US2901789A

US2901789A - Pocket ground screw

Info

Publication number: US2901789A
Application number: US406791A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry S Frank
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-01-28
Filing date: 1954-01-28
Publication date: 1959-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-01

Description

Sept. 1, 1959 H. s. FRANK POCKET GROUND SCREW Filed Jan. 28, 1954 W WY M m wmfl V. 0m m T Y A R R. A H

United States Patent Y POCKET GROUND SCREW Harry S. Frank, Bellerose, N.Y. Application January 28, 1954, Serial No. 406,791 1 Claim. (CI. 2099) This invention pertains to new and useful improvements in ground screw devices. It is particularly concerned with a pocket wire screw that finds use in association with poles or posts and the like that are intended to be set in the ground.

Unless one first digs a hole, it is diflicult to insert a pole or post to any depth into the ground. This is so even when the ground is reasonably soft and the end of the post is tapered. Now, I have devised a form of screw in the nature of a conical pocket into which the tapered end of a pole or post may be inserted and contained. By means of this device the post may be easily screwed deeply into the ground quickly and without difficulty. The device is of a simple nature, fashioned of sturdy wire. It is economical to manufacture and has considerable practical value.

The device is particularly useful in entering various forms of posts, such as fence posts, clothes poles, and the like into the ground. It also finds valuable use in setting posts deeply and quickly into the mud bottoms of streams, swamps and similar places. It is not, however, limited to these uses for, as this specification continues on, it will be obvious that the device is subject to many other uses.

An object of the invention is, therefore, a simple and inexpensive means of a practical nature for entering posts and the like into the ground.

A further object of the invention is an improved ground screw device of a practical nature for easily entering posts into the ground.

A more particular object of the invention is a wire pocket screw that may be readily utilized in association with a post to enter the latter into the ground.

The invention further lies in the particular construction of the screw and in its cooperative association with the articles with which it is utilized.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention as well as others will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description, and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a wire pocket ground screw embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a view of the tapered end of a post received in the pocket of the screw, the screw being shown in section.

In describing the invention in further detail reference is directed to the drawings wherein there is shown a Patented Sept. 1, 1959 pocket screw 1 formed .of heavy, sturdy metal wire.

The wire coils helically from a wide end 2 of substantial diameter to a tapered end 3 to provide a spiral thread or rib 4, whereby the device acquires the characteristics of a screw having a tapered pocket that opens out at the upper end 2. The spread 5 between the turns of the rib is greater toward the upper end. It is desired that the last few turns 6 at the tapered end of the device be in close contact with one another. This serves as a strengthening feature for the device when screwing it into the ground.

The pocket formed within the device is adapted to receive through the upper open end 2 thereof the tapered portion 7 of a post 8. It is desirable that the taper of the post complement that of the wire pocket, so that it will fit snug therein and in full contact with each turn of the wire rib 4. It is intended by this close association of the turns of the rib with the post in the pocket to avoid the existence of any space between the two. In this manner dirt is effectively prevented from entering between the turns of the rib and the post when using the device. Blunting the tip of the post as at 9 further aids in blocking out dirt at the end of the device.

The rib of the screw is wound in the direction of the thread of conventional screws, and the upper end thereof terminates in a loop 10 through which a fastening element 11 may be passed to secure the device to the associated post 8.

The device is of sufficient length so that the pocket formed therein by the turns of the wire will be sufiicient to receive the whole of the tapered portion of the post as well as a small portion of the post at its normal diameter above the taper, as at 12.

The manner of using the device is reasonably apparent from the foregoing, however, something further might be added here. After the tapered end of the post has been received and contained in the screw pocket, the combined screw and post are ready to enter the ground. This is done by manually exerting a slight downward pressure on the upper portion of the post and at the same time rotating it. In this manner the device readily screws into the ground and carries the associated post down with it. It is further plain that in swamps, muddy and sandy soils, as well as in other soils, the device is of inestimable value for readily erecting without difficulty fence posts, poles and the like.

While the invention has been described and illustrated as above, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, and it is my intent to claim the invention not only as shown and described but also in all such forms and modifications thereof as may be reasonably construed to be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

An article of manufacture comprising a post having a uniform diameter and characterized by an elongated cone end portion having a blunt tip, and a pocket ground screw serving to facilitate entry of the post into the ground, wherein the pocket ground screw comprises a plurality of coils of heavy round wire spirally wound about the cone end portion of the post and about a relatively short part of the uniform diameter section of the post above this cone end portion, the coils being in close contact with the post, the lowermost coil being in contact with the blunt tip of the post, the lowermost coil and some coils next adjacent thereto being arranged in contacting relation with each other, and the coils next above the latter being arranged in widely spaced relation to each other, and an eye loop terminating the uppermost coil adapted to receive a fastener for engaging the eye loop to the post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 McCallen Nov. 10, 1931 Hollos Jan. 17, 1933 Schroth Aug. 8, 1939 Waite Aug. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS France Sept. 17, 1920 Great Britain Apr. 11, 1934 France Apr. 5, 1937 Germany May 23, 1952