GB2332232A

GB2332232A - Post support bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2332232A
Application number: GB9827090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Leo Stillings
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-13
Filing date: 1998-12-09
Publication date: 1999-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-09
Also published as: GB9827090D0; GB2332232B; GB2332232A9; GB9726318D0

Abstract

A post support bracket (2) with a pointed lower end (3) is designed to be positioned next to a broken fence post (5). A dolly (13, see fig 4) is positioned on the top of the bracket (1) to enable it to be driven into the ground or down between the post and its concrete foundation (7). The bracket is provided with a plurality of holes (4) to enable the bracket to be fixedly attached to the post with screws or the like once the bracket is in position.

Description

2332232 1 SUPPORT BRACKE This invention relates to a support bracket for

use in, particularly but not exclusively, a method for the repair of wooden post members forming part of a fence and/ or gate.

A common feature of gardens and farms is the use of wooden fences to demarcate property boundaries and to prevent livestock andlor unauthorised personnel from entering private land. Fences of this type are easy to erect, not very expensive and can serve as both a permanent or temporary means of delimiting land owned by a house owner or farmer.

Fences of this type are erected by impaling a series of vertical fence posts into soil. These vertical fence posts function to provide a support for horizontal or vertical members which form the body of the fence. The vertical fence posts can either be erected directly into soil or alternatively embedded into a concrete base to provide additional support. The fence is completed by the provision of a diagonally set fence member which runs from the junction of the top of one vertical fence member to the diagonally opposite base of another vertical fence post member. Once complete the fence provides a barrier to demarcate land boundaries, to contain livestock and to prevent or discourage the entry of individuals onto private land.

A problem with the use of vertical fence posts is that wood is degradable. Wood is an organic material and so is prone to attack by a range of wood rotting fungus which are present in soil. A number of chemical treatments can be used to protect wood from these invasive organisms. However these 2 treatments do not have a deeply penetrative effect on wood whereas once fungal spores have gained access to wood they can invade and degrade wood fibres resulting in wood rot and the eventual failure of the fence post in 5 supporting the fence.

This problem can be alleviated by embedding the fence post in a concrete foundation to surround the wood in an impenetrable casing through which the fungus cannot gain access to the wood. However the region of the exposed fence post at the soil/concrete interface is still vulnerable to attack and we have found that in the majority of cases this region is the most susceptible to wood rot.

An alternative to using a wooden fence post is to construct concrete vertical fence posts for use in supporting a slidably inserted fence piece. The fence piece can be replaced periodically if damaged by the elements and/or by wood rot. However these concrete fence supports are of considerable weight and not easily manipulated by a lone worker. Fences of this type are normally of a permanent nature, require considerable effort to construct and in situations where only a temporary fence is required they are not suitable.

If a wooden fence post is damaged by wood rot or the elements, it is possible to repair the damaged area. Currently a number of liquid wood materials are available to the DIY enthusiast which claim to offer repairs to wood products which are equal to or stronger than the original wood. However, these products tend to be expensive, difficult to work with and require considerable time for them to harden and cure. This is incompatible with a 3 damaged fence post which typically requires immediate attention if the infrastructure of the fence is to be maintained.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a means and method to 5 repair fence posts andlor gateposts.

It is yet further object of the invention to provide a means to repair fence posts and/or gateposts that is characterised in that the repair means is inexpensive and can be used by an unskilled or semiskilled worker.

An example of a fence post repair device is given in US 5636482. The device is a wedged shaped metal member that is installed at the base of the fence post to be repaired to provide support that would ordinarily be conferred by the fence post.

The installation of the repair device involves severing the decayed or damaged post at its base (e.g. above the interface of the post with the concrete foundation), displacing the fence to one side to allow access to the severed stump of the fence post, removal of the residual wood from the concrete foundation, attachment of the support device to the sound wood of the severed fence post, inserting and realigning the adapted fence post within the concrete foundation and finally refilling the concrete foundation with liquid concrete to secure the fence post support device. Clearly this procedure is both time consuming and involves several manipulations of the fence during the repair. Notably the displacement of the fence often results in loosening of horizontal or vertical fence body members due to the distortion introduced into the fence. The horizontal or vertical fence body 4 members can be re-secured by re-hammering the original nails used to secure these members to the vertical fence posts. However this is often unsatisfactory and additional nails or screws have to be inserted to complete the repair. Clearly some additional securing means is also required after resetting of the adapted fence post in the concrete foundation. Moreover, the liquid concrete requires time to solidify and cure before the support device is fully functional.

