AU2021218087A1 - Post driving apparatus, system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A post driving apparatus for restumping a building structure. The post driving apparatus includes a fixed drive body comprising an attachment member for attaching to a bearer of a building structure and two substantially hollow legs extending parallel and perpendicularly from the attachment member, each leg having a first track formed therein, wherein the first tracks of each leg are directly opposed, and a movable drive member having a body and two portions connected at opposing ends of the body to be retained within each the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body, wherein the movable drive member moves along the first tracks of the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body. 1/10 112b 111a 111a 10 100 110 111 120 112a 120 121 121 200 121 FIGURE 1 1U100 111a ( 124 1120 120 FIGURE 1 (a)

Description

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POST DRIVING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a post driving apparatus, system and method for

restumping a building structure. In particular, the invention relates, but is not

limited, to a post driving apparatus, system and method for installing posts for

restumping a house.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are

not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or

form, part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Restumping is a sensitive and important procedure. Restumping

involves replacing the existing concrete, steel or timber posts on a house that

uses a stump subfloor. This is normally necessary when the house stumps have

settled as a result of soil movement, when wooden stumps have rotted, when

steel posts rusts or concrete posts cracks as a result of moisture in the soil.

[0004] Existing construction to re-stump houses is extremely labour intensive,

very time consuming and makes it uneconomical to many house owners to

rectify damage stumps because it's too expensive.

[0005] Many restumping projects are required because the existing stumps are

structurally unsafe and have to be rectified, which can be very expensive.

[0006] One known way of replacing a stump is as follows: 1) Temporarily prop

existing floor and raise to release the existing stump post from the existing

bearer; 2) Remove the existing stump; 3) Excavate the area where stump previously resided and place concrete pad foundation; 4) Place concrete; 5)

Install steel galvanized posts with ant capping; and 6) Bolt the posts to new

concrete pad footing.

[0007] The above process is typically performed in a subfloor height of 300

400mm which makes the process hazardous and extremely difficult and

unpleasant to work in. All materials must be passed in under the floor in a

confined space which time consuming, expensive and physically demanding.

OBJECT

[0008] It is an aim of this invention to provide a post driving apparatus, system

and/or method for restumping a building structure which overcomes or

ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or

which at least provides a useful commercial alternative.

[0009] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent

from the following description.

SUMMARY

[0010] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form,

there is provided a post driving apparatus for restumping a building structure,

the post driving apparatus comprising:

a fixed drive body comprising an attachment member for attaching to a bearer

of a building structure and two substantially hollow legs extending parallel and

perpendicularly from the attachment member, each leg having a first track formed

therein, wherein the first tracks of each leg are directly opposed; and a movable drive member having a body and two portions connected at opposing ends of the body to be retained within each the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body, wherein the movable drive member moves along the first tracks of the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body.

[0011] Preferably, each substantially hollow leg of the fixed drive body includes

a second track. Preferably, the second track is directly opposed to the first track

of the respective substantially hollow leg.

[0012] Preferably, the substantially hollow legs are hollow structural sections

having a hollow cross-section. Preferably, the substantially hollow legs are

substantially rectangular hollow sections or substantially square hollow

sections.

[0013] Preferably, the attachment member comprises one or more apertures for

receiving a fastener therethrough. Preferably, the attachment member

comprises two apertures located adjacent opposite ends of the attachment

member to receive fasteners therethrough to attach the attachment member to

a bearer of a building structure. More preferably, the attachment member

further comprises two additional apertures located between the two

substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body for receiving fasteners

therethrough for connecting a post to the bearer.

[0014] Preferably, the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body further

comprises a pair of aligned apertures. Preferably, the pair of apertures are

parallel. Preferably, a longitudinal axis of a first aperture of the pair of apertures

is parallel to a longitudinal axis of a second aperture of the pair of apertures.

[0015] Preferably, the post driving apparatus further comprises an extension

member for connecting to an end of the substantially hollow leg of the fixed drive body. More preferably, the post driving apparatus further comprises a pair of extension members attachable to the two substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body.

[0016] Preferably, the extension member comprises a substantially hollow

structural section having a hollow cross-section. Preferably, the extension

member comprises a substantially rectangular hollow section or substantially

square hollow section.

[0017] Preferably, the extension member comprises a connecting portion for

connecting the extension member to an end of the substantially hollow leg of

the fixed drive body. Preferably, the extension member is connectable to a

distal end of the substantially hollow leg of the fixed drive body relative to the

attachment member.

