GB2250038A

GB2250038A - Supports for fence posts and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2250038A
Application number: GB9025523A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James David Kiteley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-23
Filing date: 1990-11-23
Publication date: 1992-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-23
Also published as: GB2250038B; GB9025523D0

Abstract

Support apparatus for a fence post 4 comprises a bracing arm 1 adapted to be secured at one end 2 in a pivotable sense to the fence post and capable of being secured at its other end 5 to an anchor 6 to be driven into the ground a short distance from the fence post. <IMAGE>

Description

Supports for Fence Posts and the Like This invention relates to supports for such items as fences which can on occasions be subjected to high winds and consequent damage.

Supports for fence posts are of course well known.

One such support comprises a concrete pillar which is cemented into the ground adjacent the fence post to be supported and is attached to the post by bolts or the like. Such supports are both difficult and time consuming to install particularly when the fence post is itself supported by a mass of concrete below ground level.

The present invention sets out to provide a support for such items as fences which is relatively easy to install and which may, if required, be selectively employed when, for example, winds are predicted.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a support for such items as fences which comprises a bracing arm pivotably connected at one end to a bracket for securement to the item to be supported and connectable at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground at a position spaced from the item to be supported.

The support arm may be selectively attached to the anchor. In this arrangements, means for securement of the free end of the bracing arm to the item to be supported may be provided to enabel the bracing arm to be stored in an upright position on the item to be supported when not secured to the anchor.

In a further aspect, the invention provides support apparatus for a fence post, the apparatus comprising a bracing arm adapted to be secured at one end in a pivotable sense to the fence post and capable of being secured at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground a short distance from the fence post.

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 support apparatus in accordance with the invention when secured to a fence post; Figures 2 and 3 are details to enlarged scales of the means by which the support apparatus is secured to the fence post and to an anchor forming part of the apparatus; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative support apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The support apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a bracing arm 1 which is secured at one of its ends through a pivot 2 to a bracket 3 secured to a fence post 4 to be supported. The other end of the bracing arm 1 is secured through a pivot 5 to a ground anchor 6. The pivot 5 can readily be removed from its connection to the bracing arm and the ground anchor to enable the arm 1 to be stored in an upright stance on the fence post 4 in the manner illustrated in broken line in Figure 1 when the arm 1 is not required to provide additional support for the fence post 4. A clip 7 is secured to the fence post at a position above the bracket clip 3 to receive the end of the bracing arm remote from the bracket 3.

When additional support for the post 4 is required (e.g. winds are predicted), the upper end of the bracing arm 1 is simply removed from the clip 7 and secured to the ground anchor 6 via the pivot 5.

In an alternative embodiment, the lower end of the bracing arm 1 is permanently attached to the ground anchor 6. In a further alternative embodiment, two bracing arms 1 are pivotably connected to the bracket 3, the free end of each such bracing arm being secured to a separate ground anchor one spaced from the other.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4, the support is of triangular construction and includes an upright 9, and a ground engaging arm 10 in addition to a bracing arm 11. In this embodiment, the or each ground anchor 12 is preferably of inverted "U" configuration. The bracing arm 11 is pivotably hinged to the post 4 (possibly through the upright 9) to enable the support to be stored adjacent the fence when not required for purposes of additional support. The upright is not essential, the support in this case simply comprising the bracing arm and ground engaging arm.

The support apparatus may be produced from any suitable material. Preferably the support is produced from a material which is resistant to rusting. Thus, the bracing arm and/or anchor may be produced from a galvanised or plastics coated material such as aluminium or steel. Alternatively, the bracing arm could be produced from a heavy duty plastics material. The cross section of the bracing arm may take any form, these including circular, I-section or T-section.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is exemplary of two particular embodiments of the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A support for such items as fences which comprises a bracing arm pivotably connected at one end to a bracket for securement to the item to be supported and connectable at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground at a position spaced from the item to be supported. 2. A support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support arm is selectively attached to the anchor. 3. A support as claimed in Claim 2 wherein means for securement of the free end of the bracing arm to the item to be supported is provided to enable the bracing arm to be stored in an upright position on the item to be supported when not secured to the anchor. 4. A support as claimed in Claim 3 further comprising a clip secured to the item to be supported at a position above its pivoted connection to the item. 5. A support as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the bracing arm is formed integral with a ground engaging arm. 6. A support as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the bracing and ground engaging arms form two sides of a triangular structure. 7. Support apparatus for a fence post, the apparatus comprising a bracing arm adapted to be secured at one end in a pivotable sense to the fence post and capable of being secured at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground a short distance from the fence post. 8. Support apparatus for a fence post substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been iiled as follows 1. A support for such items as fences which comprises a bracing arm pivotably connected at one end to a bracket for securement to the item to be supported and selectively connectable at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground at a position spaced from the item to be supported. means being provided for securing the said other end of the bracing arm to the item to be supported to enable the bracing arm to be stored in an upright position on the item to be supported when not secured to the anchor. 2. A support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a clip secured to the item to be supported at a position above its pivoted connection to the item. 3. A support as claimed in Claims 1 or Claim 2 wherein the bracing arm is formed integral with a ground engaging arm. 4. A support as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the bracing and ground engaging arms form two sides of a triangular structure. 5. Support apparatus for a fence post. the apparatus comprising a bracing arm adapted to be secured at one end in a pivotable sense to the fence post and capable of being selectively secured at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground a short distance from the fence post. means being provided for securing said other end of the bracing arm to the item to be supported to enable the bracing arm to be stored in an upright position on the item to be supported when not secured to the anchor. 6. Support apparatus for a fence post substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

1. A support for such items as fences which comprises a bracing arm pivotably connected at one end to a bracket for securement to the item to be supported and selectively connectabie at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground at a position spaced from the item to be supported. means being provided for securing the said other end of the bracing arm to the item to be supported to enable the bracing arm to be stored on the item to be supported when not secured to the anchor.

2. A support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a clip secured to the item to be supported at a position above its pivoted connection to the item.

3. A support as claimed in Claims 1 or Claim 2 wherein the bracing arm is formed intearal with a ground engaging arm.

4. A support as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the bracing and around engaging arms form two sides of a triangular structure.

5. Support apparatus for a fence post substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

5. Support apparatus for a fence post. the apparatus comprising a bracing arm adapted to be secured at one end in a pivotable sense to the fence post and capable of being selectively secured at its other end to an anchor to be driven into the ground a short distance from the fence post. means being provided for securing said other end of the bracing arm to the item to be supported to enable the bracing arm to be stored on the item to be supported when not secured to the anchor.