GB2355996A

GB2355996A - Post support socket

Info

Publication number: GB2355996A
Application number: GB9926080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Rabbitts
Original assignee: Expanded Metal Co Ltd
Current assignee: Expanded Metal Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-03
Filing date: 1999-11-03
Publication date: 2001-05-09
Also published as: GB9926080D0

Abstract

A post support comprising an open top socket (5) fixed to the upper end of a leg (6) which is arranged to be driven downwardly into the ground and at least one insert (9) which is arranged to be inserted downwardly between the upper edge of a side wall of the socket and a post (8) resting within the socket, and driven down between the wall and the post.

Description

2355996 STRUCTURE A quick way of erecting fence and other posts without

the need to dig a hole in the ground involves the use of a support of the kind having an open topped socket fixed to the upper end of a spike or other leg which can be driven down into the ground. The post is then inserted into the socket. It is usually important that the post is held rigidly in the socket, at least against movement in a plane perpendicular to the fence, in the case of a fence post. However a rigid fixing is difficult to achieve because the dimensions of rough cut timber of the kind used for posts can vary appreciably from the nominal size. Consequently - it is usual to make the socket slightly oversize for a nominal size of post, and to then provide within the socket some means for engaging the post to hold it rigidly within the socket. One such device comprises a bowed leaf spring which is permanently fitted in the socket and which is flattened by engaging with the - side of the post upon insertion of the post into the socket. This is not entirely satisfactory because the degree of force exerted by the spring depends upon the actual dimension of the post. An alternative device is provided by integral formations projecting inwardly from sidewalls of the socket and engaging or cutting into the post when it is inserted into the socket. Although this can provide a rigid fixing, it has two disadvantages. This first is that it is expensive to form the socket with the integral formations. Second the post needs to be hammered down into the socket and this can damage its upper end.

In accordance with the present invention, a post support comprises an open topped socket fixed to the upper end of a leg which is arranged to be driven downwardly into the ground, and at least one insert which is arranged to be inserted downwardly between the upper edge of a sidewall of the socket and a post resting within the socket, and driven down between the wall and post.

2 With this arrangement, the socket can be plain without any inwardly projecting formations and the post can be inserted loosely and then rigidified within the socket by the application only of a hammer to the insert(s).

If, as is common, the socket and post are of rectangular cross-section, it may be desirable to provide two of the inserts, one on each of two adjacent sides of the rectangle.

The or each insert preferably has at least one sharp edge projecting, in use, towards the post and intended to cut into the surf ace of the post upon driving in of the insert. This enables posts of different size to be fixed securely as any variation in the dimensions of the post will be accommodated by the different amount by which the sharp edge of the insert cuts into the surface of the post. Preferably the insert is of channel section to provide two spaced sharp edges.

The insert may form a wedge over at least a part of its length to facilitate insertion between post and socket wall.

To help maintain the vertical movement of the insert, two adjacent faces of the socket may be fitted with vertical grooves or guides, spaced to guide the insert in a vertical direction. The grooves may be pressed integrally with the socket, or the guides may be separate components suitably fixed to the two adjacent inside faces of the socket.

To improve the rigidity of fixing of the post, one or two adjacent faces, containing the grooves or guides, may be cambered in towards the post, so that when the inserts are driven in, the cambered faces are straightened or partly straightened, and increasing the elastic forces clamping the insert to the timber faces.

To improve the ease of inserting the inserts, there may be a return area of metal, or alternatively some formed ribs, at the top edge, to allow easier positioning and to allow a greater and stronger area to be exposed to receive 3 the hammer blows. The return flange or the ribs also act as a depth locator to prevent the insert from being driven too far into the socket.

Additionally, to improve the stiffn ess and strength of the socket, there may be one or more raised ribs running horizontally along all four sides of the socket. These ribs can also improve the ability of the user to grip and control the post during installation.

The upper end of a spike may be designed with either a flat top surface to be welded to the base of the socket which may have chamfered corners to allow drainage of moisture. It may incorporate a spike or upwardly protruding shape, which passes through an aperture in the base portion of the socket. This aperture also acts as a is drainage hole to prevent any build up of moisture, which can result in timber decay.

