The present disclosure generally relates to a ground connection system and more particularly to a system and a method for fastening wooden poles to the ground.

Description of related art

During the building of recreational spaces such as playgrounds, jungle gyms or any other construction that requires anchoring of wooden poles to the ground, the strength and the stability of the wooden poles plays an important role. There are multiple ways in existence for anchoring wooden poles to the ground. The most common way of anchoring a wooden pole to the ground is to dig a hole in the ground, place the bottom portion of the wooden pole in the hole and fill the hole with soil. But there are some advancements made in the field and practices which are less primitive than the above described method have been introduced. Some non-limiting examples of prior art methods include concrete anchoring, one-piece solid ground anchoring and two-piece solid ground anchoring.

According to concrete anchoring, during the process of anchoring, a hole is made in the ground, the bottom portion of the wooden pole is introduced into the hole and then concrete is poured into the hole to anchor the bottom portion of the wooden pole in the ground. According to one-piece solid ground anchoring, a metal anchor is drilled or otherwise embedded in the ground and the outer end of the anchor is fastened to the bottom portion of a wooden pole using screws or bolts. According to two-piece solid ground anchoring a metal anchor is placed into the ground where the outer end of the anchor is defined with a metallic cup or bracket that is configured to hold the bottom portion of the wooden poles. The cup is fastened to the wooden pole using multiple screws or bolts. For anchoring non wooden poles, for example hollow metal or composite poles, other methods are available, for example those disclosed in CA2142383.

Having said the above, the existing methods are less stable as the support from the ground is primitive. To increase the stability, according to the existing methods, the wooden poles are required to be anchored deeper which will consume a more prominent section of the wooden pole, decreasing the length of the wooden pole above ground level. Also, usage of existing methods result in rotting of the wooden poles, as the wooden portion located below the ground level will be exposed to high levels of rain water and the like. Furthermore, for systems which make use of a metal anchor portion, the connection between the anchor portion and the wooden pole can be a weak link with failures resulting due to the connection. This is especially true due to the difference in elastic properties of the metal versus the wood.

Summary of the invention

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising/comprised of" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention provide a ground connection system comprising a structural element, wherein the structural element is defined with an annular recess in a first portion of the structural element; and one or more through holes in the first portion of the structural element, wherein the one or more through holes are arranged radially perpendicular to a central axis of the annular recess. Further, the ground connection system comprises a cylindrical tube inserted into the annular recess, wherein the cylindrical tube is defined with two or more radial holes, wherein at least two of the two or more radial holes are in line with at least one of the one or more through holes of the structural element and at least one bolt inserted through at least one of the one or more through holes in the first portion of the structural element and through at least two of the two or more radial holes in the cylindrical tube.

According to one embodiment, the structural element is a wooden pole.

According to one embodiment, the annular recess is on the bottom portion of the structural element and the annular recess accommodates the top portion of the cylindrical tube.

According to one embodiment, the system further comprises one or more water resistant plugs arranged in the one or more through holes of the structural element.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical tube is defined with a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is defined with the two or more radial holes and the bottom portion is securable below ground level.

According to one embodiment, a first portion of each of the one or more through holes has a first diameter defined to accommodate a body portion of the at least one bolt, and a second portion of each of the one or more through holes has a second diameter defined to accommodate at least one of head or nut of the at least one bolt.

The invention also provides a method for providing a ground connection system, comprising drilling an annular recess in a first portion of a structural element, drilling one or more through holes in the first portion of the structural element, wherein the one or more through holes are arranged radially perpendicular to a central axis of the annular recess and inserting a cylindrical tube into the annular recess, wherein the annular recess is defined to accommodate a first portion of the cylindrical tube, wherein the first portion of cylindrical tube is defined with two or more radial holes, wherein at least two of the two or more radial holes are in line with at least one of the one or more through holes on the surface of the structural element. According to one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of inserting a bolt through at least one of the one or more through holes and through at least two of the two or more radial holes on the surface of the cylindrical tube.

