Field of the invention

The invention relates to devices useful In erecting tent or tent like structures.

Background to the Invention

Recreational camping is undertaken as a pleasurable leisure activity by a broad section of the community who participate in camping. A number of these people particularly older people, people with physical disabilities, people with illnesses and people with limited mechanical skills and/or experience find it difficult to satisfactorily erect. a tent The development of modern equipment is aimed at making camping easier, to improve camping safety and thereby improve the enjoyment of camping.

Tents, caravan annexes and other temporary outdoor shelters are normally supported by guy ropes that are attached at one end to the tent/shelter and secured at the other end to the ground via tent pegs or stakes that are driven at an angle into the ground. Hie most - basic system of tying a guy rope of a tent comprises hammering a tent ^' peg into the ground, usually at about 45°. Λ guy rope is then passed around the hook or through the eve- in the top of the ^' tent peg and back to a toggle. Tn one form, the toggle comprises a piece of dowel about 100mm long and 2.5mm in diameter with two holes drilled through the dowel ait opposite ends. The guy rope passes through one hole, down to the tent peg, backup to me other hole where its end is knotted, and by sliding the toggle along the rope the tension in the rope can be adjusted- and the friction of the rope passing through around two sharp turns in passing through the first hole prevents the toggle from moving and releasing the tension.

Prior art known to the applicant and showing tent guy line anchoring devices is:

(1) US 6,619,307 (Orr). This specification shows a plastics peg which is driven into the ground with the point at which the guy rope is attached being shifted from the "head" of the peg part which is driven into the ground so that the line of force extends down to the part of Ihe peg more deeply embedded in the ground (which helps to resist dislodgment).

(2) US 2007/0181171 which shows an anchor and, in paragraph 0009, refers to the holes being angled so that the stakes are at the required angle. Tt also shows tile point at which the rope is attached being shifted laterally from tile head of the stake or tent peg.

(3) US 1,268,459 which shows another tent peg construction with a component to shift the rope anchoring point laterally.

In use In normal camping situations the maximum tension in a guy rope that supports a tent is limited by the ground embedded tent peg's capacity to "grip" the ground. Guy ropes are normally attached to the tent peg at the upper part of the tent peg - where the tent peg first enters the ground. That is the area where the peg's penetration into the ground is shallow and least able to resist the force. Tent pegs are dislodged when the tension in the guy line guy exceeds the resistance of the shallow and less compacted soil at or near. the ground surface. The tent peg initially pulls through the soil near the surface and then pivots about the lower end as the upper section progressively "tears" through the soil and ultimately the tent, peg is dislodged. In certain circumstances, the tent peg may be bent as the greater resistance at the lower section of the tent peg combines with less resistance and greater applied force in the upper section to create a powerful bending force. The dislodged tent peg is substantially damaged in that event

Tent pegs with larger sectional area and section profiles shaped to increase the surface area in contact with the soil increase the capacity to resist guy line tension. The extra sectional area and shape can also reduce the tent peg's tendency to bend. Increasing the sectional area, however, makes tent pegs substantially more difficult to drive into the ground, bulkier and more costly.

Some tent peg forms of complex shape (the tent peg of US Patent # 6,619,307) relocate the guy line connection to a point some horizontal distance from the point where the device first enters the ground. The force is now applied to a greater length of that tent peg's embedded component that is now better able to resist the guy line tension. The soil is better able to resist Ihe tension in the guy line because the depth and compactness of the deeper soil now -resisting the guy line tension is greater. The effect is to significantly increase the tent peg's "grip" on the ground. Tent pegs of this complex form have improved "grip" capability and can replace conventional tent pegs, however, the complex shape is very difficult to manipulate. Driving the complex shape into the ground at the correct angle is ungainly and difficult The part that ia driven into the ground is subject to damage with normal use. When damage occurs to that part, the device requires total replacement/ The component part, to be embedded into the ground is therefore generally of increased sectional area and of stronger form. The increased sectional area requires increased impact to drive it into the ground. The rigid versions of these complex shaped tent pegs are bulky and difficult to stow. The raiding versions of these tent pegs are easier to stow but very vulnerable to damage when being driven into the ground and are therefore not in general use.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art The discussion of the references states what their authors assert and the applicant reserves tho right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the documents. It will be clearly understood mat, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission mat any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification including the claims, and unless, otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning, ie that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term "comprised" or "comprising" is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

