US3727357A

US3727357A - Anchor means for tubular post

Info

Publication number: US3727357A
Application number: US00150359A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Stillman
Original assignee: Sears Roebuck and Co
Current assignee: Sears Roebuck and Co
Priority date: 1971-06-07
Filing date: 1971-06-07
Publication date: 1973-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-17

Abstract

Anchor means for tubular posts intended to be driven into the ground comprising upper and lower anchor members. The upper anchor member comprises two interlocked components which embrace the post below the ground level and prevent it from tipping or leaning by functioning as a cantilever plate and distributing lateral stresses applied to the post over a substantially large earth area. The lower anchor member comprises a sheet metal plate having slots to receive the lower open end of the post and functions to improve the cantilever stability provided by the upper anchor member.

Description

United States Patent [191 Stillman, Jr.

[ ANCHOR MEANS FOR TUBULAR POST [75] Inventor: Harold W. Stillman, Jr., Western Springs, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago,

Ill.

[22] Filed: June 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 150,359

[52] US. Cl. ..-......52/154, 52/155, 248/156, 256/DIG. 5

[51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 17/22 [58] FieldofSearch ..52/154, 153, 156, 52/166, 155, 158, 159; 256/DIG. 5; 248/156 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1883 Gorle ..52/l54 9/1967 Nelson.....

3,132,726 5/1964 Johnson ...52/l53 684,838 10/1901 Matheison.... ..52/l54 287,923 11/1883 Gorle ..52/l54 Apr. 17, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11,688 8/1884 GreatBritain .....52/l56 125,202 4/1919 GmatBritain ..248/l56 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. AttomeyNatha.n N. Kraus and Joseph R. Marcus ABSTRACT The lower anchor member comprises a sheet metal plate having slots to receive the lower open end of the post and functions to improve the cantilever stability provided by the upper anchor member.

,8Clains,9DrawingFigures PATENTED APR 1 71913 INVENTOIZ iZ an /7 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system of anchor means for tubular postswhich, in erected position, are intended to be driven into the ground or set into predrilled holesand back filled, as distinguished from posts which are set in concrete. The system comprises upper and lower anchor members engaged with the lower end portion of the post, in spaced relation. The upper anchor member comprises two interlocking sheet metal plates which embrace the post and prevent it from tipping or leaning by distributing over a substantially large area of earth near the ground line, any lateral stress or load applied to the post. The load is transmitted from the post to the upper anchor member with the earth pressure causing the anchor member to act as a cantilever plate.

The lower anchor member comprises a sheet metal plate having slots which receive the lower open end of the post. Its function is to improve the cantilever stability afforded by the upper anchor member by providing a relatively large vertical bearing area in con-tact with the earth near the bottom of the post.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a system of improved anchor means for tubular posts which secure a post against tipping or leaning resulting from forces or loads applied laterally to the upper portions of the post.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a system of anchor means for tubular posts including upper and lower components formed of sheet metal and arranged to be interlocked and assembled on the lower end of a post with a minimum of skill and effort.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a system of anchor means for tubular posts which provide substantially large bearing areas in contact with the earth to provide maximum resistance to displacement of a post, resulting from the application of lateral stresses or loads supplied to the upper portions of the post.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of anchor means of the foregoing character which may be economically fabricated by stamping from sheet metal.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the anchor means, in accordance with my invention, applied to a tubular post;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the anchor means embodying the invention preparatory to assembly on the post;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the lower anchor member illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a partially fabricated blank of the upper anchor member in flat condition, preparatory to the final bending operation;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but on an enlarged scale, and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale,

taken substantially on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one of the components of the upper anchor member, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; v

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, but on an enlarged scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT presently described. The upper anchor'member 11' comprises a pair of

identical components

13 and 14, each formed of a sheet metal blank 15, shaped substantially as illustrated in FIG. 7. The blank 15 in its final form includes

wall portions

16 and 17 disposed at a right angle to each other and integrally connected to an intermediate arcuate portion 18 preferably having a radius of curvature conforming to the curvature of the tubular post 10 so as toobtain maximum surface engagement with the periphery of the post 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Where the post is square in cross-section, the component will include an appropriate bend in the portion 18. Each

component

13 and 14 is provided with two

slots

19 and 21 extending inwardly from one longitudinal edge. The marginal edge portions adjacent each

slot

19 and 21 are bent, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8, to provide aC rib 22 which affords increased rigidity, thus preventing shear displacement when exerting pressure on the earth. Additionally, each o f the

