GB2104935A

GB2104935A - Fence post socket and a fencing system

Info

Publication number: GB2104935A
Application number: GB08223764A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Eric Howson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-08-20
Filing date: 1982-08-18
Publication date: 1983-03-16
Also published as: GB2104935B

Abstract

A socket for a fencing post comprises an elongate housing adapted to receive part of a post therein, and a plurality of members which project laterally outwardly from the housing. In the preferred arrangement, there are wing members 5 extending horizontally from the housing and side pressure members 6 extending vertically from the housing. The fencing system comprises a pair of fence posts each held in a said socket and having upwardly extending grooves facing each other and a fence panel adapted to be secured between the posts in engagement with the grooves. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Devices for anchoring fence posts or the like, and a fencing system This invention relates primarily to devices for anchoring fence posts or the like, and it also includes a fencing system.

Traditionally, fence posts are prepared with a point and driven into the ground, which may be excavated to a greater or lesser degree to accommodate the posts. However, fence posts often have to bear considerable lateral forces, particularly where wind acts on fence panels of substantially solid construction, and the wind forces are transmitted to the fence posts.

Consequently, it is often the case that fence posts become readily loosened in the ground, leading to the collapse of fences, and often to the breakage of fence posts.

In an effort to enhance the rigidity and longevity of wooden fence posts, there have been proposed fence post holders which comprise a simple housing having a base. Such a housing may help to protect a wooden post from decay, but apart from setting the housing in concrete, which is not always practicable or economical, one is still left with the problem of how to secure the fence posts in a satisfactory manner.

The invention and preferred embodiments thereof aim to provide devices for anchoring fence posts, which may be generally improved in the foregoing respects.

More generally, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for anchoring a fence post or the like, comprising an elongate housing adapted to receive part of a post therein, and a plurality of members provided on the housing and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom.

Preferably, said members include at least one first plate disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the housing. In an advantageous arrangement, the or each said first plate may have a cross-section with increases radially outwardly of said axis.

Preferably, said members include at least one second plate disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In an advantageous arrangement, the or each said second plate may have a cross-section which decreases from the foot towards the top of the housing.

In a preferred arrangement, the housing is provided with a pair of said first plates disposed diametrically about said housing, and a pair of said second plates disposed diametrically about said housing and at right angles to said first plates.

The housing is preferably provided with a base plate which serves as one of said members. In an advantageous arrangement, the base plate may extend around the full circumference of the housing, and may be of substantially rectangular (preferably square) cross-section. The base plate may be formed with apertures for the passage of anchor pins therethrough. It is further preferred that the base plate projects appreciably further from the housing than each of the first plates. This ensures that the first plates terminate some distance away from the hole which is formed in the ground to accept the base plate, and hence, when the hole is filled with soil, the soil is able to flow quite freely under the first plates.

Preferably, the housing is provided with securing means for securing a post therein. The securing means may simply comprise a wedge inside the housing for engagement with a post in the housing. Alternatively, the securing means may comprise a screw-threaded adjustment means, such as an adjusting bolt engaging a screw-threaded aperture in the housing. The securing means may further comprise resilient bias means for resiliently engaging a post in the housing. For example, the resilient bias means may comprise a leaf spring extending down one side of the housing, preferably at right angles to said screw-threaded adjustment means.

The housing may be of rectangular cross section, and may be provided with an end cap to engage around a post and cover the top of the housing, in use.

The housing is preferably tubular, and is preferably constructed in a substantially fluid-tight manner, such that it may hold a preserving liquid (such as creosote, for example) for a post.

A second aspect of the invention is concerned with the problems of securing fencing to fencing posts. It is convenient to use fencing panels, but it is practically impossible for one person to hold such a panel in p:ce and fix it to a post at the same time. Further, if the panels are secure to the post by nails, they are not readily removable.

According to another aspect of the invention a fencing system comprises two fence posts each received in the housing of an anchoring device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, each post having an upwardly extending groove arranged so that the two grooves face each other, and a fence panel secured between the two posts in engagement with the two grooves.

