WO2024165948A1

WO2024165948A1 - Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2024165948A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/050909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio CORVASCE; Giuseppe Dibenedetto; Alessandro SANTACROCE; Andrea SANTACROCE
Original assignee: Sdc Green S.R.L.
Priority date: 2023-02-09
Filing date: 2024-02-01
Publication date: 2024-08-15
Also published as: IT202300002181A1

Abstract

Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10) comprising: - at least a conical tip/point (14) adapted to penetrate into the ground; - at least a base (11) forming a single body with said conical tip/point (14) adapted to be pressed into the ground, through a percussion tool (20), hollow in the terminal part, such that it can receive and engage the end (11'), preferably with reduced cross section of the base (11), such that said percussion tool can be engaged with the latter and allow a balanced thrust; - at least a movable lug/flap (15) possibly provided with a further projecting end (15'); - at least a rope (13), adapted to be pulled, in a manner such that said movable lug/flap (15), during the ascent, is obstructed by the walls of the ground, consequently imparting a rotation to said movable lug/flap (15), making it pass from a closed configuration to an open or half-open configuration, thus making it penetrate within the ground and ensuring an enduring and strong anchoring.

Description

“MULTIPURPOSE KIT FOR UNDERGROUND ANCHORING AND ASSOCIATED METHOD”

Description

Field of the art

The present invention operates in the field of production of systems and apparatuses for the stabilization of trees, poles for plantations, agricultural tools, building structures in general, piers, anchors and nautical structures in general, specifically of underground systems for anchorage used on natural terrain. Still more specifically, the present invention claims a multipurpose kit for underground anchoring, which considerably reduces the excavation operations and the time necessary for all the fixing operations to be completed, and the relative application method.

Prior art

When a tree is situated in a site subjected to strong winds and torrential rains, in particular when it has just been transplanted, it is desirable to assist it in being stabilized in the ground until the roots structure has had the opportunity to suitably grow. Said stabilization is also necessary when the tree, of mature age, subjected to winds and storms, loses stability for any reason or also in the cases in which the ground does not provide great stability, such as sandy terrain, in particular in the costal zones.

In such cases is desirable to provide a permanent anchorage of the tree.

The permanent anchorage has the object of preventing the sod overturning and preventing the structural, biomechanical and phytostatic deformation of the tree growth due to strong winds and saturation of the soil from significant rains, whether these are prevailing or coming from strong storms such as hurricanes or tornadoes.

Currently in this field of the art, most of the tree anchorage systems is constituted by stakes which are plunged into the ground around the sod of the tree. In order to provide an improved vertical and lateral stabilization of a tree, these picks are plunged into the ground at a certain distance from the base of the tree.

In addition, the stakes do not provide sufficient anchorage, above all after strong rains, which can soften the ground. In addition, the forces developed by the winds acting on the trees are concentrated on the stakes, which could make them detach from the soil; therefore, the same stakes quite often require supports.

Over time, it has been sought to improve such systems for anchoring plantations with anchors with narrower radius around the base of the tree and a wider distribution of the forces acting on the anchorage points.

One example is provided by the patent application US20130139433A1 by VALERIO PONTAROLO and LUCA PONTAROLO. The patent claims a structure for attaining housings for anchoring trees into the ground comprising a plurality of modular elements, each having an upper face and support legs with tubular reinforcements, inserted in a framework provided with supports.

Another example is provided by the application US9769993B1 by JOHN LOTT. This claims a stabilizer for trees that includes an anchorage base made of concrete, which increases the strength through the ground and acts as brake. When it is fixed to the base of a tree, the stabilizer for trees can prevent the tree from being overturned, limiting the oscillation movement.

Nevertheless, these solutions require wide excavation areas and quite extensive application times.

The same anchorage problems are also verified in construction, in boating and in all those applications in which it is necessary to provide a practical, enduring and simple anchorage system to be installed in any ground type, such as for example in order to stabilize nautical piers, single boats etc. on the sea bed.

