US20190203459A1 - Anchors - Google Patents

Abstract

An anchor comprising a supporting framework (30), the supporting framework (30) being a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnected uprights (44) and cross-members (40, 48, 52) that together define a generally cuboidal hollow interior portion of the supporting framework; the supporting framework being collapsible, when not in use, to fit within a liner (34) that can optionally be suspended within the supporting framework.

Description

• This invention relates to anchors, and in particular, but without limitation, to anchors suitable for use in fencing or other semi-permanent installations, such as solar PV arrays.
• Anchors, in the context of the present invention, are bases that rest on a support surface, such as the ground, and which can be used to support a load, such as, but without limitation to, a fence post or another supplementary structure.
• Most fencing systems are modular, that is to say, comprising a series of spaced-apart fence posts that support fence panels. A fence can be used to mark out a boundary or perimeter and/or to prevent or inhibit the passage of people and/or vehicles from one side of the fence to the other. Fences are used, in many cases, in preference to walls or other boundary structures due to their ease and relatively low cost of installation, maintenance and disassembly.
• Fence panels come in a variety of forms, such as wooden boards, a series of concrete slats, wire mesh and so forth. Reticulated or slatted (i.e. apertured) fence panels are generally preferred because they reduce wind loading (compared with solid or continuous fence panels) on the fence posts.
• Fence posts also come in a wide variety of forms, but the most commonplace fence posts comprise upright metal tubes or concrete/wooden posts that are anchored into the ground. To install a fence post, one typically excavates a hole in the ground, inserts the lower end of the fence post into the hole, and then backfills the hole with earth, or in most cases; a pourable, setting material, such as concrete (or, in certain applications, water that freezes to form an ice anchorage around the base of the fence post). Once installed, the fence posts provide a support structure to which fence panels can be affixed. Nevertheless, excavation and backfilling can be expensive and time-consuming operations.
• Whilst fences are generally quicker and less expensive to install than walls, in situations where a boundary is needed quickly, for example in a military installation, it is known to use gabion walls. A gabion wall is a wall made from a number of gabions placed side-by-side and/or on top of each other. A gabion generally comprises a self-supporting mesh cage that can be placed directly onto the ground and filled with whatever backfill material may be available (e.g. sand, earth, ice, rocks etc.). Gabions can be installed relatively easily, using manpower alone (i.e. backfilling using shovels) as single-height units. However, where a higher gabion wall needs to be constructed, that is to say, by stacking one row of gabions on top of another, this can be labour intensive and risky.
• Therefore, where a “stacked” gabion wall is required, it is usually necessary to use plant or other earth-moving machinery to backfill the elevated gabions. Even with plant on-hand, gabions can only be stacked to a height at which the compressive strength (i.e. burst resistance) of the lowermost gabions sidewalls is not exceeded. This will, of course, vary depending on the nature and density of the backfill material, but it is unusual to see gabion walls that are more than three gabions high, i.e. greater than 3 m high.
• A further drawback of gabion walls is that they are obtrusive structures, and, being semi-permanent structures, do not lend themselves well to subsequent movement or disassembly.
• A need therefore exists for a solution to the problem of providing an anchor that is suitable for supporting a fence or another type of supplementary structure and/or which addresses or overcomes one or more of the above problems.
• Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
• According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor comprising a supporting framework, the supporting framework being a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnected uprights and cross-members that together define a generally cuboidal hollow interior portion of the supporting framework; the supporting framework being collapsible, when not in use, to fit within a liner that can optionally be suspended within the supporting framework.
• According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor comprising a supporting framework and a liner, the supporting framework being a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnected uprights and cross-members that together define a generally cuboidal hollow interior portion of the supporting framework; the liner having an open-topped, generally cuboidal form and being shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the assembled supporting framework, the liner further comprising connectors disposed on, or about, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner, the connectors being adapted, in use, to connect an upper part of the liner to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework, and wherein the supporting framework is collapsible, when not in use, to fit within the liner.
• Therefore, the anchor comprises, when assembled, a generally cuboidal supporting framework lined with a connected liner. The liner can be filled, in use, with a ballast material, such as earth, rocks, sand, snow, water etc. to form a gabion-like structure forming a weighted base for a fence post. In certain embodiments, the liner is waterproof, thereby enabling water, or liquid, ballast to be used to weight-down the base. The liner may further comprise a lid or closure flap, which can be used to retain the ballast. A lid or closure flap, where provided, may usefully inhibit or prevent the loss of ballast, such as blown-away sand ballast, or the evaporation of water ballast.
