WO2011018596A1

WO2011018596A1 - Post support

Info

Publication number: WO2011018596A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/050997
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Gale
Original assignee: Nicholas Gale
Priority date: 2009-08-10
Filing date: 2009-08-10
Publication date: 2011-02-17

Abstract

A post support with a ground-engaging portion, adjustment means and a post carrier. The post carrier has an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being adapted to mount a post. The ground-engaging portion and the post carrier have co-operating surfaces and the relative positions of the co-operating surfaces is adjustable in more than one plane. The adjustment means is located in the outer section.

Description

Post Support Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a support for a post, in particular a support for securing a fence post. The invention also relates to a method of securing a post, a post secured by a post support, a protective cap for a post support, a fence and a kit of parts.

Background of the Invention

There are various methods of supporting vertical posts in the ground, for example when erecting a fence, sign post, or similar structure.

When installing posts into the ground, a number of difficulties may arise. Posts may be made from concrete, timber or plastic.

In the case of concrete posts, one prior art method involves embedding the post in a concrete foundation in the ground. This method is not environmentally friendly and concrete posts, being heavy, usually require at least two people to install them. Due to their weight, they are also difficult to position accurately and once the concrete foundation becomes set, they cannot be adjusted.

Timber or plastic posts may also be supported in concrete foundations, but have similar disadvantages to concrete post systems. In addition, plastic or timber posts are weaker than concrete posts and timber posts may be prone to rotting. If one or more fence posts fail, carrying out the necessary repairs to the fence may be expensive.

In some cases timber or plastic posts are supplied with pointed or spiked ends, so that they may be driven directly into the ground or encased in concrete. The problem with installing such posts is that a the person installing the post must be positioned above it in order to drive the post into the ground. In cases where a post is long, this can be dangerous and difficult.

When erecting a fence, the positions of the fence posts must be accurate in order to obtain a strong fence. Fence posts are set in the ground prior to the boards of the fence being added. If one of the posts is incorrectly positioned, it could mean that fence rails do not meet in the centre of the post, the panels become twisted or buckled in order to attach them to a post, or that pre- fabricated panels do not extend as far as the post or extend beyond the post. Similar problems arise if a post is twisted with respect to the line of the fence, or if a post is not vertical. All of these problems can affect the strength and appearance of a fence.

Various devices to assist in erecting fence posts are known. One such device is the METPOST®, post support, which is the subject of European patent number EP0120643 (Metpost Limited). This document discloses a post support with a tapered ground engaging portion and a rectangular post engaging portion. The tapered portion is driven into the ground and a post is gripped by the rectangular section. The disadvantage of this system is that once the post support is secured in the ground, there is little scope for adjusting the position of a post in the support. Furthermore the post support has a metal collar which receives a timber post. Over time, the timber post, being softer than the metal collar, becomes loose.

Two further prior art documents address the problem of adjustability. These are GB2140839 (Metpost Wales Limited) and GB2111553 (Eaton).

GB2140839 (Metpost Limited) discloses a post support with a ground engaging portion and a box- like post engaging portion. Each portion has a hemispherical plate welded on to it, such that the two plates mate and allow relative movement between the two portions. Once the post has been inserted in the post-engaging portion and its position adjusted, the plates are bolted in position. The boltheads/nuts may be accessed through apertures in the side walls of the box-like section.

GB2111553 (Eaton) describes a post support with a ground-engaging portion and a generally square post-receiving pocket, which have complementary bearing surfaces clamped together with a nut and bolt. The ground engaging member is first driven into the ground. Then the post-receiving member is secured to the ground engaging member by positioning an elongated slot over a bolt in the ground engaging member and fastening a bolt when in position. The fence post can then be secured in the post engaging member.

The position of a post in the post support described in EP0120643 (Metpost Limited) cannot be adjusted. The post support of GB2111553 (Eaton) does not allow re-positioning of a post when it is in the support. Limited adjustments to the angle of a post secured in described in GB2140839 (Metpost Limited) are possible. However, the bolts need to be accessed through apertures in the side walls of the box section and this can be difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, although the angle of extension of a post from the ground is adjustable, the actual positioning of a post on the ground cannot be changed once the post support is in place.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved post support.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a post support as specified in Claim 1.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of securing a post as specified in Claim 20. Another aspect of the invention provides a protective cap for a post support as specified in Claim

22.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a post as specified in Claim 23. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a fence as specified in Claim 24. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts as specified in Claim 26.

One aspect of the invention provides a post support comprising a ground-engaging portion, adjustment means, and a post carrier having an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being adapted to mount a post and wherein the ground-engaging portion and the post carrier have co-operating surfaces and the relative positions of the co-operating surfaces is adjustable in more than one plane and the adjustment means in located in the outer section.

