GB2347169A

GB2347169A - Combined post clamp and bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2347169A
Application number: GB9903984A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Danny Michael Paul White; Neil Thomas Mansfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-23
Filing date: 1999-02-23
Publication date: 2000-08-30
Also published as: GB9903984D0

Abstract

A clamp 1 or 2 is shaped to attach to a post 20 or 21 (particularly a garden fence post) and has means to be releasably secured thereto. A bracket 5, 6 releasably attaches to the clamp for supporting a multiplicity of items. A water supply tube 16 can be secured by two clamp/bracket assemblies allowing a water supply 42 to be fed to a water delivery rose 44. An alternative bracket (30, fig 4, not shown) can be employed to attach, for example, a tray and pot or a trellis.

Description

COMBINED CLAMP, BRACKET AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM This invention relates to a combined clamp, bracket and irrigation system and in particular a fencing post clamp, adaptive attachment bracket and irrigation system.

Fencing posts are commonly available items used in conjunction with various types of decorative fencing panels to detail the perimeter, boundary or internal sub divisions of a tract of land. Posts are available in many shapes, lengths and materials some of which are difficult to drill.

Pre-cast posts are readily available, but there is not a method of attaching items to the post without drilling.

Rccording to the present invention there is provided in combination a fencing post clamp, adaptive attachment bracket and irrigation system, the fencing post clamp being suitably arranged in shape to use the post as a fulcrum, provided with a means of being releasably secured to the post at any point along the vertical axis on any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel, either as a single clamp or in combination with additional clamps fitted to the same post or a post which is generally adjacent to the post so fitted with the clamp (s), an adaptive attachment bracket which may be releasably secured to the fencing post clamp and which can be suitably arranged to retain and support a plurality of items to the fencing post clamp and the post, a tube which is releasably attached vertically between a number of fencing post clamps and adaptive attachment brackets and encloses the irrigation arrangement by which the fluid is delivered to the point of use, a tube which is so arranged such that it can attach and bridge between a vertically attached tube on fencing post clamps and adaptive attachment brackets and a complementary arrangement on a post which is generally adjacent to the post so fitted and encloses the irrigation arrangement by which the fluid is delivered to the point of use, an alternative fixing adaptive attachment bracket which attaches to the fencing post clamp and can be used instead of or in combination with a releasably fixed adaptive attachment bracket and can be used to retain and support a plurality of items along it's length and at the position furthest from the point of connection to the fencing post clamp and between an alternative fixing adaptive attachment bracket fitted to a fencing post clamp wilich i5 generally adjacent to the post so fitted.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows, in perspective, the fencing post clamp 1.

Figure 1R shows, in plan view, the fencing post 20 with the fencing post clamp 1 attached in the generally available positions for such attachment.

Figure 1B shows, in plan view, the fencing post 21 with the fencing post clamp 2 attached in the generally available positions for such attachment.

Figure 1C shows, in plan view, the fencing post 22 with the fencing post clamp 1 attached in the generally available positions for such attachment.

Figure 1D shows, in perspective, the adaptive attachment bracket 5 Figure 2 shows, in perspective, the alternative fencing post clamp 2.

Figure 3 shows, in perspective, the adaptive attachment bracket 5, directional and antirotational device 15, irrigation adaptor 40, tube 16 and irrigation channel 41.

Figure 4 shows, in perspective, the alternative adaptive attachment bracket 30.

Figure 5 shows, in perspective, the fencing post clamp 1 attached to the post 20, adaptive attachment bracket 5, adaptive attachment bracket 6, decorative fence panel 22, irrigation channel supply 42, irrigation channel outlet 43, irrigation rose 44, tube 16 which is shown suitably arranged to support a hanging basket 50.

Figure 6 shows, in perspective, the fencing post clamp 1 attached to the post 20, adaptive attachment bracket 5, adaptive attachment bracket 6, decorative fence panel 22, irrigation channel supply 42, tube 17, tube là, irrigation channel outlet 43, irrigation channel blanking cap 45, irrigation angle connector 46 and irrigation piercing adaptor 47.

Figure 7 shows, in side elevation, the fencing post clamp 1 attached to the post 20, decorative fence panel 22, alternative adaptive attachment bracket 30, and supporting, by way of example, a tray 31 and plant pot 32 and includes elastomer washer 34.

