AU2017101828A4 - Post assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Do n-27/02/2017 The invention relates to a post assembly, a guide device and a kit of parts and a fence. The post assembly is formed of multiple pickets and the guide device is used to direct the 5 pickets into a ground surface in a pre-determined array so as to form a composite post structure.

Description

The invention relates to a post assembly, a guide device and a kit of parts and a fence. The post assembly is formed of multiple pickets and the guide device is used to direct the pickets into a ground surface in a pre-determined array so as to form a composite post structure.

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- 1 POST ASSEMBLY

Field

The present invention relates to a post assembly.

Background

A common type of fence used in farming is a picket and post fence, where wire is tensioned between corner posts and star pickets are placed at regular intervals along the length of the fence. Each comer post is braced in a direction of strain back to a ground surface by a stay. A corner post is generally formed of a large diameter post and installation is time consuming due to the need for a relatively deep hole to be dug for the post to be lowered into. On occasion, concrete is poured into the hole to secure the post in place.

Object

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative post assembly.

Summary

In an aspect a post assembly comprising multiple star pickets and a guide device to direct the pickets into a ground surface in a pre-determined array so as to form a composite post structure, wherein the guide device is adapted with channels that receive and guide the start pickets, and wherein the channels have a Y-shaped profile corresponding to the cross section of the star pickets.

In an aspect a guide device for use with the post assembly of any one of the preceding claims.

In one aspect, there is provided a post assembly with multiple pickets and a guide device to direct the posts into a ground surface in a pre-determined array so as to form a composite post structure.

In one example, the guide device is in the form of a plate with channels that receive and guide the pickets.

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In one example, the guide device includes ground engaging structure to fix the guide device relative to the ground as the pickets are driven into the ground surface.

In one example, the ground engaging structure is in the form of spikes.

In one example, the assembly includes a lock mechanism to secure the pickets to the guide device. The lock mechanism is preferably in the form of one or more bolts or wedges that are driven into the respective channels of the guide device. Alternatively, the lock mechanism is in the form of one or more ties that loop through associated holes in the pickets.

In one example, the post includes a cover attached at a top of the post structure.

In one example, an external skin is fitted along a length of the post. Preferably, the skin is 15 integrally formed with the cover.

In one example, the assembly includes a connector that is coupled between the pickets above a base of the post, in order to maintain alignment of the pickets in the predetermined array.

In one example, the connector is clamped around the pickets.

In one example, the connector is fixed into one or more locating holes in the pickets.

In one example, the post assembly includes a second post formed of a guide device and an 25 associated array of multiple pickets.

In one example, the post assembly includes a stay connected between the post structure and the second post in order to brace the post structure.

In another example, the post assembly includes a barrier section and an elongate gap is provided between the pickets of the post structure and the second post to receive and support

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-3the barrier section.

In one example, the pickets are star pickets.

In another aspect, there is provided a guide device for use with the above described post assembly, including channels that receive the pickets and allow the pickets to be driven into the ground in an pre-determined array to form a post structure.

In another aspect, there is provided a kit of parts including multiple pickets and a guide device 10 that includes channels adapted to receive the pickets and allow the pickets to be driven into a ground surface in an pre-determined array to form a post structure.

In another aspect, there is provided a fence including a one or more post assemblies formed in accordance with the post assembly as described above.

Brief Description

The invention is described in more detail by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a guide device;

Figure 2 is a side view of a post assembly;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the post assembly;

Figure 4 is an end view of another post assembly;

Figure 5 is a side view of the post assembly of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the post assembly of Figure 4.

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-4Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a guide device 1 in the form of a circular plate 2 with through channels 3. The channels 3 each have a Y-shaped profile with splayed ends 4 toward an outer periphery 5 of the plate 2 and a straight section 6 extending toward a centre 7 of the plate 2. A space 8 is defined between adjacent inner ends 9 of each straight sections 6.

Figures 2 and 3 show a post assembly 10 that includes a composite post structure 11 formed of multiple pickets 12, such as star pickets, mounted through the plate 2. The pickets 12 have a configuration matching the channels 3 shown in Figure 1, which serve to guide the pickets 12 as they are driven through ground surface 13 and into the ground 14.

The guide device 1 preferably has ground engaging structure such as spikes (not shown) to securely hold the device 1 in place as the pickets are installed.

The pickets 12 have a relatively small cross-sectional area so there is minimal resistance to driving them into the ground 14. The pickets 12 can be installed to a suitable depth such as, for example, anywhere between 300 and 600 mm and preferably 500 to 600mm.

