WO2002035034A1

WO2002035034A1 - Plug-in base for post or stake

Info

Publication number: WO2002035034A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/003310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Petiot
Original assignee: Michel Petiot
Priority date: 2000-10-27
Filing date: 2001-10-25
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: FR2815987A1; FR2815987B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a base comprising at least two parallel vertical members (1, 2) connected by linking structures (6, 9) including a slot for passing through a post, stake or mast (11) to be maintained in an inserting space (3). A bottom transverse stop (10) supports the post, stake or mast (11). At least an intermediate transverse wing, at the transverse stop (10), enables to press down the base so as to drive it into the ground, thereby increasing transverse stability, and facilitating its insertion into the ground.

Description

PLUG-IN BASE FOR POST OR STAKE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices for plugging piles, stakes or masts into the ground, such as, for example, parasol masts or fence posts.

To insert a parasol pole into the ground, the user must take the mast with two hands and push it partially into the ground by applying part of its weight. The operation is inconvenient, due to the fact that both hands are necessary, and it is difficult for the user to apply his entire weight to the mast. In addition, the penetration capacity of the mast in the ground remains limited, and the stability to lateral stresses of the mast sunk into the ground often remains insufficient. To drive a fence stake or stake into the ground, the user partially drives the stake or stake into the ground at its lower end, then stresses the stake or stake longitudinally by striking its upper end with a mass. This digging operation is tedious and dangerous, and requires the use of a particular tool. The embedding of a stake or stake in the ground without tools such as a mass leads to insufficient stability to lateral stresses.

We have already proposed base structures pluggable into the ground and receiving the base of a stake or stake. For example, document US Pat. No. 4,455,795 teaches a structure with two uprights connected by a vertical tube with square section in which the pile slides; document US 5,758,857 describes a base with two uprights welded to two transverse rods, the assembly engaging in the base of a tube to be supported; document DE 24 30 507 describes a base with two uprights, the upper end of which is connected by a cross-member. These known structures have a driving capacity which, although improved, remains insufficient. Stability also remains insufficient. And some structures are not compatible with the usual cylindrical shape of piles or posts. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The problem proposed by the present invention is to design means making it possible on the one hand to facilitate the driving in of stakes, stakes or masts in the ground, and on the other hand to improve the stability to the lateral stresses of such a stake, stake or mast inserted in the ground.

Another object of the invention is to avoid the progressive rotting of the stake, the stake or the mast inserted in the ground, and the crushing of its head by the effect of the mass, when the latter is made of wood.

Another object of the invention is to design inexpensive and robust means for fulfilling the above functions.

To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a plug-in base for a stake, stake or mast, comprising:

- at least two generally parallel uprights and oriented in a longitudinal direction of penetration, defining between them an insertion space and having a penetrating lower end for plugging into the ground, - at least two connecting structures, each connecting the uprights according to a respective connecting zone and spaced apart longitudinally from one another,

- a light provided in each connecting structure and shaped to be crossed by a stake, stake or mast to be retained in the insertion space between the uprights,

- a transverse stop, connecting the uprights in a lower zone below the connecting structures and at an appropriate distance of penetration from the penetrating lower ends, and against which comes to bear the lower end of the stake, stake or mast ,

- At least one intermediate transverse wing, developing radially away from the upright (s) in a slightly lower area or level with the transverse stop.

The intermediate transverse wing constitutes both a lateral stabilization means, coming to bear on the ground, and a thrust means on which the user can press to drive the base into the ground, making it easier to sink into the ground.

It is advantageously possible to provide a base comprising an upper connection structure connecting the upper ends of the uprights, and an intermediate connection structure connecting an intermediate zone of the uprights between the upper ends and the transverse stop.

In practice, the connecting structures can advantageously be of annular shape. According to an advantageous embodiment, the amounts are two in number and arranged diametrically opposite on either side of the connecting structures.

Preferably, there are further provided two intermediate transverse wings, diametrically opposite, and level with the transverse stop.

An inexpensive structure can be produced from uprights which are tubular in shape.

According to another embodiment, the uprights consist of tube sectors, oriented to face each other by their concave inner faces.

It is advantageously possible to provide at least one radial locking screw provided in a connecting structure or in an upright, and adapted to selectively block a stake, stake or mast engaged between the uprights. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which: - Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a base structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a top view of the base of Figure 1, in section along the plane A-A;

- Figure 3 is a top view of the base of Figure 1, in section along the plane B-B;

- Figure 4 is a top view of a base according to a second embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 5 is a side view of one base of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a top view of a base according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 7 is a top view of a base according to another embodiment of one invention; and

- Figure 8 is a top view of a base according to another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, a plug-in base according to the invention comprises two uprights 1 and 2 generally parallel and oriented in a longitudinal direction of penetration II, defining between them an insertion space 3, and each having a penetrating lower end, respectively 4 and 5, for insertion into the ground. The uprights 1 and 2 are secured to each other by an upper connection structure 6 at or near their respective upper end 7 and 8, by an intermediate connection structure 9, and by a lower transverse stop 10. The transverse stop 10 connects the uprights 1 and 2 in a lower zone below the connecting structures 6 and 9, but at an appropriate distance D of penetration above the penetrating lower ends 4 and 5. Thus, between the transverse stop 10 and the penetrating lower ends 4 and 5, the uprights 1 and 2 comprise a penetration section without connection between the two uprights 1 and 2.

The connecting structures 6 and 9 connect the uprights 1 and 2 according to respective connecting zones separated longitudinally from one another. A light 16 (Figure 3) is provided in each connecting structure 6 and 9, placed in the insertion space 3 and shaped to be crossed by a stake, stake or mast 11 to be retained.

