Plastic Ground Anchor Deflecting Ribs Utility Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional metal ground anchors cause damage to underground utilities and pose safety risks during installation due to their conductive nature, as they are designed to withstand high drive forces required for installation.

Innovation Solution

A plastic ground anchor apparatus with deflecting ribs and a drive collar, which guides the anchor away from obstructions and distributes drive forces evenly, reducing the risk of damage to underground utilities and ensuring safety by using non-conductive materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional metal anchors are used to withstand high drive forces, then the anchor strength is sufficient, but damage to underground utilities and safety risks occur due to electrical conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor strengthVSAvoiddamage to underground utilities and safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, transforming the anchor from electrically conductive to non-conductive. This parameter change eliminates the harmful electrical conductivity while maintaining mechanical functionality through alternative design features like deflecting ribs and force distribution geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a plastic anchor that can be formed from biodegradable plastics, making it suitable for temporary installations. This disposable approach eliminates the need for removal and reduces long-term environmental impact, particularly for applications like securing tree root-balls where temporary anchoring is sufficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If metal anchors are driven into the ground with high drive forces, then installation is achieved, but damage to underground utilities such as water pipes and fibre optic cables occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation capabilityVSAvoiddamage to underground utilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a rounded conical nose portion and arcuate deflector ribs that project radially outwards. These curved geometric features allow the anchor to deflect around underground obstructions like pipes and cables during installation, preventing damage while maintaining the ability to be driven into the ground

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Changing from metal to plastic material alters the interaction with underground utilities. The plastic material combined with the curved geometry reduces impact forces and enables gentle deflection around obstructions, eliminating the damaging effect of metal drive forces on utilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If metal anchors are used to ensure safety during installation, then electrical safety is improved, but the cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter from conductive (metal) to non-conductive (plastic), inherently providing electrical safety without requiring additional safety mechanisms. This simple material substitution eliminates electrical hazards while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic anchor, particularly when formed from biodegradable plastics, provides a cost-effective solution for temporary installations. The single-use nature eliminates the need for complex safety systems, as the anchor is removed or degrades after serving its temporary purpose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The plastic ground anchor effectively secures objects without damaging underground utilities and ensures safety during installation, while being cost-effective and suitable for temporary installations, such as securing tree root-balls, by distributing forces and deflecting around obstructions.

Implementation Method 1

deflecting ribs which guide the anchor away from obstructions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeflection:

Implementation Method 2

drive collar, which guides the anchor away from obstructions and distributes drive forces evenly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce distribution:

Implementation Method 3

The anchor body is formed from plastics... ensuring safety by using non-conductive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation:

Data Source

PatentEP2580396B1Anchor apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.08.13 BOWIE DEAN

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AI summary

An anchor apparatus for use underground having a moveable anchor body (10) such that the apparatus has a drive position and a locked position. The anchor body (10) has a conical nose portion (14), deflecting ribs (11) and a drive collar (16). The drive collar (16) receives a drive rod (20) and is a hollow, obliquely truncated element.