GB2493032A

GB2493032A - Adjustable tilt and angle fence post support

Info

Publication number: GB2493032A
Application number: GB201115067A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ian Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-22
Filing date: 2011-09-01
Publication date: 2013-01-23
Also published as: GB201115067D0; GB201112596D0

Abstract

An adjustable fence post support comprises a base [1] securable in or to a ground surface, a socket [6] for receiving the lower end of a post [7], and adÂjustable fastening means [3,4] connecting the socket [6] to the base [1], the fasÂtening means [3,4] providing for tilting of the socket [6] about first and second axes, whereby to facilitate adjustment to the vertical of a post [7] inserted into the socket [6]. The fastening means may comprise bolts connecting the base to the socket so that a base of the socket is clamped between clamping plates secured by nuts on the bolts. The base of the socket may comprise holes of greater diameter than the bolts to allow for the adjustment or may comprise a circular hole in the centre of the socket base allowing for the adjustment. Alternatively the base is connected to the socket by a ball joint arrangement.

Description

ADJUSTABLE FENCE POST SUPPORT

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an adjustable fence post support.

Background to the Invention

Fence posts have been used to provide solid supports for fencing panels for many years. A fence post is typically of square cross-section and extends in a vertical direction abutted against and fixed to the fence panel it is to support.

Generally manufactured from wood, concrete or plastic, fence posts gain their stability and strength by being secured in or to a ground surface.

Supports for fence posts are in common use. Basic designs consist of a spike and post holder, the spike being pressed, inserted or planted in the ground by mechanical means. It is known for fence post supports to be provided in one or more pieces. EF2267224A2 for example, discloses a fence post sup-port comprising a spike which is embedded into the ground such that an upper horizontal plate is at approximately ground level. A socket bolts to said horizon-tal plate providing an advantage in that the fence post is secured above ground level. This may effectively prolong the life of the fence post as it will be less like-ly to rot at its base.

It is important that fence posts are aligned such that they are substantial-ly vertical and in line with all other fence posts in the installation. Slight errors in alignment of one or more fence posts can result in a significant degree of mis-alignment in the installed fence panels. Installing fence posts so that they are aligned as accurately as possible generally requires specialist equipment and skilled workers. It is a very difficult task for an unskilled person to perform satis-factorily and as such can result in the fence post support being removed and reinserted into the ground several times before satisfactory alignment is achieved.

GB2248643A has gone some way to alleviating the problems encoun- tered when installing fence post supports. A two piece fence post support is dis-closed having a spike embedded into the ground leaving an integral top plate exposed approximately at ground level to which a socket attaches. The socket has a corresponding integral bottom plate having two bolt holes on opposite sides of the plate. These bolt holes line up approximately with the centre points of two crescent moon shaped cut outs in the integral top plate attached to the spike.

Such a fixing orientation allows adjustment around a vertical or y axis, enabling the fence post to be angularly rotated around a single axis. While this undoubtedly will help, GB2248643A does not solve the problem of adjustability of fence posts around either the x or z axis.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided an adjustable fence post support, comprising a base securable in or to a ground surface, a socket for re-ceiving the lower end of a post, and adjustable fastening means connecting the socket to the base, the fastening means providing for tilting of the socket about first and second axes, whereby to facilitate adjustment to the vertical of a post inserted into the socket.

The base will preferably have a plurality of adjustable fasteners fixed to an integral top plate, such as bolts, connectable to the socket by clamping means. The socket will be adjustable relative to the base, the socket having a limited degree of rotation around each axis.

By providing independent adjustment of the socket, the angle or position of the base is largely irrelevant as the socket can easily be adjusted in any di-rection after positioning of the base. This will permit satisfactory alignment of fence posts and will make what is traditionally a labour and time intensive task far more efficient.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the adjustable fence post support.

Figure 2 shows a corresponding side elevation of the view in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of a second embodiment.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a third embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Referring first to Figure 1, a spiked member 1, preferably constructed from metal, is provided to embed into the ground or other suitable surface. The spiked member 1 may be embedded into firm ground or alternatively into con-crete in the case of unsuitable ground thus providing the necessary support to withstand commonly encountered environmental conditions.

The spiked member 1 is provided with an integral top plate 2, to which is welded one or more bolts 3. Four bolts 3 are shown on the highlighted embodi-ment. Respective nuts 4 are wound onto each bolt 3 prior to sliding a clamping plate 5 containing four holes over the bolts 3. The clamping plate 5 sits on the upper faces of the nuts 4.

A retaining member 6 preferably constructed from metal and forming a shape closely corresponding to the circumferential shape of fence post 7 to be installed, has an integral bottom plate 8 and an open top face 9 permitting said retaining member 6 to be slid over the bolts 4 and a fence post to be retained and engaged by said retaining member. The integral bottom plate 8 has one or more holes lined up concentrically with the holes in the integral top plate 2 of the spiked member 1 but of greater diameter to allow the bolts 4 to pass through unobstructed and permit rotation of the retaining member around a ver-tical axis relative to the spiked member.

