Anchor arrangement for use with open mat system; open mat system; and methods for reinforcing earth

1. An anchor arrangement for use with an open mat system; the anchor arrangement comprising:

(a) an anchor head constructed and arranged to be embedded into earth and be attachable to a cable;

(b) a cable connector device constructed and arranged to hold the cable against withdrawal from the connector device, when a cable is in the cable connector device; and

(c) a brace comprising a pair of legs joined at a bight section to form a receiver;

(i) the cable connector device being removably oriented in the receiver.

2. The anchor arrangement of claim 1 wherein:

(a) the receiver of the brace comprises a U-shaped receiver; each of the legs having a mat holding segment extending from an end opposite of the bight section;

(i) the cable connector device being removably oriented in U-shaped receiver.

3. The anchor arrangement of claim 2 wherein each mat holding segment of the brace is angled between 85° and 95° of a respective one of the legs.

4. The anchor arrangement of claim 2 wherein each mat holding segment has a free end angled relative to the respective mat holding segment.

5. The anchor arrangement of claim 2 wherein the cable connector device, when oriented in the U-shaped receiver, is even with or below each mat holding segment.

6. The anchor arrangement of claim 1 wherein the anchor head includes a nose and an opposite tail; the tail having an opening sized to receive a removable drive rod.

7. The anchor arrangement of claim 1 wherein the anchor head has a through-hole for receiving a cable therethrough to connect the cable to the anchor head.

8. The anchor arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a cable connected to the anchor head.

9. The anchor arrangement of claim 8 further comprising a crimp constructed and arranged to connect the cable to itself so that the cable forms a loop through a through-hole in the anchor head.

10. The anchor arrangement of claim 1 wherein the cable connector device is constructed and arranged so that when a cable is inserted into the connector device in a first direction, and the connector device holds the cable against withdrawal from the connector device in a direction opposite from the first direction; the cable connector device including:

(a) a body having twin bores sized to receive the cable; and

(b) a spring-loaded wedge arrangement within the body to squeeze the cable within the body and hold the cable against withdrawal from the connector device in a direction opposite from the first direction.

11. A system comprising:

(a) an anchor head for embedding into earth and for being connected to a cable;

(b) a cable connector device for holding a cable against withdrawal from the connector device, when a cable is in the cable connector device; and

(c) a brace comprising a pair of legs joined at a bight section to form a receiver;

(i) the cable connector device for being removably oriented in the receiver.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the receiver of the brace comprises a U-shaped receiver; each of the legs having a mat holding segment extending from an end opposite of the bight section.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein each mat holding segment of the brace is angled between 85° and 95° of a respective one of the legs.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein each mat holding segment has a free end angled relative to the respective mat holding segment.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the anchor head includes a nose and an opposite tail; the tail having an opening sized to receive a removable drive rod.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the anchor head has a through-hole for receiving a cable therethrough to connect the cable to the anchor head.

17. The system of claim 11 further comprising a cable for connection to the anchor head.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the cable connector device includes:

(a) a body having twin bores sized to receive a cable; and

(b) a spring-loaded wedge arrangement within the body to squeeze a cable within the body and hold the cable against withdrawal from the connector device in a direction opposite from the first direction, when a cable is inserted therein.

19. The system of claim 11 further including at least a first open grid mat for orienting against earth; the open grid mat being a matrix of rigid members defining open pockets in between the rigid members; the anchor head being insertable through one of the open pockets to secure the open grid mat to the earth.