GB2290810A

GB2290810A - Insert for use with sockets for posts

Info

Publication number: GB2290810A
Application number: GB9517365A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Michael Demarest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-29
Filing date: 1993-05-28
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Also published as: GB9517365D0

Abstract

An insert 19 may comprise a resilient body 20 and a metal or plastics material facing plate 21 which has an inclined lead-in 22 formed at its upper end. Alternatively, for use with posts carrying crash barriers, a non-deformable or rigid insert may be employed (see Fig. 5). This may be provided with a formation for withdrawal from the socket. <IMAGE>

Description

Insert for use with Sockets for Posts This invention relates to inserts for use with sockets.

In such sockets, a problem can arise if one subsequently wishes to insert a replacement post into the socket, if that post is larger than its predecessor.

The invention consists in an insert for use in a post socket comprising a body insertable between a face of the post and a wall of the socket.

In some embodiments the body is non-deformable or rigid; in others it is at least partially deformable.

In a preferred embodiment the insert is resilient and in particular may comprise a resilient body and a facing plate for engaging the post. In this case the facing plate may be of metal or plastics material.

In any of these cases the insert may be shaped to form a lead-in for the post, for example, it may have an inclined upper end.

The invention also consists in a socket including at least an insert as defined above and a method of supporting a post using such an insert.

The insert or inserts can be used with any suitable socket whether fixed or adjustable and it will be understood that where an insert or inserts are used with an adjustable socket, the dimensions of the socket are originally adjusted to those of the post and insert. If the original post is removed and a slightly larger post replaces it, then the deformable body of the insert can be compressed to allow the post to be inserted in the socket. It is greatly preferred that the body should be resilient, so that the larger post can be accommodated by compressing the insert and will be particularly tightly held inside the socket.

The deformable type of insert particularly described above may, however, not be suitable for posts which carry crash barriers, because the deformable portion may allow the post to "squirm" within the socket if its associated barrier is impacted.

Accordingly, the invention may further consist in the provision of an insert for use in a post socket.

The insert, which is preferably non-deformable or rigid, may be a single element or may be made up of a plurality of interconnected or independent elements. The element or at least one of the elements preferably has a formation which can be readily engaged for withdrawal from the socket. For example, the formation may be in the form of a hook or a hole to allow the attachment of a withdrawal tool or wire.

The elements may be made of metal, plastics or hard wood.

The invention also includes an assembly of post, socket and inserts.

The invention can be performed in a number of ways and a specific embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of an element for forming a socket; Figure 2 is an end view of a socket formed from a pair of such elements; Figure 3 is a view from above of a post in a socket; Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows an element for use in the sockets, having a hook formation.

In Figure 1 a socket forming element, which is generally indicated at 10, is constituted by a body 11 formed by a pair of orthogonal limbs 12 and 13. The limb 12 has a turned-over lip 14 and defines a recess 15, in the form of a channel extending along the length of the body. It will be noted that the recess 15 faces limb 13.

Limb 13 is formed with a projection 16 at its free end.

The projection 16 extends away from the recess 15 and is generally parallel to the limb 12.

As can be seen in Figure 2 a pair of such elements can be interengaged to form a socket 17 by inserting the projection 16 of one element in the recess 15 of the other, and inserting the projection 16 of the other element in the recess 15 of the first element.

It will be seen that with this configuration, and suitable selection of the relative dimensions of the recess 15 and projection 16, the engaged recess and projection pairs effectively form labyrinth seals through which the concrete will not generally penetrate. However, it will be understood that the degree of insertion of the projection 16 in the recess 15 can be varied so as to vary the dimension of the socket along the line indicated with arrows in Figure 2. This can be the direction at right angles to the intended line of the fence so that the elements 10 can be adjusted to ensure that the socket 7 grips the post in the direction of wind loading. The dimension at right angles to the line is deliberately over-sized for the intended posts so as to provide suitable adjustment along the line of the fence to take into account the effect of incorrectly sized panels.

Conveniently the projection is formed so that it is approximately 0.5mm smaller than the width of the channel.

This arrangement allows for easy adjustment, whilst maintaining an effective seal against concrete. This seal can be locked to prevent further movement by punching through a hole in one of the wall 12 or lip 14 to deform locally the projection 16 into an aligned hole in the other of the wall 12 or lip 14.

An alternative arrangement is shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which, in contrast to the arrangement described in Figures 1 and 2, the socket 10 is adjusted so that it has lateral dimensions close to the lateral dimension of a post 18 and an insert 19. The latter comprises a resilient body 20 and a metal or plastics material facing plate 21 which has an inclined lead-in 22 formed at its upper end.

Because the sockets dimensions are selected for this combination the original post 18 is firmly held. As has been explained above if that post is replaced by a slightly bigger post, the increased size of the second post can be accommodated by compression of the resilient body 20.

Equally the provision of an insert can prevent a 'small' post rattling in the socket. Further the insert can accommodate expansion of the posts within the socket due to atmospheric changes.

The relative socket/post size normally vary due to tolerances arising in fabrication of the post and socket, and in the galvanising and for painting or coating of the post or socket.

Figure 5 illustrates the rigid version of the insert which is described in the preamble above. The hook formation assist extraction.

Claims

1. An insert for use in a post socket comprising a body insertable between a face of the post and a wall of the socket.

2. An insert as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body is non-deformable or rigid.

3. An insert as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body is at least partially deformable.

4. An insert as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the body is resilient.

5. An insert as claimed in Claim 4, further comprising a plate mounted on the body.

6. An insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, further including a portion of the body defining a lead-in to the socket and/or a formation to allow withdrawal of the insert from the socket.

7. A socket and post assembly incorporating an insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6.