GB2469304A

GB2469304A - A fence post holder

Info

Publication number: GB2469304A
Application number: GB0906082A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Perry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-08
Filing date: 2009-04-08
Publication date: 2010-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-08
Also published as: GB2469304B; GB0906082D0

Abstract

A fence post holder where the perimeter walls of the main body 10 are extended beyond the common height of standard post holders at either the corners or sides or a combination of both, allowing the post 12 to be secured by a nail, screw or other means 20 further up its body from its base when housed by the holder 10 and where the perimeter walls have apertures, holes or notches to allow water and moisture to escape the holder 10, preventing the post 12 from rotting and snapping off. The use of a quick release mechanism 41 is also claimed where the mechanism is incorporated into or cut from with the main body 10 to fasten the main body of the holder 10 around the post 12 making clamping and releasing of the post significantly quicker and easier and therefore prolonging the life of the post 12 and ultimately the fence structure.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO A FENCE POST HOLDER

This invention relates to improvements to a fence post holder.

Fence posts are well known and used in fencing applications as a support for fence panels, fence railings, trellis panels and such like, A fence structure usually requires the use of at least one or more fence posts to support and add structural strength to the fence.

Depending how the fence is constructed, posts may be spaced at intervals along a fence between panels or rails or just positioned one at each end of the fence.

In order for the fence to gain the maximum strength obtained by the supporting post, the post must be fixed in the ground or mounted on a solid base either via the use of a post holder or set in a post or concrete mix or by other means such as being bolted in position.

Fence posts are generally made of timber, that over a period of time will absorb water and moisture from weathering combined with atmospheric conditions and become saturated and rotten at the base of the post where it either meets the concrete it is set in or at the point level with the top of the post holder. The problem with manufactured post holders is that the solid walls of the holders act as moisture barriers and prevent any water escaping the post quickly enough to prevent long term rot to the post, thus the post will eventually snap off Some post holders incorporate drainage holes but insufficient to drain the amount of captured water quick enough. Post holders encapsulate the last few inches of the post to retain the post and firmly hold it in its upright position. Another problem with this construction is that the holders do not secure the post far enough up its body from its base and will not hold the post firm and upright (especially if the post has rotted), without becoming unsightly due to the contrast in colour and appearance between post holder and post. What is needed is a means to let any trapped moisture and rainwater escape the post in a shorter period of time whilst the post is also secured far enough up its body from the base when in an upright position in order to prevent the post from snapping off through water saturation and rotten timber therefore prolonging the life of the post.

One other main problem with existing post holders is that the portion of the body that fastens around the post is usually clamped and fixed using a nut and bolt. This system is difficult to use as the nut and bolt are usually too close to the main body of the holder to allow a spanner enough room to manoeuvre to tighten the bolts sufficiently to limit the movement of the post within the bolder. When the nuts rust through weathering, it is difficult to release the post from the clamping pressure of the nut and bolt and, due to the lack of manoeuvrability the user will often cut or bash their hands on the flanges or body of the post holder. Existing post holders also rely purely on the nut and bolt method of fastening the post in the post holder. As this method only secures one corner of the post, there is often movement of the post within the holder, as manufacturing tolerances of posts often vary from the manufactured size of the holder. Adjustable holders take up some of this slack but offer no other means of stab ilising the post from any other portion of the holder. Some holders do use a small lip incorporated into the main body which is then bent into the enclosed area that holds the post, in an effort to grip the post from the inside, but this method is ineffective as the lip is pushed back out when the post is forced into the holder.