• By using a gabion-like structure as a support, to support a fence post for example, it obviates the need to excavate and backfill a hole in the ground for supporting a lower part of, say, a fence post. Further, as the gabion-like structure is generally placed directly onto the ground, it is possible to fill the liner manually, and/or to empty it manually to move the base. This configuration suitably makes the base relatively easy to install, remove or move, when needed.
• Further, as the base is used to support a fence post or a supplementary structure affixable thereto, the height of a fence or structure installed using the invention is not necessarily restricted to the height or other properties of the anchor. In other words, it is not necessary to stack gabions to form a structure whose height is greater than that of a single gabion.
• The supporting framework is a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnectable uprights and cross-members. The uprights and cross-members can be made from any suitable material, although square- or rectangular-section metal tubing is preferred because it facilities the formation of right angles, and is lighter than bar or rod.
• The uprights and cross-members suitably interconnect using bolts and nuts, or preferably using quick-release connectors, such as anti-luce latches.
• In certain embodiments, the supporting framework comprises a pair of substantially parallel rectangular-section tubes that form feet for the support frame, which rest, in use, on a ground surface. The feet suitably comprise uprights at, or near to their opposite ends, and cross-braces are suitably provided as well to maintain the uprights in a rigid, parallel, spaced-apart configuration. The feet, uprights and cross-braces together form side walls of the supporting framework, and the side walls can be braced by interconnecting members to form the generally cuboidal hollow interior of the supporting framework.
• Disconnection of the elements making up the supporting framework enables it to be collapsed or significantly reduced in size. This permits the collapsed or disassembled supporting framework to fit inside the liner, when not in use.
• The liner has an open-topped, generally cuboidal form and is shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the assembled supporting framework. The liner further comprises connectors disposed on, or about, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner, which connectors are adapted, in use, to connect an upper part of the liner to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework.
• The liner suitably comprises a loop at each of its upper corners, which loops are able to fit over an upper part of an upright of the supporting framework. Suitably, therefore, the supporting framework comprises an upright at each corner, which projects above the level of a cross-brace or cross-member of the supporting framework. Thus, when the liner's loops are placed over the ends of the uprights, they are prevented from sliding down the uprights by engagement with one or more cross-braces or cross members. Additionally or alternatively, the supporting framework may comprise a plurality of hooks adapted, in use, to engage with corresponding loops of the liner. By such means, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner can be connected to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework. Therefore, when the liner is filled with ballast, the liner is fixed to the supporting framework and does not significantly slide down relative thereto.
• In other embodiments of the invention, other types of connectors could be used, for example, hook-and-loop tapes, twisted wire, karabiners, adhesive tape, etc.
• The anchor described herein can be adapted for supporting a fence post, in use. Preferably, therefore, the supporting framework comprises one or more connectors for connecting the supporting framework to a fence post. In one embodiment of the invention, the fence post comprises a generally square- or rectangular-sectioned metal tube that is connected at, or towards, its lower end, to the supporting framework. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but in certain embodiments, the connection of the supporting framework to the fence post is achieved by way of a pivot joint and an abutment joint: the fence post being connectable to the anchor via the pivot joint in a first orientation (e.g. substantially horizontal) and being pivotable, about the pivot joint, until another part of the fence post engages with the abutment joint. By such means, the fence post can be offered up to the anchor from a safe working height (e.g. at waist height), and substantially horizontally, and then pivoted to an upright orientation and locked in position by the locking joint.
• In other embodiments of the invention, the connection between the anchor and the fence post is by way of a clevis arrangement or by way of one or more D-ring members of the support frame into which a lower end of the fence post can be inserted.
• The fence post, or supplementary structure affixable to the anchor, is suitably collapsible. This can be accomplished by forming the fence post or supplementary structure as a set of interconnectable tubes, which can be assembled on site to form an elongate fence post, but which (in preferred embodiments of the invention) can be broken-down into relatively shorter parts, which may usefully fit inside the liner, when the anchor is not in use. By being able to pack-down the fence post into the liner in this way, transportation and storage of the system, when not in use, is greatly facilitated.
• A fence constructed in accordance with the invention may further comprise a fence panel, which fence panel is connected to the fence posts to form the fence. In certain embodiments of the invention, but not all embodiments, the fence panels are made up from a set of interconnectable fence panel portions made from wire mesh. The fence panel portions, in certain embodiments, are shaped and dimensioned to as to fit inside the liner (along with the collapsed supporting framework and/or the collapsed fence post), when not in use.
• It will be appreciated that a fencing system in accordance with the invention could be made up of a number of units each comprising an anchor, fence post and a fence panel. As a fence would be made up from a number of like repeating units (anchor, fence post & fence panel), it may be highly preferred, in certain embodiments, to make the supporting framework, the fence post and the fence panel fit inside the liner, when not in use.
