Patent Application
20150345099
This invention relates generally to a trailer-mounted, removable portable surface anchor able to be transported to various geographical areas, placed on the surface and able to provide support for vertically elevated objects.
There exist many means of stabilizing elevated structures. In the petroleum industry, the earth anchor is one of the most common. Earth anchors are often used for anchoring derricks, which can often reach up to approximately one hundred feet in height. Earth anchors come in a variety of types, including: expandable wing anchors; helical (helix) anchors; flat plate anchors; and, T-bar anchors. All of these types of anchors require excavation for installation in the earth. Typically, the derrick position is chosen in light of many factors, including: local geographical features; field equipment; and, underground structures. These same considerations as well as manufacturers' engineering specifications and governmental regulations, also mandate where derrick-supporting anchors are to be placed. Underground structures include cables, lines, conduit and piping for utilities, such as gas, electricity and water.
Frequently underground structures are compromised during excavation, which is required for placement of an earth anchor. The results can be devastating, including property damage, loss of product, environmental harm, personal injury and loss of life. Over the years, safety regulations have increased in response to injuries and death caused by excavation that compromises underground structures. Restrictions on excavation location and depth have become ever more stringent in order to avoid the above-mentioned damages.
Natural variations in local terrain, climate and geography limit placement of earth anchors. Rocks, unstable soil, previously excavated soil, and shallow ground water levels often make excavation impractical, if not impossible, in the fewer and fewer sites where excavation is allowed.
In addition to the regulatory and geographical limitation, excavation also faces constraints regarding surface and mineral interests. Rights-of-way, pits, roads, fences, and equipment limit excavation possibilities for placement of earth anchors. An example of both underground and surface limitations is a multiple well pad site. With more than one well per location, there are often separate underground utilities, property interests for both the surface and mineral estates, and multiple company ownership of structures and equipment. All the competing interests found in a multiple well pad site often impede and severely curtail excavation, thereby limiting earth anchor preparation for placement.
Vertically elevated structures require support. Earth anchors have become too cumbersome to meet safely and effectively the needs in the field. Thus, there is a long-felt need for alternatives to earth anchors.
Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a portable removable trailer anchor system for deployment on a ground surface for the stabilization of vertically elevated objects.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in at will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the portable removable trailer anchor system for deployment on a ground surface comprising: a trailer, at least one deployable tooth spike attached to the trailer, an anchor weight, and a means to attach the anchor weight to the trailer. In another embodiment, the present invention also includes a portable removable trailer anchor system comprising a trailer, an anchor weight, a means to attach the anchor to the trailer and at least one deployable tooth spike attached to the anchor.
The portable removable trailer anchor system is transported via its trailer to site location. The trailer, with the removable anchor attached, has at least one deployable spike to penetrate the ground surface and support elevated objects. Thus, the anchor can be used for short term purposes by deploying the at least one spike of the trailer portion and keeping the anchor attached. Alternatively, the trailer and anchor can be separated, whereby the anchor, having at least one deployable spike, can be placed on the ground surface to secure elevated objects separately from the trailer.
Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing an apparatus stabilizing elevated objects, which is portable and can function in a variety of terrains, and accommodate a wide variety of ground surfaces, including frozen tundra.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures.
In alternative embodiments of the instant invention, the deployable tooth assemblies are attached to the anchor weight 3 on the trailer 2, in these embodiments, it is necessary that the trailer bed 18 has holes to accommodate the deployable tooth as it descends from the trailer into the ground surface below the trailer, In one embodiment of the instant invention, the anchor assembly may be located on the inside portion of the anchor or the outside portion of the anchor,
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It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