The pickets 12 can be driven either individually or in unison. Once embedded in the ground, the resultant pickets 12 are in a predetermined array 15 that provides the structure 11 with significant strength characteristics compared to any one single picket 12.

A locking structure (not shown), such as in the form of bolts or one or more wedges or ties looped through holes in the pickets can then be used to securely anchor the pickets in place.

The pickets 12 are preferably arranged such that elongate gaps 16 extend the length of the post structure 11. The gaps 16 are defined by the spaces 8 formed by the guide device 1, as shown in Figure 1.

A cover 17 is fitted to the post structure 11 in order to provide environmental protection over the top of the pickets 12. The cover 17 can also assist in maintaining alignment of the pickets

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-512 as the pickets 12 extend upward from the guide device 1.

The post structure 11 can also have an external skin extending along the length of the post structure 11 for environmental protection. The skin can be integrally formed with the cover 17.

A connector 18 is shown coupled to the pickets 12, between the guide device 1 and the cover 17. The connector 18 may be fixed onto the post structure 11 such as by clamping around the pickets or by coupling to pre-formed holes in the pickets 12.

The connector 18 may assist in maintaining alignment of the pickets but also allows for a stay 19 to be fixed between the post structure 11 and a second post 20. Any suitable form of couplings may be used for that purpose. The stay 19 serves to brace the post structure 11 back to a second post 20.

The second post 20 is formed in a similar manner as the post structure 11 with an associated guide device 1, pre-determined array of pickets 12 and cover 17. The second post 20 is shorter than the post structure 11 so that the stay 17 angles down toward the second post 20.

It should be appreciated the above post assembly 10 can used instead of a traditionally corner post in a fence. The post assembly 10 can be quickly and easily installed by one person without the time and labour intensive need to dig a hole for a conventional large diameter post. If the post structure 11 needs to be dismantled, that can also be readily achieved by pulling out each of the pickets 12 individually with relatively little effort compared to removing a conventional large diameter post.

The post assembly 10 can also be used for other fencing purposes, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, where like reference numbers are used to denote like parts.

The post assembly 10 of Figure 4 to 6 includes multiple composite post structures 11 formed of respective arrays of pickets 12 that are used to form a barrier fence 21. In that case, the elongate gaps 16 formed between the pickets 12 can be utilised to receive and hold an

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-6associated barrier section 22 of the fence 21.

All of the components of the post assembly 10 may be provided in a kit of parts that can be readily assembled. The components are all preferably suitable protected from corrosion or UV light.

Again, it should be appreciated the post assembly 10 can be deployed very quickly and easily without concrete or the need for hole digging and/or fortification of the ground or foundation.

In the case of a farm fence, a farmer might currently take up to two days to properly erect a corner post of sufficient strength to support the strain of the fence line. Times for deploying the post assembly 10 are radically reduced, and the post structures 11 can be easily removed if so required using a post puller on the individual pickets 12. One person could also easily do the job without any heavy lifting or strain.

The guide device 1 and post assembly 10 have been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modification and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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List of Parts

1.	Guide device
	2.	Plate
5	3.	Channel
	4.	End
	5.	Periphery
	6.	Straight section
	7.	Centre
10	8.	Space
	9,	Inner end
	10.	Post assembly
	11.	Post structure
	12.	Pickets
15	13.	Ground surface
	14.	Ground
	15.	Array
	16.	Gaps
	17.	Cover
20	18.	Connector
	19.	Stay
	20.	Second post
	21,	Barrier fence
	22.	Barrier section

-7 25

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2017201325 16 Mar 2018

Claims (2)

The claims defining the invention are as follows

1/2

2017101828 27 Feb 2017

1. A post assembly comprising multiple star pickets and a guide device to direct the pickets into a ground surface in a pre-determined array so as to form a composite post

5 structure, wherein the guide device is adapted with channels that receive and guide the start pickets, and wherein the channels have a Y-shaped profile corresponding to the cross section of the star pickets.

2. The post assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the Y-shaped profile of

10 each channel is orientated with splayed ends toward an outer periphery of the guide.

3. The post assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide is in the form of a plate.

15 4. The post assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the guide device includes ground engaging structure to fix the guide device relative to the ground as the pickets are driven into the ground surface.

5.

A guide device for use with the post assembly of any one of the preceding claims.

2/2

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