GB2512316A

GB2512316A - An adjustable fence post holder

Info

Publication number: GB2512316A
Application number: GB1305442.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Berridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-25
Filing date: 2013-03-25
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-25
Also published as: GB2512316B; GB201305442D0

Abstract

A fence post holder includes a ground portion 4 arranged in use to be mounted on or driven into a surface, in which the ground portion comprises a substantially flat head plate having a central bolt hole. The device further comprises a post housing comprising a recess 1 shaped and dimensioned to receive a post, the recess comprising at least two walls 2 arranged in use to contact and/or support the post. The post housing further includes a substantially flat base plate 3 providing a central bolt hole and in which the flat base plate is arranged in use to mount on the head plate. The holder further comprises a fixing bolt 6 arranged in use to be received within the bolt holes of the head plate and base plate 3, in which the bolt 6 is arranged in use to project above the level of the head plate, and in which the fixing bolt being arranged in use to be accessible laterally 7 at a level above the head plate which can be tightened to secure the post housing to the ground portion in an adjustable orientation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the ground portion.

Description

An adjustable fence post holder

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable fence post holder, in particular to a fence post holder that may be driven into the ground and then adjusted to allow alignment of the fence post.

Background

In building a fence often the fence posts are mounted in a fence post holder that is driven into the ground, the post then being attached to the holder. It is a problem to be solved that the post needs to be aligned with other posts, for example when square posts are used or at corners in the fence. The prior art contains a number of designs for fence post holders having this objective, for example allowing a post to be rotated about the horizontal plane through a limited angle, or being adjustable :.". also about a vertical plane. In general such devices require the angle to be adjusted belore the post is fixed to the holder, which is problematic as firstly the post needs to be put in place temporarily, aligned, then removed and the fixing secured -which is .. 20 laborious, especially if the post is adapted to be a tight fit to the holder, but more importantly that tension in the fence may affect the alignment, particularly in a tensioned wire fence. It would be advantageous for the post to be fitted securely in :.:::. place and then the post to be aligned. Additionally, the fence post holder needs to be driven into the ground in a simple, rapid manner, and the holder itself is preferably adapted for simple, low cost manufacture. Therefore preferably the holder is adapted to be a simple spike design as known in the art, which may be driven into the ground through impact, rather than a more complex and costly design having a screw thread that inserts into the ground through twisting. Therefore the fence post holder is preferably adjustable and also adapted to be struck on the top with a hammer or driver without damage to the adjusting means -something that prior art devices do not achieve.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: W0201118596 discloses a post support with a ground-engaging portion, adjustment means and a post carrier. The post carrier has an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being adapted to mount a post. The ground-engaging portion and the post carrier have co-operating surfaces and the relative positions of the co-operating surfaces is adjustable in more than one plane. The adjustment means is located in the outer section.

This device is a post holder having a post housing that is bolted on to a ground spike, with slotted bolt holes allowing the ability to allow translation in the X andY directions in a plane parallel with the ground, but not rotation.

GB2456331 discloses a fence post support anchor capable of supporting fence posts of differing shapes and sizes. The fence post support anchor comprises a box section having an L-shaped clamp section which is adjustable by means of a nut and bolt attachment. A conical tube support extends from the base of the box section in the form of a central shaft with a helix for securing the anchor into the ground. The central shaft preferably terminates in a diamond point allowing the anchor to be * ** ..

screwed into and out off the ground by applying a rotational force. ** ** * . * * .

This device has a clamp for the post but adjustment means for angle depends on rotating the screwed in ground anchor -it relies on an expensive screw anchor and ::". in general for this kind of device, when the anchor is screwed in tightly: as is desirable to retain the post, it is hard to turn it further.

DE202006008338 discloses a post holder in which a sleeve has an anvil surface fastened to a pipe shank and fasteners attached at a retaining plate. The plate has two large boreholes to receive screw connections for attaching at the surface. The plate is adjustable and/or movable in all directions, so that a pipe, rod and pillar are arranged after inserting in the shank and then fastened. The surface is provided with a bilateral or multilateral edge. An independent claim is also included for a system with a base sleeve.