Figure 8 shows, in perspective, the fencing post clamp 1 attached to the post 20, alternative adaptive attachment bracket 30, decorative fence panel 22 and supporting between the posts, by way of example, a plastic coated string trellis 33, in combination with adaptive attachment bracket 5, adaptive attachment bracket 6, tube 16 which is shown suitably arranged to support a hanging basket (Not shown), irrigation channel outlet 43 and irrigation rose 44.

Figure 9 shows, in side elevation, the fencing post clamp 1, attached to the post 20, decorative fencing panel 22, adaptive attachment bracket 5 fitted with insert 15, securing means 25 and supporting, by way of example, a garden gate 23.

Figure 10 shows, in perspective, the alternative fencing post clamp 2, attached to the post 21, decorative fencing panel 22, adaptive attachment bracket 5 fitted with insert 15, securing means 25 and supporting, by way of example, a lamp/sensing device 24 and garden gate 23 shown in the semi open position.

Referring to the drawing's and firstly to the Figs 1A, lB, 1C and 1D there is shown three types of fencing post generally of conventional construction having one or more grooves in which to position and locate one or more decorative fencing panels between itself and a complimentary arrangement. Fencing posts of this type may be manufactured from a mix of concrete and some reinforcing material such as stones. This combination offers the user a substantial fencing post, but is usually very difficult to drill.

Fig 10 there is shown in plan view the fencing post 20 with the fencing post clamp 1 attached in the generally available positions for such attachment.

Fig 1B there is shown in plan view the fencing post 21 with the fencing post clamp 2 attached in the generally available positions for such attachment.

Fig 1C there is shown in plan view the fencing post 22 with the fencing post clamp 1 attached in the generally available positions for such attachment.

Fig 1D there is shown the adaptive attachment bracket 5.

Referring now to Figs 1 and 2 there is shown two fencing post clamps which have been so arranged as to be generally attachable to at least one face of each of the fencing posts detailed in Figs 1R-1C which is not assigned to retaining a decorative fencing panel and thus attached can be positioned at any point along the vertical axis of said post.

Again, referring to the Figs 1 and 2 a number of inserts 3 are provided on face fa and other inserts 4 provided on faces A, B and C of the fencing post clamps 1 and 2. In each case the insert is provided with an internal thread such that it may be engaged with a bolt or the ligie. The inserts 3 on face R provide the releasable means by which the clamp is attached to the fencing post and such bolts (not shown) or the like used in the means may be fitted with nuts with a locking means to enable each clamp to be positioned and locked at the desired position along the vertical axis of the fencing post.

Insert 4 on faces R, B and C of the fencing post clamp 1 and 2 provide the means whereby the adaptive attachment bracket 5, Fig 1D, is releasably attached to the fencing post clamp using a bolt or the like and whereby such attachment predetermines and constrains movement in the lateral plane by engaging with the cut-outs designated XI, X2 and X3.

If such lateral constraint as is provided by the cut-outs X1, X2 and X3 is not required, then the fencing post clamp 1 and fencing post clamp 2 may be removed inverted and re-fitted such thct the means of lateral constraint is removed. Thus it can be seen that the adaptive attachment bracket 5 may be attached to the fencing post clamp 1 and 2 and retained in position without the need tc connect such reloadable means as is, provided if cut-tub XI, X2 or X3 is used.

Referring now to Fig 3 there is shown the adaptive attachment bracket 5 provided with insert 15 which has an internal thread which can be releasably connected to the irrigation adaptor 40. The external shape of the insert 15 is so arranged as to resemble a nut which generally is located in the adaptive attachment bracket such that one flat side of the nut is parallel to the edge of the said bracket. One end of the tube 16 and each end of the tube 17 and the tube 1 (17 and 16 Not shown) is fashioned such that it is complementary to the form of the nut provided by the insert 15 and thereby connects with said insert and is rotationally positioned and constrained by such releasable connection. Irrigation channel 41 is attached to the irrigation adaptor 40 by a complementary means whereby such means utilises an interference fit between the said parts.

Referring now to Fig 4 there is shown an alternative adaptive bracket 30 one end of which is arranged such that it can engage with and be supported by the fencing post clamp 1 on face n only or the fencing post clamp 2 on face A, B or C.

Such engagement means provided will not preclude the attachment of adaptive attachment bracket 5 to face A, B or C or any combination of such attachment to the fencing post clamp 1 or Fencing post clamp 2.

