Ground securing system

Abstract

A selectively releasable ground securing device that includes a ground member, a clamp body, and a lock assembly that selectively cooperates with the ground member to secure the clamp body relative thereto. The ground member includes a drivable body that is constructed to be driven into a ground surface such that the ground member is generally flush with the upper layer of the ground surface. The lock assembly selectively cooperates with the ground member to secure the clamp body and structure engaged therewith relative to the ground member. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp body cooperates with a rail of a goal assembly to prevent tipping or movement of the goal assembly when the lock assembly is engaged with the ground member.

1 . A mounting system for selectively fixing structures to ground comprising:
 a ground engaging member having a first end adapted to guide the ground engaging member into a ground surface and a second end adapted to be positioned proximate an upper surface of the ground surface;   a lock assembly that removably engages the second end of the ground engaging member; and   a clamp body constructed to extend in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ground engaging member, the clamp body constructed to be removable from the ground engaging member only when the lock assembly is disengaged from the ground engaging member.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting system of  claim 1  wherein a tip of the second end of the ground engaging member is no higher than the ground surface when the ground engaging member is fully engaged with the ground. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a cavity formed in the second end of the ground engaging member and a contour formed in the cavity that cooperates with a driver for driving the ground engaging element relative to the ground. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting system of  claim 3  further comprising a screw blade wound about an outside of the ground engaging member such that rotation of the ground engaging member in a first direction screws the ground engaging member into the ground and rotation in a second direction, opposite the first direction, screws the ground engaging member out of the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the lock assembly includes a moveable plunger and ball assembly, the plunger being moveable in a direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the ground engaging member and wherein the ball engages a groove formed in the ground engaging member to secure the lock assembly to the ground engaging element. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting system of  claim 5  further comprising a key having a barrel and a tang, the key configured to cooperate with the lock assembly so that the tang barrel is isolated from the plunger and the tang engages the plunger to manipulate the position of the ball. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a channel formed in the clamp body that slidably cooperates with the lock assembly so that the clamp body is allowed restricted movement when the lock assembly is engaged with the ground engaging body. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a cap engaged with the second end of the ground engaging body. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting system of  claim 8  wherein the cap includes a movable cover. 
     
     
         10 . A ground clamp assembly comprising:
 a ground member constructed to be driven into the ground;   a lock member selectively securable to the ground member; and   a clamp member that extends in an outward direction from the ground member, is shaped to cooperate with a structure to be secured, and is selectively secured to the ground member by the lock member.   
     
     
         11 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 10  wherein the structure to be secured is further defined as a sporting device. 
     
     
         12 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 11  wherein the sporting device is a soccer goal and the clamp member cooperates with a ground rail of the soccer goal. 
     
     
         13 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a groove formed in the clamp member that allows the clamp member limited movement in at least one of a radial direction or a lateral direction relative to the ground member when the clamp member is secured thereto by the lock member. 
     
     
         14 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 10  wherein the ground member is one of generally rod shaped or has a flute formed about a body, the flute shaped to generate an axial force from a rotational force. 
     
     
         15 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 13  wherein the ground member includes a drive surface shaped to cooperate with a drive tool for driving the ground member into the ground. 
     
     
         16 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a groove formed in an upward facing cavity of the ground member. 
     
     
         17 . The ground clamp assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a ball attached to the lock member, the ball being biased in a radially outward direction relative to the lock member to selectively engage the groove formed in the ground member.