The object of the present patent application is to provide a practical, enduring and simple anchorage system to be installed in any ground type. The innovative system comprised in the innovative kit is inserted at the desired depth, plunging into the ground; once the desired depth is reached, by pulling the central rope, a movable lug/flap is positioned in an open or half-open configuration and the exiting rope portion can be used as anchorage support.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, an innovative multipurpose kit for underground anchoring is provided, which advantageously allows, once the movable lug/flap is blocked within any type of ground, fixing its rope to a tree, a pole for plantations or any other structure that requires support, ensuring an enduring and strong stability thereof even in the case of strong winds, rains, tides, etc.

Such multipurpose kit for underground anchoring consists of a cone tip/point, which allows easily and vertically penetrating into the ground when thrust by a force.

A base is engaged with the base of the cone tip/point and has an end, preferably with reduced cross section, which ensures the integrity thereof when it is inserted into the ground: the base, indeed, advantageously allows the depth-wise thrust of the cone tip/point through the force imparted by an external instrument, such as a mechanical blade, a pneumatic or manual hammer, etc., which acts on a percussion tool positioned coaxially and engaged on the end with reduced cross section of the base. The base can be solid or hollow and comprises an upper hole, made on the end, such to pass a rope at its interior.

On the base, in its lower part, a hinge constraint is present that is adapted to be rotatably engaged with a movable lug/flap. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge constraint is constituted by another hole made on said base, to which the aforesaid movable lug/flap is coupled, through a cylindrical pin. In another embodiment, the hinge constraint is constituted by protrusions and recesses present on base and lug/flap, so as to be mutually engaged. The movable lug/flap is shaped with the form and size of the external profile of the base in a manner such to adhere, when it is in a closed configuration, to the external surface of the same base. The movable lug/flap, moreover, is preferably shaped in the upper part such to have a lug/flap or a proj ecting tongue and can also be implemented with a further projecting end.

The previously mentioned rope advantageously passes within the base by means of the upper hole present on the latter, maintaining a free portion that can easily be handled by the user: when the rope is made taut and pulled, this ensure that the movable lug/flap, during the ascent, is obstructed by the walls of the ground, which will consequently impart a rotation thereto; in this manner, the movable lug/flap passes from a closed configuration to an open or half-open configuration, penetrating within the ground and ensuring an enduring and strong anchoring.

A depth sensor can complete the invention, which measures the depth reached by the same conical tip/point, as this is progressively made to penetrate into the ground and a ground moisture and temperature sensor, engaged on the base of the aforesaid metallic rope, which records and transmits data relative to the levels of moisture and temperature of the ground affected by the excavation, in real time and on a constant basis. All the latter sensors are engaged on the surface of the movable lug/flap or on the base of the aforesaid metallic rope or within the base, if this is hollow at its interior.

In particular, the conical tip/point, the cylindrical base, the percussion tool, the movable lug/flap, the pin and the rope are preferably made of strong material, such as iron, steel, aluminum or titanium, in a manner such to not sustain deformations during all of the excavation operations and in the subsequent anchorage holding step.

In one of the preferred embodiments, a removable laser pointer, preferably engaged on the conical tip/point, can advantageously indicate with precision the penetration point of the conical tip/point before carrying out the excavation operations.

The invention can be further implemented by detectors and sensors described hereinbelow:

- a seismic inertial sensor, engaged on the surface of the conical tip/point, on the surface of the movable lug/flap, on the base of the rope or within the base, adapted to record data with regard to possible earthquakes or landslides;

- a magnetic field detector, suitably wired and engaged on the surface of the conical tip/point, on the surface of the movable lug/flap, on the base of the rope or within the base, adapted for detecting and signaling, during the excavation step, the possible presence of electric cables and/or present subservices into the ground, preventing the possible collision and subsequent destruction thereof;

- a ground-penetrating radar sensor and/or a gravitational sensor, engaged on the surface of the conical tip/point, on the surface of the movable lug/flap, on the base of the rope or within the base, which allow scanning and reconstructing a three-dimensional map of the ground each time that the tip/point with conical shape is made to penetrate; said gravitational sensor collects data with regard to the behavior of the suspended atoms, contained in the same sensor, based on the change of Earth’s gravitational field;

- a gas detector, engaged on the surface of the conical tip/point, on the surface of the movable lug/flap, on the base of the rope or within the base, which allows measuring and monitoring the ground contamination level.