An object of the present invention is to provide an effective peg guide and guy rope anchor, and its method of use for erecting tent like structures, and assemblies in use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from tho following description which is given by way of example only. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a peg guide and guy line anchor device which comprises a base to be located on a ground surface and including:

(a) a guide inclined at an acute angle to the base so that a peg located by and passing along the guide enters the ground beneath the base at the acute angle thereto;

(b) an action point spaced from that part of the base providing the guide and providing a location where a guy line co-operates with the base and transfers tensile forces in the guy line to the base;

(c) a grip means for securing a free portion of the guy line to the base; the arrangement being such that in use the peg when driven along the guide and into die ground fixes tbe anchor device to the ground and the guy line acting on the anchor device at the action point can be held by the grip means to thereby anchor the guy line to the ground.

The reference in mis summary to the grip means being suitable for securing a free portion of the guy line b not intended to necessarily imply that the portion of the guy line is completely free in the sense of a loose end of the line. For example the guy line may comprise a rope which loops back to be spliced Into the rope some distance along the rope whereby the rope can engage with the device at the action point, can thcn.be secured by the grip means, and can then loop back with tbit looping portion having a degree of slackness to be spliced to the guy rope under tension.

Preferably the base includes a resilient xone between the guide and the action point so that forces applied to die device through, the guy line can resiliently deform the base. The resilient zone of the base may be created by the inherent resilient flexibility of the material from which it is constructed. Tn one embodiment, tbe resilient zone is created by its shape and configuration and include* a transverse formation which enables a resilient deflection response of the base when sufficient force is applied by the guy line at the action point The resilient zone may comprise a narrowed thickness zone of the base between the guide and the action point The peg guide and guy rope anchor device can bo manufactured as a one piece device from any suitable material. For example the device can be maπufhcturβd from a metal or metal alloy material, plastics material or wood and iβ preferably injection moulded from a plastics material such as nylon or another suitable polymer which may be fibre reinforced if necessary. The material can be brightly coloured and/or impregnated so as to glow at night

Preferably the guide comprises a hole, preferably of generally complementary cross sectional shape to the cross section of the peg. The hole may be elongated and have sufficient length to prevent significant rotation of the base about the longitudinal axis of the peg when installed and in use. The elongation of me hole is preferably provided by an extension formation projecting above the upper surface of the base.

The guide may include aα extension for penetrating the ground below the base when the device is located for use, the extension being shaped to continue to guide the peg as it passes along the guide, extends below the base and starts to penetrate the ground. The preferred angle of the guide hole to the base is about 45°.

Preferably the action point is provided by an eye or fairlead that acts as a guide for the guy line and to which tensile forces in the guy line are transmitted to the device. The eye orfkirlead may be defied by a generally inverted U shaped body on a top part of the base and through which the guy line in use passes.

The grip means is preferably a rope or line holding/looking device. The grip means may comprise a cleat in which the guy line is tightly fitted to be gripped thereby such as a jam cleat or "V" cleat or a clam cleat Preferably the grip means is located between the guide and the action point, e.g. being located immediately adjacent the action point

Preferably the guide is configured to guide the peg into the ground beneath the base so that in use the tensile forces along the guy line that transfer through the action point to. the base act in a direction that generally intersects, or passes nearby, the peg in the ground at a large acute angle or right angle thereto. The angle between the direction of the tensile forces and the line or axis.of the peg in the ground is preferably 90° plus or. minus about 15º, Le. is preferably between about 75° and about 105°. In one preferred embodiment, the base Is shaped to store thereon a guy line for storage purposes. For example the base may have formations spaced apart and shaped to hold part of loops of the guy line in place when it is wrapped about the formations. A front end of the base preferably has a pair of fingers which comprise one of said formations and preferably another of said formations comprises either a similarly shaped part formed at the opposite end of the base or a notch defined between an upwardly extending section of the base and a rear end of the base. Also preferably the base has a shaped slot with a restricted mouth formed to provide a guy line retaining clip that secures a free end of trie guy line when wrapped onto the base formations with the free end having been forced laterally through the restricted mouth.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a peg guide and guy line anchor device according to the first embodiment, the method including the steps of: a. fitting the device to a guy line extending from a structure so mat guy line is engaging with the action point and a free portion of the guy line is unsecured; b. locating the peg guide and guy line anchor device on the ground or other surfiice with the action point being closer to the structure from which the guy line extends man the guide; c. . driving a peg along the guide so that the peg enters the ground or other surface at an acute angle to the ground -surface and generally towards the structure; d. tensioning the guy line so that the line of action of the tensile force in the guy line is directed down to the peg embedded in the ground through the action point and through the base of the device; and e. while maintaining the tension In the guy line fixing the free portion thereof to the grip means.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a tent peg guide and guy rope anchor assembly with an angled peg guide arranged so that the tensile force in a guy rope used therewith is shifted through an intermediate region of the guide and anchor assembly to be directed down to a peg extending through the peg guide into the ground with a free portion of the tope being anchored by a tope grip formed in the assembly. Preferably the guide is configured to guide the peg into the ground beneath the base so that the tensile forces along the guy rope that transfer through the action point to the base act in. a direction that generally intersects, or passes nearby, the peg in the ground at a large acute angle or right angle thereto.

