AU731034B2

AU731034B2 - Support post securing system

Info

Publication number: AU731034B2
Application number: AU47676/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian John Kasten
Original assignee: KDC Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-07
Filing date: 1997-11-07
Publication date: 2001-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-07
Also published as: EP1053369A4; JP2002506148A; CA2309584A1; WO1999024672A1; EP1053369A1; AU4767697A

Description

WO 99/24672 PCT/AU97/00752 Support Post Securing System 1 Support Post Securing System The present invention relates to a support post securing system which allows for the simple installation and removal of a metal support post particularly although not exclusively for road direction signs information signs street furniture pedestrian handrail safety rails or the like.

The support post securing system can be used wherever a member is installed to be removabley attached to another member generally one member is a metal support post fitted to a solid secure footing the footing can be at any angle.

Background to Invention A common method of installing a conventional post is to dig a hole in the ground at an installation site for the post insert the base of the post into the hole and fill the space betweeen the post and the sides of the hole with concrete when the concrete is set the post is rigidly fixed in place In the event that the support post is damaged and requires removal from its location the concrete has to be broken up to allow the removal of the support post this has the disadvantage of being slow labour intensive and costly also the footing has to be replaced duplicating the cost A better system would allow the simple removal of the damaged support post and the footing to be reusable The Support Post Securing System would allow the easy removal of the damaged post from the footing the footing to remain in place and be reusable The Support Post Securing system allows the post to be removed and reinstalled in less than one minute by one man using a very simple tool PCT/AU97/00752 Received 2 February 2000 -2- Summary of Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support post securing system comprising: a housing tube arranged to be fixedly positioned in a hole, said housing tube having an opening arranged to receive a support post such that, in use, a lower portion of said support post is located in said housing tube, and said housing tube having a tapered inner surface, and sleeve means arranged to be attached to said lower portion of said support post prior to said lower portion of said support post being located in said housing tube, said sleeve means having an inner surface profiled to conform to the surface of said lower portion of said support post and said sleeve means having a tapered outer surface, wherein the angles of taper of said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means are substantially the same, and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means is substantially the same length as the length of said lower portion of said support post and the tapered inner surface of said housing tube is substantially at least the same length as the length of said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means, such that, in use, said support post is insertable into said housing tube via said opening and downward force applied to said support post brings said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means into tight contact with said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tight contact extends substantially the same length as the length of said portion of said support post that is located in said housing tube in said hole to thereby secure said support post.

AMENDED SHEET

IPENAU

2/1 Preferably, said housing tube is provided with a base having an aperture therein.

Preferably, said housing tube is longer than said sleeve means such that, in use, said housing tube extends beyond the end of said sleeve means adjacent the end of said support post in said housing tube.

Preferably, said housing tube has an outer surface having key means to enable said housing tube to be fixedly positioned in said hole.

Preferably, said key means comprises ribs and/or flanges on said outer surface of said housing tube.

Preferably, said tapered inner surface of said housing tube tapers inwardly from said opening and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means tapers inwardly from a location of said sleeve means that, in use, is adjacent said opening of said housing tube such that said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means are receivable adjacent one another.

Preferably, the angle of taper of said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tapered outer surface of said support post is substantially 1 degree.

Preferably, the length of said sleeve means is approximately 300mm.

Preferably, said sleeve means is provided with at least one recess therein such S•that, in use, an attachment member is insertable into said recess to penetrate said support post to thereby attach said sleeve means to said lower portion of said support post.

Preferably, said sleeve means comprises at least two portions.

Preferably, a cap is provided to close said opening of said housing tube when a support post is not positioned in said housing tube.

2/2- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a support post comprising: fixedly positioning a housing tube in a hole, attaching sleeve means to a lower portion of a support post, inserting said lower portion of said support post into said housing tube, and applying a downward force to said support post, such that a tapered outer surface of said sleeve means is brought into tight contact with a tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tight contact extends substantially the same length as the length of said lower portion of said support post that is located in said housing tube in said hole to thereby secure said support post.

The locking contact of said sleeve means and said housing tube is increased as said support post is driven downwardly by said downward force. This is because i *driving the support post downwardly increases the friction contact between said sleeve means attached to said support means and said housing tube, said 0 housing tube itself being secured, e.g. in concrete.

