WO1990010133A1

WO1990010133A1 - Clamp for fastening of a post element

Info

Publication number: WO1990010133A1
Application number: PCT/NO1990/000043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per Dammen; Ole Haugland
Original assignee: Per Dammen
Priority date: 1989-03-02
Filing date: 1990-03-02
Publication date: 1990-09-07

Abstract

For fastening of a post element, such as a lamp post to a post stub, for instance a stub remaining after a damaged lamp post, it is designed a clamp consisting of a tubular section (1) which interacts with and is fixed to the remaining post stub, and with a mounting plate for the new post. The tubular section has a diameter which is adapted for insertion in the post stub. At the inside of the section (1), in the area below the mounting plate (2) it is provided fastening screws (9) which are acting against the post stub. Below the screws it is provided a crossing bridge piece with a center hole. The tubular section (1) is at its free end provided with slots (3). Through the bridge piece it is arranged a screw (4) at one end of which it is provided a body (5) with a wedge formed outer circumference (6). By tightening of a nut (12) the wedge formed body (5) will be pulled into the slotted part of the sleeve and will press it out for firm wedging against the tubular section (1). As an alternative the tubular section (1) may have at least one conical part and its largest diameter may be adapted for insertion in the post stub.

Description

Clamp for fastening of a post element

The invention relates to a clamp for fastening of a post element, such as a road lamp post into a stub of a post, particularly the remaining stub after a previous lamp post, consisting of a tubular section designed for interaction with and attachment to the post stub, and a mounting plate for the new post at one end of the tube.

The heavy road traffic nowadays often causes damages to the lamp posts along the road, which may be bent or broken and have to be replaced. Such a replacement is rather time consuming and an expensive process, it being necessary to dig up the base of the old post and mounting a new base for a post.

Thus, it has for a long time been a need for a means for replacing damaged lamp posts easily and quickly without having to dig up the base of the post.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a means by which such replacement can be made in a simple manner, at reasonable cost without complicated equipment.

This object is achieved with a clamp which is characterized as described in the claims.

By means of the clamp according to the invention a damaged or bent lamp post can be replaced by a new one in a simple and easy way. The old post is cut off just above the ground level and the clamp according to the invention is inserted in the remaining stub and fastened there with special attachment means. A compensation of a possible distortions may be achieved by adjusting the set screws so that the new post will be positioned perpendicular. A new post can then be attached direct to the mounting tape.

A simple fastening of the clamp is achieved by the interaction between the lower splitted part of the tubular section and the pulling-in of the wedge formed section into the tubular section, as this pulling-in will press the lower part of the tube section against the outer, firm tube. The clamp will thus be fixed both at its lower and its upper part and thus give a firm connection.

A simple attachment of the clamp may according to the second main embodiment be achieved by the interaction between the conical surface of the tubular section and by the pulling-in of the wedge elements between the tube section and the post stub, as this pulling-in or insertion will press the tube section firmly against the outer, fixed tube stub. Due to the length of the wedge, or the use of several wedges the clamp will be held firm over a certain length and give a stable attachment.

The invention is further described below by means of an example of an embodiment which is described on the drawing, which shows:

Figure 1 a schematical perspective view of the tube section with a mounting plate and the wedge formed element, which together constitutes the clamp according to the invention,

Figure 2 an elevation of the tube section with a mounting plate,

Figure 3 a schematical perspective view showing the elements of Figure 1 connected with each other, and

Figure 4 a schematical sectional view illustrating the provision of the clamp in a post stub.

Figure 5 a schematical view through a post stub with inserted tube section with mounting plate and wedges, which together constitutes the fixing clamp according to the invention,

Figure 6 a schematical perspective view of a fixing clamp, Figure 7 three schematical perspective views illustrating possible embodiments for the conical tube section,

Figure 8 schematically the design of wedge and fastening screw,

Figure 9 another embodiment, and

Figure 10 a further embodiment of the invention.

The clamp according to the invention consists of a sylindric tubular element or tube section 1 by which at one end it is provided a mounting plate 2. The diameter for the tube section 1 has been adapted in its dimention to fit into a stub of a post which is attached to a base in the ground and which on Figure 4 has the reference number 10. The tube section 1 is at the end opposite to the mounting plate 2 provided with slots 3, e.g. four slots which are distributed around the circumference and which are extending e.g. along a third of the length of the tube section 1. In the area below the mounting plate 2 it is provided fastening screws 9 which have e.g. nut formed heads extending into the tube section, so that the screws can be screwed outwardly through the circumference of the tube section. At the drawing an embodiment with four such screws has been shown, but also less than four, or more than four may be used. Below these fastening screws it is across the tube section arranged a bridge piece 7 with a center hole 8 which is ment to hold firm a center screw 4 which at its end has been provided with a conical or wedge formed element 5. The screw part 4 has been provided through the hole 8 in the bridge piece 7 and is fixed by the nut 12 so that the wedge formed element 5 are positioned outside and below the end of the tube section 1. In the shown embodiment the wedge formed element has been formed as a cross formed piece and the end surfaces 6 are inclined and are functioning as the wedge. Other embodiments are possible, e.g. a more compact embodiment, however, the shown form has proved to be very satisfactory in practice. The device according to the Figures 1 to 4 is used in the following manner:

