Earth-Penetrating Expansion Anchor

Abstract

One embodiment relates to an earth-penetrating apparatus. The apparatus includes a pole with a hollow portion therein and a bottom end which is configured to be driven into ground. Anchoring parts are configured to be radially extendable from the pole. In addition, an expansion mechanism is configured to apply a force to the anchoring parts so as to radially extend the anchoring parts from the pole after the pole has been driven into the ground. Another embodiment relates to a solar collector arrangement that includes a plurality of earth-penetrating anchors. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

1 . An earth-penetrating apparatus comprising:
 a pole with a hollow portion therein and a bottom end which is configured to be driven into ground;   anchoring parts configured to be radially extendable from the pole;   an expansion mechanism configured to apply a force to the anchoring parts so as to radially extend the anchoring parts from the pole after the pole has been driven into the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism comprises a rod configured to be pushed down through an opening in a top end of the pole into said hollow portion so as to apply said force to radially extend the anchoring parts. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the rod is coupled to a plate which is connected to the anchoring parts. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the rod is removable so as to be usable to deploy multiple earth-penetrating apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring parts comprise curved tines. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising holes configured such that applying said force radially extends the curved tines out through the holes into the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring parts comprises tip pieces that form the bottom end of the pole. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the rod is further configured to be pushed down through a center of the tip pieces so as to cause the tip pieces to radially extend. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring parts are configured to be partially within the pole and partially outside of the pole such that the anchoring parts radially extend from the pole when a force is applied to the anchoring parts within the pole by the expansion mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the expansion mechanism comprises a tension member that pulls an actuating device upwards so as to force the anchoring parts out to extend radially from holes in the side of the pole. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring parts are configured at the bottom end of the pole, and the expansion mechanism comprises a bolt with a larger portion that extends from the bottom end of the pole. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , the bolt is configured to be screwed upward so that the larger portion moves into the bottom end of the pole and radially extends the anchoring parts into the ground. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pole is between 8 to 12 feet in length. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the radial extension of the anchor parts into the ground substantially increases a resistance of the apparatus to a pull-out force. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of radial fins extending from the pole. 
     
     
         16 . A solar collector arrangement comprising:
 a plurality of earth-penetrating anchors which are driven into ground, each anchor including (a) a pole with top and bottom ends, the pole having a hollow portion therein and a pointed tip at the bottom end which is configured to be driven into ground, (b) anchoring parts configured to be radially extendable from the pole, and (c) an expansion mechanism configured to apply a force to the anchoring parts so as to radially extend the anchoring parts from the pole after the pole has been driven into the ground;   a support structure coupled to the plurality of earth-penetrating anchors; and   an array of solar panels attached to the support structure.   
     
     
         17 . The solar collector arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the poles of the earth-penetrating anchors are between 8 to 10 feet in length. 
     
     
         18 . The solar collector arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the radial extension of the anchor parts into the ground from the poles of the earth-penetrating anchors substantially increases resistance of the poles to a pull-out force. 
     
     
         19 . The solar collector arrangement of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of radial fins extending from the poles of the earth-penetrating anchors.