Anchors

Abstract

An anchor comprising a supporting framework ( 30 ), the supporting framework ( 30 ) being a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnected uprights ( 44 ) and cross-members ( 40, 48, 52 ) that together define a generally cuboidal hollow interior portion of the supporting framework; the supporting framework being collapsible, when not in use, to fit within a liner ( 34 ) that can optionally be suspended within the supporting framework.

1 . An anchor comprising a supporting framework, the supporting framework being a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnected uprights and cross-members that together define a generally cuboidal hollow interior portion of the supporting framework; the supporting framework being collapsible, when not in use, to fit within a liner that can optionally be suspended within the supporting framework. 
     
     
         2 . The anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner having an open-topped, generally cuboidal form and being shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the assembled supporting framework, the liner further comprising connectors disposed on, or about, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner, the connectors being adapted, in use, to connect an upper part of the liner to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework, and wherein the supporting framework is collapsible, when not in use, to fit within the liner. 
     
     
         3 . The anchor of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the supporting framework comprises a set of feet, which rest, in use, on the ground or a support surface, a set of uprights defining the vertical edges of the supporting framework, a set of cross-braces interconnecting a first set of the uprights, a set of cross-members, at right angles to the cross-braces interconnecting a second set of the uprights, and a set of struts cross-bracing the feet. 
     
     
         4 . The anchor of  claim 3 , further comprising a connector tube cross-bracing the cross-members. 
     
     
         5 . The anchor of  claim 3  or  claim 4 , wherein any one or more of the feet, upright tubes, cross-braces, cross-members and struts are formed from metal tubes. 
     
     
         6 . The anchor of  claim 5 , wherein the tubes have square or rectangular cross-sections. 
     
     
         7 . The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the interconnected uprights and cross-members, or any one or more of the cross-braces, cross-members, struts and connector tube, are detachably interconnected using quick-release connectors. 
     
     
         8 . The anchor of  claim 7 , wherein the quick-release connectors comprise anti-luce latches. 
     
     
         9 . The anchor of any of  claims 5  to  8 , wherein the tubular feet are configured so as to form spaced-apart lifting points for receiving, in use, the forks of a fork-lift truck. 
     
     
         10 . The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework comprises one or more hoisting eyes. 
     
     
         11 . The anchor of  claim 10 , wherein the hoisting eye or eyes are connected to a lower part of the supporting framework. 
     
     
         12 . The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the liner is receivable within the supporting framework and its connectors comprise loops that hook over the uprights of the supporting framework such that the liner is suspended within the supporting framework by its connectors with its lower surface resting on the feet of the supporting framework. 
     
     
         13 . The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the liner is waterproof. 
     
     
         14 . The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the liner comprises a lid or closure flap. 
     
     
         15 . The anchor of any of  claims 2  to  14 , wherein the connectors comprise any one or more of the group comprising: hook-and-loop tapes; twisted wire; karabiners; and adhesive tape. 
     
     
         16 . The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework further comprising one or more connectors for connecting the supporting framework to a fence post. 
     
     
         17 . The anchor of  claim 16 , wherein the fence post comprises a generally square- or rectangular-sectioned metal tube that is connected at, or towards, its lower end, to the supporting framework by way of a pivot joint and an abutment joint. 
     
     
         18 . The anchor of  claim 17 , wherein the fence post is connectable to the anchor via the pivot joint in a first orientation and is pivotable, about the pivot joint, to a second position in which another part of the fence post engages with the abutment joint. 
     
     
         19 . The anchor of  claim 18 , further comprising a brace strut, which is pivotally connected at its upper end to the fence post and when the fence post has been moved to the second position, the lower end of the brace strut is connectable to the anchor via the connector tube. 
     
     
         20 . The anchor of an of  claims 16  to  19 , wherein the connection between the anchor and the fence post is by way of a clevis arrangement or by way of one or more D-ring members of the support frame into which a lower end of the fence post can be inserted. 
     
     
         21 . The anchor of any of  claims 16  to  20 , wherein the fence post, or a supplementary support structure affixable to the anchor, is collapsible. 
     
     
         22 . The anchor of  claim 21 , wherein the fence post or supplementary structure comprises a set of interconnectable tubes, which can be broken-down into relatively shorter parts, which fit inside the liner, when the anchor is not in use. 
     
     
         23 . A fence comprising a plurality of anchors according to any of  claims 16  to  22 , and a fence panel connectable to one or more of the fence posts to form the fence. 
     
     
         24 . The fence of  claim 23 , wherein the fence panel comprises a set of interconnectable fence panel portions, which are shaped and dimensioned so as to fit inside the liner when not in use. 
     
     
         25 . The fence of any of  claims 16  to  24 , further comprising an anti-climb-over system. 
     
     
         26 . A support for a solar panel array comprising one or more anchors according to any preceding claim, and further comprising set of vertical extension tubes, which slide into the open ends of the uprights of the supporting framework. 
     
     
         27 . The support of  claim 26 , wherein the upper ends of the extension tubes comprise flanges to which a supplementary supporting framework is affixable. 
     
     
         28 . The support of  claim 26  or  claim 27 , wherein the relative lengths of the extension tubes are adjustable, to adjust the orientation of the supplementary supporting framework. 
     
     
         29 . The support of  claim 27  or  claim 28 , wherein the supplementary supporting framework comprises a reticulated structure made from steel tubing adapted, in use, to support one or more photovoltaic panels. 
     
     
         30 . The support of  claim 29 , further comprising a photovoltaic panel. 
     
     
         31 . A watchtower assembly comprising a base formed from a plurality of anchors according to any preceding claim, the base being formed by interconnecting two or more of the said anchors, and further comprising one or more supporting frameworks placed on top of the base. 
     
     
         32 . The watchtower of  claim 31 , further comprising a standing platform affixed, in use, to the base of one of the supporting frameworks. 
     
     
         33 . The watchtower of  claim 31  or  32 , further comprising a roof supported by an upper supporting framework of the stack of supporting frameworks. 
     
     
         34 . A modular storage system comprising one or more of the anchors of any preceding claim. 
     
     
         35 . A gabion wall comprising a plurality of interconnected anchors according to any preceding claim. 
     
     
         36 . The gabion wall of  claim 35 , comprising a stack of anchors. 
     
     
         37 . The gabion wall of  claim 36 , wherein the anchors are stacked one on top of another. 
     
     
         38 . The gabion wall of  claim 36  or  37 , wherein the anchors are stacked in a staggered fashion. 
     
     
         39 . An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         40 . An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings 
     
     
         41 . A fence substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in,  FIGS. 1, 6 and 7  of the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         42 . A solar PV array substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in,  FIGS. 8 to 11  of the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         43 . A watchtower substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in,  FIG. 12  of the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         44 . A storage system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in  FIG. 13  of the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         45 . A gabion wall system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in  FIG. 14  of the accompanying drawings.