AU2017100213A4 - Ground Peg - Google Patents

Description

1 2017100213 22 Feb 2017

GROUND PEG TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to ground anchors generally and particularly to a ground anchor that can be used to hold down temporary structures such as shade covers, tents and ground covers.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Ground anchors are available in a wide variety of types. Both permanent and temporary ground anchors are available.

[0003] The permanent ground anchors tend to be there are more robust than temporary ground anchors.

[0004] Both types normally have an elongate shaft with a helical flight either attached to or mounted relative to the shaft or the shaft itself can be a helical member adapted to be rotatably driven into the ground.

[0005] Some ground anchors have islets at an upper end in order to attach other assemblies relative thereto.

[0006] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a ground peg, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0008] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a ground peg including an elongate shaft, a pointed lower end provided on the elongate shaft, at least one helical flight extending at least partially about the shaft adjacent to but spaced from the pointed lower end and an engagement portion at an end of the shaft opposite to the lower end to engage a drive tool.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment, the ground peg will be between approximately 200 2 2017100213 22 Feb 2017 mm and 500 mm in overall length. In one preferred embodiment, the ground peg will be no more than approximately 300 mm in overall length. In one preferred embodiment, the ground peg will be no more than approximately 400 mm in overall length.

[0010] The size of the ground peg is important to its functionality in particular being able to be driven into the ground with the drive tool which is handheld by user. If the ground peg is too large (either too long or the shaft is too wide or the helical flight is too wide) the ground peg will be too difficult to be driven into the ground and/or removed from the ground easily using a handheld drive tool. In addition, by limiting the overall length of the ground peg, a user can be more certain that when inserting the ground peg into the ground in use, that the user will not disrupt or adversely affect any services such as water pipes or electrical cables located beneath the ground surface.

[0011] The ground peg of the present invention is preferably used to attached or to provide secure mounting for items relative to the ground surface. A wide variety of items can be attached to or anchored to the ground using the ground peg of the present invention. The ground peg of the present invention can be used to attach anything to which a rope or cable or similar elongate, flexible attachment member can be attached for example a tent, portable shade structure and the like and additionally, can be used to secure items with eyelets or loops relative to a ground surface such as for example ground sheets and the like.

[0012] As mentioned above, the ground peg of the present invention is provided with an engagement portion and a helical flight which specifically adapt the ground peg to be driven into the ground but also allows the ground peg of the present invention to be removable as well.

[0013] Preferably, the ground peg of the present invention will be driven rotatably into the ground and will also be removable using a similar drive mechanism in reverse.

[0014] Any tool may be used to drive the ground peg into the ground but it is preferred that the tool be a handheld tool operable by a user. Preferably, the tool will be a powered impact wrench or driver commonly referred to as a rattle gun. These types of devices are normally powered using battery power, compressed air or similar to provide high torque to the drive mechanism whilst minimising any torque experienced by the user.

[0015] The ground peg of the present invention includes an elongate shaft. Preferably, the shaft will be solid. Preferably the shaft will have a substantially circular cross-section in order to allow the ground peg to be balanced in rotation. The shaft will typically have a consistent cross sectional shape over its length although the shaft may taper at a lower end in order to form the 3 2017100213 22 Feb 2017 pointed lower end. It is preferred that the shaft be between 1 cm and 5 cm in external diameter. However, as mentioned above, the larger diameter that the shaft has, the more difficult it will be to drive into the ground, but the more robust the shaft will be which will make the shaft more resistant to deformation when being driven into particularly hard ground.

[0016] The elongate shaft is provided with a pointed lower end. The pointed lower end may have any shape for example chisel shaped, wedge-shaped but a partially conical shape is preferred.

[0017] The ground peg of the present invention is provided with at least one helical flight extending at least partially about the shaft adjacent to but spaced from the pointed lower end. Preferably, a single, substantially continuous helical flight is provided. The helical flight will typically extend at least once around the elongate shaft and may extend approximately two to three times around the elongate shaft.

[0018] The helical flight may have any pitch, may have any angle but preferably the angle is approximately 15°, any channel depth however the channel depth of approximately the width of the elongate shaft is preferred and any flight width although a flight width which is greater at the root of the flight and tapering to an external edge of the flight, is preferred.

[0019] Preferably, the external diameter of the at least one helical flight will be approximately three times the external diameter of shaft.

[0020] In a particularly preferred form, the helical fight will typically begin above the pointed lower end of the elongate shaft. Preferably, the lowest extremity of the helical flight will be spaced from the pointed lower end of the elongate shaft by a dimension approximately equal to the pitch of the helical flight.

