AU2020100164A4

AU2020100164A4 - Post clamp

Info

Publication number: AU2020100164A4
Application number: AU2020100164A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roy Radic; John Sey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-01
Filing date: 2020-01-31
Publication date: 2020-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-31

Abstract

The application relates to a clamp for use when installing retaining walls. The clamp may be used to temporarily hold a post in position while concrete or a similar product sets around the base of the post. The clamp offers a quick and simple system to accurately and efficiently position posts on a temporary basis without having to drill into the post. SLS Clip fxed atboth sides of Lr steel with screws provided Specifieddiameter of hole 9Qx45mm Timtber set to rear speciied eigh of U " pightof U('steel upight mu hole. above thehbaseof the hole

Description

POST CLAMP

FIELD [0001] The present invention is generally directed to a clamp for use in temporarily suspending a post above the base of a hole. The present invention is also directed to a method of installing a post in the ground, and a method of building a retaining wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Installation of a post, such as a metallic post, in the ground can involve several steps. A hole must be dug in which to install the post. The post must be placed in the hole and then then concrete, dirt or similar is placed around the post to fill the hole and permanently locate the post in the ground.

[0003] Use of metallic posts provides an additional complication, since installing posts in a manner which allows for direct contact with earth can lead to increased rates of corrosion (through contact with ground water and the like). It is therefore desirable to install posts in a manner which prevents the posts from directly contacting the earth.

[0004] To prevent the posts from contacting earth it is preferable that the post be surrounded by concrete on installation. However, this requires that the post be raised from the base of the hole during installation (i.e. during the pouring and setting of concrete) to ensure that the bottom of the post is separated from earth (and covered by concrete) following installation.

[0005] Various methods exist to hold up a post during pouring of concrete, including use of (a) threaded clamps, (b) nuts and bolts, (c) welded steel bracing, and (d) wire bracing. However:

(a) using threaded clamps to hold up the post can be expensive and the clamps can get in the way during pouring of concrete, leading to the clamps getting covered in concrete. Concrete can be very difficult to clean from the clamps (in particular the threads of the clamps) and often, in the inventors’ experience, these clamps must be thrown away after several uses;

(b) while it is possible to use nuts and bolts as a clamp with timber blocks bolted together across the entrance of the hole, this leaves no room for the pouring of concrete. Again, the nuts and bolts can get covered with concrete, with resulting obstruction of the thread.

2020100164 31 Jan 2020 (c) while it is possible weld steel bracing onsite to suspend larger lengths of steel posts and to hold them in place, this is costly and the welded steel bracing needs to be removed (such as via grinding) once the concrete is set. This can also affect galvanising on the posts should the posts be galvanised; and (d) wire provides insufficient tension to suspend the post.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a means to suspend a post above the base of the hole during installation, in a manner which is one or more of: inexpensive and simple to use, avoids damage to the post, and allows for repeated use for the installation of many posts.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a convenient means to hold a post post and above the base of a hole during installation.

[0008] The reference in this specification to any prior publication, or information derived from it, or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication, or information derived from it, or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp for temporarily locating a post above the base of a hole, the clamp comprising a body further comprising:

a first section;

a second section extending from the first section at an angle such that the body is substantially v-shaped or c-shaped; and an aperture located at the intersection of the first section and the second section, wherein the clamp is of sufficient strength to suspend the post above the base of the of the hole without buckling.

[0010] Preferably, the second section extends at an angle of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees to the first section.

[0011] Preferably, the body comprises at least one reinforcing rib extending across the first section and the second section. Further preferably, the body comprises at least two reinforcing ribs, each reinforcing rib extending across the first section and the second section.

[0012] Preferably, the clamp is formed of metal.

2020100164 31 Jan 2020 [0013] Preferably, the clamp is formed of galvanised metal.

