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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
ANCHORING DEVICE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/140318
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Anchoring device (1), for example, for anchoring a rope used to secure a tent in the ground. It is formed of two parts (2, 3) pivoted to each other, the outer ends of which are equipped with parts (4, 5) to be pressed into the ground, slanting towards the pivot point of the device (1). The device is formed especially from an essentially wire-like material, which is formed into the desired shape by bending.

Inventors:
SIEKKELI JUKKA (FI)
Application Number:
PCT/FI2012/050344
Publication Date:
October 18, 2012
Filing Date:
April 04, 2012
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SUUNNITTELUPUU OY (FI)
SIEKKELI JUKKA (FI)
International Classes:
E04H15/62; E02D5/80
Foreign References:
US5661933A1997-09-02
US4315387A1982-02-16
US1676197A1928-07-03
US20090314225A12009-12-24
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PATENTTI-LAITINEN OY (Espoo, FI)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. Anchoring device, for example, for anchoring a rope used for securing a tent to the ground, formed of an essentially wire-like material, and being equipped with leg parts (4, 5) that are pressed into the ground, characterized in that the leg parts (4, 5) are permanently attached to link parts (2, 3), which are connected to each other by a pivot in the central area of the device, and that the leg parts (4, 5) are slanted towards the pivot point of the device (1). 2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that each of the link parts (2, 3) is manufactured from a single length of material, and that the parts pressed into the ground are formed of the bent free ends (4, 5) of the wire-like material.

3. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that in the device there is an essentially plate-like part (10, 11) binding the branches together.

4. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the device (1) is equipped, for the attachment of a tent rope or similar, with a bent loop (7) of the link parts (2 or 3), in which there is a transverse portion (7').

5. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the device (1) includes a separate tensioning part (15) connecting the link parts (2, 3) to each other, in which there is a transverse portion (7') for attaching a tent rope or similar. 6. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the device (1) includes at least three link parts (2, 3, 12), equipped with leg parts (4, 5, 13) to be embedded in the ground, pivoted to each other in a consecutive order.

7. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it is manufactured by bending from strong steel wire.

8. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the pivots between the link parts (2, 3, 12) are mainly formed from bent wires.

Description:
Anchoring device

The present invention relates to an anchoring device and more specifically to a device, with the aid of which a tent rope or similar can be firmly secured in the ground.

To erect tents, it is usual to use metal or plastic pegs or similar, which must be hammered into the ground. A tent rope, which is suitably tensioned to hold a corner of the tent in place, is then tied to a loop or bend in the portion of the said peg that remains above the surface of the ground.

As such, the procedure referred to works, provided the ground, into which the peg is hammered or stamped, is of a sufficiently dense material. On the other hand, if the ground is somewhat soft, the peg will easily detach, with the natural consequence that the tent will also not be anchored in place, as was intended.

The present invention is intended to create an anchoring device, with the aid of which it can be ensured that a tensioned tent rope or similar will remain in the desired place.

The aforementioned intention is achieved by using an anchoring device, the characteristic features of which are stated in the accompanying Claims. A more detailed description of the invention is given in the following, with reference to the accompanying patent drawings.

Figure 1 shows the invention seen directly from the side; Figure 2 shows the invention seen directly from on top;

Figure 3 shows the invention in an axonometric view; Figure 4, for its part, shows a side view of an additional embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 shows an embodiment, which is mainly like that in Figure 4, but which has been adapted.

The embodiment shown in Figures 1 , 2, and 3 is formed of a structure 1 , made from an essentially wire-like material. The wire is particularly sturdy steel wire. In the centre areas, the structure is articulated in such a way that it forms link parts 2 and 3 joined to each other. The type of pivot shown, which exploits only the bending of the wire, is very suitable for this purpose, but it is self evident that the two parts can be pivoted to each other in very many different ways, which are used in various fields of technology. Each of the link parts 2 and 3 is formed of a single bent wire component, the free ends 4 and 5 of which, which hereinafter are referred to as leg parts, are bent in an essentially symmetrical manner in an acute angle towards the central part of the device. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 3, the angle is less than 90 degrees, but, however, only moderately less than that.