[0021] The ground peg of the present invention includes an engagement portion at an end of the shaft opposite to the lower end in order to engage a drive tool. The engagement portion may have any configuration but is preferably shaped in order to engage with the drive mechanism of the drive tool. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the engagement portion will be hexagonal in shape. In a preferred form, the engagement portion will be an enlarged head, of greater external dimension than the elongate shaft. The enlarged head will typically have a bearing surface on the underside of the enlarged head adjacent to the elongate shaft. Typically, the bearing surface will be formed by a land or shoulder which extends transversely to the shaft.

[0022] The ground peg of the present invention may include a floating cross plate. 4 2017100213 22 Feb 2017

Preferably, the floating cross plate is elongate. The floating cross plate, where provided, may extend to one side of the ground peg or to both sides. Typically, the plate will be a substantially planar plate with at least one opening therein in order to receive the elongate shaft of the ground peg and slide freely therealong.

[0023] The floating cross plate is preferably provided with at least one attachment portion. Although any attachment portion can be used, the floating cross plate may be provided with an opening at one end thereof. The opening can be used for a variety of functions including to attach a rope or cable or similar or an attachment device such as a carabiner for example to the floating cross plate.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the floating cross plate may be provided with a pin or stake at one end thereof.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the floating cross plate will preferably extend on both sides of the substantially central opening to receive the elongate shaft and will be provided with an opening at one end and a pin or stake at the opposite end, providing the functionality of both attachment mechanisms on the same ground peg. Where the pin or stake is provided, it is preferred that the pin or stake is elongate with an enlarged head located on an upper side of the floating cross plate and a pointed or sharpened lower tip in order to be driven into the ground. When the pin or stake is driven into the ground, the enlarged head will preferably sandwich the floating cross plate to the ground surface.

[0026] The underside of the floating cross plate will normally abut the ground surface in use and the upper side of the floating cross plate will normally abut the underside or bearing surface of the engagement portion of the ground peg when the peg has been driven into the ground.

[0027] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0028] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled 5 2017100213 22 Feb 2017 in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [0030] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a ground peg according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 is a front elevation view of a ground peg according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic isometric representation showing the use of the ground peg illustrated in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ground peg is provided.

[0034] The ground peg 10 of the illustrated, preferred embodiment includes an elongate shaft 11, a pointed lower end 12 provided on the elongate shaft 11, a helical flight 13 extending at least partially about the shaft 11 adjacent to but spaced from the pointed lower end 12 and an engagement head 14 at an end of the shaft 11 opposite to the pointed lower end 12 to engage a drive tool 15.

[0035] In one preferred embodiment, the ground peg 10 is between approximately 300 mm and 500 mm in overall length. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ground peg 10 is no more than approximately 300 mm in overall length.

[0036] The size of the ground peg 10 is important to its functionality in particular being able to be driven into the ground with the drive tool 15 which is handheld by user as illustrated in Figure 3. If the ground peg 10 is too large (either too long or the shaft 11 is too wide or the helical flight 13 is too wide) the ground peg 10 will be too difficult to be driven into the ground and/or removed from the ground easily using a handheld drive tool 15. In addition, by limiting the overall length of the ground peg 10, a user can be more certain that when inserting the ground peg 10 into the ground in use, that the user will not disrupt or adversely affect any services such as water pipes or electrical cables located beneath the ground surface.

[0037] The ground peg 10 of the present invention is preferably used to attach or to provide secure mounting for items relative to the ground surface. A wide variety of items can be attached 6 2017100213 22 Feb 2017 to or anchored to the ground using the ground peg of the present invention. The ground peg of the present invention can be used to attach anything to which a rope or cable or similar elongate, flexible attachment member can be attached for example a tent, portable shade structure and the like and additionally, can be used to secure items with eyelets or loops relative to a ground surface such as for example ground sheets and the like. One particular device that the ground peg of the present invention is suited to securing is an outdoor canopy which typically has a number of legs to support the canopy above the ground surface, and one or more of the legs has an at least partially radially extending foot, with the pin or stake engaging a portion of the at least partially radially extending foot to secure the outdoor canopy without the need for ropes or cables.

[0038] As mentioned above, the ground peg 10 of the present invention is provided with an engagement head 14 and a helical flight 13 which specifically adapt the ground peg 10 to be driven into the ground but also allows the ground peg 10 to be removable as well.

[0039] Preferably, the ground peg 10 of will be driven rotatably into the ground and will also be removable using a similar drive tool, operated in reverse.

[0040] Any tool may be used to drive the ground peg 10 into the ground but it is preferred that the tool be a handheld tool operable by a user. Preferably, the tool will be a powered impact wrench or driver commonly referred to as a rattle gun. These types of devices are normally powered using compressed air or similar to provide high torque to the drive head 16 whilst minimising any torque experienced by the user.