The invention described herein concerns a support bracket that can be inserted in situ without the need for extensive manipulation of a fence during repair. The installation of the support bracket can be undertaken by anyone physically able to insert the bracket into ground at the repair site with the use of a hammer or other suitable means. The bracket offers a quick and easy means to repair damaged fences.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this fence post repair device may also be used in the repair of garden gates and or farm gates used to gain access to fenced areas.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support means for use in the repair of fence/gate post members wherein said support means comprises an elongate, right angled or curved bracket having a penetrating end terminating in a point, and wherein the edges of the sides providing the point are angled inwards by a selected degree so that in use the point penetrates the ground and the angled edges act so as to ensure that the bracket adopts a substantially upright position when the support means is driven into the ground.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said support means, is suitably sized and shaped to be slidably inserted between the post to be repaired and the concrete or soil foundation supporting said post.

In yet the further preferred embodiment said edges are adapted by the provision of an angled cutting edge to further facilitate insertion of the bracket about said post.

In yet a further preferred embodiment said support means is provided with at least one attachment means to reversibly fix said support means to said post to be repaired.

More preferably said attachment means comprises a plurality of holes, selectively sized and positioned on said support means so that screws, or analogous means, can be threaded/inserted to fix said support means to said post to be repaired.

In yet a further preferred embodiment said support means is manufactured from a durable material. For example aluminium, iron, steel, or reinforced plastics.

In yet still a further preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a dolly to protect the bracket and/or fence/gate post from damage resulting from the use of a hammer to facilitate the insertion of said bracket about a fence/gate post.

6 It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the dolly provides a suitable means to protect the upper end of the bracket from damage and advantageously protects the fence/gate post from damage by providing a greater surface area over which the installer may exert a downward force on said bracket. Preferably said dolly is selectively shaped to accommodate the upper end of the bracket and is manufactured from a durable material, for example and not by way of limitation, mild steel; reinforced plastic, perspex, aluminium.

In yet still a further preferred embodiment of the invention said dolly is provided with a selectively sized and shaped molded insert to marry the upper end of the bracket with the recess of the dolly. Ideally said insert manufactured from durable inexpensive material and is preferably disposable.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method to repair damaged fence/gateposts using at least one support means as herein described.

In a preferred method of the invention the support means is used in the following manner:

inserting the bevelled edge of the support means into the ground at the interface of the post and the concrete/soil foundation; ii) orienting the support means at an appropriate angle to the fence/gate post and inserting the support means with a hammer into the foundation to a desired depth; 7 iii) optionally inserting a second support means according to i) - ii) at a diagonally opposite comer to the first support means; and iv) fixedly attaching said support means to the fence/gate post using attachment means as hereindescribed.

In a preferred method of the invention the installation of said support means about said fence/gate post is facilitated by the use of a dolly as hereindescribed.

In a preferred method of the invention said method involves the removal of vegetation and/or soil from the area surrounding the post to be repaired.

In yet a further preferred method of the invention said method involves the removal of rotting wood from the fence post followed by treatment of the wood with a suitable wood preservative to prevent further wood rot.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the provision of an angled bevelled edge will force the outer most face of the support means against the concrete/soil foundation during installation of the support means. Therefore as the support means is driven into the foundation at an angle, the support means will move to a vertical position to abut the fence/gate post and fully support the fence/gate post.

It will also be apparent that the installation of the support means minimises the disturbance to the fence and surrounding area. The fence is therefore 8 repaired without the need to sever the damaged post, displace the fence, install the fence post support means and align and reset the post in the foundation. Advantageously this will also provide a repair method that does not result in extensive damage to surrounding vegetation.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fence/gate post repair kit comprising: a selected size and number of support means, a selected number of attachment means to secure the support means to the fence/gate post to be repaired; and optionally a dolly and/or hammer, or other suitable means, to facilitate installation of the support means.