If a lamp post has been damaged, bent or the like it is cut off so that only a post stub remains. Such a post stub has been illustrated by the reference number 10 on Figure 4. A clamp according to the invention is thread down into this post stub 10 with the tubular section inside the post stub and with the center screw 4 screwed completely out so that the wedge formed element 5 with its edge surfaces 6 is positioned below the tubular section 1. By means of the fastening screws 9 the clamp is fastened to the post stub 10 whereafter the nut 12 on the center screw 4 is tightened so that the wedge formed element 5 is pulled into the lower, splitted part of the tube section 1. This is thereby pressed out to the side to firm friction interaction with the post stub 10. By means of the screws 9 and their tightening it will be possible within given limits to make adjustments in order to correct the position for the mounting plate 2 such that the new post can be placed in a vertical direction. The new post is then fastened to the mounting plate 11 with bolts through the holes 11. The electrical conduits from the old post can be lead through the clamp and connected with the conduits in the new post.

Several modifications of this embodiment will be possible within the scope of invention. The design of the wedge formed body can as mentioned above be varied in several ways and also the provision and the number of fastening screws 9. In order to make the tightening of the wedge element easier so that an expansion effect is achieved, the center screw 4 may e.g. be extended up above the mounting plate and it can be provided a sleeve on the screw, against which the fastening nut 12 is resting, so that it will be easier to use a wrench. It is also possible to arrange the mounting plate loose if the tubular section 1 in itself at its upper end is provided with a bead for fixing the mounting plate 2, which then will be thread on from the lower side of the tube section 1. This will give the possibility to use different types of mounting plates if that is desired.

The fastening clamp according to the invention consists of a conical sylindric tubular section 1 which has a mounting plate 2 affixed to the one end. The largest diameter of the conical tubular element 1 is in its dimension adapted to fit into a post stub which is attached to a base in the ground and which is given the reference number 10. In the upper part of the tube section 1, or in connection with the mounting plate 2 it is across the tube section provided a bridge piece 7 with a center hole, designed to hold a center screw 4 which at its end is formed with a plate-like element 5. The screw part 4 is inserted through the hole or orifice in the bridge piece 7 and is fastened by means of the nut 12, so that the element 5 will be outside and below the end of the conical tube section 1. The plate formed element 5 which preferably is circular is designed with a diameter which is larger than the smallest dimension at the bottom end of the conical tube section.

In the space between the tubular section 1 and the post stub 7 it is positioned those elements which shall exert the clamping effect to the clamp. These elements consist of wedges 6 and it is used preferably at least three or four wedges which are symmetricly spaced around the circumference of the tubular section 1. Theoretically it will be possible to use only one wedge, but that could result in inclined positions which have to be compensated by a corresponding inclined form for the conical shaped part 1. The wedges are preferably provided with guides 9 in the edge surface facing toward the tubular section 1, which guides 9 e.g. may be screw elements which have been screwed into threads in the edge surface. These guides 9 are slidingly engaged in slot formed guiding grooves 13 in the surface of the tube section 1 so that the wedge 6 is held firm, but can slide relative to the tube section. The wedge abuts against the plate shaped element 5 at the end of the tightening screw 4. In the plate formed element 5 it is formed an orifice for passage of electrical conduits to the post, such as shown on Figure 8. The device according to the Figures 5 to 10 is used in the following manner:

If a lamp post has been damaged, bent etc. it is cut off so that only a post stub remains. Such a stub is illustrated by the reference number 10 on Figure 5. A fastening clamp according to the invention is inserted in this post stub 10 with a conical tubular section 1 inside the post stub and with a central screw 4 screwed completely out so that the plate formed element 5 is positioned below the tubular section 1. The nut 12 on the central screw 4 is then tightened so that the plate formed element 5 is held up against the lower part of the wedges. The wedges will hereby be pressed upwardly and are thereby firmly wedging the conical tubular section 1 to firm connection with the post stub 10 along the whole length of the wedge. This means by firm tightening that it is achieved a wedging and holding along a certain distance downward into the post stub so that distortion or twisting is avoided and it is achieved a stable positioning of the mounting plate which has been welded to the tubular section 1 at its upper end. The electrical conduits from the old post can be guided through the clamp and connected with the conduit in the new post. The design of the tube section can be adapted to the most common alternatives for post profiles and it is on Figure 7 illustrated three possible such designs.

Figure 9 shows schematicly the principle of the invention used with the conical part positioned opposite in relation to the embodiment illustrated on Figure 5. The wedges will hereby slide down till they stop and with tightening of the tightening screw 4 the upper plate section 7 will press the wedges down so that the same effect as in Figure 5 is achieved.