[0041] Preferably, the elongate shaft 11 of the ground peg is solid and has a substantially circular cross-section in order to allow the ground peg 10 to be balanced in rotation. The shaft will typically have a consistent cross sectional shape over its length although the shaft may taper at a lower end in order to form the pointed lower end 12. It is preferred that the shaft be between 1 cm and 5 cm in external diameter. However, as mentioned above, the larger diameter that the shaft has, the more difficult it will be to drive into the ground, but the more robust the shaft will be which will make the shaft more resistant to deformation when being driven into particularly hard ground.

[0042] The elongate shaft 11 is provided with a pointed lower end 12. The pointed lower end 12 may have any shape for example chisel shaped, wedge-shaped but a partially conical shape as illustrated, is preferred.

[0043] Preferably, a single, substantially continuous helical flight 13 is provided. The helical 7 2017100213 22 Feb 2017 flight 13 will typically extend at least once around the elongate shaft and preferably, approximately twice around the elongate shaft as shown in Figures 1 and 2 in particular.

[0044] The helical flight 13 may have any pitch, may have any angle but the angle illustrated is approximately 15°, any channel depth however a channel depth of approximately the width of the elongate shaft is provided on the illustrated ground peg and any flight width although a flight width which is greater at the root of the flight 13 and tapering to an external edge of the flight 13is preferred.

[0045] As illustrated, the external diameter of the helical flight 13 is approximately 3 times the external diameter of shaft 11.

[0046] In a particularly preferred form, the helical fight 13 will typically begin above the pointed lower end 12 of the elongate shaft 11. Preferably, the lowest extremity of the helical flight 13 will be spaced from the pointed lower end 12 of the elongate shaft 11 by the dimension approximately equal to the pitch of the helical flight 13.

[0047] The engagement head 14 illustrated is shaped in order to engage with the drive mechanism 16 of the drive tool 15 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the engagement head is hexagonal in shape. The enlarged head 14 is of greater external dimension than the elongate shaft 11. The enlarged head 14 has a bearing surface on the underside of the enlarged head 14 adjacent to the elongate shaft 11. Typically, the bearing surface will be formed by a land or shoulder which extends transversely to the shaft 11.

[0048] As illustrated, the ground peg is provided with a floating cross plate 17. The floating cross plate 17 is elongate, extending to one side of the ground peg 10 as shown in Figure 2 or to both sides of the ground peg 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Typically, the plate 17 is a substantially planar plate with a central opening therein in order to receive the elongate shaft 11 of the ground peg 10 and slide therealong. Two different embodiments are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0049] In Figure 2, the floating cross plate 17 is provided with an opening 18 at one end thereof. The opening 18 can be used for a variety of functions including to attach a rope or cable or similar or an attachment device such as a carabiner 19 for example to the floating cross plate.

[0050] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the floating cross plate 17 extends on both sides of the substantially central opening to receive the elongate shaft 1 land is provided with an opening 18 at one end and a pin or stake 20 at the opposite end, providing the 2017100213 22 Feb 2017 8 functionality of both attachment mechanisms on the same ground peg 10. Where the pin or stake 20 is provided, the pin or stake is elongate with an enlarged head 21 located on an upper side of the floating cross plate 17 and a pointed or sharpened lower tip 22 in order to be driven into the ground. When the pin or stake 20 is driven into the ground, the enlarged head 21 will preferably sandwich the floating cross plate 17 to the ground surface.

[0051] The underside of the floating cross plate 17 will normally abut the ground surface in use and the upper side of the floating cross plate 17 will normally abut the underside or bearing surface of the engagement head 14 of the ground peg 10 when the peg has been driven into the ground.

[0052] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0053] Reference throughout 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 invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0054] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (5)

1. A ground peg including an elongate shaft, a pointed lower end provided on the elongate shaft, at least one helical flight extending at least partially about the shaft adjacent to but spaced from the pointed lower end and an engagement portion at an end of the shaft opposite to the lower end to engage a drive tool.

2. A ground peg as claimed in claim 1 further including a floating cross plate with at least one opening therein in order to receive the elongate shaft of the ground peg and slide therealong, the floating cross plate provided with at least one attachment portion.

3. A ground peg as claimed in claim 2 wherein the floating cross plate is provided with an opening at one end thereof.

4. A ground peg as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3wherein the floating cross plate is provided with a pin or stake at one end thereof.

5. A ground peg as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement portion and the at least one helical flight allow the ground peg to be driven rotatably into the ground and to be removable in reverse.