[0018] Preferably, the post driving apparatus further comprises one or more

post members connectable to form a post.

[0019] Preferably, the post driving apparatus further comprises a capping

member for capping one of the one or more post members.

[0020] Preferably, the one or more post members comprise substantially

rectangular members. Preferably, each post member comprises a first end

having a first width and a second end having a second width, wherein the first

width is greater than the second width. Preferably, the second end of a first post

member is fittingly received within a first end of a second post member to

connect the first and second post members together. Preferably, the first end

of the post member comprises one or more apertures for receiving a fastener

therethrough to fasten two post members together.

[0021] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises one or more concrete

supporting blocks.

[0022] Preferably, the one or more concrete supporting blocks are substantially

square or rectangular. Preferably, the one or more concrete supporting blocks

comprise a cut-out formed in one side of the block. Preferably, the cut-out is

substantially rectangular. Preferably, the cut-out extends approximately

halfway across the concrete block. Preferably, a length of the cut-out is greater

than half of a width of the concrete block and less than three-quarters of the

width of the concrete block. Preferably, the one or more concrete blocks receive

a portion of the post or post member within the cut-out to support the post or

post member, whereby the concrete block surrounds the portion of the post or

post member received within the cut-out on at least three sides.

[0023] In another form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest

form, there is provided a method for restumping a building structure, the method

comprising the steps of:

fastening a fixed drive body to a bearer of a building structure;

locating a movable drive member within opposed tracks of the fixed drive body;

engaging a first end of a post against the movable drive member; and

applying force to the movable drive member to move the movable drive member

along the opposed tracks of the fixed drive body to drive a second end of the post into

the ground.

[0024] In another form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest

form, there is provided a system for restumping a building structure, the system

comprising:

a post; a post driving apparatus for restumping a building structure, the post driving apparatus comprising: a fixed drive body comprising an attachment member for attaching to a bearer of a building structure and two substantially hollow legs extending parallel and perpendicularly from the attachment member, each leg having a first track formed therein, wherein the first tracks of each leg are directly opposed;and a movable drive member having a body and two portions connected at opposing ends of the body to be retained within each the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body, wherein the movable drive member moves along the first tracks of the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body, wherein: the attachment member of the fixed drive body is fastened to a bearer of a building structure; the movable drive member is located within the first tracks of the two substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body to move along the first tracks; a first end of the post is engaged against the movable drive member; and a force is applied to the movable drive member to move the movable drive member along the first tracks of the two substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body to drive a second end of the post into the ground.

[0025] Preferably, a jack is placed between the attachment member of the fixed

drive body and the movable drive member to move the movable drive member

along the tracks. Preferably, the jack is a bottle jack.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become

apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be

described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures,

wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a post driving apparatus for

restumping a house in accordance with an embodiment of the present

invention;

[0029] Figure 1(a) illustrates a cross-section of the fixed drive body of the post

driving apparatus;

[0030] Figure 1(b) illustrates an overhead view of the fixed drive body with the

legs in dotted lines;

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates an underside view of the post driving apparatus of

Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates an alternate perspective view of the post driving

apparatus having a bottle jack located between the fixed drive body and the

movable drive member;

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates the post driving apparatus in use;

[0034] Figure 5(a) illustrates a perspective view of the movable drive member

of post driving apparatus;

[0035] Figure 5(b) illustrates an underside view of the movable drive member;

[0036]

[0037] Figure 5(d) illustrates an alternative embodiment of the movable drive

member in accordance with the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5(e) illustrates a cross-section of a post driving apparatus using

the movable drive members shown in Figure 5(a) and 5(c);

[0039] Figure 6 illustrates an extension member for use with the post driving

apparatus;

[0040] Figures 7(a) and 7(aa) illustrate a base post member for forming a post

for restumping a house for use with the post-driving apparatus;

[0041] Figures 7(b) and 7(bb) illustrate a middle post member for forming a post

for restumping a house for use with the post-driving apparatus;

[0042] Figures 7(c) and 7(cc) illustrate a capping member for forming a post for

restumping a house for use with the post-driving apparatus

[0043] Figures 8-9 illustrates the post driving apparatus in use;

[0044] Figure 10 illustrates the installed with concrete footing;

[0045] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a concrete block used for

concrete footing to support the post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Figures 1-3 illustrate various views of a post driving apparatus 10

according to an embodiment of the present invention. The post driving

apparatus 10 is useful for driving posts or stumps into the ground underneath a building structure to re-stump the building structure when the existing stumps/posts need replacing.

