GB2397586A

GB2397586A - A support device for a post

Info

Publication number: GB2397586A
Application number: GB0301585A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Jeremy Swain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-23
Filing date: 2003-01-23
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-23
Also published as: GB2397586B; GB0301585D0

Abstract

A support device 10 for a post 40 comprises an outer sleeve 20 and an inner sleeve 30 for receiving the post, the inner sleeve slidable within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve, which may be tapered and generally u-shaped may have a resilient member that releases the post when removed from the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve can include means for insertion into the ground (50, not shown) and may comprise a tubular member and drainage hole 26.

Description

A SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A POST

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support for a post.

In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a support for a fence post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally fence posts are often supported in a hole in ground which is filled with soil, concrete or the like. Invariably, fence posts are made of wood, an inexpensive, lightweight material. Unfortunately, wooden posts can easily rot in the damp ground or may become damaged in high winds and require replacing.

With such conventional support techniques, it is very difficult to remove and then replace the fence post without the aid of digging up the post or concrete base or without the aid of specialist tools.

US 4593872 discloses one known type of fence post support or anchoring device. The fence post support comprises a holder in which the lower end of the post is inserted. At the lower end of the holder, there is provided an anchoring screw which is driven into the ground, the holder being positioned above the ground.

Unfortunately such an anchoring device does not provide maximum stability and the post held by such a device can easily be blown over in high winds which causes a portion of the fence to collapse damaging fence panels and the like held between the fence posts.

Furthermore, the post is difficult to replace or remove from the anchoring device.

SUGARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for supporting posts which enables the posts to be easily replaced and also provides maximum stability.

This is achieved in accordance with an aspect of the present invention by providing a support device for a post comprising an outer sleeve; and an inner sleeve for receiving a post, the inner sleeve slideably mountable within the outer sleeve.

The inner sleeve may comprise at least one resilient member such that, in use, the at least one resilient member releases the post when the inner sleeve is removed from the outer sleeve.

The inner sleeve may include means for gripping the post. This may be achieved, for example, by tapering the inner sleeve.

The inner sleeve may be generally U-shaped such that the lower end of the inner sleeve is positioned at the lower end of the post so that the post is fully supported as the inner sleeve is slideably removed from the outer sleeve. Alternatively, the post may be gripped by the inner sleeve such that as the inner sleeve is removed from the outer sleeve the post is also removed.

The inner sleeve may also include handle means for enabling the inner sleeve to be slideably moved relative to the outer sleeve. For example, the handle means may comprise a portion of the inner sleeve extending beyond an open, upper end of the outer sleeve and partly down the outer surface of the outer sleeve.

At least a portion of the outer sleeve may be mountable into the ground. Preferably, a majority of the outer sleeve is inserted into the ground for maximum stability.

Preferably, the lower end of the outer sleeve is closed such that the outer sleeve displaces soil as it is inserted into the ground. More preferably, the closed, :, lower end includes at least one drainage hole to avoid the collection of rainwater and the like within the outer sleeve.

The outer sleeve may comprise a substantially elongate tubular member and the inner sleeve may extend along substantially the full length of the outer sleeve.

In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the cross sectional area defined by the inner and/or outer sleeve generally conforms to the shape of the cross sectional area of the post.

The lower end of the outer sleeve may include means for inserting the outer sleeve into the ground, for example, a spike or screw means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross section of the support device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross section of the inner sleeve of the support device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross section of the support according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The support 10 comprising an elongated tubular outer sleeve 20 and an elongate tubular inner sleeve 30. The outer sleeve 20 has an open, upper end 22 and a closed, lower end 24.

The closed, lower end 24 of the outer sleeve 20 includes at least one drainage hole 26. Of course, it can be appreciated that the lower end 24 of the outer sleeve 20 may be open-ended providing drainage.

The inner sleeve 30 has an open, upper end 32 and a closed, lower end 34. Preferably, the inner sleeve 30 is generally U-shaped and tapers inwardly toward the closed, lower end 34.

