Ground anchor for mobile homes and the like

Claim 2

Apparatus for tensioning straps, cables, and the like comprising a support bracket having upstanding flanges, each flange having opposite side surfaces, aligned apertures in said flanges, and means for anchoring said support bracket to the ground; an elongated, resilient, tubular tensioning member extending between said flanges; means for mounting said tensioning member for rotational and axial movement in said apertures for winding a strap, cable or the like thereon and locking the strap, cable, or the like as wound; slot means extending along the side wall of said member for receiving a strap, cable, or the like, said slot means and the resiliency of said tubular member allowing said tubular member to be circumferentially compressed; and means for circumferentially compressing said tubular member when said member is moved axially in said apertures including a rounded protrusion at one end of said member for resisting axial movement of said member, said protrusion normally extending into abutment with one of said opposite side surfaces of one of said flanges at the edge of one of said apertures whereby, as said member is moved axially, said protrusion compresses said member to allow said protrusion to pass through said apertures for abutment with another of said opposite side surfaces of one of said flanges.

Claim 3

The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slot means has a width at least as wide as the distance said protrusion extends beyond the surface of said tubular tensioning member.

Claim 4

The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said flanges has a predetermined thickness, said tensioning member including first and second rounded protrusions adjacent said one end of said member, said projections being spaced axially apart parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member a distance slightly greater than said flange thickness.

Claim 5

The tensioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said bracket includes two flanges; said tensioning member further including a projecting abutment at the end opposite said one end for abutment with one of said flanges whereby further axial movement of said member is prevented after the second of said rounded protrusions has been moved through the aperture in the second of said two flanges.

Claim 6

The tensioning apparatus of claim 4 wherein said tensioning member includes locking means for preventing rotation of said member after said second rounded protrusion has been moved through the aperture in the second of said two flanges.

Claim 7

Apparatus for tensioning straps, cables, and the like comprising a support bracket having upstanding flanges, aligned apertures in said flanges, and means for anchoring said support bracket to the ground; an elongated, resilient, tubular tensioning member extending between said flanges and mounted for rotational and axial movement in said apertures for winding a strap, cable, or the like thereon and locking the strap, cable, or the like as wound; slot means extending along the side wall of said member and a rounded protrusion at one eNd of said member for resisting axial movement of said member; said protrusion normally extending into abutment with one of said flanges at the edge of one of said apertures; said axial slot and the resiliency of said tensioning member allowing said protrusion to circumferentially compress said member whereby said protrusion can pass through said apertures as said member is moved axially therethrough; said flanges each having a predetermined thickness, said tensioning member including first and second rounded protrusions adjacent said one end of said member, said projections being spaced axially apart parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member a distance slightly greater than said flange thickness; said bracket including two flanges; said tensioning member further including a projecting abutment at the end opposite said one end for abutment with one of said flanges whereby further axial movement of said member is prevented after the second of said rounded protrusions has been moved through the aperture in the second of said two flanges; said tensioning member including locking means for preventing rotation of said member after said second rounded protrusion has been moved through the aperture in the second of said two flanges; said locking means including at least one set of radially extending projections spaced around the circumference of said member at equal distances from said opposite end of the member; at least one of said apertures in at least one of said flanges including cutout areas in the edges thereof which correspond in size, shape, and location to said projections for receiving said projections and preventing rotation of said member.

Claim 8

Apparatus for tensioning straps, cables, and the like comprising a support bracket having upstanding flanges, aligned apertures in said flanges, and means for anchoring said support bracket to the ground; an elongated, resilient, tubular tensioning member extending between said flanges and mounted for rotational and axial movement in said apertures for winding a strap, cable, or the like thereon and locking the strap, cable, or the like as wound; slot means extending along the side wall of said member and a rounded protrusion at one eNd of said member for resisting axial movement of said member; said protrusion normally extending into abutment with one of said flanges at the edge of one of said apertures; said axial slot and the resiliency of said tensioning member allowing said protrusion to circumferentially compress said member whereby said protrusion can pass through said apertures as said member is moved axially therethrough; said flanges each having a predetermined thickness, said tensioning member including first and second rounded protrusions adjacent said one end of said member, said projections being spaced axially apart parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member a distance slightly greater than said flange thickness; said bracket including two flanges; said tensioning member further including a projecting abutment at the end opposite said one end for abutment with one of said flanges whereby further axial movement of said member is prevented after the second of said rounded protrusions has been moved through the aperture in the second of said two flanges; said tensioning member including locking means for preventing rotation of said member after said second rounded protrusion has been moved through the aperture in the second of said two flanges; said locking means including at least one set of radially extending projections spaced around the circumference of said member at equal distances from said opposite end of the member; at least one of said apertures in at least one of said flanges including cutout areas in the edges thereof which correspond in size, shape, and location to said projections for receiving said projections and preventing rotation of said member.

Claim 9

The tensioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said locking means include a set of radially extending projections at either end of said member; said apertures in each of said flanges including cutout areas corresponding to at least one set of said projections.

