GB2366306A

GB2366306A - Post base

Info

Publication number: GB2366306A
Application number: GB0117458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary James Aronsson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-26
Filing date: 2001-07-18
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0117458D0; GB0018213D0

Abstract

A ground support 1 for a post has a container 2 having an open end 2A to receive a post and an opposing base 2A. A screw type shaft 3 extends from the container base 2A. The support 1 is inserted into the ground by rotating the shaft 3 so that it screws into the ground. An optional flange in the form of disc 4 may give support to container 2, with wall 5 receiving the container 2.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> "Title: Post Ground supaort The present invention relates to a ground support for a post such as a fence post. and also for a tool to insert the support into the ground.

When erecting posts 1::: .:.rib i"hulitlo, ii is kJluWll io use supports of the type which have a metal spin, A tending from metal box. In order to erect the post, the support is knocked into the ground usii qL a sledge hammer or the like until the box is adjacent the ground, and the post iris#:rted into the box. Often bolts are used to tighten the box around the post base. Plus can be difficult for persons working on their own and also for the elderly 5 r those with restricted movement and/or strength. Also %.vhilst the spike holds the post "yell in turn ground, it is not ahvays securely supported in weak soil, e.g. a sandy soil.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the pre-,,exit invention there is provided a ground support for a post cdrnprising: a) a container hay ing an open end to receive a post anti an opposing base, and b) a screw type shaft extending from the container base, said support being inserted into the ground by rotatil)g the shaft so that it screws into the ground.

The shaft may be a tapered spike with a screw thread on the outside of the spike. The screw tlu-ead may be formed from plastics such as nylon. The screw thread may be continuous or in the form of a series of propellers. The spike may of plastics material, and may be a hollow spike with a metal former therein to give added strength.

Alternatively the shaft may be a rod wound in a spiral.

A flange may be provided adjacent the container base so as to support the container.

The invention also relates to a tool for inserting the above defined support into the ground, said tool comprising a tool head for insertion into the container, and a lever connected to the tool head such that the lever extends radially outward when the tool head is in the container, whereby the lever can be used to rotate the support to wind it into the ground.

The lever may be connected to the tool head by a ratchet system.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view of one embodiment.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a ground support 1 for a post (not shown). Support I comprises a metal box container 2 having an open end 2A to receive the post and an opposing base 2B. Container 2 has a slot 2C which can be closed by bolts 2D to clamp a post in the container (such a construction of a slot and bolts is well known in the ail).

A screw type shaft 3 extends downwards front the container base 2B. Shaft 3 has a hollow plastic tapered spike 3A with a wide plastic screw thread 3B formed on the outer surface thereof. The hollow spike 3A may include a metal former to give it added strength. Any suitable plastic may be used, e.g. nylon.

A disc 4 is provided with a square shaped aperture 4A in the centre thereof. Extending from the perimeter of the aperture 4A is square wall 5. Wall 5 is of a size to receive the container 2 and may include a slot 5A to acconunodate bolts 2C,2D. Wall 5 may further comprise reinforcing flanges 5B.

Support 1 is inserted into the ground by rotating the shaft 3 so that it screws into the ground. The disc 4 rests on the ground and container 2 rests in square wall 5.1 'he disc 4 serves a flange adjacent the container base to give added lateral strength to the support 1 including the container

In order to drive the support into the ground a special tool 6 may be used. Tool 6 includes a square tool head 6A which can be inserted into the container 2 through open end 2A. A lever 6C is connected to the tool head through a ratchet 6B. Lever 6C extends radially outward from the tool head so that reciprocal movement of the lever can be used to rotate the support 1 and wind it into the ground. The use of the tool 6 means that a person can wind the support 1 into the ground without changing position.

In use the support is inserted into the ground and a post put into the container 2. Fencing panels or the like can then be mounted between the posts as is well known in the art. It is envisaged that supports f could be purchased on their own and disc 4 purchased only for soil which is loose and without strength.

The invention may take a form different from that specifically described above. For example the thread 3B could be a series of propellers rather than a continuous thread. Alternatively the screw type shaft may be a metal rod wound in a spiral. The flange could be fixed to the support 1 (e.g. bonded to the container 2). The screw type shaft may be varied both in type and size for different types of soil conditions.

The support of the invention play be made of any suitable size for different types of posts.

It is also envisaged that the ground support device of the invention could be inserted into the ground by a machine. e.g. an attachment to a mini-digger or JCB. The ground support device could be used to support posts other than fence posts, e.g. street furniture with posts such as bus stops, signs, bus shelters, and post boxes. This would obviate the need for concrete foundations. In this respect the ground support of the invention would be produced in a size to suit a given application.

It will be appreciated that the use of a screw type shaft (rather than the spike used with known types of ground supports) allows the ground support to be easily inserted and removed, and to adjust the depth of penetration into the ground ver < # precisely. One benefit of this is for the erection of fences which can easily be removed, e.g. for outdoor events like pop concerts.

4Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A ground support for a post comprising: a) a container having an open end to receive a post and an opposing base, and b) a screw type shaft extending from the container base, said support being inserted into the ground by rotating the shaft so that it screws into the ground.
2. A ground support for a post according to claim 1, wherein the shaft may be a tapered spike with a screw thread on the outside of the spike.
3. A ground support for a post according to claim 2, wherein the screw thread is formed from plastics such as nylon.
4. A ground support for a post according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the screw thread is continuous.
5. A ground support for a post according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the screw thread is in the form of a series of propellers.
6. A ground support for a post according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the spike may of plastics material.
7. A around support for a post according to claim 6, wherein the plastics spike is hollow with a metal former therein to give added strength.

<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
8. A ground support for a post according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is a rod wound in a spiral. 9 A ground support for a post according to any preceding claim, fturther comprising a flange adjacent the container base so as to support the container. 10. A ground support for a post according to claim 9 wherein the flange is a disc with a wall to receive the container. 11. A tool for inserting into the ground a ground support according to any preceding claim, said tool comprising a tool head for insertion into the container, and a lever connected to the tool head such that the lever extends radially outward when the tool head is in the container, whereby the lever can be used to rotate the support to wind it into the ground. 12 A tool according to claim 11, wherein the lever may be connected to the tool head by a ratchet svstein. 13. A ground support for a post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 14. A tool for inserting a ground support into the ground substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.