Anchor system for supporting utility structure

Abstract

An anchor system for supporting a utility structure with a connecting guy wire is disclosed. The anchor system comprises: a ground anchor formed to be generally planar in shape having an inner surface around a center axis of the ground anchor to define an inner space extending between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the bottom opening is larger than the top opening; an anchor rod including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a rod body therebetween, the second end portion being shaped to be a wedge tapered longitudinally toward the rod body, wherein the shape and dimensions are configured to conform to the inner space; a crimp coupler crimped on the first end portion; and an eyenut for coupling the guy wire to the crimp coupler. The ground anchor and the anchor rod may be made of non-metallic composite material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anchor system for supporting a utility structure with a connecting guy wire, the anchor system comprising:
 a ground anchor formed to be generally planar in shape having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an inner surface disposed around a center axis of the ground anchor to define an inner space, the inner surface extending between a top opening on the top surface and a bottom opening on the bottom surface, wherein the bottom opening is larger than the top opening;   an anchor rod elongated longitudinally and including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a rod body therebetween, the second end portion being formed to have a shape of a wedge tapered longitudinally toward the rod body, wherein the shape and dimensions of the wedge are configured to conform to the inner space defined by the inner surface of the ground anchor;   a crimp coupler crimped on the first end portion of the anchor rod; and   an eyenut for coupling the guy wire to the crimp coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 in an assembled configuration, the second end portion is placed to fit in the inner space defined by the inner surface of the ground anchor while the anchor rod is positioned longitudinally along the center axis of the ground anchor, and secured in the inner space for resisting tension force longitudinally transmitted through the anchor rod.   
     
     
         3 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the inner surface is cylindrically disposed around the center axis of the ground anchor, and extends between the top opening and the bottom opening that are disposed circularly around the center axis, wherein a diameter of the bottom opening is larger than a diameter of the top opening.   
     
     
         4 . The anchor system of  claim 3 , wherein
 the wedge is a generally tapered solid cylinder having top and bottom wedge surfaces that are circular and disposed laterally to the anchor rod, wherein a diameter of the bottom wedge surface is larger than a diameter of the top wedge surface.   
     
     
         5 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the inner space defined by the inner surface of the ground anchor and the wedge are formed to have a generally polyhedron shape.   
     
     
         6 . The anchor system of  claim 5 , wherein
 the inner space defined by the inner surface of the ground anchor and the wedge are formed to have a generally pyramid shape.   
     
     
         7 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the ground anchor has a shape of a generally round plate.   
     
     
         8 . The anchor system of  claim 7 , wherein
 the top surface of the ground anchor has radially formed ridges.   
     
     
         9 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 patterns, including ridges and basins, are formed on the top surface of the ground anchor to increase a top surface area, to increase anchoring resistance by increasing the amount of underground soil in contact with the top surface of the ground anchor in use in the ground.   
     
     
         10 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the crimp coupler has a shape of a generally hollow cylinder for crimping on the first end portion, and includes a threaded protrusion longitudinally formed at one end for fastening to the eyenut.   
     
     
         11 . The anchor system of  claim 10 , wherein
 the eyenut comprises an eye section for connecting to the guy wire and a nut section having a threaded inner surface for fastening to the threaded protrusion of the crimp coupler.   
     
     
         12 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the crimp coupler is made of galvanized steel or stainless steel.   
     
     
         13 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the eyenut is made of galvanized steel or stainless steel.   
     
     
         14 . The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the ground anchor and the anchor rod are made of non-metallic composite material.   
     
     
         15 . The anchor system of  claim 14 , wherein
 the non-metallic composite material is fiberglass.   
     
     
         16 . The anchor system of  claim 14 , wherein
 the non-metallic composite material is carbon-fiber.   
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling the anchor system for supporting a utility structure with a connecting guy wire of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 inserting the first end portion and the crimp coupler crimped thereon from the bottom opening of the ground anchor through the inner space defined by the inner surface of the ground anchor;   passing the first end portion, the crimp coupler crimped thereon, and the rod body of the anchor rod through the inner space until the second end portion is placed to fit in the inner space;   securing the second end portion in the inner space while the anchor rod is positioned longitudinally along the center axis of the ground anchor; and   fastening the eyenut to the crimp coupler crimped on the first end portion of the anchor rod.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein
 the crimp coupler has a shape of a generally hollow cylinder for crimping on the first end portion, and includes a threaded protrusion longitudinally formed at one end, and the eyenut comprises an eye section for connecting to the guy wire and a nut section having a threaded inner surface,   wherein the fastening comprises fastening the nut section of the eyenut to the threaded protrusion of the crimp coupler.