FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention relate to an anchor system and method for fixating a (fence) post or pole to the ground.
BACKGROUND
Traditional fence post anchors are comprised of a square post holder and connected to one long spike (the “Anchor”). In practice, the Anchor is forced into the ground by hitting the top of the Anchor with a sledgehammer until the spike is fully in the ground. This process typically faces several problems. First, when hammering on the top, the Anchor starts to turn - making it impossible to fixate the fence posts properly. Second, while a heavy sledgehammer is required, not everybody can do it. Third, it is an art keeping the Anchor straight when hammering the Anchor into the ground. Fourth, in stony ground the Anchor may not penetrate the ground sufficiently and/or may be destroyed.
Thus, it would be advantageous to develop an anchor that solves all these issues.
SUMMARY
The embodiments of the present invention involve a metal post holder comprising broadly of a hollow tubular member having, in one embodiment, a rectangular cross-section with a first end and second end, the second end including a plurality of pointed sections for hammering into the ground; one post aperture on each side for fixating the post and two securing apertures on each side for receiving metal rebars for fixating the metal post holder to the ground. The metal post holder may take on other cross-sections such as circular and triangular or others and be fabricated of materials other than metal.
First, the metal post holder is hammered (or otherwise forced) roughly 5 centimeters into the ground with the pointed sections face down towards the ground. This ensures that the Anchor does not rotate when being fixated to the ground.
Second, metal rebars are guided through a top securing aperture on one side and a bottom-securing aperture on a neighboring side (or if a bottom-plate is used, guided through an aperture in such bottom-plate) and hammered (or otherwise forced) into the ground one-by-one or each rebar gradually to maintain the Anchor in a horizontal orientation.
The apertures can vary in diameter and rebars can vary in length and diameter depending on the type of ground and the size of the post or pole. For example, for bigger posts a bigger anchor is needed and as such a thicker and/or longer rebar. In addition, the rebars may be guided through a tube or box-like section installed through each side of the apertures making the fixation of the Fence Post Holder into the ground sturdier.
The rebars may have a point on one side for easy hammering into stony ground.
Posts or poles may be levelled with plastic levelling elements placed inside the Fence Post Holder and attached to the Fence Post Holder with bolts or screws.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a 3D-view of the Anchor according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down view of the Anchor showing under what angle the rebars are guided through the Anchor according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a process for horizontal and vertical placement, alignment, and fixation of the Anchor in the ground according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment having a horizontal plate according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment having a horizontal plate according to the embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a 3D-view of an alternative embodiment having tube-like or box-like guiding sections according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a second 3D-view of the alternative embodiment having tube-like or box-like guiding sections according to the embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the present invention involve both proprietary and off-the-shelf elements which portions are described below in such detail required to construct and install the fence post anchor according to the embodiments of the present invention.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be constructed in one or more types of materials. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely metal embodiment, an entirely plastic or other material embodiment, or an embodiment combining metal and plastic (or other material).
Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to figures and flowcharts.
While Fence Post Anchors are detailed below, those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of anchors as well as other types of posts, poles, or columns to be connected to the ground may benefit from the embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows the Fence Post Anchor in 3D view. The drawing comprises a 2 mm metal plate bend 3 times to form a square holder (the “Fence Post Holder”) and standard 10 mm rebar R1-4 (the “Anchors”) together comprising the Fence Post Anchor. The section at the bottom of the Fence Post Holder (A1) is shaped with a point so that the Fence Post Holder can be easily hammered into any ground. The part (A1), when hammered into the ground, ensures the Fence Post Holder does not rotate when hammering the rebars (R1-4) into the ground. To cover the endpoints of the metal rebars (R1-4), a hollow can be dug in the ground the depth of section B1-2; where after the rebars are hammered into the ground, the dug hollow can be filled with ground up to either B1 or B2. Rebars (R1-4) are stuck diagonally through hollows H10-11, H12-13, H14-15, and H16-17. The benefit of this diagonal placement (2 rebars versus only one) is increasing the pull resistance on the Fence Post Anchor. Because rebars go through near the center of the Fence Post Holder, any potential rotation (a major problem in other fence post anchors) that is left, is eliminated. A post rests inside the Fence Post Holder on top of the rebars (level BB). When the Fence Post Holder is dug into the ground until B1 or B2, different sized plastic leveling elements may be used (optionally) to level the wooden posts above ground level so they do not rotten. These levelling elements may also be used to level the post compared with the level of other posts. The size of the Fence Post Holder (thickness, height, width, depth; 100), size and shape of the points at the bottom (A1), diameter (D1-2) and placement of the hollows (H1-4 and H10-H17), and diameter of the rebars may vary depending on the size of the post (column) and type of ground. In some ground types (such as stony ground), one may put a point (P1-4) to the rebars so that it easily can be hammered with any type of hammer into any ground. The post may be fixed with bolts of screws through hollows H1-4. The Fence Post Holder may be left open or welded together at section W1.