[0047] Post driving apparatus 10 comprises a fixed drive body 100 and a

movable drive member 200.

[0048] The fixed drive body 100 comprises an attachment member 110 for

attaching to a bearer 11 of a building structure (an example of this can be seen

in Figure 4) and two substantially hollow legs 120 extending parallel and

perpendicularly from the attachment member 110 which form a Pi-like (fI)

frame. As can be seen from the underside view of Figure 2, the substantially

hollow legs 120 have a hollow cross-section.

[0049] Each leg 120 is formed from two spaced apart C-channel members 121

to form a substantially hollow, rectangular body having a first track 122 (located

on an internally facing side of each leg 120) extending along the length of the

leg 120 for receiving a portion of the movable drive member 200, which will be

described in more detail below. As can be seen, the first tracks 122 of each leg

120 are directly opposed.

[0050] The fixed drive body 100 also includes second tracks 123 (located on an

externally facing side of each leg 120) formed on opposite sides of the legs 120

relative to the first tracks 122.

[0051] Returning to the attachment member 110, there are four apertures

formed along the length of the attachment member 110. In use, the attachment

two apertures 111 located adjacent the diametrically opposed ends 112a, 112b

of the attachment member 110 receive fasteners therethrough to secure the

attachment member 110 to a bearer of a building structure.

[0052] The two centrally located guide apertures 111a, located between the two

substantially hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive body 100, receive a drillbit

therethrough to indicate or mark on the bearer where a support plate attached

to the support post is to be fastened to the bearer. This will become clearer in

later figures.

[0053] The substantially hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive body 100 further

comprise a plurality of pair of horizontally or laterally aligned apertures (see

Figures 1(b), 1(c) and 8 for an example). Each pair of apertures is parallel,

wherein a longitudinal axis L1 of a first aperture 124a of each pair of apertures

is parallel to a longitudinal axis L2 of a second aperture 124b of each pair of

apertures.

[0054] The movable drive member 200 (more clearly seen in Figures 5(a) and

5(b)) includes a substantially rectangular body 210 and two substantially

rectangular end portions 220 connected to the body 210 by connecting portions

221 at opposing ends of the body 210 to be retained within each of the

substantially hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive body 100.

[0055] The first tracks 122 allow the movable drive member 200 to move along

the length of the substantially hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive body 100 when

downward force is applied to the body 210 of the movable driver member 200.

[0056] One exemplary way, shown in Figure 4, of applying force to the body

210 of the movable drive member 200 is by placing a bottle jack 12 in between

the body 210 of the movable drive member 200 and the attachment member

110 of the fixed drive body 100 such that the bottle jack is engaged against the

attachment member 110 at a top portion and the movable drive member 200 at

a bottom portion. As the bottle jack 12 is actuated, the bottle jack 12 then exerts downward force or pressure on the movable drive member 200 which drives the post or post member (which may also be referred to as a stump or stump member) positioned beneath the movable drive member 200 into the ground.

[0057] The movable drive member 200 further includes a post engagement

assembly in the form of four projections 230 arranged in the form of a

quadrilateral to complement the walls of the post or stump to be driven into the

ground. The four projections extend perpendicularly from the underside of the

body 210 of the movable drive member 200. Advantageously, the post

engagement assembly ensures the post or stump is securely engaged with the

movable drive member 200 and driven straight into the ground when a bottle

jack (or other force applying device) is utilised.

[0058] An alternative embodiment of the movable drive member is shown in

Figure 5(c). The secondary movable drive member 200a is substantially similar

to movable drive member 200 having a body 210a and two end portions 220a

connected by connecting portions 221a at opposing ends of the body 210a to

be retained within each of the substantially hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive

body 100 but omits the post engagement assembly.

[0059] In some embodiments, the secondary movable drive member 200a can

be positioned between a bottle jack 12 and the attachment member 110 of the

fixed drive body 100 such that the bottle jack engages the movable drive

member 200a (see Figure 5(e)). The inventor envisions that this will be

particularly useful to allow the position of the bottle jack to be adjusted by

allowing both movable drive members 200, 200a to move downward along the

first tracks 122 towards the ground without having timber packing above once

the bottle jack reaches a maximum extension.

[0060] Turning to Figure 6, there is shown an extension member 300 which can

be used with embodiments of the post driving apparatus 10 described above.

