GB2508211A

GB2508211A - Cap for protection of post during driving into the ground.

Info

Publication number: GB2508211A
Application number: GB201221187A
Authority: GB
Inventors: J O'neill
Original assignee: MANMADE Ltd
Current assignee: MANMADE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-24
Filing date: 2012-11-24
Publication date: 2014-05-28
Also published as: GB201221187D0

Abstract

The cap comprises a base 2 providing an engagement mechanism for a post. The base has on it a body 1, which is preferably a peripheral wall that exists on the edge or near the edge of the base. The base also has on it a collar 3, which may be a tube, that extends in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of a post the cap may be mounted upon. The cap is arranged such that an impulse from a tool, such as a rotary hammer or hammer, is transmitted along the longitudinal axis after striking. The cap is designed to be used if it is located in, around or onto the post top. The cap may have a square, circle or other multisided cross section to fit a similar shaped post. The cap acts as a protective helmet head for the post during pounding of the pole/column as it is driven into the ground

Description

A DRIVING CAP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a driving cap more particularly but not exclusively a cap for capping posts to allow the post to be driven into the ground.

Background

In order to put up fencing there is dften a requirement to provide a strong anchoring system so that the fence posts are securely in the ground. Hammering or digging a wooden post into the ground may be difficult depending upon ground type and may be susceptible to becoming rotten.

Ideally metal posts, post spikes or spiked posts may be used, and metal spikes for receiving of wooden posts may be used to provide an anchor point by creating a strong foundation into which the wooden posts may be placed.

Typically spikes and posts are driven into the ground by hammering with a heavy mallet. Most commonly this is achieved by two users working together, one user holding the spike or post and the other user hammering.

However this method can be dangerous if the user hammering does not hit in a correct position as they may injure the user holding and the post or spike may not enter the ground vertically, for example therefore leading to an uneven fence. It can be particularly dangerous where a spike is hammered, being typically of short length and minimal gripping or holding height. Posts by contrast provide a typically smaller hammering target and more ability to dislocate from a preferred axis during hammering.

Alternatively a hole may be dug to accept the post and/or spike and then filled to secure the spike in place, however this is timely and expensive.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 980 323 (WILSON) discloses a post driving device including: a shaft having an axially extending interior cavity, said cavity extending to a closed top end of said shaft and to a distal open bottom end of said shaft, said closed top end forming a striking surface, and said shaft having a first mounting bracket extending from an exterior wall of said shaft; a handle having an upper mounting flange mounted to said first mounting bracket by a first floating mount having a first floating region; and a first dampening spring positioned between said upper mounting joint of said handle and said first mounting bracket, where said first dampening spring extends into said first floating region, and where said first dampening spring dampens vibration between said shaft and said handle.

Granted United States patent US 7 111 690 (KLEINERT) discloses a post driving device comprising: a. a bottom plate; b. a top locking plate section comprising a means for reversibly securing a T-type post; c. a slide guide, having a first end fixedly attached to said bottom plate and a second end fixedly attached to said top locking plate section; and d. a slide driver mounted on said slide guide such that said driver can be reversibly moved between said bottom plate and said top locking plate section while being retained said slide guide.

International patent application WO 9 116 511 (GRAY) discloses a ground rod driver having a block adapted to be clamped to an intermediate portion of a rod at a level close to the ground and impacted to drive that portion of the rod between the block and ground into the ground, to then be undamped from the rod, raised above the ground, and reclamped to the rod and to have the impacting, unclamping, raising and clamping steps repeated until the rod is driven to a desired depth into the ground which comprises a rigid block, a clamp locking the block to an intermediate portion of a rod to be driven into the ground, said block having means spaced laterally from a rod clamped to the block for receiving impact blows, and a jackhammer actuated shank member for delivering impact blows to the block causing the block to force a rod clamped thereto into the ground.

In contrast the present invention provides a means for ensuring that spikes are driven into the ground easily, efficiently and with minimal user time and possibility of damage or displacement.

S Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a driving cap comprising a base providing an engagement mechanism for a post, said base arranged to support a body and a collar defining a first axis arranged in use to extend substantially. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post, and in which the engagement mechanism is arranged in use such that an impulse from a tool towards said post is transmitted along said first axis.

The invention therefore provides a post or spike inserting means comprising a block IS including a base, a body formed by a wall that defines a continuous peripheral edge of the base and a central collar or tube for accepting a driving force provided by the tool in use.

In preferred embodiments said block or driving cap is a removable or independent part that may be inserted into or onto a metal post with a hollow formation and distal spike so as to provide a defined location wherein a driving force may be applied to drive the post's spike into the ground, advantageously by mechanical means, and in preferred embodiments such as by use of a rotary hammer tool.

The engagement mechanism is therefore advantageously able to fit into, around on onto the post top.

Some further embodiments may be arranged so as to drive or impel solid posts, wherein the engagement mechanism accordingly sits on top and/or around the post or more particularly the post's top.

Typically the engagement mechanism has a square cross-section so as to accept a square post wherein preferably the base, body and cap also have square cross-sections so as to fit concentrically within or onto the post or post top. Further embodiments may have any suitable cross-sections, for example the base and/or engagement mechanisms may have circular or multi-sided cross-sections.