Preferably, the adjustment means includes locating means for locating the post carrier. The locating means may be attached to at least one of the co-operating surfaces. In a preferred embodiment the locating means is a stud or screw.

Advantageously, at least one of the co-operating surfaces includes at least one aperture for receiving the locating means. More than one of the co-operating surfaces may have such an aperture. There may be one or more apertures.

Preferably, the aperture or apertures are sized such that the position of the locating means in the aperture may be adjusted. In a preferred embodiment the apertures are slots that are larger than the locating means. Advantageously, the position of the locating means in the aperture or apertures may be adjusted to adjust the relevant positions of the co-operating surfaces in a horizontal plane.

The co-operating surfaces are preferably flanges.

Preferably, the post carrier includes a post and is formed integrally with the post.

In a preferred embodiment the inner section of the post carrier is adapted to mount a post by being integrally formed with a post. This may be by forming the post carrier with an outer section and a post in one moulding step.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ground engaging portion and the post carrier may be formed with radius fillet profiles.

In one embodiment, the post carrier may be adapted to mount a post in a post-receiving element, such as a collar.

In an alternative embodiment, the post carrier may be an insert, such as a pin.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means further comprises levelling means.

The levelling means may be a stud or screw.

Advantageously, the position of the locating means in the levelling aperture or apertures may be adjusted to adjust the relevant positions of the co-operating surfaces in a vertical plane.

The ground engaging-portion is preferably a cruciform spike or other tapered element. The post support may further include flexing means such as a spring or springs. The post support may further include a protective cap. Another aspect of the invention provides a protective cap for a post support.

In a preferred embodiment the protective cap has a substantially flat upper surface and a lower surface that is shaped to engage the ground-engaging portion of the post support.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of securing a post comprising the steps of: securing a ground-engaging portion of the post support in the ground, locating a post carrier on the ground engaging portion,

adjusting the position of the post carrier with respect to the ground-engaging portion in a horizontal plane, and

adjusting the position of the post carrier with respect to the ground-engaging portion in a vertical plane.

The method may further include an initial step of applying a protective cap to the ground-engaging portion of the post support.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a post secured in the post support.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a fence comprising a plurality of posts and fencing elements attached to the posts.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts comprising a post support and a post. The kit of parts may also include fencing elements suitable for attachment to a post or posts. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2a shows a plan view of the post portion of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 2b shows a plan view of the ground-engaging portion of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 3a shows a side view of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 3b shows a side view of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 3c shows a side view of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 4a shows a plan view of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 4b shows a plan view of the invention of Figure 1

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As shown in Figures 1, 2a and 2b, a post support 1 comprises a ground-engaging portion 2 and a post carrier 3. The post carrier has an inner section and an outer section.

In a preferred embodiment the ground engaging portion 2 includes a tapered cruciform spike 17, which can be driven directly into the ground or set in concrete. The ground-engaging portion could alternatively comprise a different tapered shape such as a star shape or may comprise more than one tapered portion.

The ground-engaging portion 2 includes a flange 4. The flange 4 has a number of locating studs 5.

In a preferred embodiment the post carrier 3 has an inner section that is a post 10 and an outer section that is a flange 6. The post 10 is preferably a hollow profile post with channels (not shown) on its outer surface to receive fence panels.

In a preferred embodiment the post carrier is a post 10 and is formed integrally with a flange 6.

The post carrier is adapted to mount a post 10. This may be by integrally forming the post carrier, flange and post in one moulding step.

In an alternative embodiment, the post carrier may comprise a flange 6 and a post-receiving element, such as a collar or insert (not shown) in its inner section, into or onto which a separate post can be secured. In such an embodiment, the post carrier portion may include a square pocket or other suitable means for receiving a post.

The post carrier portion 3 includes an outer section that is preferably a flange 6 and an inner section that is preferably a post 10. The flange 6 has threaded holes 7 for receiving levelling studs 11 and slots 8 for receiving the locating studs on the ground-engaging portion.

As illustrated by Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, in use the ground-engaging portion 2 is first secured in the ground 9. The post carrier 3 is then located on the ground-engaging portion 2, such that the locating studs 5 are located in the slots 8. Each slot 8 is larger than the diameter of the locating studs 5, and the position of the locating studs 5 within the slots 8 can be adjusted to adjust the configuration of the post support 1 and alignment of the post 10. As shown in Figure 3c, the relative positions of the post carrier portion 3 and ground-engaging portion 2 can be adjusted laterally by moving the positions of the slots 8 with respect to the locating studs 5.