[0061] The extension member 300 is constructed similarly to the substantially

hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive boy 100. In particular, the extension member

300 has a hollow cross-section and is formed from two spaced apart C-channel

members 310 connected by a connecting portion 311 to form a hollow,

rectangular body. Connecting portion 311 which extends proud of the extension

member 300 and is adapted to receive a fastener by way of apertures formed

therein (not shown) to connect the extension member 300 to one of the two

hollow legs 120 of the fixed drive body 100 to effectively extend the length of

the legs 120.

[0062] The extension member 300 further includes a first track 320 (located on

an internally facing side of the extension member 300) extending along the

length of the extension member 300 which, when connected to leg 120, aligns

with first track 122.

[0063] The extension member 300 also includes a second track 321 which is

directly opposed to the first track 320. As can be seen, the connecting portion

311 extends partially across the second track 321. In use, two extension

members 300 are attached to the post driving apparatus 10, where one

extension member 300 is attached to each leg 120 at a distal end of the leg 120

relative to the attachment member 110. As noted above, the first tracks 320 of

each of the extension member 300 align with the first tracks 122 of the legs 120

of the fixed drive body 100.

[0064] Advantageously, the extension member 300 allows the movable drive

member 200 to travel further away from the attachment member 110 to drive a

post or stump into the ground.

[0065] It should be appreciated that multiple extension members 300 can be

connected together to even further extend the apparatus.

[0066] Embodiments of the invention may further include one or more post

members connectable to form a post to support a building structure. In Figures

7(a)-(d), there are illustrated three types of post members: a base post member

400 (Figures 7(a) and 7(aa)), a middle post member 410 (Figures 7(b) and

7(bb)) and a capping member 420 (Figures 7(c) and 7(cc)).

[0067] Turning firstly to the base member 400, it can be seen from Figures 7(a)

and 7(aa) that the base member 400 comprises a rectangular and hollow body

401, having a triangular end portion 402 which assists with piercing the ground.

[0068] The middle member 410 shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(bb) comprises a

hollow, rectangular body 413 (similar to the base member 400). At a first end

411, the middle member 410 has a first width W1. At a second end 412, the

middle member 410 has a second width W2 which is less than W1. It should be

noted that the end 403 of base member 400 also has a width equal to with W1.

This allows the second end 412 of the middle member 410 to be received within

the first end 403 of the base member 400 to connect the two members together.

The base member 400 and middle member 410 can then be fastened or bolted

together. Similarly, a plurality of middle members 410 can be joined together by

inserting a second end 412 of a first middle member 410 into the wider first end

411 of a second middle member 410.

[0069] Turning now to Figures 7(c) and 7(cc), the capping member 420 is

shown. Similar to the middle member 410, the capping member 420 comprises

a hollow, rectangular body 421 having a first end 422 with width W1 and a

second end 423 with width W2. The narrower second end 423 having width W2

allows the second end 423 of the capping member 420 to be inserted into the

first end 411 of the middle member 410 having width W1.

[0070] Capping member 420 further comprises a threaded bolt 424 having a

support plate 425 affixed at an end. As shown in Figure 7(cc), the threaded rod

424 can be housed within the body 421 of the capping member 420. In use, the

threaded rod 424 can be turned or rotated about a longitudinal axis Al to

thereby extend a portion of the threaded rod 424 from the body 421 of the

capping member 420. This allows the support plate 425 to be extended away

from the body 421 of the capping member 420 and ultimately engage and

support the bearer of the building structure. The support plate 425 is then

fastened to the bearer of the building structure by fasteners (not shown)

inserted through the apertures 426 of the support plate 425.

[0071] With reference to the features of the embodiments of the invention

described above, the use of the post driving apparatus will now be described.

[0072] In use, the attachment member 110 of the fixed drive body 100 is held

against the bearer of a building structure and then fastened to the bearer using

fasteners inserted through the apertures 426 formed in the attachment member

110.

[0073] Additional holes are drilled using the apertures in the attachment

member 110 located between the two parallel legs 120 of the fixed drive body

100 as guides. These additional holes provide a guide for placement and affixation of the engagement plate 425 once the fixed drive body 100 is removed.

[0074] Next, the movable drive member 200 is placed between the legs 120 of

the fixed drive body 100 such that the end portions 220 of the movable drive

member 200 are received within the hollow body of the legs 120, the body 210

of the movable drive member 200 is located directly between the legs 120 and

the connecting portions 221 are located within the first tracks 122 of the legs

120 of the fixed drive body 100.