As used herein "tent" in the context of the invention includes any tent, fly, gazebo or any other structure which is erected or located or tethered or braced with the use of a peg and guy line such as a rope, tie or cable or other mechanism of a similar character.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Description of the Drawings

Possible examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of peg guide and guy rope anchor device .according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shown a plan view of the example of the invention shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 snows a sectional view of the example shown in Figure 1 on the lines A -

A shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the example of the invention shown in Figures 1 to. 3; . .

Figure S shows a rear end view of the example of the invention shown in Figure

4;

Figure 6 shows a view from the other end of Hie example of the invention shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a view from below of the example of the invention shown In

Figures 4 to 6;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment ot a peg guide and guy rope anchor device according to the present invention; and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a peg guide and guy rope anchor .device according to the present invention.

Description of the Embodiments

The examples of the invention will now be described with wference to a tent peg guide and gay line anchor device which in use anchors a guy rope of a., tent to a tent peg. It will be appreciated by Ae skilled addressee that the invention can be used in a wide range of situations such as with a tent, fly, gazebo or any other structure which is erected or located with the use of a peg and guy line e.g. rope, line, tie, cable or other mechanism of a similar character which uses a peg guide and guy anchor.

The example shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings is manufactured as a one piece device which comprises a number of parts which have particular functions: It will be appreciated that some ofthese parts are optional but in a preferred form all the seven parts ^' described below are incorporated.

The guide and guy anchor device (hereinafter the "device") generally indicated by arrow 1 in the drawings Includes- a base in the form of a plate 2 into or onto which are incorporated the other six functional components or parts. In use the base plate 2 is situated in a generally horizontal position dependent on the level of the ground on which it is used. An intermediate generally centrally situated section 3 of the base plate 2 is constructed and shaped to provide some shook dampening benefit to a guy rope. The section 3 is specifically shaped or made of a material to be resilientiy flexible so that it is capable of deflection when ah excess load is applied thereto. The section 3 in the example is shaped c.g. with a transverse narrowed thickness zone and alternatively can include alternating ribs and valleys ribs (not shown) which encourage an appropriate _' resilient deflection response when used.

The device 1 includes near to a rear end thereof a peg guide 20 which includes an extension formation shown as a raised section 4 with a hole or aperture 5 therein inclined at an acute angle, preferably about 45°, to the plane of the base plate 2. The hole 5 extends through the base plate and is dimensioned and shaped so that a tent peg P (not part of this invention) can be driven to .firmly secure the guide and guy anchor device to the ground.

The crow sectional form of the hole 5 generally watches the cross sectional form of the tent peg and with sufficient clearance to allow free sliding movement of the tent peg when it Is being driven into the ground. For example the hole S can be round, square, rectangular or any complex shape which might apply to a tent peg. The hole can be elongated laterally to allow for the easier removal of tent pegs that might be bent during use. The base plate 2 of the device 1 Is formed such that the hole S is of sufficient length to prevent significant vertical rotation of (he base plate about the longitudinal axis of the tent peg. in a preferred and particular configuration an optional additional extension shown as section 6 of the base plate 2 extends downwardly bolow the base plate 2 for penetrating the ground. This additional section 6 is pushed into the surface of the ground when the device 1 is in uβc. The section 6 allows the guiding function of the hole 5 to be extended and to add strength to the base plate 2 where it is possibly weakened by the inclusion of the hole 5. Tn another configuration (not shown)! Ae device 1 is shaped to allow, for more additional tent peg or pegs to be inserted into the hole S or into additional guides or holes in the. rear end of the base plate 2 so that the additional peg/s help to resist the bending forces applied to tbe device 1 by a guy line. In this case, the second and any subsequent peg/s holes can be orientated at generally at the same angle as the hole 5 but to the rear of the first tent peg hole 5.

