GB2572494A

GB2572494A - Support structures

Info

Publication number: GB2572494A
Application number: GB1904298.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Wragg Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-29
Filing date: 2019-03-28
Publication date: 2019-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-28
Also published as: GB201805143D0; GB2572494B; GB201904298D0

Abstract

The support structure comprises a rigid, non-conductive post 1 with a lower end 2 having a spike 5 to be driven into the ground, a central portion 3 and an upper end 4 for attaching a removable item. The post may be made of plastic. The lower and central portions may have a cruciform cross-section. The upper portion may have a circular outline and a cross-shaped slot or a hook for attaching the removable item. There may also be a cup which fits over the upper end to protect it when being mounted in the ground. Also claimed is a ground-engaging block with an aperture of complementary shape to a cross section of the spike of said support structure, and a system comprising both the support structure and the ground-engaging block. The block may be hollow and have an aperture through which ballast material is introduced.

Description

This invention relates to support structures for netting, signage and the like.

A safety requirement in areas where ground works are being carried out, such as near a railway line, is the provision of a temporary netting separating the working area from the surroundings. The netting is typically supported by metal poles, having a lower end driven into the ground or a base, and a hook at an upper end to attach the netting. The base is normally a sandbag, which provides stability for the pole, but of course the pole makes a hole in the bag, allowing sand to escape, so the sandbag cannot easily be re-used. Further, if the metal pole is driven into the ground, there is a risk that it could strike an electricity cable, not only damaging the cable, but also giving the user a serious electric shock.

For such working areas, temporary signage or lights may also be required, and again these may be mounted using metal poles driven into the ground or a base.

It is of course known for metal safety fencing panels to be erected using concrete blocks with apertures to hold the feet of the panels. These blocks are not in general suitable as a support for the metal poles, which have a relatively small diameter.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a support structure comprises a rigid non-conductive post, having a lower end, a central portion and an upper end, the lower end having a spike adapted to be driven into the ground, and the upper end being constructed and arranged for attachment of a removable item.

Such a non-conductive post, if it strikes a cable when being driven into the ground, will not give the user an electric shock. It can however provide adequate support for netting, signage or the like.

The post may be made of any suitable non-conductive material. The post may be made from plastics. Alternatively the post may be made from other materials, including but not limited to, hard rubber, fiberglass, wood. Preferably it is of unitary construction, being machined from a stock, or injection moulded. The lower end and/or the central portion are formed with a suitable cross-section to provide strength while minimising the amount of material. A cruciform cross-section is preferred. The upper end is preferably of circular outline, but could have any suitable shape, and has a crossshaped slot for attachment of netting or other items. Additionally or alternatively it may have a hook.

The post may be supplied with a cup which fits over the upper end to protect it when the post is being driven into the ground.

The post may be driven straight into the ground, if appropriate, taking into account the conditions and location. Preferably however it is used in combination with a groundengaging block for stability.

A second aspect of the invention provides a ground engaging block. The block is conveniently provided with a body forming an aperture of complementary shape to the cross-section of the spike and/or the central portion of the post, of the support structure of the first aspect.

In one embodiment the block is of substantially rectangular outline. It is designed to rest on the ground. The aperture may extend through the block so that the spike can be driven into the ground through the block. The aperture may be substantially central.

The block conveniently has a trapezoidal cross-section, with an upper surface sloping relative to a lower surface. This means that the block can be used on sloping ground, while still allowing the post to be substantially vertical. One or each of the upper and lower surfaces of the block may be provided with a projection and complementary recess on opposing sides of the aperture, enabling a pair of blocks to be stacked securely.

The block is preferably made of plastics, such as polypropylene, and is formed as a hollow item by injection moulding. It may be filled with ballast material such as sand. Alternatively other ballast materials may be used, including but not limited to, water, plastics, rubber pellets. It is also envisaged that the ballast material could comprise a permanent filling such as concrete. The ballast material may provide extra mass for stability in use. The upper surface may then be provided with an aperture through which ballast material can be introduced, the aperture being sealed by a removable plug. The block could be made of any other suitable material, including but not limited to fiberglass, hard rubber.

In another embodiment the block itself comprises a spike to be driven into the ground, with a blind aperture adapted to receive a post. The block is preferably made of plastics. The spike may be of cruciform cross-section. The block may comprise a cylindrical top portion. The top portion may have any other suitable shape, the top portion may be cuboidal or prismatic.

In either embodiment netting or other temporary items such as lights or signage may be attached to the post.

A third aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a combination of a post according to the first aspect and a ground-engaging block according to the second aspect.

The inventions provide a secure support for temporary structures, which are easy and safe to erect and remove.

Embodiments of the aspects of the invention are shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a post for a support structure;

Figure 2 is a cross-section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the top of the post of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of a cup for the top of the post of figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an alternative top in section;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the top of a block for a support structure;

Figure 7 is an underneath view of the block of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a stack of blocks;

Figure 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of block; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the top of the block of Figure 9.

Figure 1 shows a rigid plastics post 1 for a support structure (not shown) such as netting for separating a working area for ground works from the surroundings. The post 1 is adapted to be driven into the ground to provide the necessary support.

The post 1 is of elongate outline, and of substantial length, typically at least a metre. It has a lower end 2, a central portion 3 and an upper end 4. The lower end 2 and the central portion 3 are of cruciform cross-section, as best seen in Figure 2. The lower end 2 is formed with a tapering spike 5, to enable it to penetrate the ground easily. The upper end 4 is cylindrical with two perpendicular slots 6 extending from the top surface 7 towards the central portion 3.

