Stabilizer for in-ground members, assemblies including the same, and method of installation

Abstract

A stabilizer for an in-ground member includes: a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough; a plurality of arms having respective collar ends, the collar ends being adapted to extend through the channel and engage with the mounting collar; and a resilient member being sized (a) to be disposed within the channel between the collar ends and (b) to be engaged by the in-ground member so as to urge the resilient member against the collar ends to force the collar ends against the mounting collar, whereby to rigidify the stabilizer. A method for installing an in-ground member into the ground to dispose a portion thereof beneath the surface of the ground and to leave a portion thereof extending above the surface of the ground, the method includes: providing a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough and a plurality of arms having respective collar ends; inserting the collar ends through the channel of the mounting collar so that the collar ends engages with the mounting collar; inserting a resilient member into the channel of the mounting collar so that the resilient member supports the collar ends, the resilient member having a bore; engaging the in-ground member with the resilient member; and driving the plurality of arms into the ground.

1 . A stabilizer for an in-ground member comprising: 
 a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough;    a plurality of arms having respective collar ends, said collar ends being adapted to extend through said channel and engage with said mounting collar; and    a resilient member being sized (a) to be disposed within said channel between said collar ends and (b) to be engaged by said in-ground member so as to urge said resilient member against said collar ends to force said collar ends against said mounting collar, whereby to rigidify said stabilizer.    
     
     
         2 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said collar ends have respective nubs that protrude beyond a bottom edge of said mounting collar.  
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said collar ends have respective nubs that hook onto a bottom edge of said mounting collar.  
     
     
         4 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient member has at least one ear that overlaps an edge of said mounting collar.  
     
     
         5 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of arm include respective stabilizing sections and anchoring sections, said stabilizing sections are disposed adjacent to said collar ends and extend radially from said mounting collar for a first distance to an end, said anchoring sections extend from said end downwardly for a second distance to a distal end.  
     
     
         6 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said anchoring sections include respective projections disposed at said distal end.  
     
     
         7 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between one of said stabilizing section and one of said anchoring section is approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         8 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said stabilizing section and at least one of said anchoring section are coupled together at said end.  
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said anchoring section includes at least one hole for mounting an anchor fin.  
     
     
         10 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said anchoring sections includes an anchor fin, said anchor fin is adjustable.  
     
     
         11 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein each of said anchoring sections includes an anchor fin and one of said anchor fins is disposed at a higher elevation than the other anchor fins.  
     
     
         12 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient member has a bore therein and said in-ground member is adapted to be engaged with said resilient member by being inserted into said bore so that upon insertion of said in-ground member into said resilient member, said resilient member is forced against said collar ends to force said collar ends against said mounting collar to provide rigidity to said stabilizer.  
     
     
         13 . A method for installing an in-ground member into the ground to dispose a portion thereof beneath the surface of the ground and to leave a portion thereof extending above the surface of the ground, the method comprising: 
 providing a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough and a plurality of arms having respective collar ends;    inserting said collar ends through said channel of said mounting collar so that said collar ends engages with said mounting collar;    inserting a resilient member into said channel of said mounting collar so that said resilient member supports said collar ends, said resilient member having a bore;    engaging the in-ground member with said resilient member; and    driving said plurality of arms into the ground.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said in-ground member engages said resilient member by inserting said in-ground member into a bore of said resilient member so that upon insertion of said in-ground member into said resilient member, said resilient member is forced against said collar ends to force said collar ends against said mounting collar to provide rigidity to said stabilizer.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, before driving said plurality of arms into the ground, excavating a portion of the ground.