Claim 10

The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 including locking means for preventing rotation of said member; said locking means including at least one projection extending beyond the exterior surface of said member; and a cutout area in the edge of at least one of said apertures which corresponds in size, shape, and location to said projection for receiving said projection.

Claim 11

Apparatus for tensioning straps, cables, and the like comprising a support bracket having upstanding flanges, aligned apertures in said flanges, and means for anchoring said support bracket to the ground; an elongated, resilient, tubular tensioning member extending between said flanges and mounted for rotational and axial movement in said apertures for winding a strap, cable, or the like thereon and locking the strap, cable, or the like as wound; slot means extending along the side wall of said member and a rounded protrusion at one end of said memeber for resisting axial movement of said member; said protrusion normally extending into abutment with one of said flanges at the edge of one of said apertures; said axial slot and the resiliency of said tensioning member allowing said protrusion to circumferentially compress said member whereby said protrusion can pass through said apertures as said member is moved axially therethrough; said slot means includes an axial slot extending the entire length of said member; said slot including an intermediate portion offset circumferentially from the remainder thereof.

Claim 12

Apparatus for tensioning straps, cables, and the like comprising a support bracket having upstanding flanges, aligned apertures in said flanges, and means for anchoring said support bracket to the ground; an elongated, resilient, tubular tensioning member extending between said flanges and mounted for rotational and axial movement in said apertures for winding a strap, cable, or the like thereon and locking the strap, cable, or the like as wound; slot means extending along the side wall of said member and a rounded protrusion at one end of said memeber for resisting axial movement of said member; said protrusion normally extending into abutment with one of said flanges at the edge of one of said apertures; said axial slot and the resiliency of said tensioning member allowing said protrusion to circumferentially compress said member whereby said protrusion can pass through said apertures as said member is moved axially therethrough; said slot means includes an axial slot extending the entire length of said member; said slot including an intermediate portion offset circumferentially from the remainder thereof.

Claim 13

The tensioning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said intermediate portion of said slot is located closer to one end than to the end of said tensioning member.

Claim 14

The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tensioning member includes means for rotating said member; said rotating means including a pair of diametrically aligned apertures and a wrench received therethrough.

Claim 15

the tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support bracket is generally U-shaped and has two upstanding, parallel flanges and a base connecting one end of each of said flanges; said anchoring mEans including at least one securing member extending through said base.

Claim 16

The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flanges include at least two sets of aligned apertures; each of said sets of apertures receiving a tensioning member.

Claim 17

Apparatus for tensioning tie-down straps, cables, and like flexible tie-downs to secure mobile homes and similar structures to the ground, said apparatus comprising a support bracket having spaced, upstanding flanges, each of said flanges having an aperture therein, the axes of said apertures being generally aligned; an elongated, hollow, tensioning menber passing through said apertures and spanning the space between said flanges, said member being axially shiftable in said apertures between a first position wherein it is rotatable within said apertures and a second position wherein it is locked against rotation within said apertures; means on said member for receiving said flexible tie-downs so that the same will be wound therearound when said member is rotated while in said first position; means on said member engageable with said flanges for locking said member against rotation when it is in said second position; and means for retaining said member in either of said positions including means for circumferentially compressing said tensioning member as said member is shifted axially through said apertures, said circumferential compression means being overcomeable by forced axial shifting of said member between said positions.

Claim 18

Apparatus for tensioning tie-down straps, cables, and like flexible tie-downs to secure mobile homes and similar structures to the ground, said apparatus comprising a support bracket having spaced, upstanding flanges, each of said flanges having an aperture therein, the axes of said apertures being generally aligned; an elongated, hollow, tensioning menber passing through said apertures and spanning the space between said flanges, said member being axially shiftable in said apertures between a first position wherein it is rotatable within said apertures and a second position wherein it is locked against rotation within said apertures; means on said member for receiving said flexible tie-downs so that the same will be wound therearound when said member is rotated while in said first position; means on said member engageable with said flanges for locking said member against rotation when it is in said second position; and means for retaining said member in either of said positions including means for circumferentially compressing said tensioning member as said member is shifted axially through said apertures, said circumferential compression means being overcomeable by forced axial shifting of said member between said positions.

Claim 19

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said flexible tie-down receiving means on said member include a slot in the side wall thereof, said slot being coextensive with the length of the member.

Claim 20

The tensioning apparatus of claim 15 wherein said slot is non-rectilinear in order to maintain alignment of the portions of said member opposing one another across said slot.

Claim 21

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said tensioning member is resilient, cylindrical tube; said tie-down receiving means including a slot extending axially along the length of said tube through the side wall thereof; said circumferential compression means including a nub on the exterior of said tensioning member; said slot and the resiliency of the tube allow the tube to resiliently flex and compress circumferentially to allow passage of said nut through said apertures.

Claim 22

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said locking means comprises at least one keyway communicating with one of said apertures and a key on said member engageable by said keyway when said member is in said second position.

