TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an anchor device operable anchor point and configured to be installed in a variety of locations.

BACKGROUND ART

Anchor points are used in a number of industries to secure valuable goods. However, anchor points are not always readily available. For example, in outdoor recreation it may be difficult to find a suitable anchor location. Additionally, even in more civilized settings, it may be difficult to locate an anchor point that can be used to secure goods. While permanent structures such as trees, rocks, and/or buildings may be used, these structures have obvious drawbacks. Portable devices such as ground stakes/spikes may also be used. However, these devices can essentially be removed as easy as they are installed. Lacking a secure portable anchor point can lead to the loss of valuable items that cannot be continually attended to.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a portable secure anchor device. The secure anchor device may comprise a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end having a helical surface located at the distal end, and a housing which rotatably receives the proximal end of the shaft. The housing may include a locking mechanism in communication with an internal engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism may be connected to the proximal end of the shaft. The locking mechanism may be movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a first position. The first position may locate the internal engagement mechanism in a free position allowing the housing to rotate freely relative to the shaft in response to rotating the housing in both directions. The locking mechanism may be movable such that the locking mechanism can be located in a second position. The second position may engage the internal engagement mechanism such that the internal engagement mechanism prevents rotation of the shaft relative to the housing in at least one direction. The secure anchor device may also comprise an attachment point. The attachment point may be connected to a proximal end of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figure 3 is a front view of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figure 4 is a top view of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figure 5 is a side view of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figure 6 is a front view of an anchor device illustrating handle movement, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figures 7A-7B are isometric views of the internal engagement mechanisms of a two position non-ratcheting anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figures 8A-8E are exploded views of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figure 9 is a cross section view of an internal engagement mechanism as viewed from the top of an anchor device, in accordance with various embodiments;

Figures 1 OA- IOC are an illustration of a relationship between an actuator and a pawl, in accordance with various embodiments; and

Figures 11A-11E are an illustration of a relationship between an actuator and a pawl, in accordance with various embodiments. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The detailed description herein makes use of various exemplary embodiments to assist in disclosing the present invention. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that modifications of structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the instant invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of the present invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

In accordance with various embodiments, an anchor device may be a portable device which secures property. In accordance with various uses, an anchor device may be suitable for use in outdoor environments. The anchor device may create a stationary mounting point for a chain or cable lock in the absence of another suitable structure such as a tree or post. The anchor device's construction may enable it to anchor into a securing surface in numerous environments including soil, sand, ice, mud, lake bed, sea floor, wood, concrete, and/or any available securing surface which the anchor device penetrates and is able to be driven into the securing surface.

In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device may be utilized to secure a diverse range of items used in a wide spectrum of activities such as hiking, camping, cycling, skating, skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, fishing and RVing. Items could include kayaks, bikes, beach accessories, hiking gear, trailers, barbecue grills, pack animals, construction equipment, golf carts, lobster traps, storage receptacles, etc.

In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device may be installed in a securing surface such as, for example, the ground by rotating the anchor device. After installation in the surface, the internal operation of the anchor device may then be modified by manipulating an access protected actuator such as, for example, a lock. The manipulation of the internal operation of the anchor device may cause a portion of the anchor device exposed above the surface to rotate independently of the anchor device below the surface. With independent rotation, the exposed portion of the anchor device above the surface may be unable to apply sufficient torque to rotate the portion of the anchor device below the surface. Without sufficient torque, a person may not be able to remove the anchor device from the ground. The anchor device may be operable as a theft deterrent. The anchor device may be operable as a strong and secure mounting point, able to protect secured items from washing away, blowing away or being stolen.