In this device a round post is supported in a clamp around the circumference, the clamp being bolted to a ground spike This allows the post to be rotated after the spike has been inserted, but only functions for round posts.

W0200490264 discloses an adjustable post support for use in supporting a post vertically above the ground. The support may include a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion. The lower spike portion may include an upper end. The bracket portion may include a curved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardly therefrom. The curved dome may nest with the upper end of the spike to provide a bail and socket type connection between the lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion. A fastening device may be used for tightening the upper bracket and lower spike portion together and a support table may be located inside the sleeve.

This device allows orientation of the post with respect to the ground spike through 360 degree of rotation and vertical alignment, but has the disadvantages that the fixing means is accessible only inside the post location position, so the orientation must be fixed before the post is mounted. Also the device has a rounded head that must nest closely with the post holder, and therefore is not adapted for rapid, heavy driving impact that in practice would tend to deform the rounded head and prevent effective nesting.

*.....

CA2287154 discloses a post holder that is formed by a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion. The bracket portion is connected to the spike portion at an adjustable connection formed by a curved seat at the upper end of the spike portion and a curved base at the bottom end of the bracket portion. This adjustable connection enables different aligned positions of the bracket portion with the spike portion and an adjustable tightening member is provided to lock the bracket portion with the spike portion in any one of these different aligned positions.

This device is very similar to the device immediately above, and has similar disadvantages.

US5884874 discloses a fence post anchor that adjusts for vertical post alignment by providing a post engagement support portion that swivels on a ground engagement portion. The post engagement portion is defined by a split box sleeve secured to an adjustment dome. A fastener assembly interconnects the adjustment dome to the ground engagement portion that has multiple engagement flights on which the dome can be movably positioned and secured thereto.

This device is again very similar to the device immediately above, and has similar disadvantages.

GB2248643 discloses a fence post assembly which comprises a metal post with an integral base plate and a spiked member for driving into the ground which has an integral top plate, the two plates being apertured to enable them to be bolted together, preferably with facility for the angular orientation of the post to be adjusted relative to the spiked member.

This device provides means to adjust the angle of the post slightly after it is mounted but not through a useful range, and would not be useful for example at corners in a fence, The ground spike needs to be driven in at very close to the correct orientation

which is a disadvantage of much of the prior art.

GB2244500 discloses a fence post holder in which a support member comprises a square socket provided with lateral flanges having slots curved about the post support centre, whereby the support member can be angularly adjUsted when fixed down to a flat supporting surface such as the top plate of the spiked member. * * * S * S

This device is very similar to the device immediately above, and has similar disadvantages. * S. * . . *5**

*". GB2111553 comprises a post support comprises a first member having a ground engaging portion, a second member incorporating a generally square post receiving pocket, and a joint for detachably mounting the second member upon the first member in a desired position. The joint is constituted by complementary co-operating bearing surfaces in combination with a nut and bolt connection for clamping the bearing surfaces together.

This device is again very similar to the devices disclosed in U55884674 and W0200490264 and has similar disadvantage&

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a fence post holder comprising: a ground portion arranged in use to be mounted on or driven into a surface, in which the ground portion comprises a substantially flat head plate having a central bolt hole a post housing comprising: a recess shaped and dimensioned to receive a post, the recess comprising at least two walls arranged in use to contact and/or support the post; a substantially flat base plate providing a central bolt hole and in which the flat base plate is arranged in use to mount on the head plate a fixing bolt arranged in use to be received within the bolt holes of the head plate and base plate, in which the bolt is arranged in use to project above the level of the head plate, and in which the fixing bolt being arranged in use to be accessible laterally at a level above the head plate and tightenable to secure the post housing to the ground portion in an adjustable orientation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the ground portion.

In a preferred embodiment the ground portion further comprises at least one projection such as for example ground spike(s) having a spike portion arranged in use to be driven into the ground.

