The present invention relates to a device for anchoring articles to the ground.

There are many situations in which it is desirable to anchor articles to the ground. For example, large items of garden furniture are expensive and provide an easy and attractive target for thieves. There is a need to be able to secure such articles to the ground by a chain or cable in order to prevent their easy removal.

The present invention provides a device which may be used as an anchoring point in the ground for securing a chain, cable or the like.

According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided an anchoring device comprising a ground- engaging portion for driving or securing into the ground and means for attaching a chain or cable to the ground- engaging portion, the ground-engaging portion consisting of a plurality of longitudinally extending fins, and the means for attaching the chain or cable comprising a loop- forming member which is movable relative to the ground- engaging portion between a raised position and a lowered position.

The ground-engaging portion may be in the form of a tube with the longitudinally extending fins projecting outwardly from it. The longitudinally extending fins may extend for only part of the length of the ground-engaging portion. Preferably however, the ground-engaging portion

has fins which extend for the full length of the ground- engaging portion. Preferably they are joined to one another at the central longitudinal axis of the ground- engaging portion.

In one form of the invention the ground-engaging portion is a spike for driving into the ground with a hammer, mallet or the like. Preferably the fins taper towards their lower end to facilitate driving the spike into the ground.

The loop-forming member may be mounted to the anchoring device so that in the lowered position it lies to the side of or below the top of the spike so as to be out of the way of a hammer or mallet which is being used to drive the spike into the ground. The loop-forming member may be a loop of flexible cable, the ends of which are secured to the ground-engaging portions, or by a ring or by loop formed of rigid metal . The ring or loop may be mounted for pivoting or for sliding movement between the raised and lowered positions.

In another form of the invention, the ground-engaging portion may be intended for concreting into the ground. In this case the ground-engaging portion may have fins which are of uniform height throughout their longitudinal length.

According to the present invention in a second aspect there is provided an anchoring device comprising a spike for driving into the ground, a head portion at the top of the spike and an attachment device secured to the

anchoring device below the top of the head portion and moveable between a raised position in which a portion of the attachment device projects above the top of the head portion and a lowered position in which the attachment device lies below the top of the head portion.

With this arrangement, the spike can be driven into the ground by hitting the top of the head portion with a hammer or mallet, without the loop being in the way of the hammer or liable to be struck by the hammer.

Preferably the attachment device comprises a loop- forming member which is swingable between the raised and the lowered positions.

The spike preferably consists of a plurality of longitudinally extending fins. In one preferred form of the invention the spike consists of four fins arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the spike so as to have a cruciform cross section. Preferably the fins taper towards the lower end of the spike to make the spike easier to drive into the ground.

Preferably the device is made of metal.

The top portion may comprise a flat plate secured to the top of the spike.

The loop-forming member may comprise a piece of metal shaped into the form of an loop, the loop being attached to the spike below the head portion. In one embodiment, the loop is formed by a metal rod bent into a generally

triangular configuration with the two free ends lying on one side of the triangle. The free ends may be held captive to the spike, for example by fillet pieces which extend between the spike and the underside of the head portion or by sleeves which receive the ends of the loop and which are secured to the spike and/or head portion.

The head portion may include cutout portions so as to provide clearance for the loop to pass over the top portion when the loop is in the raised position.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of a first anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front elevation of the anchoring device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the anchoring device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an underneath plan view of the anchoring device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a second anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the anchoring device of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a third anchoring device in accordance with the present inven ion,-

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the anchoring device of Figure 7 ;

Figure 9 shows a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a plan view of the anchoring device of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a fragmentary sectional view of a fifth anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 12 shows an underneath plan view of the anchoring device of Figure 11;

Figure 13 shows a side elevation of a sixth anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 14 shows a front elevation of the anchoring device of Figure 13 ,-

Figure 15 shows a plan view of the anchoring device of Figure 13 ;

Figure 16 shows an underneath plan view of the anchoring device of Figure 13;

Figure 17 shows a fragmentary perspective view of an seventh anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 18 shows a sectional view of the anchoring device of Figure 17;

Figure 19 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a eighth anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 20 and 21 show possible modifications to the spikes of the embodiments referred to above.