In one embodiment the method further comprising drilling the annular recess on the bottom portion of the structural element, wherein the annular recess accommodates the top portion of the cylindrical tube.

According to one embodiment, the method for construction of the ground connection system further comprising fixing the structural element in a jig, drilling the annular recess and the one or more through holes while the structural element is fixed in the jig; arranging the jig such that the one or more through holes are aligned to pass through the centre axis of the annular recess.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a structure fastened to the ground, comprising a ground connection system. The ground connection system comprising a structural element and a cylindrical tube, said structural element being in the form of a wooden pole fastened to the ground via the cylindrical tube. The structural element is defined with: an annular recess in a bottom portion of the structural element; and one or more through holes in the bottom portion of the structural element, wherein the one or more through holes are arranged radially perpendicular to a central axis of the annular recess. The cylindrical tube is defined with a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the cylindrical tube is inserted into the annular recess of the structural element, wherein the top portion of the cylindrical tube is defined with two or more radial holes and the bottom portion of the cylindrical tube is secured into the ground below ground level. At least one bolt is configured to fasten the bottom portion of the wooden pole to the top portion of the cylindrical tube, wherein the at least one bolt is inserted through at least one of the one or more through holes in the structural element and through at least two of the two or more radial holes in the cylindrical tube. In another invention, a hole saw is disclosed which is suitable for cutting an annular recess in a structural element. The hole saw comprises: a hollow cylindrical structure defined with an open front end, wherein the length of the hollow cylindrical structure is greater than or equal to twice the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure; and a cutting edge on the open front end of the hollow cylindrical structure. The cutting edge is configured to drill an annular recess in the structural element axially along the longitudinal axis of the hole saw. The cutting edge comprises cutting teeth strategically spaced around the open front end. The cutting teeth comprise: a first set of cutting teeth positioned around the circumference of the cutting edge, wherein a cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth is greater than or equal to the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure; and a second set of cutting teeth positioned around the circumference of the cutting edge and in between the first set of cutting teeth, wherein a cutting diameter of the second set of cutting teeth is different from the cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth and less than or equal to the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure.

In one embodiment, the cutting diameter of the second set of cutting teeth is greater than the cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth as the cutting teeth of the second set of cutting teeth are outwardly inclined from the open front end.

In one embodiment, the cutting diameter of the second set of cutting teeth is smaller than the cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth as the cutting teeth of the second set of cutting teeth are inwardly inclined from the open front end.

In one embodiment, the cutting teeth comprise a third set of cutting teeth with have a cutting diameter which is different from the first and second sets of cutting teeth. In one embodiment, the first cutting diameter is greater than the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure, the second cutting diameter is equal to the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure and the third cutting diameter is smaller than the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure.

In one embodiment the hollow cylindrical structure is defined with a plurality of radial holes strategically positioned along the hollow cylindrical structure, wherein saw dust trapped between the structural element and the hollow cylindrical structure is removable through the plurality of radial holes.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Having thus described example embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hole saw, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a process of creation of an annular recess in a structural element using the hole saw of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3A shows a side elevated perspective partial view of a cutting edge of the hole saw of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3B shows exaggerated schematic top view of a cutting edge of the hole saw of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 4 shows a sectional view representing a process of drilling an annular recess of thickness greater than the wall thickness of a hole saw of FIG.1 , in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a ground connection system, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross section of a ground connection system of FIG. 5, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a connection of two structural elements using a cylindrical tube, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic representation of construction of two single load poles using a ground connection system of FIG. 5, in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 8B illustrates a schematic representation of construction of a heavy loaded post using ground connection system of FIG. 5, in accordance with an example embodiment.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, reference in this specification to“one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase“in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms“a” and“an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

