U.S. patent application number 12/947878 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for ground anchor for artificial surface and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to KWIK GOAL LTD.. Invention is credited to Anthony Caruso.
Application Number | 20120117912 12/947878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46046543 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120117912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caruso; Anthony |
May 17, 2012 |
Ground Anchor for Artificial Surface and Method
Abstract
An assembly of a ground anchor embedded within an artificial
surface playing field is disclosed. The field has an artificial
surface layer extending in a taut, level and smooth manner over an
uppermost subsurface layer. A ground anchor body is embedded in the
uppermost subsurface layer such that an upper wall of the ground
anchor body engages an underside of the artificial surface layer.
The upper wall of the ground anchor is fastened to the underside of
the artificial surface layer with mechanical fasteners, an
adhesive, or the like. An anchor member is connected to the ground
anchor body and is extendable to a position in which the anchor
member extends from the ground anchor body through a slit in the
artificial surface layer to a position above the artificial surface
layer so that it can be connected to an object to be anchored to
the artificial surface layer.
Inventors: |
Caruso; Anthony; (Center
Valley, PA) |
Assignee: |
KWIK GOAL LTD.
Quakertown
PA
|
Family ID: |
46046543 |
Appl. No.: |
12/947878 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 ;
52/745.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/023 20130101;
A63B 2071/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/698 ;
52/745.21 |
International
Class: |
E02D 5/80 20060101
E02D005/80; E04B 1/38 20060101 E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. An assembly of an artificial surface playing field with embedded
ground anchor, comprising: an artificial surface layer of a field
extending in a taut, level and smooth manner over an uppermost
subsurface layer of the field; a ground anchor body embedded in
said uppermost subsurface layer such that an upper wall of said
ground anchor body engages an underside of said artificial surface
layer; means for positively securing said upper wall of said ground
anchor to said underside of said artificial surface layer; and an
anchor member connected to said ground anchor body and extendable
to a position in which said anchor member extends from said ground
anchor body through a slit in said artificial surface layer to a
position above said artificial surface layer for being connected to
an object to anchor the object to said artificial surface
layer.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein a depth of penetration
of said ground anchor body into said uppermost subsurface layer is
less than 1 inch.
3. An assembly according claim 1, wherein said anchor member is a
flexible cord or chain, wherein one end of said flexible cord or
chain is secured to said ground anchor body and wherein an opposite
free end of said flexible cord or chain is movable to said position
above said artificial surface layer and is removably connectable to
the object to be anchored to said artificial surface layer.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ground anchor
body is a substantially flat, elongate, shallow body and said upper
wall of said ground anchor body has a substantially flat upper
surface that extends flush and level with an upper surface of said
upper most subsurface layer.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said upper wall is
elongate having a length and a width, with said length being
greater than said width.
6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said anchor member has
a fixed end secured to said ground anchor body and a free end
extendable to said position above said artificial surface layer and
to a stowed position below said upper wall, and wherein said upper
wall has an opening formed therein permitting passage of said free
end of said anchor member therethrough.
7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said slit in said
artificial surface layer is located adjacent said opening of said
upper wall, and wherein said slit extends perpendicular to said
length of said elongate upper wall and is of a length less than
said length of said elongate upper wall.
8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ground anchor
body defines a hollow compartment for housing said anchor member in
a position completely below said artificial surface layer when said
anchor member is not in use.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein said upper wall of
said ground anchor body extends laterally beyond said hollow
compartment.
10. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a sports
goal, wherein said anchor member extending to said position above
said artificial surface layer is connected to said sports goal for
anchoring said sports goal in a desired position on said artificial
surface layer.
11. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for
positively securing said upper wall of said ground anchor to said
underside of said artificial surface layer is an adhesive or a
mechanical fastener.
12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said artificial
surface layer is a layer of artificial turf.
13. A ground anchor, comprising: a substantially flat and shallow
ground anchor body having a laterally- extending upper wall; and an
anchor member connected to said ground anchor body and moveable
between a stowed position and an anchoring position, in said stowed
position said anchor member being located entirely below said upper
wall and in said anchoring position a free end part of said anchor
member being extendable to a position above said upper wall for
being removably connectable to an object to be anchored.
14. A ground anchor according to claim 13, further comprising
mechanical fasteners for fastening said upper wall of said ground
anchor body to an overlying layer of artificial turf.
15. A ground anchor according to claim 14, wherein said shallow
ground anchor body being less than one inch in thickness thereby
requiring a depth of penetration into the subsurface of the ground
of less than 1 inch.