In accordance with various embodiments as illustrated for example in Figs. 1-6, the anchor device 100 may comprise an attachment point 112, a locking mechanism 114, a housing 116, an internal engagement mechanism 700 (not shown in Figs. 1-6, see for example Figs. 7-10), an anchor shaft 105, and an anchor 104. In various embodiments, housing 116 may comprise a collar 108 that extends along anchor shaft 105 towards the distal end. Furthermore, in various embodiments, anchor device 100 can also comprise a sheath 102. After installation of the anchor device 100 in a surface, the exposed portion of the anchor device 100 can be freely rotatable relative to the portion below the surface. In various embodiments, attachment point 112, locking mechanism 114, and housing 116 are fully or partially exposed above the surface, whereas anchor shaft 105 and anchor 104 are below the surface and not exposed. In addition, in various embodiments, internal engagement mechanism 700 and/or a portion of anchor shaft 105 may be positioned above the surface but covered by housing 116, collar 108, sheath 102, or any combination thereof, and therefore not exposed to a user or other person.

In accordance with various embodiments, an anchor device 100 may comprise locking mechanism 114. In various embodiments, locking mechanism 114 may be housed in housing 116. In other various embodiments, locking mechanism 114 may be housed in attachment point 112. Locking mechanism 114 may be any kind of lock configured to prevent and/or limit access to the internal mechanisms of the anchor device 100. Locking mechanism 114 may also be configured to actuate the internal engagement mechanism. In various examples, locking mechanism 114 may be a keyed lock. In various examples, locking mechanism 114 may be a combination lock.

In accordance with various embodiments, anchor device 100 may comprise an attachment point 112 connected to the exposed portion of the anchor device 100. Attachment point 112 may be configured to attach a chain, cable, lock or other securing method to the anchor device 100. In various examples, attachment point 112 comprises a loop fixedly attached to the top of housing 116 (see e.g. Figs. 1-7). In various examples, the attachment point may be fixedly attached to the side of housing 116. In various examples, attachment point 112 may be a separate part connected to housing 116 (see e.g. Fig. 8A-8E). For example, attachment point 112 may be rotatably attached to housing 116. Furthermore, in various embodiments, attachment point may be connected to anchor shaft 105 but be freely rotatable relative to anchor shaft 105.

Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments, attachment point 112 can be a connection point configured to accept modular attachments. A modular attachment may include, but is not limited to, a retractable cable, a flagpole, a chain, an umbrella, a sports net such as volleyball or badminton net and or other accessories.

In accordance with various embodiments as illustrated for example in Fig. 1 , anchor 104 may further comprise a distal end (the bottom of the anchor device driven furthest into a securing surface) having tip 106. Anchor 104 may comprise a helical surface configured to retain the anchor within the securing surface (e.g. the ground). As illustrated in Fig. 1, the helical surface may be a round tube extending between shaft 105 and tip 106 (e.g. corkscrew/coil). As illustrated in Figs. 2-6, the helical surface may be a flat blade wrapping around shaft 105, forming a partial or plurality of revolutions, down to tip 106. For example, the helical surface 104 may be an auger.

In accordance with various embodiments, housing 116 may receive the proximal end (the end that is not driven into the securing surface and/or out the ground or the end closest to the top of the anchor device 100) of shaft 105. Engagement mechanism 700 may be located within housing 1 16. Locking mechanism 114 may be in communication with engagement mechanism 700. In accordance with various embodiments, the housing 116 may be coupled to anchor shaft 105 through internal engagement mechanism 700. This engagement allows housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105 to rotate together when torque is applied to the anchor device. In accordance with various embodiments, internal engagement mechanism 700 may be operable to separate the housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105. Without engagement by internal engagement mechanism 700, the housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105 may rotate individually. In various embodiments locking mechanism 114 may directly connect engagement mechanism 700 with the proximal end of shaft 105. 2-Position Locking Mechanism

In accordance with various embodiments, the lock and the internal engagement mechanism may be configured to provide a variety of functions. The lock may have two or more positions, depending on the functionality. For example, and as illustrated in Figs. 7A-7B, in a two-position lock embodiment, the lock may have a first position which configures the internal engagement mechanism to fully fix the relationship of the housing to the shaft, causing all parts of the anchor device to move together. In this fixed position of the two-position lock embodiment, as illustrated for example in Fig. 7A, the anchor device 100 may be turned clockwise or counter-wise to insert or remove the anchor device from a secure surface. The two-position lock may have a second position, as illustrated for example in Fig. 7B, which configures the internal engagement mechanism to fully free the relationship of the housing to the shaft, causing the housing to move freely relative to the shaft. This position may substantially prevent torque from being applied to the shaft. In one example, the locking mechanism 1 14 may have two modes: LOCKED (the anchor device is in neutral and spins freely without ratcheting) and IN/OUT (the shaft and the housing are fully fixed with no ratcheting in either direction but torque is transmitted from the handle to the shaft in either direction.)

