GB2398099A

GB2398099A - Drive tool for fence post bases

Info

Publication number: GB2398099A
Application number: GB0302652A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Hutton
Original assignee: Expanded Metal Co Ltd
Current assignee: Expanded Metal Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-05
Filing date: 2003-02-05
Publication date: 2004-08-11
Also published as: GB0302652D0

Abstract

A drive tool 10 for fence construction (e.g for driving in fence post bases) comprises a rigid elongate body 11 which has a pair of arms 14 integrally formed with and adjacent one end 13 of the body. The tool may have one or more longitudinal recesses 16 extending along the body and the arms may be tapered away from the body.

Description

DRIVE TOOL

This invention relates to a drive tool and, in particular, to a drive tool which can be utilised in the construction of fencing and the like to facilitate the insertion of post holders into the ground.

Typically, when constructing garden fencing and the like, it is necessary to insert fence post holders into the ground in order to support the fence posts which, subsequently, support the fence panels or other types of fencing. Most fence posts are substantially square or rectangular in cross-section and, accordingly, the fence post holders are provided, at their upper end, with a correspondingly shaped hollow box into which the fence post can be inserted and, in use, firmly held in place. In order to insert the fence post holders into the ground prior to the insertion of the fence posts, a drive tool is typically inserted into the hollow box section at the upper end of the fence post holder and a force is applied repeatedly to the upper surface of the drive tool.

Typically, a drive tool comprises a solid, substantially cuboid body, around one end of which a pair of arms are provided, typically by means of folding an elongate cylinder of metal around the outer surface of the solid body. The arms extend in opposite directions from opposite faces of the body. The arms provide a simple means for removing the drive tool from a fence post holder and adjusting the vertical alignment of the fence post holder during driving into the ground.

However, as the arms are held in place only by the frictional force between the metal cylinder folded around the outer surface of the body and the body itself, it is known for the arms to become detached from the body, for example when a user inadvertently hits the arms rather than the body, or even when the drive tool is dropped on to a hard surface.

A further disadvantage of known drive tools is that they are relatively heavy compared to their size, as their construction material is relatively dense.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to overcome the problems associated with known drive tools.

According to the present invention, there is provided a drive tool for use in the construction of fencing, the drive tool comprising: a rigid elongate body; and a pair of arms integrally formed with, and adjacent one end of, the body.

The integral arms means that the drive tool of the present invention does not suffer from the problems associated with known devices, as the arms cannot be inadvertently displaced.

The body of the drive tool may be formed with a longitudinal recess extending from one end of the body. One advantage of the recess within the main body is that less material is utilised during the formation of the drive tool, thereby reducing the cost and weight of the finished product.

The recess may extend from one end of the body to the other end, thereby fomming a bore.

The recess may be substantially circular in cross section or, altematively, may take any other suitable shape.

A plurality of recesses may be provided in the body.

The recesses may be arranged with one recess surrounded by a plurality of other recesses.

Each arm may be tapered away from the body.

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A, B and C are front elevation, side elevation and top plan views of one example of the present invention; Figures 2A, B and C are front elevation, side elevation and bottom plan views of another example of the present invention; Figure 3 is a bottom view of a third example of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a bottom view of a further example of the present invention.

Figures 1A, B and C show a first example of a drive tool 10 according to the present invention. The drive tool 10 comprises a main body 11, at the upper end of which are formed a pair of arms 12 extending away from the upper end 13 of the body 11. The arms 12 are formed integrally with the body 11 and are tapered away from the body, both on the underside 14 and the sides 15.

The body 11 is provided with a number of recesses 16, in this example of rectangular cross-section, which extend from the lower end 17 of the body 11. In this example, the recesses 16 are arranged in each comer of the body 11.

Although the body 11 is shown having a substantially square or rectangular cross section, it is envisaged that any shape which allows the drive tool to be inserted into a fence post support could be used.

A second example of a drive tool 20 is shown in Figures 2A, B and C and comprises a main body 21 and a pair of arms 22 extending away from the upper end 23 of the main body 21. In this example, the amms 22 are tapered away from the main body 21 only on the underside 24. In this example, no recesses are provided within the main body 21, although they could be incorporated if desired.

Figure 3 shows a further example of a drive tool 30 having amms 31 extending from the main body 32. The main body 32 is provided with four curved recesses 33 surrounding a central circular recess 34.

Figure 4 shows a further example of a drive tool 40 having a main body 41 and arms 42 extending away from the main body. Four recesses 43 which may be tapered, surround a smaller, circular central recess 44, which also may be tapered.

Claims

1. A drive tool for use in the construction of fencing, the drive tool comprising: a rigid elongate body; and a pair of arms integrally formed with, and adjacent one end of, the body.

2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the body of the drive tool is formed with a longitudinal recess extending from one end of the body.

3. A tool according to claim 2, wherein the recess extends from one end of the body to the other end.

4. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recesses are substantially circular in cross section.

5. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of recesses are provided in the body.

6. A tool according to claim 5, wherein the recesses are arranged with one recess surrounded by a plurality of other recesses.

7. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each arm is tapered away from the body.

8. A tool according to claim 1, wherein no recesses are provided in the main body.

9. A tool, substantially as described with reference to the accompany drawings.