Referring now to the Zigs 5-10 the application of the fencing post clamp, adaptive attachment bracket and irrigation system can now be examined.

Fig 5 shows a typical application as to how the embodiments previously described may be deployed whereby a fencing posts 20 is separated and connected by a decorative fencing panel 22 to another fencing post 20 which has attached a fencing post clamp 1. Such attachment is made using the inserts 3 in the fencing post clamp 1 together with bolts or such like and in the event that the fencing post 20 is say, rough cast, the securing means may tighten individually in a manner akin to jacking. When the desired vertical position is achieved and the bolts or similar means secured, nuts (Not shown) provided with a locking means and which have been previously attached to the bolts or the like may be adjusted to face R of the fencing post clamp 1 such that the clamp will not slacken in normal use.

The attachment process is repeated for the upper fencing post clamp 1 and both fencing clamps are now ready for the attachment of adaptive attachment brackets.

The adaptive attachment bracket 5 which has been previously connected with the insert 15 is located on face R of the lower fencing post bracket 1 between the cut-out XI and secured using a method of conventional means. The irrigation adaptor 40 is engaged with the internal thread of insert 15 such that an equal amount of the adaptor 40 protrudes from either side of the adaptive attachment bracket 5, the lower portion of which is connected to the irrigation supply channel 42 using a conventional radial securing means. adaptive attachment bracket 6 is secured in a similar manner to the upper fencing post clamp 1, but is physically different to item 5 inasmuch that the insert 15 is deleted and a hole provided which will facilitate the diameter of the tube 16 together with the tube end arrangement which is complementary with the nut like shape of the insert 15.

With the above completed the remainder of the assembly may now be commenced.

The irrigation valve 44 is attached to the irrigation outlet 43 which is connected to a length of the irrigation channel 41 using conventional pressure assembly techniques and the free end of the irrigation channel 41 located inside the tube 16 until the irrigation outlet 43 is flush with and can be locked in the end of item 16. Allowing a suitable portion of the irrigation channel 41 for connectivity, the irrigation channel is cut to the length of the tube 16.

The completed assembly is lowered through the hole in the adaptive attachment bracket 6 and the irrigation channel 41 connected to the irrigation adaptor 40 previously located on the lower adaptive attachment bracket 5 using conventional pressure assembly techniques and the complementary arrangement of the end of the tube 16 and the insert 15 interconnected.

Thus far described the fencing post clamp and adaptive attachment bracket system is ready for the attachment of, say, a hanging basket. R portion of the tube 16 is arranged such that it will engage and support a hanging basket being provided with attachment means that resembles a letter'S'or a rectangle with one side removed and such support is maintained in windy conditions that may prevail from time to time.

The irrigation means of supply, which may be any or a combination of, mains water pressure, gravity feed from a water butt, electrically driven and timed water pump, may now be operated providing the irrigation fluid along the irrigation channel supply 42 through the irrigation adaptor 40, the irrigation channel 41, the irrigation outlet 43 the irrigation valve 44 which is so arranged that it is able to discharge the irrigation fluid in a variable and user discernible pattern to the point of use.

Referring now to Fig. 6 the fencing post clamp 1 is attached as previously outlined to the fencing post 20 in four positions. In this particular arrangement the upper fencing post clamp 1 located on each fencing post 20 is rotated through 180 degrees such that the cut-out X1, X2 and X3, which provide lateral location for the adaptive attachment bracket in each case, is not used. When so attached adaptive attachment bracket 6 is engaged to each upper fencing post clamp 1 and such securing means used is not fully tightened.

To each lower fencing post clamp 1 adaptive attachment bracket 5 is releasably attached. The irrigation adaptor 40 is engaged with the internal thread of insert 15 of each lower adaptive attachment brackets 5 and, because in this application the irrigation fluid will be terminated with one full system, only one irrigation blanking cap 45 is fitted to the part of the irrigation adaptor protruding from below the adaptive attachment bracket 5.

Commencing with the irrigation adaptor 40 which has not been so fitted, say, the right hand side fencing post assembly, the upper portion of the irrigation adaptor 40 is connected to the irrigation channel 41 which is then passed through the tube 17 which has been so arranged such that it is complementary to the insert 15 to which it is now connected.

The other end of the irrigation channel 41 is connected with the irrigation angle connector 46 which is engaged with the end of tube 17.

The assembly arrangement as described thus far is repeated for the adjacent fencing post 20.

