GB2231345A

GB2231345A - End covers for posts

Info

Publication number: GB2231345A
Application number: GB8903429A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Ellis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-09-20
Filing date: 1989-02-15
Publication date: 1990-11-14
Also published as: GB8903429D0; GB8822081D0

Abstract

An end cover 1 for protecting that end of a post 3 which in use is to be set in the ground is of generally tubular construction and is closed at one end 2. The end cover is produced from a water impermeable material and has sufficient rigidity to define a free standing structure and sufficient flexibility to accommodate minor variations in post dimensions. The length of the cover is such that in use its upper margin lies at or above ground level. <IMAGE>

Description

End Covers for Posts This invention relates to end covers for protecting the ends of posts, such as wooden fencing posts and posts for supporting traffic and other signs or displays, which in use are set in the ground.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided an end cover for protecting that end of a post which in use is to be set in the ground, the end cover being of generally tubular construction which is closed at one end and is produced from a water impermeable material having sufficient rigidity to define a free standing structure and sufficient flexibility to accommodate minor variations in post dimensions, the length of the cover being such that in use its upper margin lies at or above ground level.

The end cover is preferably produced from a plastics material and may be coloured to blend into the environment in which it-is to be sited. The cross-sectional shape of the end cover is generally dependent upon the crosssection of the post whose end is to be protected. Thus, the cover may be of generally square cross-section, rectangular cross-section, circular cross-section or oval cross-section, the cross-section conforming to the crosssection of the post.

The end cover may be provided with lengthwiseextending internal ribs which in use provide abutting surfaces for a post. These ribs may extend inwardly from one or more internal surfaces of the end cover to engage the adjacent surface of a post and to enable the post to be removed from the end cover after use.

In use, a sealant material may be applied about the upper margin of the end cover to seal any spacing which may exist between the internal surface of the upper margin of the end cover and the adjoining external surface of the post. Alternatively, a cap may be provided for this purpose. The cap may be attached to the end cover by a strap.

The end cover may be produced by a vacuum forming process. However, other methods of production can be employed.

Means may be provided on the external surface of the end cover to assist keying of the end cover to cement or concrete used to support the end cover and the post in the ground.

According to the present invention in another aspect there is provided an end cover for protecting one end of a post, the end cover comprising a water impermeable tubular structure closed at one end and dimensioned to provide a relatively tight fit over the end of a post to be protected, the end cover being of a length sufficient to ensure that in use its upper margin lies at or above ground level.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an end cover in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a fencing post fitted with an end cover in accordance with the invention sited in the ground; and Figures 3 and 4 are respectively perspective and plan views from above of an alternative end cover in accordance with the invention.

The end cover illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a tubular structure 1 which is closed at one end by a solid base 2 and is of generally square cross-section. The end cover is manufactured from a water impermeable material such as plastics and has sufficient rigidity to be free standing and sufficient flexibility to accommodate minor variations in the dimensions of the post whose end is to be protected.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the internal dimensions of the end cover are dependent upon the dimensions of the post on which the cover is to be fitted. Thus, for use with conventional 3 inch by 3 inch or 4 inch by 4 inch wooden fencing posts, the internal dimensions of the cover would be slightly in excess of the post dimensions such that when assembled the cover is a relatively tight fit over the end of the post. The length of the end cover is sufficient such that in use its upper margin will lie at or slightly above ground level. Thus typically the height of the end cover would be of the order of 27 inches.

For aesthetic purposes, the material from which the end cover is produced is coloured to match the surroundings in which it is to be located. Thus a brown plastics material may be employed.

The use of a plastics material ensures that minor variations in post dimensions can readily be accommodated by flexing of the end cover material in contact with protrusion on the post surface.

An assembled end cover and fencing post 3 is illustrated in Figure 2. Before or after erection of the protected post in the ground, a sealant is applied to the upper margin of the end cover to preclude or inhibit the passage of fluid into the cover interior.

In use, when erecting a wooden fence post for panel fencing or feather edge fencing, a hole is prepared in the ground in the normal way and the fence post with the end cover in place is inserted into the hole. The hole is then filled with ballast and concrete to retain the post in the required upright stance.

Conventionally, a fencing post is set to a depth of between 18 and 24 inches. Thus, with a 27 inch tall end cover, between 9 and 3 inches of cover will protrude above ground level. This protruding portion can either be left in place or be partially removed by means of, for example, a sharp knife. Sealant e.g. a waterproof mastic material, is applied around the upper margin of the end cover to seal any space which may be present between the adjoining surfaces of the end cover and the post. The presence of the end cover prevents or at least alleviates rotting of the post end due to its contact with the ground.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 the end cover illustrated is formed with longitudinal ribs 4 which protrude inwardly from the internal surface of each side wall 5 of the cover. As shown, two ribs 4 extend inwardly from each side wall 5, the ribs being spaced evenly from the respective cover corners. One or more than two such ribs may be provided and the siting of the ribs may differ from that shown.

The presence of the ribs 4 means that the spacing between the internal surface of the cover and the external surface of the post is greater in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, than that of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. To inhibit the flow of rain and other liquids or materials into the space, the cover is formed with a plastics shoulder 6 and an upstanding collar 7 dimensioned to conform to the crosssection of the post on which the cover is to be fitted.

The ribs 4 provide the required support for a post whilst enabling the post to be removed after use. The cover illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 has application for temporary road signs, for example. A cap 8 is provided to close the open end of the cover when not in use. The cap is secured to the collar 7 by a strap 9.

It will be understood that the internal cross-section of the end cover is, in general, determined by the crosssection of the post to be protected by the end cover.

Thus the end cover may be of any suitable cross-section these including square, rectangular, oval or round.

In an unillustrated embodiment, the external surface of the end cover may be roughened or ribbed to provide additional keying to concrete or cement used to support the end cover and its respective post in the ground.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one embodiment of an end cover in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1 An end cover for protecting that end of a post which in use is to be set in the ground, the end cover being of generally tubular construction which is closed at one end and is produced from a water impermeable material having sufficient rigidity to define a free standing structure and sufficient flexibility to accommodate minor variations in post dimensions, the length of the cover being such that in use its upper margin lies at or above ground level.

2 An end cover as claimed in claim 1 produced from a plastics material.

3 An end cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein it is coloured to blend into the environment in which it is to be sited.

4 An end cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the end cover has lengthwise-extending internal ribs.

5 An end cover as claimed in claim 4 wherein the ribs extend inwardly from one or more internal surfaces of the end cover.

6 An end cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, in use, a sealant material is applied about its upper margin to seal any spacing which may exist between the internal surface of the upper margin of the end cover and the adjoining external surface of the post.

7 An end cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a cap to close off the open end of the cover when not in use.

8 An end cover as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cap is cap is attached to the end cover by a strap.

9 An end cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 produced by a vacuum forming process.

10 An end cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein means are provided on the external surface of the end cover to assist keying of the end cover to cement or concrete used to support the end cover and the post in the ground.

11 An end cover for protecting one end of a post, the end cover comprising a water impermeable tubular structure closed at one end and dimensioned to provide a relatively tight fit over the end of a post to be protected, the end cover being of a length sufficient to ensure that in use its upper margin lies at or above ground level.

12 An end cover for protecting that end of a post which is, in use, to be set in the ground substantially as herein described and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.