Support footing and anchoring system and method of use

Abstract

A support system and method to support structures in a substrate such as the ground. The system generally comprises a tubular hollow body with a conical head, and a number of smaller hollow tubes positioned inside. Each of the smaller tubes having a bend and an opening adapted to communicate with a corresponding opening in the hollow body head. In use, the assembly is driven into the substrate to the desired depth, and rods are driven down each of the smaller tubes so that they at least partially extend out from the head and into the surrounding substrate. The support system may also include a screw structure at the head to aid in driving the support system into the ground, and guards to protect the smaller tubes from damage during installation.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A support system comprising:
 an elongated hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a first body end having a body opening, and an oppositely disposed second end;   at least one hollow tube, said at least one hollow tube being positioned inside the body and being parallel to said longitudinal axis; said at least one hollow tube including a straight section, and a bend between 0 degrees and 180 degrees measured from the longitudinal axis; a tube opening positioned after the bend;   a head member attached to the second end of the elongated hollow body, including, a series of head openings corresponding to each of the number of individual hollow tubes and respectively positioned to interface with each of the tube openings, the head member further including a tip portion; and   an array of rods comprising a number of individual rods positioned within at least some of the individual hollow tubes and protruding outward from each of the respective head openings.   
     
     
         2 . The support system of  claim 1 , wherein the head further comprising a screw portion positioned at the tip portion. 
     
     
         3 . The support system of  claim 1 , wherein the head member further includes a plurality of guards corresponding to each of the number of individual hollow tubes and respectively positioned toward the tip portion of each of the tube openings. 
     
     
         4 . The support system of claim I further comprising a post adapter positioned at the first end of the elongated body. 
     
     
         5 . A method for installing a support system including the steps of:
 providing a support system including an elongated hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a first end having body opening, an oppositely disposed second end; an array of interior hollow tubes positioned inside the body and running parallel to the longitudinal axis, the array including a predetermined number of individual hollow tubes, each individual hollow tube comprising a straight portion, and a bend portion, the bend portion having a predetermined bend of between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, measured from the longitudinal axis; a tube opening positioned after the bend portion; a head member attached to the second end of the elongated hollow body, the head member including a series of head openings corresponding to each of the number of individual hollow tubes and respectively positioned to interface with each of the tube openings;   positioning the support system with the head pointed toward a selected substrate;   driving the support system into the ground until it has reached a desired depth;   forcing rods down at least some of the hollow tubes such that that they at least partially protrude from the tube opening and corresponding head opening into the substrate.   
     
     
         6 . A support system comprising:
 an elongated, tubular hollow body, said hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a hollow body interior, a first end having an opening, and an oppositely disposed second end, said second end including a head member, said head member including at least one head opening;   at least one interior hollow tube, said at least one hollow tube including a distal end, a proximal end, a relatively straight portion and a curved, bend portion, said bend portion being located at said distal end, said at least one interior hollow tube being relatively smaller than said tubular hollow body, and being positionable in said tubular body interior, and running parallel to said longitudinal axis; and   at least one rod member positioned within said at least one hollow tube.   
     
     
         7 . The support system of  claim 6  wherein said bend portion deviates from said straight portion between 0 and 180 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The support system of  claim 7  wherein said at least one hollow tube includes a tube opening at said proximal end and a tube opening at said distal end, and wherein said opening at said distal end is arranged for communication with said at least one head opening. 
     
     
         9 . The support system of  claim 9  wherein said head member includes a plurality of head openings. 
     
     
         10 . The support system of  claim 9  further including a plurality of hollow tubes, and a plurality of rod members, said each one of said plurality of rod members being positioned within a respective hollow tube, and being positioned to interface with each of the distal end tube openings.