Ground Anchor System and Method for Attachment

Abstract

The present ground anchoring system and method of attachment supports sleeves installed within the ground, such as earth, asphalt or concrete and secured using horizontal or substantially angled anchors through the sleeve. The sleeve preferably has a cone-shaped tip for engaging the ground. Surrounding the end of the sleeve to be positioned within the ground and spaced from the tip, are openings through the sleeve for positioning the anchors. The anchors, which are bolts and nuts engaged with the sleeve, are loaded within the sleeve prior to positioning the sleeve within the ground. Once the sleeve is in the desired position, the anchors are engaged by moving the threaded bolts through the nuts out of the sleeve and into the ground.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to pending U.S. Patent App. Ser. No. 63 / 762,742 filed 25 Feb. 2025, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present application relates to a ground anchor and to a method for attaching a post, pile or sleeve using an anchor to a roadway, road surface or adjacent traffic path, or to any location where it is desired to support an installed post, pole, guy-line, delineator or signage, and to resist removal thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] Posts supporting delineator posts or other signage are often installed within a base secured on the top surface, or road surface, of a roadway, median, adjacent traffic path or to any location where a post in the ground is desired. Often such posts may also be installed directly into the earth, and may be provided near a traffic path to support signage in order to provide information or to advise vehicle drivers regarding lane lines or of potentially hazardous roadway obstructions. Additionally, such posts, piles or poles may also be used with concrete footers to support fence posts, gates or other support members installed to resist removal.

[0004] Current earth anchor systems typically use a spiral disc, a dead man, or other screw mechanisms extending vertically into the ground or concrete to resist removal. Such systems also often require digging a large hole for placement of the system, and then backfilling earth into the hole. Unfortunately, such backfilling disturbs the sidewalls of the hole, and can reduce the ability of the system to resist removal. Once placed within the earth, some anchors are also required to be set by pulling vertically upward on the anchor to engage the ground. In locations where the earth is particularly hard, such systems may have difficulty engaging the hard earth for effective anchoring. Alternatively, where the earth has been disturbed, such systems may be ineffective because the earth is too soft or is sandy.

[0005] While numerous anchor systems are available for use in either the earth or concrete, none of the current ground anchoring systems provide a convenient system for installation of horizontal members that engage either pre-made holes within concrete, or the earth, with only minimal disturbance to the earth or concrete adjacent the horizontal members. There is a need for an improved ground anchoring system and method of attachment to improve the stability and longevity of posts, piles or sleeves installed within the ground.SUMMARY

[0006] The present ground anchoring system and method of attachment supports sleeve members installed within the ground, such as earth, asphalt or concrete. The ground anchor system of this application provides a system and method for telescopically supporting and engaging a support member within the ground. The system includes a substantially hollow sleeve member having any cross sectional configuration that corresponds for mating engagement with a cross sectional configuration of the support member. The substantially hollow sleeve member preferably has a nut secured on an external surface of the substantially hollow sleeve member adjacent an opening through the sleeve member, such that the nut and adjacent opening are aligned to enable engagement of the bolt therethrough. The nut and adjacent opening are positioned near an end of the substantially hollow sleeve member away from an end supporting mating engagement with the support member. The end of the sleeve member supporting mating engagement with the support member is a top end with additional optional openings positioned around and through the top end for mechanically securing the telescopically engaged support member within the substantially hollow sleeve member. Alternatively or additionally, the top end may include internal threads surrounding a portion of the top end for engaging with external threads surrounding a portion of the support member within the sleeve member.

[0007] The system further includes a bolt having a threaded shank portion and a head portion. The external diameter of the head portion is preferably of the same or smaller external diameter as the threaded shank portion. Additionally, the head portion is preferably has a hex head configuration.

[0008] Prior to engaging the substantially hollow sleeve member into the ground, such as earth, asphalt or a concrete footer, the bolt is loaded from the outside into the sleeve member through the nut and adjacent opening with the head portion first threaded internally into the substantially hollow sleeve member, followed by the majority of the threaded shank portion. A tip end of the threaded shank portion may be positioned adjacent the wall of the sleeve member or slightly outside the wall. While at least one bolt is engaged with at least one nut through an adjacent opening through the sleeve member, it is understood that additional bolt, nut and opening combination anchors can be placed at more locations spaced on opposite sides or spaced from one another, as well as up, down and around the sleeve member, preferably spaced from the top end of the sleeve member.