According to the present invention there is provided improvements to a fence post holder whereby the main body of the post holder where its corners or a portion of its sides and corners or at least one side or corner or a combination of both have extended upper sides that may also be apertured to allow moisture to evaporate from the post into the air and for the post to breathe' and to allow the post to be secured further up its body from its base by a nail, screw or other means not mentioned, beyond the level where moisture saturates the post and further up the post than the industry standard height of a post holder so that the post holders sides will now significantly reduce the amount of water becoming trapped or saturating the base of the post and therefore preventing the post snapping off and prolonging the life of the post and ultimately the fence, whilst also securing the post firmly within the holder to reduce movement of the post within the holder and keeping an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the fence structure, said improvements also include use of a quick release pin type fastening in place of a nut and bolt which would allow one's hand to complete a full turn of the pin to tighten the post bolder around the post without risk of injury to the user. Due to the variety of quick release mechanisms, said improvements being where the shaft, barrel, hinge or portion of the mechanism that the pin, lever or hook is anchored to is permanently fixed to and/or incorporated into and/or cut from and/or formed from the main body of the post holder and where the lever or handle is of equal length or longer than the pin or lassoing portion of the mechanism for easier gripping by the user and a befter range of movement; therefore releasably securing the post and post holder is easier than with the use of a nut and bolt and requires no additional tools except ones strength -just like the wheels of a bicycle, using this fastening method.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the difference between a standard post holder and the extended sides of the new invention and the movement of water and moisture on a post Figure 2 demonstrates the increased stability and restricted movement of the post within new invention compared with a standard post holder Figure 3 shows a perspective drawing of a post sat in the new improved post holder Figure 4a-f shows a side elevation of the standard post holder compared with several alternative designs of the new improvements to the post bolder Figure 5a-b shows the portion of the holder using the quick release pin compared with nut and bolt fastening method Figures 6 illustrate how a barrel and hinge type mechanism is used Figures 7a-b and figure 8 illustrates how a latch type mechanism is used Figures 9 & 9a illustrate how a barrel and pin type mechanism are used Figure 10 shows in perspective a wall mountable version of the invention With reference to the drawings figure 1(i) on page 1/7 illustrates the standard post holder that has a main body 10, generally a flat base 18, a drainage hole 16 and often a spike 14 for the purpose of anchoring the holder in the ground. The fence post 12 is housed by the holder 10, The invention (ii) has the same or similar features with the improvement lying within the upper portion of the main body 10. Letter A' on the drawings indicates the usual standard height of the side walls of a post holder and letter B' demonstrates the increase in height by the extension of the upper portion significantly beyond the standard height of a post holder and therefore the new improvement of the post holder. Moisture marked as C' on the drawings, absorbed by a fence post 12 generally collects and forms a pocket of water at the base of the post 12 as it is trapped inside the holder 10 and cannot escape quickly enough as a direct result of inadequate drainage and solid walls of the common post holder 10.

The drawing (i) show that a level of water D' builds up inside the holder 10 and is absorbed by the post 12 and then the moisture C' penetrates and rots the lower end of the post 12. As the post 12 cannot breathe, eventually the post 12 will snap and break at the point marked B' on the drawing.

The new improvements on the drawing (ii) illustrate a further improvement where at least one but generally all of the perimeter walls of the post holder are significantly apertured below the common standard height of a post holder marked A' to allow the post 12 to breathe and the excess moisture C' to escape the holder 10 and evaporate quickly into the air thus preventing the post from rotting and therefore snapping off and ultimately prolonging the life of the post 12 and the fence. The improvement of the extended portion marked as B' on drawing (ii) also incorporates ax least one but often several holes for the purpose of allowing a nail, screw 20 or other means to fasten the post 12 to the holder 10 that helps to keep the post upright and adds strength to the application.

Figure 2 on page 217 illustrates the improvement of the extended portion marked as B' acts like a boot or sleeve and vastly increases stability of the post 12 within the holder 10 significantly reducing movement of the post 12 within the holder 10 compared with the common height marked A' where the holder 10 is more of a shoe and movement of the post 12, marked by the perforated line, within the holder 10 is significant especially as there are no points 20 to fasten the post 12 further up from the base 18 compared with the new improvement. The holders 10 in these drawings do not have a spike 14 (not shown) as they are wall mountable versions and are illustrated mounted on a wall 26.

Figure 3 on page 2/7 shows the improved post holder 10 in perspective with a spike 14, at least one drainage hole 16, the extended portion B' secured with a nail 20, the apertured perimeter walls and the post 12 sat in the holder 10.

Figure 4a-f on page 3/7 shows side elevations of possible designs of the perimeter walls for the improved post holder. The drawings illustrate the common height A' of a holder compared with the improved extended portions marked B' 4a is the common holder and drawings b-fare the improved versions. A post 12 is shown in situ in all drawings that also have a base 18 and at least one drainage hole 16. All improved versions b-f have at least one hole for the purpose of the nail or screw or other means 20 to fasten the holder 10 to the post 12. All drawings b-f show the improved perimeter walls apertured significantly below the standard height A' to allow evaporation of moisture and where the extended portion B' may either be the corners of the perimeter walls, the mid portions of the perimeter walls or a combination of both.