The support post may be removed from the support post securing system of the present invention by using a suitable tool. Such a tool, for example, may comprise a handle, a fulcrum, said handle extending from said fulcrum, and support post engaging means pivotally connected with said fulcrum via a pivotal connection, wherein, in use, a portion of said support post is engagable by said support post engaging means and pressure applied to said handle in a direction away from said support post imparts a lifting action to said support post via said support post engaging means such that said support post is raised and removed from said housing tube.

Preferably, said fulcrum is provided between said handle and said support post 2/3 engaging means.

Preferably, said handle is dimensioned to be of a length such that it is operable by an operator from a standing position.

Preferably, said handle has a first end and a second end, said fulcrum is provided adjacent said first end of said handle, and said pressure is applied to said handle at a location spaced from said first end.

Preferably, in use, said pressure causes said fulcrum to engage with the ground and said handle to pivot via said fulcrum and said fulcrum and post engaging means to pivot relative to one another via said pivotal connection.

Preferably, said support post securing means comprises first bar means provided proximate said pivotal connection and second bar means spaced from said first bar means, wherein said portion of said support post is receivable between said first and second bar means to thereby be engagable by said support post •engaging means.

**aPreferably, said first bar means and second bar means are spaced by third bar means.

Preferably, said pivotal connection pivotally connects said third bar means and I' said fulcrum.

Preferably, fourth bar means is provided, said fourth bar means being pivotable between first. and second positions, wherein in said first position an opening is formed between said first and second bar means such that said portion of said support post is receivable between said first and second bar means and in said second position said fourth bar means closes said opening and said portion of said support post is retained between said first and second bar means.

Preferably, said fourth bar means is substantially parallel to said third bar means and spaced from said third bar means by said first and second bar means.

2/4 Whilst the specification describes, and the drawings illustrate, examples of tools for removing posts and ground caps, these tools do not form part of the support post securing system of the present invention. They have, however, been included in the specification and drawings as an adjunct to the present invention.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION *i *ooo o •o* *oo o*o *oo *oo *ooo PCT/AU97/00752 Received 2 February 2000 -3- Description of Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the support post securing system of the present invention assembled and installed in a concrete footing; Figure 2 shows a side view of substantially identical tapered sleeves, of the support post securing system shown in Figure 1, which form a tapered cylindrical sleeve approximately 300mm in length but not restricted to 300mm; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a pair of substantially identical sleeves shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a side elevation of a plastic pot housing tube, of the support post securing system shown in Figure 1, with an internal taper substantially identical to the tapered sleeves in Figure 2, the length of the post housing tube to be approximately 100mm longer than the tapered sleeves shown in Figure 2 but not restricted to 100mm; Figure 5 shows a side elevation of an embodiment of a plastic cap to fit firmly into the aperture of the post housing tube; Figure 6 shows two views of an embodiment of a post removal tool, one view being an upper plan view and the other view being a side elevation view; Figure 7 shows two views of an embodiment of a damaged post remover, one view being an upper plan view and the other view being a side elevation view; and Figure 8 shows two views of an embodiment of a ground cap remover, one view being an upper plan view and the other view being a side elevation view.

AMEiZ.D SHiEr-

IPEAI'AU

PCT/AU97/00752 Received 2 February 2000 -3/1- In Figure 1 there is shown a support post securing system for securing a support post 17, with a post housing tube 16 set in a concrete footing A. The support post securing system comprises two substantially identical plastic sleeves 12 fitted approximately level with the base of the support post 17 in the post housing tube 16.

In this example of the support post securing system the post 17 is round in profile although it may be square or rectangular or irregular in shape.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the sleeves 12 are each tapered from upper end 13 to the lower end 14 and semi circular in shape as shown in cross section in Figure 3. Internal wall 15 of each sleeve 12 is dimensioned and profile substantially similar to wall 47 of support post 17. The external wall 18 of each sleeve 12 is dimensioned and profiled to be substantially similar to wall 19 of post support tube 16.

Each sleeve 12 has side walls 15 and 18. The internal wall 15 of each sleeve 12 is vertical from the lower end 14 of sleeve 12 to the upper end 13 of sleeve 12.