16. A ground anchor according claim 15, wherein said anchor member
is a flexible cord or chain, wherein one end of said flexible cord
or chain is secured to said ground anchor body and wherein an
opposite free end of said flexible cord or chain has a connection
eyelet removably connectable to the object to be anchored.
17. A ground anchor according claim 15, wherein said upper wall of
said ground anchor body has a substantially flat upper surface,
wherein said upper wall is elongate having a length and a width,
with said length being greater than said width, and wherein said
upper wall has an opening formed therein permitting passage of said
free end part of said anchor member therethrough.
18. A method of installing a ground anchor on a playing field,
comprising the steps of: embedding a ground anchor body within an
uppermost subsurface layer of the playing field directly beneath an
artificial surface layer of the playing field, said ground anchor
having an extendable anchor member that is positioned below the
artificial surface layer when not in use and that is extendable to
a position above the artificial surface layer for being connected
to an object to be anchored; and after said embedding step,
fastening the artificial surface layer to an upper wall of the
ground anchor body with mechanical fasteners or an adhesive.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein during said embedding
step, a depth of penetration of the ground anchor body relative to
the uppermost subsurface layer is no greater than 1 inch.
20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps
of, before said embedding step, cutting a slit-shaped opening in
the artificial surface layer and inserting the ground anchor body
through the slit-shaped opening such that the extendable anchor
member is positioned adjacent said slit-shaped opening for being
extended through said slit-shaped opening, said ground anchor body
being elongate having a length and a width, and the slit-shaped
opening extending perpendicular to the length of the elongate
ground anchor body and being of a length that is equal to about the
width of the elongate ground anchor body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a ground anchor for use in
anchoring sports goals, benches, and like equipment to an
underlying ground surface such as a playing field, and more
particularly, the present invention relates to a ground anchor for
use on a playing field or the like having an artificial
surface.
[0002] Various structures, such as goals for sports, benches, and
the like are preferably anchored to the underlying ground surface
for safety and security as well as other reasons. By way of
example, a full-size soccer goal may weigh between about 150 to 500
lbs. and may have a frame that defines a goal mouth eight feet in
height and twenty-four feet in width. Thus, a problem with such a
goal, particularly a free-standing goal that is not otherwise
permanently affixed to the underlying ground surface, is that the
goal can tip over for any of a variety of reasons. For instance,
high winds can tip over a goal, a person hanging on a crossbar can
cause a goal to tip, and lifting up the rear of the goal can cause
tip over. Tip over of goals can lead to injuries such as those
caused by blunt force trauma to the body where a part of a falling
goal frame impacts on a person's body. The American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) has set industry standards required by
goals, for instance, see ASTM F2056 "Standard Safety and
Performance Specification for Soccer Goals".
[0003] Ground anchors have been used to anchor otherwise
free-standing soccer goals and like equipment to the underlying
surface of the playing field to aid in the prevention of goals and
the like from accidentally tilting over and causing injury to
players or other persons located nearby. Typically, such systems
utilize threaded bolts, nuts, or like fasteners secured to
permanently installed footings to tie down a goal frame to a
playing surface. The footings are generally elongate,
vertically-disposed anchors penetrating deep into the subsurface of
natural ground and may or may not be embedded within concrete or
like permanent structure.
[0004] Examples of ground anchors designed specifically for
anchoring sport goals, such as soccer goals, are provided by U.S.
Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0007502 A1 of Roy et al.,
2008/0006756 A1 of Mitchell et al. and 2007/0144081 A1 of Caruso.
Other examples of tie-downs, ground anchors, tethering stakes and
the like are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,438,243 B1 issued to
Erickson, 6,758,456 B2 issued to Krieger, 6,412,235 B1 issued to
Pylant, 5,040,924 issued to Kothman, 4,060,244 issued to Graham,
3,494,587 issued to Kuhn, 2,713,327 issued to West, 2,706,967
issued to Iannetti, 2,660,276 issued to McKee, and 566,196 issued
to Lewis.
[0005] Although the above referenced ground anchors, sport goals,
and methods of anchoring disclosed in the above referenced patents
and application publications may be satisfactory for their intended
purpose, there is a need for a ground anchor for use on a playing
field having an artificial playing surface such as artificial turf.
The ground anchor should not restrict activities on the playing
field when the ground anchor is not in use, and the ground anchor
should enable the attachment and removal of various articles, such
as sport goals, benches and the like, to and from the ground anchor
in a manner requiring a minimum of time, effort, skill and labor.