Figure 22 shows a modification of the top plate which may be used in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 13 to 16;

Figure 23 shows a plan view of a further modification of the arrangement of Figures 1 to 14 ;

Figure 24 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 23 from the right; and

Figure 25 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of

Figure 23 from the left.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, an anchoring device 10 comprises a ground engaging portion in

the form of a spike 11 which tapers towards its lower end 12 and has a head portion 13 secured to its upper end. An anchoring loop 14 is pivotably mounted on the spike below the head portion 13.

The spike 11 is formed from two sheets of metal which are bent along their longitudinal axis to form right angle sections and secured to one another by welding so as to form a spike of cruciform section with four fins 15 spaced substantially uniformly around its longitudinal axis.

The head portion 13 comprises a sheet of metal of generally square shape which lies transverse to the axis of the spike and is attached to the upper ends of the fins by welding.

The anchoring loop 14 comprises a piece of metal rod which is bent into a generally triangular shape so as to form an open loop with its two free ends 16 bent in towards one another and lying along one side of the triangle. The free ends are located below the head portion 13 to one side of the plane formed by a pair of opposing fins 15. The free ends are held in position against the underside of the top portion by fillet pieces 17 of metal which extend diagonally between the underside of the head top portion and the fins 15 and are secured to the underside and to the fin by welding.

The head portion 13 has two cutout regions 18 above the corners of the triangular loop 14 that are adjacent the free ends so as to provide clearance for the loop to be swung from its lower position as shown in dotted lines

in Figure 1 to the raised position as shown in chain dotted lines in Figure 1. That the loop is of such a size that it can pass around the portion 19 of the top plate that lies between the two cutout portions, as it is being swung between the lowered position and the raised position. In the lowered position the loop rests against the fin 15 that lies between the two fins to which the loop 14 is attached.

Thus, when the spike is being driven into the ground, the loop is in the lowered position as shown by dotted line in Figure 1 out of the way of the hammer blows and is therefore not likely to be damaged as the spike is being driven into the ground. For securing an article such as a piece of garden furniture, the loop can be raised into the position shown in chain dotted line in Figure 1 and a chain or cable passed through the loop for attachment to the furniture.

Figures 5 and 6 show a second anchoring device 30 in accordance with the invention.

The construction of the spike portion 31 is similar to the construction of the spike portion 11 of Figures 1 to 4 in that is consists of four longitudinal extending fins 35 which taper towards their lower end. A square metal plate 33 is welded to the top of the spike. Two openings 34 are formed in an opposing pair of the fins 35 immediately below the top plate 33 by bending over a portion of the fin 36. A portion 37 of each of these two fins 35 is stamped out to form a bridge portion 37 directly below the aperture 34.

A piece of flexible steel cable 39 is formed into a loop, the ends of which are thread through respective apertures 34 and under the bridges formed by the portions 37. Once the ends have been passed under the bridge s portions 37, the bridge portions are crimped against the cable to trap the cable in place. The loop 38 formed by the middle portion of the cable 39 normally lies horizontally away from the top surface of the anchoring device formed by the plate 33. Thus it is out of the way 0 when the anchoring device is struck with a hammer or mallet to drive it into the ground. The loop portion 38 can be flexed upwardly to receive a chain or cable when it is required for anchoring a seat or furniture to the ground.

5 Figures 7 and 8 shows a third anchoring device 40 in accordance with the invention. The spike portion 41 is similar to the spike portion of the previous embodiments consisting of four longitudinally extending fins 45 which taper towards their lower ends. A square top plate 43 is 0 secured to the top of the spike by a hinge 44. An anchoring loop is formed by an eyelet bolt 46 welded to the underside of the top plate 43 with the eyelet portion 47 projecting from underneath the edge of the plate. Recesses 48 are cut in the inner upper edges of the fins 5 45 to provide clearance for the shaft of the bolt 46 when the top plate is in the lowered position.