Figure 10 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention. In stead of forming the whole tubular section conical it is chosed only to form the end portions of the tube section 1 conical, i.e. the parts 14 and 15. The wedges have been replaced by two wedge formed rings 6a and 6b which preferably are divided with slots in order to faciliate fitting. These wedges can be made of steel, but a stiff plastic material has proved to be the most suitable. The rings 6a and 6b can also be divided into several parts. The ring 6a has a width so that it seats against the plate formed element 5 and is pressed upwardly in the same manner as the wedges 6 on Figure 5, by tightening of the screw 4. The ring 6b has an outer flange 16 for firm gripping on the post stub 10 and will when driven down centralize the tubular section 1. This embodiment has the advantage that the tube section can be standarized as it will be independent of the diameter of the post stub 10 and adaptions can be made by means of the rings 6a, 6b. This embodiment can be changed e.g. by adapting the upper diameter of the tube section to the post stub diameter. Of course, it can also be established a connection between the ring wedges 6a and 6b which then should be divided so that both are influenced by the screw 4, which then will give an intermediate embodiment to Figure 5.

Many modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, also of the emobidements shown on the Figures 5 to 10. In order to make the tightening of the center screw 4 easier, it can e.g. be extended up above the mounting plate and it may be provided a sleeve on the screw, against which the fastening nut 12 is resting, so that the nut will be positioned higher. Also the mounting plate may be designed as a loose part if the conical tubular section 1 were designed with a bead at the upper end to receive the mounting plate 2 which then could be fitted from the underside of the tube section 1. This gives the possibility to use different type of mounting plates if that is desired.

It will be seen that the provision of a clamp according to the invention can be made very quick and easy and it is only necessary to have a storage of clamps with dimensions and form corresponding to the type of posts which are used. Should also the new post be damaged it can be disconnected, and a replacement will be very easy to undertake. It should be noted that such a fastening clamp also can be used for other fastening purposes than what is described above, i.e. the replacement of lamp posts, as such a clamp in principle could be used for fitting of a mounting plate of any kind to a post stub formed body. Such other alternatives are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Clamp for fastening of post elements, such as a lamp post to a post stub, particularly a stub of a damaged lamp post, comprising a tubular section designed for interaction with and attachment to the post stub and a mounting plate for the new post at the one end, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tubular section has a diameter adjusted for insertion in the post stub, that on the inside of the section, in the area below the mounting plate there has been provided fastening screws which are acting against the post stub, that it below the screw, across the tubular section has been provided a bridge piece with a center hole, that the end of the section opposite to the mounting plate has been slit up and that it through the center hole of the bridge piece has been provided a screw which can be tightened with a nut and which by the free end of the tubular section is provided with a wedge formed element, which by pulling into the tubular section with a tightening screw will extend the slitted part of the section.

2. Clamp according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the wedge formed element is cross-formed with inclined end surfaces.

3. Clamp according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the centrally provided screw is extending beyond the mounting plate and that the nut is provided above a sleeve which abuts the bridge piece.

4. Clamp according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it in the tubular section is provided, preferably four fastening screws.

5. Clamp according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tube section at that end which is not provided with slots has an outwardly extending bead and that the mounting plate is designed with an orifice adapted to the diameter of the element, but with a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the bead.

6. Clamp for fastening of a post element, such as a lamp post to a post stub, particularly a stub from a damaged lamp post, comprising a tubular section designed for interaction with an attachment to a post stub and a mounting plate for the new post in the post stub at the one end, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tubular section has at least one conical part with a diameter adapted for insertion in the post stub (10) and that on the inside of the section in the area below the mounting plate there has been provided displaceable fastening wedges (6) which are acting against the post stub (10) and the conical part(s) of the tubular section (1) and that through the tubular section (1) a tightening screw (4) with a nut is fitted, which screw is positioned through or fitted to holding elements at the two end regions of the tubular section.

7. Clamp according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tube element is conical and is arranged with its largest diameter uppermost and that the holding element (5) at the lowest end of the tubular section (1) consists of a plate, the edges of which extend outside the tubular section (1) forming a seating for the wedges (6) .

8. Clamp according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tube section is conical and arranged with its smallest diameter uppermost in direction against the mounting plate (2) and that a plate formed element (7) has been placed over the conical tubular section, which by tightening can be pulled down by the tightening screw (4) , which plate (7) abuts against the wedges

(6) and that the tube section has extensions through the plate for connection with the post mounting plate (2) .

9. Clamp according to claim 6, 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the wedges are provided with guides (9) in the edge facing towards the coned surface and that the conical surface of the tubular section (1) has screws (13) adapted to these guides.

10. Clamp according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guides (9) are screws .

11. Clamp according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tubular section (1) is provided with edges.

12. Clamp according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tubular section (1) is seated against the post stub (10) in the area of the flange, preferably via a intermediate ring, that the lower end part is conically reduced and that it at this part is provided a conical ring (6a) dimensionally for interaction with a plate formed holding element (5) at the end of the tightening screw (4).

13. Clamp according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the conical ring (6a) is divided by at least one slot.

14. Clamp according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the upper part of the conical section is conically shaped with a largest diameter at the flange and that intermediate rings (6a) has been given a corresponding shape, with a slot if desired.

15. Clamp according to claim 7, 8 or 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the rings (6a and 6b) have been made of a flexible plastic material.