[0075] Subsequently, a stump or post is positioned between the ground and the

movable drive member 200 such that an end of the post is received within the

engaging assembly of the movable drive member 200 and is engaged with the

movable drive member 200. Examples of a post being positioned between the

movable drive member 200 and the ground can be seen in Figures 5(e) and 8.

[0076] The next step involves applying force to the movable drive member 200

(such as by using a bottle jack 12) to move or drive the movable drive member

200 along the opposed first tracks 122 of the legs 120 of the fixed drive body

100 to drive a second end of the post into the ground.

[0077] Once the post is driven into the ground to a sufficient height or distance,

the bottle jack 12 may be disengaged, the movable drive member 200 raised

or lifted (see Figure 9), and an additional post member may be attached to the

post and positioned such that the top of the additional post member (which is

now a part of the overall post) is received within the engaging assembly of the

movable drive member 200 and is engaged with the movable drive member

200.

[0078] The process described is then repeated, whereby a downward force is

applied to the movable drive member 200 to move the movable drive member

200 along the opposed first tracks 122 of the legs 120 of the fixed drive body

120 to drive the post further into the ground. This can be repeated numerous

times until the post is driven into the ground as far as necessary (by striking

bedrock, for example).

[0079] Extension members 300 can be attached to the ends of the legs to

effectively extend the length of the legs 120. This may be necessary where the

distance between the bearer and the ground is substantially greater than the

length of the fixed drive body 100.

[0080] At this point, the post driving apparatus 10 (including both the fixed drive

body 100 and the movable drive member 200) can be removed by unfastening

the fixed drive body 100 from the bearer.

[0081] A capping member (such as capping member 420) can then be attached

to the post and the threaded rod 424 having the engagement plate 425 is

actuated to extend the threaded rod 424 from the post until the engagement

plate 425 abuts the bearer. The engagement plate 425 is then fastened to the

bearer by inserting threaded coach screws through apertures formed in the

engagement plate 425. This can be seen in Figure 10.

[0082] Remaining at Figure 10, concrete supporting blocks 500 are then placed

about the post to provide structural support. The concrete blocks preferably

have a compressive strength of 20MPa (megapascals) and have dimensions

of 400mmx400mmxlOOmm deep. However, it will be appreciated that the

concrete supporting blocks can be of any suitable compressive strength and

dimensions.

[0083] The concrete blocks can be secured together by a threaded rod

extending through apertures 501 formed in the concrete blocks 500 (see Figure

11) or by a bracket 510, as shown in Figure 10.

[0084] As can be seen clearly in Figure 11, the concrete supporting blocks 500

are substantially square having a substantially rectangular cut-out 502 formed

in one side.

[0085] The cut-out 502 extends approximately halfway across the concrete

block 500.

[0086] In some preferably embodiments, a length of the cut-out is greater than

half of a width of the concrete block and less than three-quarters of the width of

the concrete block. In use, one or more concrete blocks 500 receive a portion

of the post or post member within the cut-out 502 to support the post or post

member, whereby the concrete block 500 surrounds the portion of the post or

post member received within the cut-out on at least three sides. This is

demonstrated in Figure 10.

[0087] Embodiments of the invention advantageously allow rectification to be

completed in a more comfortable environment for installers.

[0088] In a particular advantage of embodiments of the invention, the building

structure does not need to be temporarily jacked up to release the existing

stump post from the existing bearer. The stump can simply be removed and

replaced.

[0089] The terms "stump" and "post" as used herein are to be understood to

refer to a physical structure or component for supporting a building structure.

Furthermore, the terms "stump" and "post" can be used interchangeably and

should be understood to generally be referring to any suitable stump, post, support or the like which is structurally suitable for supporting a building structure.

[0090] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right,

top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or

action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying

any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to

an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being

limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one

or more of that integer, component, or step, etc.

[0091] The above detailed description of various embodiments of the present

invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the

related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single

disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and

variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of

the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have

been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively

easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended

to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present

invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall

within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0092] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes',

'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion,

such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does

not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not

listed.

[0093] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context

requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not

be limited to the specific value or range qualified by the terms.