'walls

16 and 17 is provided, intermediately thereof, with a V rib 23 to stifien the component for driving purposes, as will be hereinafter explained. The terminal portions of the

walls

16 and 17 are bent at right angles to the planes of the respective walls, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 5, to form

flanges

26 and 27. I

In assembly, the two

components

13 and 14 are interengaged in confronting relation, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that the

slots

19 and 21 of I one component receive the

wall portions

17 and 16 respectively, of the opposite component. The components snugly embrace the post 10, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.

The lower anchor member 12 comprises a generally rectangular sheet metal panel provided with three spaced V ribs 28 extending transversely for stiffening purposes. The panel is slit on opposite sides of the center rib, as at 29 and 31, substantially to a point about midway of the height of the panel. The marginal edges of each

slit

29 and 31 are transversely sheared, as illustrated in FIG. 6, to provide two series of confronting tabs 32, with corresponding tabs of each series being bent in opposite directions. Thus, as seen in FIG. 9 the tabs 32a and 32b constituting a pair arebent in opposite directions in relation to the plane of the member 12 while the

tabs

32c and 32d constituting an adjacent pair, immediately below the first mentioned pair, are bent oppositely in relation to said pair to provide bearing edges for engagement with the inner and outer surfaces of the post wall 10. This aids in stabilizing the member anchor 12 while engaged with the post, preventing wobble and aiding in driving performance. Because the tabs 32 are generally resilient small variations in tube wall thickness are easily accommodated. The lower corner portions of anchor member 12 are cut away as at 33 and 34 to facilitate installation in the earth. a

In assembly of the

anchor members

11 and 12 to the post 10, the lower open end of the post is inserted in the

slit spaces

29 and 31 between the tabs 32, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. The post may be driven into the ground or set in a predrilled hole and back filled. When driven into the ground the earth is forced up into the bottom of the post. This assists in stabilizing the anchor member 12 so that it is maintained in registration with the post axis during driving and affords greater resistance to earth in service.

The anchor member 11 with the components 13 and 14interengaged, as above described, is then mounted on the post 10 and driven into the ground to a point where its top edges are disposed slightly below the ground level. It will be understood that the upper v anchor member 11 may be assembled on the post 10 by interengaging the

components

13 and 14 at any point along the length of the post.

The upper anchor member 1 1 is arranged on the post 10, in erected position, so that the major axis A-A, as shown in FIG. 3, preferably is disposed parallel to the plane of the fence for abutting engagement with the opposing earth. The lower anchor member 12 correspondingly is similarly disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the fence.

It will be understood, however, that the upper anchor member 11 may be arranged on the postin different positions in relation to the plane of the fence, in order to meet different requirements of service. For example, when the anchor member 11 is arranged as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the

walls

16 and 17 disposed at 45 angles in relation to the plane of the fence, all four

walls

16 and 17 are equally effective in transmitting forces to the earth. Wall flexture is reduced and the earth mass is trapped between

walls

16 and 17 and

flanges

26 and 27 and moves as a unit, similar to concrete.

The upper anchor member 11 so arranged prevents the post from tipping or leaning by distributing over a relatively large area of earth any lateral load or stress which may be applied to the post. Such load or stress is transmitted by the post to the upper anchor member 1 l with earth pressure, in effect, causing the anchor member 11' to function in the manner of a cantilever plate. When the anchor member 11 is arranged so that the walls 16 are parallel and the walls 17 are at right angles to the plane of the fence, the flanges 26 provide additional bearing area normal to the fence plane. All four walls and flanges thus, are effective in resisting cantilever post forces.

The

flanges

26 and 27 serve to improve the structural performance of the anchor member 11. They offer greater column stiffness to reduce injury to the member while being driven into the earth and in addition, provide greater lateral cantilever beam strength.

While the use of the

flanges

26 and 27 affords the above noted advantages, it will be understood that it is within the purview of my invention to use a modified embodiment in which the flanges are eliminated.