As can be seen from the drawings, the hinge 44 is formed by a sleeve 49 which is welded to the underside of the top plate along one edge and a hinge pin 42 which 0 passes through the sleeve and has its exposed ends 51

welded in recesses 52 formed at the upper outer corners of two adjacent fins 45.

The top plate 43 is placed in the lowered position when it is desired to drive the spike into the ground. The top plate can be struck with a hammer or mallet without damaging the loop formed by the eyelet 47. The top plate can be left in the lowered position when the eyelet is not in use for anchoring an article to the ground and therefore it does not get in the way, for example, of a mower, if the spike is driven into a lawn.

When it is desired to use the anchoring device for securing an article to the ground, the top plate is pivoted up into the position shown in Figure 7 and the eyelet 47 can be used for receiving a chain or cable to tether an article to the ground.

Figures 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the invention. The device 80 of Figures 9 and 10 comprises a spike 81 and a rectangular top plate welded to the top ends of the fins of the spike 81. A U-shaped clamp bolt 84 has its ends 85 passing through holes 86 in the plate

83. The free ends 85 of the clamp bolt are screw threaded and receive nuts 87. Once screwed onto the bolt, the nuts can be welded to prevent them becoming accidentally unscrewed. The nuts hold the clamp bolt captive to the plate but allow it to be raised and lowered.

When the spike is to be driven into the ground, the clamp bolt is placed in the lowered position and struck with a hammer. Although the loop portion 87 of the clamp

bolt receives the hammer blows it is of sufficiently strong material not to be deformed. Generally, the spike will only be driven into the ground once and then left permanently in place. The clamp bolt can be left in the lowered position when not required. When it is required to anchor an article to the ground, the clamp bolt can be raised and a cable or chain from tne article can be passed through the loop.

Figures 11 and 12 show an anchoring device 90 similar to the anchoring device of Figures l to 4 except that the loop 94 is of larger size so that it can pass round the top plate 93 without the need for recesses to be cut m the top plate for clearance. The ends of the loop are held in place on the underside of the top plate by tubes 97 which are welded to the inner corner formed between the fins and the top plate.

In other respects the anchoring device 90 can be identical to the anchoring device 10.

The embodiment of Figures 13 to 16 is similar to the anchoring device of Figures 1 to 4. The loop 114 is formed from metal rod which is bent into a closed loop or ring in the shape of triangle and case hardened. During construction, before the top plate 113 is attached to the spike 111, the loop is placed n a triangular notch 117 at the top of one of the fins 115. Once the top plate 113 has been welded to the top of the spike 111, the loop 114 is held captive in the notch 117. The triangular loop 114 can move from side to side in the hole formed by the notch 117, but is placed in the position shown in Figures 15 and

16 once the spike has been driven into the ground. In this position the loop can be pivoted m the hole between a lowered position in which it lies below and to the side of the top plate 113, to a raised position in which the corner of the loop opposite to the s de of the triangle which passes through the notch 117, lies above the level of the top plate 113. The cut-out portions 118 enable the loop to pass around the edge of the top plate as the loop is raised and lowered.

In other respects the anchoring device of Figures 13 to 16 can be the same as that of Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 22 shows a modification of the top plate that can be used in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 or the embodiment of Figures 13 to 14. In the embodiment of Figure 22 two tabs 157 are formed by cutting the top plate 154 in two places along three sides of a rectangle. The tabs are pushed down as shown m the drawings so that they are folded along a line 155 that is parallel to but spaced from a diagonal axis of the top plate. The tabs 157 form fillets, equivalent to the fillet 17 of Figures 1 to 4, which hold the loop (not shown) m position against the underside of the top plate. The tabs 157 need only be welded at one end to the fins of the spike to secure the tabs in place and hold the loop captive.

Figures 17 and 18 show a further embodiment of the invention. The anchoring device 100 consists of a spike 101 with a square top plate 103 secured to its upper end. A portion of the top plate is struck up to form a bridge

102 and a circular bull ring 104 is passed through the bridge portion 102.

