AU2005239966A1 - Supporting member - Google Patents

Description

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 SUPPORTING MEMBER Field of Invention 5 This invention relates to a supporting member, typically a post, for use in supporting a structure, apparatus or article, typically a fence. Background of Invention. Generally there are many types of support members such as posts used to support structures 10 such as fences, buildings or other suitable structures. Ground engaging posts have to be of sufficient size, strength and durability for the purpose intended. Ground engaging posts commonly used are typically made of wood and as such have to be chemically treated with chemicals such as Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA). However, over 15 time the chemicals within the wooden post leak into the soil and subsequently into the water table from which draw drinking water is drawn from. Therefore, any areas where high concentration of posts are used in a relatively small area, such as wine growing region, the leaking of dangerous chemicals such as CAA, into the water aquifer can have severe consequences as the levels of these chemicals build up over time resulting in the gradually 20 poisoning of livestock and/or humans who drink water drawn from the contaminated water aquifer. When treated grape posts are broken at the time of grape harvest, it is replaced with a new treated post. This post is fully treated and loaded up with CCA treatment. When placed in the ground it repeats the cycle of discharge and leaching of the CCA treatment back into the 25 ground. This leads to a level of poisoning the water aquifer and ground crops such as grapes, kiwi fruit, apples, etc as well as crops which may be planted after the posts are removed such as wheat, barley, corn, etc WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 There are a number of posts now made from known plastic materials however these particular posts are not generally suitable in replacing wooden posts in all situations, such as supporting vines, as they do not have the strength and durability as wood posts. Objects of Invention 5 It is an object of the invention to provide a supporting member that ameliorates the limitations and disadvantages of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice. Statement of Invention In one aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typically a fence post, for use in 10 supporting a structure, typically a fence, wherein the supporting member includes a hollow elongate tubular member having (i) an outer rim, (ii) a longitudinally extending central core, and (iii) a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs situated between and connected to the 15 outer rim and the central core such that the ribs radiate from an outer surface of the central core to an internal surface of the outer rim. Preferably, the supporting member is made from a lightweight and rigid material. Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material. Preferably, the plastics material is a high strength light density polyethylene or medium 20 density polyethylene or pvc, polypropylene, ABS, ABE or other suitable plastics material. Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is made from fibreglass or metal, typically aluminium. Preferably, the supporting member is extruded or injection moulded or rotary moulded or other suitable moulded or die process. 25 Preferably, the supporting member is coated with a coloured film. Preferably, the supporting member is preformed with attachment means, typically wire engaging means, adapted to allow other structural members, typically strands of wine, to be attached to the supporting member. Preferably, the attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cut slots adapted to accommodate 30 and retain strands of wire.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 Preferably, the supporting member has a ground engaging portion connected to the elongate tubular member, wherein the ground engaging portion is adapted to assist the supporting member being placed and retained in the ground. Preferably, the ground engaging portion is integral with the elongate tubular member. 5 Preferably, the ground engaging portion is tapered. Preferably, the ground engaging portion has screw threads adapted to allow the supporting member to be screwed into the ground. Preferably, the elongate tubular member has a circular cross-section shape. Preferably, the central core has a circular cross-sectional shape. 10 Preferably, the central core and ribs extend the entire length of the elongate tubular member. Preferably, there are at least three ribs, wherein the ribs that are spaced equi-distance from one another. Preferably, the elongate tubular member has an inner elongate member within the elongate tubular member, wherein the inner elongate member is spaced and positioned between the 15 outer rim and central core. Preferably, the inner elongate member is ring shaped. Preferably, a high impact substance is situated within the hollow tubular member between the internal space therein defined by the ribs, wherein the high impact substance is adapted to provide extra strength to the supporting member. 20 Preferably, the high impact substance is a high impact resin, foam, styrene, sand, cement or other suitable material. In a second aspect the invention resides in a supporting member for use in supporting a structure, wherein the supporting member includes a hollow elongate tubular member having: 25 (i) an outer rim, and (ii) a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs situated between and connected to internal surfaces of the outer rim. In a third aspect the invention resides in a supporting member for use in supporting a structure, wherein the supporting member includes a hollow elongate tubular member 30 having: (i) an outer rim, and (ii) a high impact substance positioned within the hollow elongate tubular member.