Figures 4a and 4b show how the relative positions of the post carrier portion 3 and ground-engaging portion 2 may be adjusted laterally. Figure 4a shows a post support 1, in which the ground- engaging portion 2, which has been applied at an incorrect angle. A fence panel attached to such a post would be slightly twisted relative to the line of the fence.

Figure 3b shows how the positions of the locating studs 5 in the slots 8 can be varied so that the position of the post 10 can be moved so that it will be in line with the rest of the fence.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the flanges 4 and 6 can also be positioned to adjust the position of the post 10 vertically. Set screws 12 on the levelling studs 11 can be adjusted by different amounts to bring the post 10 and/or post carrier 3 to a level position so that the post 10 extends vertically.

As illustrated by Figure 6, once in position, the post carrier 3 can be can be fixed in place on the ground-engaging portion 2 using fixing nuts 13 and flexible washers 14 on the locating studs 5. The flexible washers 14 are able to compensate for alignment between the locating studs 5 and flange 6.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the post support 1, which functions in a similar way to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, but which may additionally include springs 15, positioned between flanges 4 and 6 and possibly also above flange 6. The springs 15 allow the whole fence to flex, for example in high winds, and subsequently return the fence back to an upright position. The post support 1 may be pushed or driven into the ground using, for example, a sledgehammer. To avoid damaging the post support 1, a protective cap may be provided. The protective cap is shaped to fit over the locating studs 5 and has a flat upper surface suitable for striking with a sledgehammer. It protects the ground-engaging portion 2 from being damaged while being inserted into the ground. After driving the ground-engaging portion 2 into the ground, the protective cap may be removed so that the post carrier 3 can be fitted to the ground-engaging portion 2 over the locating studs 5.

It is envisaged that in alternative embodiments the locating studs 5 could be on the post carrier portion. Similarly, the levelling studs 11 could be fitted to the ground-engaging portion. There could be different numbers of levelling studs 11 and/or locating studs 5, or a single locating stud 5. The slots 8 and/or studs 5,11 could also be of different shapes and/or sizes.

The post support 1 may be made from metal or plastics material but other materials are envisaged.

Claims

1. A post support comprising a ground-engaging portion, adjustment means and a post carrier having an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being adapted to mount a post and wherein the ground-engaging portion and the post carrier have co-operating surfaces and the relative positions of the co-operating surfaces is adjustable in more than one plane and the adjustment means is located in the outer section.

2. A post support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the adjustment means includes locating

means for locating the post carrier.

3. A post support as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the locating means is attached to at least one of the co-operating surfaces.

4. A post support as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the co-operating surfaces has at least one aperture for receiving the locating means.

5. A post support as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the at least one aperture is larger than the locating means such that the position of the locating means in the aperture may be adjusted.

6. A post support as claimed in Claim 5, wherein adjustment of the position of the locating means in the at least one aperture adjusts the relative positions of the co-operating surfaces in a horizontal plane.

7. A post support as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the locating means comprises at least one stud.

8. A post support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the post carrier is formed

integrally with a post.

9. A post support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the post carrier includes a post- receiving element.

10. A post support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment means further comprises levelling means.

11. A post support as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the position of one co-operating surface relative to the other can be adjusted in a vertical plane by adjustment of the levelling means.

12. A post support as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the levelling means comprises at least one stud or screw.

13. A post support as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, wherein the post carrier comprises at least one levelling aperture for receiving levelling means.

14. A post support as claimed in Claim 13, wherein variation of the position of the levelling means in the at least one levelling aperture adjusts the relevant positions of the co-operating surfaces in a vertical plane.

15. A post support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the co-operating surfaces are flanges.

16. A post support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ground-engaging portion comprises a cruciform spike.

17. A post support as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising flexing means.

18. A post support as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the flexing means comprises springs.

19. A post support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a protective cap.

20. A method of securing a post in a post support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 19

comprising the steps of:

securing a ground-engaging portion of the post support in the ground, locating a post carrier on the ground engaging portion,

adjusting the position of the post carrier with respect to the ground-engaging portion in a horizontal plane, and adjusting the position of the post carrier with respect to the ground-engaging portion in a vertical plane.

21. A method of securing a post in a post support as claimed in Claim 20, further including an initial step of applying a protective cap to the ground-engaging portion of the post support.

22. A protective cap for the post support of any of Claims 1 to 19 comprising a substantially flat upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is shaped to engage the ground- engaging portion of a post support.

23. A post secured in the post support of any of Claims 1 to 19.

24. A fence comprising a plurality of post supports of Claims 1 to 19, a plurality of posts and fencing elements attached to the posts.

25. A kit of parts comprising a post support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 19 and a post.

26. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 25, further comprising at least one fencing element

suitable for attachment to at least one post.

27. A post support substantially as shown in and described with reference to the drawings.