[0009] Once the bolts are loaded within the sleeve member, the sleeve member may be placed within the ground. The sleeve member may be pounded directly into the ground, or a vertical hole may be drilled at the desired location for the support member and sleeve. The top end of the substantially hollow sleeve should protrude above the ground to enable secure attachment of the support member within the top end of the hollow sleeve. To engage the anchors into the earth, asphalt or concrete, an elongate tool is operated. The elongate tool can be installed on the hex head portion of the bolt prior to pounding of the sleeve into the ground, or may be extended into the sleeve and engaged with the hex head portion of the bolt. Then elongate tool is then used to drive the tip and threaded shank portion of the bolt into engagement with the ground, with the hex head portion of the bolt remaining positioned within the substantially hollow sleeve member. When used with a pre-formed concrete footer buried in the ground for receiving the support member, movement of the threaded shank portion of the bolt out of engagement with the substantially hollow sleeve member moves or drives the bolt into mating engagement with a plastic sleeve positioned within adjacent concrete.

[0010] Once the bolts are engaged with the ground, the support member may be telescopically engaged with and into the sleeve, and secured to the sleeve in the desired position.

[0011] In another embodiment, the substantially hollow sleeve member may include a punch out area with 3 perforated sides. An opening along a perforated top side is provided for engagement of a tip end of the threaded shank portion of the bolt, to drive the threaded shank portion of the bolt out of engagement with the sleeve member. Driving the bolt out of the sleeve member disengages the punch out area from the sleeve member, which bends away from the sleeve member along an unperforated bottom side and at an angle, and into engagement with the adjacent ground. The resulting angled punch out area acts to resist vertical removal of the sleeve member from the ground.

[0012] In another embodiment for increasing resistance to vertical removal of the sleeve member from the ground, the threaded shank portion of the bolt is provided with a tip end supporting a fluke. The fluke may be provided as a single member or in halves with a pivot engaging each half with the bolt. With a pivoting fluke, the halves of the fluke move in a closed position during driving of the bolt out of the sleeve member, but are easily opened for engagement within the adjacent ground once in the ground.

[0013] Other aspects and features of the present system and method will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic cutaway view of an embodiment of the ground anchoring system showing a sleeve within the ground, or dirt, with an anchor having a bolt engaged through a nut secured on the outside surface of the sleeve into the adjacent ground.

[0015] FIG. 1A is a schematic cutaway view showing the position of the bolt prior to loading into the sleeve, and prior to engagement of the sleeve within the ground.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic cutaway view of an embodiment of the ground anchoring system showing a sleeve with a pointed tip within a concrete footer having pre-cast or preformed horizontal openings engaged by bolts through nuts secured on the outside surface of the sleeve.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic cutaway view of an embodiment of the ground anchoring system showing a sleeve within asphalt engaged by bolts through nuts on the outside surface of the sleeve, and where the top opening of the sleeve is internally threaded for mating engagement with external threads on a post or support member prior to engagement with the sleeve.

[0018] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the ground anchoring system prior to engagement within the ground, with an embodiment of the sleeve having threaded openings for engagement with bolts supporting fixed flukes, to resist removal of the sleeve from the ground.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a schematic cutaway view of anchors loaded within a sleeve, and into the ground, with bolts engaged through the sleeve in position prior to being horizontally moved out of the sleeve for engagement of the anchors with the ground, and showing a bolt with an expandable fluke ready for horizontal engagement into the ground.

[0020] FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate schematic alternative embodiments of sleeves having various external configurations, such as square and triangular, respectively, and with anchors shown in a position after the bolts are horizontally moved out of the sleeve.

[0021] FIG. 4D is a schematic cutaway view of a sleeve having anchors, with the anchor bolts moved out of engagement from their loaded position within the sleeve, and showing a position of upwardly angled engagement with any adjacent ground.

[0022] FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrates an alternate ground anchoring system showing a sleeve provided with a punch-out wing or perforated wing, with a nut and bolt in FIG. 5 prior to being loaded into the sleeve, and in FIG. 6, after the bolt is moved out of loaded engagement within the sleeve, to punch-out the wing when engaged with a tab on a top edge of the wing opposite the bend, to resist vertical removal of the sleeve and any engaged post or support member from the ground.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present ground anchoring system 10 and method of attachment supports sleeves 20 installed within ground G, such as the earth E, asphalt A or concrete C. The support sleeves 20 are secured using horizontal or substantially horizontal bolts 24 through the sleeve. The sleeve may be of any cross-sectional configuration (round, square, triangular, as in FIGS. 4-4C) and preferably has a cone-shaped tip 26 for engaging the ground. The sleeve 20 may be of any desirable material, such as a polymer, polycarbonate, steel or other appropriate metal material for the application being supported within the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 may be any length to engage the ground to the desired depth, but varies based upon considerations such as soil type and climate, where longer lengths may be necessary. The supporting ground material should also be considered, whether it is earth E, asphalt A or concrete C. As a general matter, sleeve length should consider the height of the item being supported, and is often in the range of between one-third and one-half of the height of the item being supported above the ground surface. However, where concrete C supporting ground material is used, the concrete footer may be as shallow as 6 inches, with a correspondingly short sleeve 20 supporting an 8 foot tall signpost. Where extremely large posts 50 are being supported by the sleeves, such as for telephone poles or poles for electric power lines, additional factors in length would be considered. Holes or openings 30 are preferably provided at an upper edge 27 or adjacent a top opening 28 of the sleeve for securing engagement using conventional fasteners with the post, signage, pole or other support attachment device 50 being supported within the top opening 28 of the sleeve 20.

