GB2381278A

GB2381278A - A post base

Info

Publication number: GB2381278A
Application number: GB0125693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Malcolm Davey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-26
Filing date: 2001-10-26
Publication date: 2003-04-30
Also published as: GB0125693D0

Abstract

A post base has a fixing member 2 adapted to be anchored in the ground. A socket 1, adapted to receive a post, is provided a the uppermost end of the post base. The fixing member 2 comprises a hollow cylindrical tube 3 having a screw thread on its surface. The screw thread may be formed by annular discs 4 having radially extending openings.

Description

DESCRIPTION A GROUND ANCHOR The present invention relates to a ground anchor and more especially, but not exclusively, to a post support which can be used to provide secure anchorage in soil and other soft substrates.

Known post supports comprise a socket and a spike which extends from the rear of the socket. In use the spiked end of the post support is driven into the ground using a hammer or mallet to leave the socket standing upright in the surface. A post is then inserted into socket. The post may be secured in the socket by dimensioning the socket so that it forms a friction fit with the end of the post, or by providing clamps in the side of the socket which can be tightened onto the end of the post.

This type of post support is specifically intended for use in soil and other soft substrates into which the spike can easily be driven. Whilst it is of simple design and easy to use there are two problems associated with it.

Firstly, because it relies merely on the spike penetrating into the ground to secure it, it is very vulnerable to movement and slippage in very soft, open ground.

As a consequence of this there may be a tendency over time for the post support to twist in the ground and even to tilt under the weight of the post and the load supported by it. In this regard it must be born in mind that posts are typically used to support fences and other larges structures, and these can, when the wind blows, apply considerable leverage forces on the spike in the ground. In an attempt to

another along the tube 3. The result of this is that the annular discs form a noncontinuous screw thread from the bottom end of the tube 3 to the top end thereof.

In use, the post support is screwed into the ground using a special tool 5.

This tool 5 comprises a socket 6 which fits onto the socket 1 of the post support and a pair of handles 7 which allow the socket 6 to turn the post support and thereby screw the fixing member 2 into the ground. Referring to Fig 2, the post support is shown with the fixing member 2 screwed into the ground and a metal box section post 8 inserted into the socket 1 thereof. It may be noted the post 8 is secured in the socket 1 by tightening a fixing bolt 9 in the side thereof.

The fixing member of the post support according to the present invention provides secure anchorage in even soft and relatively loose ground by reason of the combined action of the tube 3 and the spaced discs 4. In this regard, as the fixing member is screwed into the ground soil is driven into the tube 3 providing ballast, and soil is compressed between each adjacent pair of discs 4 which greatly increases the soil stability in the immediate vicinity of the fixing member. It is worth noting here that by interrupting the screw thread at points along the length of the fixing member soil is trapped in the intervals rather than being carried up the screw thread.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention each disc 4 may be welded to the tube 3 such that the radially extending opening therein lies on the opposite side of the tube 3 from its immediate neighbour or neighbours. This provides extra anchorage as where the ring gaps are is also the point of tightest

intervals along the length of the rod, each disc having a radially extending opening in the side thereof and each end of the disc about the said opening being secured to the rod at a point displaced along its length from the other.

Each disc may be secured to the rod such that the radially extending opening therein lies on the opposite side of the tube from its immediate neighbour or neighbours.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the ground anchor is provided with a socket at the uppermost end thereof adapted to receive a post.

Alternatively, the post may be formed integrally with the ground anchor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 shows a post support according to the present invention and a special tool which facilitates screwing the post support into the ground; and Fig 2 shows the post support of Fig I after it has been screwed into the ground and carrying a post.

Referring to Fig 1 of the drawings there is shown a post support comprising a socket I adapted to receive the end of a post (as shown in Fig 2) and a fixing member 2 extending from the bottom of the socket 1. The fixing member 2 comprises a hollow cylindrical tube 3 which is open at its lowermost end and a plurality of open annular discs 4 which are welded at spaced intervals onto the tube 3. It will be seen that each of the annular discs 4 is opened along an extending radial line and that the ends of the disc about this line are displaced relative to one

CLAIMS 1. A ground anchor having a fixing member adapted to be anchored in the ground, the fixing member comprising a hollow cylindrical tube having a screw thread on its outer surface.

2. A ground anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screw thread extends from the lowermost end of the tube to the uppermost end thereof.

3. A ground anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screw thread is interrupted at intervals along the length of the tube.

4. A ground anchor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the non-continuous screw thread is formed by annular discs which are mounted co-axially and at spaced intervals along the length of the rod, each disc having a radially extending opening in the side thereof and each end of the disc about the said opening being secured to the rod at a point displaced along its length from the other.

5. A ground anchor as claimed in claim 4, wherein each disc is secured to the rod such that the radially extending opening therein lies on the opposite side of the tube from its immediate neighbour or neighbours.

6. A ground anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ground anchor is provided with a socket at the uppermost end thereof adapted to receive a post.

7. A ground anchor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the post is formed integrally with the ground anchor.

8. A ground anchor substantially as hereinbefore described with

anchorage in the soil and having these alternating on opposite sides of the fixing member ensures that this anchorage is distributed down both sides of the fixing member.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a continuous screw thread may be provided along the length of the hollow tube.

Whilst the present invention has been described with reference to a post support comprising a socket adapted to receive a post it will be understood that the post may be integrally formed with the fixing member attached to the lower end thereof.

The ground anchor in accordance with the present invention can be used to support a wide variety of posts including fence posts, goal posts, play equipment posts and the like. Of course, it is not limited to supporting posts. By providing alternative fixing means at the uppermost end thereof, such as an eye or hook it can be used to secure guy ropes and the like.

Claims

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reference to the accompanying drawings.