Support apparatus with ground penetrating base

Abstract

Support apparatus are provided for secure engagement with a ground surface regardless of the slope of the ground surface. The support apparatus comprises a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion. Preferably, the top portion comprises handle means, and the base portion comprises at least two anchors and a bridge, the bridge configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support apparatus comprising a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion, the top portion comprising handle means. 
     
     
         2 . The support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a bridge and at least two anchors, the anchors projecting downward away from the bridge, and wherein the bridge is configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force to the anchors sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The support apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the base portion further comprises at least one blade, the blade disposed below the bridge and configured for penetrating and engaging a ground surface to add stability to the apparatus when installed on the ground surface. 
     
     
         4 . The support apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the bridge further includes a top surface configured for engaging a user's foot to receive and transmit user force to the anchors and the blade portion. 
     
     
         5 . The support apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the blade includes a bottom edge configured and disposed for penetrating a ground surface. 
     
     
         6 . The support apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom edge includes at least 2 teeth. 
     
     
         7 . The support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The support apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising attachment means for attaching and adjustably positioning a table top surface to the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The support apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment means is configured and disposed to allow a user to position the table top in a horizontal plane regardless of the slope of a ground surface upon which the apparatus is installed. 
     
     
         10 . The support apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the top surface of the table portion is substantially planar, and wherein the adjustment means permits the plane of the top surface to be selectively moved and fixed into desired positions from 0-90 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The support apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the handle portion and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The support apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising attachment means for attaching and adjustably positioning a table top surface to the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The support apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the attachment means is configured and disposed to allow a user to position the table top in a horizontal plane regardless of the slope of a ground surface upon which the apparatus is installed. 
     
     
         14 . The support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the top surface of the table portion is substantially planar, and wherein the adjustment means permits the plane of the top surface to be selectively moved and fixed into desired positions from 0-90 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         15 . A support apparatus comprising a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion, the top portion comprising handle means, wherein the base portion comprises at least two anchors, and a bridge, the bridge configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force to the anchors sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface, and wherein the handle means and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The support apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the base portion further comprises a blade portion, the blade portion disposed below the bridge and configured for engaging and penetrating a ground surface. 
     
     
         17 . The support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the bridge further includes a top surface configured for engaging a user's foot to receive and transmit user force to the anchors and the blade portion. 
     
     
         18 . The support apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the blade includes a bottom edge configured and disposed for penetrating a ground surface. 
     
     
         19 . The support apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising attachment means for attaching and adjustably positioning a table top surface to the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . A method of installing the support apparatus of  claim 15 , comprising the steps of contacting the anchors to a ground surface, followed by application of downward force onto a handle and a onto a bridge of the apparatus, such force applied simultaneously with a rocking of the apparatus within the plane of the handles and bridge so as to cause the anchors and a blade of the apparatus to penetrate the ground surface to a desired depth.