GB2453595A

GB2453595A - Protection apparatus for wooden post

Info

Publication number: GB2453595A
Application number: GB0720022A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Mcleod Gibb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-12
Filing date: 2007-10-12
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-12
Also published as: GB2453595B; GB0720022D0

Abstract

The wooden post protector, particularly for use with posts embedded in concrete, comprises a socket protector 36 to fit over the end 38 of the post 30 and a sleeve protector 40 to fit round the post at ground level 42, these components protect the post from rotting caused by moisture. Preferably the socket protector is a tube 44 that is closed at one end 46, open at the other 48 and has an outwardly extending base portion 50 with strengthening members 54. The sleeve protector may be a tube 56 that is open at both ends with protuberances 64 extending outward to enable the sleeve to key to the surrounding concrete. The sleeve protector may also have an aperture for receiving a nail or screw to secure it to the post and shelf members 74 attached to support part of a structure.

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE IN PROTECTING A

WOODEN POST FROM ROTTING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND

This invention relates to apparatus for use in protecting a wooden post and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for use in protecting a wooden post from rotting in a hole in the ground.

Wooden posts in holes in the ground are often secured in position with concrete. The wooden posts may be used for a variety of purposes including fencing, and parts of structures of various designs. Water seepage between the wooden post and the concrete causes the post to rot over a period of time. The post is particularly vulnerable to rotting at its end in the ground, and also at ground level.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in protecting a wooden post from rotting in a hole in the ground, which apparatus comprises a boot protector for fitting over an end of the post in the ground and for protecting the end of the post from rotting due to moisture, and a sleeve protector for fitting over the post at ground level and for protecting the post at ground level from rotting due to moisture.

The apparatus of the present invention is easily fitted to a wooden post. The apparatus of the present invention is also able to be produced in an inexpensive manner. Thus the apparatus provides an easily installed and inexpensive way of protecting a wooden post from rotting in its two most vulnerable areas, thereby substantially extending the life of the wooden post and any structure depending upon the integrity of the wooden post.

The apparatus may be one in which the boot protector comprises a tube which is closed at one end, and which is open at the other end to receive the end of the post.

The boot protector may have an outwardly extending base portion.

The outwardly extending base portion may help to provide stability for the wooden post when it is provided with the boot protector and it is installed in the hole in the ground, prior to concrete being poured into the hole in the ground. The outwardly extending base portion may also help the boot protector key to the concrete.

The boot protector may include strengthening members extending between the base portion and the tube. The strengthening members are preferably triangular members but other types of strengthening members may be employed.

The apparatus may be one in which the sleeve protector comprises a tube which is open at both ends to receive the post The sleeve protector may have keying means for enabling the sleeve protector to key to surrounding concrete. The keying means may be protuberances which extend outwardly from the sleeve protector.

The apparatus may be one in which the sleeve protector has securing means for securing the sleeve protector to the post at ground level. The securing means may comprise at least one aperture for receiving a nail or a screw for going into the post. Other types of securing means may be employed.

The sleeve protector may comprise support means for supporting part of a structure. Thus, for example, the support means may be for supporting boards forming part of a fence, or panels forming part of a wall of a shed, a wind break, a pergola or garden screen.

The support means may comprise at least one shelf member.

Preferably there are two of the shelf members. The Iwo shelf members may be in line with each other. The two shelf members in line with each other are thus able to support parts of a structure extending in a line with each other.

Alternatively, the two shelf members may be at right angles to each other. In this case, the two shelf members are able to support parts of a structure at right angles to each other.

Preferably, the boot protector and the sleeve protector are of a square cross section for receiving a post of square cross section. If desired however, the boot protector and the sleeve protector may be of other cross sectional shapes for receiving a post of a similar cross sectional shape. Thus, for example, the boot protector and the sleeve protector could be of circular cross section, for receiving a post of circular cross section.

The boot protector and the sleeve protector are preferably made of a plastics material. The plastics material may be injection moulded to form the boot protector and the sleeve protector. Any suitable and appropriate plastics material may be employed including, for example, polypropylene and polyethylene. Alternatively, the boot protector and the sleeve protector may be made of a metal. The metal may be a galvanized metal to protect against rusting. Alternatively, the metal may be aluminium or other metal that does not rust. The boot protector and the sleeve protector will usually be made of the same material but they may be made of different materials if desired.

The upper end of the boot protector and/or the upper end of the sleeve protector may be provided with a sealant for protection purposes. Any suitable sealant may be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows how a wooden post set in concrete in a hole in the ground tends to rot; Figure 2 shows first apparatus of the invention for use in protectirfg a wooden post from rotting in a hole in the ground; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a boot protector forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sleeve protector forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view like Figure 2 but shows second apparatus for use in protecting a wooden post from rotting in a hole in the ground; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sleeve protector used in the apparatus shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a perspective view like Figure 6 but shows a different type of sleeve protector for use in apparatus of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a wooden post 2 set in concrete 4 in a hole 6 in the ground 8. The post 2 is a fencing post and, by way of example, Figure 1 shows how the fencing may be fencing 10 formed of horizontal slats 12, or how the fencing may be fencing 14 formed of vertical slats 16 and a kickboard 18. Figure 1 also shows how moisture 20 causes an end 22 of the post in the ground to rot. Figure 1 further shows how moisture 24 causes a part 26 of the post 4 at ground level to rot.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show first apparatus 28 of the present invention.