Preferably the invention is provided with a GPS sensor, engaged on the surface of the conical tip/point or on the surface of the movable lug/flap or on the base of the rope or within the base, in a manner such to allow deducing the exact position and, advantageously, precisely georeferencing the data processed and collected by the aforesaid sensors and detectors.

The advantages offered by the present invention are evident in light of the description set forth up to now, and will be even clearer due to the enclosed figures and to the relative detailed description.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described hereinbelow in at least a preferred embodiment as a nonlimiting example with the aid of the enclosed figures, in which:

- FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

- FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of the step of thrusting downward into the ground of the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

- FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the step of rotation of the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

- FIGURE 4 shows a front perspective view of the engagement of an external element 100, in this case exemplifying a tree, on the rope 13 when the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10, according to one embodiment of the present patent application, has been anchored.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be illustrated as a non-limiting or non-constraining embodiment, with reference to the figures which illustrate several embodiments relative to the present inventive concept.

With reference to FIG. 1, the components of a multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 are shown according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The kit is formed by a conical tip/point 14 adapted to vertically penetrate into the ground when thrust by a force.

A base element 11, preferably with cylindrical form, is engaged with the base of the tip/point

14 and is provided with an end 11’, preferably with diameter smaller than its base, so as to allow the stable but reversible engagement thereof with the percussion tool 20, it too cylindrical. Said percussion tool 20 in fact has a cavity adapted to receive the end 11’ of the base element 11, so as to ensure the effective and balanced penetration of the anchor into the ground. Indeed, it is the cylindrical base 11 thereof, through the force imparted by external instruments on the cylindrical percussion tool 20, suitably received and engaged on the end 11’, which allows the depth-wise thrust of the conical tip/point 14. The cylindrical base 11, made of strong material that is solid or even hollow at the interior, has an upper hole, at the end 11’, made on its surface, such to allow the passage of a rope 13 at its interior, described below.

The kit is formed by a movable lug/flap 15, engaged on the cylindrical base 11 by means of the lower hole 12 and a closure system composed of a cylindrical pin 18. The movable lug/flap

15 follows the dimensions and the form of the external profile of the cylindrical base 11, in a manner such to axially adhere to the external surface of said cylindrical base 11. The movable lug/flap 15 is also provided with a projecting tongue at its end and possibly also a further projecting end 15’, whose function is strictly correlated with the handling carried out with the rope 13.

Indeed, the rope 13 has a free end such that it can be made taut and pulled. The ascent, initiated by the pulling of the rope 13, ensures that the projecting tongue of the movable lug/flap 15 (and/or its projecting end 15’), is obstructed by the walls of the ground, consequently applying a rotation to the movable lug/flap 15, making it pass from closed position into open or halfopen position and making it penetrate within the ground: in this manner, an enduring and strong anchoring is ensured.

The kit comprises at least two types of sensors: a depth sensor 16, engaged on the surface of the conical tip/point 14, or on the surface of the movable lug/flap 15, or on the base of the rope 13, or within the cylindrical base 11, adapted to measure the depth reached by the conical tip/point 14 while it is made to penetrate into the ground; a ground moisture and temperature sensor 17, engaged on the conical tip/point 14, or on the surface of the movable lug/flap 15, or on the base of the rope 13, or within the cylindrical base 11, adapted to record and transmit data relative to the moisture and temperature levels of the ground affected by the excavation, in real time and on a constant basis.

With reference to FIGs. 2 to 4, the main steps are shown of the method for installing a multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the step of downward thrust into the ground, by means of a cylindrical thrust percussion tool 20 handled by an external means 30, which acts on the cylindrical percussion tool 20; FIG. 3 illustrates the step of rotation of the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10, when the rope 13 is pulled by means of a force applied in a specific direction B; FIG. 4 shows the step of engagement of an external element 100 on the rope 13, when the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 has been anchored.

The installation method provides for, as first step, the vertical positioning on the ground of the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10.