In various examples the internal engagement mechanism 700 may be any of a variety of ratcheting mechanisms or transmissions configured to engage and/or disengage housing 1 16 from shaft 105. In various embodiments shaft 105 may be connected either directly or indirectly with engagement mechanism 700. In various embodiments and with reference to Figures 7A and 7B, an internal engagement mechanism 700 is attached to a shaft 105. Engagement mechanism 700 can be a notched ring configured to interact with a part of the locking mechanism. In Figure 7A, a locking mechanism 1 14 is shown in a locked position with engagement mechanism 700, and therefore the locking mechanism 1 14 connected to shaft 105. In this locked position, the anchor device is configured to driven into the surface or extracted. Alternatively, Figure 7B illustrates locking mechanism 1 14 in an unlocked position with engagement mechanism 700, and therefore the locking mechanism 1 14 is free spinning relative to shaft 105. In this unlocked position, the anchor device is configured to not be removable from a surface. 3-Position Locking Mechanism

Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments and with reference to Figures 10A-1 1E, in a three-position lock embodiment, the lock may have a first position (shown in Figs. 10A and 1 1C) which configures the internal engagement mechanism to secure the relationship of the housing to the shaft in a first direction, causing all parts of the anchor device to move together in a clockwise direction. In this first fixed position of the three-position lock embodiment, the anchor device may be turned clockwise with applied torque and free the relationship of the housing to the shaft in the counter-clockwise direction. The three-position lock may have a second position (shown in Figures 10B and 1 1D) which configures the internal engagement mechanism to fully free the relationship of the housing to the shaft, causing the housing to move freely relative to the shaft. This position may substantially prevent torque from being applied to the shaft. The third position of the lock in the three-position lock embodiment (shown in Figures IOC and HE) may configure the internal engagement mechanism to secure the relationship of the housing to the shaft in a second direction, causing all parts of the anchor device to move together in a counter-clockwise direction. In this third fixed position of the three-position lock embodiment, the anchor device may be turned counter-clockwise with applied torque and free the relationship of the housing to the shaft in the clockwise direction. In one example, the locking mechanism 1 14 may have three modes: IN (the device ratchets clockwise), OUT (the device ratchets counterclockwise) and LOCKED (the device is in neutral and spins freely without ratcheting).

The anchor device may also be configured for directional engagement. In accordance with various embodiments, the internal engagement mechanism 700 may be operable to allow housing 116 and the anchor shaft 105 to rotate relative to one another in one direction but fixed relative to one another in the opposite direction. For example, rotating the housing 1 16 clockwise may not rotate anchor shaft 105 clockwise as the parts may not be fixed relative to one another by engagement mechanism in the clockwise direction. However, rotating the housing 1 16 counterclockwise may rotate anchor shaft 105 clockwise as the parts may be fixed relative to one another by engagement mechanism in the counterclockwise direction. As used herein, relative movement indicates one part may move while the other relative part may be stationary or that one part may move while the other part may move differently. As used herein, fixed relative to one another indicates that one part moves the same or substantially the same as the relative other part.

In accordance with various embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 9, the anchor device may comprise an internal engagement mechanism located within the housing 116. The lock may face out of the top (or proximal end) of the anchor device. With the lock facing out of the proximal end of the anchor device the attachment point may be lateral loops extending to the sides of the anchor device. A proximal end of the shaft 105 may be axially aligned and located within the housing 116. The proximal end of the shaft 105 may have a flat surface 726 (i.e. not a full circled but only part of a circle as illustrated in Fig. 9). A pawl 730 may be situated adjacent to the flat surface. Pawl 730 may have teeth 731 on an exterior surface as illustrated in Fig. 9. Additionally, ratchet 720 may have teeth on an interior surface as also illustrated in Fig. 9. Pawl 730 may have a surface opposite the teeth that contacts flat surface 726. The surface opposite the teeth may not be flat but may contact flat surface 726 at a single point. The lock may engage a pawl with a lever. As the lock is rotated the lever moves the pawl back and forth. See for example Figs. lOA-lOC which illustrates locking mechanism 114 moving lever 732, which in turn may move pawl 730 back and forth into various engagement or free positions. In various embodiments and as illustrated in Figs. 9 and lOA-lOC, the pawl can engage with teeth on an internal surface of the ratchet 720. Moreover, Figs. 1 lA-1 IE illustrate an embodiment in which the pawl 730 engages a ratchet 720 with exterior teeth.