To prevent the possibility of the insert working loose from repeated flexing of the timber post under wind or similar loads, the insert may be fitted with barbs or saw tooth shape cuts inclined so that they prevent vertical uplift of the insert. Alternatively and/or additionally, the socket and/or insert may be provided with holes through which nails or screws may be driven into the post. if holes are provided in both the socket and the insert, it is preferable that they are co-incident with each other when the insert is in its correct position after being driven.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure i'is a side view showing the support carrying a post; Figure 2 is a plan showing the support and post; Figure 3 is a side view of an insert; Figure 4 is an end view of the insert; Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of alternative sockets; Figures 7A to C are views of another insert; Figures 8A to C are views of yet another insert; Figure 9 is a perspective view of another socket; 4 Figure 10A to C are views of a spike; and Figures 11A to C are views of an alternative spike.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a rectangular metal socket 5 is f ixed to the upper end of a metal spike 6 which has been driven down into the ground below ground level 7. A post 8 of rectangular cross-section is shown inserted downwardly into the socket 5. The post is held rigidly in firm engagement with the top left hand corner of the socket as shown in Figure 2, by inserts 9 which have been driven down between adjacent walls of the socket 6 and adjacent f aces of the post 8. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 each insert 9 consists of a metal channel section with a web 10 and flanges 11. As the leading end of the insert the f langes 11 are chamf erred as shown at 12 to provide a partial wedge. As shown in Figure 2, when the inserts are hammered in, the flanges 11 bite into the surfaces of the post.

In some circumstances the movement of the post and embedded wedge in the socket can over a period of time loosen the post in the socket. This movement may be caused by natural conditions such as wind. The insertion of at least one nail 13 into the post through a hole in a wall of the socket prevents this happening. Two such nails are shown in Figure 2. 25 As can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B, guide grooves 14 are formed in adjacent edges of a socket 5. These guide grooves help to guide the inserts 9 in a vertical direction. An alternative construction of the socket can be seen in Figure 6 in which adjacent sides of the socket 5 are chamfered to improve the rigidity of the fixing of the post. Guide grooves 14 are also formed on the chamfered sides. Nail holes 30 are provided in the socket 5.

An alternative insert is shown in Figures 7A to C.

The insert 9 is provided with ribs 16 at one end. These ribs increase the strength and rigidity of the insert 9. Further, nail holes 31 are provided in the insert and these holes may be co-incident, in use, with the holes 30 formed in the socket. Figures 8A to C show an insert 9 which is provided with a return flange 17 and a saw tooth edge 18. 5 Figure 9 shows an alternative socket 19 which is provided with raised horizontal ribs 20 extending away from the surface. This socket 19 is also provided with guide grooves 14. A spike 6 which is for use on the lower end of a socket 5 is shown in Figures 10A to C. The spike G is formed in a cross shape having four equally spaced vanes 21. The vanes 21 taper at one end towards its lower end 22. The upper end of the spike may be formed as a flat surface for welding or fixing to the base of the socket 25 is or, alternatively, a spike 23 may be formed. The spike 23 may be inserted through an aperture 24 in a base portion 25 of a socket.

An alternative spike G is shown in Figures 11A to C. The upper end is shaped to allow the upper part of the piece to be cut along line 28 to form approximate triangular portions 26. These portions can then be folded along dotted lines 27 at right angles to the plane of the vanes 21. This provides a substantially horizontal plane which allows fixing to the bottom edge of the socket 5.

Figure 11B and C show how this may be applied to spikes having two vanes or four vanes. Two of the spikes 6 may be folded along dotted line 29 and combined to form the spike shown in Figure 11C. The square shape formed by the flat sections fits into the-base of a socket and can be welded into place. This avoids the need for an additional base plate.

This alternative spike construction permits drainage of moisture from the base of the socket and removes the need for a separate base to the socket.

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Claims

1. A post support comprising: an open top socket f ixed to the upper end of a leg which is arranged to be driven downwardly into the ground; and at least one insert which is arranged to be inserted downwardly between the upper edge of a side wall of the socket and a post resting within the socket, and driven down between the wall and the post.

2. A post support according to claim 1, wherein the socket and post are of rectangular cross section.

is

3. A post support according to claim 2, further comprising two inserts, one on each of two adjacent sides of the rectangle.

4. A post support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each insert has at least one sharp edge projecting, in use, towards the post and intended to cut into the surf ace of the post upon driving in of the insert.

5. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert is of channel section to provide two spaced sharp edges.

6. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert forms a wedge over at least part of its length to facilitate insertion between the post and the socket wall.

7. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two adjacent faces of the socket are fitted with vertical grooves or guides, spaced to guide the insert in a vertical direction.

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8. A post support according to claim 7, wherein the grooves are pressed integrally with the socket.

9. A post support according to claim 7, wherein the guides are separate components fixed to the two adjacent inside faces of the socket.

10. A post support according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein one or more of the adjacent faces containing the grooves or guides are cambered in towards the post.

11. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more inserts have a return area of metal at a top edge.

12. A post support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or more inserts have one or more ribs formed at a top edge.

13. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert has barbs or saw tooth shaped cuts to prevent vertical uplift of the insert when it is in use.

14. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket and/or the insert have holes through which nails or screws can be driven into the post.

15. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket has one or more raised ribs which, in use, run horizontally along all four sides of the socket.

16. A post support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket has a spike welded to the base of the socket and which has chamferred corners to allow drainage of moisture from the socket.

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17. A post support according to claim 16, wherein the spike, incorporates an upwardly protruding shape which passes through an aperture in the base portion of the socket. 5