Once positioned, the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 is thrust downward, vertically penetrating into the ground up to the predetermined anchorage depth, by means of the pressure carried by an external means 30 on a cylindrical thrust percussion tool 20, suitably received and engaged on the end 11’ of the cylindrical base 11, while the upper end of the rope 13 is constantly kept above ground surface.

Once the anchorage depth has been reached, the cylindrical thrust percussion tool 20 is removed from the excavation that was made and the rope 13 sustains a force in a specific direction B, by means of fixing on the external means 30, in a manner such to generate a hindrance in the ascent of the lug/flap 15 and on its projecting end 15’ : in this manner, a rotation of the movable lug/flap 15 is generated, which passes from a closed position to an open or half-open position, partly penetrating within the ground.

From the moment that part of the surface of said movable lug/flap 15 results blocked within the ground, an ensuring and secure anchoring is ensured.

Finally, the rope 13 is brought under tension and one proceeds with the engagement of external elements 100 that require anchoring, such as a tree.

Following the removal of the cylindrical thrust percussion tool 20 and upon reaching the anchorage depth, a step can also be carried out for inserting a predetermined quantity, corresponding to the ideal quantity of ground removed for reaching the anchorage depth, of a setting polymer within the hole obtained by the excavation, acting as visual signaler in case of decrease of the quantity of terrain overlying said multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10. If said setting polymer exits outward, this indicates the lack of attainment of the anchorage depth, and therefore the need to intervene in order to bring said multipurpose kit for underground anchoring 10 deeper into the ground.

Finally, it is clear that modifications, additions or variations that are obvious for a man skilled in the art can be made to the invention described up to now, without departing from the protective scope that is provided by the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), used for providing a secure and enduring support to external elements (100) like trees, poles for plantations and agricultural tools, by ensuring their stability; said multipurpose underground anchoring kit (10) being characterized in that it comprises:

- at least a conical tip/point (14) configured in such a way to easily penetrate vertically into the ground when a pushing force is applied thereon;

- at least a base element (11) attached to the base of said conical tip/point (14), comprising an end (11’) with preferably reduced cross section, which engages in a stable and removable manner with a percussion tool (20) to allow the conical tip/point (14) to be thrust deep into the ground through the force applied on said percussion tool (20) by external instruments; wherein said base element (11) comprises an upper hole (12’) driven in said end (11’) and a swivel constraint (18) to which a movable lug/flap is fixed (15);

- at least a percussion tool (20) having a cavity at one of its ends, so as to engage said end (11’) with preferably reduced cross-section of the base element (11);

- at least one said movable lug/flap (15), which is connected to said base element (11) and is shaped so that, in its closed configuration, it encloses an external profile of the base element (11) and keeps only a slight distance thereto;

- at least a rope (13) which passes through said upper hole (12’) and is adapted to be pulled so that the movable lug/flap is hindered due to its projecting end (15’) during the ascent by the walls of the ground, thereby causing a rotation of said movable lug/flap (15), which switches from closed configuration to open or half open configuration, suited to penetrate into the ground to ensure an enduring and strong anchoring;

- at least a depth sensor (16), engaged on the conical tip/point (14), or on the movable lug/flap (15), or on the base of the rope (13), or inside the base element (11), and which measures the depth reached by said conical tip/point (14) when it penetrates into the ground, wherein said depth sensor (16) is connected to transmission means or is equipped with transmission means for transmitting steadily and in real time its detected value to external devices;

- at least a ground moisture and temperature sensor (17), which is provided on the conical tip/point (14), or on the movable lug/flap (15), or on the base of the rope (13), or inside the base element (11), and which measures the moisture level and temperature of the ground affected by the excavation, wherein said ground moisture and temperature sensor (17) is connected to transmission means or is equipped with transmission means for transmitting on a constant basis and in real time its detected value to external devices.

2. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that said conical tip/point (14), said base element (11), said percussion tool (20), said movable lug/flap (15), said rope (13) and said swivel constraint or pin (18), are all made of a strong material, such as aluminum and titanium, in order to avoid deformations.

3. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said movable lug/flap (15) has a projecting tongue and/or a projecting end (15’).

4. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said swivel constraint (18) is formed either by a cylindrical pin (18) engaged in a hole (12) of said base element (11), or by a pair of fixed protrusions provided on the surface of the base element (11) and engaging with corresponding recesses of the movable lug/flap (15).

5. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a removable laser pointer which is connected to said conical tip/point (14) and is adapted to precisely indicate the penetration point of the conical tip/point (14).

6. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an inertial seismic sensor attached on the conical tip/point (14), or on the surface of the movable lug/flap (15), or on the end of the rope (13), or provided inside the base element (11), and which detects any earthquake or landslide, wherein said inertial seismic sensor is connected to transmission means or is provided with transmission means for transmitting a detected value to external devices on a constant basis and in real time.

7. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a magnetic field detector, which is specially wired and connected/ attached to the conical tip/point (14), or to the surface of the movable lug/flap (15), or to the base of the rope (13), or inside the base element (11), and which is adapted for detecting and signaling during an excavation step the possible presence of electric cables and/or subservices present in the ground, thus preventing any collision therewith, wherein said magnetic field detector is connected to transmission means or is provided with transmission means for transmitting a detected value to external devices on a constant basis and in real time.

8. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adapted for scanning and creating a three dimensional map of the ground, from time to time, while said conical tip/point (14) penetrates into the ground, by means of a ground-penetrating radar sensor and/or a gravitational sensor engaged on the surface; wherein said gravitational sensor is adapted for measuring changes undergone by suspended atoms, based on changes in the Earth’s gravitational field, and is connected to transmission means or is provided with transmission means for transmitting a detected value to external devices on a constant basis and in real time.

9. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a gas detector attached to the conical tip/point (14), or to the surface of the movable lug/flap (15), or to the base of the rope (13), or inside the base element (11), and which measures and monitors a ground contamination level, wherein said gas detector is connected to transmission means or is provided with transmission means for transmitting a detected value to external devices on a constant basis and in real time.

10. Multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with at least a GPS sensor attached to the conical tip/point (14), or the surface of the movable lug/flap (15), or an end of the rope (13), or inside the base element (11), so as to allow to obtain an exact position or to precisely georeference the data which are collected and processed by said sensors and detectors, wherein said GPS sensor is connected to transmission means or is provided with transmission means for transmitting a detected value to external devices on a constant basis and in real time.

11. A method for installing a multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: vertical positioning of the conical point/tip (14) on the ground; the conical point/tip (14) is thrust downward (A) and vertically penetrates into the ground until it reaches a predetermined anchorage depth, thanks to the pressure exerted by an external means (30) onto a percussion tool (20), the latter being recessed at its lower end in order to receive and engage an upper end (11 ’) of the base element (11); the upper end of the rope (13) is constantly kept above the ground surface; once said predetermined anchorage depth is reached, the percussion tool (20) is removed from the so obtained excavation hole; thereafter, said rope (13) is acted on by a force in a specified direction (B) by fixing it to said external means (30), so as to create a hindrance in the ascent of the movable lug/flap (15), which is partly due to the projecting tongue and/or the projecting end (15’), and this effect causes the movable lug/flap (15) to rotate (A’); the lug/flap (15) thereby switches from a closed configuration/position to an open or half-open configuration/position and penetrates into the ground; since the surface of said movable lug/flap (15) is now inside the ground and blocked in the latter, an enduring and secure anchoring is ensured in this way; the rope (13) is put under tension and is engaged with external elements (100) that need be anchored to said rope (13), such as trees, poles for plantations, agricultural tools, nautical or building structures, etc.

12. An installation method according to claim 11, characterized in that after the percussion tool (20) removal and after reaching the predetermined anchorage depth, in a following step a predetermined amount of a setting/hardening polymer is introduced in the excavation hole, said predetermined amount corresponding to the ideal amount of ground removed in order to reach the anchorage depth, and said setting/hardening polymer acting as a visual signaler in case of diminished/reduced ground amount above said multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10); wherein an outflow of said setting polymer indicates failure to reach the anchorage depth and the need for action in order to bring the multipurpose kit for underground anchoring (10) deeper into the ground.