GB2164975A - Post supports - Google Patents

Abstract

A post support comprising a ground-engaging portion (2) and a post-engaging portion (1), the ground engaging portion having a cross-sectional shape of general W formation (see Fig 4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Post supports This invention relatesto post supports and a method of manufacture thereof.

Traditionally posts, such as fencing posts, having been set in concrete or other bedding material but there has been atrend in the pastfewyearstowards dispensing with the bedding material and providing post supports which are driven into the ground atthe selected location using a ground-engaging portion, and which have a post-engaging portion which receives and locates the lower end of a postto be erected.

Two problems encountered with known post supports are thatthe supports can twist as they are driven into the ground, and thatthey can buckle if they encounter an obstruction. If a post support twists, then the post supported thereby will also be twisted unless there are means for adjusting the post-engaging portion relative to the ground-engaging portion. If a post is twisted, then any fence panel or arris rail to be attached thereto will be misaligned which is not acceptable. Clearly, if the post support buckles on being driven into the ground then this too is unacceptable. The present invention has been conceived principallywiththesetwo problems in mind.

According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a post support comprising a ground-engaging portion and a post-engaging portion, the ground-engaging portion having across- sectional shape of general Wformation.

Itisfoundthataground-engaging portion of a general W section is particularly good in at least reducing the tendencyforthe post support to twist on being driven into the ground and generally is resistant to buckling. In orderto increase the resistance to buckling, it is preferred to form at least the two outer limbs ofthe W section ofthe ground-engaging portion with one or more reinforcing ribs.

Another problem encountered with known post supports is that posts of a nominal size do in fact vary to either side ofthat nominal size and can thus either be a loose fit or a tight fit in the post-engaging portion.

In either event it is inconvenientto pack ortrim the post to achieve a good fit. According to a preferred feature ofthe present invention,the post-engaging portion is provided with spring means which extend into the post-engaging portion so as, in use, to be engaged buy a post entering the post-engaging portion and deflected thereby, whereby the spring means takes up any difference in the dimensions ofthe post and the post-engaging portion and holds the post firm. If desired, the postsupportcan be made in one size with the spring means enabling posts of different nominal sizes to be accommodated.

The post-engaging portion may be provided with an aperture which allows drainage ofwaterfrom the post-engaging portion to help prevent rotting ofthe post and the aperture also allows air circulation to help dry outthe post. The post support is preferably manufactured from two main components which are pressed from sheet metal and then welded or otherwise secured together. One component is the ground engaging portion with part ofthe post-engaging portion formed integrally therewith, the other compo nent being the remainderofthe post-engaging portion.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a post support having a ground-engaging portion and a post-engaging portion comprising the steps offorming a first component comprising the ground-engaging portion and part ofthe post-engaging portion, forming a second component comprising the remainder of the post-engaging portion, and securing the two components together.

Preferably,theforming operation ofthetwocomponents is a pressing operation. The first component may be formed from a sheet of metal in the form of a trapezium (that is with one pair of opposed sides parallel) which produces a tapered ground-engaging portion and three sides of a generally rectangular post-engaging portion. The taper of the g roundengaging portion extends up two opposed side edges ofthe post-engaging portion which is thus provided with two opposed, generallytriangular aperturesfor drainage and air circulation sincethefourth side ofthe post-engaging portion provided by the second component (which also provides the base ofthe groundengaging portion) is nottapered so asto followthe tapered adjacent sides.

A post support constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 isafrontviewofthepostsupport, Figure 2 is a sideviewofthe postsupport, Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe post support, and Figure 4 is a section on the line iV - IV of Figure 1.

Thepostsupportcomprisesapost-engaging por- tion 1 and a ground-engaging portion 2, the latter tapering from top to bottom to provide a generally spiked lower end 3forinitial engagement with the ground. The taper is both from sideto side (as seen in Figure 1) and from frontto rear (as seen in Figure 2).

The ground-engaging portion 2 has a cross-section of general Wformation as seen in Figure 4 with the outer limbs 3 thereof provided with longitudinally-extending reinforcing ribs 4.

The post-engaging portion 1 is generally rectangular in cross section although it will be seen from Figure 2 thatthe front-to-reartaper of the ground-engaging portion 2 is carried up the front edge ofthetwo opposed side walls 5 ofthe post-engaging portion, whereby two opposed, triangular apertures 6 are formed with thefrontwall 7. A leaf spring 8 is provided on the interior ofthe front wall 7 of the post-engaging portion 1, the spring being arcute and extending into the post-engaging portion.

The post support is manufactured from two main components, the first comprising the ground-engaging portion 2 and the two side walls 5 and a rearwall 9 ofthe post-engaging portion 1. This componentis pressed from sheet metal which initially is in the shape of a trapezium with parallel top and bottom edge and similarly tapered side edges, the latter providing the side-to-side taper ofthe post support.

The pressing operation forms the general W shape of the ground-engaging portion and the reinforcing ribs 4.Thesecondcomponentcomprisesthefrontwall 7 and a base 11 ofthe post-engaging portion which again are pressed from sheet metal with the base being generally at right angles to the front wall. When formed, the two components are welded together, with the spring 8 being welded or otherwise secured to the frontwall 7 either before or after assembly with the first component.

In use, the post support is driven into the ground, the generally spiked lower end providing a good localised point of entry and the W-section ofthe ground-engaging portion 2 resisting any tendency for twisting. The integral nature ofthe ground-engaging portion 2 and the side walls 5 and rearwall 9 makes the post-supportvery strong and generally resistantto buckling,which resistance is considerably enhanced bythe ribs 4. When driven to the required depth, the post to be erected is then placed in the post-engaging portion 1, whereby the spring 8 is deflected and thus holds the postfirmly in at least one direction which normally will be arranged to befront-to-rearto prevent swaying ofthe final fence which would otherwise occur if the posts were loose in this direction. The use of a minimum ofwelds or other securing members also enhances the over strength of the post support.

Any water which enters the post-engaging portion 1 will drain outthrough the apertures 6 which also permit air circulation around the lower end ofthe post.

Claims (10)

1. A post support comprising a ground-engaging portion and a post-engaging portion,the groundengaging portion having a cross-sectional shape of general Wformation.

2. Apostsupportaccordingtoclaim 1,whereinat leastthe two outer limbs ofthe Wsection groundengaging portion are formed with one or more reinforcing ribs.

3. Apostsupportaccording to claim 1 or2, wherein the post-engaging portion is provided with spring means which extend into the post-engaging portion so as, in use, to be engaged by a post entering the post-engaging portion and deflected thereby, whereby the post is held firm.

4. A post support according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the post-engaging portion is provided with at least one aperturefordrainage and air circulation purposes.

5. A post support according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the support is manufactured from two main components, the first component compris ingthe ground-engaging portion and partofthe post-engaging portion, and the second component comprising the remainder of the post-engaging portion.

6. A method of manufacturing a post support having a ground-engaging portion and a post engaging portion comprising the steps of forming a first componentcomprising the ground-engaging portion and partofthe post-engaging portion, forming a second componentcomprising the remainder of the post-engaging portion, and securing the two components together.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the forming operation ofthetwo components is a pressing operation.

8. A method according to claim 6 or7, wherein the first component is formed from a sheet ofmaterial in the form of a trapezium to produce a tapered ground-engaging portion and three sides of a generally rectangular post-engaging portion.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein two opposed,generallytriangularapertures are provided in the post-engaging portion.

10. A post support substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.