GB2456761A - Post clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a post clamp comprising a rectangular clamp body or collar 12 supported on tour legs 14,16,18,20, which extend downwardly and radiate out from the four corners of the clamp body 12. The clamp body 12 is preferably in two halves 22,24, held together by removable pins 36 located in sleeves 32,34. The clamp body may also comprise a clamping means in the form of a threaded rod 40 with a handle 42 and pad (44, Figure 2) at its respective ends, engaged in a threaded boss 38 on the clamp body 12.

Description

Post clamp The present invention relates to a post clamp and particularly, but not exclusively, to a post clamp for holding fencing posts and gate posts.

When erecting fencing, be it wire fencing or wooden fencing, there is usually a need to secure a number of posts in the ground. Farm workers and fencing contractors typically utilise driving systems, for example tractor mounted driving systems, which are capable of driving a wooden post directly into the ground. However, such driving systems are not available to a person carrying out do-it-yourself fencing and cannot be used for erecting fencing in a position where there is restricted access. In these circumstances, it is usual to dig a hole in the ground to receive a post, to hold it in a desired position, generally vertical, and then to back-fill the hole around the base of the post with gravel or concrete, whilst holding the post as still as possible in the vertical position.

If working alone, it is difficult or substantially impossible to hold a post still in a vertical position, whilst at the same time back-filling around the base of the post.

It is an object of the invention to provide a post clamp which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a post clamp comprising a clamp body adapted to be temporarily fastened to a post and a plurality of leg members extending away from the clamp body in different directions, which in use, contact the ground around the post and hold the post in a substantially fixed position.

The post clamp has the advantage that it can be used to hold a post in position in a hole, while the hole around the base of the post is back-filled. The post clamp obviates the need for a second person to hold the post, whilst a first person back-fills the post. The post clamp can also be used to guide a post, whilst it is being hit into the ground with a hammer, for example, a sledge hammer. This is safer than the post being held by hand.

Preferably the clamp body is provided in first and second portions.

Preferably the first and second portions are substantially U-shaped.

Preferably sleeves are disposed on respective distal ends of the first and second portions of the clamp body, the sleeves being adapted to receive removable pins for securing the first and second portions together around a post.

The ability to assemble and dissemble the post clamp around a post facilitates convenient clamping of posts of various lengths and diameters.

Preferably a clamping member is mounted to the clamp body for securing the clamp body to a post passing through the clamp body.

Preferably the clamping member includes a screw thread in threaded engagement with the clamp body, and having a pad at an end thereof for clamping engagement with a post.

Preferably four legs extend from positions substantially equally spaced around the clamp body.

Preferably the clamp body is rectangular and the legs extend away from its corners.

The legs may extend at an angle of between 25° and 45° away from the clamp body.

Preferably the legs extend at an angle of 30° away from the clamp body.

Preferably the post clamp is made from metal or metal alloy.

Preferably the post clamp is made from galvanised steel.

Preferably the post clamp is made substantially from plastics coated steel.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a post clamp of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view from above of the post clamp of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the post clamp of Figure 1 in two parts to be assembled around a post.

Referring to Figure 1, a post clamp is indicated generally at 10. The post clamp 10 includes a rectangular clamp body or collar 12 supported on four legs 14,16,18,20, which extend downwardly and radiate from the four corners of the clamp body 12.

The legs extend down from the underside of the clamp body at an angle of around 300. The clamp body 12 has substantially identical first and second substantially U-shaped parts 22,24, which can be connected together. Each part 22,24 includes a first side member 26 and second and third side members 28,30, best seen in Figure 3. The second and third side members 28,30 are substantially half the length of the first side member 26 and extend perpendicularly from the respective ends of the first side member 26.

First and second sleeves 32,34 are disposed at respective distal ends of the second and third side members 28,30 of each part 22,24. The sleeves 32,34 extend vertically over half the depth of the parts 22,24 and are attached to the outer side of the parts 22,24.

The ends of the parts 22,24 are shaped to form half-lap joints when they are assembled together and the sleeves 32,34 are disposed on the half-laps. The first sleeve 32 at the end of the second side member 28 extends from the upper edge of the side member 28. The second sleeve 34 at the end of the third side member 30 extends from the lower edge of the side member 30. When the parts are assembled, the ends of the first sleeves 32 overlie the ends of the second sleeves 34 with the central axes of the sleeves in alignment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A pin 36 can then be inserted through each pair of aligned sleeves, to hold the parts 22,24 together. Each pin 36 has an enlarged head which rests on the upper end of each first sleeve. The pins 36 can be inserted and removed by hand, but are not loose in the sleeves 32,34.

Referring also to Figure 2, a clamping means includes an internally threaded boss 38 mounted mid-way along each first side member 26. A threaded rod 40 is screwed into the boss 38 and extends from either side of the boss, ie into the area bounded by the clamp body 12. A pad 44 is attached to the end of the threaded rod 40 within the area bounded by the clamp body 12 and a handle or knob 42 is attached to the other end of the threaded rod 40. A single clamp means is shown in Figure 2, but a further clamp means including a threaded rod 40, pad 44 and handle or knob 42 can optionally be provided with the boss 38 on the other part 24 of the clamp body 12.

The post clamp 1(1 is preferably made from plastics or powder coated steel, but may be made from galvanised steel or other material. Different models can be provided in different sizes, for example with clamp bodies having internal dimensions of around 127mm x 127mm (5" x 5"), 102mm x 102mm (4" x 4") and 76mm x 76mm (3" x 3").

In use, the post clamp 10 can hold a square, rectangular or circular cross-section post.

The post is located in a desired position and the post clamp assembled around the post by aligning the sleeves 32,34 of the two parts 22, 24 and inserting the pins 36. A post can be firmly or loosely clamped by the clamping means. When loosely gripped, a post can be hit with a hammer to drive the post into the ground. After the post has been secured, the post clamp 10 can be removed by taking out the pins, allowing the first and second parts 22,24 to separate. The post clamp 10 is ideally suited for use by do-it-yourself enthusiasts in the erection of fencing.

Claims (14)

1. A post clamp comprising a clamp body adapted to be temporarily fastened to a post and a plurality of leg members extending away from the clamp body in different directions, which in use, are adapted to contact the ground around the post and hold the clamp body and post in a substantially fixed position.

2. A post clamp as claimed in claim I, in which the clamp body is provided in first and second portions.

3. A post clamp as claimed in claim 2, in which the first and second portions are substantially U-shaped.

4. A post clamp as claimed in claim 3, in which sleeves are disposed on respective distal ends of the first and second portions of the clamp body, the sleeves being adapted to receive removable pins for securing the first and second portions together around a post.

5. A post clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which a clamping member is mounted to the clamp body for securing the clamp body to a post passing through the clamp body.

6. A post clamp as claimed in claim 5, in which the clamping member includes a screw thread in threaded engagement with the clamp body, and having a pad at an end thereof for clamping engagement with a post.

7. A post clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which four legs extend from positions substantially equally spaced around the clamp body.

8. A post clamp as claimed in claim 7, in which the clamp body is rectangular and the legs extend away from its corners.

9. A post clamp as claimed in claim 8, in which the legs extend at an angle of between 25° and 450 away from the clamp body.

10. A post clamp as claimed in claim 9, in which the legs extend at an angle of 300 away from the clamp body.

11. A post clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the post clamp is made from metal or metal alloy.

12. A post clamp as claimed in claim 11, in which the post clamp is made from galvanised steel. I0

13. A post clamp as claimed in claim 11, in which the post clamp is made substantially from plastics coated steel.

14. A post clamp substantially as claimed herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.