A second clamping plate 10, identical to that located underneath the socket 6 is provided and slid over the bolts 3, the bottom face of the second clamping plate 10 rests against the top face of the integral bottom plate 8 of the retaining member 6. Four nuts 11 are finally screwed on to the bolts 3 thus clamping the second clamping plate 10 against the retaining member 6 causing a solid interface between the retaining member 6 and the spiked member 1.

The angular orientation of the retaining member 6 can be adjusted rela-tive to the spiked member 1 via the use of common hand tools, specifically a spanner. The nuts 4 between the spiked member 1 and the retaining member 6 can be adjusted such that level of each corner of the retaining member 6 can be adjusted. This serves to alter the angle of the retaining member 6 around x and z axis. The retaining member 6 can additionally be angularly adjusted around a y axis by simply rotating it with the nuts 11 loosened.

The provision of the four oversized concentric holes allows for a degree of adjustment to permit the angular adjustment of the retaining member 6 rela-tive to the spiked member 1 around a y axis. Rotation of the fence post 7 around a vertical axis is not required in the case of a fence post of circular cross section.

It will be appreciated that the retaining member 6 could be any shape, for example, square, rectangular or circle. Alternatively it could be profiled into var- ious sections such as but not limited to T and H sections. It will further be ap-preciated that while both the spiked member 1 and retaining member 6 are preferably constructed from metal, any other suitable material could be used.

After the retaining member 6 has been attached to the spiked member 1, a fence post 7 is inserted into the retaining member 6 and secured by one or more screws (not shown) driven into the fence post through holes provided in the sides of the retaining member 6 (not shown).

The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail but any other suitable form of fastener which enables adjustment of the retain-ing member relative to the spiked member could be used.

Referring to Figure 2, a side elevation corresponding to the exploded view in Figure 1 is shown.

Referring to Figure 3, a side elevation of an alternative embodiment is shown wherein, a ball 12 and socket 13 arrangement is provided to offer flexible means of adjustment. The ball 12 is fixed to the integral top plate 2 of the spiked member 1 and engages into a socket portion 13 fixed to the integral bottom plate 8 of the retaining member 6. Such an arrangement offers a significantly improved range of motion over the preferred embodiment. Once the fence post 7 is in the desired position, the fence post support can be locked so as to pre-vent movement of the fence post 7. Locking would occur by bolting through from the retaining member 6, through the ball joint 12,13 arrangement into the spiked member 1.

Referring to Figure 4, another embodiment is shown providing 360 de- gree rotation around a vertical axis. The retaining member 14 has a circular cut- out 15 in the base 16 sized to surround each of the adjustable fasteners 3, ena-bling free rotation around the vertical axis. A circular clamping plate 17 sized slightly larger than the circular cut out 15 is provided which clamps the retaining member 14 in position when the top nuts 11 are tightened. The circular clamp- ing plate 17 has a series of holes concentric to but significantly greater in diam-eter than the adjustable fasteners 3. Washers 18 are then placed over the holes prior to tightening the top nuts 11.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. An adjustable fence post support, comprising a base securable in or to a ground surface, a socket for receiving the lower end of a post, and ad-justable fastening means connecting the socket to the base, the fastening means providing for tilting of the socket about first and second axes, whereby to facilitate adjustment to the vertical of a post inserted into the socket.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. An adjustable fence post support according to Claim 1, wherein adjustment means are provided for rotating the socket around a third axis, whereby to facilitate rotational adjustment of a post around a vertical axis.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An adjustable fence post support according to Claim 1, wherein the base comprises a spike adapted to be driven into the ground.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An adjustable fence post support according to any previous claim, wherein the socket is of hollow cross-section to receive and retain a fence post.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An adjustable fence post support according to any preceding claim, wherein said base is connected to said socket, by one or more bolts, clamping said socket between first and second plates secured by one or more nuts below said first plate and one or more nuts above said second plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An adjustable fence post support according to any preceding claim, wherein said base is connected to said socket, by a ball joint arrange-ment, whereby one part is fixed to said base and the other part is fixed to said socket, one part engaging in to the other, providing angular adjustment around all three axes.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. An adjustable fence post support according to Claim 2, wherein said adjustment means comprise one or more holes in the socket base, concen- tric to but of significantly greater diameter than the adjustment fasteners clamp-ing said socket in to position.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. An adjustable fence post support according to Claim 2, wherein said adjustment means comprise a circular hole in the socket base, centrally located and sized to encompass each of said adjustment means, providing 360 degree rotation around a vertical axis.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. An adjustable fence post support according to any preceding claim, constructed substantially from metal.</claim-text>