GB2329915A - Protecting the base of a wooden post - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for protecting the base of a post from rotting which comprises a sock formed of a damp proof membrane which is shaped and dimensioned to fit closely over the base of a post substantially enclosing the base of the post.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING THE BASE OF A WOODEN POST The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for protecting the base of a wooden post from rotting.

The rotting of posts at ground level is a major problem in countries with substantial rain fall or in areas where there is substantial surface and ground water, The problem applies to a wide range of timber structures and not simply fence posts but the present invention primarily concerns fence posts and smaller upright timber structures.

The rotting of the timber tends to occur within a zone between 4 inches above ground level to a similar distance below ground level.

A number of proposals have been made in the prior art to provide protection for timber posts, masts or poles but these apparently all comprise open-ended sleeves commonly formed as laminates wrapped around the post or mast or fitted over the base of the post such as illustrated in for example US 5,138,806, EP 0 750 084 Al or GB 2 123872 A.

These prior art protectors do not, however, provide comprehensive protection and are not entirely suitable for protection of fencing posts. Furthermore, they are generally relatively expensive or relatively awkward and time consuming to install.

It is a general objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that overcomes these drawbacks of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for protecting the base of a post from rotting which comprises a sock formed of a damp proof membrane which is shaped and dimensioned to fit closely over the base of a post substantially enclosing the base of the post.

The damp proof membrane is suitably of the type used in damp proof courses. It is generally flexible and is suitably pre-molded to suit the shape of the base of the post to which it is to be mounted. The sock may be formed to the required shape by a heat forming machine. Suitably a hot wire bending machine is used for the purpose. The membrane is bent around the hot wire into the required conformation and then heat seamed to secure the overlapping edges of the membrane together.

For the conventional rectangular section timber post, the sock is suitably formed to have a similar rectangular cross section.

Preferably the sock once fitted over the end of the post, in use, is sealed in place by use of a bitumenous material, silicone or other water proofing sealant. This is applied around the top of the sock. The preferred dimensions of the sock are such that the bore of the sock is suitably just slightly greater than the cross sectional size of the post base to fit over it and the length of the sock is suitably sufficient to extend from the lower most end of the post base to a point which would be approximately four to six inches above ground level.

Drawing 112 iilustrates the sock being installed to fit over the base end of the timber fence post. It will be appreciated that the sock of the present invention fully encompasses the base end of the post and once sealed in place it totally encloses the base to prevent ingress of any moisture from above ground or sea page upward from below ground.

Drawing number 2/2 illustrates the sleeve once installed on the post with the post installed in the ground.

The preferred form of seal to protect the upper rim of the sock and to secure it against ingress of moisture is a bitumenous taped seal that is applied around the rim of the sock and adheres to the post. This is suitably in the form of a two inch to four inch thick band of tape. A preferred type of bitumenous tape is tolerant to sub zero temperatures down to minus 4000.

Preferred materials for forming the damp proof membrane comprise low density polyethylene and low density polypropylene although other materials may be suitable for the purpose. The flexible nature of the material makes it simple to form into the required shape with commensurate cost savings.

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for protecting the base of a post from rotting which comprises a sock formed of a damp proof membrane which is shaped and dimensioned to fit closely over the base of a post substantially enclosing the base of the post.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the damp proof membrane is of low density polypropylene or polybutylene and/or the type used in damp proof courses.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sock is pre-molded to suit the shape of the base of the post to which it is to be mounted.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the sock is formed to the required shape by a heat forming machine.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a hot wire bending machine is used for shaping the membrane.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the membrane is bent around the hot wire into the required conformation and then heat seamed to secure the overlapping edges of the membrane together.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the sock is formed to have a similar rectangular cross section to a rectangular section timber post.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sock once fitted over the end of the post, in use, is sealed in place by use of a bitumenous material, silicone or other water proofing sealant applied around the top of the sock.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sock extends from the lower most end of the post base to a point which would be approximately four to six inches above ground level.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the seal to protect the upper rim of the sock and to secure it against ingress of moisture is a bitumenous taped seal that is applied around the rim of the sock and adheres to the post.