Systems and methods for fastening structural elements to the ground are provided. The main structural element discussed in this specification is a wooden pole, but other structural elements could be imagined, for example playground elements, benches, etc. In one embodiment wooden poles fastened to the ground may be referred to as being a part of a ground connection system. The process of manufacturing ground connection system includes drilling an annular recess along the axis of the structural element, for example a wooden pole. Drilling the annular recess in the wooden pole may be carried out using a hole saw. The hole saw is a cutting device, configured to drill an annular recess in the structural element such as the wooden pole. Further, the process of manufacturing ground connection system includes insertion of a cylindrical tube into the annular recess, where one end of the cylindrical tube is inserted into the wooden pole, the other end of the cylindrical tube is secured in the ground. Further, the cylindrical tube may be fastened to the wooden pole using any known fastening methods.

The system and method of manufacturing a ground connection system along with the structure and working of the ground connection system is described in FIG.1 to FIG. 8A and 8B.

A method for manufacturing a ground connection system, in accordance with an example embodiment is described below. Each step of the method supports combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more steps of the method, and combinations of steps in the method, may be implemented by special purpose hardware which perform the specified functions.

The method includes a step of drilling an annular recess into a structural element with a hole saw. In one example, the structural element may be a wooden pole or alternatively called wooden bar or post. Further, the annular recess may be drilled along the longitudinal axis of the structural element, where drilling the annular recess in the structural element is in a first portion of the structural element. In one example, the first portion may be a top portion or bottom portion of the structural element. In one example, the portion facing the ground is drilled with the annular recess. In this case, the portion facing the ground may be referred as the bottom portion. In one embodiment, the hole saw may be used to drill the annular recess in the structural element. The construction and working of the hole saw is described in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hole saw 100, in accordance with an example embodiment. In one example, the hole saw 100 is a type of a saw, where the saw 100 may be defined as a tool consisting of a tough blade, wire, or chain with a hard toothed edge arranged in a circular pattern. It is used to cut through material, very often wood although sometimes metal or stone. The cut is made by placing the toothed edge against the material and moving it forcefully forth and less forcefully back or continuously forward. This force may be applied by hand or be powered by steam, water, electricity or other power source.

The hole saw 100 is defined with a hollow cylindrical structure 103 having a circular cross section and having an open front end (not labeled in the FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the length of the hollow cylindrical structure 103 is twice or more the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure 103. For example, if the diameter of the hole saw 100 is 10cm, then the preferred length of the hole saw 100 is greater than 20cm. Alternatively, the ratio of length and diameter may vary based on the requirement or the application of the hole saw 100. In the example in the current embodiment, the length is 35cm and the diameter is 10cm. In this case, the ratio of diameter to length is 1 :3.5. Further, the hole saw 100 is defined with a cutting edge 101 defined on the open front end of the hollow cylindrical structure 103. The cutting edge 101 is configured to drive into the structural element and create an annular recess axially along the structural element.

As it is suggested in the description, especially with respect to figure 6, the drilling of the annular recess in the structural element is carried out in such a way that an annular ring is created along the longitudinal axis of the structural element. It is noted that the hole saw does not make a circular hole in the structural element, but it makes an annular recess. This implies that the structural element is not hollow. Instead it is defined with a recess only configured to accommodate the wall portion of a cylindrical tube (which further makes a part of the ground connection system).

The construction of the cutting edge 101 of the hole saw includes a set of cutting teeth strategically spaced around the open front end of the hole saw. The cutting teeth defined on the cutting edge 101 may be configured with one or more sets of cutting teeth. In one embodiment, there is a first set of cutting teeth positioned in-line with the open front end, wherein the cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth is equal to the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure and a second set of cutting teeth positioned out of line with the open front end, wherein the diameter of the second set of cutting teeth is different from the diameter of the first set of cutting teeth. Accordingly, the varying inclination of the cutting teeth of the cutting edge 101 contributes in the overall increase of outer diameter of the cutting edge 101 as compared to the hole saw 100. The construction, inclination and the positioning of the first and the second set of cutting teeth is further described in FIG.3a and 3b.

