Tree guard and anchoring system

Abstract

Various embodiments related to a tree guard and tree guard anchoring systems are disclosed. One embodiment provides a modular tree guard assembly including an anchoring subsystem. One embodiment discloses an anchor plate that is moveably coupled to a post, the anchor plate being adapted for use in securing the post to a ground location. These and other embodiments are disclosed herein.

1 . An anchoring subsystem of a tree guard system, the anchoring subsystem comprising:
 a post adapted to be coupled to at least one rail of the tree guard system;   an anchor plate including a slot adapted for receiving a stake to be inserted into the ground of a tree pit to secure the anchoring subsystem to the ground, the anchor plate being adapted to be moveably coupled to the post such that the slot can be moved relative to the post for selecting a desired securing location on the ground of the tree pit.   
     
     
         2 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 2  wherein the anchor plate is adapted to be moveably coupled to the post such that the slot can be moved in an arc for selecting the desired securing location. 
     
     
         3 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 1  further comprising an L-bracket adapted to couple the post to the anchor plate. 
     
     
         4 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 1  further comprising a foot adapted to couple the post to the anchor plate. 
     
     
         5 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 4  wherein the foot is adapted to be selectively coupled to the post at any one of a plurality of coupling points such that a height of the post and foot when assembled may be selected. 
     
     
         6 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 4  wherein the post and foot are separate units adapted to be coupled together. 
     
     
         7 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 4  wherein the post and foot are integral with each other. 
     
     
         8 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A tree guard system comprising:
 a plurality of posts;   a plurality of rails; and   one or more anchor plates; wherein:
 the plurality of rails and the plurality of posts are adapted to be coupled together such that a rail of the plurality of rails is coupled between two posts of the plurality of posts; and 
 an anchor plate of the one or more anchor plates includes a slot adapted for receiving a stake to be inserted into the ground of a tree pit to secure the anchor plate to the ground, the anchor plate being adapted to be moveably coupled to a post of the plurality of posts such that the slot can be moved relative to the post for selecting a desired securing location on the ground of the tree pit. 
   
     
     
         40 . The tree guard system of  claim 39  wherein the anchor plate is adapted to be moveably coupled to the post such that the slot can be moved in an arc for selecting the desired securing location. 
     
     
         41 . The tree guard system of  claim 39  further comprising an L-bracket adapted to couple the post to the anchor plate. 
     
     
         42 . The tree guard system of  claim 39  further comprising a foot adapted to couple the post to the anchor plate. 
     
     
         43 . The tree guard system of  claim 42  wherein the foot is adapted to be selectively coupled to the post at any one of a plurality of coupling points such that a height of the post and foot when assembled may be selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         44 . The tree guard system of  claim 42  wherein the post and foot are separate units adapted to be coupled together. 
     
     
         45 . The tree guard system of  claim 42  wherein the post and foot are integral with each other. 
     
     
         46 . The tree guard system of  claim 39  further comprising:
 a plurality of feet, each foot of the plurality of feet being adapted to be coupled to a post of the plurality of posts, the plurality of feet including one or more adjustable feet, each of the one or more adjustable feet being adapted to couple to a post at any one of a plurality of coupling points and engage with a ground location such that a height of a first post coupled to an adjustable foot engaged with a first ground location can be adjusted relative to a height of a second post coupled to a second foot engaged with a second ground location. 
 
     
     
         47 . The tree guard system of  claim 46  wherein the second foot is a one of the plurality of adjustable feet. 
     
     
         48 . The tree guard system of  claim 46  wherein the second foot is a non-adjustable foot. 
     
     
         49 . The tree guard system of  claim 48  wherein the second foot is integral with a post. 
     
     
         50 . The tree guard system of  claim 46  wherein the second ground location is a soft ground location within the tree pit, the second foot being adapted to couple the second post to an anchor plate of the one or more anchor plates. 
     
     
         51 . The tree guard system of  claim 50  wherein the first ground locations is a hard ground location external to the tree pit. 
     
     
         52 . The anchoring subsystem of  claim 1  wherein the tree pit is a garden with plants other than trees. 
     
     
         53 . The tree guard system of  claim 39  wherein the tree pit is a garden with plants other than trees.