[0014] Preferably, the clamp is formed by press forming.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of temporarily locating a post above the base of a hole, the method comprising:

placing a support beam substantially horizontally over a hole, placing a post substantially vertically above the base of a hole;

clamping the post to the support beam using a clamp according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of permanently positioning a post in the ground, wherein the post has been temporarily positioned above the base of the hole using a method according to the second aspect of the invention, the method further comprising:

pouring concrete (or similar product) into the hole;

allowing the concrete (or similar product) to cure;

removing the clamp from the support beam and post; and removing the support beam.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided, a method of constructing a retaining wall, the method comprising:

permanently positioning two or more posts in the ground using a method according to according to the third aspect of the invention; and providing a retaining wall between the two or more posts.

[0018] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and variations thereof such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to include the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or groups of integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0019] FIGURE 1 shows a clamp according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIGURE 2 shows a post suspended above the base of a hole using a claim according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIGURE 3 shows a series of posts suspended using clamps according to an embodiment of the invention.

2020100164 31 Jan 2020 [0022] FIGURE 4 shows a series of posts suspended according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the posts are clamped at ground level land and at the top of the posts to ensure that the posts are suspended vertically.

[0023] FIGURE 5 shows a series of posts suspended according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the posts are clamped at ground level and at the top of the posts with back bracing to ensure that the posts are suspended vertically.

[0024] FIGURE 6 shows a post suspended according to an embodiment of the invention, with corner bracing.

[0025] FIGURE 7 shows a post suspended according to an embodiment of the invention, with corner bracing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0026] The invention is now described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 7. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments and/or examples as described herein are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0027] FIGURE 1 shows a clamp according to an embodiment of the invention. The clip comprises a body 1 formed of a single piece of galvanised metal, the body comprises a first section 2 and a second section 3 extending from the first section at an angle such that the body 1 is substantially v-shaped. The body 1 also comprises an aperture 4 located at the intersection 5 of the first section 2 and the second section 3. As shown in FIGURE 1, the clamp may further comprise ribs 6 extending across the first section 2 and the second section 3.

[0028] The ribs 6 can be provided to reinforce the body and ensure that the clamp can withstand the forces involved in suspending a post without buckling. The clamp can be made of materials such as brass, bronze, steel, stainless steel, galvanised steel, or similar materials.

[0029] In use the clamp may cooperate with a screw, or a bolt or similar, (not shown) to clamp onto a surface. The screw is placed within the aperture 4 and, where a screw is utilised, the screw drills into the surface to tighten the clamp to the surface. The clamp is placed such that the intersection 5 of the first section 2 and the second section 3 is opposite the surface and the distal ends of the first section 2 and the second section 3 engage the

2020100164 31 Jan 2020 surface. A bolt may be alternatively be used in an analogous manner which would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0030] Use of the clamp according to an embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to FIGURE 2.

[0031] Once the site is set out for a retaining wall, the first step is to mark out where the holes or pads are to be located and then drilled to right diameter and the required depth.

[0032] Next a string line is set out from a first hole and to the far end of the last hole. The line is placed to locate the back face of the steel posts (i.e. posts) so as the post is positioned in the centre of the hole.

[0033] With the string line in place, it can be used to line up the timber support beam from the first proposed post to the last. The timber size may be 90x45mm and should be steel pegged into place and secured with screws to ensure it does not move. This timber support beam will take most if not all the weight of the steel post when finally secured.

[0034] With the timber support beam firmly secured the first post is measured and marked onto the timber face. The location for the very first post can be important according to certain embodiments. If using steel posts that are 100mm wide then then the first mark may be offset at 50mm to one side to ensure the steel post sits in the centre. If using 150mm wide steel then the offset may be 75mm to one side and so on.

[0035] If the sleepers are 2000mm long then an extra 20mm between each steel post should be provided and this is now marked on the same face of the timber. Every mark made will should be offset by the required steel size and at the correct distance apart directly over every hole.

[0036] The string line can now be removed and is no longer needed. Most contractors will rely on the string line and leave it in place until the concrete has been poured. However with use of the present invention this is not required.

[0037] The clip is a tensile galvanized steel that is stamped into the shape of a C or a “V” with a hole at the top centre for a timber screw to go through. This is what will clamp the posts tightly to the timber that has been set out. When applying to a support beam, a first edge of the “V” will contact the post, while the second edge of the “V” will contact the timber sleeper, such that the aperture and join between the first and second section of the clamp will be at a distance from the post and the timber sleeper,.

