Centering ground spike for supporting a vertical pole

Abstract

A centering ground spike for supporting a vertical pole having an integral body with a top member and downwardly extending hollow main section. The main section extends down to a hollow cone shaped section to form a point. An elongated cavity is enclosed between the top member, the main section and the cone shaped section. An opening through the top member permits the insertion of a support pole into the cavity of the ground spike. The end of the pole within the cavity rests on the interior surfaces of the cone shaped section. The pole itself is maintained in vertical position by a locking ring with adjustment screws which are tightened around the outer surface of the pole. The size of the opening through the top member and the cone shaped section permit the ground spike to accept and vertically support poles of various diameters. In alternate embodiments, the bottom end of the pole will rest on inverted cone shaped walls which extend into the first cavity.

1 . A centering ground spike for supporting a vertically standing pole, said ground spike comprising:
 an elongated unitary body having a given length, said body comprising a horizontal top member, an outer wall extending downward from the top member, the top member extending laterally outward from the outer wall, a lower section of the outer wall being tapered to form a point at the lowermost end of the body, and elongated cavity means located below the top member for receiving and supporting a vertically standing pole, said cavity means being enclosed by the outer wall and extending the full length of the body from the top member to the point, the top member having an opening leading into the cavity means; and   operably adjustable means adjacent to the top member of the body for maintaining a pole within the cavity means in a substantially vertical position, substantially perpendicular to the top member, and for securing the pole in that position.   
     
     
         2 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 1  wherein the operable means comprises a locking ring with a plurality of adjustable screw members extending therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 1  wherein the cavity means comprises a first cavity formed within a first section of the outer walls extending vertically downward from the top member and a second tapered cavity formed within the lower section of the outer wall, said first and second cavities being contiguous. 
     
     
         4 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 1  wherein the operably adjustable means maintains and secures poles having different diameters within the cavity in a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         5 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 1  further comprising tapered fins extending from a section of the outer wall. 
     
     
         6 . A centering ground spike for supporting a vertically standing pole, said ground spike comprising:
 an elongated unitary body of given length having an upper end and a horizontal top member extending laterally outward from the body, a main section, and a lower section, the main section extending vertically downward from the top member, the lower section being located below the main section and being tapered from the main section to form a point at the lowermost end of the body, and cavity means enclosed within the elongated body for receiving and supporting a vertically standing pole, said cavity means extending the full length of the body, from the top member to the point; and   operably adjustable means adjacent to the top member of the body for maintaining a pole within the cavity means in a substantially vertical position substantially perpendicular to the top member and for securing the pole in that position.   
     
     
         7 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 6  wherein the operable means comprises a locking ring with a plurality of adjustable screw members extending therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 6  wherein the cavity means comprises a first cavity formed within the main section and a second cavity formed within the lower section, said first and second cavities being contiguous. 
     
     
         9 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 6  wherein the cavity means is formed within the main section of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 9  further comprising an inverted cone at the lower end of the main section, extending up into the cavity means. 
     
     
         11 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 9  further comprising a tapered member at the lower end of the main section, extending up into the cavity means. 
     
     
         12 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 6  wherein the lower section comprises a spear tip shaped element extending downward from the main section. 
     
     
         13 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 6  further comprising an opening through the top member, said opening leading into the cavity means. 
     
     
         14 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 13  wherein the operably adjustable means maintains and secures poles having different diameters within the opening and the cavity in a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         15 . A centering ground spike for supporting a vertically standing pole, said ground spike comprising:
 a unitary body of given length having a horizontal top member extending laterally outward from the body, the top member having an opening therethrough, an elongated first section comprising an outer wall extending vertically downward from the top member, a cone shaped lower section with outer walls below the first section tapered to form a point at the lowermost end of the body, a first cavity enclosed between the top member and the first section, and a second cone shaped cavity enclosed within the lower section, said first and second cavities being contiguous, forming one continuous cavity for receiving and supporting a vertically standing pole, the cavity extending the full length of the body from the top member to the point; and   operably adjustable means adjacent to the top member of the body for maintaining a pole in the opening and within the cavity in a substantially vertical position substantially perpendicular to the top member and for securing the pole in that position.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 15  wherein the operable means comprises a locking ring with a plurality of adjustable screw members extending therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 15  wherein the operable adjustable means maintains and secures poles having different diameters within the opening and the first and second cavities in a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         19 . The centering ground spike as in  claim 15  further comprising tapered fins extending from the first section.