S.....

In an alternative embodiment the ground portion comprises a surface mounting .,.*_ 20 assembly comprising a head plate providing one or more mounting apertures arranged in use to allow the surface mounting assembly to be fixed to a surface. In this way the post holder of the invention may be used for fencing on penetrable ::". ground or on impenetrable surfaces, for example concrete surfaces. d5 * II

In some embodiments the posts to be used with the post housing provide a recess formed in the base of the posts shaped and dimensioned to receive the projecting fixing bolt.

In a preferred embodiment the post housing further comprises a post support means arranged in use to support the base of the post at a location spaced away from the fixing bolt, for example to support the base of the post clear of the fixing bolt. In this way the post may be mounted on the post housing and then oriented at the correct angle, and the fixing bolt may then be tightened using a spanner.

In a preferred embodiment the fixing bolt head is secured, br example held, in the at least one projection from the ground portion, for example in the ground spike, without requiring rotation and the fixing bolt further comprises a nut mounted above and arranged in use to bear on the head plate.

In a preferred embodiment the fixing bolt is removable from the at least one projection from the ground portion, for example from the ground spike and may be arranged to be inserted through the central hole in the head plate. In this way the head plate is adapted to be used for impact driving of the ground spike into the ground.

In a further embodiment the projection, for example the ground spike may comprise a threaded hole arranged to receive the fixing bolt fits. The fixing bolt head is arranged in use to be located above and bearing on the head plate. In one embodiment the fixing bolt may be secured, for example captive within the post housing.

In a further embodiment the projection(s), for example the ground spike may comprise a fixing bolt arranged in use to be mounted permanently on the projection e.g. ground spike) and projecting therefrom in an upwards manner. The post holder * may further comprise a removable driving block providing a recess shaped and * .0** * dimensioned to accommodate the fixing bolt and adapted in use to be mountable on 20 the head plate. The driving block may be arranged in use to be struck, so driving the * . projection(s), for example the ground spike into the ground without impacting the fixing bolt. * **

* *1 * *** I In a preferred embodiment the post housing may comprise a recess having four walls. One or more walls of the recess may further provide at least. one slot, for example a slot, arranged in use to be located adjacent to the base of the wall and adapted in use to allow spanner access to the fixing bolt so as to tighten the bolt.

Preferably the projection(s), for example the ground spike comprises two or more tapered plates having a pointed lower end.

In preferred embodiments the post housing may comprise at least one clamp means arranged in use to clamp the post in position within the recess. In further embodiments at least one wall of the recess may comprise at least one aperture arranged in use to allow the post may be screwed or bolted into position.

In preferred embodiments the post holder is formed from metal, for example galvanised steel. Preferably the material is rugged and resistant to corrosion. In some embodiments the post holder may comprise one or more plastic components, for example the post housing, in applications where a lighter weight construction, for example in temporary fencing, for example electric fencing. The post holder may be adapted for specific types of post or be for general types. The post housing recess may be adapted to receive specific post types, for example slot-in plastic posts, may be a simple square or rectangular recess to receive standard wooden fence posts.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for mounting a fence post at a chosen orientation comprising the steps of: providing a fence post holder as described herein; driving in the ground portion of the holder or mounting said ground portion on a surface; fitting the post housing onto the ground portion; aligning the post housing at a chosen orientation to the ground portion; tightening the fixing bolt; and * .* * a * mounting the post in the post housing * *a *a. a

In a preferred embodiment the method comprises the further step of filling the fixing bolt into the central hole provided by the head plate.

: *"* In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the steps of mounting the **** post in the post housing and then tightening the fixing bolt to fix the orientation of the * a * * 25 post.