[0024] Surrounding the upper edge 27 of the sleeve to be positioned within the ground and spaced from the end or tip 26, are openings 30 through the sleeve. For positioning and forming part of the anchors 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, additional openings 31 are also provided through the sleeve. The anchors 22 include mating threaded bolts 24 and nuts 25 for engagement with and surrounding the openings 31. The bolts 24 are preferably steel, such as Grade 8 hardened steel or a similar material, and provided with a tip 60, which tip may be somewhat sharp as may be needed for engaging concrete. Although described here as “bolts,” the configuration is essentially a bolt 24 without a large diameter head or with a head that extends beyond the diameter of the threaded portion 64. Essentially, the bolt 24 is a threaded rod portion 64 with a hex end 66 forming the head 62 opposite the tip 60, for engagement by a right angle extension wrench. The hex end 66 of the bolt 24 has a diameter approximately the same as the threaded rod portion 64, or a smaller diameter than the shank or threaded rod portion 64.

[0025] To load the bolt into the sleeve and form an anchor 22 as in FIG. 1A, the hex end 66 and the threaded rod portion 64 are both able to engage and be threaded through a mating nut 25. While the mating nut is optional, as the bolt 24 may be retained within the sleeve 20 without the nut 25, especially when the openings 31 are threaded as in FIG. 4, the use of a mating nut is preferred. The mating nuts 25 are preferably secured to the sleeve in positions aligned over the openings 31 within the sleeve 20, and preferably on the outside of the sleeve, such as by welding or other secure attachment 23. At least one (1) anchor 22 is provided. Where two (2) or more anchors 22 are provided, they are preferably positioned on opposite sides or spaced around the sleeve 20. However, it is understood that any number and arrangement of anchors 22 may be provided, such as staggered up and down, as well as spaced from one another around the lower portion 29 of the sleeve, as in FIG. 2. Increased numbers of anchors provide increased stability and resistance to removal.

[0026] The size of the anchors 22, or more specifically the length of the bolts 24, is selected to correspond to, and is limited by, the internal diameter of the sleeve 20. For conventional signage, for example, a 2.5 inch post diameter could use a sleeve 20 having a 3 inch internal diameter, and the bolts 24 would have a corresponding approximate 3 inch length, for 2.5 to 3 inches of horizontal movement within the interior of the hollow sleeve. It is understood that in this example configuration, the tip 60 of the bolt could be positioned slightly outside the external surface of the sleeve 20 and nut 25 during installation of the sleeve into the ground G, depending on the soil conditions. With sandy soil, the bolt tip 60 could be slightly outside the nut 25, attached to the external surface of the sleeve. With concrete or very hard ground conditions, the bolt tip 60 would preferably be positioned just inside the nut 25 during installation.

[0027] With nuts 25 welded to the outside or external surface of the sleeve 20 aligned over the openings 31 in the sleeve, the bolts are loaded horizontally from the outside of the sleeve, through the nuts and into the sleeve, beginning as in FIG. 1A and move in the direction of the arrow. In this arrangement, the hex end 66 of the bolt head 62 is within the sleeve 20 and the tip 60 of the bolt is substantially flush with the nut and the outside of the sleeve, as shown in FIG. 4A. An alternate embodiment of the bolts 24 may also be provided which alternate embodiment has an expandable, or pivoting, fluke 68 instead of a sharp tip. With this expandable fluke embodiment, once the sleeve 20 and anchors 22 are engaged within the ground, the engagement of the bolt 24 out of the sleeve and into the ground also expands the fluke into the earth to further assist with resisting removal, particularly within rocky or sandy soil. The fluke 68′ may also be a fixed member that is fully expanded and supported on the bolt 24 outside of the sleeve. In each of the fluke embodiments, each side of the fluke is substantially flush with the outside of the sleeve prior to movement of the bolt out of engagement with the interior of the hollow sleeve and into the ground as in FIG. 4A.

