Portable, displaceable anchor stand

Abstract

A lightweight, portable post-anchor is readily secured to the ground without the use of tools, and is readily removed for re-use elsewhere, being used with a beach-style umbrella, and/or a table. It can support citronella torches, games nets and signage. The high strength plastic anchor has integral spikes projecting downwardly, and reinforced upper and lower surfaces to provide end loading spaces, for a users foot to force the spikes into the ground. The gusset-reinforced base plate is reinforced with ribs under the loading spaces, and an upstanding gusset-reinforced tube to hold a beach umbrella and/or a table; and to serve as a lever for removing the anchor from the ground.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, looking down upon the ground anchor of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ground anchor from below;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below of a table embodiment and an umbrella for individual or combined use with the anchor;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a second table embodiment; and,

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ground anchor 10 of the present invention has a base plate portion 12 with four ribbed corner spikes 14 projecting downwardly therefrom. Each spike 14 is braced by way of a deep diagonal gusset 16 which tapers towards the centre of the base plate 12; and by a reinforcing outer gusset 18 that is located between the ribs 20 that form the spike 14.

A deep bracing rib 22 extends laterally between the pairs of gussets 16, in mutual bracing relation therewith.

A central annular reinforcement ring 24 surrounds an opening 26 that connects with the cylindrical interior 30 of the hollow post portion 28 of the anchor 10.

On the underface (FIG. 2) and the top face (FIG. 1), an assembly of reinforcing ribs 32 serve to stiffen the polycarbonate plastic structure.

The post 28, which is integrally moulded with the other portions of the base plate 10, has four diagonal gusseted stiffener ribs 34.

The post 28 has an internally threaded boss 36 for a headed locking screw 38 which releasably engages the shaft 42 of the umbrella 40 (FIG. 3)

Referring to FIG. 3, a table 44 has a tapered stand 46 which slides down over the post 28 of anchor 10. A recess 48 receives the boss 36 of post 28, to orient the table 44 with the anchor 10; the annular base of the stand 46 resting on the tops of the ribs 34 of anchor 10, to prevent jamming of the tapered table stand 46 to the outer tapered surface of the post 28. The stand 46 may be made separable from the table top, to facilitate both shipping and hand-carrying by users.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second table embodiment 50 has an aperture 52 that fits over the post portion 28, the table 50 having a downwardly depending boss 54 that is recessed to receive the tops of the four gussets 34. The table 50 has a pair of recessed cupholders 56, and a removable accessory holder 58. The boss 54 may be removably attached to the table 50.

In use, the anchor 10 is first installed, being thrust down under foot pressure applied against the rib-reinforced end portions of base plate 12. In harder turf, such as beside a sports field, the spikes 14 will afford a good grip, without having to force the ribs 22 fully down into the turf. However, particularly in sand, the bracing ribs 22 can be forced down so as to entrap a mass of sand in stabilizing relation with the base plate 12, to stabilize it against horizontal displacement as foot pressure is applied.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above disclosure is directed primarily to specific embodiments of the present invention, and that the subject invention is susceptible of reduction to practice by those skilled in the art in other embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lightweight, portable ground-anchor, for securing to the ground without the use of tools, said anchor having a baseplate portion with a plurality of integral spike portions depending therefrom; first gusseted rib means securing said spike portions in braced relation with the underside of said base-plate portion; the upper surface of said base-plate portion having an upwardly extending mast portion, for supporting selected items therewith; said anchor upper surface having a series of shallow ribs to provide at least two loading spaces upon which a user may place their foot, to exert their body weight downwardly against the ground anchor, to force the spike portions down into the ground.

2. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, said first gusseted rib means being of narrow section to facilitate their entry into the ground.

3. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, including transversely extending rib means connecting pairs of said first gusseted rib means in bracing, ground-stabilizing relation when forced into the ground.

4. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, said mast portion being reinforced at its base by gusseted rib means connecting said mast portion to said baseplate upper surface; said mast portion having a conical shape to provide a thickened, stiffer base portion to resist leverage forces applied in levering said anchor from the ground.

5. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, in combination with umbrella means having a shaft for removable insertion within said mast portion.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5, said ground anchor including locking means to releasably engage said umbrella shaft when inserted within said mast portion.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, said locking means consisting of a locking pin extending in threaded relation through the wall of said mast portion.

8. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, in combination with table means having a downwardly extending stand portion for removable mounting attachment to said anchor mast portion.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said table stand portion substantially encloses said anchor mast portion when mounted thereon.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, said table stand having orientation means to engage said mast portion in predetermined, mutually oriented relation therewith.

11. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, in combination with a table top having a depending boss portion to receive said mast portion in entered relation therethrough; said table top having a recessed cup holder and a recessed accessory container

12. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selected items include an umbrella and a table top.

13. The ground anchor as set forth in claim 12, in combination with said umbrella and said table top.