According to a forth aspect of the invention there is provided a support means as substantially herein described and/or with reference to the corresponding figures.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the following figures, wherein; Figure 1 represents alternate aspects of a support bracket wherein; (a) represents a side aspect of a support bracket; (b) a cross sectional aspect of a support bracket through the line a'-a'; and (c) the alternate side aspect of a support bracket showing the holes through which screws are passed to fix the 20 bracket to the post to be repaired; Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a pair of support brackets in position about a fence post; 9 Figure 3 represents a perspective view of a pair of support brackets in position about a fence post; Figure 4 represents alternate views of the dolly and upper end of the support 5 bracket; (a) represents a front view, (b) represents a side view and (c) a plan view of the dolly positioned about the upper end of the support bracket; and Figure 5 represents a series of photographs showing the procedure for insertion of the support bracket about a fence post; (a) bracket; (b) bracket with dolly fitted; (c) insertion of bracket about fence post;(d) attachment of bracket to fence post; and (e) repaired fence post with attached bracket.

Referring to figure 1(a), a fence/gate post support bracket is shown, and specifically one of a pair of flanges that comprise the support bracket is shown in this side view. An upper end (1) is provided with a curved edge to remove any sharp edges that potentially could injure an individual working directly with the support bracket or alternatively working in the vicinity of the bracket, for example during gardening. The body of the support bracket (2) is manufactured to a desired length to be used with a selected fence/gate post of corresponding dimensions. In the example shown a medium sized support bracket is presented which would be suitable to repair most garden fences and/or gateposts. The lower end (3) of the support bracket is bevelled to provide an incisive cutting edge to the support bracket to facilitate insertion of same between the base of the post to be repaired and the foundations supporting the post. The bevelled lower end (3) is further adapted to form a cant (oblique, slanting edge) on the innermost face of the support bracket.

Referring to figure 1 (b), a cross- sectional aspect is shown through the plane a'-a' of the support bracket represented in figure 1 (c). The bracket in this example is 10' in thickness to facilitate insertion of the bracket between the fence/gate post to be repaired and the concretelsoil foundation.

Referring to figure 1 (c), the alternate side or flange of the support bracket is shown. In this example eight holes, are centrally positioned and vertically aligned along the length of the flange. These holes serve to provide a means through which wood screws, or alternate attachment means are passed to fix the bracket to a fence/gate post. Alternatively, an appropriate number of holes can be provided depending on the dimension of the bracket to ensure the bracket is securely fixed to the fence/gate post. If desired attachment holes can be provided on each of the two flanges comprising the bracket; and the holes can be positioned so as to be staggered or aligned with respect to the relative distance of each hole from an end of said bracket Referring to figure (2), a single bracket is shown when fixed to a damaged vertical fence post. The vertical fence post (5) remains in position with attached horizontal fence members (6). The vertical fence post (5) is shown embedded in a concrete foundation (7). During installation of the support bracket there is no manipulation of the fence other than the placement of the support bracket about the vertical fence post and the concrete foundation. Once installed to a desired depth, appropriately sized attachment screws (8) are used to fix the bracket to the fence post through the holes (4) provided in the body of the bracket (3). To completely stabilise the fence, an equivalent support bracket is preferably installed diagonally opposite the first support bracket to complete the repair.

11 Referring to Figure 3, a pair of installed support brackets is shown (9). The installation of each bracket is as hereindescribed. Notably in this example the brackets are shown supporting a fence containing vertical fence members (10) as an alternative to a fence containing horizontal fence members. The only adaptation to the installation process is the provision of an angled notch (11) in the lateral support member of the fence (12) Figure 4 is a diagramatic representation of a dolly (13) inserted about the upper end of the support bracket (1). Figure 4a and b is a front view and sideview, respectively, showing the postion of the dolly with respect to the upper end of the bracket. The dolly comprises a solid block of mild steel which is recessed (15) to accommodate the upper edges of the support bracket. Figure 4c clearly shows the increase in surface area (14) provided by the dolly allowing the installer to hammer the bracket into postion about the fence/gate post without damage to either the upper region of the bracket (1) or the fence/gate post.