Claim 23

Apparatus for tensioning tie-down straps, cables, and like flexible tie-downs to secure mobile homes and similar structures to the ground, said apparatus comprising a support bracket having spaced, upstanding flanges, each of said flanges having an aperture therein, the axes of said apertures being generally aligned; an elongated, hollow, tensioning member passing through said apertures and spanning the space between said flanges, said member being axially shiftable in said apertures between a first position wherein it is rotatable within said apertures and a second position wherein it is locked against rotation within said apertures; means on said member for receiving said flexible tie-downs so that the same will be wound therearound when said member rotated while in said first position; means on said member engageable with said flanges for locking said member against rotation when it is in said second position; and means for retaining said member in either of said positions, said last-mentioned means being overcomeable by forced axial shifting of said member between said positions; said locking means including at least one keyway communicating with one of said apertures and a key on said member engageable by said keyway when said member is in said second position; said member being a cylindrical tube; said locking means including a plurality of said keys comprising a set, said keys being spaced equaLly about the circumference of said tube; said one aperture including a plurality of keyways each engageable by one of said keys.

Claim 24

Apparatus for tensioning tie-down straps, cables, and like flexible tie-downs to secure mobile homes and similar structures to the ground, said apparatus comprising a support bracket having spaced, upstanding flanges, each of said flanges having an aperture therein, the axes of said apertures being generally aligned; an elongated, hollow, tensioning member passing through said apertures and spanning the space between said flanges, said member being axially shiftable in said apertures between a first position wherein it is rotatable within said apertures and a second position wherein it is locked against rotation within said apertures; means on said member for receiving said flexible tie-downs so that the same will be wound therearound when said member rotated while in said first position; means on said member engageable with said flanges for locking said member against rotation when it is in said second position; and means for retaining said member in either of said positions, said last-mentioned means being overcomeable by forced axial shifting of said member between said positions; said locking means including at least one keyway communicating with one of said apertures and a key on said member engageable by said keyway when said member is in said second position; said member being a cylindrical tube; said locking means including a plurality of said keys comprising a set, said keys being spaced equaLly about the circumference of said tube; said one aperture including a plurality of keyways each engageable by one of said keys.

Claim 25

The tensioning apparatus of claim 19 wherein said locking means include a set of said keys at either end of said tube; said apertures in each of said flanges including keyways engageable by said keys in at least one of said sets.

Claim 26

The tensioning apparatus of claim 19 wherein said retaining means include an abutment projecting outwardly from the circumference of said tube between two of said plurality of keys.

Claim 27

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said circumferential compression means include a nub on the exterior of said member.

Claim 28

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said retaining means include a pair of nubs spaced axially apart parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tensioning member and adjacent said one end of said member; said spaced nubs cooperating to resist axial movement of said member in said first position; one of said nubs resisting axial movement of said member in said second position.

Claim 29

The tensioning apparatus of claim 23 wherein said support bracket includes two flanges; said retaining means including an abutment positioned along said member, projecting beyond the external surface of said member, and adapted to engage the side of one of said flanges to prevent axial movement of the member after both of said nubs have been moved through both of said flanges.

Claim 30

Apparatus for tensioning tie-down straps, cables, and like flexible tie-downs to secure mobile homes and similar structures to the ground, said apparatus comprising a support bracket having spaced, upstanding flanges, each of said flanges having an aperture therein, the axes of said apertures being generally aligned; an elongated, hollow, tensioning member passing through said apertures and spanning the space between said flanges, said member being axially shiftable in said apertures between a first position wherein it is rotatable within said apertures and a second position wherein it is locked against rotation within said apertures; means on said member for receiving said flexible tie-downs so that the same will be wound therearound when said member is rotated while in said first position; means on said member engageable with said flanges for locking said member against rotation when it is in said position; and means for retaining said member in either of said positions, said last-mentioned means being overcomeable by forced axial shifting of said member between said positions; said tensioning member being a tube; said tie-down receiving means including an aperture extending through the side wall of the tube and cap means engaging one end of the tube whereby a cable may be passed through said aperture and the interior of said tube and secured to said cap means.

Claim 31

Apparatus for tensioning tie-down straps, cables, and like flexible tie-downs to secure mobile homes and similar structures to the ground, said apparatus comprising a support bracket having spaced, upstanding flanges, each of said flanges having an aperture therein, the axes of said apertures being generally aligned; an elongated, hollow, tensioning member passing through said apertures and spanning the space between said flanges, said member being axially shiftable in said apertures between a first position wherein it is rotatable within said apertures and a second position wherein it is locked against rotation within said apertures; means on said member for receiving said flexible tie-downs so that the same will be wound therearound when said member is rotated while in said first position; means on said member engageable with said flanges for locking said member against rotation when it is in said position; and means for retaining said member in either of said positions, said last-mentioned means being overcomeable by forced axial shifting of said member between said positions; said tensioning member being a tube; said tie-down receiving means including an aperture extending through the side wall of the tube and cap means engaging one end of the tube whereby a cable may be passed through said aperture and the interior of said tube and secured to said cap means.

Claim 32

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said tensioning member includes means for rotating said member; said rotating means including a pair of diametrically aligned apertures and a wrench received therethrough.

Claim 33

The tensioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said flanges include at least two sets of axially aligned apertures; each of said sets of apertures receiving a tensioning member.