In addition, the ground anchor should be capable of being installed
during or after installation of the artificial surface or turf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to an assembly of a ground
anchor embedded within an artificial surface playing field. The
field has an artificial surface layer extending in a taut, level
and smooth manner over an uppermost subsurface layer. A ground
anchor body is embedded in the uppermost subsurface layer such that
an upper wall of the ground anchor body engages an underside of the
artificial surface layer. The upper wall of the ground anchor is
fastened to the underside of the artificial surface layer with
mechanical fasteners, an adhesive, or the like. An anchor member is
connected to the ground anchor body and is extendable to a position
in which the anchor member extends from the ground anchor body
through a slit in the artificial surface layer to a position above
the artificial surface layer so that it can be connected to an
object to be anchored to the artificial surface layer.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
ground anchor is provided comprising a substantially flat and
shallow ground anchor body having a laterally-extending upper wall.
An anchor member is connected to the ground anchor body and is
moveable between a stowed position and an anchoring position. In
the stowed position, the anchor member is located below the upper
wall and, in the anchoring position, a part of the anchor member is
extendable to a position above the ground anchor body for being
connected to an object to be anchored.
[0008] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
method of installing a ground anchor on a playing field is
provided. A ground anchor body is embedded within an uppermost
subsurface layer of the playing field directly beneath an
artificial surface layer of the playing field. The ground anchor
has an extendable anchor member that is positioned entirely below
the artificial surface layer when not in use and that, during use,
is extendable to a position above the artificial surface layer for
being connected to an object to be anchored. After the embedding
step, the artificial surface layer is fastened to an upper wall of
the ground anchor body with mechanical fasteners or an
adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention should become apparent from the
following description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a sports goal
anchored to a first embodiment of a ground anchor according to the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
ground anchor shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first
embodiment of the ground anchor of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the ground anchor installed under an artificial
surface of a playing field;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a widthwise cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the ground anchor installed under the artificial
surface of the playing field;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of a second
embodiment of a ground anchor according to the present invention as
installed under an artificial surface of a playing field; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of a third
embodiment of a ground anchor according to the present invention as
installed under an artificial surface of a playing field.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention relates to a ground anchor 10 that can
be used to secure or tie down a free-standing goal 12 or the like
to an underlying playing field 14 or other surface. The purpose of
the ground anchor 10 is to prevent, limit, or restrict movement of
the goal 12 relative to the underlying playing field 14, including
preventing the goal 12 from tipping over so as to avoid injuries
that may result from a falling goal frame 16.
[0018] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a sports goal 12 can be a
soccer goal having a frame 16 of a relatively-large size and of a
relatively-large weight. The frame 16 may be made of aluminum or
other sturdy material and the total weight of the goal 12 may be
about 260 lbs. or more. While FIG. 1 shows the ground anchor 10
connected to the soccer goal 12, it should be understood that the
ground anchor 10 can be used to secure any type of sports goal,
equipment, apparatus or like object to the underlying ground
surface 14. For instance, a bench or any other structure or object
may be required to be secured to the underlying ground surface 14
to prevent the structure from being moved or removed or from
falling over.
[0019] In addition, the presence of the ground anchor 10 should not
restrict use of the playing field 14 or like surface, for instance,
when the ground anchor 10 is not needed. This is primarily because,
at many institutions, schools, and the like, one or more indoor or
outdoor playing fields 14 or like surfaces is often used for
multiple sports and/or other activities, whether in the same or
different sports seasons. Thus, it is often desirable that for
sports utilizing goals and like equipment, the goals and other
equipment be transportable so that they can be moved easily and
often. For instance, soccer goals may be required to be moved from
one position to another for use on the playing field or may be
required to be moved between the playing field and a storage
location so that the field can be used for another purpose.
Accordingly, it is important that the ground anchor 10 not restrict
other activities or other uses of the field 14 when the ground
anchor 10 is not being used.
[0020] Unlike conventional ground anchors typically used to secure
sports goals to a playing field, the ground anchor 10 according to
the present invention is substantially flat, shallow and
horizontally-disposed and is required to only slightly penetrate
into the subsurface 18 of the playing field 14. For example, as
best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the depth "D" of penetration of
the ground anchor 10 into the subsurface 18 may be about 1 inch or
less than 1 inch. This depth "D" of penetration is in contrast to
conventional ground anchors and/or footings which are generally
elongate and vertically-disposed relative to the playing field such
that they penetrate deep into the subsurface of the playing field.