The post 1 may be formed by injection moulding, or by machining from a cylindrical stock bar. It will be appreciated that the cruciform shape is chosen to provide sufficient strength for a minimum of material, but that the central portion 3 and spike 5 may have circular, hexagonal or any other suitable cross-section.

In use, the post is hammered into the ground as required. In order to protect the upper end 4, a cup 8, shown in Figure 4 is placed over it. Once the post 1 is in the ground, the cup 8 is removed and netting can be attached using the slots 6.

Figure 5 shows an alternative construction of the upper end 4, where instead of the slots, there is a solid cylindrical part 10 and a hook 11 is provided for attaching netting. It will be appreciated that the cup 8 will not fit over the upper end 4 of Figure 5, but the solid cylindrical part 10 will provide protection.

The post 1 may be used by itself if it can be securely set up in any particular location. If the ground is such that it is not safe to use the post by itself, it is used in combination with a block to provide stability. A suitable block 12 is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The block 12 is of substantially rectangular outline, and is of trapezoidal cross-section. It has a lower face 13 from which four side faces 14 extend perpendicularly towards a sloping upper face 15. A central aperture 16 extends through the block 12, and has a shape complementary to the cross-section of the central portion 3 of the post 1. A projection 17 and a recess 18 are formed on the upper face 15 on opposing sides of the aperture 16. As shown in Figure 6, the projection 17 is formed at the top of the slope, and the recess 18 at the bottom of the slope.

Figure 7 shows the lower face 13, which has a projection 19 and recess 20 formed on opposing sides of the aperture 16.

The projection 17 and recess 18 enable a pair of blocks 12 to be stacked and retained. The blocks 12 are positioned such that their sloping upper faces 15 engage, with the projections 17 received in the corresponding recesses 18. Similarly, the projection 19 and recess 20 enable a pair of blocks to be stacked and retained with their lower faces 13 in engagement. Figure 8 shows a stack of blocks 12.

Each block 12 is hollow, and is made by injection moulding from a suitable plastics such as polypropylene. An inlet 21 is formed in the upper face 15 to enable the block to be filled with sand or water to provide mass and stability in use. A removable plug 22 seals the inlet 21.

In use, the plug 22 is removed, the block 12 filled with sand or water, through the inlet 21. The plug 22 then seals the inlet 21. The block 12 is then placed on the ground. It will be appreciated that the sloping face 15 means that if the ground is sloping the block 12 can be positioned such that the aperture 16 is substantially vertical. If more than one block 12 is needed they can be stacked accordingly, and their apertures 16 will be aligned. A post 1 is then inserted into the aperture 16. The spike 5 may rest on the ground, or it may be driven into the ground if desired. If so, the cup 8 would be used to protect the upper end 4.

Netting or other temporary items are then attached, using the slots 6. When the netting is no longer required, it is simple to remove it, and to remove and re-use the blocks 12 and posts 1.

Figure 9 shows an alternative form 25 of block, designed to be positioned in the ground, rather than sitting on the ground. It comprises a plastics body of elongate outline, which is a shorter version of the post 1. The block 25 has a lower end 26 with a cruciform cross-section and a spike 27, a central portion 28 of cruciform cross section and a cylindrical upper end 29. Instead of slots, the upper end 29 has a cruciform blind aperture 30, complementary to the shape of the post 1.

In use, the block 25 is driven into the ground, until its upper end 29 is substantially 5 level with the ground. A post 1 can then be inserted. This combination may be more suited for temporary lights and signage, although it could also be used for netting.

Claims

1. A support structure comprising a rigid non-conductive post, having a lower end, a central portion and an upper end, the lower end having a spike adapted to be driven into the ground, and the upper end being constructed and arranged for attachment of a removable item.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, in which the post is made of plastics.

3. A support structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the lower end is formed with a cruciform cross-section.

4. A support structure according to any preceding claim, in which the central portion is formed with a cruciform cross-section.

5. A support structure according to any preceding claim, in which the upper end is of circular outline.

6. A support structure according to any preceding claim, in which the upper end has a cross-shaped slot for attachment of netting or other items.

7. A support structure according to any preceding claim, in which the upper end includes a hook for attachment of netting or other items.

8. A support structure according to any preceding claim, in which the post is supplied with a cup which fits over the upper end to protect it when the post is being driven into the ground.

9. A ground-engaging block comprising a body defining an aperture of complementary shape to a cross-section of the spike of the support structure of any of claims 1 to 8.

10. A ground-engaging block according to claim 9, in which the aperture extends through the block so that the spike can be driven into the ground through the block.

11. A ground-engaging block according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the aperture is substantially central.

12. A ground-engaging block according to any of claims 9 to 11, in which the block has a trapezoidal cross-section, with an upper surface sloping relative to a lower surface.

13. A ground-engaging block according to any of claims 9 to 12, in which one or each of the upper and lower surfaces of the block are provided with a projection and complementary recess on opposing sides of the aperture.

14. A ground-engaging block according to any of claims 9 to 13, in which the block is hollow.

15. A ground-engaging block according to claim 14, in which the upper surface is provided with an aperture through which ballast material can be introduced to provide extra mass for stability in use, the aperture being sealed by a removable plug.

16. A ground-engaging block according to claim 9, in which the block comprises a spike adapted to be driven into the ground with a blind aperture to receive a post.

17. A ground-engaging block according to claim 16, in which the spike is formed with a cruciform cross section.

18. A ground-engaging block according to claim 16 or claim 17, in which the block includes a cylindrical top portion.

19. A ground-engaging block according to any one of claims 9 to 18, in which the block is made of plastics.

20. A system comprising a support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a ground engaging block according to any one of claims 9 to 19.