* 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. * 30

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.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 Figure 3 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 Figure 5 shows a close up cutaway view of the view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 with the post housing aligned with the head plate Figure 6 shows a close up cutaway view of the view of the embodiment as shown in * figure 5 with the post housing rotated with respect to the head plate.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures, the post housing in this embodiment has a recess 1 formed by four walls 2 surrounding the post and mounted on the base plate 3. The : * ground spike 4 has a point that is cross-shaped in horizontal cross-section. The *fl fixing bolt S is visible mounted on the ground spike 4 and extending though the * *: 25 central hole in the head plate and the base plate to a fixing nut 6 located above the base plate 3 and bearing on its upper surface. The post housing comprises an access slot 7 in one wall 2 giving access to the fixing nut 6, so allowing the nut 6 to be tightened readily, for example with the post in position.

The fixing bolt 5 is mounted centrally in the ground spike 4. The fixing nut 6 may be tightened in use to fix the post housing 2 at any angle with respect to the ground spike 4.

In an alternative embodiment the ground spike 4 is replaced by a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to a surface and comprising a head plate having a central hole for the fixing bolt 5 and mounting means, for example holes or slots, adapted to mount it on the surface. The post holder comprises a post housing as described above, that is fixed to the mounting plate in the same way as described previously.

The post holder is preferably formed from heavy duty metal, for example' galvanised or coated steel as used in prior art fence post holders. In an alternative embodiment for example for light duty fencing including electric fencing, the post holder and associated posts may be formed from heavy duty moulded plastic. S. * S * S

S

S S. ** * S S * S S ** * S S * S.. S. *

S S S S *S

Claims

Claims 1. A device for holding a fence post comprising: a ground portion arranged in use to be mounted on or driven into a surface, in which the ground portion comprises a substantially flat head plate having a central bolt hole a post housing comprising: a recess shaped and dimensioned to receive a post, the recess comprising at least two walls arranged in use to contact and/or support the post; a substantially flat base plate providing a central bolt hole and in which the flat *base plate is arranged in use to mount on the head plate a fixing bolt arranged in use to be received within the bolt holes of the head plate and base plate, in which the bolt is arranged in use to project above the level of the head plate, and in which the fixing bolt being arranged in use to be accessible laterally at a level above the head plate and tightenable to* secure the post housing to the ground portion in an adjustable orientation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the ground portion.

* *
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ground portion comprises at least one projection having a spike portion adapted in use to be driven into ground.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ground portion comprises a : *. surface mounting assembly comprising a head plate providing one or more mounting apertures adapted in use to allow the surface mounting assembly to be fixed to a surface.
4. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the post housing provides at least one aperture in at least one wall proximate to the base plate.
5. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the post housing further comprises a post support means adapted in use to support the base of the post clear of the fixing bolt.
6. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the fixing bolt head is held in the projection(s) without rotation and the fixing bolt comprises a nut arranged in use to be mounted above and bearing on the head plate.
7. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the fixing bolt is arranged in use to be removable from the projection and is arranged in use to be insertable through the central hole provided by the head plate.
8. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the projection provides a threaded hole arranged in use to receive the fixing bolt, the fixing bolt head being arranged in use to be located above and bearing on the head plate.
9. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the projection(s) comprises a fixing bolt mounted permanently on the projection(s) and arranged in use to be projecting upwards, the post holder further comprising a removable driving block providing a recess arranged in use to accommodate the fixing bolt and adapted in use to mount on the head plate and to be strUck, so driving the ground spike into the ground without impacting the fixing bolt.
10. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the post housing provides a * recess having four walls, one or more walls comprising a slot adjacent to the *r": base of the wall adapted in use to allow spanner access to the fixing bolt so as to tighten the bolt.
11. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for : mounting a fence post at a chosen orientation comprising the steps of: U..Providing a fence post holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10; driving in the ground portion or mounting it on a surface; Fitting the post housing onto the ground portion; Aligning the post housing at a chosen orientation to the ground portion; Tightening the fixing bolt: and Mounting the post in the post housing.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising the step of fitting the fixing bolt into the central hole in the head plate.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising the step of mounting the post in the post housing and then tightening the fixing bolt to fix the orientation of the post.