GB2380208A

GB2380208A - Temporary post system

Info

Publication number: GB2380208A
Application number: GB0123443A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Malcolm Dickenson; Thomas Ollier
Original assignee: COUNTRY POST Co Ltd
Current assignee: COUNTRY POST Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-01
Filing date: 2001-10-01
Publication date: 2003-04-02
Also published as: GB2380208A9; GB0123443D0

Abstract

A temporary post system comprises a plurality of post members (1), a plurality of post support members (11) and link means (22, 23, 24 in Fig 5) releasably connectible between adjacent post members (1) in which system each support member (11) comprises an elongated support rod (12) temporarily yet firmly mountable in or on a post bearing surface with each post member (1) being designed to fit lengthwise over an associated post support member (11) in a non-rotational manner. The temporary post system can be adapted for mounting on penetrable soft surfaces or non-penetrable hard surfaces.

Description

TEMPORARY POST SYSTEM This invention relates to a temporary post system which is easily erectable, easily removable, reusable and also is aesthetically appealing.

There is a constant need for temporary post systems for use both on soft surfaces such as grass surfaces and also on hard surfaces such as wood or concrete.

Temporary post systems are frequently required at open air events such as agricultural shows, flower shows, sports events and weddings. A major disadvantage of many existing temporary post systems is that their design is such that they cause inconvenient and unsightly disturbance of the soil on which they are mounted.

Temporary post systems also are frequently used on hard surfaces such as in car show rooms. A disadvantage of many temporary floor systems is that they can damage the hard surfaces on which they are mounted.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a temporary post system for use on soft surfaces such as soil and which causes minor disturbance of the soil when the post system is installed and removed.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a temporary post system for use on hard surfaces such as wood or concrete and which does not damage the hard surface on which it is mounted.

Another disadvantage of many existing temporary post systems is that they are of mundane unattractive design.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a temporary post system of attractive design suited to the event or location at which it is to be used and which enhances the site on which it is used.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary post system comprising (i) a plurality of post members, (it) a plurality of post support members and (iii) link means releasably connectible between adjacent post members in which system each post support member comprises an elongated support rod temporarily yet firmly mountable in or on a post bearing surface with each post member being designed to fit lengthwise over an associated post support member in a non-rotational manner.

Conveniently, each elongated support rod is pointed or tapered at one end for easy penetration into soft ground.

Preferably, each elongated support rod is provided with a ground level marker located at a distance from its pointed or tapered end so as to indicate the depth to which the rod has to penetrate into soft ground to enable the rod to stand rigidly upright in a vertical position.

Further preferably, each elongated support rod is provided near its top end with means for facilitating withdrawal of the rod from the ground Suitably, the elongated support rod is provided at its top end with means for stopping spreading of the top end when the rod is hammered into the ground.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the elongated support rod is provided at its lower end with a horizontally disposed plate enabling the rod to stand firmly on a hard surface in an upright vertical position.

Conveniently, the horizontal plate is provided on its underface with means for preventing slippage of the plate on a hard surface.

Each post member preferably comprises a hollow tube.

Preferably, each hollow tube is fitted internally with one or more wedge sections each of which is provided with a central aperture of non-circular cross-section and dimensioned so as to allow the hollow tube to slide downwards over the elongated

support rod until the lower end of the hollow tube makes contact with the surface on which the elongated support rod is mounted.

Alternatively, each post member is of solid construction and is provided with a longitudinal axial slot which is shaped and dimensioned to allow the post member to slide downwards over the elongated support rod until the lower end of the solid tube makes contact with the surface on which the elongated support rod is mounted.

Preferably, the post members are provided with a light reflecting surface, light reflectors or lighting means.

Further preferably, the link means disposed between adjacent post members fulfills a function for which the post is designed, e. g. information imparting means or a barrier fence.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, simply by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a temporary post system of the invention with a post member and a post support member suitable for installing on soft ground; Figure 2 is an exploded drawing of the post member shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a post support member which can be used for mounting the post system of the invention on hard surfaces; Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of the post system of the invention used as an information display unit; and Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of the post system of the invention used as a barrier.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a hollow post member 1 of elongated square cross-section tubular form is assembled from four sidewall sections 2, 3, 4 and 5. The post member 1 is fitted internally with two horizontally disposed wedges 6

and 7, each of which is provided with centrally located square apertures 8 and 9. The hollow post member 1 is fitted with a cap 10.

Figure 1 also shows a post support member 11 suitable for mounting on soft ground which consists of a square cross-section elongated support rod 12 of cross-sectional dimensions slightly less than those of apertures 8 and 9. The rod 12 has a tapered end 13 for easy penetration of rod 12 into soft ground with minor disturbance of the soil.

The support rod 12 is provided with a ground level indicator 14 which indicates the depth to which the rod 12 has to be sunk into the soil so as to enable the rod 12 to stand rigidly upright in a vertical position.

Each post member 1 and post support member 11 is installed as follows. The elongated support rod 12 is hammered into the soft ground until the ground level indicator 14 is level with the surface of the soft ground. The support rod 12 can be provided at its top end with means (not shown) for preventing spreading of the surface of the top end by repeated hammering on the top end as the rod 12 is installed from site to site. The means for preventing spreading of the top surface of the rod 12 could be a copper insert fitted with a nylon bush. Alternatively, a nylon hammer can be used to hammer the rod 12 into the ground.

Once the rod 12 has been mounted in a rigid upright vertical position on the soft ground, the post member I is lowered on to rod 12 with the apertures 8 and 9 engaging rod 12 until the post member 1 sits on the surface of the soft ground. The close fit of the rod 12 in the apertures 8 and 9 prevents the post member 1 from rotating on the rod 12. The final step in the erection of the temporary post system 1 is the fitting of cap 10.

The temporary post system is dismantled by lifting the post member 1 off rod 12 and then withdrawing rod 12 from the soft ground. The withdrawal of rod 12 can be facilitated by the provision of a hole 15 in the top end of rod 12, into which hole 15 can be inserted an appropriate withdrawal tool (not shown).

The above described embodiment of the invention allows the temporary post system to be installed without digging or boring large holes in the ground. The post members

1 and the support rods 12 can be easily removed for grass cutting or repositioning leaving only a small hole in the ground.

Referring now to Figure 3, a post support member 16 suitable for mounting on a hard surface consists of an elongated square cross-section support rod 17 which is provided at its lower end with a horizontally disposed ground plate 18 which serves to support the rod 17 in a firm upright vertical position on the hard surface. The ground plate 18 may be provided on its underface with means (e. g. ribs) (not shown) for preventing slippage of the ground plate 18 on the hard surface. The post member 1 is fitted on to and withdrawn from rod 17 as described above.

Figure 4 depicts the temporary post system of the invention being used as an information imparting medium. A display banner 19 is releasably connected to post members 20 and 21.

Figure 5 depicts the temporary post system of the invention being used as a fence or barrier. Chains 22,23 and 24 are releasably fitted between post members 25,26, 27 and 28. The chains may be replaced by ropes.

An important feature of the temporary post system of the invention is that the post members 1 preferably are non-rotationally fitted onto support rod members 12 (17).

This can be achieved by making the rod 12 and the wedge apertures 8 and 9 of noncircular cross-section, e. g. square, rectangle, hexagon. Alternatively, if the rod 12 (17) and the wedge apertures 8 and 9 are of circular cross-section, the post member 1 can be prevented from rotating on support rod 12 (17) by insertion of a locking pin through post member 1 and rod 12 (17).

The post members (1) may be provided with a light reflecting surface or may have light reflectors fitted to them. Alternatively, the post members (1) may be fitted with lights and an electricity supply.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the post members may be of solid construction and provided with a through going longitudinal axial slot of a

cross-section shape as previously described. The post members are slid onto support rods of cross-section similar to that of the longitudinal axial slots.

An important feature of the temporary post system of the invention is that the posts can be provided in a variety of designs, colours and finishes for enhancement of the ground lay-out of the site on which the systems are being used. For example, the posts can be provided in Greek or Roman classic design, Regency design, Tudor design or Church design with appropriately designed capping.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A temporary post system comprising (i) a plurality of post members, (ii) a plurality of post support members and (iii) link means releasably connectible between adjacent post members in which system each post support member comprises an elongated support rod temporarily yet firmly mountable in or on a post bearing surface with each post member being designed to fit lengthwise over an associated post support member in a non-rotational manner.
2. A post system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each elongated support rod is pointed or tapered at one end for easy penetration into soft ground.
3. A post system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each elongated support rod is provided with a ground level marker located at a distance from its pointed or tapered end so as to indicate the depth to which the rod has to penetrate into soft ground to enable the rod to stand rigidly upright in a vertical position.
4. A post system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each elongated support rod is provided near its top end with means for facilitating withdrawal of the rod from the ground.
5. A post system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rod withdrawal facilitating means consists of a hole penetrating into or through the rod for acceptance of a rod withdrawal facilitating tool.
6. A post system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongated support rod is provided at its top end with means for stopping

spreading of the top end when the rod is hammered into the ground.
7. A post system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongated support rod is provided at its lower end with a horizontally disposed plate enabling the rod to stand firmly on a hard surface in an upright vertical position.

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8. A post system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the horizontal plate is provided on its underface with means for preventing slippage of the plate on a hard surface.
9. A post system as claimed is any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongated post support rod is of non-circular cross-section.
10 A post system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each post member comprises an elongated hollow tube.
11. A post system as claimed in claim 10 wherein each hollow tube is fitted internally with one or more wedge sections each of which is provided with a central aperture of non-circular cross-section and dimensioned so as to allow the hollow tube to slide downwards over the elongated support rod until the lower end of the hollow tube makes contact with the surface on which the elongated support rod is mounted.
12. A post system is claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each post member is of solid construction and is provided with a longitudinal axial slot which is shaped and dimensioned to allow the post member to slide downwards over the elongated support rod until the lower end of the solid tube makes contact with the surface on which the elongated support rod is mounted.
13. A post system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the post member is non-rotationally locked on the elongated post support member by means of a locking-pin inserted through the post member and the post support member.
14. A post system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each post member is fitted with a decorative cap.

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15. A post system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the post members are provided with a light reflecting surface or light reflecting devices.
16. A post system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the post member are provided with lighting means.
17. A post system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the link means disposed between adjacent post members fulfills a function for which the post system is designed.
18. A post system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the link means is a fence or barrier.
19. A post system as claimed 17 wherein the link means is an information imparting means.
20. A temporary post system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.