The inner sleeve 30 also includes at least one handle means 32 to provide means for allowing the inner sleeve to be gripped and removed from the outer sleeve 20. The handle means 32 comprises an extension of the inner sleeve 30 which extend above and beyond the open, upper end 32 of the outer sleeve 20 and partly down the outer surface of the outer sleeve 20 at an acute angle.

In use, a post 40 is inserted into the inner sleeve 30 and the inner sleeve 30 is then slideably mounted within the outer sleeve 20. The cross sectional area defined by the inner sleeve 30, is less than the cross sectional area of the post 40 such that the lower end of the post 40 is gripped by the inner sleeve 30. The inner sleeve 30 comprises at least two resilient members 36, 38 which interengage the inner surface of the outer sleeve 20 when inserted into the outer sleeve gripping the post at the upper region of the support 10, holding the post 40 firmly in place. As the inner sleeve 30 is removed from the outer sleeve 20, the resilient members 36, 38 of the inner sleeve 30 extend outwardly away from the post 40 allowing the post 40 to be easily removed from the inner sleeve 30.

The outer sleeve 20 is placed in a hole, either filled with soil, concrete or the like. The majority of the outer sleeve 20, in the region of 90 to 99% of the outer sleeve 20, is placed below ground level such that only a small portion of the outer sleeve 20 is exposed above ground. This provides a visually more attractive finish to the post arrangement but more importantly provides greater stability. The support of the present invention also helps prevent rot of a wooden, or the like, post.

In this way the post 40 can easily be removed and replaced as necessary by merely tapping the handle means 32 upwardly or at an angle or gripping the handle means 32 to slide the inner sleeve 30 upwardly out of the outer sleeve 20. Of course, in the event that the handle means 32 are buried or partly buried, it would be necessary to remove some of the soil to expose the handle means 32 adequately for removal of the inner sleeve 30. The resilient members 36, 38 then spring outwardly releasing the post 40 from the inner sleeve 30. A new post may then be placed within the inner sleeve 30. The post can then easily be tapped into the outer sleeve 20. The post is then replaced without the necessity of removing the outer sleeve from the ground.

As shown in Figure 3, the outer sleeve 20 may also include insertion means 50 in the form of spike as illustrated here or alternatively screw means to allow the outer sleeve 20 to be inserted into the ground avoiding the need to dig a hole etc. Although preferred embodiments of the device of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the forgoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous variations, modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A support device for a post comprising an outer sleeve; and an

inner sleeve for receiving a post, the inner sleeve slideably mountable within the outer sleeve.
2. A support device according to claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve comprises at least one resilient member such that, in use, the at least one resilient member releases the post when the inner sleeve is removed from the outer sleeve.
3. A support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for gripping the post.
4. A support device according to claim 3, wherein the inner sleeve is tapered.
5. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner sleeve is generally U-shaped.
6. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner sleeve includes handle means for enabling the inner sleeve to be slideably moved relative to the outer sleeve.
7. A support device according to claim 6, wherein the handle means comprise a portion of the inner sleeve extending beyond an open, upper end of the outer sleeve and partly down the outer surface of the outer sleeve.
8. A support device according to claim 7, wherein the handle means extends partly down the outer surface of the outer sleeve at an acute angle.
9. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the outer sleeve is inserted into the ground.
10. A support device according to claim 9, wherein a majority of the outer sleeve is inserted into the ground.
11. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower end of the outer sleeve is closed.
12. A support device according to claim 9, wherein the closed, lower end includes at least one drainage hole.
13. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a substantially elongate tubular member.
14. A support device according to claim 13, wherein the inner sleeve extends along substantially the full length of the outer sleeve.
15. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the cross sectional area defined by the inner and/or outer sleeve generally conforms to the shape of the cross sectional area of the post.
16. A support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower end of the outer sleeve includes means for inserting the outer sleeve into the ground.
17. A support device according to claim 16, wherein the insertion means comprises an elongate spike or screw means.
18. A support device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.