AU2007229368A1 - A device for supporting a post - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): LANGFORD METAL INDUSTRIES PTY LTD Invention Title: A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A POST The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A POST SThe present invention relates to post supports 00 00 such as those used for making fences.

A fence can be constructed by digging holes for fence posts, installing the fence posts and connecting 00 fencing between the fence posts. Fence construction, Showever, can be enhanced, either by making fence posts C with a spike or pin at its lower end so that the post can be driven directly into the ground without excavating a hole first.

C1 Sometimes it is desired to erect a fence utilising fence posts which don't have a pin or spike at their lower end. In such situations an alternative is to firstly drive a post support into the ground and then connect the fence post to the support.

One type of post support consists of a spike in the shape of an arrowhead with an upper end having a flange to enable the bottom end of a fence post to be fixed thereto. This type of post support can be hammered into the ground but only as far as the flange. Typically, this type of post support can be expensive and difficult to make as the flange needs to be securely attached to the top end of the spike.

In addition to the above, it is desirable to minimise the amount of metal used in a post support to minimise costs so as to provide a competitive advantage.

Ideally the amount of metal used in a post support is kept to a minimum. However, as less metal is used, the post support becomes weaker and is more likely to buckle when hammered into the ground. Consequently, the design of post supports and the amount of metal used in them has become fairly static over recent years.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for supporting a post comprising a spike portion for penetrating a ground surface, a post receiving portion including a tubular portion for receiving a lower H: \SueB\Keep\speci\P64497.SPEC.doc 17/10/07 3 O end of a post and a strengthening member located at an upper end of the spike portion and wherein the spike U portion has a central longitudinal axis with a plurality 0 of blades radiating therefrom and a lower end which 00 reduces in width to its lowermost end.

Preferably, the strengthening member comprises a 00 pin.

SIt is preferred that the strengthening member C strengthens the upper end of the blades.

C1 0 Preferably, the strengthening member is located between two blades.

C According to one embodiment, the strengthening member is welded in a corner of two blades.

Preferably, the strengthening member is attached to a central region of the spike portion.

The strengthening member may bridge two adjacent blades.

Preferably, the strengthening member is flush with one or more top edges of the spike portion.

The strengthening member is preferably flush with top inner edges of the blades.

Preferably, the strengthening member comprises a cylindrical bolt or bar of metal.

Preferably, the strengthening member extends from a top edge of the spike portion downwardly between adjacent blades.

According to one embodiment, one or more additional strengthening members are located between other blades.

Preferably, the spike portion is any one of circular, rectangular or square.

The spike portion may comprise a plurality of intersecting blades.

Each blade may have an upper edge or proximal edge which extends laterally beyond the lower edge of the post receiving portion.

According to one embodiment, the spike portion H:\SueB\Keep\epeci \P64497. SPEC. doc 17/10/07 4 has an upper portion comprising upper blade edges which c extend partway into the lower end of the post receiving O portion.

0 Preferably, the profile of the upper end edge of 00 each blade comprises a central region which is elevated compared to an outside region.

00 The outside region may partially overlap the (f lower edge of the post receiving portion.

C The post receiving portion may have a lower end which is coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal Saxis of the spike portion.

C The spike portion may comprise a plurality of blades arranged symmetrically about the central longitudinal axis.

The spike portion may comprise four blades in a cross configuration.

The lowermost end of this spike portion may be substantially pointed.

According to an alternative embodiment, the lowermost end of the spike portion comprises a flattened end.

According to one embodiment, the lowermost end of the spike portion comprises end edges which extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The flattened end may comprise a plurality of end edges of the blades.

The end edges may extend substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the spike portion comprises a plurality of blades, each converging to the lowermost end.

Each blade may be substantially triangular.

According to one embodiment, each blade is substantially trapezoidal in shape.

According to another embodiment of the invention, each blade has an upper side edge which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

According to a further embodiment of the H:\SueB\Keep\6peCi\P64497.SPEC.doc 17/10/07 invention, the spike portion has a lower side edge which c_ is angled inwardly to the central longitudinal axis from o the upper side edge to the lowermost end.

0 Each blade is preferably planar.

00 It is preferred that there are either three or four blades.

00 The spike portion may be created by welding one Sor more blades to a configured metal plate forming two C- blades.

Preferably, the spike portion has a near end Swhich has portions of the blades extending part way along an outer surface of the post receiving portion.

According to one embodiment, upper end edges of each blade are angled upwardly from an outer surface of the post receiving portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of creating a post support comprising the steps of welding blade portions together to form a spike portion with a longitudinal axis, reinforcing an upper end of the spike portion by welding an elongate strengthening member to the spike portion oriented generally parallel to the axis of the spike portion and welding a post receiving portion to the spike portion.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of creating a post support comprising the steps of welding blade portions together to form a spike portion, cutting longitudinal vertical slots into the upper edge of each blade, connecting a post receiving portion within the slots and abutting a lower end of the post receiving portion against upper edge portions of the slots and welding the post receiving portion to the spike portion.

It is preferred that a blade includes a vane, a fin, a wing element, a plate or member for assisting with penetrating a ground surface.

