the insides 128 and 129 of the
lengths 116 and 118, respectively. Another option may involve
ridges 502 and 504 that are staggered along the insides 128 and 129
of lengths 116 and 118, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. In these
figures, the lengths 118 and 116 are shown removed from the shaft
102, although the hole 502 for receiving the shaft 102 is depicted.
These options are not meant as an exhaustive list, as there are
other methods in the art of increasing the hold on object.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 4, another method of securing the ground
cover is shown using elastic clamping means. Upper and lower
lengths 118 and 116 are attached to the shaft 102 and held together
by elastic properties of the lengths themselves or by spring
loading by suitable springs (not shown). These lengths are shown
slightly separated, which would be done by an external force (not
shown), such that the ground cover may be inserted, and when the
lengths 116, 118 are released, the lengths 116 and 118 will secure
the ground cover.
[0018] The ground cover anchor 100 may be constructed of plastic by
using a mold. If this method of construction is used, the lower
length 116 in FIG. 1 may be formed directly onto the shaft. It is
preferable to have the ground cover anchor brightly colored so as
to be easily located.
[0019] The use of the ground cover anchor 100 will now be discussed
with reference to FIG. 6. The one end of the shaft 104 for
inserting into the ground, which may comprise barbs 110, an
inverted cone 202, a spiral 302 along the shaft, or other securing
means, is inserted into the ground 602. If a spiral 302 is used,
the end 104 of the shaft 102 must be screwed into the ground 602.
The clamp 106 at the other end of the shaft 105 is used to secure
the ground cover 604. This method is convenient for securing, for
example, beach towels on sand or picnic blankets to dirt or grass.
This may repeated for each corner of the ground cover, as required.
The clamp 106 secures the ground cover 604 by holding it between
two lengths 116 and 118 oriented perpendicular to the shaft 102,
the lengths being attached to the shaft at one end 112 and 113, and
the other ends 128 and 129 being disposed to receive and secure the
ground cover. The lengths 116 and 118 may comprise teeth 180,
staggered ridges 502 and 504 along the inside 128 and 129 of each
length 116 and 118, or other strategies to increase the hold on the
ground cover 604. The lengths 116 and 118 may be held together by a
nut 120, such as a wingnut, or by elastic properties of the
lengths, where the lengths are opened, the ground cover inserted
between them, and the lengths are released to apply pressure to the
ground cover.
[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the clamp may be made with the
lower part of the clamp movable, and the upper part fixed. However,
this embodiment makes it harder to fix a mat or towel when the peg
is placed in the ground. In variations of this embodiment, the
lower length may slide on the shaft, or may pivot with an arm
extending at right angles from the lower length that pivots with
the lower length from a position away from the shaft (jaw open) to
a position in which the arm is against the shaft (jaw closed). In a
still further embodiment, the clamp may be formed of telescoping
members, an upper member having a shaft that extends down into a
bore in the shaft of the peg and the peg constituting a lower
member. Various methods may be used to secure the telescoping
members such as a screw or twist and lock mechanism. In this
example, the upper length may be an arm extending perpendicularly
from the shaft or may be a disc that sits atop the shaft. In the
example where the upper length is a disc, the lower length of the
clamp may also be a disc. The use of clamping discs allows a mat or
towel to be connected on all sides of the peg.
[0021] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments
described here without departing from the invention. The word
"comprising" used in the claims is used in its exclusive sense and
does not preclude other elements being present. The indefinite
article "a" used in the claims before an element means that at
least one and possibly more than one instance of the element is
present.
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