In one embodiment, the central portion of the cutting edge 101 of the hole saw 100, which comprises a first set of cutting teeth, cuts the central portion of the annular recess and a side portion of the cutting edge of the hole saw, which comprises the second set of cutting teeth, cuts the sides of the annular recess. The mechanism of cutting central and the side portion of the annular recess simultaneously lead to the creation of the annular recess or a slot that has a recess width which is greater than the wall thickness of the hole saw 100. According to one aspect of the invention, the slot ensures that generated sawdust, while cutting the structural element, falls back in the opposite direction to the cutting direction and thus avoids complications that might be created due to the trapped saw dust inside the structural element. An exaggerated sectional view describing the creation of the slot having a slot thickness which is greater than the thickness of the hole saw 100 is explained in FIG. 4

Further, in one embodiment with respect to the hole saw 100 of FIG. 1 , the hole saw 100 may be further defined with plurality of radial holes 105 on surface of the hollow cylindrical tube 103. In one example, the radial holes may be strategically spaced in any manner of liner, circular, diagonal, vertical and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the radial holes 105 are configured to allow sawdust trapped in the cylindrical tube 103 to exit the tube 103. In one embodiment, the placement manner such as liner, circular, vertical, diagonal or any combination thereof of the radial holes 105 is subjective to the requirement and/or the application of the hole saw 100. Further, the process of drilling the annular recess into the structural element is described below in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a process 200 of creation of an annular recess in a structural element 203 using a hole saw 100 such as the hole saw 100 of FIG. 1 , in accordance with one example embodiment. In one example, the structural element 203 may be a wooden pole or a wooden block used in a playground, for example, construction of swings in playgrounds. In another example, the process 200 is applicable for the wooden poles or wooden blocks (collectively referred by wooden poles 203) 203 of any length and breadth, but in one example, the wooden poles 203 may be in the range of 5m - 10m in length. Further, yet in another example, the diameter of the hole saw 100 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the structural element 203, which in some example may be a wooden pole 203.

The process 300 includes a step of fixing the wooden pole 203 to a jig or fixture 207. In one embodiment, the jig 207 is configured to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the process 200 of creating the annular recess in the structural element 203.

Further, the jig 207 may be configured to hold the structural element 203 on one end and guide the hole saw 100 on the other end. In a general embodiment, there may be many types of jigs 207, and each one is custom- tailored to do a specific job. Many jigs such as the jig 207 are created as there may be a necessity to do so by the tradesmen. Some jigs are made to increase productivity through consistency, to do repetitive activities or to do a job more precisely. Jigs 207 may be well made for frequent use or may be improvised from scrap for a single project, depending on the task.

Further, with respect to the process 200, the jig 207 is configured with a holder 201 to clamp the structural element 203. The other end of the jig 207 is defined with a driver 205, configured to drive the hole saw 100 into drilling the structural element 100 clamped at the other end of the jig 207. In one example, the driver 205 may be an electric motor with a shaft, the motor is connected to the electric supply and the shaft, being rotated by the motor, usually circular in cross section, transmit power or mechanical energy from the motor to the hole saw 100. In general, the shaft may be defined as a rotating element of a machine that transmits energy from a machine which produces power to a machine which absorbs power. Furthermore, with respect to the process 200, the hole saw 100 is fastened to the shaft defined within the driver 205.

In one example, the hole saw 100 may be attached to the shaft via any known methods of mechanical engineering that assist fixing of rotating hole saw 100 part to the rotating shaft. For example, screws, bolts, ball and detent, bearing, gear system and the like. The hole saw 100 is configured with, as described earlier, a cutting edge (such as the cutting edge 101 ) to drill the annular recess axially along the structural element 203. The cutting edge is defined with plurality of sets of cutting teeth. The sets of cutting teeth vary from each other in terms of length, orientation and inclination.

Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, one or more through holes are created on the surface of the bottom portion of the structural element 203. In one example, a through hole is a hole that goes all the way through the structural element 203, which leads to the formation of two holes on either side of the structural element 203 that are geometrically opposite to each other. Flence, it may be concluded that the through holes are created radially perpendicular to a central axis of the annular recess on the structural element 203. In one example, the through holes are created on the bottom portion of the structural element 203. In one embodiment, if the structural element is a wooden pole, then the through holes are radially positioned. Also, the one or more through holes may be equivalent in size. In another example, once the axial cut for the annular recess creation is made, the through holes are made in the structural element 203 with the jig 207. Since the through holes and the annular recess are made with the same jig, it is easy to align the through holes to the annular recess. Any methods known in the art may be used to create the through holes on the surface of the structural element 203.

In one embodiment, the through holes of the structural element 203 have two portions, an outer portion and an inner portion, i.e., a first bore and a second bore respectively. The first bore of each of the one or more through holes has a first diameter defined to accommodate body of the at least one bolt, and the second bore of each of the one or more through holes has a second diameter defined to accommodate at least one of head or nut of the at least one bolt. Further, to simplify, the first bore of each of the through hole has a smaller diameter and the second bore has comparatively larger diameter. In another example, the through holes are created at different heights from the bottom of the structural element 203. The through holes are configured to be in sync with two or more radial holes of a cylindrical tube that contributes in a ground connection system, which is described further in FIG. 5.

Further, perspective partial and top views describing the structure of the plurality of cutting teeth of the cutting edge are described in FIG. 3A and 3B respectively.

FIG. 3A and 3B show views of a cutting edge 101 of a hole saw such as the hole saw 100 of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 3A represents a perspective view 101 A of the cutting edge 101 and FIG. 3B represents a very exaggerated top view 101 B of the cutting edge 101 . The perspective view 101 A of the cutting edge 101 represents a portion of the hole saw. Further, the top sectional view 101 B of the cutting edge 101 represents a top view of the hole saw, which describes the arrangement of the cutting teeth.

Further, with respect to the perspective view 101A and the top view 101 B of the cutting edge 101 , a first set of cutting teeth 301 of the cutting edge 101 is represented on the circumference of the cutting edge 101 where the first set of cutting teeth 301 are longer than the other sets of teeth. In one example, the first set of cutting teeth 301 are positioned in-line with the open front end of the hole saw, wherein the cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth is equal to the diameter of the hollow cylindrical structure 103 of the hole saw. In another example, the first set of cutting teeth is configured to make the initial axial cut on the structural element. A second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) is defined on the circumference of the cutting edge 101 , where the second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) is shorter in length compared to the first set of cutting teeth 301 . In one example, the second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) is positioned out of line with the open front end of the hole saw, wherein cutting diameter of the second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) is different from the cutting diameter of the first set of cutting teeth 301 . In another example, the second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) is configured to contribute towards the thickness of the cut towards the inside of the annular recess.

In one embodiment, the second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) may be further defined with two sets of cutting teeth. One set of the second set of cutting teeth 303A are slightly shorter than the first set of cutting teeth 301 and which are inclined slightly outwardly to increase the thickness of the cut towards the outside. Another set of the second set of cutting teeth 303B are shorter than the one set of the second set of cutting teeth 303A and are inclined slightly inwardly to increase the thickness of the cut towards the inside. In a preferred embodiment, the second set of cutting teeth (303A and 303B) may be 1 mm further inwardly extended and/or outwardly extended from the first set of cutting teeth 301 . In an example, there may be four longer teeth and four shorter teeth. The long teeth 301 are arranged in line with the cylinder tube structure 103. Then two of the small teeth 303B are bent slightly inwardly to widen the inner portion of the cut and two of the small teeth 303A are bent slightly outwardly to widen the outer portion of the cut. According to one aspect of the invention, the cylindrical tube structure 103 is thinner than the created annular recess axially formed on the structural element and hence, there will be room for the sawdust to slide past the hole saw and out through the back of the slot. A sectional view describing the process of allowing the saw dust to pass through the hole saw is described in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view representing a process 400 of drilling an annular recess 501 of thickness greater than the sidewall thickness of a hole saw 100 of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment. The process 400 involves components such as the hole saw 100 defined with a cutting edge 101 and a cylindrical tube structure 103; and a structural element 203. The process 400 of drilling the annular recess 401 includes drilling of the structural element 203 axially to create the annular recess 401 , where due to the construction of the cutting teeth (as described in FIG.3a and 3b), the diameter of the cutting edge 101 is greater than the cylindrical tube structure 103 of the hole saw 100. The cutting edge leads to the creation of the annular recess 401 that is defined with a thickness greater than the cylindrical tube structure 103 of the hole saw 100.