Preferably, the posts and fence panel are provided with co-operating securing means for securing the fence panel to the posts.

Advantageously, the securing means may be adapted to secure the fence panel to the posts in a detachable manner.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of examples, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fence post holder; Figure 2 is another side elevation, with part cut away, of the fence post holder; Figure 3 is a plan view of the fence post holder; Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the fence post holder in use; Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modified version of the fence post holder shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of the fence post holder shown in Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a front elevation showing one section of a fencing system.

The fence post holder illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, comprises a housing 1 of rectangular crosssection, which is closed at the foot and open at the top thereof. In this instance, the housing is made of welded steel plates. The housing 1 is adapted to receive a fence post therein, and to this end, is provided with an internal leaf spring 2 and an adjustable securing bolt 3. When a post is introduced into the housing 1, it is engaged by the leaf spring 2, which holds the post firmly within the housing 1, under the influence of its resilient bias. The adjusting bolt 3 (which may have a sharpened end to engage the post, if made of wood) is then tightened to secure the post in position. It is to be understood that other means of securing the post may be employed. For instance a simple hardwood wedge would be driven down one side of the post inside the housing.

The housing 1 is closed at its foot by a base plate 4, which extends around the full circumference of the housing 1, and is of substantially square cross-section. A pair of first plates in the form of wings 5 is welded, or otherwise secured, to the housing 1. The wings 5 extend horizontally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1, and each wing 5 has a cross-section which increases radially outwardly of the said longitudinal axis. It will be seen that the wings 5 are arranged at diametrically opposite sides of the housing 1.

A pair of vertical second plates in the form of side pressure plates 6 is also welded to the housing 1, at diametrically opposite sides thereof.

The plates 6 extend substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing 1, and it may be seen that each plate 6 has a cross-section which decreases from the base plate 4 towards the top of the housing 1.

The base plate 4, the wings 5, and the side pressure plates 6 all form members which extend laterally outwardly of the housing 1, to assist in stabilising the housing 1, in use, as will now be explained in somewhat more detail, with reference to Figure 4. It will be noted that the base plate 4 extends an appreciably greater distance from the housing than the wings 5.

In Figure 4, a fence post 7 is secured in the ground 8 by means of the fence post holder. Fence panels 9 are secured to the fence post 7. The fence post 7 is secured in the housing 1 of the fence post holder by means of the leaf spring 2 and securing bolt 3, as described above. An end cap 10 engages around the fence post 7, and closes the top of the housing 1. In order to install the fence post holder into the ground 8, it is necessary simply to dig a hole approximately 12 inches square and 10 inches deep, i.e. a hole large enough in plan to receive the base plate 4 and deep enough to receive the housing. The fence post holder is then piaced in the hole, and the cavity around it is refilled with soil.There is no problem packing the soil against the side pressure plates 6, and the fact that the hole is considerably wider than the projection of the wings 5 enables the soil to flow freely under the wings.

Let it now be assumed that wind force acts on the fence 9 in the direction illustrated in Figure 4 by the arrow B. The wind force which is applied to the fence panels 9 (and this may be quite considerable) is then transmitted to the fence post 7, and thence to the fence post holder. The fence post holder then experiences forces tending to turn it in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figure 4). However, the laterally extending members 4, 5 and 6 thereby transmit forces to the soil, as illustrated in Figure 4 by the various arrows and each experiences a corresponding reaction force from the soil. It will be seen that the wings 5 effectively act as one couple and the side pressure plates act as another couple in appropriate applied wind pressure conditions.Thus the members 4, 5 and 6 apply forces to the soil in various different directions, and as a result of this, the soil around the housing 1 tends to become more firmly compacted rather than loosened. In this respect, the action of the wings 5 and the side pressure plates 6 at right angles to one another, is especially important. Also, the provision of the spaced members 4 and 5 is important, as the soil therebetween again tends to become more compacted as the fence post holder is subjected to forces, rather than loosened.