The bull ring may be of a construction such that it can be removed so as to leave most of the top surface clear when it is desired to drive the spike into the ground. Alternatively, the bull ring can be of a sufficiently robust construction that it can receive the hammer blows without damage. The bull ring can be pivoted between the lowered position as shown in the drawings and a raised position in which it forms a loop to receive a cable or chain.

In Figures 17 and 18 the bridge portion 102 is shown as having been formed by cutting the sheet that forms the top plate on three sides of a rectangle and pressing up a portion of the tab so formed to make a humped bridge portion. Alternatively the bridge portion may be formed by cutting two parallel slits and deforming the metal so as to form a humped bridge portion which is joined to the remainder of the top plate at each end, or the bridge portion may be formed by a semi-cylindrical tunnel which is welded along its edges to the top of the top plate.

Figure 19 shows a modification of the anchoring device of Figures 9 and 10. In the embodiment of Figure 19 the anchoring device 150 has a top plate 153 with two opposing sides 151 bent over at right angles and welded at 152 to the fins 155. A generally U-shaped member 154 has its free ends 156 passing through holes 157 in the top plate. After the limbs have been inserted through the holes 157, their ends are crimped at 158 to prevent them

being pulled back through the holes 157 and thus the U- shaped member s retained on the anchoring device. In other respects the embodiment of Figure 19 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10.

Figures 20 and 21 show two ways in which the spike portion of the embodiments described above might be modified in order to make the anchoring device more difficult to pull out of the ground.

In the embodiment of Figure 20 the spike 201 has fins 205 which have their edges cut at 206 to form a series of barbs 207. The barbs point upwardly so as not to impede the spike being driven into the ground. However when an attempt is made to pull the spike out of the ground, the barbs will engage in stones, buried twigs and other objects to make the spike more difficult to pull out of the ground.

In the modification of Figure 21 the spike 211 has tapering fins 215. Holes are drilled in one or more of the fins 215 which receive wire rods 216. The wire rods are bent into a generally V-shaped configuration and welded so as to be fixed m the holes. The free ends of the wire rods point upwardly The wire rods pro ecting from the fin do not significantly impair the ease with which the spike can be driven into the ground because they are inclined upwardly. However when an attempt is made to pull the spike out of the ground, the rods act as barbs engaging on stones or other buried material to resist withdrawal.

In the embodiments described above, anchoring devices in which the attachment means is secured to a spike for driving into the ground. The invention also contemplates anchoring devices attached to ground-engaging means which are intended for concreting into the ground. A suitable ground-engaging portion might consist of four longitudinally extending fins of uniform height. Any of the attachment means described above may be incorporated in such a device within the scope of the present invention.

Figures 23 to 25 show another modification of the invention. In this embodiment the top plate 160 is formed from a square 161 sheet of metal, with cut out portions 162, which is folded along the lines 163, 164, 165 and 166 to form the top plate. The triangular portions 167 and 168 are folded down along the lines 163 and 164 and the free edges 169 are welded to the fins 170. The portions 171 and 172 are folded down along the lines 165 and 166 and welded to the fins 170 of the spike along the free edges 173. The loop 174 is held captive on the underside of the top plate 160 by the portions 171 and 172. The flaps 167, 168, 171 and 172 form fillets on the underside of the top plate which make it more difficult for a would- be thief to place a lever under the top plate to prize the lever out of the ground.

Figure 25 also shows alternative ways of forming barbs 180 and 181 to prevent the spike being pulled out of the ground. The barb 180 is formed by welding small plates along two edges in the corner between two fins so as to slope upwardly and outwardly. The barb 181 is

formed by cutting a flap out of one of the fins along three edges of a rectangle, folding the flap along the remaining side of the rectangle, so as to slope upwardly and outwardly, and welding an edge to the adjacent fin to hold it in place.

It will be appreciated that other variations can be made to the embodiment described above within the scope of the invention.