EP1010839A1 - Device forming foot-support for stake or post, in particular for arbour or panel support - Google Patents

Abstract

The foot consists of two hollow molded blocks (3, 4) with recesses (24) which form a hole for the post or mast (2) when they are fitted together. The two blocks of the foot have one or more interlocking sloping surfaces (4a) so they are held together by the weight of the upper one on the lower one when assembled, and each one has a handle (4b) for manipulating it. Preferred Features: A variant of the design has two similarly-shaped blocks with sloping surfaces engaging with a separate base block. The blocks can be ballasted with water, sand or cement.

Description

The invention relates to a device forming a foot for stake or mast, in particular for arbor or panel base.

The arbor or panel legs are generally formed by metal tubes or wooden masts of a diameter between 18 and 50 mm. These feet can be sunk into the ground to immobilize the structure they support. However, it is not always possible to press these feet in the ground, for example, when the ground in question is a terrace, a paved road or a lawn that it should not be damaged.

For panels, we sometimes use plinths concrete which are intended to receive the lower end of panel feet. However, such bases are heavy, so impractical to move, and do not allow to receive feet or masts that are not exactly vertical. But he happens, in the case of arbors, but also for panels comprising several feet forming a structure in pyramid shape, that stakes to be immobilized are inclined to the vertical, so that there is no no device adapted to constitute the foot.

In addition, the stakes of devices such as arbors or billboards have diameters variables, even sections of variable, circular shapes, oval or polygonal, which may prevent the use of certain known bases which are only compatible with stakes with circular section of a determined diameter.

Thus, EP-A-0 380 272 discloses a device forming a foot for a stake which comprises two parts intended to be assembled by tenons and mortises arranged around a central hole designed to receive essentially a pole vertical small diameter. Assembly by tenons and mortises requires the handling of heavy parts to engage from above a tenon in the corresponding mortise, by hand and other of the orifice thus formed.

It is to these problems that we hear more particularly remedy the invention by proposing a device capable of adapt to feet of various sections, possibly inclined, and not requiring painful operation of the constituent elements.

In this spirit, the invention relates to a device forming foot for stake or mast, in particular for foot of arbor or panel, comprising two wedges of complementary shapes, capable of being locked, in a configuration of formation of a stake or mast receiving well, by cooperation of forms under the effect of their own weight. These shims each include at least one bearing surface generally flat, each wedge being capable of coming to bear sliding, by this bearing surface, against a surface of generally flat reception of the other hold or of a base.

The invention takes advantage of the fact that the wedges are generally heavy, so that their weight is sufficient for the locking obtained under the effect of this weight is effective. The flat character of these surfaces allows a sliding of a wedge in relation to the other envelope or in relation to the base parallel to the plane of these surfaces, which allows, in particular, adjust the diameter of the receiving well to the diameter staff of the stake.

According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, the shims are hollow envelopes obtained by blowing, injection molding, rotational molding or thermoforming of material plastic. Such envelopes are easy to handle when they are empty and have sufficient weight to fill their function when ballasted.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, a first wedge or a base forms a support bearing on a receiving surface of the device on which is or are other shim (s), the receiving surface mentioned above being provided in the upper part of the first wedge or from the base.

Provision may be made for the bearing surface to be inclined by compared to a normal to a surface on which the device. So when the device is placed on a floor generally horizontal, the bearing surface of each envelope is inclined with respect to the horizontal and the vertical, so that the slip of a wedge parallel to this surface can be considered under the effect of its weight alone, this which allows automatic adjustment of the diameter of the well reception of the stake.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, each hold includes two bearing surfaces, in planes parallel and distinct, these bearing surfaces being connected by a transition surface generally orthogonal to a surface on which the device is placed. In others terms, each hold has a cooperation area with the other wedge with a profile substantially "in Z". In that case, one can foresee that at least one of the bearing surfaces is divided into two parts separated by a receiving volume and for blocking the stake or mast. So the reach surface is distributed on both sides of the stake or mast.