FIG. 2 shows a top-down view of the Fence Post Anchor. The rebars are guided diagonally through the Fence Post Holder to (a) reduce the height of the Fence Post Holder, (b) eliminate rotation of the Fence Post Holden when hammering in the rebars, and (c) double pull resistance between rebar and ground (F1 and F4) when a (wind) force (F) is activated against the Fence Post Holder or Fence (FL) itself and therefore making the apparatus more stable.
FIG. 3 shows the Fence Post Anchor installation process Flowchart. First, the Fence Post Holder is centered on its correct place (310). If the endpoints of the rebars are to be covered under the ground, a small hole the depth of B1 (FIG. 1) is dug and the Fence Post Holder is centered on that level. Preferably, with a piece of wood on top of the Fence Post Holder, the Fence Post Holder is driven into the ground until the points (A1; FIG. 1) are in the ground (320). Next, the rebars (R1-4) are guided through the apertures and hit partially (~10 centimeter each) into the ground (330). At this point, the Fence Post Holder can still be placed vertical by hammering in one or more rebar(s) a bit more (340). Once the Fence Post Holder remains vertical, the remainder of each rebar can be fully driven into the ground – until the point where the rebars are still a couple of millimeters outside hollows H10, H12, H14, and H16 shown on FIG. 1 (350). The endpoints may be covered by ground (if dug in) or with a plastic cap or the like. Now the post can be placed inside the Fence Post Holder - optionally with a (plastic) levelling element placed on the rebars inside the Fence Post Holder to level the post with other posts or to level the post above the ground level when dug in (360). Finally, the post is attached to the Fence Post Holder either with bolts or screws through hollows H1-4 (FIG. 1).
FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B show an optional horizontal plate 400 that may be incorporated to provide additional stability. As shown, the horizontal plate 400 is positioned between the top securing apertures H10, 12, 14 and 16 and bottom securing apertures H11, 13, 15 and 17 such that rebar 405 is guided through a top securing aperture, a plate aperture and a bottom securing aperture. The plate 400 may also be further driven into the ground using bolts, stakes, or similar mechanical members 402. It is conceivable that the rebar 405'may be guided through a securing aperture and a plate 400' aperture only as shown in FIG. 5B.
FIG. 6 shows an optional tube-like or box-like section (G) that may be incorporated to provide additional stability. After the Fence Post Holder is driven into the ground until the points (A1; FIG. 1), the optional tube-like or box-like section (G) is guided through apertures (H16/H17) and driven into the ground until the ring (Gr) touches the Fence Post Holder. The tube-like or box-like section (G) may be as short as the distance between apertures H16 and H17 or continue for about ⅕ of the length of the rebar for additional sturdiness.
FIG. 7 shows an alternative design where the Fence Post Holder incorporates an optional horizontal bottom plate (BP) in combination with optional tube-like or box-like section (Gs) that may be incorporated to provide additional stability. As shown, instead of guiding the rebars through the neighboring lower aperture, the rebar is guided (optionally with a tube-like or box-like section installed between the two apertures) from the top aperture though an aperture in the bottom plate and driven into the ground. The tube-like or box-like section is fully driven into the ground until the ring (Gr) touches the Fence Post Holder. The length of the tube-like or box-like section (Gs) or tube may vary (G2) depending on the type of ground and size of the Fence Post Anchor.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20230035050