The outer wall 18 of each sleeve 12 is tapered from the upper end 13 of each sleeve 12 to the lower end 14 of each sleeve 12. The taper of wall 18 of each sleeve 12 from the upper end 13 of each sleeve 12 to the lower end 14 of each sleeve 12 is approximately 1 degree, but is not restricted to 1 degree.

WO 99/24672 WO 9924672PCT/AU97/00752 4 -Typically the sleeve 12 would be made hrorn a plastic material such as UV stabalised polypropelene or similar corrosion resistant material which will not corrode on contact with support post 17 or with post housing tube 16 T o secure sleeve 12 to support post 17 wall 15 of sleeve 12 is presented to wall 47 of support post 17 approximately level with base 28 of support post 17 Tec screw 20 is received into tapered aperture 21 of sleeve 12 from wall 18 of sleeve 12 passing through wall 15 of sleeve 12 which is in contact with wall 47 of support post 17 and penetrating wall 47 of support post 17 to secure sleeve 12 to wall 470of support post 17 lec screw 20 is received into tapered aperture 21 of second sleeve 12 hrorn wall 18 passing through wall 15 of sleeve 12 which is in contact with wall 47 of support post 17 and penetrating wall 47 of support post 17 to secure second sleeve 12 to wall 47 of support post 17 The head of tec screws 20 must be embedded below the surface of wall 18 in aperture 21 of sleeves 12- the fitting of two sleeves 12 to support post 17 has created a cylindrical tapered sleeve 12 to lower end of support post 17 as in figure 1 Post housing tube 16 shown in figure 4 is dimensioned to accept support post 17 fitted with two sleeves 12 Surface 25 of flange 22 of past housing tube 18 to have dimension hrorn diameter 23 to perimeter 24 of 6mm but not restricted to 6mm The inner wall 19 of post housing tube 16 to be dimensioned and profiled to be substantially identical to wall 18 of sleeve 12 Wall 29 of post housing tube 16 to be substantially parallel to wall 19 of post housing tube 18 The base 26 of post housing tube 18 is blanked off at a similar thickness at the distance between walls 19 and 29 of post housing tube 16 Base 26 of post housing tube 16 wi have an aperture 27 moulded in in base 26 of post housing tube 16 will be dimensioned to accept a commercially available PVC Piping for electrical cables Four verticle ribs 28 are mouldedin wall 29 of post housing tube 16 and evenly dimensioned around the perimeter wall 29 of post housing tube 18 Ribs 28 extend from the underside 30 of flange 22 of post support tube 16 to the base 26 of post support tube 16 WO 99/24672 WO 9924672PCT/AU97/00752 Ribs 29 extend to wall 29 of post support tube 16 approximately twice the distance between wall 19 and 29 of past support tube 16 and taper from the junction with wall 29 of post support tube 16 to extremity 31 of rib 28 moulded to wall of post support tube 16 Six horizontal flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 are moulded to wall 29 and ribs 28 f o post housing tube 16 Upper flange 32 to be located approximately 50mm below underside 31) of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 but not restricted to Intermediate flanges 33 34 35 36 to be evenly dimensioned between flanges 32 and 37 of post housing tube Flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 to be moulded to the perimeter of wall 29 and to ribs 28 of post housing tube 16 Flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 moulded to waf 29 of post housing tube 16 to extend horizontally to perimeter 31 being dimensioned to approximately twice the distance between wall 19 and 29 of post housing tube 16 but not restricted to that dimension Upper -side 38 of flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 to taper from wall 29 of post housing tube 16 to perimeter 31 Underside 39 of flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 to taper from wall 29 of post housing tube 18 to perimeter 31 -a cap 41) having a tube 41 extending a minimum of 