GB2032486A - Anchoring Posts - Google Patents

Abstract

A post, e.g. a fence post, is formed from a base member 1, a pin 8 for fixing the base member to a specified surface, and a tubular member 5 capable of fitting over at least part of the base member. The base member preferably has an integral spigot which is a sliding fit inside the lower end of the tubular member. The upper end of the tubular member may have retaining means for string, rope or wire. Both the base member and the tubular member may be formed of plastics material. The aperture for the pin 8 may be downwardly flared. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Fence Posts and the Like In the definition of boundaries of specified areas of land and other like surfaces a simple and inexpensive means of definition is frequently required when this is to be temporary as for example in construction or road building projects, the limitation of movement of grazing animals, the danger limits of areas subject to military operations etc. In some applications the definition means are required in quantity when it is an advantage in transportation if they are light in weight and can be economically stacked.

Boundary definition is often achieved by driving into the ground or surface a series of stakes spaced at more or less regular intervals and suspending a string, thread, rope, wire, chain, etc., hereinafter called string, between the tops of adjacent stakes, it being understood that the vertical projection of the line of the string on to the surface defines the boundary of the specified area. Stakes used for this purpose are often those which are conveniently available in the relevant operation within the area and may be wooden sticks, metal rods or strips or angle or anything of a convenient height to which string may be attached.While such means may appear simple and cheap, they may turn out to be unnecessary robust or unacceptably fragile; again they may be awkward to use and may require two operators to erect them, there being an attendant risk of injury in either case; they may be clumsy in transportation when required in quantity.

According to the invention there is provided a post comprising a base member, a spigot upstanding from the base member, pin means for fixing the base member to a specified surface, and a tubular member capable of fitting over said spigot and thereby upstanding from said base member.

Preferably the spigot is integral with the base member.

It is also preferred that there is a vertical hole in the spigot and the base member through which the pin means is driven to fix the base member to said specified surface. Preferably the pin means is a driving fit within said hole. Part of the hole and also the top of the spigot may be conical to relieve any bending strain on the pin means as it is driven through the hole.

Preferably the base member, spigot and tubular member are formed of plastics material.

The end of the tubular member which, in use, is intended to be the upper end may be provided with an open-ended longitudinal slot for reception of string etc.

The post may be a fence post.

By way of example, specific embodiments in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a fence post; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the baseplate of the post of Figure 1 prior to the baseplate being fixed to a specified surface; Figure 3 is an underplan view of the baseplate as shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a cross-section through a modified baseplate, the fixing pin being omitted.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, a fence post comprises a baseplate 1 preferably made of plastics material, e.g. polypropylene, a tube 5 again preferably made of plastics material, e.g.

toughened polyvinyl chloride, and a fixing nail or pin 8 which would generally be made of mild steel but for some surfaces a nail of plastics material, e.g. polypropylene, may be adequate.

In this embodiment the baseplate 1 is circular, but may be square, and has a collar or spigot 2 upstanding from its upper surface, the spigot in this embodiment being integral with the baseplate 1. Again in this embodiment the spigot 2 is circular but may be square. A hole 4 proportioned to be a tight fit with the fixing nail 8 is provided through the baseplate substantially centrally of the spigot 2. The tube 5 fits securely onto the spigot. The vertical face or faces of the spigot 2 may be inclined in an upward direction to ensure a secure fit of the tube 5 on the spigot. At least one longitudinal, diametral or medial slot is provided at the upper end of the tube 5 to carry the string etc. to be suspended between a series of these posts. The slot 7 may be vertical or may be inclined to the vertical at opposite angles at each end of the slot.The nail 8 is driven through hole 4 to fix the baseplate and post assembly to the ground or other surface.

As supplied to the user the fence post consists of the baseplate 1 and nail 8 as one assembly and the tube 5 as the second. In this condition the nail 8 is located with its point flush with the lower surface of the baseplate 1 as shown in Figure 3. In use a single operator uses a proprietary tool or a hammer to drive the nail 8 through the baseplate hole 4 to secure the baseplate 1 to the ground.

The tube 5 is then pushed by hand onto the spigot. The string chosen to be suspended between the posts is preferably proportioned to be a push fit into the slot 7.

For transportation of a number of fence posts the tubes 5 are assembled into a cylindrical bundle. For the transportation of the base and nail components the bulk of the package is reduced by the provision of one or more slots 9 in the baseplate 1. A second baseplate 1 can then be stacked above a first with the nail 8 of the first entering a slot 9 of the second; a third baseplate can be stacked above the second its slot embracing the nails of the first two. Successive baseplates are similarly stacked.

If desired, the underside of the baseplate may be hollowed and ribbed to reduce weight and cost, and maintain strength.

Figure 4 shows a modified baseplate 10 in which the lower part 11 of the central hole 12, and the top surface 13 of the spigot 14 are conical to relieve any bending strain on the nail during installation of the baseplate.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the components of the fence post described above may be altered to suit different conditions.

However, with regard to a fence post having a height of 42 inches, the following dimensions may be found to be applicable: Baseplate: diameter 5" thickness i" Spigot: height 3" diameter 1" Fixing pin: diameter" length 10" Tube: length 42" wall thickness 1/16"

Claims (12)

Claims 1. A post forming a part of means for defining the boundary of a selected area of land and adapted to be readily erected and dismantled, the post comprising an assembly of a tubular upright having retaining means for stringing, a base member having a ground engaging portion capable of preventing the post tipping in any direction and an upstanding spigot capable of fitting inside the end of the upright which, in use, is intended to be the lower end and thereby supporting the upright in an erect position, the upright being readily removable from the spigot during dismantling of the post and the spigot having a hole extending longitudinally therethrough, and a separately constructed member capable of being passed through the hole in the spigot for temporarily fixing the base member to the ground. 2. A post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upright has a bore of constant cross-section at least at its lower end, and the spigot of the base member is tapered in an upward direction to ensure a secure fit of the upright on the spigot. 3. A post as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fixing is a pin. 4. A post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member and the upright are formed of plastics material. 5. A post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means are provided at the end of the upright which, in use, is intended to be the upper end. 6. A post as claimed in claim 5, wherein the retaining means is an open slot extending longitudinally of the upright. 7. A post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. New Claims or Amendments to Claims Filed on 24.09.79 Superseded Claims All (1-12) New or Amended Claims:

1. A post comprising a base member, pin means for fixing the base member to a specified surface, and a tubular member capable of fitting over at least part of the base member and thereby upstanding therefrom.

2. A post as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a flat portion and an upstanding spigot, the tubular member being a sliding fit over the spigot.

3. A post as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the spigot is tapered inwardly in an upward direction to ensure a secure fit of the tubular member on the spigot.

4. A post as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the spigot is integral with the flat portion of the base member.

5. A post as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein there is a vertical hole in the spigot and the flat portion of the base member through which the pin means is driven to fix the base member to said specified surface.

6. A post as claimed on Claim 5, wherein the pin means is a driving fit within said hole.

7. A post as claimed in Claim 5 of Claim 6, wherein at least the lower portion of the hole is tapered outwardly in a downward direction to relieve any bending strain on the pin means as it is driven through the hole.

8. A post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member and the tubular member are formed of plastics material.

9. A post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the tubular member which, in use, is intended to be the upper end has retaining means for string, rope or wire.

10. A post as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the retaining means is an open slot extending longitudinally of the tubular member.

11. A post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post is a fence post.

12. A post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.