ANCHORING SYSTEM FOR DECK ARTICLES AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20110079700A1
• Filed: 10/05/2009
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Casey Hilderbrand
• Original Assignee: Casey Hilderbrand
• Inventors: Hilderbrand, Casey
• Application Number:
  US12/573,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20110079700A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/499
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/002 Chair or stool bases A47C3/20 takes precedence

Abstract

An anchor is generally provided with an elongated stem and a leg that extends outwardly from one end of the stem at an angle with respect to a long axis of the stem. The anchor is passed through a portion of a deck or patio area and the leg of the anchor is positioned beneath a lower surface of the deck. A securement line extends from the opposite end of the anchor and engages a structural feature of an article supported on the deck. One or more anchors may be used together, the securement line extending between the anchors. Structural features at one end of each anchor enable engagement with the securement line and resist passage of the anchor through the deck unintentionally.

Claims

1. A method for securing at least one article to a deck having upper and lower surfaces, the method comprising:

providing at least one anchor having an elongated stem with opposite first and second end portions and a leg that extends outwardly from the second end portion of the stem at an angle with respect to a long axis of the stem;

providing at least one securement line having opposite first and second end portions;

the first end portion of the securement line being coupled with the first end portion of the stem;

coupling the anchor with the deck so that the leg of the anchor is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the deck and at least a portion of the securement line extends above the upper surface of the deck; and

coupling the securement line with the article on the deck whereby movement of the article with respect to the deck is restricted.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

coupling the securement line with the article by removably securing the second end portion of the securement line to a portion of the article.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the second end portion of the securement line is removably secured to the article by tying the second end portion of the securement line to a structure associated with the article.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the anchor is coupled with the deck by passing the leg and at least a portion of the stem between portions of the deck and, after the leg of the anchor is below the lower surface of the deck, rotating the anchor so that at least a portion of the leg of the anchor is positioned directly beneath a portion of the deck.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the anchor is coupled with the deck by passing the leg and at least a portion of the stem through an aperture that penetrates a portion of the deck and, after the leg of the anchor is below the lower surface of the deck, rotating the anchor so that at least a portion of the leg of the anchor is positioned directly beneath a portion of the deck.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first end portion of the stem is shaped to resist passage of the first end portion of the stem below the upper surface of the deck.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first end portion of the stem is shaped to at least partially define a loop having an open central portion;

the first end portion of the securement line being operatively coupled with the shaped first end portion of the stem.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first end portion of the securement line is coupled with a mechanical fastener that is coupled with the shaped first end portion of the stem.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the anchor is further provided with a washer that is penetrated by the stem of the anchor;

the washer being placed closely adjacent the upper surface of the deck and shaped to resist passage of the first end portion of the stem below the upper surface of the deck.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first end portion of the stem is shaped to resist passage of the washer past the first end portion of the stem.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing at least a second anchor having an elongated stem with opposite first and second end portions and a leg that extends outwardly from the second end portion of the stem at an angle with respect to a long axis of the stem;

coupling the second end portion of the securement line with the first end portion of the second stem;

coupling the second anchor with the deck so that the leg of the second anchor is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the deck and at least a portion of the securement line extends above the upper surface of the deck.

20. The combination of claim 1 further comprising:

at least a second anchor having an elongated stem with opposite first and second end portions and a leg that extends outwardly from the second end portion of the stem at an angle with respect to a long axis of the stem;

the second end portion of the securement line being coupled with the first end portion of the second stem; and

the second anchor being coupled with the deck so that the leg of the second anchor is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the deck and at least a portion of the securement line extends above the upper surface of the deck

12. In combination:

a deck having upper and lower surfaces;

an article supported on the upper surface of the deck;

at least one anchor having an elongated stem with opposite first and second end portions and a leg that extends outwardly from the second end portion of the stem at an angle with respect to a long axis of the stem;

the leg of the anchor being positioned adjacent the lower surface of the deck; and

at least one securement line having opposite first and second end portions;

the first end portion of the securement line being coupled with the first end portion of the stem;

at least a portion of the securement line extending above the upper surface of the deck;

the securement line being coupled with the article on the deck whereby movement of the article with respect to the deck is restricted.

13. The combination of claim 12 further comprising:

coupling the securement line with the article by removably securing the second end portion of the securement line to a portion of the article.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein the stem of the anchor is positioned between separate portions of the deck.

15. The combination of claim 12 wherein the stem of the anchor penetrates an aperture formed through a portion of the deck.

16. The combination of claim 12 wherein the first end portion of the stem is shaped to at least partially define a loop having an open central portion;

the first end portion of the securement line being operatively coupled with the shaped first end portion of the stem;

the loop being shaped to resist passage of the first end portion of the stem below the upper surface of the deck.

17. The combination of claim 16 further comprising a mechanical fastener that is coupled with the first end portion of the securement line and the first end portion of the stem.

18. The combination of claim 16 further comprising a washer that is penetrated by the stem of the anchor;

the washer being placed closely adjacent the upper surface of the deck and shaped to resist passage of the first end portion of the stem below the upper surface of the deck.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein the first end portion of the stem is shaped to resist passage of the washer past the first end portion of the stem.