Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in
attaching a line to an attachment end of a ground anchor.
5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The depth to which a ground anchor is embedded into a
groundsurface is always of concern to a person skilled in that
art. If an attachment end of a ground anchor extends above the
groundsurface it presents a safety hazard. People, animals or
machinery can accidentally strike the upwardly projecting
attachment end of ground anchor. On that other hand, the
closer the ground anchor is to the groundsurface the more
difficult it is to attach a line to the attachment end. At the
present time persons skilled in that art attempt to strike a
balance leaving as little of the attachment end of the ground
anchor exposed as reasonably practicable, and marking the site
with flags or the like to alert the public to a potential
danger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is an apparatus for use in attaching a
line to an attachment end of a ground anchor which addresses
these problems
According to the present invention there is provided an
apparatus for use in attaching a line to an attachment end of
a ground anchor. This apparatus includes a cup shaped body
having an interior cavity, an exterior surface, and an access
opening whereby access is gained to the interior cavity. Means
is provided for attaching an attachment end of a ground anchor
to the exterior surface of the body. Means for attaching a
line are disposed within the interior cavity of the body.
With the apparatus, as described above, when the cup
shaped body is attached to the attachment end of the ground
anchor, the ground anchor can be embedded into the
groundsurface with the attachment end below the groundsurface
I and the cup flush with the groundsurface. With the attachment
¦ end of the ground anchor below the groundsurface access can
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still be gained to the means for attaching a line disposed
within the interior cavity.
There are a variety of means that can be used to attach
the cup shaped body to the attachment end of the ground anchor.
The preferred means includes an annular sleeve, such that the
annular sleeve telescopically receives the attachment end of
the ground anchor. Although threaded or other engagement could
be used to prevent a telescopic withdrawal of the attachment
end of the ground anchor from the annular sleeve the preferred
means is by bolting. When the annular sleeve has axially
aligned transverse bolt receiving apertures, a bolt is extended
transversely through the bolt receiving apertures prevents
withdrawal of the attachment end of the ground anchor from the
annular sleeve.
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There are a variety of means which can be used to attach
an line such that such attachment means can be disposed within
the interior cavity of the cup shaped body. Although a large
connecting loop could be placed within the interior cavity, the
l preferred means is by means of a chain. When the cup shaped
;; body has at least one passage into the interior cavity, a chain
i-l secured to the ground anchor can be extended through the
passage into the interior cavity.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
u e of the apparatus, as described abover snow and debris can
accumulate in the interior cavity unless measures are taken to
exclude the same. Even more beneficial results may, therefore,
be obtained when a removable closure is disposed in the access
opening.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the apparatus, as described above, a practical problem
remains of locating the apparatus once it is embedded flush
with the groundsurface. Even more beneficial results may,
therefore, be obtained when means is provided to secure a
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warning marker to the body. It is preferred that the interior
cavity of the cup shaped body include a cylindrical receptacle,
such that a pole-like marker member is insertable into the
cylindrical receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will ~ecome more
apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a side elevation in longitudinal section of
the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation in longitudinal section of
! the apparatus illustrated in FIG~R~ 1, with line attached.
, DETAILED DESCRIFTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for use in
attaching a line to an attachment end of a ground anchor
generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be
J described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3.
Referring to FIGURE 3, apparatus 10 is illustrated in its
working environment embedded into a groundsurface 12 while
secured to an attachment end 14 of a ground anchor 16 with a
line extending to an object being anchored (not shown).
Apparatus 10 includes a cup shaped body 20 having an interior
cavity 22, an exterior surface 24l and an access opening 26
which provides access to interior cavity 22. The means used
for attaching attachment end 14 of ground anchor 16 to exterior
surface 24 of body 20 includes an annular sleeve 28. Annular
~leeve 28 hae axially aligned transverse bolt receiving
apertures 30 and 32. Annular sleeve 28 telescopically receives
attachment end 14 of ground anchor 16. A bolt 34 is extended
transversely through bolt receiving apertures 30 and 32
prevents withdrawal of attachment end 14 of ground anchor 16
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from annular sleeve 20. The means used for attaching a line
within interior cavity 22 of body 20 include a pair of passages
36 and 38 into interior cavity 22 positioned adjacent annular
~ sleeve 28. A chain 40 is secured to ground anchor 16 by bolt
j 5 34 and extends through passages 36 and 38 into interior cavity
1 28. This is accomplished by extending a first end 42 of chain
40 through passage 36 and extending a second end 44 of chain
40 through passage 38 and then extending bolt 34 through first
end 42 and second end 44 of chain 40. Chain 40 can then be
~10 used when attaching the line. A cylindrical receptacle 46 is
¦disposed within interior cavity 28 of body 20. A removable
closure 48 is disposed in access opening 26. Closure 48 has
a central aperture 50 and a depending lug 51. Depending lug
fits into an attachment aperture 53. A pole-like marker member
52 is insertable through central aperture 50 of closure 48 into
cylindrical receptacle 46. Closure 48 is attached to body 20
by means of a chain 54. Closure 48 is secured in place by a
rotatable fastener 56 which is received in a threaded female
receptacle 58.
The use and operation of apparatus 10 will now be
described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3. Ground anchor
16 iæ preferably embedded into groundsurface 12 such that
attachment end 14 is positioned below groundsurface 12. In
order to do this some excavation must be performed ad~acent
attachment end 14. Annular sleeve 28 on exterior surface 24
of body 20 is then slid into place over attachment end 14 of
ground anchor 16. First end 42 of chain 40 is inserted from
interior cavity 22 of body 20 through passage 36 and similarly,
second end 44 of chain 40 is extended through passage 38. Bolt
34 i8 then slid through first end 42 of chain 40l bolt
receiving apertures 30 and 32, and second end 44 of chain 40
to secure both annular æleeve 28 and chain 40 in position.
Soil is then filled around body 20, such that body 20 is flush
with groundsurface 12. Closurs 48 is placed in access opening
26 to prevent dirt and debris from entering interior cavity 22.
Pole-like marker member 52 is then inserted through central
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l aperture 50 of closure 48 into cylindrical receptacle 46, so
'j that ground anchor 16 may be readily located when required.
~ Apparatus 10, installed as described above, is illustrated in
,~ FIGU~E 2. When ground anchor 16 is required, pole-like marker
', 5 member 52 is withdrawn and closure 48 is removed. Chain 54
prevents closure 48 from becoming lost. Chain 40 is extended
from interior cavity 22 to permit the line to be attached.
Pole-like marker member 52 is then reinserted into cylindrical
receptacle 46 to provide a safety warning to the public. as to
', 10 the point at which the line commences. In the absence of pole-
like marker member 52 there can be uncertainty as to where the
line commences. This is especially the case where ground
anchor 16 is positioned in a field used for growing
agricultural crops.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.
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