In the position of use, the lower end of the pile, stake or mast 11 comes to bear against the transverse stop 10.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the base further comprises two intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13, which develop radially away from the base body formed by the uprights 1 and 2, at the transverse stop 10. In this first embodiment, the intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 are integral with the transverse stop 10, and develop perpendicularly to the direction of connection of the uprights 1 and 2, as seen in FIG. 2.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the uprights 1 and 2 are cylindrical, solid or tubular, and the connecting structures such as the upper connecting structure 6 are of circular annular shape. The uprights 1 and 2 are arranged diametrically opposite on either side of the annular connecting structures 6 and 9.

In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 are level with the transverse stop 10. Alternatively, provision may be made for the intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 to be slightly below the level of the transverse stop 10.

Also, in FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the base comprises a radial locking screw 14, engaged in a radial hole 15 in the upper connection structure 6, and adapted to selectively block the engaged stake, stake or mast 11 between the uprights 1 and 2. Alternatively, the radial locking screw 14 can be engaged in a radial hole of the intermediate connecting structure 9 or of an upright 1 or 2.

In an application to holding piles or fence posts, one can provide uprights 1 and 2 full or tubular cylindrical with a unit diameter of approximately 10 mm, and connecting structures having slots 16 of approximately 30 mm in diameter . The penetrating section of the uprights 1 and 2 may have a length of approximately 50 cm, and the section emerging from the uprights 1 and 2 may have a length of approximately 50 cm. These dimensions are given for information and are not limiting. In particular, different dimensions can be easily chosen by a person skilled in the art for applications such as holding umbrellas, or holding piles or stakes of different lengths and diameters.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment, in which the uprights 1 and 2 are made up of tube sectors, by example a sector made up of a third of tube circumference, oriented to face each other by their concave inner faces. The intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 develop in the direction of connection of the uprights. Figure 5 illustrates the same base in side view, on which we recognize the upper connection structure 6 which connects the upper ends 7 and 8 of the uprights 1 and 2, the transverse stop 10, and the intermediate connection structure 9 which connects an intermediate zone between the upper ends 7 and 8 and the transverse stop 10.

In FIG. 6, a variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is illustrated, in which the intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 develop in the direction perpendicular to the direction of connection of the uprights 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment in which the uprights 1 and 2 are of flat shape with rectangular cross section, connected by connecting structures such as the structure 6 in a square profile ring. The intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 develop in the direction of connection of the uprights 1 and 2.

In FIG. 8, a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 7 is illustrated, with intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 which develop in the direction perpendicular to the direction of connection of the uprights 1 and 2.

During use, the user can easily engage the penetrating lower ends 4 and 5 in the ground, then urge the base towards the ground to cause it to sink into the ground until the intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 come to bear on the ground surface. The intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13 determine and limit the penetration of the base into the ground, and effectively participate in the stability of the base relative to the lateral forces.

The user can then engage the lower section of a stake, stake or mast 11 in the insertion space 3 between the uprights 1 and 2, by crossing the openings 16 of the structures of connection 6 and 9, until it comes to bear on the transverse stop 10.

The transverse stop 10 makes it possible to isolate the base of the pile, stake or mast 11 from the ground relative to the ground, thereby preventing it from rotting.

By the combination of at least two uprights 1 and 2 with the intermediate transverse wings 12 and 13, the stability in the ground is considerably increased, and the device can thus successfully withstand significant lateral stresses, while being easily pluggable in the ground.

The base can be made of any suitable material. In particular, it can be made from metal tubes or plates, cut and welded. Alternatively, it can be produced by molding plastics. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof contained in the field of claims below.

Claims

1 - Plug-in base for pile, stake or mast (11), characterized in that it comprises:

- at least two uprights (1, 2) generally parallel and oriented in a longitudinal direction of penetration (II), defining between them an insertion space (3) and having a penetrating lower end (4, 5) for plugging in the ground,

- at least two connecting structures (6, 9), each connecting the uprights (1, 2) according to a respective connecting zone and spaced apart longitudinally from one another,

- a light (16) provided in each connecting structure (6, 9) and shaped to be crossed by a stake, stake or mast (11) to be retained in the insertion space (3),

- a transverse stop (10), connecting the uprights (1, 2) in a lower zone below the connecting structures (6, 9) and at an appropriate distance (D) of penetration relative to the penetrating lower ends (4 , 5), and against which comes the lower end of the pile, stake or mast (11), at least one intermediate transverse wing (12, 13), developing radially away from the upright (s) (1, 2 ) in a slightly lower or level area with the transverse stop (10).

2 - Base according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting structures (6, 9) are of annular shape.

3 - Base according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the uprights (1, 2) are two in number and arranged diametrically opposite on either side of the connecting structures (6, 9).

4 - Base according to any one of claims 1 to

3, characterized in that it comprises two intermediate transverse wings (12, 13) diametrically opposite and level with the transverse stop (10).

5 - Base according to any one of claims 1 to

4, characterized in that the uprights (1, 2) are of cylindrical, solid or tubular shape. 6 - Base according to any one of claims 1 to

4, characterized in that the uprights (1, 2) consist of tube sectors, oriented to face each other by their concave inner faces.

7 - Base according to any one of claims 1 to

6, characterized in that it comprises at least one radial locking screw (14) provided in a connecting structure (6, 9) or in an upright (1, 2), and adapted to selectively block a stake, stake or mast (11) engaged between the uprights (1, 2).

8 - Base according to any one of claims 1 to

7, characterized in that it comprises an upper connecting structure (6) connecting the upper ends (7, 8) of the uprights (1, 2), and an intermediate connecting structure (9) connecting an intermediate zone of the uprights ( 1, 2) between the upper ends (7, 8) and the transverse stop (10).