30mm below underside of flange 46 of cap Tube 41 having a plurality of projection 47 being of greater diameter than diameter 23 of post housing tube 16 Flange 48 of cap40 to have a diameter approximatly 10% greater than 37 of cap 40 -Flange 46 of cap40 to taper from 43 of flange 46 to perimeter 42 of flange 46 of cap40-underside 44 of flange 46 of cap 40 to taper from 45 of underside 44 of flange 46 down to perimeter 42 of flange 46 of cap 40- Flange 46 of cap 40 to have vertical dimension to support the passage of traffic all components could be manufactured by injection moulding Reference Fig:1: Theinstallation of a typical support post securing system requires the digging of a hole deeper than the vertical dimension of the post housing tube 16 and wider than the dimension of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 then fill the space between post housing tube 16 and the sides of the hole in which post housing tube 16 is situated with wet concrete WO 99/24672 WO 9924672PCT/AU97/00752 6 A -post housing tube 186 can be installed at any angle required If a support post is not installed immediatly cap4l) should be installed to aperture 23 of post housing tube 16 to exclude dirt and water from entering post housing tube 16 also to make safe for pedestrian traffic When installing a support post in a post housing tube 16 that has a cap4fl installed in aperture 23 cap 40 must be removed using s simple special leverage tool Fig 8 S upport post 17 fitted with two sleeves 12 as per fitting instructions is presented into aperture 23 of post housing tube 16 set in concrete A with a downward force bringing surfaces 18 of sleeves 12 fitted to support post 17 into contact wih surface 19 of post housing tube 16 increased pressure can be imparted to surf aces 18 of sleeves 12 fixed to support post 17 and surface 19 of post housing tube 16 By applying downward pressure to the top of support post 17 the friction between surfaces 18 of sleeves 12 and 19 of post housing tube 18 is greatly increased which eliminates any rotation of support post 17 on its axis it also excludes anty dirt from entering the post housing tube 16 eliminating possibility of support post 17 being locked in post housing tube 18 in the event the support post is damaged a special simple leverage tool Fig 7 is used to break the friction between surf aces 18 of sleeve 12 and surf ace 19 of post housing tube 16 by raising sleeves 12 upper ends 13 above surface 25 of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 allow ing the easy removal of support post A post removal tool Fig 6 is a simple leaver action compression tool to remove posts fitted with the support post securing system to be removed by an operator from a standing position the post remover figure 6 consists of a handle dimensioned to be of sufficient strength and length to operate from a standing position the handle is welded to fulcrum, 2 being dimensioned to withstand pressure applied by handle 1 steel flat bar 3 of sufficient dimension to extend from the maximum diameter of fulcrum 2 to handle 1 tobe welded to fulcrum 2 and handle 1 as in figure 6 a steel pivot pin 4 is welded inside fulcrum2 pivot pin 4 Is to be' dimensioned to accomnodate force applied by handle 1 pivot pin 4 to be sufficient lengh to accept bar5 and 6 and retention clips 7 PCT/AU97/00752 Received 2 February 2000 -7- Bar 5 is of sufficient dimensions to accept post 8. Bar 5 has a hole drilled at one end to accept pivot pin 4. A steel wedge, or bar, 9 is welded to the outer end of bar 5 at sufficient dimensions from flat bar 3 to accept post 8. Wedge 9 is of sufficient length to accept post 8 and swing bar 6. Bar 5 is fitted to pivot pin 4 and retaining clip 7 is installed on the pivot pin 4 to retain the bar 5. Swing bar 6 is cut in such a way as to fit over wedge 9 and is dimensioned to be able to have a hole drilled in the opposite end to accept pivot pin 4. Bar 6 is installed on pivot pin 4.

