EP0434481A1 - Device for the detachable anchorage of a pole in the ground, base and pole incorporating this device and tool to unlock the device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for detachable anchorage of a pole in the ground, characterised in that it comprises a base (13), intended to be sealed into the ground (14), comprising a housing (16) of a shape which at least partially complements that of the outer section of an anchorage portion of the said pole, such that this portion can be fitted therein; a first bearing surface (19), arranged inside the housing (16); a second bearing surface (24, 25), arranged in the said anchorage portion of the pole, opposite the first bearing surface (19) when the anchorage portion (11) is fitted into the housing, the two bearing surfaces then defining, at least partially, an upwardly open conical volume suitable for the engagement of a locking piece (52) comprising a locking portion (53) of a shape which at least partially complements the locking piece, comprising, moreover, a holding point (grip) (26) adapted to interact with the action end of an unlocking lever. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates in particular to a removable anchoring device for a pole in the ground. It also relates to a base and a post incorporating such a device as well as an instrument for unlocking the device.

The present invention aims to solve a technical problem which has always arisen in roads: the easy replacement of posts (for example posts carrying signs) anchored in the ground by concreting or directly in the bitumen.

Indeed, the only known and used technique to fix such posts in the ground consists in making in one way or another an orifice intended to receive an anchoring portion of the post, to introduce this anchoring portion into it and to flow in the remaining space either cement, bitumen or any other material commonly used in roads.

This procedure has the major drawback that when it is necessary to replace the post, for example as a result of deterioration or rupture of the post, it is then necessary to transplant the concrete or the bitumen. However, such an operation is difficult and costly in terms of time and material (use of a jackhammer, which in addition generates significant noise pollution).

The present invention therefore relates to a removable anchoring device for a pole in the ground free from these drawbacks.

By "soil" should be understood the firm ground or any surface covered with a material in which the fixing of a post should be done by taking and hardening of the material around the anchoring portion of the post. On the date of filing of this application, reference is made here mainly to cement, asphalt and bitumen. However, other materials are obviously possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

By "post" is generally meant a tubular element, a portion of which is intended to be anchored in the ground. This tubular element can be used to carry a sign, in which case it is a sign post; the tubular element can also be used, in conjunction with other elements of the same nature to carry a structure (for example a shelter, a kiosk, a complex structure such as a scaffolding etc.).

The "posts" thus defined have the common characteristic that in the prior art their only method of fixing in the "ground" was sealing, for example by concreting, with the drawbacks noted above.

The present invention therefore relates to a removable anchoring device which must meet the following specifications.

The device must be simple in order to be easily assimilated in its operation by the people who have to anchor a pole in the ground and, if necessary, remove the pole.

The device must have, if possible, a low energy cost, or even zero during assembly and when dismantling the post.

Finally, the structure of the device must be such that the cost price of a post anchored in the ground is not increased too much compared to the prior art.

The invention meets these specifications because, in fact, the removable anchoring device is characterized in that it comprises a base intended to be sealed in the ground comprising a housing of shape, at least partially complementary to that the external section of an anchoring portion of the post so that this portion can fit therein; a first bearing surface arranged inside the housing; a second bearing surface arranged in said anchoring portion of the post, facing the first support surface when the anchoring portion is nested in the housing, the two support surfaces then define, at least partially, a conical volume open upwards conducive to the engagement of a locking piece comprising a locking portion of at least partially complementary shape, the locking piece comprising another socket adapted to cooperate with the action end of an unlocking lever.

Thanks to these provisions, the invention achieves its objectives. In fact, because of its extremely simple structure, it is easy to implement, both from the point of view of the manufacture of the device and of its use in the field. This implementation in the field is in fact extremely simplified by the very nature of the invention which implements a method already known per se, in other fields, namely the use of a locking piece in "wedge" shape. It can therefore be easily assimilated. Furthermore, once the post is anchored in the base by means of the wedge, it is easy by means of the lever to disengage the wedge.

Another object of the present invention relates to the safety of use of such a device, so that the dismantling of a pole cannot be done by unauthorized persons.

Thus firstly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever and the socket formed on the locking piece have a particular geometry, so that only a lever having predetermined characteristics can be used to unlock the device .

In addition, generally according to this aspect of the invention, closure means are provided preventing access to the locking piece.

In a preferred embodiment, the first bearing surface is formed on a boss of predetermined width arranged on the internal surface of said housing, while the second bearing surface is formed inside a notch arranged in the anchoring portion, of width similar to the boss, a closing part of the notch being provided, the respective geometries of the closing part and the notch being such that the closing part can slide along the indentation without being able to escape laterally.

Thanks to these provisions, access to the locking piece is protected because to access it can not release laterally the shutter piece. Only sliding up this part is possible. However, to obtain such sliding, it is necessary, as the case may be, to disassemble a means of holding the closure piece or in another embodiment, proceed to sawing the post so that one can slide up said closure piece: these operations are not easy for people not provided with adequate equipment, on the other hand they become easy otherwise. The present invention therefore achieves here in a particularly advantageous manner these objectives: to allow easy removal of the anchoring portion of the post, while preventing this removal by unauthorized persons.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure part is produced by means of two closure profiles adapted to slide on ribs that comprises said notch. Advantageously, means are provided for mounting the shutter profiles by clipping.

The present invention also relates, on the one hand, to a post comprising an anchoring portion and, on the other hand, to a base having the characteristics succinctly recalled above.

• - la figure 1 est une vue schématique il­lustrant un poteau indicateur comportant un dispositif d'ancrage conforme à l'invention.
• - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée avec arrachements partiels du dispositif d'ancrage schématisé en figure 1,
• - la figure 3 est une vue en coupe partielle du dispositif,
• - la figure 3a est une vue semblable à la figure 3, le dispositif étant assemblé, un outil de déverrouillage étant illustré partiellement, en position de travail,
• - la figure 4 est une coupe transversale selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3,
• - la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la pièce de verrouillage utilisée dans le mode de réalisation illustré en figures 2 et 3.
• - la figure 6 illustre en coupe transversale un profilé d'obturation.
• - la figure 6a illustre en coupe transversale le montage de deux profilés d'obturation dans la portion d'ancrage du poteau,
• - la figure 7 est une vue en perspective de l'outil utilisé pour déverrouiller le dispositif selon la présente invention,
• - la figure 8 est une vue en élévation du dispositif illustré en figure 6a
• - la figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la base illustrée en figures 1 à 3.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an indicator post comprising an anchoring device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view with partial cutaway of the anchoring device shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the device,
• FIG. 3a is a view similar to FIG. 3, the device being assembled, an unlocking tool being partially illustrated, in the working position,
• FIG. 4 is a cross section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking piece used in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• - Figure 6 illustrates in cross section a shutter profile.
• FIG. 6a illustrates in cross section the mounting of two closure profiles in the anchoring portion of the post,
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool used to unlock the device according to the present invention,
• - Figure 8 is an elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 6a
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

According to the embodiment chosen and shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the anchoring device, which has the general reference 10, comprises on the one hand, an anchoring portion 11 of a post 12 and on the other hand, a base 13 intended to be sealed in the ground 14. The post 12 is here a sign post and for this purpose carries a panel 15.

As noted above, the present invention is by no means limited to sign posts, although the latter is a preferred application. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the post has an identical section over its entire length: in other applications, this will not be the case and in what follows we will mainly refer to the portion of anchoring of any post.

The anchoring base 13 is constituted by a metal piece intended to be sealed in the ground and to receive the anchoring portion 11 of the post.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the base comprises for this purpose a housing 16 of shape partially complementary to that of the external section of the anchoring portion 11.

In the embodiment chosen and shown the base, which is visible in perspective in Figure 9, is in the form of a well. The housing 16 of shape complementary to that of the anchoring portion 11 extends over the entire height of the base. The housing is open on an upper face 33 of the base and, at its opposite end, the well formed by the housing 16 is closed by a wall 62 acting as a stop for the lower part 63 of the anchoring portion 11. In the following description, other characteristics of the housing 16 will be specified. .