Claims (32)

1. A post driving apparatus for restumping a building structure, the post driving

apparatus comprising:

a fixed drive body comprising an attachment member for attaching to a bearer

of a building structure and two substantially hollow legs extending parallel and

perpendicularly from the attachment member, each leg having a first track formed

therein, wherein the first tracks of each leg are directly opposed; and

a movable drive member having a body and two portions connected at

opposing ends of the body to be retained within each the substantially hollow legs of

the fixed drive body, wherein the movable drive member moves along the first tracks

of the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each substantially hollow leg of the fixed

drive body includes a second track.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second track is directly opposed to the

first track of the respective substantially hollow leg.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the substantially hollow legs

are hollow structural sections having a hollow cross-section.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the substantially hollow legs are substantially

rectangular hollow sections or substantially square hollow sections.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the attachment member

comprises one or more apertures for receiving a fastener therethrough.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the attachment member

comprises two apertures located adjacent opposite ends of the attachment

member to receive fasteners therethrough to attach the attachment member to

a bearer of a building structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the attachment member further comprises

two additional apertures located between the two substantially hollow legs of

the fixed drive body for receiving fasteners therethrough for connecting a post

to the bearer.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the substantially hollow legs

of the fixed drive body further comprises a pair of aligned apertures.

10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a longitudinal axis of a first aperture of the

pair of apertures is parallel to a longitudinal axis of a second aperture of the

pair of apertures.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the post driving apparatus

further comprises an extension member for connecting to an end of the

substantially hollow leg of the fixed drive body.

12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the post driving apparatus further

comprises a pair of extension members attachable to the two substantially

hollow legs of the fixed drive body.

13.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the extension member comprises a

substantially hollow structural section having a hollow cross-section.

14.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the extension member comprises a

substantially rectangular hollow section or substantially square hollow section.

15.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the extension member comprises a

connecting portion for connecting the extension member to an end of the

substantially hollow leg of the fixed drive body.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the extension member is

connectable to a distal end of the substantially hollow leg of the fixed drive body

relative to the attachment member.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the post driving apparatus

further comprises one or more post members connectable to form a post.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the post driving apparatus

further comprises a capping member for capping one of the one or more post

members.

19.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more post members comprise

substantially rectangular members.

20.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each post member comprises a first end

having a first width and a second end having a second width, wherein the first

width is greater than the second width.

21.The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second end of a first post member is

fittingly received within a first end of a second post member to connect the first

and second post members together.

22.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first end of the first post member

comprises one or more apertures for receiving a fastener therethrough to fasten

two post members together.

23.The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the apparatus further

comprises one or more concrete supporting blocks.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the one or more concrete supporting blocks

are substantially square or rectangular.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 or 24, wherein the one or more concrete supporting

blocks comprise a cut-out formed in one side of the block.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the cut-out is substantially rectangular and

extends approximately halfway across the concrete block.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, wherein a length of the cut-out is greater than

half of a width of the concrete block and less than three-quarters of the width of

the concrete block.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein the one or more concrete

blocks receive a portion of the post or post member within the cut-out to support

the post or post member, whereby the concrete block surrounds the portion of

the post or post member received within the cut-out on at least three sides.

29.A method for restumping a building structure, the method comprising the steps

of:

fastening a fixed drive body to a bearer of a building structure;

locating a movable drive member within opposed tracks of the fixed drive

body;

engaging a first end of a post against the movable drive member; and

applying force to the movable drive member to move the movable drive

member along the opposed tracks of the fixed drive body to drive a second end of

the post into the ground.

30.A system for restumping a building structure, the system comprising:

a post;

a post driving apparatus for restumping a building structure, the post driving

apparatus comprising:

a fixed drive body comprising an attachment member for attaching to a

bearer of a building structure and two substantially hollow legs extending

parallel and perpendicularly from the attachment member, each leg having a

first track formed therein, wherein the first tracks of each leg are directly

opposed;and a movable drive member having a body and two portions connected at opposing ends of the body to be retained within each the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body, wherein the movable drive member moves along the first tracks of the substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body, wherein: the attachment member of the fixed drive body is fastened to a bearer of a building structure; the movable drive member is located within the first tracks of the two substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body to move along the first tracks; a first end of the post is engaged against the movable drive member; and a force is applied to the movable drive member to move the movable drive member along the first tracks of the two substantially hollow legs of the fixed drive body to drive a second end of the post into the ground.

31.The system of claim 30, wherein a jack is placed between the attachment

member of the fixed drive body and the movable drive member to move the

movable drive member along the tracks.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the jack is a bottle jack.