R length of the irrigation channel 41 is now cut to a length in excess of the length of the tube 18 which is then connected with the irrigation angle connector 46 engaged with the right hand side tube 17 and passed through the said tube 18 and connected with the left hand side tube 17 previously fitted with the irrigation angle connector 46. The tube 18 is now pressed between both vertical tubes 17 such that an inverted 'U'shape is achieved. Having completed thus far the securing means for the adaptive attachment bracket 6 may now be fully tightened to each inverted upper fencing post clamp 1 on each fencing post 20.

The holes 43 which have been previously made in tube 18 are now located and the penetrating element of the irrigation piercing adaptor 47 utilised to make a permanent connection between the irrigation channel 41 and said irrigation piercing adaptor.

Referring now to the Figs 5-10 and firstly to Fig. 7 there is shown the fencing post 20 with the fencing post clamp 1 attached as previously detailed and the alternative adaptive attachment bracket 30 suitably engaged with same.

Rt a position outwardly from the point of such engagement the alternative adaptive attachment bracket 30 is so arranged whereby it may be connected with a plurality of items, but in this example a tray 31 and plant pot 32 are retained in said position using conventional retention methods which in this application, to preclude the loss of irrigation fluid from the tray 31, includes a elastomer washer.

Referring now to Fig 8 there is shown the fencing post 20 with the fencing post clamps 1 attached and as previously detailed supporting on the left hand side post 20 a hanging basket arrangement. The alternative attachment bracket 30 is engaged with the upper fencing post clamp 1 on each of the fencing posts 20 and between the two said brackets a trellis arrangement is developed.

Commencing with commonly available material 33, say, garden string, one end is retentively tied to a alternative attachment bracket 30 utilising the hole in same and routing the string to engage with the most inwardly positioned of the series of grooves provided in the top surface of the bracket.

The string may now be routed to engage with the most inwardly complementary groove provided on the bottom of the bracket and then wrapped between the two grooves for, say, two wraps. The string is now engaged with a groove provided on the alternative adaptive attachment bracket 30 attached to the adjacent post and by repeating the procedure a trellis can be constructed. When sufficient connections between the two alternative attachment brackets is achieved the string is terminated and tied as previously detailed.

Lastly, referring now to the Figs 9 and 10 and firstly to Fig. 9 there is shown the fencing post 20 with the fencing post clamp 1 attached as previously detailed in two positions to which have been secured two adaptive attachment brackets 5. In this application the internal thread of insert 15 fitted to the adaptive attachment bracket 5 is utilised to provide the fulcrum point and securing means for the gate 23 by engaging with a conventional securing means and such means being provided with a locking facility.

At Fig 10 there is shown the fencing post 21 with the fencing post clamp 2 attached as previously detailed in two positions to which have been secured two adaptive attachment brackets 5 which are used to support the gate 23 as previously described.