In one embodiment, the annular recess 401 assists saw dust that is generated during the drilling of the structural element 203, to fall back in the opposite direction to the cutting direction and thus avoid complications that might be created due to the trapped saw dust inside the structural element 203.

Once the annular recess 401 is created along with plurality of the through holes (as described earlier), the structural element 203 may further be used in the manufacture of a ground connection system. Accordingly, a cylindrical tube is inserted into the annular recess 401 , wherein the annular recess 401 is defined to accommodate a first portion, which may be defined as one of a top portion or a bottom portion of the cylindrical tube. In a preferred embodiment, the annular recess 401 accommodates the top portion of the cylindrical tube. In one example, the cylindrical tube further comprises of two or more radial holes, wherein at least two of two or more radial holes on surface of the cylindrical tube are in line with the two or more radial holes on the surface of the structural element. In one embodiment, at least two of the two or more radial holes on surface of the cylindrical tube are in line with the at least one through hole on the structural element. A system showing the construction of the ground connection system is described in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows a partial view of a ground connection system 500, in accordance with an example embodiment. The ground connection system 500, which is hereafter referred to as the system 500 includes a structural element 203. In present example with respect to FIG. 5, the structural element 203 is a single wooden pole or a wooden flag post. The structural element 203 is defined with an annular recess (not shown in the FIG. 5) on the bottom portion. Further, the structural element 203 is defined with a plurality of through holes on the bottom portion. In one example, the through holes are spaced in such a way that the holes appearing on the either side of the structural element 203 are geometrically opposite to each other. The locations of the through holes assist in fastening of the structural element 203 to a cylindrical tube 501 .

In one example, cross sectional shape, material and dimensions of the cylindrical tube 501 are subjective to the requirements of the structural element 203. According to one aspect of the invention, the cross sectional shape, the material and the dimensions of the cylindrical tube 501 are chosen so that they match the stiffness of the structural element 203. For example, wood is less stiff than steel. Therefore a steel tube with a diameter less than the wooden pole (structural element 203) can be made which has similar stiffness to the wooden pole. This will provide a joint which can bend more uniformly and prevent the wooden pole from ripping out of the cylindrical tube 501 . In another example, other kinds of materials may be used besides steel. For example aluminum and/or galvanized steel cylindrical tubes may be used. Aluminum is typically less stiff than steel and might match wooden poles better. In another example, a composite material, for example a carbon fiber structure or an injection molded or a cast structure may also be used for the manufacturing of the cylindrical tube 501 . Further, with respect to the system 500, the cylindrical tube 501 may be configured with a plurality of radial holes. In one example, the radial holes on the surface of the cylindrical tube 501 are in line with the through holes 503 on the structural element 203. In a preferred embodiment, two radial holes on the surface of the cylindrical tube are in line with the at least one through holes 503 on the surface of the structural element 203. In one example a bolt 507 is inserted through the through holes 503 and the radial holes on the surface of the cylindrical tube 501 that are in line with the through holes on the surface of the structural element 203. In another example, one or more through holes 503 on the surface of the structural element 203 are configured with one or more water resistant plugs 505. As discussed earlier, one or more through holes 503 on the structural element 203 are configured with a first bore and a second bore. The second bore is visible on the either side of the structural element 203 which is the start and the end of a through hole 503. The second bore is configured to accommodate the head and the screw of the bolt 507 and the first bore is configured to accommodate a portion of the body of the bolt 507.