Figure Sa on page 4/7 illustrates the use of a nut and bolt to clamp the main body of the post holder 10 around the post not shown. Existing post holders usually have one or more flanges 33 incorporated into the main body 10, usually one on each end of the portion that is folded or bent round on itself to complete the box or circular area that encapsulates the post, so that when the two ends of the body are abutted or meet to form the box or enclosed area, the flanges 33 are adjacent to or facing one another, allowing a bolt 35 to pass through both of these flanges which is secured by a nut 37 and therefore the main body of the holder 10 will act like a clamp around the end portion of the post. The problem with using a nut 37 and bolt 35 with this clamping system is that the nut 37 and bolt 35 become too close to the main body of the holder 10 when tightened prohibiting a tool such as a spanner 39 completing a full circular turn marked as A on the drawing which then unnecessarily prolongs the length of time it takes to tighten the holder 10 as the spanner 39 needs to be removed from the nut 37 and repositioned on the nut 37 every quarter to half circle, whereas when using a quick release pin 41 that is able to turn fill circle the pin 41 can be fastened easier and of course much tighter, which also reduces the risk of injury to ones hand from such situations where ones skin is pinched or trapped between the nut 37 and bolt 35 and the main body of the holder 10. Quick release mechanisms are generally based on a cam or pivot point with a means to tighten and loosen the hook, pin, anchor or latch or other means and having at least one fixed anchoring point to releasably secure two bodies together and as such can vary with many different mechanisms being useable to obtain the same end result. For example, Figure 5b on 4/7 illustrates the use of the quick release pin 41 to clamp the main body 10 around the post not shown via the incorporated flanges 33. Due to the elongated lever portion 42 of the pin 41 protruding beyond the main body 10, compared to the short wide body of a nut 37, the lever portion is able to turn full circle marked as A on the drawing compared to a nut 37 and bolt 35 and can be fastened easier and of course much tighter, which also reduces the risk of injury to ones hand from such situations where ones skin is pinched or trapped between the nut and bolt and the main body of the holder. The quick release pin 41 will also release the post quicker and easier than a nut and bolt as no additional tools such as spanners are needed; just ones strength. Other types of quick release mechanism can include a lock and barrel, hinge and pin, shaft and pin, latch and anchor and so on but what is central to all these mechanisms is that they all require at least one fixed point to anchor to and a pivoting means to draw the restraining force for the quick release mechanism to work. All of the mechanisms need a point for the user to grasp which is usually in the form of a lever which is used to work the pivot and so on. What is new about this invention is that the fixed point 87 is incorporated into and/or cut from and/or permanently fixed to a part of the post holder's main body 10 so that the quick release mechanism's overall strength is increased and drawn from the overall body of post holder when fastened and the lever 42 is of equal length and/or longer than the lassoing means of the mechanism which is important because due to the closeness of the mechanism to the post holder's main body as previously explained, the user needs as great a range of movement as possible and where the fastened strength of the tightened mechanism is high, the longer the lever the easier it is to tighten and loosen the mechanism as the fulcrum point is further away from the main working parts of the mechanism. Figure 6 on page 6/7 illustrates a hinge and pin version of the quick release mechanism where said hinge 87 is the portion formed from the main body 10. We can see the barrel is formed by simply curving over the end portion of one side of the post holder where there are two sides being joined or abutted and the pin 41 incorporating the latching means 50 pivots inside the barrel which is moved by the lever 42 so that the latching or lassoing means 50 is moved (shown as X') over the anchoring point 87 on the other side of the body 10 to abut and fasten the two sides together. I'm not an engineer and I don't know all the engineering terms but I think the point I'm making is clear. -5-.

Figure 7A & 7B on page 5/7 show a side elevation of the latch or lassoing means 50 being moved over and down into the anchoring point 87 incorporated into the main body 10.