Advantageously, the transition surface includes locking means with another wedge by cooperation of shapes. For example, the blocking means are formed by a groove and projection separated by a receiving volume and for blocking the stake or mast, this groove and this projection being provided to cooperate respectively with a projection and an identical groove of another envelope. Such a system is particularly effective and also proceeds from a locking by cooperation of shapes.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the device includes a wedge receiving base, bearing under the effect of their own weight, this base being provided for be arranged between the holds and the surface on which is installed the device. This base includes at least two surfaces for receiving the bearing surfaces of the holds, the surfaces of bearing space being supported simultaneously on the surfaces of reception of the base. This guarantees a good distribution of efforts and satisfactory stability. We can predict that the base further comprises at least one transition surface connecting its receiving surfaces, this transition surface being ready to receive, in support, bearing surfaces secondary of the two holds. This transition surface fills thus an additional reception area function, which further improves the stability of the device.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1 en configuration montée autour d'un piquet de tonnelle ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe longitudinale selon la ligne III-III à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une coupe transversale selon la ligne IV-IV à la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 lors de l'utilisation du dispositif avec un piquet de diamètre différent ;
• la figure 6 est une coupe transversale selon la ligne VI-VI à la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif conforme à un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une coupe longitudinale du dispositif de la figure 8 en configuration montée et
• la figure 9 est une coupe longitudinale selon la ligne IX-IX à la figure 8.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of two embodiments of a device forming a stand for a stake or mast in accordance with its principle, given only to as an example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 in a configuration mounted around an arbor stake;
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal section along the line III-III in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a cross section along the line IV-IV in Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 when using the device with a stake of different diameter;
• Figure 6 is a cross section along line VI-VI in Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 8 in the assembled configuration and
• FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8.

The device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 6 is intended to be mounted at the lower end 2 has a peg 2 in the form of metal tube, such as a pole mast kind of tent, forming the foot of an arbor . The device 1 comprises two shims formed by hollow envelopes 3 and 4 obtained by blowing a plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

Envelopes 3 and 4 can also be produced by injection molding, rotational molding, thermoforming any other method of shaping a thermoplastic material and possibly include a line of ultrasonic welding.

These envelopes 3 and 4 are each provided with an orifice not shown filling, intended to be closed by a plug also not shown. Envelopes 3 and 4 can thus be partially or completely filled with a material of ballast L such as sand, water or cement.

Envelopes 3 and 4 are identical, i.e. have the same geometry, so that a single mold can be used for their manufacture and that the envelopes of two devices 1 identical are interchangeable.

Each envelope 3 or 4 is in the form of a "foot" or "pile of shoemaker", the envelopes 3 and 4 being assembled head to tail to form the device 1. The envelope 3 comprises two branches 13 and 13 'defining between them a notch 23 for receiving part of the stake 2. Likewise, the casing 4 comprises two branches 14 and 14 ′ defining between them a notch 24 for receiving part of the stake 2. The lower surfaces 14 a and 14 ′ has branches 14 and 14 ′ are located in the same plane P ₁ . The bottom surface 4a of the casing 4 is generally flat and lies within a plane generally parallel to the plane P ₂ P _1. The upper surface 3 a of the envelope 3 corresponds to the lower surface 4 a of the envelope 4, we denote P ' ₂ the plane containing the surface 3 a . We denote P ' ₁ the plane containing the upper surfaces 13 a and 13' has branches 13 and 13 '. The planes P ₁ , P ₂ , P ' ₁ , P' ₂ are parallel in the position of Figures 2 to 4. We note α their angle of inclination relative to a normal ZZ 'to the surface S of the ground on which is installed the device. The angle α is the angle of inclination of the surfaces 3α, 4α, 13α, 13'α, 14α and 14'α relative to the normal Z-Z '.

As is clearer from FIG. 3, the planes P ₁ and P ' ₂ , on the one hand, P ₂ and P' ₁ , on the other hand, are combined when the envelopes 3 and 4 are in support one on the other under the effect of the weight of the envelope 4. It is therefore possible to slide the envelope 4 in the direction of the surface S of the ground on which the device 1 is disposed parallel to the planes P ₁ , P ₂ , P ' ₁ and P' ₂ , as represented by the arrow F in FIG. 3. Under these conditions, the stake 2 is trapped in and between the notches 23 and 24 which define between them a well 25 for receiving this stake.