In this application a further adaptive attachment bracket 5 is secured to the upper fencing post clamp 2 on another face of said clamp, say face B, and the internal thread of insert 15 fitted to the adaptive attachment bracket 5 is utilised to provide the fixing for a lamp/sensing device 24 which might be solar, mains or battery powered and as such a provision for power/signal cable retention is provided on the fencing post clamp 2. (Not shown) It will be seen that in the illustrated embodiments of the fencing post clamp, adaptive attachment bracket and irrigation system an existing fencing post of various section may be attached with the clamps and such assemblies as detailed and whereby the whole or part thereof of such assemblies may be used. Moreover, the adaptive attachment bracket can be deployed to provide the means whereby a multiplicity of existing items and items yet to be designed may be secured to the said clamp.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. In combination a fencing post clamp, adaptive attachment bracket and irrigation system, the fencing post clamp being suitably arranged in shape to use the post as a fulcrum, provided with a means of being releasably secured to the post at any point along the vertical axis on any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel, either as a single clamp or in combination with additional clamps fitted to the same post or a post which is generally adjacent to the post so fitted with the clamp (s), an adaptive attachment bracket which may be releasably secured to the fencing post clamp and which can be suitably arranged to retain and support a plurality of items to the fencing post clamp and the post, a tube which is releasably attached vertically between a number of fencing post clamps and adaptive attachment brackets and encloses the irrigation arrangement by which the fluid is delivered to the point of use, a tube which is so arranged such that it can attach and bridge between a vertically attached tube on fencing post clamps and adaptive attachment brackets and a complementary arrangement on a post which is generally adjacent to the post so fitted and encloses the irrigation arrangement by which the fluid is delivered to the point of use, an alternative fixing adaptive attachment bracket which attaches to the fencing post clamp and can be used instead of or in combination with a releasably fixed adaptive attachment bracket and can be used to retain and support a plurality of items along it's length and at the position furthest from the point of connection to the fencing post clamp and between an alternative fixing adaptive attachment bracket so attached to a fencing post clamp which is generally adjacent to the post so fitted.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the fencing post clamp may be attached to the fencing post at any point along the vertical axis of any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel without the need for drilling.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the fencing post clamp may be attached to the fencing post at any point along the vertical axis of any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel and be locked in the selected position.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the fencing post clamp is provided with a means of multi point jacking which enables the fencing post clamp to be attached to a fencing post having a rough or uneven surface.
5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the fencing post clamp is provided with the means to accept the fitting and securing of an adaptive attachment bracket on a plurality of surfaces of the clamp either as a single adaptive attachment bracket or in combination with other adaptive attachment brackets.
6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the fencing post clamp is provided with a means to attach and support electrical power cabling and signal wires.
7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the fencing post clamp is provided with the means to attach and support a means of irrigation channel supply
8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the fencing post clamp is suitably shaped to attach to a standard'H'section post which would normally be included in a fencing line and provided with the means to support a plurality of decorative fencing panel in a plurality of directions.
9. The combination of claim 6 wherein the fencing post clamp is suitably shaped to attache to a standard'U'section post which would normally be deployed as the last post included in a fencing line and provided with the means to support a decorative panel in one direction.
10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the fencing post clamp is of suitable proportion whereby it can be attached to a fencing post without the need to remove the decorative panel and when so attached will not restrict the removal of such decorative panel.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the alternative adaptive attachment bracket is provided with a means of attachment to the fencing post clamp without the need to be secured in said position.
12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the alternative adaptive attachment bracket is arranged such that at a point furthest from the point of attachment to the fencing post clamp provision is made to secure and support a plurality of items.
13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the alternative adaptive attachment bracket is arranged such that when attached to the fencing post clamp a series of spaced grooves is provided on the top and bottom surface generally extending outwards towards the extremity of the alternative adaptive attachment bracket.
14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the alternative adaptive attachment bracket is arranged such that it can be engaged with the fencing post clamp in combination with an adaptive attachment bracket.
15 The combination of claim 14 wherein the adaptive attachment bracket is provided with a releasably securing means to secure and restrict rotation of the tube and where such releasable means includes a complementary arrangement whereby the rotational attitude of the tube can be selected.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein the adaptive attachment bracket is provided with a releasably securing means to accept the attachment of an irrigation adaptor.
17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the adaptive attachment bracket is provided with a means to attach secure and support a plurality of items to the fencing post clamp.
18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the tube end is provided with a releasably securing means to secure and restrict rotation of the tube and where such releasable means includes a complementary arrangement whereby the rotational attitude of the tube can be selected.
19. The combination of claim 18 wherein the tube is provided with a plurality of outlets for the output of irrigation fluid from the irrigation channel.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the tube may be so arranged that it provides the means to support a hanging basket.
21. The combination of claim 20 wherein the tube is so arranged that a portion incorporates the means to be engageable with a hanging basket which is attached using a hook arrangement generally in the form of a letter'S'.
22. The combination of claim 21 wherein the tube is so arranged that a portion incorporates the means to be engageable with a hanging basket which is attached using a hook arrangement generally in the form of a rectangle with one open side.
23 The combination of claim 22 wherein the tube is so arranged that it can be attachable with a means to construct a trellis.
24. The combination of claim 23 wherein a portion of the tube is so arranged such that it is engageable with a complementary tube so arranged.
25. The combination of claim 24 wherein the tube is so arranged that it is able to enclose the irrigation arrangement along it's axis and the engageable means of a complementary tube so arranged.
26. The combination of claim 25 wherein the tube is provided with a means of engagement to another tube which is generally at right angles to the tube axis and such means includes the provision to enclose the irrigation arrangement along the axis of the tube and the means of engagement to the said tube.
27. The combination of claim 26 wherein a portion of the tube is so arranged that it is able to discharge the irrigation fluid in a variable and user discernible pattern.
28. The combined fencing post clamp adaptive attachment bracket and irrigation system substantially as described herein with reference to the figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.