GB2360301A

GB2360301A - Fence post support

Info

Publication number: GB2360301A
Application number: GB0025001A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Duffy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-23
Filing date: 2000-10-12
Publication date: 2001-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-12
Also published as: GB0025001D0; GB2360301B; GB9927534D0

Abstract

A fence post support has a foot (2) that contacts the ground, where the foot (2) may have on one side a socket (6) for receiving a fence post (1). A spike (4), separate from the foot (2), is secured to one side of the foot (2) and extends from the other side into the ground. The post (1) may be sealed in the socket (6) with a weather resistant material. Preferably, guides are provided to position and align the spikes (4) as they are driven into the ground and temporary anchor stakes (7, fig 2) may be used to position the foot (2) during erection of the post support.

Description

2360301 POST SUPPORT ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a post support

assembly.

There are two main methods commonly used for erecting and anchoring posts in the ground:

1. A hole is dug, the post is inserted and aligned and the hole is in-filled with concrete.

2. A purpose made metal post support device is used. This comprises a socket at the upper end which is connected (usually welded) to a 'spike' at the lower. The device is driven so that the 'spike' enters the earth leaving the socket portion above ground.

The post is inserted into the socket and secured. The 'spike' is designed to facilitate ease of entry into the ground whilst providing firm anchorage.

It is generally accepted that using the metal support device is less time consuming than the traditional concreting method but suffers from certain limitations. It is essential to ensure the vertical alignment of the fence post, which is governed by the alignment of the support as it is driven into the ground. This is difficult to achieve, particularly in situations where the ground contains building debris. Should the 'spike' hit a stone or brick it is easily deflected from the intended path. Subsequent correction can result in weakening of the anchorage.

According to one aspect of the present invention a post support assembly comprises a foot assembly formed from a substantially planar portion and a formation extending to one side of the planar portion by which the planar portion may be secured to one end of a post; and an anchor spike, the anchor spike being separate from the foot assembly and being adapted to be secured to said one side of said planar portion, so that the anchor spike extends to the other side of the planar portion.

In accordance with the present invention the foot assembly is secured to the fence post prior to erection. The post and foot assembly is then correctly positioned, aligned and temporarily secured. One or more anchor stakes are then driven into the ground and subsequently bolted (or otherwise secured) to the foot assembly to secure the post. Means may be provided within the metal foot assembly by way of guides to assist in positioning and aligning the anchor stake(s) as it (they) is (are) driven into the ground. The foot assembly may also be connected to the fence post at time of manufacture and sealed with a suitable resin in order to provide enhanced weather resistant properties.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows in perspective the fence post support assembly. One anchor stake only is shown for clarity.

Figure 2 illustrates the method of erecting the fence post.

Referring to the drawings the fence post (1) is secured to the metal plate (2) by means of a socket formation (6) and may then be sealed therein with resin or alternative waterproof material.

The post (1) and foot assembly (2, 6) are then correctly positioned, aligned and temporarily secured at the foot and head of the post (1). In this example the plate (2) is provided with a slot (3) through which a metal stake (4) is driven into the ground to sufficient depth to hold the foot assembly (2, 6) and post (1) in position and wooden props (8) are 25 used to secure the post (1) in vertical alignment.

Metal anchor stakes (4) are then inserted through the guide slots (5) and driven into the ground to a position which enables them to be bolted rigidly to the metal plate (2). The anchor stakes (4) in this example are made from T-section material but could be of alternative section.

The temporary supports (7, 8) are then removed. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, while in the above embodiment a socket formation (6) corresponding to the section of the post (1) is provided, alternative means, for example a flat plate or angle, to which the end of the post (1) 10 may be bolted or otherwise secured, may be used.

Also while the foot assembly and anchor stakes are preferably made of metal, other suitable materials, for example rigid plastics may alternatively be used.

Claims

A post support assembly comprising a foot assembly formed from a substantially planar portion and a formation extending to one side of the planar portion by which the planar portion may be secured to one end of a post; and an anchor spike, the anchor spike being separate from the foot assembly and being adapted to be secured to said one side of said planar portion, so that the anchor spike extends to the other side of the planar portion.
2. A post support assembly according to claim 1 in which a socket formation of section corresponding to that of the post extends to one side of the pia nar portion of the foot assembly.
3. A post support assembly according to claim 2 in which the post is sealed into the socket formation with a weather resistant material.
4. A post support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which guide means are provided in the foot assembly to enable positioning and alignment of the anchor stake.
5. A post support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which a plurality of anchor stakes are secured to the foot assembly.
6. A post support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which means is provided for temporarily securing the foot assembly during erection of the post.
7. A post support assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.