It should be noted that features set out in H:\SueB\Keep\apeci\P6449?.SPEC.dGC 17/10/07 6 relation to one of the above aspects may be applicable to one or more of the other aspects.

o Preferred embodiments of the present invention 00 will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an angled side view of a post 00 support according to one embodiment of the invention; SFigure 2 shows an angled side view of a post C support according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a top view of the post support shown in Figure 1; C Figure 4 shows an angled side view of a strengthening bar partly shown in the post support of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a top view of a post support excluding a strengthening bar in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 6 shows an angled view of a spike prior to connection to a flange.

The post support shown in Figure 1 consists of a ground engaging spike 11 and a cylindrical flange 12 which is welded to the upper end of the spike 11.

The spike may be made according to a number of different configurations. In Figure 1 it consists of four equi-spaced blades 13 which are essentially metal plates radiating from a central longitudinal axis 14 extending from the lower end 15 of flange 12 to a lowermost end 16 having flattened edges rather than pointed edges so as to have a cross-configuration appearance when viewed from below.

In Figure 1 a short length of a post 6 is shown inserted in the cylindrical flange (which acts as a post receiving portion) and an axially short generally cylindrical but slightly tapered cover 7 covers the point of the connection between the post 6 and the cylindrical flange.

The outer lateral edge of each blade 13 consists H:\SueB\Keep\spe c\P644 97.SPEC.doc 17/10/07 7 of an upper straight edge 17 which runs parallel to the c longitudinal axis 14. Approximately two thirds of the way o along the edge 17 it angles inwardly and downwardly at a 0 constant slope towards the lowermost end 16.

00 The lowermost edge 19 of each blade extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14.

00 As shown in Figure 3, the upper edges 21,22,23 and 24 of each of the blades are substantially level with Ci each other from the centre of the spike 25 to the inner surface of the flange 12. At this point each of the Sblades has a stepped raised edge 26 which extends through c and beyond the periphery of the flange 12 so that blades have the appearance of horizontal and vertical fins extending radially from the external surface of the cylindrical flange 12.

In Figure 3, it can be seen that two blades are integrally formed as a sheet of metal bent at 900. Two such configured metal plates are then welded at their outer corners to form the centre 25 of the spike 11. This is one method of making the spike. Figure 3 also shows that close to the inner surface of the flange 12 each upper edge of the blades 21,22,23 and 24 has a stepped recess 27.

The flange 12 is formed by welding four segments in the form of quarter-cylindrical plates successively between adjacent blades to form a cylindrical flange.

Each of the welds connects longitudinal edges of each flange segment to longitudinal side faces of the stepped sections 26 of each of the upper edges of the blades.

As shown in Figure 6, which shows the spike 11 prior to connection to the flanges, the upper edges 21,22,23 and 24 can be seen as being part of a lower central region and edges 26 being a stepped elevated region having the appearance of outer tail sections. The flange, if of a smaller size, may fit neatly in the central recessed region or alternatively can be made larger so as to have slots in its lower end in a matching H:\SueB\Keep\8Feci\P644 97 .SPEC.doc 17/10/07 8 configuration to the tail sections formed by edges 26 and thus fit over these edges 26.

O An alternative way of connecting the flange 12 to 00 the spike 11 is shown in Figure 5 in which the cylindrical flange is a cylindrical pipe which is welded at its lower edge to adjacent upper edges of the blades as well as 00 inner edges of the parts of the blade which extend along Sand adjacent the outer surface of the flange 12. This is C probably best shown in Figure 1 where upper regions 30 of the blades run parallel to the outer surface of the cylindrical flange 12 in a similar fashion to fins C extending along an outer body surface.

Figure 2 shows an alternative configuration of a spike in which each blade is generally triangular and has a constant gradient from its top edge 31 to its lowermost edge 32. It should be noted that the lowermost edge of the spike may be cut off, sharp or of any desired configuration.

As shown in Figure 3, a strengthening pin 40 is welded at an inner corner of two of the blades which, in the examples shown, are blades 24 and 23. This pin 40 is shown more clearly in Figure 4 and is effectively a solid cylindrical metal piece. It is approximately 4cm long.

It will be appreciated that this is short compared to the length of the blades. In some embodiments the pin may be less than twenty percent of the length of the blades or even less than 10 percent of the length of the blades.

The purpose of the pin 40 will be described having regard to the overall operation of the post support. Thus, when it is desired to insert a pole into a ground surface, the post support, as described above, is placed on a ground surface and a pneumatic hammer device is located within the cylindrical flange 12 so as to hammer the spike 11 into the ground. Once the spike has been hammered completely into the ground the pneumatic percussion device is removed and a pole is inserted into the flange 12 and side pins are attached between the H:\SueB\Keep\Speci\P 6 4 4 97.SPEC.doC 1710/07 9 flange and the pole and hammered into place so as to secure the pole to the flange 12.

O If the post support is made of thick metal plate 0 00 material the post support is able to be hammered into the ground without any significant damage occurring to the post support. However, as previously outlined above, to 00 minimise costs it is desirable to minimise the amount of Smetal which is utilised in making a post support.