It is noted 33 the transition surface of the casing 3 between the surfaces 3a, on the one hand, and 13 a and 13 'a, on the other hand. Similarly, there is the transition surface 34 between the surfaces 4 has, on the one hand, and 14a and 14'a on the other hand, of the casing 4. In fact, the well 25 is defined between surfaces 33 and 34, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4.

When the envelope 4 is placed on the envelope 3 without a stake being interposed between these envelopes, the surface 34 comes to bear against the surface 33, because the surfaces 14 a and 14 ′ a slide on the surface 3 a in at the same time as the surface 4 a slides on the surfaces 13 a and 13 ′ a .

The surfaces 33 and 34 are generally perpendicular to the surface S, so that the well 25 which they define between them is generally normal to this surface. The surface 33 forms a groove 33 a and a projection 33 b extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface S between the surface 3 a and the branches 13 and 13 '. Likewise, the surface 34 defines a groove 34 a and a projection 34 b . The geometry of the groove 33 a and the projection 34 b is such that the projection 34 b can penetrate the groove 33 a . Likewise, the projection 33 b is provided to penetrate into the groove 34 a .

The elements 33 a , 33 b , 34 a and 34 b constitute means for reciprocal blocking of the envelopes 3 and 4 by cooperation of shapes, these blocking means being distributed on either side of the post 2, as is apparent in particular from Figure 4.

• on met en place l'une des enveloppes, par exemple l'enveloppe 3, sur la surface S du sol dans la position de la figure 1 ;
• on place alors le piquet 2 en appui contre la surface 33 entre la rainure 33a et la saillie 33b, l'extrémité inférieure 2a étant reçue dans l'encoche 33 ;
• on pose ensuite l'enveloppe 4 sur l'enveloppe 3 en disposant les branches 14 et 14' de part et d'autre du piquet 2, de sorte que celui-ci est reçu dans l'encoche 24, les branches 14 et 14' venant en appui sur la surface 3a alors que la partie inférieure de l'enveloppe 4 vient en appui contre les surface 13a et 13'a. Sous l'effet du poids de l'enveloppe 4, celle-ci glisse jusqu'à ce qu'elle se bloque contre le piquet 2 dans la position des figures 3 et 4. Dans cette position, les éléments 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b verrouillent ensemble les enveloppes 3 et 4, alors que le poids de l'enveloppe 4 exerce sur celle-ci un effort qui tend à la déplacer dans le sens de la flèche F du fait de l'orientation des plans P₁ et P₂.

The operation is as follows:

• one of the envelopes is put in place, for example the envelope 3, on the surface S of the ground in the position of FIG. 1;
• the stake 2 is then placed in abutment against the surface 33 between the groove 33 a and the projection 33 b , the lower end 2 a being received in the notch 33;
• the envelope 4 is then placed on the envelope 3 by arranging the branches 14 and 14 ′ on either side of the stake 2, so that the latter is received in the notch 24, the branches 14 and 14 ′ coming to bear on the surface 3 a while the lower part of the casing 4 comes to bear against the surfaces 13 a and 13 ' a . Under the effect of the weight of the envelope 4, it slides until it locks against the stake 2 in the position of FIGS. 3 and 4. In this position, the elements 33 a , 33 b , 34 a , 34 b lock the envelopes 3 and 4 together, while the weight of the envelope 4 exerts on it a force which tends to move it in the direction of the arrow F due to the orientation of the planes P ₁ and P ₂ .

When a 2 'diameter stake is larger used, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the displacement of envelope 4 in the direction of arrow F takes place until this comes into contact with the 2 'stake which it presses against the surface 33 of the envelope 3.

Thus, the diameter of the well 25 is automatically adjusted according to the diameter of the stake 2 or 2 'used. In the configuration of Figures 5 and 6, it is noted that the casing 4 extends outside of the envelope 3 on the right of Figure 5 while a part of the surface 3a is accessible on the left of this figure.

