Ground anchor and apparatus to set and remove same

Claim 1

A socket tool to insert, to pull test holding power, and to remove, if necessary, a ground anchor of the type having a rod with means at its top to connect with an object to be held by said ground anchor, and a single pitch spiral or helical fluke attached to said rod, said fluke having a power leading bevel edge and an upper trailing bevel edge; said socket tool, which is received about said rod, having an upper sleeve and a lower follower, said lower follower having a first spiral slot substantially matching said spiral of said fluke and a second spiral slot at the bottom of said follower, said second spiral slot being in a direction reverse to said first spiral slot, means interconnectable with said socket tool to: first interconnect said first spiral slot with said fluke with the end of said first spiral slot abuttable against said trailing edge, secondly, to rotate said socket tool in the direction of said leading bevel face to a desired depth, thirdly, cause an upward pull on said socket tool and interconnected ground anchor to measure its holding power, and, fourthly, either lower said socket tool to interconnect the end of said second spiral slot with said leading edge and rotate in a reverse direction to remove said anchor from said ground in the event said holding power is insufficient or reverse rotate said socket tool to raise and remove same from said ground anchor in the event said holding power is sufficient.