2020100164 31 Jan 2020 [0038] With every steel post position now marked on the timber at the correct spacings, can be clip and attach attached to the timber support beam with a timber screw and temporarily fix it exactly on the first mark. This screw is placed where the edge of the post will rest when finally, fully tightened. The same step is performed with every mark on the timber support beam with the clip positioned for every post that is required for the retaining wall.

[0039] The next step is to place all the required steel into every hole and letting it rest at the base of the hole.

[0040] The first steel post is now waiting to be installed. With the help of an excavator, backhoe, bobcat, crane, or simply via manual labour, it is possible to raise the post from the base of the hole. Using a laser level the post can be set to the desired height of the top level of the all posts. Preferably, an excavator can be used to raise the steel and a labourer is used to guide the excavator operator.

[0041] The steel post may be firstly guided such that one edge of the post rests against the temporarily screwed clip. With the laser level resting on the top edge of the steel post the labourer guides the operator to go up or down until the correct height is achieved. As the operator holds the post in place the labourer now fully tightens the first clamp. Before the steel is released the labourer uses either a spirt level or a post level to plumb the steel. When this is plumbed the labourer now another screw and clip on the opposite side of the steel post and fully secures the clip against steel and the timber.

[0042] Once this is completed the operator releases the post and the post is securely suspended above the base of the hole to the recommended height.

[0043] This process is the same for every steel post no matter the length or the width of any steel post.

[0044] All that may be then needed is to pour the concrete and then the next day (upon curing of the concrete) the clips and timber bracing can be removed and used again.

[0045] A series of posts may be suspended from the same timber beam as shown in FIGURE 3 (using the same method as shown in FIGURE 2).

[0046] The clamps can be used to ensure that the posts are suspended vertically, or in any other alignment as preferred. When using a single beam across the hole the post can be secured in a left-right direction while providing for a degree of freedom in the back and forth direction (i.e the post can pivot around the length axis of the timber support beam as the timber support rotates). To prevent the post from pivoting back and forth, base and top

2020100164 31 Jan 2020 clamping can be provided as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. That is, a second timber support beam can be provided across the top of a post (or a series of posts as shown in FIGURES 4 and 4) which, when secured to the post via a clamp, prevents the post from rotating about the length of either timber support beam.

[0047] Other configurations which allow for a post to be securely suspended above the base of a hole, while ensuring vertical alignment (or such other alignment as preferred) are shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, which may apply in respect of a corner post.

[0048] The disclosed clamps may be manufactured relatively inexpensively, and are easy to use, as well as capable of being used over and over again.

Claims

1. A clamp for temporarily suspending a post above the base of a hole, the clamp formed of a body further comprising a first section;

a second section extending from the first section at an angle such that the body is substantially v-shaped or c-shaped;

an aperture located at an intersection of the first section and the second section, wherein the clamp is of sufficient strength to suspend the post above the base of the of the hole without buckling.

2. A claim according to claim 1, wherein the second section extends at an angle of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees to the first section.

3. A clamp according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body comprises at least one reinforcing rib extending across the first section and the second section;

4. A clamp according to claim 3, where the body comprises at least two reinforcing ribs, each reinforcing rib extending across the first section and the second section.

5. A clamp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the clamp is formed of metal.

6. A claim according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the clamp is formed of galvanised metal.

7. The clamp of any of the previous claims wherein the clamp is formed by press forming.

8. A method of temporarily locating a post above the base of a hole, the method comprising:

clamping the post to the support beam using a clamp according to any one of the previous claims.

2020100164 31 Jan 2020

9. A method of permanently positioning a post in the ground, wherein the post has been temporarily positioned above the base of the hole according to the method of claim 8, the method further comprising:

pouring concrete (or similar product) into the hole;

allowing the concrete (or similar product) to cure;

removing the clamp from the support beam and post; and removing the support beam from across the top of the hole.

10. A method of constructing a retaining wall, the method comprising:

permanently positioning two or more posts in the ground using a method according to claim 9; and providing a retaining wall between the two or more posts.