In the middle of the link part 2 is a bend 6, which grips the transverse portion 8 of the link part 3 in a pivoted manner, while nevertheless retaining its location essentially unaltered in part 2. By way of example, Figures 1 - 3 show a bent loop part 7, to which the tent tope or similar can be attached. If it is wished to simplify the device, the tent rope could be attached directly to the transverse portion 8, in which case the loop part 7, which is bent many times, would be eliminated.

According to the invention, it is ensured that the free ends, or leg parts, of the bent link parts 2 and 3, will remain in shape particularly by means of plastic plates 10 and 11 , which secure the forks in place. Many different solutions to this too can be found in various fields of technology, the plate-shaped part 10 or 11 shown being in no way the only alternative. As shown later in Figure 5, by using a relatively sturdy material there is no need to use the plates 10 and 11. The construction will remain in shape even without them. Figure 1 shows an arrow, marked with the reference number 9, showing the direction, in which the tent rope or similar to be tensioned in place, will pull the device. In this case, the rope is attached to the transverse portion 7' of the loop part 7.

Figure 4 shows how the retentive ability of the device according to the invention can be further improved. Thus, the device further includes an extra link part 12, which is located as an extension of the side of the device 1 away from the tension caused by the tent rope or similar. An additional part 12, essentially similar to the link part 3, is pivoted to it as its extension, in which there are also free leg parts 13 bent in an acute angle, and a plate 14 holding the forks of the link parts. In the aforementioned manner, this part too is also secured to the ground in the same way as the parts 2 and 3 and further ensures adhesion. In this embodiment, the outer end of the link part 3 is shaped in a new way, to permit the additional part 12 to be attached to it.

Figure 5 shows an adapted alternative of the invention, mainly of the device according to Figure 4. Part of the ground 14 has also been included, to illustrate the position of the device relative to the surface of the ground when in use. The device otherwise corresponds fully to the solution of Figure 4, except that the attachment of the link parts 2 and 3 to each other is now arranged by means of a separate connector part 15, to which the link parts 2 and 3 are pivoted, each in its own place. The connector part 15 can also be characterized as a tensioning part. The transverse portion T for attaching the tent rope or similar is located outside the pivot points, so that the tent rope's tension leads to a strong pull on the ends at the different sides of the connector part 15, causing on the ends 4, 5, 13 of the foot parts embedded in the ground to come nearer to each other. The adhesion with the ground is thus strong.

In practice, the invention is used as follows. The device is stamped into the ground in the position shown, so that the free ends of the wires, i.e. the foot parts 4 and 5 are pressed substantially entirely into the ground, so that the device lies against the ground. In this situation, the essentially plate-like parts 0 and 11 act as a good aid in stamping into the ground, or other kinds of attachment. The tent rope or similar is attached to the central areas of the device at the located 7' reserved for this, and is then tensioned. The central part of the device seeks to rise slightly upwards from the ground level, causing the foot parts 4 and 5 to bite tightly into the ground, as the rising of the central part causes them to seek to move towards each other. However, due to the slanting position the forces also cause the foot parts 4 and 5 to tend rather to bite more deeply into the ground. In addition, the approach of the parts 4 and 5 towards each other, caused by the rise of the central part, compressed the ground between them compactly. The end result is that the invention creates a very secure anchoring of the device 1 in the ground.

Above, the emphasis has been on securing a tent, but as anyone can understand, the securing can also be used for any other purpose whatever, in which adhesion is required.

As stated above, the manufacturing material is particularly strong steel wire.

However, depending on the intended use, the material can, of course, be something other than steel. The embodiment shown in the figures appears to be very practicable, but the size as such, the width or length, and also the length of the parts to be pressed into the ground, and similar matters can vary even greatly. The parts to be pressed into the ground can also be equipped with additions that improve adhesion, for example some kind of barbs.