• To facilitate transportation of the anchor, either when empty or weighted down with ballast, one or more hoisting eyes may be provided on the supporting framework. Suitably, the hoisting eyes are connected to a lower part of the supporting framework (e.g. the feet described above) so that the weight of any ballast within the liner is supported from beneath by the supporting framework, rather than indirectly, via the connectors.
• Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an erected fence formed using a series of anchors in accordance with the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an anchor as shown inFIG. 1 in a collapsed state, ready for transport and/or storage;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the anchor ofFIG. 2 in a partially assembled state;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anchor ofFIG. 3 in an assembled state;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the anchor ofFIG. 4 in an assembled and filled state;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing how the fence ofFIG. 1 can be erected using anchors ofFIGS. 2 to 5;
• FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the fence ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an anchor in accordance with the invention suitable for supporting a supplementary support structure;
• FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are perspective views of solar PV arrays supported on anchors as shown inFIG. 8;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a watchtower constructed from a number of anchors in accordance with the invention;
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a storage facility constructed from a number of anchors in accordance with the invention; and
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a gabion wall constructed from a number of anchors in accordance with the invention.
• Referring toFIG. 1 of the drawings, amodular fence10 is formed from a series of spaced apart anchors30 that support a corresponding set of upright fence posts12. Attached to, and supported by, the fence posts12, and by a set ofintermediate fence posts14, are a series of wiremesh fence panels16. Thefence10 is topped by an anti-climb-over system18 affixed to, and supported by the fence posts. Theanchors30 are placed directly onto theground20 and are weighted down byballast22 placed into them. Thefence10 therefore overcomes many of the problems associated with existing fence systems (by removing the need to excavate and backfill holes in the ground for the lower ends of the fence posts) and existing gabion walls (by enabling a relatively high boundary to be formed without having to stack gabions on top of one another.
• In detail, and with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5 of the drawings, eachanchor30 comprises a supportingframework32 and aliner34. As can be seen inFIG. 2, then theanchor30 is not in use, the supportingframework32 can be disassembled and stored inside theliner34. Theliner34 has astrong loop36 attached to each of its upper corners, which facilitates transportation of theanchor30. Theliner34, as shown inFIG. 2, even with the collapsed supportingframework32 inside it, has some spare space/capacity, which, in certain embodiments, can be used to store any one or more of: a broken-downfence post12, a broken-downintermediate fence post14; a broken-downfence panel16; a broken-down anti-climb-over system18; and a supplementary supporting framework, as shall be described below.
• To erect thefence10, as shown by the sequence ofFIGS. 3 to 5, the supportingframework32 is taken out of theliner34 and assembled, as shown inFIG. 3.
• The supportingframework32 comprises a set offeet40 formed by rectangular cross-section tubes, which rest on theground20, in use. Thefeet40 have liftingeyes42 connected thereto, to facilitate lifting theanchor30 using lifting equipment, such as a crane.
• Four upright,square cross-section tubes44 are releasably connected, via anti-luce latches46, one to each end of, the twofeet40, and theseuprights44 define the vertical edges of the supportingframework32. Theuprights44 are detachably interconnected by cross-braces48, which are secured to theuprights44 by anti-luce latches46 also. A further set ofcross-members50, at right angles to the cross-braces48, are provided, which also connect to theuprights44 using anti-luce latches46. Thefeet40 are also cross-braced by a further set ofstruts52, and the cross-members are cross-braced centrally by aconnector tube54. Thestruts52 and theconnector tube54 are releasably connected to the supporting framework by further anti-luce latches46. The supportingframework32 can thus be assembled from a set of components to form a rigid, generally cuboidal framework; or disassembled into its constituent parts to pack-down into theliner34.
• Anti-luce latches are particularly advantageous in certain environments where bolts and nuts are contraindicated. For example, in cold, icy environments, where gloved-finger dexterity may be restricted, the use of anti-luce connectors is vastly preferred over bolts and nuts, say, as they are more easily manipulated, and do not require the use of tools, compared with other connection methods. Further, in desert environments, a dropped nut can often be impossible to find if it sinks into the sand. By using anti-luce latches, as opposed to, say bolts and nuts, the risk of losing a critical part of the system is vastly reduced.
• Referring now toFIG. 4 of the drawings, theliner34 has been inserted into the supportingframework32 and itsconnector loops36 have been placed over the upper ends of thevertical tubes44. Thus, theliner34 is suspended within the supportingframework32 by itsconnector loops36, and at the same time, itslower surface56 rests on thestruts52 previously described.
• InFIG. 5 it can be seen how theliner34 has been filled withballast58, in this example, by sand, and outward bulging of theliner34, under the weight/pressure of theballast58 is resisted by the cross-members48,50.
• Referring toFIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, in particular, toFIG. 4, it can be seen that the supportingframework32 has apivot connector60 and anabutment connector62 affixed to upper50 and lower50′ cross-members, respectively. Thepivot connector60 comprises a throughhole64 for receipt of a pintle bar (not shown) about which afence post12 can pivot. Theabutment connector62 comprises aprotrusion66, which engages a corresponding aperture in thefence post12 to lock it in position, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings.
