Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In combination: an elongated rod; an anchor member including a hub presenting a bore therein, and an outwardly extending, load-bearing element affixed to the exterior of said hub, said rod extending into said hub bore; means for operably coupling said anchor member to said rod; a wrench including an elongated, tubular shank telescoped over said rod and extending into said hub bore such that the portion of said shank extended into the hub bore is disposed between said rod and hub; structure for drivingly connecting said shank to both of said rod and said anchor member such that axial rotation of said shank effects corresponding rotation of said rod and anchor member and distribution of driving forces from said shank to said rod and anchor member, whereby installation of the rod and anchor member into the earth is facilitated without breakage thereof; and means defining an earth-penetrating lead adjacent one end of said rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In combination: an elongated rod; an anchor member including a hub presenting a bore therein, and an outwardly extending, load-bearing element affixed to the exterior of said hub, said rod extending into said hub bore; means for operably coupling said anchor member to said rod; a wrench including an elongated, tubular shank telescoped over said rod and extending into said hub bore such that the portion of said shank extended into the hub bore is disposed between said rod and hub; structure for drivingly connecting said shank to both of said rod and said anchor member such that axial rotation of said shank effects corresponding rotation of said rod and anchor member and distribution of driving forces from said shank to said rod and anchor member, whereby installation of the rod and anchor member into the earth is facilitated without breakage thereof; and means defining an earth-penetrating lead adjacent one end of said rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, said hub being defined by an elongated, tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, said hub being defined by a pair of elongated, opposed, metallic angles cooperatively defining said bore therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, said hub having one end thereof of lesser diameter than the remainder of the hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, said load-bearing element comprising a helical blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises engagement structure on one of said hub or rod for supporting said anchor member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said engagement structure comprises outwardly extending shoulder means on said rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting structure comprises cooperative mating fit wall surfaces on said wrench shank, rod, and hub respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting structure includes walls at least in part defining said hub bore and presenting a section thereof of polygonal cross-section, said wrench shank being of non-circular cross-section for operatively engaging said walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lead-defining means comprises an elongated terminal section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10, said terminal section being oriented at an angle relative to the major portion of said rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said terminal section is threadably coupled to said major portion of said rod.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10, said terminal rod section being provided with an elongated, threaded bore therethrough, said rod being threaded for reception in said bore for adjustment of the overall length of the entire rod, including said terminal section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lead-defining means comprises at least one earth penetrating portion connected to said hub.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, said anchor member being free of permanent connection to said rod, whereby said combination is modular in nature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a method of driving an anchor into the earth wherein the anchor includes an elongated rod and an outwardly extending load-bearing element operably coupled to the rod, and wherein the method includes the steps of telescoping an elongated, tubular wrench shank over said rod, drivingly connecting said wrench shank and rod, and axially rotating said shank to effect corresponding rotation of the rod and element to install said anchor into the earth, the improved method which comprises: providing an anchor member having an open-ended hub presenting a bore therethrough, with said element affixed to the exterior of the hub; passing said rod through said hub and operably coupling said anchor member to the rod; telescoping said wrench shank over said rod, inserting the end of said shank into said hub bore such that said shank end is disposed between said rod and hub, and drivingly engaging said connecting said shank, rod and anchor member; and axially rotating said wrench shank to effect distribution of rotative driving forces from the shank to said rod and anchor member and corresponding rotation of said rod and anchor member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a method of driving an anchor into the earth wherein the anchor includes an elongated rod and an outwardly extending load-bearing element operably coupled to the rod, and wherein the method includes the steps of telescoping an elongated, tubular wrench shank over said rod, drivingly connecting said wrench shank and rod, and axially rotating said shank to effect corresponding rotation of the rod and element to install said anchor into the earth, the improved method which comprises: providing an anchor member having an open-ended hub presenting a bore therethrough, with said element affixed to the exterior of the hub; passing said rod through said hub and operably coupling said anchor member to the rod; telescoping said wrench shank over said rod, inserting the end of said shank into said hub bore such that said shank end is disposed between said rod and hub, and drivingly engaging said connecting said shank, rod and anchor member; and axially rotating said wrench shank to effect distribution of rotative driving forces from the shank to said rod and anchor member and corresponding rotation of said rod and anchor member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
198 words
An earth anchor, comprising: an elongated rod having an earth-penetrating lead adjacent one end thereof, and outwardly extending, polygonal shoulder-defining structure proximal to said lead; an anchor member including an open-ended hub having interior walls defining a bore therethrough extending between said open ends, and an outwardly extending load-bearing member secured to said hub, said rod passing through said hub bore, with portions of said bore-defining walls surrounding said shoulder-defining structure being in spaced relationship from said structure and cooperatively defining a polygonal structure-receiving opening; and means operably coupling said anchor member to said rod, the cross-sectional dimensions of said bore, and the spacing between said shoulder-defining structure and said wall portions, being sufficient for passage of a complemental wrench tube between said interior walls and said rod, and between said wall portions and said shoulder-defining structure, for establishing a driving engagement and connection between said tube, shoulder-defining structure and opening-defining wall portions, whereby axial rotation of the tube distributes rotative driving forces from the tube to the rod and anchor member and effects corresponding rotation in unison to said rod and anchor member, in order to facilitate installation of the anchor into the earth without anchor breakage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
198 words
An earth anchor, comprising: an elongated rod having an earth-penetrating lead adjacent one end thereof, and outwardly extending, polygonal shoulder-defining structure proximal to said lead; an anchor member including an open-ended hub having interior walls defining a bore therethrough extending between said open ends, and an outwardly extending load-bearing member secured to said hub, said rod passing through said hub bore, with portions of said bore-defining walls surrounding said shoulder-defining structure being in spaced relationship from said structure and cooperatively defining a polygonal structure-receiving opening; and means operably coupling said anchor member to said rod, the cross-sectional dimensions of said bore, and the spacing between said shoulder-defining structure and said wall portions, being sufficient for passage of a complemental wrench tube between said interior walls and said rod, and between said wall portions and said shoulder-defining structure, for establishing a driving engagement and connection between said tube, shoulder-defining structure and opening-defining wall portions, whereby axial rotation of the tube distributes rotative driving forces from the tube to the rod and anchor member and effects corresponding rotation in unison to said rod and anchor member, in order to facilitate installation of the anchor into the earth without anchor breakage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The earth anchor as set forth in claim 17, said hub bore being polygonal and of substantially constant cross-sectional dimensions throughout the length thereof between said open ends.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
An anchor rod, comprising: an elongated rod presenting an upper end and an opposed lower end; a radially outwardly extending flange adjacent the lower end of said rod; an elongated earth-penetrating lead below said flange, the longitudinal axis of said lead being disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said rod; and radially outwardly extending, polygonal shoulder-defining structure above said flange and proximal thereto, said flange extending radially outwardly from said rod farther than said shoulder-defining structure, said lead serving to cut through the earth during rotative installation of the rod to facilitate installation thereof, particularly in dense or rocky soils.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
An anchor rod, comprising: an elongated rod presenting an upper end and an opposed lower end; a radially outwardly extending flange adjacent the lower end of said rod; an elongated earth-penetrating lead below said flange, the longitudinal axis of said lead being disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said rod; and radially outwardly extending, polygonal shoulder-defining structure above said flange and proximal thereto, said flange extending radially outwardly from said rod farther than said shoulder-defining structure, said lead serving to cut through the earth during rotative installation of the rod to facilitate installation thereof, particularly in dense or rocky soils.