More specifically, the apparatus 28 is for use in protecting a wooden post 30 from rotting in a hole 32 in the ground 34. The apparatus 28 comprises a boot protector 36 for fitting over an end 38 of the post 30 in the ground 34 and for protecting the end 38 of the post 30 from rotting due to moisture. The apparatus 28 also comprises a sleeve protector 40 for fitting over the post 30 at ground level 42 and for protecting the post 30 at ground level 42 from rotting due to moisture.

The boot protector 36 comprises a tube 44 which is closed at one end 46 and which is open at the other end 48 to receive the end 38 of the post 30.

The boot protector 36 also has an outwardly extending base portion 50. The base portion 50 gives the boot protector 36 stability when it is being set in the hole 32 in the ground 34, and before concrete 52 is poured into the hole 32.

Strengthening members 54 extend between the base portion 50 and the tube 44. The strengthening members 54 are triangular members as shown.

The base portion 50 and the strengthening members 54 also act to key the boot protector 36 to the concrete 52.

The sleeve protector 40 comprises a tube 56 which is open at both ends 58, 60 to receive the post 30.

The sleeve protector 40 has keying means 62 for enabling the sleeve protector 40 to key to the surrounding concrete 52. The keying means 62 are protuberances 64 which are arranged in a ring around the tube 56.

As shown in Figure 2, the post 30 is a fence post supporting horizontal rails 66.

As shown in Figure 4, the sleeve protector 40 is such that the tube 56 is provided with securing means in the form of two oppositely positioned apertures 68 for receiving screws 70 for securing the sleeve protector 40 to the post 30 at a desired position at ground level.

Figure 5 is a view like Figure 2 but shows second apparatus 72. The apparatus 72 is like the apparatus 28 and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The post 30 shown in Figure 5 is shown for illustrative purposes as supporting fence structures of the type shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 5, the sleeve protector 40 is shown provided with support means 74 for supporting part of a structure formed by the fencing 10 or the fencing 14.

Figure 6 shows the support means 74 in detail. The support means 74 comprises a shelf member 76, and a strengthening member 78 which strengthens the shelf member 76 in its position on the outside of the tube 56.

There are two of the shelf members 76 and these two shelf members 76 are in line with each other as can be seen from Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 7 shows the sleeve protector 80 which is like the sleeve protector 40. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 7, it will be seen that the sleeve protector 80 is such that the support means 74 with their shelf members 76 are arranged at right angles to each other. The apertures 68 are also in two sides of the tube 56 at right angles to each other. Thus the sleeve protector 80 is able to be used for fencing or other structural runs extending at right angles to each other, whereas the sleeve protector 40 is used for fencing or other structural runs that are in line with each other.

The upper end 48 of the boot protector 36 and the upper end 60 of the sleeve protector 40 may be provided with a sealant, for example when the post 30 is in position. The sealant helps to protect the post 30 from water that would otherwise get between the post 30, the boot protector 36 and the sleeve protector 40.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the illustrated boot protectors and sleeve protectors are of square cross section for receiving posts of square cross section. The boot protectors and sleeve protectors could be of other cross sectional shapes, for example circular, for receiving posts of corresponding cross sectional shapes. Other types of keying means to the illustrated keying means 62 may be employed.

Similarly, other types of support means to the illustrated support means 74 may be employed. The apparatus of the present invention may be used with a wide variety of structures including wall sections for structures such for example as sheds, wind breaks, pergolas and garden screens.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in protecting a wooden post from rotting in a hole in the ground, which apparatus comprises a boot protector for fitting over an end of the post in the ground and for protecting the end of the post from rotting due to moisture, and a sleeve protector for fitting over the post at ground level and for protecting the post at ground level from rotting due to moisture.

2. Apparatus according to claim I in which the boot protector comprises a tube which is closed at one end, and which is open at the other end to receive the end of the post.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the boot protector has an outwardly extending base portion.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 and including strengthening members extending between the base portion and the tube.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the strengthening members are triangular members. * . ****

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeve protector comprises a tube which is open at both ends to receive the post.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeve protector has keying means for enabling the sleeve protector to key to surrounding concrete.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the keying means are protuberarices which extend outwardly from the sleeve protector.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeve protector has securing means for securing the sleeve protector to the post at ground level.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the securing means comprises at least one aperture for receiving a nail or a screw for going into the post.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeve protector comprises support means for supporting part of a structure.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the support means is at least one shelf member. * ** * * * * ** S.. * a

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which there are two of the shelf * . S...

members.

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14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the two shelf members are in line with each other.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the two shelf members are at right angles to each other.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the boot protector and the sleeve protector are of square cross section for receiving a post of square cross section.

17. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the boot protector and the sleeve protector are made of a plastics material or a metal.

18. Apparatus for use in protecting a wooden post from rotting a hole in the ground, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * ** * S * ** S... * * *..S * * S...

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