When it is necessary to move the stake 2 or 2 ', the casing 4 is raised by means of a handle 4 b formed in the upper part of the casing 4. An identical handle 3 b is formed in the corresponding part of the envelope 3 which rests on surface S. The handles 3 b and 4 b are used to move the device 1.

In the second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 7 to 9, elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references increased by 50. The device 51 of this second embodiment is intended to be mounted around the lower end 52 a of a stake 52 and comprises two envelopes 53 and 54 of the same type as the envelopes 3 and 4. The envelopes 53 and 54 are identical and include surfaces 53 a and 54 a intended to be placed facing each other to define between them a well 75 for receiving the stake 52.

The surface 53 a comprises a central zone 53 b for receiving the stake, this zone 53 b extending upwards by an upper zone 53 c and downwards, that is to say towards the surface S of the ground, by a lower area 53 d . In the same way, and as shown in FIG. 9, the surface 54 a comprises a reception area for the stake 2 formed of three parts 54 b , 54 c and 54 d . The upper and lower zones 53 c , 53 d on the one hand 54 c , 54 d on the other, are flared so as to be able to receive the stake 52 with different orientations with respect to a direction ZZ 'normal to the surface of the ground S.

On their respective outer surfaces, the envelopes 53 and 54 form handles 53 e and 54 e allowing the handling of the envelopes 53 and 54.

In their lower part, that is to say in their part closest to the surface S, the envelopes 53 and 54 form two surfaces 63 a and 64 a inclined with respect to the normal Z-Z '. We denote by β the angle between one of the surfaces 63 a or 64 a and the normal Z-Z ', this angle being of the order of 15 °. The surfaces 63 a and 64 a are respectively bordered by equally flat surfaces 63 b and 64 b which connect them respectively to the surfaces 53 a and 54 a .

Furthermore, a base 80 is intended to be placed on the surface S of the ground. This base 80 can be mass, as shown in the figures, or formed by a hollow envelope filled with ballast, like the envelopes 53 and 54. The base 80 defines a volume V for receiving the lower parts of the envelopes 53 and 54. The base 80 is provided with a lateral notch 81 allowing the positioning of the end 52 a of the stake 52 flush with the surface S. On either side of the notch 81, the base 80 comprises two surfaces substantially flat 82 and 83 intended to receive, by sliding support, the surface 64 a . In contrast to surfaces 82 and 83, the base 80 forms a flat surface 84 intended to receive, by sliding support, the surface 63 a . The surfaces 82 to 84 are inclined relative to the normal ZZ 'of the same angle β as the surfaces 63 a and 64 a .

The base 80 forms, between the surfaces 82 and 84, a generally vertical transition surface 85 and slightly higher than the surfaces 82 and 84. Similarly, the base 80 forms a transition surface 86 between the surfaces 83 and 84 The lateral surfaces 63 b and 64 b of the envelopes 53 and 54 come to bear against the transition surfaces 85 and 86 when the lower parts of the envelopes are inserted in the volume V of the base 80. Thus, these envelopes are held in position by the cooperation of surfaces 63 a and 64 a with the reception surfaces 82 to 84 and also by the cooperation of surfaces 63 b and 64 b with the transition surfaces 85 and 86. The surfaces 63b and 64b therefore constitute bearing surfaces secondary of envelopes 53 and 54.

The operation is as follows:

The base 80 is placed on the ground in the position of FIG. 7 and the stake 52 is inserted into the volume V, as represented by the arrow F '. The envelope 53 is then placed in abutment on the surface 84 on one side of the stake 52, then the second envelope 54 on the opposite receiving surfaces 82 and 83, so that the configuration of FIGS. 8 is thus reached and 9 where the envelopes are immobilized in the volume V and where the stake is held in position in the well 75. It is noted that the stake is inclined, which is possible due to the geometry of the zones 53 b , 53 c , 53 d , 54 b , 54 c and 54 d . In fact, the stake 52 can be received in the well 75 in different positions between the position shown in solid lines and the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8.

