US3754401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Earth anchor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-29
•
Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1991-12-29
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to the anchoring of a tension member into the earth. Two packing members are positioned in a hole in the earth about a quantity of packing material. The packing members are then forced toward one another which compresses the packing material and forces it into the surrounding earth. The earth surrounding the packing material is also compressed and thereby strengthened. The packing members are then locked in this compressed mode about a structural tension member. The strengthened earth and the anchoring unit then act together to anchor the structural tension member securely in the earth.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lipow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 03:12
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D5/00; E02D5/74; E02D5/76; E02D5/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for anchoring a support member in the ground, comprising: a tension member, opposed packing elements, means for rigidly locating said opposed packing elements relative to said tension member, packing material, and means for compressing said opposed packing members into said packing material including a mandril located about said tension member capable of exerting pressure on one of said opposed packing elements and a tensioning device capable of pulling on said tension member concurrently with the operation of said mandril.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for anchoring a support member in the ground, comprising: a tension member, opposed packing elements, means for rigidly locating said opposed packing elements relative to said tension member, packing material, and means for compressing said opposed packing members into said packing material including a mandril located about said tension member capable of exerting pressure on one of said opposed packing elements and a tensioning device capable of pulling on said tension member concurrently with the operation of said mandril.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said packing elements and said packing material act together to compress the in situ soil about the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opposed packing elements are segmented truncated conical wedges each comprising a plurality of segments and means for expanding said plurality of said segments in a radial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said expanding means comprises an inner conical surface on said segmented truncated conical wedge and a forcing wedge which operates on said inner conical surface, said forcing wedge being positioned within said inner conical surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for anchoring a support member in the ground, comprising, a tension member, opposed packing elements, packing material between said opposed packing elements, and means for rigidly locating said opposed packing elements relative to said tension member including a block attached to said tension member behind one of said opposed packing elements and a plurality of locking wedges locking on said tension member behind the other of said opposed packing elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for anchoring a support member in the ground, comprising, a tension member, opposed packing elements, packing material between said opposed packing elements, and means for rigidly locating said opposed packing elements relative to said tension member including a block attached to said tension member behind one of said opposed packing elements and a plurality of locking wedges locking on said tension member behind the other of said opposed packing elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said packing material is gravel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a segmented truncated conical collar positioned about said opposed packing elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said packing material is initially held within a container which is sufficiently weak to structurally fail under employment of said packing elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tension member is removable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for anchoring a support member in a bore hole in soil of various characteristics, comprising; an elongated tension member, a pair of opposed packing elements mounted on said member in substantially spaced relationship, packing material between said elements capable of irregular deformation and flow, means for axially advancing said packing elements toward each other on said tension member for causing said packing material to expand radially compressing the soil, said packing elements including means for expanding radially in response to said axial advancement for inhibiting the flow of said packing material passed said packing elements, and locking means for rigidly locating said packing elements relative to said tension member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for anchoring a support member in a bore hole in soil of various characteristics, comprising; an elongated tension member, a pair of opposed packing elements mounted on said member in substantially spaced relationship, packing material between said elements capable of irregular deformation and flow, means for axially advancing said packing elements toward each other on said tension member for causing said packing material to expand radially compressing the soil, said packing elements including means for expanding radially in response to said axial advancement for inhibiting the flow of said packing material passed said packing elements, and locking means for rigidly locating said packing elements relative to said tension member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for advancing said packing elements comprise a mandril for applying axial compressive force to one packing element and the tension member for applying axial tension force to the other packing element in the opposite direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said packing material comprises a relatively incompressible granular material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locking means includes selectively operable means associated with one of said packing elements and being adapted to selectively rigidly locate or dislocate that said packing element relative to said tension member as required.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said packing elements each include segmented truncated conical wedges with their small ends facing each other, wedge means for expanding the larger ends of each segmented truncated conical wedge, and means positioned on said segmented truncated conical wedges extending across at least a portion of the space formed between the expanding segments of said segmented truncated conical wedge.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |