Segmented foundation installation apparatus and method

A method for installing an anchor for a foundation device in the earth, comprising:

• (a) preparing a hole in the earth;
• (b) lowering into said hole a segmented anchor or foundation device having swingable media facing plates and a segmented vertical support formed of segmented lengths;
• and
• (c) applying force to swing said plates outwardly into the surrounding media.

Anchoring or foundation apparatus to be installed in an earthen hole, comprising:

• (a) central segmented rod means;
• (b) plate assembly means mounted around said rod means;
• (c) pipe column means around said central segmented rod means positioned above said plate assembly means;
• (d) a plurality of circumferentially spaced media consolidation plates said plate assembly means;
• (e) swing means on said media facing surfaces pivotally mounted and swingable outwardly about respective pivot points in a substantially vertical arc;
• (f) spreader means adapted to swing said plates outwardly into the surrounding media upon relative vertical movement between said pipe column means and said rod means to spread said plates to an arc of no more than about 55 degrees;
• (g) restrainer means to restrain said plate assembly means from vertical movement;
• and
• (h) force applying means adapted to provide relative vertical movement between said pipe column means and said rod means.