As before, the device 51 can be used with stakes of different diameters. In fact, if the diameter of the stake 53 is larger, the surfaces 53 a and 54 a do not come to bear against one another as shown in FIG. 8, but are kept at a distance by the stake itself , the engagement of the lower parts of the envelopes 53 and 54 inside the base 80 then being less important, insofar as the surfaces 63 a and 64 a relate to only part of the surfaces 82 to 84.

As before, the self-weight of the envelopes 53 and 54 gives excellent stability of the device since it tends to cause these envelopes to move parallel to the surfaces 63 a and 64 a in the direction of the arrows F '' in FIG. 8.

The envelopes 53 and 54 are identical, which facilitates the manufacture of the device.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention which is not not shown, well 25 of the first embodiment can be divergent up and down, thanks to a adapted geometry of the notches 23 and 24 and of the surfaces 33 and 34. This well 25 can thus receive the foot 2 in position inclined to a perpendicular to the ground surface S, like well 75 of the second embodiment.

In the two embodiments described, the shims used to lock the stake in position are envelopes hollow. It is understood that these wedges 3, 4, 53 or 54 can be solid pieces and more generally, all locking pieces having a geometry according to the invention. However, the use of hollow envelopes allows obtain wedges that can be ballasted only on their site of use, or even emptied after use, which has a considerable advantage for their transport and handling.

Claims (11)

Device (1; 51) forming a base for a stake or mast (2, 52), in particular for an arbor or panel base, comprising two wedges (3, 4; 53, 54), of complementary shapes, capable of being locked, in a configuration for forming a well (25; 75) for receiving said stake or mast (2; 52), by cooperation of shapes under the effect of their own weight (F, F ''), characterized in that said shims (3, 4; 53, 54) each comprise at least one bearing surface (4 a , 14 a , 14 'a; 63 a , 64 a ) generally planar, each shim (4; 53, 54) being able to come into sliding bearing by said bearing surface, against a receiving surface (3a, 13a, 13 'a; 82-84) of the other generally planar shim (3) or base (80). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that said shims are hollow envelopes (3, 4; 53, 54) obtained by blow molding, injection molding, rotational molding or plastic thermoforming. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a first wedge (3) or a base (80) forms a support bearing on a surface (S) for receiving the device (1; 51) on which is or are laid (s) the other wedge (4) or said chocks (53, 54), said receiving surface (3a, 13a, 13 'a; 82-84) being provided in the upper portion of said first wedge or said base. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said bearing surface (4 a, 14 a, 14 'a, 63 a, 63 b, 64 a, 64 b) is inclined (α, β) relative to a normal ( Z-Z ') to a surface (S) on which said device (1; 51) is placed. Device according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each block (3, 4) comprises two bearing surfaces (3 a , 13 a , 13 ' a , 4 a , 14 a , 14' a ) in parallel and distinct planes (P ₁ , P ₂ , P ' ₁ , P' ₂ ), said bearing surfaces being connected by a transition surface (33, 34) generally orthogonal to a surface (S) on which said device is placed (1). Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that at least one of said bearing surfaces is divided into two parts (13 a, 13 'a, 14 a, 14' a) are separated by a volume (23, 24) for receiving and blocking said stake or mast (2). Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said transition surface (33, 34) comprises means (33 a , 33 b , 34 a , 34 b ) for locking with another wedge (3, 4 ) by cooperation of forms. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said blocking means are formed by a groove (33 a , 34 a ) and a projection (33 b , 34 b ) separated by a volume (23, 24) for receiving and blocking said stake or mast (2), said groove (33 a ) and said projection (33 b ) being provided to cooperate respectively with a projection (34 b ) and a groove (34 a ) identical to another wedge. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a reception base (80) said shims (53, 54), bearing under the effect of their weight clean, this base being intended to be disposed between said shims and the surface (S) on which the device. Device according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that said base (80) comprises at least two surfaces (82-84) for receiving the bearing surfaces (63 a , 64 a ) of said shims (53, 54), said surfaces of range of said wedges being in simultaneous support on the receiving surfaces of the base. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said base (80) comprises at least one transition surface (85, 86) connecting said receiving surfaces (82-84), said transition surface being capable of receiving, in support, secondary bearing surfaces (63 b , 64 b ) of said two wedges (53, 54).

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