Referring to FIG. 9, the anchoring base 13 has a generally parallelepipedic external shape comprising in particular four vertical extension faces 61, and the housing bottom abutment wall 62. Four fins 64 are formed on the edges 65 forming the junction of the vertical extension faces 61. It is also observed that, near its upper end, the part forming the base widens substantially so as to form a rim 66 formed at the upper periphery of the base 13.

The fins 64 have the function of facilitating the maintenance of the base 13 in the bitumen or the concrete: this is why a free space 70 is left between the upper end 67 of each fin 64 and the lower face 68 of the bead 66 ( see figures 1 and 9). In the embodiment chosen and shown, the base 13 has a height of approximately 22 cm, the fins 64 extending over approximately half of this height.

Figure 4 is a cross section of the anchoring portion 11. In this figure there is shown in thin dashed lines, the base 13 and more precisely the housing 16. It is observed that effectively this housing is of complementary shape on the the entire periphery of the section of the portion 11, except at the level of a notch 17 to which we will return later.

According to the invention, a first bearing surface 19 is arranged inside the housing 16.

In the embodiment presently described, the first bearing surface 19 is arranged on a boss 18 formed on the internal surface of said housing. In this case, it is observed that the housing 16 has, in section, a generally rectangular shape; the boss 18 is formed on one of the long sides of the rectangle. This boss extends over most of the height of the housing 16 (see Figure 3).

The boss 18 has a width similar to that of the longitudinal extension notch 17 formed in the anchoring portion 11, so that when the anchoring portion 11 is fitted into the housing 16, the notch 17 of the anchoring portion slides on either side of the boss 18, FIG. 4.

The notch 17 has in cross section an overall "U" shape and has a rear face 21 (base of the "U") extending vertically and parallel to the front 45 and rear 46 surfaces, as well as two lateral faces 23,23 ′ (Branches of the "U" in cross section) of vertical extension and perpendicular to the rear face 21. A central rib 20 extends along the longitudinal axis of the anchoring portion of the post. The cross section of the rib 20 forms a "T". This is arranged on the basis of the "U". Two lateral ribs 22,22 ′ are arranged on the lateral surfaces 23,23 ′ of the notch 17 and if we consider the cross section illustrated in FIG. 4, we observe that the lateral ribs 22,22 ′ are arranged on the branches of the "U". The faces 24, 24 ′ facing the outside of the lateral ribs and the outer face 25 of the "T" wing of the central rib 20 are coplanar and define a second bearing surface.

It is observed that this second bearing surface is located opposite the first bearing surface 19 when the anchoring portion 11 is fitted into the housing 16, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 3a.

It is also observed that in accordance with a characteristic of the invention, the bearing surfaces define, when the anchoring portion is fitted into the housing of the base, a conical volume open upwards.

This conical volume is visible, in longitudinal section, in FIG. 3a.

According to the invention, the conical volume thus defined is conducive to the engagement of a locking piece 52 comprising a so-called "locking" portion 53 of shape, at least partially complementary, to said conical volume. The locking part has here, in fact, in longitudinal section, the same trapezoidal shape as that defined, in longitudinal section by the second bearing surface formed by the surfaces 24, 24 ′ and 25 and the first bearing surface 19.

It is observed in this respect that the conical volume thus defined has in this case several characteristics:
- it is only a partial volume defined by surfaces, one of which is fragmented. This conical volume is in fact materialized by the conical part 53 of the locking piece which will be described below. In other embodiments, the conical volume may be defined by a second continuous, non-fragmented bearing surface. However, the arrangement presently described has advantages which will appear in the following description,
- The conical shape of the volume defined by the bearing surfaces or by the part 23 of the part 22 is determined by two rectangular guiding curves: upper rectangle 54 and lower rectangle 55 of the portion 53 of the locking part 52). In other embodiments, other conical shapes can be envisaged, in particular with circular guiding curves. However, the operation of the device which will be described below will not be changed.

According to the invention, the locking piece further comprises a socket adapted to cooperate with the action end of a locking lever.

In the embodiment chosen and shown, the locking piece comprises on the one hand, the conical locking portion 53 described above and on the other hand, a socket 26 constituted by a rib 27 extending beyond the upper rectangular face 54 of the portion 53 and an unlocking rib 28 capable of cooperating with the action end 29 of a lever 30 for unlocking.