Part, or all, of the post or spike is preferably tapered so as to be easily driven into the ground. Embodiments of the cap inserted into the post's inner are consequently limited in length by the taper of the post. Where the post spike tapers therefore may determine where the block sits and ensures the block is securely positioned for use.

Advantageously as some embodiments the block fits concentrically within the post and others coaxially around the post top there is no requirement for the user to hold the cap whilst hammering, therefore increasing safety and only requiring a single user to carry out the task inserting posts or spikes into the ground.

Ideally the cap is sized to fit close to the post top so as to facilitate easy removal fro.m the post once the post has been positioned. Preferably the caps may be available in various sizes corresponding to post sizes.

Typically the cap is formed as a whole from a strong, durable material such as steel so as to be able to withstand repeated impulses or driving forces such as those from the tool.

In further embodiments parts of the cap may be detachable or displaceable so as to accommodate different spikes, posts or poles, or tools.

The base supports or defines the engagement mechanism and may for example provide an arcuate or raised and lowered face for engagement with a plurality of different post tops. Ideally the body extends upwards from the base around its peripheral edge so as to provide greater structural strength and advantageously a grip for the user as required.

Further embodiments of the body may be envisaged including grid or skeleton formations so as to minimise weight, maxirnise even transference and provide appropriate rigidity.

Preferably the body is welded to the base so as to form a strong, durable connection and even transference of impulse. Accordingly the body provides strength to the cap and in addition or the alternative serves as a barrier to prevent the tool from hitting the post or user in event of dislocation or displacement from the collar.

In preferred embodiments the collar is centrally situated on the base.

Advantageously the collar serves as a guide for the tool so as to centralise the impulse and to prevent slipping of the tool when in use. The collar also ensures all impulse is driven along a defined and limited axis! ideally coaxial to the post in use, so as to ensure the post is driven vertically into the ground.

The collar may be equipped with a seat for the tool chuck, an adaptor or a bit, so that the collar may be temporarily or semi-permanently attached, connected or secured to the collar, further minimising risks of slippage of the tool in use, and additionally or alternatively focussing impulse axially.

Ideally however the collar has an internal diameter equal or greater than that of the tool used to drive in the post so as to allow the tool to be positioned and used within the collar. It may be envisaged that optionally fillers or adaptors may also be used to alter the collar in order to accommodate different sized and shaped tools, andlor for example hammer bits or tips of different diameters. For example in some embodiments the collar may include a tapered throat.

Typically the collar has a height that is less than the body, in order that the body forms a protective layer around the collar so as to prevent the tool from damaging the post and/or slipping from the cap.

It may be envisaged that the tool may also be used against the body to change direction of hammering, for example if the post is not entering the ground vertically and requires correction, In this way secondary collars or throats may be dispersed about the body, for example angled acute to the central collar.

In some embodiments the cap may include at least one aperture or lacuna so as to provide a means of removing the cap from the post should the cap become wedged in place during hammering, or to make it easier to remove the cap if sunken into the post spike. For example a line may be passed through a through aperture so that the line can be pulled to remove the block from the post spike, therefore reducing requirement for the user to bend down to remove the block; or the user may hammer upwards into the lacuna to dislodge the cap.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the cap; Figure 2 shows a view from above of the embodiment sown in Figure 1; And Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures, the cap is composed of a body 1, peripherally surrounding a base 2, said base supporting a central collar 3.

In the pictured embodiment the base 2 includes a lip 4 about the body, The lip 4 extends over a post's or spike's upper rim so as to prevent the cap becoming wedged where the engagement mechanism (not shown) includes parts envisaged to enter a hollow post, pole or spike.. Typically the lip 2 rests on such an upper rim in use and is accordingly well supported and of minimal width so as to minimise breakage. The engagement mechanism may be a central projection, or series of projections, for example stepped, envisaged to fit into a pole, post or spike, so as to locate the cap on the axis.

It is envisaged the lip underside (not shown) may include recessed portions or lacunae so as to be used to hammer or lever the cap from up if wedged.

The body includes rounded corners in order to better accommodate and contain slipped tools.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A driving cap comprising a base providing an engagement mechanism for a post, said base arranged to support a body and a collar defining a first axis arranged in use to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post, and in which the engagement mechanism is arranged in use such that an impulse from a tool towards said post is transmitted along said first axis.
2. A cap as claimed in claim 1, in which the tool is selected from a hammer tool or a mechanical rotary hammer tool.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A driving cap comprising a base (2) providing an engagement mechanism for a post, said base (2) arranged to support a body (1) formed from a peripheral wall and a central collar (3) defining a first axis arranged in use to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post, wherein the body (1) and the collar (3) extend upwards from the base (2) so the collar (3) has a height that is less than the body (1), and in which the engagement mechanism is arranged in use such that an impulse from a tool towards said post is transmitted along said first axis as the collar serves as a guide for the tool.2. A driving cap according to claim 1, in which the tool is selected from a hammer tool or a mechanical rotary hammer tool.
3. A driving cap according to claim I wherein the collar (3) has tapered throat. _ 0* *
4. A driving cap according to claim 1 comprising a secondary collar extending upwards from the base (2) and angled acute to the central collar (3).S
5. A driving cap according to claim I in which the base (2) overhangs the wall so that the base (2) comprises a peripheral lip (4). * 0* *5 S a S.. a