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 In fourth aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typically a fence post, wherein the supporting member includes multiple hollow geometrical shaped tubular members fused together along the length of the supporting member. Preferably the tubular members are cylindrical or rectangular or square or triangular or 5 hexagonal or any other suitable geometric shape. In fifth aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typically a fence post, wherein the supporting member includes multiple geometrical shaped tubular members fused together along the length of the supporting member. In a sixth aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typically a fence post, 10 wherein the supporting member includes multiple hollow cylindrical tubular members fused together along the length of the supporting member. Preferably the hollow members have a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs situated between and connected to internal surfaces of the outer rim of each hollow member. Preferably the supporting member has three hollow cylindrical tubular members of equal 15 diameter. Preferably the three members are arranged in a triangular formation. Preferably the space between the juncture of the three members is filled with material. Alternatively the supporting member has four hollow cylindrical members. Preferably the hollow members have at least one diametral web within them. 20 Preferably, the supporting member is made from a lightweight and rigid material. Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material. Preferably, the plastics material is a high strength light density polyethylene or medium density polyethylene or pvc, polypropylene, ABS, ABE or other suitable plastics material. Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is fibreglass or metal, typically aluminium. 25 Preferably, the supporting member is extruded, pultruded, injection moulded or rotary moulded or other suitable moulding or die process. Preferably, the supporting member is coated with a coloured film or is coloured by a master batch process at time of moulding the product.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 Preferably the supporting member has external longitudinal ridges to provide additional rigidity. Preferably, the supporting member is preformed with attachment means, typically wire engaging means, adapted to allow other structural members, typically strands of wire, to be 5 attached to the supporting member. Preferably, the attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cut slots adapted to accommodate and retain strands of wire. Preferably, the supporting member has a ground engaging portion connected to the elongate tubular member, wherein the ground engaging portion is adapted to assist the supporting 10 member being placed and retained in the ground. Preferably, the ground engaging portion is integral with the elongate tubular member. Preferably, the ground engaging portion is tapered. Preferably, the ground engaging portion has screw threads adapted to allow the supporting member to be screwed into the ground. 15 Preferably, the supporting member has a cap at each end of the supporting member, such that one cap is adapted to assist the supporting member being inserted in or attached to the ground or surface. Preferably, said one cap has ground engaging means, wherein the ground engaging portion is adapted to assist the supporting member being placed and retained in the ground or on a 20 surface. Preferably, the supporting member has at least one rib on its outer surface. Preferably, the rib extends longitudinal along the outer surface of the supporting member. Preferably there is a plurality of ribs, wherein the ribs are equally spaced apart from one another. 25 Any other aspect hereinafter described. Brief Description of the Drawings. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a supporting member in accordance to a first aspect of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a supporting member in accordance to a second 5 aspect of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a supporting member in accordance to a third aspect of the invention. 10 Figure 4 illustrates a cutaway view of a supporting member with a ground engaging portion in accordance to a fourth aspect of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates a cutaway view of a supporting member with a ground engaging portion in accordance to a fifth aspect of the invention. 15 Figure 6 illustrates a view of a cap for supporting member as shown in any one of figures 1 to 5. Figure 7 illustrates a side view of a supporting member with a ground engaging portion in 20 accordance to a fourth aspect of the invention Figure 8 illustrates perspective view of a first form of a supporting member in accordance with a first aspect of the invention. Figure 9 illustrates an end view of the supporting member of Figure 1. 25 Figure 10 illustrates an end view of a supporting member in accordance to a second aspect of the invention. Figure 11 illustrates an end view of a supporting member in accordance to with a fourth aspect of the invention. Description of Invention 30 Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a supporting member, post 10, having hollow elongate member 11. The hollow elongate member 11 has an outer rim 12 defining an internal space 16. Within the internal space 16 are positioned ribs 13, 14, 15.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 The ribs 13, 14, 15 provide rigidity to the post and extend the entire length of the hollow tubular member 11. The ribs are preferably spaced equidistance apart from each other. Preferably, there are at least three ribs, however any number of ribs are envisaged. 5 In use as a fence post, the post is erected in the usual manner eg by digging methods or impact/vibrating method. The post can be made from a lightweight and rigid material. Typically it is envisaged that 10 the post be made from a lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material. Such as a high strength light density polyethylene or medium density polyethylene (most preferred) or PVC, polypropylene, ABS, ABE or other suitable plastics material. The post could also be made from other lightweight and rigid materials such as fibreglass or metal, typically aluminium. 