FigureS on page 6/7 shows the whole mechanism illustrated in figures 7A and 7B where this particular type works a bit like a boat's rope being moored to a pillar where the pillar would be stuck in the ground (the anchoring point) and the rope is tightened to secure the boat; the same principle is used where the lever 42 is attached to a pivoting means 63 which is restrained by one anchoring point 87 incorporated or cut from within one side of the main body 10 which has a latching or lassoing means 50 that hooks over the other anchoring point 87 on the other side of the body 10 that can be tightened by the lever 42 using the movement and opposing clamping force of the pivot 63 once the lever is returned to its closed position as shown.

Figures 9 and 9A on page 6/7 show another alternative quick release mechanism using a barrel or shaft and pin where again the anchoring points 87 are permanently fixed or incorporated into the flanges 33 attached to the main body not shown. The shaft is cylindrical having a threaded portion 72 to receive the threaded pin 41 which has a lever 42 to wind the pin into and through the shaft so that it may connect with a tensioning nut 78. The lever 42 is then pushed via its pivot 63 to a closed position which pulls against the nut 78 and incorporated anchoring points 87 of the flanges 33 and tightens the mechanism. The pivot and nut provide the opposing forces to join the flanges together; again this only works as the anchoring points are part of the main body 10.

Figure 10 on page 7/7 shows in perspective a wall mountable version of the post holder and illustrates the extended upper corners incorporating holes for a nail or screw 20 to fasten the post 12 to the holder 10 and the use of the quick release pin 41 to tighten the main body 10 that has a base 18 around the encapsulated post 12 via the flanges 33.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Improvements to a fence post holder; a fence post holder being a means to house a fence post, said post holder having a main body with at least one but generally two or more perimeter walls displaced to form an enclosed area that often has a base, a drainage hole arid often a means to anchor the post holder into the ground by incorporating an additional member such as a spike protruding downwards from the base or a base without a spike that extends outside the area of the main body for the purpose of being wall mountable said improvements where a quick release mechanism is used to releasably secure the post holder around the post said quick release mechanism having a shaft that may be threaded and/or barrel and/or hinge that may be apertured for the purpose of housing a lever member and/or means of securing a pivot member and/or anchoring point to receive a pin and/or hook and/or lever and/or hasp and/or other tightening and/or lassoing device that is a part of andlor permanently fixed to and/or incorporated into andior cut from and/or formed from and/or protruding from the main body of the post holder so that the overall clamping strength of the mechanism is provided by and/or extracted from the main body of the post holder therefore increasing the post holder and mechanism's overall strength to withstand movement of the post within the post holder and therefore allowing various types of quick release mechanisms to be used to quickly releasably secure the post in the post holder said quick release mechanism having a handle and/or lever and/or portion that is used to tighten and loosen off the mechanism that is of equal length to, or longer than the pin and/or hook and/or lassoing means of the mechanism therefore allowing the user a greater range of movement when using the device which is safer and easier to use; said improvements to a post holder whereby at least one but generally all perimeter walls are extended beyond the commonly known height of a post holder that usually only encapsulates the last few inches of the end of a fence post, to enable the fence post to be secured significantly further up its body from its base therefore providing increased stability of the fence post when housed by the holder and preventing the post from breaking or snapping off at its lower end when rotting or when becoming saturated by trapped moisture, said perimeter walls extended at either at least one corner/corners, a side or portion of the sides or a combination of both that may be apertured or shaped to allow the fence post to breath, release moisture and severely reduce the amount of water being trapped within the holder, preventing the fence post rotting and therefore prolonging the life of the fence post and ultimately the fence.
2. Improvements to a fence post holder as claimed in claim 1 where the apertures of the perimeter walls are of significant size and space to allow the openings to dominate a large portion of the perimeter walls and fall below the standard height of the top lip of a perimeter wall of the common post holder to reduce the amount of water trapped within the post bolder, said apertures not restricted to size, shape or positioning within the main body of the post bolder.CLAIMS
3. Improvements to a fence post holder as claimed in claim I and claim 2 where any area of the main body corners or sides of the perimeter walls or base of the post holder may have at least one hole for the purpose of a nail, screw or other means to secure the fence post to the fence post holder increasing the strength and stability of the two when joined and where said hole or boles are not limited to size, shape or restricted to any particular positioning.
4. Improvements to a fence post holder as claimed in any preceding claim substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.