Often, a relatively deep and large hole is dug into the playing
field and concrete is poured around the vertically-disposed
conventional anchor to permanently secure the anchor within the
ground. If the conventional anchor or footing is not provided with
sufficient depth (such as a depth of a foot or more), the
conventional anchor will only be loosely connected to the ground
and will be removable from the ground with only a small amount of
force insufficient for reliably anchoring an object such as a
soccer goal.
[0021] Since the ground anchor 10 of the present invention requires
a depth "D" of penetration into the subsurface 18 of less than
about 1 inch, it is particularly well-suited and adapted for use
with playing fields 14 having an artificial playing surface. An
example is an outdoor or indoor playing field 14 having artificial
turf or other artificial playing surface instead of natural grass
and/or dirt. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, such an artificial
surface will include an exposed top layer 20 of artificial turf or
the like that is maintained in a taut and smooth condition on an
uppermost subsurface layer 22. The artificial turf layer 20 will
typically include a continuous polymeric backing layer from which
filaments or the like project to provide a grass-like or other
texture. Alternatively, the top layer 20 can be made of a
sheet-like layer of plastic, rubber, elastomeric or like material.
The uppermost subsurface layer 22 is typically a layer of material
providing at least some minimal degree of resiliency or shock
absorbance and can be a natural or manufactured material. For
instance, the uppermost subsurface layer 22 is not typically made
of concrete or like unyielding material; rather, it is typically a
layer of sand or other particulate material, rubber, elastomeric
material, or the like. The uppermost subsurface layer 22 may only
be an inch to several inches in thickness and may be supported on a
concrete or like lower subsurface layer or layers (not shown).
[0022] Turning to the structure of a first contemplated embodiment
of the ground anchor of the present invention, the ground anchor
body 10 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a relative thin and
shallow case or container 24 housing a flexible or
extendable/retractable anchor member 26. The case 24 can be
generally rectangular with a base wall 28 and upstanding side walls
30 defining an open top 32 and a shallow compartment 34 in which
the anchor member 26 can be housed and stowed (see FIG. 4). The
case 24 can be made of plastic, metal, wooden or like material. The
anchor member 26 can be in the faun of a flexible cord such as a
cord made of braided wire, chain links, or like elements. A fixed
end 36 of the cord 26 can be positively secured to the case 24 with
a bolt 38 or like fastener and the free end 40 of the cord 26 can
include a fastening eyelet 42 or other end connection configuration
for use in making a connection with a goal frame 14 or like
equipment.
[0023] The case 24 and cord 26 can be sized such that, when the
ground anchor 10 is not in use, the entire cord 26 can reside
within the case 24 below the surface of the field 14 to thereby
provide little-to-no restriction with respect to the use of the
playing field 14. For example, see FIG. 4.
[0024] The case 24 can be integrally formed with, or can be secured
to, an upper turf-engaging wall 44. For example, as shown in FIG.
3, the wall 44 can be an elongate sheet or board secured to the
case 24 with screws 46 or like fasteners. The upper wall 44 can
have an opening, slot, cut-away section or the like 48 where it
extends over or adjacent at least the free end 40 of the flexible
cord 26. This permits the free end 40 of the cord 26 to be pulled
through the opening 48 when the ground anchor 10 is needed and
permits the entire cord 26 to be replaced within the case 24 when
the ground anchor 10 is to be stowed when not in use.
[0025] In addition, the upper wall 44 extends outwardly beyond the
footprint of the case 24 thereby providing an outward-extending,
elongate flange or wing structure. For instance, as best shown in
FIG. 3, the upper wall 44 can be provided in the shape of an
elongate blade or wing thereby providing a sufficient amount of
surface area for contacting, supporting and engaging a layer 20 of
artificial turf or the like supported thereon. See FIGS. 4 and 5.
By way of example, the width "W" of the upper wall 44 may only be a
few inches (such as 3 or 4 inches), while the length "L" of the
upper wall 44 may be about two or more feet. The upper wall 44 may
be made of a plastic, wooden, metal, fabric or like material.
[0026] When the ground anchor 10 is installed within the playing
field 14, the case 24 including upper wall 44 is embedded within
the uppermost subsurface layer 22 such that the upper wall 44 is
flush and level with the top of the uppermost subsurface layer 22.
