GB2314860A

GB2314860A - Post support

Info

Publication number: GB2314860A
Application number: GB9613757A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glyn Wilde; Simon Andrew Towers
Original assignee: DARFEN Ltd
Current assignee: DARFEN Ltd
Priority date: 1996-07-01
Filing date: 1996-07-01
Publication date: 1998-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-01
Also published as: GB2314860B; GB9613757D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a pre-fabricated support for a post comprising a recess (5) therein for the lower end of a post, wherein the support is arranged to be buried underground with the upper surface essentially level with the surface of the ground. The support is particularly useful for temporary fences such as hoarding where quick installation and removal is required. The support is able to be lowered into a hole and removed therefrom. The support has a flat lower surface (3) and may comprise several separate pre-fabricated sections 101 in order to reduce the weight of each part required to be lowered into and removed from the hole, and the or each section can be removed with a threaded hole or a blind slot (8 or 16) for handling purposes. Separate sections comprise interconnecting means which prevent relative movement of the sections when they are in position in the ground. The interconnecting means are provided by projections and corresponding recesses in each section. The support be made e.g. concrete. It may either be a solid body or alternatively a hollow box construction which may be filled with water to add to the stability of the structure.

Description

PRE-FABRTCATED POST SUPPORT The invention relates to a pre-fabricated post support of the kind which is used to support fence posts and in particular gate posts.

The post support of the invention is particularly useful for supporting posts which themselves support fencing and gates which are required to be fixed in position on a temporary basis only. Such temporary fences are required for example to surround construction sites, or to form temporary storage compounds to secure the goods stored in the compound on a temporary basis. These temporary fences are also known as hoarding. An essential feature of hoarding is that it can be erected and dismantled easily and speedily but that it is also secure and durable for the period required which may be a number of days or even as long as a number of years depending on the duration of the construction project.

Present hoarding known in the prior art are typically wooden panels which are secured to posts which are themselves fixed in the ground by means of stakes which are usually driven into the earth. A significant disadvantage with such hoarding is that they are difficult to erect on cites where the soil is too soft, too wet too sandy or too rocky. A further disadvantage with such systems is that they are rarely re-usable the wooden panels are destroyed after a single erection and in particular the posts can not be removed from the ground without irreparably damaging them. This prior art system is therefore environmentally wasteful and therefore also expensive.

A further prior art hoarding system comprises the use of wire mesh panels which may be secured to posts which are secured in the ground by means of stakes or alternatively the panels are secured to posts which are supported in a hole in a concrete support which rests on the ground. Such concrete supports are mainly used for ground surfaces where it is not possible or is difficult to drive in stakes to support the posts for example when the hoarding is required to be erected on a paved surface. A disadvantage with this system however is that the posts and concrete supports are only able to support relatively light panels such as wire mesh panels which do not form a reliable barrier to the site from the point of view of visibility and also the ingress of granular materials to and from the site and furthermore the mesh panels are relatively easy to remove by an intruder.

The objective of the invention is therefore to provide a post support for a hoarding fence which can be erected quickly and removed quickly and which can be used again repeatedly at other sites. It is also an objective of the invention to provide a post support for a hoarding which is sufficiently secured to the ground to support relatively heavy fences and in particular a heavy gate which is required to be used frequently for access to and from the site. It is also an objective of the invention to provide a post support which can be used in a variety of different soil conditions and still provide sufficient support to the post in particular to support a gate.

According to the invention there is provided a pre-fabricated support for a post comprising an upper and lower surface said lower surface being essentially flat to rest at the base of a hole in the ground and said upper surface comprising a recess therein for the location of the lower end of a post, wherein that the support is arranged to be buried underground with the upper surface essentially level with the surface of the ground.

The support will preferably be generally have a height which is greater than its width or diameter in order to provide the maximum support from the surrounding ground.

The upper recess will preferably comprise a sleeve between the inside wall thereof and the post in order to provide more precise location of the post in the recess and to prevent undue wear of the support in the region of the recess. The recess may also comprise retaining means to retain the post in the recess to prevent rotation or to prevent vertical removal of the post from the recess. This retaining means can be provided on the sleeve. Alternatively the posts may be retained in the recess by the fence to which it is attached.

Preferably the support also comprises an attachment means arranged in the region of its upper surface to enable the support to be lifted back out of the hole after use.

The attachment means may be a threaded hole for the introduction of an eye bolt through which a rope could be threaded to pull up the support. The threaded hole will preferably be provided with a cover cap to prevent the ingress of material which would impede the fitting of the eye bolt. The attachment means may also be a blind slot arranged below the upper surface of the support which is accessible by a hook means which would again permit lifting of the support by means of a rope or similar device.

The support may comprise several separate pre-fabricated sections in order to reduce the weight of each part required to be lowered into and removed from the hole. The separate sections could be removed without the use of specialist lifting equipment which would reduce the cost of installing the post support. Preferably the support sections comprise interconnecting means which prevent relative movement of the sections when they are in position in the ground. The interconnecting means could be provided by projections and corresponding recesses in each section.

In one embodiment of the invention the support sections are each provided with a single projection arranged centrally on the upper surface which corresponds with a centrally arranged recess in the lower surface. The support sections will locate together on top of one another to form the complete support. Each support section will also comprise a central orifice which will form the post recess when the sections are arranged together. In order to determine the desired height of recess for the post a flat plate may be arranged in between two sections at the desired position. Alternatively the support sections forming the lower part of the support could be provided without a central orifice such that the post recess is provided by the support sections having an orifice forming the upper part of the support.

Each support section would be provided with an attaching means to enable it to be lowered into and lifted from the hole.

The support whether it is in one piece of in several sections may be made of concrete or alternatively plastic resin or also wood or reconstituted material, or a suitable metal. It may either be a solid body or alternatively a hollow box construction. The box construction may be filled with a fluid at the site such as water to and to the stability of the structure.

The embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a post support of the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a post support of the invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a post support of the invention.

Referring to figure 1 the invention relates to a pre-fabricated support 1 for a post comprising an upper surface 2 and lower surface 3. The lower surface being essentially flat to rest at the base of a hole 4 previously dug in the ground. One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a post support which can be constructed quickly, typically it is required that the whole hoarding should be erected in a day. The hole therefore will be previously dug just before the post supports arrive on site. The holes can be dug in relatively short time by means of a suitable earth digging machine.

The upper surface 2 of the support 1 comprises a recess 5 therein for the location of the lower end of a post. The support is lowered into the hole which will be dug to a depth which is such that with the upper surface 2 essentially level with the surface of the ground.

The support 1 has a height which is greater than its width or diameter in order to provide the maximum support from the surrounding ground. The side walls are also tapered from the upper surface 2 downwards to the lower surface 3 in order to provide the maximum support from the surrounding soil. The hole is then back filled and compacted to secure the post support in the ground.

The upper recess 5 comprises a sleeve 6 arranged between the inside wall of the recess 5 and the post in order to provide more precise location of the post in the upper recess 5 and to prevent undue wear of the support in the region of the upper recess 5. The upper recess 5 also comprises retaining means to retain the post in the recess to prevent rotation or to prevent vertical removal of the post from the recess. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 this retaining means can be provided on the sleeve by means of a bolt or other suitable fixing means passing through a hole 7 through the sleeve 6 and through the post.

Alternatively the posts may be retained in the recess 5 by being attached to the fence which will consist of panels and posts connected together so that the weight of the whole will prevent any part of it from being lifted by a potential intruder.

The support 1 also comprises an attachment means 8 arranged in the region of or close to its upper surface 2 to enable the support 1 to be lifted back out of the hole 4 after use. The attachment means 8 may be a threaded hole 9, for example for the introduction of an eye bolt through which a rope could be threaded to pull up the support 1. The threaded hole will preferably be provided with a cover cap to prevent the ingress of material which would impede the fitting of the eye bolt. The attachment means 8 is preferably be a blind slot arranged below the upper surface 2 of the support 1 which is accessible by a hook means which would again permit lifting of the support by means of a rope or similar device.

It will be appreciated that when it is desired to remove the hoarding the panels can be removed form the posts and the posts removed from the post support 1. The earth is then dug out from the surrounding of the post support 1 and when sufficient earth is removed the support can be removed from the hole. The support 1 will then be suitable for re-use at a further location and the hole can be re-filled and there is no waste or disposal of used material required.

Referring now to figure 2 the support 1 may comprise several separate prefabricated sections 10 in order to reduce the weight of each part required to be lowered into and removed from the hole. The separate sections 10 can be designed to be of such a size and weight that they can be lowered and removed without the use of specialist lifting equipment which would reduce the cost of installing the post support 1. In the embodiment of figure 2 the support sections 10 compnse interconnecting means 11 which prevent relative movement of the sections when they are in position in the ground. The interconnecting means 11 are provided on each section and comprise a single projection 12 arranged centrally on the upper surface 14 which corresponds with a centrally arranged recess 13 in the lower surface. The support sections 10 locate together on top of one another to form the complete support 1. Each support section 10 comprises a central orifice 15 which will form the post recess 5 when the sections 10 are arranged together.

In order to determine the desired height of recess for the post a flat plate may be arranged in between two sections at the desired position. Alternatively the support sections 10 forming the lower part of the support 1 could be provided without a central orifice such that the post recess 5 is provided by the support sections 10 having an orifice 15 forming the upper part of the support 1.

It will be appreciated that the interconnecting means 11 to secure the sections 10 to each other could be provided by any suitable arrangement of projections and corresponding recesses in each section.

Each support section 10 is provided with an attaching means 16 so that it can be lowered into and lifted from the hole 4.

Referring now to figure 3 it can be seen that the post 1 comprises a number of sections 10. In this embodiment the sections are secured together by means of a central tube 20. This central tube also forms the recess 5 for the post. In this embodiment the depth to which the post is lowered may be determined by lowering a solid cylinder of the desired height in the recess 5. It will be appreciated that several alternatives methods of securing the sections 10 to each other can be envisaged such as securing rods passing through the corners of each section, for example.

The support 1 whether it is in one piece of in several sections 10 may be made of concrete or alternatively plastic resin or also wood or reconstituted material, or a suitable metal. It may either be a solid body or alternatively a hollow box construction. It is expected that concrete may chosen as the most desirable material due to its low cost and high density. However it will be appreciated that the stability of the structure depends upon the surface area of the side walls of the support 1 which is braced against the back full of earth as well as upon the weight of the support 1. It may therefore in some circumstances be preferable to have a relatively light construction, either made of a lighter material such as plastic resin of using a box construction made of steel for example. The box construction may be filled with a fluid at the site such as water to and to the stability of the structure.

Claims

1. A pre-fabricated support 1 for a post comprising an upper surface 2 and lower surface 3 said lower surface 3 being essentially flat at least in part to rest at the base of a hole 4 in the ground and said upper surface 2 comprising a recess 5 therein for the location of the lower end of a post, wherein that the support 1 is arranged to be buried underground with the upper surface 2 essentially level with the surface of the ground.

2. A pre-fabricated support according to claim 1, characterised in that the height of the support 1 is greater than its width or diameter.

3. A pre-fabricated support according to claim 1. characterised in that the recess 5 comprises a sleeve 6 arranged between the inside wall thereof and the post.

4. A pre-fabricated support according to claim 1, characterised in that the recess 5 comprises retaining means 7 to retain the post in the recess 5 to prevent rotation or vertical removal of the post from the recess 5.

5. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 3 and 4, characterised in that the retaining means 7 is provided on the sleeve 6.

6. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 1, characterised in that the posts are retained in the recess 5 by the fence to which they are attached.

7. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 1, characterised in that the support 1 comprises side walls which are tapered from the upper surface 2 to the lower surface 3.

8. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 1, characterised in that the support 1 comprises an attachment means 8 arranged in the region of its upper surface 2.

9. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 8, characterised in that the attachment means 8 is a threaded hole 9 for the introduction of an eye bolt through which a rope could be threaded to pull up or lower the support 1.

10. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 9, characterised in that the threaded hole will preferably be provided with a cover cap to prevent the ingress of material which would impede the fitting of the eye bolt.

11. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 8, characterised in that the attachment means 8 is a blind slot arranged below the upper surface 2 of the support which is accessible by a hook means which would permit lifting or lowering of the support 1 by means of a rope or similar device.

12. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 1, characterised in that the support 1 comprises at least two separate pre-fabricated sections 10 which may be lowered into and removed from the hole 4 separately.

13. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 12, characterised in that the support sections 10 comprise interconnecting means 11 which prevent relative movement of the sections 10 when they are in position in the ground.

14. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 13, characterised in that the interconnecting means 11 are provided by projections 12 and corresponding recesses 13 in each section 10.

15. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 13, characterised in that the support sections 10 are each provided with a single projection 12 arranged centrally on the upper surface 14 which corresponds with a centrally arranged recess 13 in the lower surface.

16. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 13, characterised in that the support sections 10 locate together on top of one another to form the complete support 1.

17. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 13, characterised in that each support section 10 comprises a central orifice 15 which forms the post recess 5 when the sections 10 are arranged together.

18. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 13, characterised in that each support section 10 is provided with an attaching means 16 to enable the section 10 to be lowered into and lifted from the hole 4.

19. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 1, characterised in that the support 1 is a solid body.

20. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 19, characterised in that support 1 is made of concrete.

21. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 19, characterised in that support 1 is made from plastic resin or wood or reconstituted material" or a suitable metal.

22. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 1, characterised in that the support 1 is a hollow box construction.

23. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 22, characterised in that the box construction is made from a suitable metal such as steel.

24. A pre-fabricated support 1 according to claim 22, characterised in that the box construction may be filled with a fluid at the site such as water.