The unlocking lever 30 is visible in Figure 7 and has been shown in thin broken lines in Figure 3a. It comprises on the one hand a handle 31 at one end of which is disposed the action end 29. It is observed that the action end 29 is in the form of an edge offset with respect to the axis of the sleeve 31 and substantially oriented upwards. A support roller 32 is placed near the action end 29.

The operation of the device will now be described.

When a sign post such as that illustrated in figure 1 must be anchored in the ground, the first operation consists in sealing, by means of bitumen or concrete the anchoring base 13 as illustrated schematically in figure 1, the upper face 33 of the base 13 is however flush with the rest of the ground 14, so that the opening 16 is clear.

The anchoring portion 11 of the post 12 is then engaged in the opening 16 as illustrated schematically in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figures 1, 2, and 3a. The locking piece 22 is then introduced into the conical space defined by the first bearing surface 19 on the one hand, the second bearing surface (faces 24, 24 ′ and 25) on the other hand. As the shape of the locking section 53 of the part 52 is complementary to that of the conical space mentioned above, a phenomenon of coincidence occurs between the locking part 52 on the one hand, and said bearing surfaces on the other hand. This phenomenon of coincidence can be accentuated by forcing, for example by means of a hammer and a chisel, the part 52 to penetrate further into the conical space.

The post is therefore firmly anchored in the ground and can only be released from it by a very significant upward pull due to the wedging effect. When it is desired to remove the post 12, the unlocking lever is presented as illustrated in FIG. 3a so that the action end 29, which, in this embodiment, in the form of a sharp edge, abuts against the underside 37 of rib 28 of the locking piece 52. By exerting a downward force on the handle 31 of the lever 30, a moment of force is created allowing the locking piece 22 to be easily released, despite the coincidence of the latter. We can then easily clear the post 12.

It can thus be seen that, thanks to the present invention, it is easy to install a pole, the main assembly operations requiring a relatively short intervention time and which can be easily assimilated. It is no less easy to remove the post or the anchoring portion of the post, (in the event of deterioration of the latter, for example).

We will now describe another aspect of the present invention relating to security.

Firstly, it can be seen, in FIG. 3a, that the geometry of the various parts in play (locking part, bearing surfaces, lever) is such that only a tool specialized such as lever 30 can be used for mounting. This has an important impact in terms of safety: indeed only people with such a lever, or an equivalent lever can dismantle a pole.

We will, however, describe another aspect of the invention making it possible to protect access to the locking part.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is provided a shutter piece for the notch 17, the respective geometries of the shutter piece and the notch 17 being such that the shutter piece can slide along the indentation without being able to escape laterally.

In the embodiment chosen and shown, the closure part is produced by means of two closure profiles 40.40 ′ (FIGS. 6, 6a and 8) adapted to slide on the lateral ribs 22.22 ′ and on the ribs 41,41 ′ formed by the wing of the "T" of the central rib 20.

Indeed, the shutter profiles 40.40 ′ have a generally parallelepiped shape with a “U” section, grooves 42 being formed on the external lateral faces of the profiles 40.40 ′. More specifically, if we consider the cross section of a profile, the grooves 42 are formed on the outside of these branches of the "U", in a section 43 of said branches arranged substantially recessed inward.

In addition, in cross section, Figure 6, it is observed that the section 43 has a substantially trapezoidal or triangular shape so that the closure profile has, at said branch ends 43 a width substantially less than the existing spacing between the ribs 22 and 41 on the one hand, 22 ′ and 41 ′ on the other. Side surfaces of oblique orientation 49 are thus delimited.

The operation of this aspect of the invention will now be described.

In the illustrated embodiment, the notch 17 has a height such that a predetermined distance is present between the upper end 48 of the notch 17 and the surface 33 of the base when the anchoring portion 11 is fitted into the base 13. The shutter profiles have a length corresponding to this predetermined distance.