• Referring toFIGS. 6 & 7 of the drawings, theanchor30 is used to support afence post12 formed from tubular steel, which as a through hole70 approximately 1 m above itslower end72, which through hole receives a pintle bar74 that passes through the throughhole64 in thepivot connector60 of theanchor30 previously described. As can be seen fromFIG. 6, thefence post12 is initially laid approximately level on top of the supportingframework32 of theanchor30 and is connected to thepivot connector60 using the pintle bar74. Thefence post12 can then be raised to a vertical position, as shown inFIG. 7, by pushing on abrace strut78, which is pivotally connected at itsupper end80 to thefence post12. When thefence post12 has been moved to a vertical position, thelower end81 of thebrace strut78 can be connected to theanchor30 via theconnector tube54. Thus, thefence post12,connector tube54 and bracestrut78 form a rigid, triangulated structure, to hold thefence post12 upright and affixed to theanchor30. To stabilise thefence post12 laterally relative to theanchor30, anaperture84 is provided in a lower part of the fence post, which engages with theprotrusion66 of theabutment connector62 previously described. Theaperture84 is held in engagement with theprotrusion66 by the action of thebrace strut78, which urges top of thefence post12 forward, thus urging theaperture84 into engagement with the protrusion.
• Afence10 can be assembled by placing a series ofanchors30 as described above on theground20 and by installing the fence posts12 as previously described.Fence panels16 and/orintermediate fence posts14 can be added, as well as an anti-climb-over device18, as required (either with the fence posts12 in the flat or vertical position).
• Other uses of theanchor30 are manifold, but further applications are described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 8 to 14 of the drawings.
• Referring toFIGS. 8 to 11 of the drawings, theanchor30 is used as a support for a solar panel array. InFIG. 8 it can be seen that theanchor30 is a slightly simplified version of that described previously insofar as thecentral connector tube54,pivot connector60 and theabutment connector62 have been omitted. In this example, theanchor30 is fitted with a set ofvertical extension tubes90, which slide into the open ends of thevertical support tubes44 of the supporting framework. The upper ends of theextension tubes90 are fitted withflanges92, to which a supplementary supportingframework94, as shown inFIGS. 9, 10 and 11 can be fitted.
• The relative lengths of theextension tubes90 can be varied to adjust the orientation of the supplementary supportingframework94, and this can be facilitated by checking the level of theanchor30 using a built-inspirit level95, as shown inFIG. 8.
• Referring now toFIG. 9 of the drawings, the supplementary supportingframework94 comprises a reticulated structure made from steel tubing, which is adapted to receivesolar PV panels96 of a convention type. InFIG. 9, three of the sixsolar panels96 have been omitted for clarity, but it will be appreciated that the inclination of the supplementary supportingframework94 and thesolar PC panels96 can be adjusted to suit by adjustment of theextension tubes90 relative to theuprights44 of the anchor's supporting framework32 (as can be seen by comparingFIGS. 9 and 10).
• FIG. 11 shows how a largesolar PV array960 can be formed by placingseveral anchors30 on theground20 in a desired pattern, affixing their respectivesupplementary supporting frameworks94 and also a set ofsolar PV panels96.
• InFIG. 12 of the drawings, fouranchors30, as described above, are used to form the base of awatchtower assembly1000. A first two of theanchors30 are interconnected using anti-luce latches46, which connect theuprights44 ofadjacent anchors30 to one another. As second pair ofanchors30′ are similarly connected, but are spaced apart slightly from the first pair to create a generallyrectangular base1002 for thewatchtower1000.
• A first anchor frame1032 (i.e. ananchor30, but without its liner34) is placed one on top of thebase1002. It will be noted that the spacing between thecross-bracing connector tubes54 of each pair ofinterconnected anchors30 is roughly the same as the spacing of thefeet40 of thefirst anchor frame1032, and so the latter can be stably placed, and connected to, the former: again using anti-luce latches, or other suitable releasable or permanent connectors.
• Further anchor frames1034 (i.e. anchors30, but without their liners34) are placed one on top of each other, on top of thefirst anchor frame1032, and suitably interconnected, to form thetower structure1000. Astanding platform1004 can be placed in the base of the second-to-top anchor frame1036, for aperson1006 to stand upon, and aroof1008 can be supported on atop theupper support frame1038 to provide shelter for that person, in use, if required.
• Referring toFIG. 13 of the drawings, theanchors30 previously described, can be used with, or without theirliners34 to form a modular storage system, either as racking (without liners34) or asframes32 alone to form storage bins. In certain cases, the support frames32 can be stripped down to formpallets1100, thefeet40 of which conveniently providing fork-lift hoist points.
• Finally, as shown inFIG. 14 of the drawings, theanchors30 can be stacked one on top of another, or in a staggered fashion (as described previously) to form agabion wall1200. However, the invention has the advantage over a traditional gabion wall insofar as, because eachsupport frame32 hastubular feet40 and crane-hoistingpoints42, it is possible, if necessary, to relocate the filled gabions, for example, suing a fork-lift truck or crane. A traditional gabion by contrast, which only has a wire cage support structure, cannot be (so easily, if at all) moved once filled.
• The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the anchor could be used in other applications besides fencing and/or solar PV arrays; any materials or dimensions (whether express or implied) could be varied etc., without departing from the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (45)

