Tie-down system and method for semipermanent structure

Abstract

An anchoring system for facilitating anchoring of a semipermanent structure during high wind conditions and associated method. The anchoring system comprising an elongate strap having opposed first and second ends, and the strap having an adjusting mechanism to facilitate adjustment of a length of the strap. A pair of opposed anchor elements, each one of the pair of anchor elements being coupled to one of the first and second ends of the strap, and each anchor element contacting a ground surface to facilitate anchoring of the anchor element to the ground. Following embedding the anchor elements in the ground, the length of the strap is adjusted to provide sufficient tension to the semipermanent structure and anchor the semipermanent structure to the ground during the high wind conditions.

1 . An anchoring system for facilitating anchoring of a semipermanent structure during high wind conditions, the anchoring system comprising: 
 an elongate first strap having opposed first and second ends, and the strap having an adjusting mechanism to facilitate adjustment of a length of the first strap;    first and second opposed anchor elements, the first anchor element being coupled to the first end of the first strap and the second anchor element being coupled to the second end of the first strap with the first strap passing, during use, over a roof of the semipermanent structure, and the first and second anchor elements contacting a ground surface to facilitate anchoring of the first and second anchor elements to the ground retain the semipermanent structure in its current position.    
   
   
       2 . The anchoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring system further comprises: 
 a second elongate strap having opposed first and second ends, and the second strap having an adjusting mechanism to facilitate adjustment of a length of the second strap;    third and fourth anchor elements, the third anchor element being coupled to the first end of the second strap and the third anchor element being coupled to the second end of the second strap with the second strap passing over the roof of the semipermanent structure, and the third and fourth anchor elements contacting a ground surface to facilitate anchoring of the third and fourth anchor elements to the ground and retention of the semipermanent structure in its current position.    
   
   
       3 . The anchoring system according to  claim 2 , wherein each anchor element has a pointed leading end which facilitates driving the anchor element into the ground; an opposite end of each anchor element has an eye hook which facilitates attachment of the strap thereto, and the end of each anchor element, carrying the eye hook, has head which facilitates driving the anchor element into the ground.  
   
   
       4 . The anchoring system according to  claim 3 , wherein each anchor element is manufactured from a metallic material and has a length of between about 12 inches and about 50 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The anchoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein each strap is manufactured from one of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, Fiberglass®.  
   
   
       6 . The anchoring system according to  claim 5 , wherein each strap has a length of between about 15 feet and about 120 feet.  
   
   
       7 . The anchoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein each anchor element has a shaped leading end which facilitates anchoring the leading end in the slab and permanently secure the anchor element in the slab.  
   
   
       8 . The anchoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein each anchor element has a threaded leading end which engages with nuts to facilitate anchoring the threaded leading end to the slab and permanently secure the anchor element to the slab.  
   
   
       9 . A method of securing a semipermanent structure in its current position during high wind conditions, the method comprising the steps of: 
 anchoring a first anchor element to the ground at a location adjacent the semipermanent structure;    anchoring a second anchor element to the ground at adjacent an opposite location of the semipermanent structure;    connecting a first end of an elongate first strap to the first anchor element and passing the first strap over a roof of the semipermanent structure and connecting the opposite end of the first strap to the second anchor element; and    adjusting a length of the first strap to provide sufficient tension to the semipermanent structure and anchor the semipermanent structure to the ground so that the semipermanent structure remains in its current position during the high wind conditions.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of 
 anchoring at least a third anchor element to the ground at a location adjacent the semipermanent structure;    anchoring at least a fourth anchor element to the ground at adjacent an opposite location of the semipermanent structure;    connecting a first end of a second elongate strap to the third anchor element and passing the second strap over a roof of the semipermanent structure and connecting the opposite end of the second strap to the fourth anchor element; and    adjusting a length of the second strap to provide sufficient tension to the semipermanent structure.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of using a ratch tensioning mechanism to facilitate adjustment of the length of the strap to provide sufficient tension to the semipermanent structure.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of cris-crossing the first strap with the second strap with one another on the roof of the semipermanent structure.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of anchoring the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements in a slab supported on the ground and the slab anchors the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements to the ground.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing a leading end of each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements with an enlarged head to facilitate retention of the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements in a slab.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing a leading end of each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements with a threaded portion and at least one nut engaged with the threaded portion to facilitate retention of the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements to a slab.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of anchoring the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements in the ground by driving a leading end of each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth anchor elements into the ground by a distance of at least six inches.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of interconnecting the first anchor element with the second anchor element via the first strap to form an anchor component, and each of the first and second anchor elements having an inlet communicating with an interior of the anchor element to facilitate filling of the interior with a fluid and anchoring of the first and second anchor elements to the ground.