Once the post mounting operations have been carried out as described above, the shutter profiles 40.40 ′ are presented opposite the notch 17. The oblique surfaces 49 respectively of the profiles 40.40 ′ then abut against the edges 50 of the rib 41 and 51 of the rib 22 (respectively edges 50 ′ of the rib 41 ′ and 51 ′ of the rib 22 ′), as illustrated in FIG. 6. By exerting a radial pressure (arrow F) on each shutter profiles 40.40 ′ the sections 43 of each of these profiles tend to resiliently move towards one another: these profiles are then clipped in place, the ribs 41 (41 ′) and 22 (22 ′ ) engaging in the longitudinal grooves 42 of the sections 43 (FIG. 6a).

Thus, in accordance with a characteristic of the invention, it is no longer possible to release the profiles 40 laterally, since the grooves 42 are retained by the ribs considered.

However, these profiles can in certain circumstances slide on the rails formed by the ribs 22,22 ′, 41,41 ′. However, after their installation, these sections abut against the upper edge 48 of the notch 17: they cannot slide upwards.

If the post 12 is to be replaced, as a result of deterioration, it suffices to saw the post at the level of line I - I in FIG. 1. In this way the stop formed by the edge 48 disappears and the profiles 40,40 ′ can then slide along the above-mentioned rails as illustrated in FIG. 8. One can then release the access to the locking piece 52 and proceed with its removal as illustrated in FIG. 3a.

Of course, a person skilled in the art will be able to provide other means making it possible to prevent the profiles from sliding upwards, to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the device.

In general, the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes only and covers any variant within the reach of ordinary skill in the art. In particular, a closure piece constituted by two sections has been provided. This closure piece can obviously be formed by a single profile. Likewise, as mentioned above, the bearing surfaces can be fragmented or continuous.

Claims (13)

1. Anchoring device (10) removable from a post (12) in the ground, characterized in that it comprises a base (13), intended to be sealed in the ground (14), comprising a housing (16 ), of shape, at least partially, complementary to that of the external section of an anchoring portion of said post so that this portion can fit therein; a first bearing surface (19), arranged inside the housing (16); a second bearing surface (24,24 ′, 25), arranged in said anchoring portion of the post, coming opposite the first bearing surface (19) when the anchoring portion (11) is fitted in the housing, the two bearing surfaces then defining, at least partially, a conical volume open upwards conducive to the engagement of a locking piece (52) comprising a locking portion (53) of form less partially complementary, the locking piece further comprising a socket (26) adapted to cooperate with the action end (29) of an unlocking lever (30). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said anchoring portion comprises a longitudinal extension notch (17) in which is formed the second bearing surface. 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said first bearing surface is arranged on a boss of predetermined width, formed on the internal surface of said housing. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the width of the notch is similar to that of the boss. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a closure piece (40.40 ′) preventing access to the locking piece (52). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the geometry of the closure piece (40.40 ′) and that of the notch (17) are such that the obturation piece can slide along the notch (17) without being able to escape laterally. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said anchoring portion is produced in the form of a profile having a notch having, in cross section a "U" shape, a central rib ( 20) whose cross section forms a "T" being disposed on the base of the "U" and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anchoring portion, two longitudinal lateral ribs (22,22 ′) being respectively arranged on the branches of the "U", the faces (24,24 ′) facing the outside of the lateral ribs and the external face (25) of the wing of the "T" of the central rib being coplanar and defining said second bearing surface. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the two lateral ribs and the central rib define rails suitable for guiding shutter profiles (40.40 ′) having for this purpose grooves (42) of partially complementary shape to that of the lateral ribs (22,22 ′) and to that of the lateral portions (41,41 ′) of the "T" wing of the central rib (20). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the closure profiles (40.40 ′) have a generally parallelepiped shape with a "U" section, said grooves (42) being formed outside in a portion (43) branches of the "U", substantially set back inwards, and at the end of the said branches, distant from the base of the "U", this end being of substantially trapezoidal or triangular cross section so that the profile shutter has, at said ends of the branches, a width substantially less than the spacing between each lateral rib and the end of the wing of the "T" of the central rib which is opposite to it. 10. Post comprising an anchoring section (11) having the characteristics defined in any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. Base (13) having the characteristics defined in any one of claims 1 to 9. 12. Base according to claim 11, characterized in that retaining fins (64) are provided on its exterior, a space (67) being left free between the upper part of the fins and the upper end (66) of the base (13). 13. Unlocking lever for anchoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images