1. An anchor comprising a supporting framework, the supporting framework being a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnected uprights and cross-members that together define a generally cuboidal hollow interior portion of the supporting framework; the supporting framework being collapsible, when not in use, to fit within a liner that can optionally be suspended within the supporting framework.

2. The anchor ofclaim 1, further comprising a liner having an open-topped, generally cuboidal form and being shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the assembled supporting framework, the liner further comprising connectors disposed on, or about, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner, the connectors being adapted, in use, to connect an upper part of the liner to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework, and wherein the supporting framework is collapsible, when not in use, to fit within the liner.

3. The anchor ofclaim 1 orclaim 2, wherein the supporting framework comprises a set of feet, which rest, in use, on the ground or a support surface, a set of uprights defining the vertical edges of the supporting framework, a set of cross-braces interconnecting a first set of the uprights, a set of cross-members, at right angles to the cross-braces interconnecting a second set of the uprights, and a set of struts cross-bracing the feet.

4. The anchor ofclaim 3, further comprising a connector tube cross-bracing the cross-members.

5. The anchor ofclaim 3 orclaim 4, wherein any one or more of the feet, upright tubes, cross-braces, cross-members and struts are formed from metal tubes.

6. The anchor ofclaim 5, wherein the tubes have square or rectangular cross-sections.

7. The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the interconnected uprights and cross-members, or any one or more of the cross-braces, cross-members, struts and connector tube, are detachably interconnected using quick-release connectors.

8. The anchor ofclaim 7, wherein the quick-release connectors comprise anti-luce latches.

9. The anchor of any ofclaims 5 to8, wherein the tubular feet are configured so as to form spaced-apart lifting points for receiving, in use, the forks of a fork-lift truck.