Brief Descripton of Inntallaton Method A summary of the method of installation is given with reference to the figures and photographs hereindescribed, Figure 5 a- e. The fence post to be repaired is supported in a vertical position by a temporary means, for example a prop or stay rope. With the use of a suitable gardening tool the surrounding vegetation is cleared from the base of the post to expose the entrance of the post into the concrete foundation. The bevelled end of the support bracket is positioned about one corner of the fence post where it meets the concrete foundation such that the right angled edge of the bracket

12 rests at the longitudinal edge of the fence post and adjacent to the flange containing the screw holes which is toward the front of the fence post. Holding the bracket at an appropriate angle to the post, the bracket is hammered into place between the post and the concrete foundation. The provision of a cant at the bevelled end of the support bracket results in the outer faces of each flange impacting upon the concrete foundation as it is inserted and the movement of the bracket to a vertical orientation.

When the bracket is inserted to a desired depth wood screws can be inserted to securely fix the bracket to the fence post. The installation of the first bracket serves to support the fence post during installation of a second support bracket. The second support bracket is installed by the same method. The upper end of the support brackets can be filed to remove burrs created by the hammering and the installation is completed by the painting and/or varnishing of the bracket to merge with the fence and thereby provide an unobtrusive finish to the support bracket.

It will be apparent that the support bracket as herein described provides a quick, simple and inexpensive means to repair fence/gate posts that are either damaged or contain rotten wood.

11

Claims

1. A support means f or use in the repair of fence/gate post members wherein said support means comprises a elongate, right-angled or curved bracket having a penetrating end terminating in a point, and wherein the edges of the sides providing the point are angled inwards by a selected degree so that in use the point penetrates the ground and the angled edges act so as to ensure that the bracket adopts a substantially upright position when the support means is driven into the ground.

2. A support means according to Claim 1 wherein said support is suitably sized and shaped to be slidably inserted between a post to be repaired and a concrete or soil foundation supporting said post.

3. A support means according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the edges of said support means are adapted by the provision of an angled cutting edge to facilitate insertion of the bracket about said post.

4. A support means according to Claims 1-3 wherein said support means is provided with at least one attachment means to fix said support means to said post to be repaired.

5. A support means according to Claim 4 wherein said attachment means comprises a plurality of holes, selectively sized and positioned on said support means so that screws, or analogous means, can be threaded/inserted to fix said support means to said post to be repaired.

6. A support means according to Claim 1-5 which is manufactured from aluminium, iron, steel or reinforced plastic.

1 L41

7. A support means according to Claims 1-6 wherein said support means is provided with a dolly to aid use of said support means during said repair.

8. A support means according to Claim 7 wherein said dolly is sized and shaped to facilitate the insertion of the support means about said fence/gate post.

9. A support means according to Claims 7 or 8 wherein said dolly is provided with an insert means into which the upper end of the support means can be inserted.

10. A method to repair damaged fence/gate posts comprising:

(i) inserting the bevelled edge of at least one support means according to Claims 1-9 into the ground at the interface of said post and a concrete/soil foundation; (ii) orientating the support means at an appropriate angle to said post and inserting said support means, using an urging means, with a hammer into the foundation to a desired depth; (iii) optionally, inserting a second of said support means, using methodology i and ii, at a diagonally opposite corner to the first support means; and (iv) fixedly attaching said support means to the fence/gate post using attachment means.

is-

11. A method to repair damaged fence/gate posts according to Claim 10 wherein said methodology undr ii above further comprises positioning said dolly on the upper end of said support means prior to urging same into place

12. A method according to Claim 10 or 11 which further comprises removing rotting wood from the fence/post and treatmenting the wood with a suitable wood preservative to prevent further wood rot.

13. A fence/gate post repair kit comprising: a selected size and number of support means according to Claims 1-6, a selected number of attachment means to secure said support means to a fence/gate post to be repaired; and, optionally, a dolly and/or a hammer, or other suitable means to facilitate installation of the support means.

14. A support means as substantially herein described and/or with reference to the corresponding figures.