This permits the artificial turf layer 20 to extend over and be
supported by the substantially flat surface of the upper wall 44 of
the ground anchor 10 in a smooth, taut and level manner as if the
ground anchor 10 were not present. See FIGS. 4 and 5. During
installation, fasteners 50, such as staples, rivets, or the like
are applied to the artificial turf layer 20 to secure the
artificial turf surface to the underlying upper wall 44 of the
ground anchor 10. See fasteners 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. As an
alternative, an adhesive could be used. The fasteners 50 prevent
movement or shifting of the ground anchor 10 relative to the
artificial turf layer 20 and provides the needed strength to secure
the ground anchor 10 to the playing field 14 despite the depth "D"
of penetration of the ground anchor being less than about 1
inch.
[0027] A method of installing the ground anchor 10 on a preexisting
artificial turf playing field 14 includes a step of making a slit
52 in the artificial turf layer of a length not much greater than
the width "W" of the case 24. Thereafter, a volume of the uppermost
subsurface layer 22 can be removed or spread to offset the space
required for the ground anchor body 10. The ground anchor 10 is
then threaded through the slit and, when the entire ground anchor
is located below the artificial turf layer 20, the ground anchor is
repositioned such that the opening 48 in the upper wall 44 is
located directly beneath the slit 52. In this position, the slit 52
extends across the width "W" of the upper wall 44 at about the
center of the wall 44 and is substantially perpendicular to the
length of the elongate wall 44. Thus, in this position, undesired
removal of the ground anchor 10 from underneath the artificial turf
layer is not easily accomplished. When the ground anchor 10 is
level with the top of the uppermost subsurface layer 22, fasteners
50 can be applied through the artificial turf layer 20 and into the
upper wall 44 of the ground anchor 10 on both sides of the slit 52.
This physically connects and ties together the underside of the
artificial turf layer 20 to the upper wall 44 of the ground anchor
10.
[0028] As discussed above, when not in use, the flexible cord 26
can be stowed in the case 24 below the surface of the playing field
14 and use of the playing field for any purpose is not prevented by
the presence of the ground anchor 10. When a goal 12 or the like is
to be connected to the ground anchor 10, the free end 40 of the
cord 26 can be accessed via the slit 52 and opening 48 and pulled
to a location extending above the surface of the playing field. In
this position, the eyelet 42 or other connection element of the
cord 26 can be connected to the frame 16 of the goal 12. For
instance, the eyelet 42 can be fastened to the frame 12 with a
fastener as shown in FIG. 1 or another cord or the like can be
threaded through the eyelet 42 and locked about the frame 16 of the
goal. Of course, any other mechanism for securing the cord 26 to
the frame 16 can be used.
[0029] Accordingly, the attachment of the laterally extending
elongate flanges of the wall 44 of the ground anchor to the
underside of the layer of artificial turf provides an assembly with
sufficient strength to tie down a full size soccer goal or
equivalent sized and weighted object and is able to prevent tip
over of the goal. This can be accomplished with a ground anchor
according to the present invention that requires less than 1 inch
of depth of penetration of the ground anchor within the subsurface
of the playing field and without the need of setting a concrete
footing or any other complicated footing or anchor structure. Thus,
the ground anchor according to the present invention is easily
installed either during or after artificial turf installment and
can be removed and relocated when desired. In addition, during use,
the ground anchor can be placed in a stowed (retracted) condition
or an extended condition (for use) without the use of tools in an
easy manner.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a ground anchor
110 according to the present invention. This embodiment does not
include a case 24 or the like; however, it is otherwise similar to
ground anchor 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed end 136 of the cord
126 is positively secured directly to the upper turf-engaging wall
144 with a fastener 138 or the like. The cord 126 extends on top of
and is supported directly on the uppermost subsurface layer 122.
The wall 144 includes an opening 148 through which the free end 140
of the cord 126 can be extended. The wall 144 is fastened to the
underside of the layer 120 of artificial turf with fasteners
150.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of a ground anchor 210
according to the present invention. Ground anchor 210 is
substantially the same as the ground anchor 110 except that a
flexible pocket 224 houses the cord 226. The fixed end 236 of the
cord 226 is positively secured directly to the upper turf-engaging
wall 244 with a fastener 238 or the like. The flexible pocket 224,
which can be made of vinyl, rubber, or the like is affixed, such as
with an adhesive or the like, to the underside of the wall 244 to
provide a compartment for the cord 226. The wall 244 includes an
opening 248 through which the free end 240 of the cord 226 can be
extended. The wall 244 is fastened to the underside of the layer
220 of artificial turf with fasteners 250.
[0032] While preferred ground anchor, ground anchor and artificial
turf assembly, and method of installation of a ground anchor have
been described in detail, various modifications, alterations, and
changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the assemblies according to the present invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *