Patent Application
20130312340
It is common to anchor vertically extending support structures, such as fence posts, sign posts, mailbox pedestals, lamp posts, etc., into the ground. A wooden stockade fence may be constructed, for example, by installing a series of spaced apart wooden or metal fence posts into holes dug along the intended fence line. The posts may be secured in the holes using a suitable anchoring material, such as concrete, gravel, dirt and/or sand. A fence panel can thereafter be attached between each adjacent pair of the posts to complete the fence.
While operable, existing securement techniques often make it difficult to remove and replace an existing post using the same hole, particularly when concrete is used to secure the existing post.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to an apparatus and method for supporting a post.
In accordance with some embodiments, a subterranean support structure comprises a tube extension adapted for placement within a hole to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole. The tube extension has opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole. A support flange circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end of the tube extension. The support flange supports a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to an apparatus and method for removably anchoring a vertically extending post, such as but not limited to a fence post, to the ground.
As explained in greater detail below, a subterranean support structure comprises a tube extension adapted to receivingly nest a proximal end of a post. The tube extension is adapted for placement into a hole, so that a distal end of the post vertically extends above the hole.
The tube extension has opposing first and second ends. The first end is adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole, and the second end is adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole.
A support flange circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end of the tube extension. The support flange is adapted to support a column of anchoring material that is placed into the hole. This forms a drainage zone under the flange at the bottom of the hole.
In some embodiments, a fastening mechanism may be used to secure the post within the tube extension, such as one or more laterally extending threaded fasteners that pass through a sidewall of the tube extension and into/adjacent the post. In this way, an existing post can be removed from the tube extension by releasing the fastening mechanism, and a new replacement post can be installed.
In further embodiments, the post can be removed from the subterranean support structure and a cap cover can be placed onto the exposed end of the subterranean support structure to substantially fill the hole opening occupied by the support structure.
The tube extension is shown to have a rectilinear (square) cross-sectional shape, and is sized to receive a standard (nominally 4 inches×4 inches) wooden fence post. Other cross-sectional sizes and shapes can be used. For example, the tube can have a circular cross-sectional shape to accommodate a cylindrically shaped metal fence post (or other post member). As discussed below, an insert can be used to enable a tube extension with a first cross-sectional shape (e.g., rectilinear) to accommodate a post with a different, second cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular).
It is contemplated, albeit not necessarily required, that the respective sizes of the post and the tube extension will be selected such that the post will fit within the tube extension with a relatively small gap therebetween. Apertures 110 can be provided in the tube extension 102 to facilitate the insertion of fasteners (not separately shown) to secure the post within the tube extension.
The upper and lower flanges 104, 106 are shown to respectively extend from the tube extension 102 adjacent respective first and second ends 112, 114 of the tube extension. The upper flange 104 is a first distance D1 from the first end 112, and the lower flange 106 is a second distance D2 from the second end 114.
The respective sizes, shapes and circumferential extension distances of the flanges 104, 106 can vary. In an alternative embodiment to that shown in
The vertical flanges 108 serve to stabilize the upper and lower flanges 104, 106. Other configurations are envisioned, including separate stabilization flanges for the upper and lower flanges 104, 106, as well as configurations that do not provide stabilization flanges therefor.
As shown in
To install the subterranean support structure 100, a suitable hole 122 is dug into the earth having depth and width dimensions sufficient to enable the structure 100 to fit within the hole. As desired, a lower filler material 124, such as gravel or other aggregate, can be deposited in a lowest portion of the hole.
The structure 100 is centered in the hole 122, and a column of anchoring material 126, such as concrete, is introduced into the hole so as to fill the space between the side of the hole and the tube extension 102. The material 126 is supported on the lower flange 106, forming a drainage gap or zone 128 below the lower flange. While it is contemplated that the anchoring material will substantially fill the entire volume within the hole between the upper and lower flanges 104, 106, other amounts of anchoring material can be used, including an amount that only partially fills this available volume. It is contemplated that the anchor material will fully contact the lower flange 106 and the outer surface of the tube extension 102, and will be substantially impeded from flowing below the lower flange 106.
Once the concrete is cured, the post 120 may be slidingly placed into the tube extension 102 and one or more fasteners 130 can be used to secure the post to the tube extension. It will be appreciated that, as desired, the post can be placed into the tube extension prior to the addition of the anchoring material 126, although such is not required. An advantage of the removeable aspects of the exemplary support structure 100 is that the post need not necessarily be installed while the concrete is being cured, eliminating the need to support the post and ensure it stays “straight” until the concrete is hardened.
Replacement of the post 120 can be easily performed by removing the fasteners 130, pulling the post out of the tube extension 102, inserting a new replacement post, and reinstalling the fasteners. In this way, a worn, rotted and/or broken fence post can be easily and quickly replaced, and the replacement post will be in the same location and orientation as the previously installed post. This can be beneficial, for example, in reattaching an existing fence panel to the new replacement post, etc.
Installation of a new post with a different size or shape, such as posts for a taller fence or replacement of wooden posts with metal posts, can also be quickly and easily performed.
In this way, rows of spaced apart support structures 100 can be installed to allow the erection of temporary fences and other structures. For example, a baseball park may have different locations for the outfield fence depending on different ages of players, etc. A particular outfield fence can be installed using different sets of the structures 100 as required, and the covers 140 can be installed on the non-utilized structures 100 to allow use of the playing surface in the area adjacent the non-utilized structures.
While various embodiments discussed above have been directed to a support structure for a fence post, such is merely illustrative and not limiting. Other uses are contemplated including traffic signs (e.g., stop signs, street signs, etc.), advertising signs, barriers, mailbox pedestals, lampposts, etc. Moreover, while concrete has been identified as a particularly suitable anchoring material, other materials can be used including but not limited to aggregate (e.g., gravel), sand or dirt.
The subterranean support structures can be formed of any suitable length, including several feet in northern climates where the freeze line can be several feet deep. The surfaces of the support structures can be treated with powder coating, paint or other anti-corrosion materials. While some embodiments contemplate the use of a support structure for every fence post in a fence, such is not necessarily required; in other embodiments, every Xth fence post (e.g., 3rd, 4th, etc.) is provided with a support structure and conventional anchoring mechanisms are used for the remaining fence posts. This can provide superior wind resistance, strength and other benefits. Also, special locations such as gates, corners, etc. can be reinforced using the subterranean support structures disclosed herein.
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
The present application makes a claim of domestic priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/652,034 filed May 25, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61652034 | May 2012 | US |