At a front end 7 of the base plate 2 is an anchor point 30 provided by an eye or fairlead 8. The eye 8 is spaced from that part of the base plate incorporating the hole 5. The eye 8 acts as a guide for a guy line 35 (see Fig 3) and leads to a grip means 40 (part 9) into which a free end 36 of the guy line 35 (which is shown before being gripped) is tightly fitted to hold it securely. The guy line 35 m Fig 3 is shown extending away from the device so tbe tensile forces in the line 35 are in a direction approximately at 90° to the line of the peg through the guide hole 5 in use. If necessary the device can include more man one eye/fairead 8 dcpwding on the layout of the upper surface of the base plate 2. The eye or fairlcad 8 is defined by a generally inverted U shaped body on a top part of the base 2 and through which the guy line 35 in use passes. The grip means 40 or other rope holding/locking device 9 is incorporated to secure the- free end 36 of the guy line to the device. TWs grip part 9 can be a rope holding device such as those known as "jam cleats" or "V cleats" or "dam cleats ¹⁴ . The grip part 9. can be located between the motion 3 and the eye 8 but in another variation (not shown) is located elsewhere on the base plate 2. More than one eye/fairlead can be included to improve holding capability if required.

Optionally the base plate 2 can be shaped to start thereon a guy rope for storage purposes or to assist in storing the device 1 relative to a tent by retaining the device on the guy rope. This can be done by forming each end of the device 1 so that loops of the guy rope are wrapped about the device for storage. In the example shown mis shape is created by forming in the front end 7 a pair of fingers 10 which coκφeι^ with either a siπώarly shaped part (not shown) formed at the opposite end of the device or as shown the angular- notch or region 11 between the upwardly extending section-4 of the base plate 2 with the hole 5 therein and the rear end 12. Alternatively (not shown) this shape can be by other component parts or parts formed for (hat purpose.

Ih addition a shaped slot 13 can be formed to provide a rope or cord retaining clip that secures the wrapped guy rope to the device and thereby prevents accidental dislodgement of the guy- line whilst stored, In the example this is a simple shaped, slot 13 formed in the rear end 12 whereby the restricted mourn 14 of the slot 13 narrows near the outer edge 15. The flexibility in the material from which the device is manufactured and/or compressibility of the rope allows the rope or cord to enter the slot shaped retaining area with some resistance at the mouth 14. that prevents inadvertent dislodgement. .

The device 1 can be made from a variety of materials (steel, plastic or timber) but, typically, is moulded from a plastics material such as nylon or another suitable polymer. In the preferred embodiment, this device can be.manufactured from or impregnated with or coated with a brightly coloured plastic material or alternatively a night glowing or photoluminescent material may be incorporated in the plastic to help avoid visibility and accidental injury caused by tripping on unseen tent pegs and/or guy lines.

In use the device 1 can be adapted in design for use with any form or style of tent peg provided that the cross sectional form of the tent peg is generally consistent throughout Ac length of the tent peg, In use a particular matching tent peg may be formed to suh particular ground conditions or specific applications. For example, die tent peg can be longer In length and/of wide across the axis of prevailing forces for soft ground (eg beach sand) where dislodgement occurs by pulling through the ground medium. The tent peg can be shorter and deeper in line with the guy line force for use in hard ground where bending of the peg is the more likely mode of failure.

The invention is a device I that is a tent peg accessory - not a tent peg replacement - and this device is to be used in conjunction with a tent peg to increase the tent peg grip by a realignment of the force from a guy line. This device (in suitable configuration) will increase the "grip" of virtually any size or shape of tent peg in current use.

The device 1 Is substantially easier to use than a one piece complex shaped tent peg whereby the whole tent peg (bom the connected horizontal and semi-vertical parts) must be driven down in unison while being held by the camper at the correct angle (about 45°) which is very difficult for even a skilled tradesman. In contrast, the sliding tent peg connection with the new device provides for the device to remain stationary whilst guiding the correct angle of entry for the tent peg being driven, into the ground - a substantially easier process for the user..

The.deviee 1 also allows the use of different length tent pegs for varying conditions - not possible with a one piece complex shaped tent peg.

Occasional damage to the tent peg is part of noπnal camping, but, in this case, tho damage is restricted to the teat peg only and does not affect the device 1.