The lower anchor member in combination with the present upper member or any other upper member system functions to improve the fence post cantilever stability by providing a relatively large bearing area which can act against a corresponding earth area and thereby achieve a condition of equilibrium of shear and moment.

It will be understood that preferably both upper and

lower anchor members

11 and 12 are used in combination in conditions where the potential lateral stresses or loads directed against a fence or post are of a relatively high degree, where resistance to post displacement in all four directions is desired, or where the earth conditions are such that a relatively large surface area of the earth must be engaged to achieve stability of the post. Where the lateral load is relatively light or where the earth is compact and of high density, use of a lower anchor member may be eliminated and reliance for stability placed entirely on the top anchor member. Also, where the application of the load to the fence is only in two directions, one opposite the other, one of the

components

13 or 14 may be modified so as to include only the arcuate portion 18, the

slots

19 and 21 and relatively short lengths of

wall portion

16 and 17 the wall portions terminating just beyond the slots. Such a modified component is intended to be used primarily for the purpose of effecting securement of the opposing unmodified component to the post, since it provides a minimal bearing surface against the earth.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Anchor means for erecting a tubular post in the ground comprising, a first component comprising a pair of vertical rectangular plates disposed substantially at about a vertical corner edge, each of said plates having formed in its upper edge a vertical slot defined by adjacent marginal edge portions each formed into rigidifying ribs, a second component comprising a second pair of rectangular plates disposed substantially at 90 about a vertical corner edge and having a width substantially the same as said first pair of plates, each' of the plates of said second pair having slots defined by marginal edge portions disposed similarly to the slots and marginal edge portions of the plates of said first pair with respect to the corner edge but located in the lower edges of the plates, said second component being disposed so that its plates intersect the plates of the first component with the slots of one component interengaging the slots of the other component with the rigidifying ribs of said marginal edge portions defining said interengaging slots of each component engaging in shear displacement preventing relation with the other component, and with the post being received between the corner edge portions of said components when the same are disposed below the surface of the ground, in the erected position of the post.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the terminal edge portion of each plate of one component is bent at a right angle to the plane of the plate in the direction of the other component, the marginal edge portions of each slot are formed into C ribs, and each of the plates has a vertically extending reinforcing rib.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a lower anchor member disposed below said first and second components and comprising a plate having a pair of spaced slots in its upper edge, with the lower end portion of the post being received in said slots, said plate having a vertically extending reinforcing rib positioned between said pair of spaced slots.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the marginal edge portions of said slots are transversely slit to form tabs engaging opposite surfaces of the post wall.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 inwhich the in its upper edge, with the lower end portion of the post being received in said slots, said plate having a vertically extending reinforcing rib positioned between said pair of spaced slots, said anchor means being disposed below the surface of the ground in the erected position of the post.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which the edge portions of said slots are transversely slit to form tabs engaging opposite surfaces of the post wall.

l l 0 t i

Claims

1. Anchor means for erecting a tubular post in the ground comprising, a first component comprising a pair of vertical rectangular plates disposed substantially at 90* about a vertical corner edge, each of said plates having formed in its upper edge a vertical slot defined by adjacent marginal edge portions each formed into rigidifying ribs, a second component comprising a second pair of rectangular plates disposed substantially at 90* about a vertical corner edge and having a width substantially the same as said first pair of plates, each of the plates of said second pair having slots defined by marginal edge portions disposed similarly to the slots and marginal edge portions of the plates of said first pair with respect to the corner edge but located in the lower edges of the plates, said second component being disposed so that its plates intersect the plates of the first component with the slots of one component interengaging the slots of the other component with the rigidifying ribs of said marginal edge portions defining said interengaging slots of each component engaging in shear displacement preventing relation with the other component, and with the post being received between the corner edge portions of said components when the same are disposed below the surface of the ground, in the erected position of the post.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the tabs are bent alternately in opposite directions.

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the plate of the lower anchor member is provided with a plurality of vertical reinforcing ribs.

7. Anchor means for erecting a tubular post in the ground comprising a generally rectangular, substantially planar plate having a pair of spaced slots formed in its upper edge, with the lower end portion of the post being received in said slots, said plate having a vertically extending reinforcing rib positioned between said pair of spaced slots, said anchor means being disposed below the surface of the ground in the erected position of the post.