Ground anchoring devices

Abstract

A ground anchoring device includes a sharpened central shaft portion along the axis of a helical or spiral portion. The helical portion winds around the central shaft portion and the central shaft portion extends some distance beyond the lower end of the spiral portion to facilitate an initial insertion of the device into the ground. Once the central shaft portion has been pushed or driven into the ground until the lower end of the spiral contacts the ground, the anchor is then twisted to screw the spiral portion into the ground as far as desired. The twisting is facilitated by the fact that the central shaft holds the angle of insertion fixed.

1 . A ground anchor device, comprising:
 a substantially spiral screw portion, the screw portion defining an axis; and   a substantially straight rod portion, wherein the rod portion is positioned within the screw portion along said axis, wherein a ground-engaging end of the rod portion extends past a ground-engaging end of the spiral screw portion.   
     
     
         2 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod portion and the spiral screw portion are formed of the same material. 
     
     
         3 . The ground anchor device of  claim 2 , wherein the material includes a metal. 
     
     
         4 . The ground anchor device of  claim 2 , wherein the material includes a plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod portion and the spiral screw portion are formed of different materials. 
     
     
         6 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the rod portion is connected to a handle end of the spiral screw portion. 
     
     
         7 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod portion and the spiral screw portion are formed from a single rod comprising a metal or plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the single rod has a uniform cross section throughout a length of the rod. 
     
     
         9 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod portion has a substantially circular cross section. 
     
     
         10 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the rod portion varies from the ground engaging end to a distal end. 
     
     
         11 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod portion and the spiral screw portion are formed together in a mold. 
     
     
         12 . The ground anchor device of  claim 1 , wherein the spiral screw portion and the rod portion are devoid of connection features along a length of the rod portion. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using a ground anchor device having a substantially spiral screw portion defining an axis, and a substantially straight rod portion positioned within the screw portion along said axis, wherein a ground-engaging tip of the rod portion extends past a ground-engaging tip of the spiral screw portion, the method comprising:
 inserting the ground engaging tip of the rod portion into the ground until the ground-engaging tip of the spiral portion contacts the ground; and   twisting the anchor device so that the spiral portion screws into the ground to a desired depth.   
     
     
         14 . A ground anchor device, comprising:
 a substantially spiral screw portion defining an axis; and   a substantially straight rod portion positioned within the screw portion along said axis, wherein a ground-engaging tip of the rod portion extends past a ground-engaging tip of the spiral screw portion.