Referring in particular to the wings 5, it will be appreciated that their effect increases with distance from the longitudinal axis of the housing 1, due to both the increase in lever arm, and also to the increase in cross-section of the wings 5, away from the longitudinal axis.

The illustrated fence post holder is especially suitable for use with wooden posts, and if desired, the housing 1 may be filled with creosote or other suitable preserving fluid, to maintain the post 7 in good condition. Thus, the fence post holder serves not only to secure the fence post 7, but also to protect it from decay, whilst in the ground 8.

The base plate 4 is preferably provided with apertures to receive anchor pins 1 which may be used where extra stability is required, for example where the fence post 7 is especially tall or heavy, or where the ground 8 is very light or sandy. It may be appreciated that the fence post holder is equally suitable for concrete posts, or posts made of any other suitable material.

By way of example, the illustrated housing 1 may have a length of about 102 inches, and the base plate 4 may be approximately 10 inches square. The anchor pins 11, where provided, may be between 6 and 10 inches iong.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated fence post holder provides a device for anchoring a fence post in a simple and effective manner, whereby the fence post holder may readily be positioned in the ground, and may thereafter hold a fence post securely.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the leaf spring 2 and adjusting bolt 3 of Figures 1 to 4 are dispensed with, and in their place, there are provided a knife blade 12 at the base of the housing 1, and two spring clips 13 and 14, clipped onto adjacent sides of the top of the housing 1.

As may be seen in Figure 5, the knife blade 12 is of triangular shape, and is adapted to engage in the base of a wooden post, when the post is firmly pressed down into the housing 1. The spring slips 13 and 14 simply engage onto the top of the housing 1, and bear resiliently against a post inserted in the housing 1, to steady it. Thus, the post may be secured against movement within the housing, in an especially simple and effective manner. Again, the spring clips may be replaced by a simple hardwood wedge or by the leaf spring 2 shown in Figures 1 to 4. In Figures 5 and 6, there are shown two spring clips 1 3 and 14, as may be required where the fence post holder is positioned to hold a post at one end of a fence.

Where the fence post holder holds a post between two adjacent fence panels, there would normally be no need to provide the spring clips 13, as the fence panels themselves will tend to steady the post against movement in the plane of the fence.

In such a case, therefore, only the spring clip 14 may be necessary.

Figure 7 illustrates one section of a particularly advantageous fencing system, using fence post holders as shown in Figures 5 and 6 (or optionally as shown in Figures 1 to 4). The illustrated section of fencing comprises two fence posts 1 5, which are secured in the ground 8 by two fence post holders 16, respectively. Each of the fence posts 1 5 has a pair of oppositely facing vertical grooves 17, formed respectively in opposite side faces of the post, and the posts are inserted into their respective housings so that the two grooves 1 7 face each other. In each of the grooves 17, there is secured a pair of vertically spaced reverse angle brackets 18 affording upstanding lugs.

A fence panel secured between the posts 1 5 comprises a pair of horizontal rails 19, to which uprights 20 and 21, to any desired shape and configuration, are secured. Each of the fence rails 1 9 is provided at each of its ends with a respective reverse angle bracket 22, which affords a depending lug. The width of the fence rails 19 is just less than the width of the grooves 1 7 in the fence posts 1 5.

In a typical situation, a fencing system of the type illustrated in Figure 7 may be erected as follows.

Firstly, a strip of approximately level ground is prepared along the intended run of the fence.

Thereafter, holes 23 are dug at suitable intervals, and the fence post holders 1 6 placed therein.