15 The post is made from an extrusion process however other manufacture processes are envisaged such as injection moulding or rotary moulding. The post can be coloured and this can be achieved by applying a coloured film during manufacture thereof. The main colour of the manufacture of the post would be black medium density polyethylene. However the post could have a thin colour film applied to the outside of the pipe during the moulding process. 20 This is purely to enhance its looks and aesthetics. The post is preformed with attachment means typically wire engaging means, adapted to allow other structural members, typically strands of wine, to the post. The attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cut slots adapted to accommodate strands of wire. 25 Turning to figure 2 another aspect of the invention is shown. The post 20 differs from the post in figure 1 by having a central core 26 to which the ribs 23, 24, 25 radiate from the central core 26 to the outer rim 22 defining internal spaces 27a, 27b, 27c. Within the internal spaces 27a, 27b, 27c a high impact substance can be added to increase the strength to 30 the post. The high impact substance is a high impact resin, foam, styrene, sand, cement or other suitable material.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 Figure 3 shows a further aspect of the invention in which the post 30 has an outer rim 32, an internal ring having ring portions 32a, 32b, 32c and a central core 36. Ribs 33, 34, 35, 34a, 34b, 34c are positioned within the post 30 to radiate out from the central core 36 to and through the inner ring portions 32a, 32b, 32c and to the outer rim 32. The arrangement and 5 position of the inner ring and the ribs define internal spaces 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, 37e and 37f into which a high impact substance.and be placed to provide extra strength and rigidity to the post. Figure 4 and 7 shows a post 40 having a ground engaging portion 47 consisting of screw 10 threaded portion 49 tapering to a point 48. The post 40, in use, is able to be screwed into the ground by placing the point 48 on to the ground and turning the post in one direction in which the screw threaded portion 49 causes the ground engaging portion 47 to wind into the ground. To remove the post the post is wound in the opposite direction. 15 Figure 5 shows another type of post 50 having another ground engaging portion. The ground engaging portion consists of an upper tapered portion 57 and a lower tapered portion 59 having point 58. This post 50 is adapted to be hammered into or vibrated into the ground. Figure 6 shows a cap 19 suitable to be placed over the top and bottom of the post so as to 20 keep out rain water, irrigation water, soil, leaves etc and to also enhance the aesthetics of the post. The post in another embodiment (not shown) can include hollow elongate tubular member having an outer rim, and a high impact substance positioned within the hollow elongate 25 tubular member. The high impact substance can be any material that when placed within the hollow elongate member or members is such that it adds rigidity and strength to the post. Example of high impact substance that can be used are a high impact resin, foam, styrene, sand, cement, dirt, 30 pebbles, stone chips or any combination thereof.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 The post as disclosed herein has the advantages of being lightweight, rigid, inexpensive, less labour intensive to use, able to be reinforced with high impact substances, easy to remove, safe to the environment and water table Referring to Figure 8 there is generally shown a perspective view of the end of a post 100 5 having three hollow elongate members 101. Each hollow elongate member 101 has a wall of sufficient thickness to suit it for the intended use and the walls are fused together along the length of the post. Thus where the post is intended for use in stony ground the wall thickness may be greater to withstand the greater driving forces required. The central aperture 102 may be a void or it may be filled either with the material of the post 10 or with a material to provide stiffness without providing undue additional weight. As shown in Figure 9, with the end view of the post of figure 8, the walls of the elongate members 201 may be merged at 203 to a single wall thickness, although alternatively the two may merely be close enough that they may be fused together. Figure 10 shows an end view of an alternative version in which ribs 302 are provided inside 15 elongate members 301 to give additional lateral rigidity. While the ribs shown are oriented radially from the centre of the post they may be otherwise oriented, for example circumferentially around the post centre. Figure 11 shows an end view of a further variation in which the elongate members 401 are surround by a larger circumferential elongate member 403 which also forms part of the fused 20 assembly. Ribs 402 act to provide additional rigidity. Additional external ribs (not shown) may also be provided both for more rigidity, and to allow holes to be provided in them for the passage or capture of fence wires. While figure 8 to 11 show a post with three elongate members the use of two and upwards is feasible. Thus a pole with two elongate members has a rigidity that varies strongly with the 25 orientation of the post, allowing it to be oriented in a manner which best serves its purpose. For instance when used to support grape vines, where strainer posts take the major side loading, the post of the invention with only two elongate members may be oriented to take the lateral loads. A post with four elongate members provides a shape more closely approximating a square 30 wooden post and can thus use hardware typically used with wooden posts.

WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 While the elongate members shown in the figures are all equal sized the sizes may be varied either for aesthetic reasons or to provide strength in a certain direction. In use as a fence post, the post is erected in the usual manner eg by digging methods or impact/vibrating methods. 5 A tapered nose may be attached to the post to allow easier driving, but in softer ground the post is capable of being driven or vibrated into the ground without such aids. The post can be made from a lightweight and rigid material. Typically it is envisaged that the post be made from a lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material. Such as a high strength light density polyethylene or medium density polyethylene (most preferred) or PVC, 10 polypropylene, ABS, ABE or other suitable plastics material and may include fibreglass reinforcing. The post could also be made from other lightweight and rigid materials such as fibreglass or metal, typically aluminium. To reinforce the post for driving, it may be filled with a material which may later dissolve, for instance where the pole is used in an agricultural setting it may contain cast 15 superphosphate fertiliser, which will gradually leach out. The post is preferably made from an extrusion process, and if fibreglass is included may be made by pultrusion. Other manufacture processes are envisaged such as injection moulding or rotary moulding. The post can be coloured and this can be achieved by applying a coloured film during manufacture thereof. Preferably the main colour of the manufacture of 20 the post would be black medium density polyethylene, but other coloured density polyethylene could be similar used. However the post could have a thin colour film applied to the outside of the pipe during the moulding process. This is purely to enhance its looks and aesthetics. The post as disclosed herein has the advantages of being lightweight, rigid, inexpensive, less 25 labour intensive to use, able to be reinforced with high impact substances, easy to remove, safe to the environment and water table. The post can be made from any suitable material or combination of materials that produces a post which is rigid and has strength to stand up to the rigours and abuse applied to the post over a substantial period of the posts life. Examples of the materials envisaged to be used 30 are Steel, Copper, Ferrous & non-ferrous metals, Wood, Sand, Gravel, Cement, Plastic, Resin, Fiberglass, Carbon fiber, Grit, Shells, Bark, Water, Oil, Oil products, Stone, Rock, WO 2005/107380 PCT/NZ2005/000091 Ore, Rubber, Leather, Cork, Balsa wood, Saw dust, Wood shavings, China/porcelain, Concrete, Mortar, Plaster, Nylon, Glass, Cellulose, Flour, Grain, Wire, Feathers, Bamboo, Food, Wool, Silicone, Plants, Vegetables, Ash, Bricks/blocks, Tar, Bone, Hair, Fur, Polystyrene, Wax, Teflon, Flax, Foam, Beads, Pinecones, Leaves, Lava, Pumas, Liquid, 5 Bubble wrap, Slime, Radioactive materials, Gold, Silver, Lead, Manure, Teeth, Glue, Lime/calcium, Rust, Seeds, Chrome, Paint, Zinc, Brass, Film, Video & Cassette tapes or any combination thereof. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components known equivalents, then such equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if 10 individually set forth. Throughout the description of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative 15 example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth and as claimed in the appended claim set.

Claims (1)

11. 15 PIPERS Attorneys for MacDonald Neame and Travis Grant Neame