In accordance with various embodiments and as illustrated in Figs. 9, housing 116 may be a tube with an interior surface. The interior surface may have teeth. In response to the pawl being moved out of center position relative to the flat surface 726 and the interior surface of the housing 116, the teeth on the pawl may contact the teeth on the interior surface of housing 116. Depending on the direction that the pawl is biased, the pawl may prevent the attachment point and/or housing 116 from moving relative to the shaft in either the clockwise or counter clockwise direction. The shaft may move separate from housing 116 and/or the attachment point in either the clockwise or counter clockwise direction in response to the pawl being centered. In various embodiments the lock is situated as part of the proximal end of shaft 105 such that the lock does not move separate from shaft 105. The attachment point and/or housing 116 may move separate from the lock 1 14. In various embodiments housing 116 and the attachment point may be integral not moving separate from one another. The shaft may move separate from the housing and/or the attachment point in response to the pawl being centered.

In accordance with various embodiments, and similar to the engagement mechanisms described with reference to Figures 9 and 1 OA- IOC, an internal engagement mechanism may comprise a pawl configured to contact teeth on a shaft as illustrated in Figures 11 A-l IE.

In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device is operable to be rotated into a surface such as for example the ground. The handles may be extended. After the unit is fully planted in the ground, the user turns the key to "locked" and removes the key rendering the anchor device tamper resistant. The locked mode, as illustrated in Figs. 10B and 11D, disengages the internal engagement mechanism, thereby enabling the housing 116 and any exposed parts above the ground surface to spin independently from the shaft, leaving the auger and shaft assembly secure in the ground. Furthermore, a collar 108 extending down the outside of the shaft 105 also rotates independently. Since none of the engaged components are exposed, the shaft 105 can be rendered inaccessible and secure from rotation by hand, pliers or other mechanical means from a potential thief. Now the anchor device is fully secure and will not be removed from the ground except by the rightful owner.

In accordance with various embodiments, handle 110 may be attached to housing 116. Handle 110 may be attached to attachment point 112 or any point on the housing. Handle 110 may not be attached to shaft 105 without having an internal engagement mechanism intervening in the attachment to prevent handle 110 from transmitting torque to shaft 105 when the anchor device 100 is meant to be secure.

In accordance with various embodiments, as illustrated in Figs. 1-8E, the anchor device may comprise handles which may be configured to multiply the torque applied to the anchor device. The torque may be applied in response to inserting the anchor device into the securing surface. The torque may be applied in response to removing the anchor device from the securing surface. The handles 1 10 may be attached to housing 116. Handles 110 may be attached at pivot points 713 (as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8A-8E). Handles 110 may fold upwards for storage and transport (see e.g. Fig. 6). Handles 110 may extend to 180 degrees. The extension of the handles may enable the user to rotate the anchor device into or out of the securing surface.

In accordance with various embodiments, the anchor device 100 may be extendable. For example, shaft 105 may be telescoping shaft. Shaft 105 may be slidably received in housing 116. Housing 116 may be connected to sheath 102 (as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 5). Shaft 105 may be slidably received in sheath 102. In various embodiments shaft 105 may have multiple telescoping portions. In various embodiments, handles 110 may be telescoping handles.

Various principles of the present invention have been described in exemplary embodiments. However, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically described, can be varied without departing from those principles. Various embodiments have been described as comprising automatic processes, but this process may be performed manually without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the invention. The scope of the invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Further, a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.