The device 1 is not subjected to major impact or wearing stresses and "therefore has a very longworking life.

The preferred device 1 has other substantial and important advantages that facilitate easier use of tent pegs and associated guy ropes. These advantages include the following: Guy rope tension adjustment is normally via a sliding "toggle" arrangement whereby the guy rope is passed around the tent peg snd the length of the loop is adjusted by sliding the toggle along the guy. line toward the tent to increase guy rope tension. The invention replaces the toggle and is much simpler and easier to operate because the guy rope is secured in a simple clam cleat The ribbed "V form of the clam cleat instantly holds the guy rope which can also be instantly released to simplify the tasks of erecting the tent, adjusting guy rope tension and dismantling the tent without delays for knot tying and untying. The clam cleat in this device forms part of the device that is held fast to the ground by the tent peg.

A section 3 (or all) of the base plate 2 that locates the guy rope horizontally distant from the tent peg upper end is formed to have some elastic bending characteristic. This provides for a deflection in the base plate 2 when the guy line force is substantially and/or suddenly increased - eg strong winds, wet weather or some tent impact event The ability of the base plate 2 to "flex" upwards helps maintain

.proper tension in the guy line and will dampen the impact that could otherwise cause damage. The device can remove the need for springs, elastic cords or other devices that are often used to maintain correct tension intent guy ropes.

Whilst most campers are aware that tent pegs should be driven into the ground at an angle of about 45°, few campers are sufficiently skilled to achieve this ideal. The device 1 guides the tent peg at the correct angle for driving into the ground. .This can be a very important feature because it substantially simplifies the camper's task.

Personal injuries caused by tent peg accidents are fairly common - usually when the tmt peg is being driven into the ground. Currently the tent peg (regardless of simple or complex form) must be held in the operator's hand while he/she drives H into the ground with a mallet of some form. The opportunity for accidental impact with the hand or fingers exists. The device 1 provides for the operator's hand to be well clear of the impact area when he/she brings the mallet down into contactwith the tent peg. A user holds only the device 1 which safely holds the tent peg in the ideal position and conveniently at the correct angle. 5. The device 1 can also be an easily seen visual marker to the guy line and tent peg e.g. being made of or coated with bright coloured or night glowing or photolumiπescent material - thus helping, avert accidental entanglement with Hie tope or tent peg.

6. Campers unfamiliar with rope handling tend to have difficulty- untangling ropes and finding the various components when- setting up camp. With the device, the guy line remains attached to the tent and to the device. The device is fitted with convenient protrusions at either end that allow the guy rope to be easily wrapped around me device for storage. Tent storage is neater and the tent is ready for use at the next camping outing without the confusion and delay caused by a tangle of guy lines which is often the case.

The second embodiment in Figure 8 is substantially the same in most respects to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7 and me same reference numerals arc used. However in

Figure 8 there is no extension of the guide hole 5 or projection 6 extending downwardly below the base plate 2 for penetrating the ground. This device without the projection 6 can be more universally useable and can be used for example where the ground is particularly hard making it difficult, far the projection 6 in me first embodiment to be pushed into the ground prior to driving ofthβ peg along the guide and into the ground.

The third embodiment in Figure 9 shows a device which has a guide hole 5 which is of generally V shaped cross sectional shape so as. to receive and locate a complementary sectioned peg P. Such α tent peg P is known and used in the market place, and is commonly referred to as a "DΛC J" stake or tent peg. ^' The guide hole 5 in the device of Figure 9 will guide the peg P into the ground at the optimum angle and with the peg in the optimum orientation in relation to the structure from which the guy line extends.

Also in the device of Figure 9, there are no fingers 10 or angular notch or region 11 at opposite ends of the base around which the guy line can be wound, as these features are incidental to the principal functions of the dβvioe and can therefore be dispensed with in the simplified device of Figure 9.

In general terms, advantages of the invention in all Its possible embodiments Include: 1. To help make the teak of scouring a tent or fly significantly easier and quicker.

2. To help reduce the possibility of personal injury that can result from tent peg use and to help reduce other hazards associated with camping. 3. To secure the tent well and thereby help avoid the inconvenience and equipment damage that can occur when tent pegs arc inadvertently dislodged.

Thus by the invention there is provided a peg guide and guy rope anchor and its method of use for erecting tent or tent like structures.

Examples of the invention have been described and it Is envisaged that improvements and modifications thereto can take place without departing from the scope of the claims.