In one embodiment, the water resistant plugs 505 are placed on the first bore of the each of the through holes 503 where the head and the screw of the bolt 507 are positioned. Further, the water resistant plugs 505 are configured to prevent any form of water entering the structural element 203 and thus contribute in the extended life of the structural element 203.

Further, according to one embodiment, the bottom portion of the cylindrical tube 501 is secured below the ground level. In one embodiment, a cylindrical tube 501 defined with a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is defined with two or more radial holes strategically spaced and the bottom portion of the cylindrical tube is secured below ground level. The structural element 203, defined with one or more through holes 503 on a bottom portion of the structural element 203, fixed on the top portion of the cylindrical tube 501 , wherein the structural element 203 is visible above the ground level. At least one bolt 507 configured to fasten the structural element 203 on the top portion of the cylindrical tube 501 , wherein the at least one bolt 507 inserted through, at least one through hole 503 on the bottom portion of the structural element 203, and at least two radial holes of the two or more radial holes defined on the top portion of the cylindrical tube 601 , wherein the at least two radial holes are in line with the at least one through radial hole 503 on the surface of the structural element 203.

FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross sectional view 600 of a ground connection system such as the ground connection system 500, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In one example, the cross section view 600 implies the presence of a cylindrical tube 501 . In one example, the bottom portion of the cylindrical tube 501 may be secured below the ground level 601 . In another example, the cylindrical tube 501 may be secured below the ground level 601 by any known methods. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical tube 501 is cemented to the ground 603. Further, the top portion of the cylindrical tube 501 is secured to a wooden pole 203 through at least one bolt 507.

In one embodiment, the bolt 507 is secured through at least one through hole having two geometrically opposite openings on either side of the structural element 203 and at least two radial holes on the top portion of the cylindrical tube 501 . In an example, as shown in the FIG. 6, the wooden pole 203 is positioned above the ground level 601 and in many cases the wooden pole 203 doesn’t touch the surface of the ground 603.

According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 7, instead of fastening a structural element (203A and 203B) to the ground, an embodiment could be provided where a first structural element 203A is attached to a second structural element 203B using a cylindrical tube 501 . In one example, an annular recess with respect to first structural element 203A is created and a first portion of the cylindrical tube 501 is inserted and fastened using bolts through the through holes 503. Another annular recess with respect to second structural element 203B is created and a second portion of the cylindrical tube 501 is inserted and fastened using bolts through the through holes 503.

A few example applications of the ground connection system 500 of FIG. 5 are illustrated in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic representation of a playground construction using the ground connection system, in accordance with an example embodiment. The ground connection system such as the ground connection system 500 of FIG. 5 may be used in the construction of this embodiment. In one aspect, more than one ground connection system 500 may be used in a single construction. In the present application, two ground connection systems are used that comprise of two wooden poles 203 and two cylindrical tubes 501 fastened to respective wooden pole 203.

FIG. 8B illustrates another schematic representation of a playground construction using a ground connection system, in accordance with an example embodiment. In one embodiment, the construction 800B describes a swing set in a playground. In one example, the construction of the swing set requires multiple ground connection systems, in particular, at least four ground connection systems comprising four wooden poles 203 and corresponding four cylindrical tubes secured below the ground level (not shown in the FIG. 8B). Further, the wooden poles 203 are inclined inward at certain angle that complements the construction of the swing set. The present application requires the fastening of wooden poles 203 to the respective cylindrical tubes 501 at an inclination as per the requirement.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.