[0028] Once the bolts 24 are loaded horizontally within the sleeve 20, the sleeve is vertically engaged down into the ground G at the desired location, whether by pounding or air hammering with minimal digging. With the use of pre-formed concrete C footers, pre-drilled holes 70 are used as in FIG. 2. Once the sleeve is in the ground with the upper edge 27 of the sleeve located near but above the surface of the ground, the bolts 24 are horizontally moved into engagement using an extended right angle wrench. The extended wrench is long enough to engage with the hex end 66 of the bolt head 62 inside the sleeve, and to move the threaded portion 64 of the bolt 24 out of the sleeve 20 and through the nut 25 into the ground G. Where a two-part fluke 68 is provided, as in FIG. 4A, the horizontal movement of the bolt using the wrench, may also be used as is conventional, to expand the fluke. Alternatively, the extended wrench can be engaged with the bolt prior to engagement of the sleeve within the ground.

[0029] With respect to the use of the ground anchoring system 10 with a concrete footer, the concrete C would be pre-cast with a hole 70 for receiving the sleeve 20, and with horizontal openings 72 extending at an angle transverse with respect to the hole 70 for receiving the bolts 24. The horizontal openings 72 are preferably cast or formed using a plastic form or sleeve 74 that remains within the concrete C to engage the shank or threaded portion of the bolt. The sleeve size and anchors (bolts and nuts) 22 would be located to align with the horizontal openings 72 within the concrete C using the plastic forms 74. By aligning the sleeve height or length, within the cast concrete C, the concrete footer can be buried to a depth conforming or matching the sleeve height, such that when the sleeve 20 is inserted into the hole 70, the loaded anchors 22 may readily align in position for the anchors to engage within the horizontal openings 72 and plastic sleeves 74. It is noted that the use of the ground anchoring system 10 in either earth, asphalt or concrete provides increased resistance to removal, not just from the engagement of the bolt within the ground, but additionally due to the horizontal resistance enabled using multiple anchors 22.

[0030] Once the sleeve 20 with anchors 22 loaded inside is placed at the desired location within the ground, the post or other support member 50 to be engaged and supported within the sleeve 20 may be installed. To install the support member 50, it is telescopically engaged within the top opening 28 of the sleeve, such that an end of the support member 50 is located within the top opening 28 of the sleeve adjacent the ground G. Once the support member 50 is engaged within the sleeve 20, the anchors 22 may then be horizontally driven out of the sleeve and engaged into the ground via the elongate tool accessed through or using the internal space within the hollow sleeve 20. Any desired additional physical attachments or fasteners to further secure the support member 50 to the sleeve 20 may also be engaged using the openings 30 at the upper edge 27 of the sleeve 20. Such physical attachments may be engaged through the sleeve openings 30 with any mating threaded fasteners or using a friction fit or other fasteners to engage into the support member, as in the threaded openings 30 surrounding the upper edge 27 in FIGS. 4, 4B, 4C. Threaded engagement with internal sleeve threads 32 inside the top opening 28 may be an attachment alternative, as in FIG. 3, for engaging external mating threads 52 on the support member 50.

[0031] Additional alternative anchor embodiments may also be adopted, such as a positioning the bolt 24 to engage with the ground at an upward angle to resist removal, as in FIG. 4D. The angle of engagement with the ground may be anywhere between a straight or 90 degree engagement and an upward angle in a direction toward a position more parallel with the sleeve shown in FIG. 4D. In yet another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a punch out wing anchor 80 is provided, with optional nuts. In this embodiment, the bolt 24 is positioned at the tab or top 82 of a perforated or punch-out wing 80 formed by enabling 3 sides of the wing, which are part of the sleeve 20, to be disconnected from the sleeve. The wing 80 is punched out and disconnected along 3 sides, together with the bolt, as the bolt is moved out of the sleeve and engaged into the ground. A bottom edge of the wing remains attached to the sleeve, but bends, such that the wing forms a transverse upward angle with respect to the vertical sleeve, all as in FIG. 6. In this position, the wing 80 assists with resisting removal, especially vertical removal, of the sleeve 20 and any attached support member 50, from the ground.

[0032] Although the present ground anchor system 10 and method of attachment has been described with reference to preferred components and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope intended. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the present assembly.