10. The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework comprises one or more hoisting eyes.

11. The anchor ofclaim 10, wherein the hoisting eye or eyes are connected to a lower part of the supporting framework.

12. The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the liner is receivable within the supporting framework and its connectors comprise loops that hook over the uprights of the supporting framework such that the liner is suspended within the supporting framework by its connectors with its lower surface resting on the feet of the supporting framework.

13. The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the liner is waterproof.

14. The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the liner comprises a lid or closure flap.

15. The anchor of any ofclaims 2 to14, wherein the connectors comprise any one or more of the group comprising: hook-and-loop tapes; twisted wire; karabiners; and adhesive tape.

16. The anchor of any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework further comprising one or more connectors for connecting the supporting framework to a fence post.

17. The anchor ofclaim 16, wherein the fence post comprises a generally square- or rectangular-sectioned metal tube that is connected at, or towards, its lower end, to the supporting framework by way of a pivot joint and an abutment joint.

18. The anchor ofclaim 17, wherein the fence post is connectable to the anchor via the pivot joint in a first orientation and is pivotable, about the pivot joint, to a second position in which another part of the fence post engages with the abutment joint.

19. The anchor ofclaim 18, further comprising a brace strut, which is pivotally connected at its upper end to the fence post and when the fence post has been moved to the second position, the lower end of the brace strut is connectable to the anchor via the connector tube.

20. The anchor of an ofclaims 16 to19, wherein the connection between the anchor and the fence post is by way of a clevis arrangement or by way of one or more D-ring members of the support frame into which a lower end of the fence post can be inserted.

21. The anchor of any ofclaims 16 to20, wherein the fence post, or a supplementary support structure affixable to the anchor, is collapsible.

22. The anchor ofclaim 21, wherein the fence post or supplementary structure comprises a set of interconnectable tubes, which can be broken-down into relatively shorter parts, which fit inside the liner, when the anchor is not in use.

23. A fence comprising a plurality of anchors according to any ofclaims 16 to22, and a fence panel connectable to one or more of the fence posts to form the fence.

24. The fence ofclaim 23, wherein the fence panel comprises a set of interconnectable fence panel portions, which are shaped and dimensioned so as to fit inside the liner when not in use.

25. The fence of any ofclaims 16 to24, further comprising an anti-climb-over system.

26. A support for a solar panel array comprising one or more anchors according to any preceding claim, and further comprising set of vertical extension tubes, which slide into the open ends of the uprights of the supporting framework.

27. The support ofclaim 26, wherein the upper ends of the extension tubes comprise flanges to which a supplementary supporting framework is affixable.

28. The support ofclaim 26 orclaim 27, wherein the relative lengths of the extension tubes are adjustable, to adjust the orientation of the supplementary supporting framework.

29. The support ofclaim 27 orclaim 28, wherein the supplementary supporting framework comprises a reticulated structure made from steel tubing adapted, in use, to support one or more photovoltaic panels.

30. The support ofclaim 29, further comprising a photovoltaic panel.

31. A watchtower assembly comprising a base formed from a plurality of anchors according to any preceding claim, the base being formed by interconnecting two or more of the said anchors, and further comprising one or more supporting frameworks placed on top of the base.

32. The watchtower ofclaim 31, further comprising a standing platform affixed, in use, to the base of one of the supporting frameworks.

33. The watchtower ofclaim 31 or32, further comprising a roof supported by an upper supporting framework of the stack of supporting frameworks.

34. A modular storage system comprising one or more of the anchors of any preceding claim.

35. A gabion wall comprising a plurality of interconnected anchors according to any preceding claim.

36. The gabion wall ofclaim 35, comprising a stack of anchors.

37. The gabion wall ofclaim 36, wherein the anchors are stacked one on top of another.

38. The gabion wall ofclaim 36 or37, wherein the anchors are stacked in a staggered fashion.

39. An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

40. An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings

41. A fence substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in,FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

42. A solar PV array substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in,FIGS. 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

43. A watchtower substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in,FIG. 12 of the accompanying drawings.

44. A storage system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated inFIG. 13 of the accompanying drawings.

45. A gabion wall system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated inFIG. 14 of the accompanying drawings.

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