Ground Anchor
First Claim
1. A ground anchor comprising an anchoring screw, the anchoring screw comprising a screw flight winding about a screw axis, the screw flight being generally rigid with some lateral resilient flexibility.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ground anchor (10) comprising an anchor shaft (11) and an anchoring screw (13) moulded onto the anchoring shaft adjacent the lower end thereof. The anchoring shaft (11) is of a rectangular cross-section with four side walls (12). The anchoring shaft (11) is configured at its bottom end (15) for ground penetration. The upper end (19) of the anchor shaft (11) is configured to receive torque applied thereto. The anchoring screw (13) comprises a hub (21) and a screw flight (23) on the hub. The anchoring screw (13) is moulded onto the anchor shaft (11), and the hub (21) is keyed to the anchor shaft. The anchoring screw (13) is so constructed that the spiral flight (23) is rigid yet has some resilient flexibility which allows the flight to deflect laterally in the direction of the screw axis. Specifically, the screw flight (23) has sufficient rigidity to allow it to penetrate the ground in which it is intended to be used when torque is applied to the anchor shaft (11). Further, the screw flight (23) has sufficient rigidity in order to retain the ground anchor (10) embedded in the ground when subjected to the normal load conditions for which it is intended, as is the case with conventional ground anchors. The resilient flexibility provides the screw flight (23) with a degree of ‘springiness’, so allowing the screw flight (23) to deflect laterally in the direction of the screw axis when subjected to the loadings to which it is exposed when winding into the ground. With this arrangement, the pitch of the helical screw (25) is permitted to alter during ground embedment as ground pressure increases.
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Citations
55 Claims
- 1. A ground anchor comprising an anchoring screw, the anchoring screw comprising a screw flight winding about a screw axis, the screw flight being generally rigid with some lateral resilient flexibility.
- 17. A ground anchor comprising an anchor shaft and an anchoring screw on the anchor shaft, the anchoring screw comprising a screw flight winding about a screw axis, the screw flight being generally rigid with some lateral resilient flexibility.
- 31. A method of manufacturing a ground anchor, the method comprising providing an anchor shaft and moulding an anchoring screw onto the anchor shaft.
- 33. A lateral stabilisation device for a ground anchor having an anchor shaft, the lateral stabilisation device comprising a body adapted to be fitted onto the anchor shaft for engagement with the ground to provide lateral support for the anchor shaft with respect to the ground.
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44. (canceled)
- 45. A ground anchor comprising an anchor shaft, anchoring screw mounted on the anchor shaft, the anchoring screw comprising a screw flight winding about a screw axis, the screw flight being generally rigid with some lateral resilient flexibility, and a body adapted to be fitted onto the anchor shaft for engagement with the ground to provide lateral support for the anchor shaft with respect to the ground.
- 50. A ground anchor according to claim 50 wherein the lateral projections are configured as vanes.
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55-57. -57. (canceled)
Specification