A retention clip 7 is installed on the pivot pin 4 to retain the bar 6.

To operate the post removal tool, the bar 6 is pivoted back to allow post 8 to enter between bar 3 and bar 9. Bar 6 is pivoted forward to lock over bar 9. Pressure is applied to handle 1 in a direction away from post 8 imparting a lifting action to post 8 removing it from the post housing tube 16. This is done by an operator using minimal force from a standing position.

The pressure applied to the handle 1, as above described, causes the fulcrum 2 to engage with the ground and the handle 1 to pivot via the fulcrum 2.

Simultaneously, the bar 5 (and the bar 6) pivot relative to the fulcrum 2.

Damaged post remover, shown in Figure 7, is a simple leverage tool to remove a post which has been impacted moving the section of the post above the base from a vertical position to a horizontal position. The tool shown in Figure 7 has a handle 1 which is dimensioned to be of sufficient strength and length to allow operation by an operator from a standing position. Handle 1 is welded to fulcrum 2 and wedge 3 is welded to fulcrum 2 at right angles to handle 1. Fulcrum 2 is of sufficient dimensions to withstand the pressure applied by handle 1. To operate the tool shown in Figure 7, wedge 3 is inserted under the horizontal section of the post which has been impacted. Pressure is applied to handle 1 in a direction away from the wedge 3. The wedge 3 imparts pressure to the damaged post, secured by the support post securing system, to thereby raise the post and release the post from the support post securing system.

Ground Cap remover, shown in Figure 8, may be used for the removal of cap

IPEA/AU

PCT/AU97/00752 Received 2 February 2000 -7/1installed in a post housing tube 16 when a post is not installed in the post housing tube 16. The ground cap remover has a handle 1 dimensioned to enable a person to operate the ground cap remover from a standing position. Handle 1 is welded to fulcrum 2. Fulcrum 2 is dimensioned to accommodate an operator's foot wedge 3 which is welded to fulcrum 2 at 5 degrees from parallel to handle 1.

Wedge 3 is placed in contact with cap 40 installed in post housing tube 16.

Pressure is applied through handle 1 and foot pressure to fulcrum 2 causing wedge 3 to penetrate cap 40. Pressure is applied to handle 1 in a direction away from wedge 3 removing cap 40 from post housing tube 16.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

AMP2NDED AU IP U

Claims

1. A support post securing system comprising: a housing tube arranged to be fixedly positioned in a hole, said housing tube having an opening arranged to receive a support post such that, .in use, a lower portion of said support post is located in said housing tube, and said housing tube having a tapered inner surface, and sleeve means arranged to be attached to said lower portion of said support post prior to said lower portion of said support post being located in said housing tube, said sleeve means having an inner surface profiled to conform to the surface of said lower portion of said support post and said sleeve means having a tapered outer surface, wherein the angles of taper of said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means are substantially the same, and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means is substantially the same length as the length of said lower portion of said support post and the tapered inner surface of said housing tube is substantially at least the same length as the length of said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means, such that, in use, said support post is insertable into said housing tube via said opening and downward force applied to said support post brings said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means into tight contact with said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tight contact extends substantially the same length as the length of said portion of said support post that is located in said housing tube in said hole to thereby secure said support post. -9-

2. A support post securing system according to claim 1, wherein said housing tube is provided with a base having an aperture therein.

3. A support post securing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing support tube is longer than said sleeve means such that, in use, said housing tube extends beyond the end of said sleeve means adjacent the end of said support post in said housing tube.

4. A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said housing tube has an outer surface having key means to enable said housing tube to be fixedly positioned in said hole.

A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said tapered inner surface of said housing tube tapers inwardly from said opening and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means tapers inwardly from a location of said sleeve means that, in use, is adjacent said opening of said housing tube such that said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tapered outer surface of said sleeve means are :i receivable adjacent one another.

6. A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to wherein the angle of taper of said tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tapered outer surface of said support post is substantially 1 degree.

7. A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the length of said sleeve means is approximately 300mm.

8. A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said sleeve means is provided with at least one recess therein such that, in use, an attachment member is insertable into said recess to penetrate said support post to thereby attach said sleeve means to said lower portion of said support post.

9. A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said sleeve means comprises at least two portions.

A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a cap is provided to close said opening of said housing tube when a support post is not positioned in said housing tube.

11. A support post securing system according to any one of claim 4 or claims to 10, when appended directly or indirectly to claim 4, wherein said key means comprises ribs and/or flanges on said outer surface of said housing tube.

12. A support post securing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said support post is removably secured in said housing tube.

13. A method of securing a support post comprising: fixedly positioning a housing tube in a hole, attaching sleeve means to a lower portion of a support post, inserting said lower portion of said support post into said housing tube, and applying a downward force to said support post, such that a tapered outer surface of said sleeve means is brought into tight contact with a tapered inner surface of said housing tube and said tight contact extends substantially the same length as the length of said lower portion of said support post that is located in said housing tube in said hole to thereby secure said support post.

14. A support post securing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. -11 A method of securing a support post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this seventeenth day of January 2001. KDC Systems Ltd Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant 0 *5*