Posts 1 5 are then placed into the fance post holders 1 6. Thereafter, each fence panel is secured between its two respective fence posts 1 5 by sliding its fence rails 19 down the grooves in posts 15, until the depending lugs on the angle brackets 22 engage with the upstanding lugs on the angle brackets 18, to locate the fence panel in position with respect to the posts 1 5. Even in this temporary assembled position, the fence system may have a considerable degree of rigidity, because of the interlocking action of the fence panels with the posts 15, by virtue of the engagement of the fence rails 1 9 in the grooves 17, and engagement of the angle brackets 22 and 1 8. With the fencing system standing roughly in this way, final adjustment can be made, if necessary, to the positions of the fence post holders 1 6 and to any irregularities in the ground beneath the fence panels. When any such final adjustments have been made, the holes 23 are filled in with loose soil, which is roughly compacted around the fence post holders 1 6.

Thereafter, as explained above, the fence post holders 1 6 progressively become more firmly embedded in the soil as time goes on, as any tendency for movement of the fence post holders 1 6.tends to compact the soil more firmly therearound. It will be appreciated that, due to the construction of the fencing system, there is little tendency for the fence post holders 1 6 to move in the direction of extent of the fence, and that any tendency for movement is more likely to be at right angles to the plane of the fence.

it may be appreciated that the fencing system illustrated in Figure 7 may be erected in a very simple yet accurate manner, without requiring a high degree of skilled labour. Indeed, due to the largely self-supporting structure of the fencing system, it is possible for a fence to be erected single handedly, if necessary. No nails or the like are required to secure the components of the fence together, and it may be appreciated that fence panels can readily be replaced, due to the "lift-off" nature of their fittings. Indeed, the posts 1 5. themselves may relatively readily be removed for replacement, where necessary. Another feature is that the fence panels may advantageously be suspended off the ground, to reduce risk of rotting thereof.

Claims

1. A device for anchoring a fence post or the like comprising an elongate housing adapted to receive part of a post therein, and a plurality of members provided on the housing and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said members include at least one first plate disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the housing.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the or each said first plate has a cross-section which increases radially outwardly of said axis.

4. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said members include at least one second plate disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the or each second plate has a cross-section which decreases from the foot towards the top of the housing.

6. A device as claimed in either of Claims 4 and 5 (so far as they depend from Claim 2) in which the housing is provided with a pair of said first plates disposed diametrically about said housing and a pair of said second plates disposed diametrically about said housing and at right angles to said first plates.

7. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the housing is provided with a base plate which serves as one of said members.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, in which the base plate extends around the full circumference of the housing.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, in which the base plate is of substantially rectangular crosssection.

10. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, in which the base plate is formed with apertures for the passage of anchor pins therethrough.

11. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the housing is provided with securing means for securing a post therein.

12. A device as claimed in Claim 11, in which the securing means includes a wedge inside the housing for engagement with a post in the housing.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, in which the securing means includes a screwthreaded adjustment means.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 13, in which the securing means includes an adjusting bolt engaging in a screw-threaded aperture in the housing.

15. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 14, in which the securing means includes resilient bias means for resiliently engaging a post in the housing.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 15, in which the resilient bias means comprises a leaf spring extending down one side of the housing.

17. A device as claimed in Claim 13 and Claim 16, in which the leaf spring is arranged at right angles to the screw-threaded adjustment means.

18. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, in which the housing is tubular.

19. A device as claimed in Claim 18, in which the housing is of rectangular cross-section.

20. A device as claimed in either of Claims 1 8 and 19, in which the housing is substantially fluid tight so that it may hold a preserving liquid.

21. A fence post or the like part of which is received in the housing of a device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

22. A fencing system comprising two fence posts each as claimed in Claim 21, each post having an upwardly extending groove arranged so that the two grooves face each other, and a fence panel secured between the two posts in engagement with the two grooves.

23. A fencing system as claimed in Claim 22, in which the posts and the panel are provided with co-operating securing means for securing the fence panel to the posts.

24. A fencing system as claimed in Claim 23, in which the securing means comprises interengageable elements adapted to secure the panel to the posts in a detachable manner.

25. A device for anchoring a fence post or the like constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 1 to 4 as modified by Figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A fencing system constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.