Claims

1. A ground anchor system for telescopically supporting a support member within the ground, the ground anchor system comprising:a substantially hollow sleeve member having a tip end and a top open end, and having any cross sectional configuration, to correspond for mating engagement with a cross sectional configuration of a support member,the substantially hollow sleeve member having at least one opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member positioned at a location near the tip end, and away from the top open end supporting mating engagement with the support member;at least one bolt having a threaded shank portion and a hex head portion, and a length similar to a diameter of the substantially hollow sleeve member; andwherein the at least one bolt is transversely loaded into the substantially hollow sleeve member through the at least one opening and with the hex head portion of the at least one bolt threaded into the substantially hollow sleeve member followed by the majority of the threaded shank portion.

2. The ground anchor system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bolt has a threaded shank portion having an external diameter, and a head portion, wherein said head portion has an external diameter that is equal to or less than the external diameter of the threaded shank portion.

3. The ground anchor system of claim 2, wherein a second bolt is engaged with a second opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member, and the second opening is positioned on a side of the substantially hollow sleeve member spaced from the at least one opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member.

4. The ground anchor system of claim 2, wherein a nut is secured on an external surface of the substantially hollow sleeve member adjacent the at least one opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member.

5. A ground anchor system for telescopically supporting and engaging a support member within the ground, the ground anchor system comprising:a substantially hollow sleeve member having any cross sectional configuration, to correspond for mating engagement with a cross sectional configuration of a support member,the substantially hollow sleeve member having a nut secured on an external surface of the substantially hollow sleeve member adjacent openings therethrough, wherein the nut and adjacent openings are positioned near an end of the substantially hollow sleeve member away from an end supporting mating engagement with the support member;a bolt having a threaded shank portion and a head portion having an external diameter of the same or smaller external diameter as the threaded shank portion; andwherein the bolt is loaded into the substantially hollow sleeve member through the nut and adjacent opening with the head portion threaded into the substantially hollow sleeve member followed by the majority of the threaded shank portion.

6. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein the at least one bolt is engaged with the least one nut through an adjacent opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member.

7. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein a second bolt is engaged with a second opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member, and the second opening is positioned on a side of the substantially hollow sleeve member spaced from the at least one opening through the substantially hollow sleeve member.

8. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein the head portion is a hex head configuration.

9. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein the end of the substantially hollow sleeve member supporting mating engagement with the support member is a top end having openings around and through the top end for mechanically securing the telescopically engaged support member within the substantially hollow sleeve member.

10. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein the end of the substantially hollow sleeve member supporting mating engagement with the support member is a top end having internal threads surrounding a portion of the top end for engaging with external threads surrounding a portion of the support member telescopically engaged within the substantially hollow sleeve member.

11. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein the substantially hollow sleeve member includes a punch out area having 3 perforated sides, and with an opening for engagement of a tip end of the threaded shank portion of the bolt, whereupon driving the threaded shank portion of the bolt out of engagement with the substantially hollow sleeve member disengages the punch out area from the substantially hollow sleeve member which bends away at an angle and into engagement with the adjacent ground.

12. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein the threaded shank portion of the bolt is provided with a tip end supporting a fluke for engagement with the adjacent ground when the threaded shank portion of the bolt is moved out of engagement with the substantially hollow sleeve member.

13. The ground anchor system of claim 12, wherein the fluke engaged with the tip end of the bolt includes pivoting flukes for moving into engagement with the adjacent ground as the tip end and threaded shank portion of the bolt are moved out of engagement with the substantially hollow sleeve.

14. The ground anchor system of claim 5, wherein movement of the threaded shank portion of the bolt out of engagement with the substantially hollow sleeve member engages the bolt within a plastic sleeve positioned within adjacent concrete.

15. A method for attachment of a ground anchor system comprising the steps of:loading a substantially hollow sleeve member for supporting a telescopically supported support member from the outside of the substantially hollow sleeve member with a bolt through an opening within a wall of the substantially hollow sleeve member, and the bolt has a threaded shank portion and a hex head portion having an external diameter equal to or less than the external diameter of the threaded shank portion,positioning the hex head portion of the bolt within the substantially hollow sleeve member and a tip of the threaded shank portion adjacent or slightly outside the wall of the substantially hollow sleeve member;locating a desired position for the substantially hollow sleeve member and support member and a vertical hole, optionally drilled, within the ground such as earth, asphalt or concrete,pounding the substantially hollow sleeve member with the loaded and positioned bolt into the hole within the ground;operating an elongate tool engaged with the hex head portion of the bolt to drive the tip and threaded shank portion of the bolt into engagement with the ground, and with the hex head portion of the bolt remaining positioned within the substantially hollow sleeve member; andtelescopically engaging the support member into the sleeve and securing the support member to the sleeve.

Images