CI However, if too little metal is used, then there is a problem with structural integrity and hammering the post Ssupport into the ground can result in significant damage C to the post support.

It has been found that by adding a pin 40 between blades in the manner described above, that a significantly reduced width of metal plate can be used, but that the post support can still be hammered into the ground without experiencing significant damage. It has been found that in certain embodiments a minimum blade thickness of 2mm is adequate to resist damage when the pin is used, whereas a blade thickness of approximately 3mm would be necessary in a similar support without the pin. As a result, post supports can be made at much cheaper cost.

According to a variation of the invention, a smaller pin may be employed, ie. one with a shorter length and shorter diameter if an additional pin is inserted and welded in place between two other blades (including one of the same blades).

It is preferred that the diameter of the pin is approximately one third of the length of the inner radius of the flange. Alternatively, it is preferred that the diameter of the pin is less than one third of the length of the upper edge of a blade measured from the centre to the inner surface of the flange 12.

The pin may also be square, triangular or rectangular in shape. Alternatively a strengthening member of a different shape may be used. For example, in some embodiments a short length of RHS or angle steel may H:\Sue\Keep\speci\P64497.SPECdoc 17/10/07 10 be used.

c It is desirable that the top surface of the pin Sis welded in position so that it is flush with the top 00 surface of each of the upper edges of the blades within the flange 12.

According to another embodiment of the present 00 invention, a metal piece is inserted at the inner corner M of two or more adjacent blades so as to provide a bridge Cl between adjacent blades and thus a method of strengthening the spike for use.

SAccording to another embodiment, the central c longitudinal axis of the spike is off centre with the result that two blades are of the same lateral length and the other two blades are respectively longer and shorter in width.

In other variations of the present invention, three or more blades are employed and a pin is again fixed at an inner corner of adjacent blades. Many other embodiments and variations are possible.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

H:\SueB\Keep\peCi\P6449?.SPEC.doc 17/10/07

Claims (18)

1. 2. A device for supporting a post as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strengthening member comprises a C pin.
2. 3. A device for supporting a post as claimed in either preceding claim wherein the strengthening member strengthens the upper end of the blades.
3. 4. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strengthening member is located between two blades. A device for supporting a post as claimed in claim 4, wherein the strengthening member is welded in a corner of two blades.
4. 6. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strengthening member bridges two adjacent blades.
5. 7. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strengthening member is flush with one or more top edges of the spike portion.
6. 8. A device for supporting a post as claimed in claim 7, wherein the strengthening member is flush with top inner edges of the blades.
7. 9. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strengthening member comprises a generally cylindrical metal member. A device for supporting a post as claimed in claim 4, or any claim when dependent thereon, wherein the strengthening member extends from a top edge of the spike portion downwardly between adjacent blades. H:\SueB\Keep\Bpeci\P64497.SPEC.doc 17/10/07
8. 12- 11. A device for supporting a post as claimed C in either of claims 4 or 10 wherein one or more additional O strengthening members are located between other blades. C0 12. A device for supporting a post as claimed 00 in any preceding claim wherein the spike portion comprises a plurality of intersecting blades. 00 13. A device for supporting a post as claimed (f in claim 12, wherein each blade has an upper edge or C proximal edge which extends laterally outwardly beyond the lower edge of the post receiving portion.
9. 14. A device for supporting a post as claimed C1 in any preceding claim wherein the spike portion has an upper portion comprising upper blade edges which extend into the lower end of the post receiving portion.
10. 15. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the profile of the upper end edge of each blade comprises an outside region which is elevated compared to the central region.
11. 16. A device for supporting a post as claimed in claim 15, wherein the outside region of at least one blade partially overlaps the lower edge of the post receiving portion.
12. 17. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each blade is substantially trapezoidal or substantially triangular in shape.
13. 18. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one blade of the spike portion has a lower side edge which is angled inwardly to the central longitudinal axis from the upper side edge to the lowermost end.
14. 19. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each blade is planar. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the number of blades in the spike portion is either three or four.
15. 21. A device for supporting a post as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spike portion is formed H:\ue\Keep\speci\P64497.SPEC.doc 17/10/07 13 O by welding one or more blades to a configured metal plate forming two blades. O
16. 22. A method of creating a post support 0 comprising the steps of welding blade portions together to 00 form a spike portion with a longitudinal axis, reinforcing an upper end of the spike portion by welding an elongate 00 strengthening member to the spike portion oriented M generally parallel to the axis of the spike portion and Swelding a post receiving portion to the spike portion.
17. 23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the step of welding the strengthening member to the spike CI portion comprises welding the strengthening member to two adjacent blades.
18. 24. A method as claimed in either of claims 22 or 23 further comprising the steps of cutting longitudinal vertical slots into the upper edge of each blade, connecting the post receiving portion within the slots and abutting a lower end of the post receiving portion against upper edge portions of the slots prior to welding the post receiving portion to the spike portion. A device for supporting a post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6. H:\Sue\Keep\speci\P64497.SPEC.doc 17/10/0