GB2338250A

GB2338250A - Base for a post

Info

Publication number: GB2338250A
Application number: GB9812143A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan James Norman Cheetham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-06
Filing date: 1998-06-06
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-06
Also published as: GB2338250B; GB9812143D0

Abstract

A base (1) for a post, comprises an open topped tray (2) with upstanding peripheral walls (8) to contain ballast, and at least one post receiving means (14), which is situated adjacent to the peripheral wall. The receiving means (14) is tapered along its length, so that the upper region (10) can fit into the aperture (6) of a similar base when they are stacked together. The post receiving means (14) includes a locking device (not shown) to lock a post in position. A number of such bases fitted with posts could support fencing, and the positioning of the post relative to the base would allow the fencing to extend down to the bases or into the ground.

Description

1 C1020/C Fiela of the Invention TITLE: FENCING SYSTEM 2338250 The

invention relates to a base for a post for part of a fence or for supporting another article, for example a light or sign. The invention also relates to a fence having such bases. The invention is particularly applicable to fences or other articles which are to be temporarily placed at a given outdoor location.

Background to the Invention

There are many situations in which an article, such as a fence, needs to be securely located at a given place for a relatively short period of time. For example, a building site, particularly one in an urban location, is normally surrounded by a temporary security fence for preventing unauthorised access to the site.

one example of such a fence comprises a series of pre-formed barriers which are supported between posts which are mounted in central sockets of concrete bases for supporting the posts.

In order to provide a suitably stable support for the posts, the blocks are heavy, and thus cumbersome to transport to a,-.d f rom a site of use. Furthermore, the barriers have to be specially shaped so that they can extend into the ground between adjacent blocks to prevent human or animal access underneath the fence, and are thus relatively expensive.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided base for a post, the base comprising a container which has peripheral wall, and which is arranged to contain ballast for 2 stabilising the base, the base further comprising receiving means for receiving the post and retaining the post in position relative to the base, wherein the receiving means is situated adjadent the wall, the arrangement being such that, in use, a post retained by the receiving means is also situated adjacent the wall.

Since the base supports a post in a position adjacent the peripheral wall, any fencing attached to the post may extend down to the base, and possibly beyond into the ground. The fencing does not therefore have to be specially shaped in order to fit around the base and can comprise a single piece of, for example chain link fencing or netting. In addition, the whole of the base is situated behind the fencing, and is therefore protected against, for example, vandalism. Since the base includes a container for ballast, it can be of a relatively lightweight construction in order to facilitate transportation.

Preferably, the receiving means comprises an upstanding socket which may to advantage abut the wall.

Preferably, the container comprises an open topped tray. This' makes it relatively easy to add or remove ballast, which may comprise any suitable material which falls to hand. If the base is to be used for fencing for a building site, examples of possible ballast materials include aggregates, soil and/or bricks.

Preferably, the socket is defined by an upstanding wall which extends beyond the top of the tray, and the bottom of the tray includes an aperture in registry with the socket, the socket being so tapered that the top portion of the socket can f it into the aperture in the bottom of a tray of another, identical base.

1 A This feature enables bases in accordance with the invention to be stacked in a configuration in which the walls defining the 3 sockets for adjacent bases nest together.

Preferably, the base includes locking means for preventing the removal of a post therefrom. one example of such a locking means is a simple locking bolt which extends through the post and through the walls defining the socket, and is secured by means of a padlock.

The invention also lies in a fence comprising a plurality of bases, each in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of posts, each retained in the receiving means of a respective one of the bases, and fencing attached to and extending between the posts, wherein the fencing also extends in front of the bases.

Preferably, the lower portion of the fencing is embedded in the ground on which the bases stand.

Conveniently, the fencing comprises chain-link or wire fencing.

The invention also lies in a base for a post for a fence, the base having a socket for the post, wherein the socket, and hence in use a post retained therein, is positioned adjacent the periphery of the base.

Brief Description of the-Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a base in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a fence which includes a number of such bases; Figures 3 and 4 show further possible uses of the base; and 4 Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of base in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Descriptio

The base shown in Figure 1 comprises a tray 1 def ined by an upstanding square peripheral wall 2 and a bottom 4 which includes a square aperture 6 situated adjacent the front face 8 of the wall 2. In this example, the length of each face of the wall 2 is 1000 mm, the wall 2 is of a height of 300 mm, and each side of the aperture is 90 mm long.

A further square sectioned wall 10 extends from the bottom 4 to a position above the wall 2, and defines a socket 12 which is in registry with the aperture 6. The length of each side of the bottom of the wall 10 is approximately 90 mm, corresponding to the dimensions of the aperture 6, and the wall 10 tapers so that the length of each side of the top of the wall 10 is 80 mm. Thus, the base shown in Figure 1 can be placed on top of an identical base so that the top of the wall 10 extends into the aperture 6 of the other base. This enables a large number of bases to be stacked, with the walls defining the sockets being partially nested together so as to produce a relatively compact stack, and to help to hold the members of the stack together.

In this example, the base is formed from a suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the base may be formed from metal.

The front face 14 of the wall 10 abuts the face 8 of the wall 2.

In Figure 2, the reference numerals 16, 18 and 20 denote three such bases, each of the type shown in Figure 1. The tray of each of the bases is filled with a suitable ballast material, for example aggregate or bricks, which gives the base a sufficient weight to provide a stable support for a respective one of three wooden posts 22, 24 and 26 which is a sliding fit within the socket 12 of the base.

Each. base also includes a locking mechanism (not shown) comprising a pair of apertures in the sides of the wall 10 and an eyelet attached to one side of the wall 10 adjacent the aperture. The apertures are aligned with each other, and (in use) with a passage through the post inserted in the socket 12. A bolt extends through the passage, and is terminated at one end by an eyelet which, with the bolt inserted, is adjacent the eyelet attached to the wall 10. A padlock fastens the eyelets together thereby securing the bolt to the wall 10 and thus preventing the bolt 10, and hence the post from being removed.

The posts 22, 24 and 26 are formed from wood, and support a wire mesh 28 which is stapled to the posts. Instead of a wire mesh 28, netting may be attached to the posts 22, 24 and 26. In another version of the system, the posts 22, 24 and 26 are formed from plastic and are provided with lock-nuts for securing the mesh or netting thereto.

In either case, the mesh or netting extends down to the level of the bases 16, 18 and 20 so that the latter can be wholly located behind the mesh or netting. Since the mesh or netting is positioned in front of the bases 16, 18 and 20, it does not have to be specially shaped in order to fit round the bases, thus making the fence relatively cheap to produce, using a single piece of mesh or netting.

In Figures 3 and 4, the reference numerals 30 and 32 denote two bases, each identical to the base shown in Figure 1, which are used for purposes other than supporting fencing. In the case of Figure 3, the base 30 supports a post 34 which carries a sign 36. The base 32 shown in Figure 4, in conjunction with a post 38, provides a mounting for a spotlight 40. Thus, as well as being used for fencing, a base in accordance with the invention can be used to provide a secure support for other 6 articles which might also be required at a building site.

The base shown in Figure 5 is arranged to hold three posts, which, may, for example, be needed to support a relatively heavy sign. Alternatively, the base may be used to support two or three posts which define a corner of a fenced compound.

This base comprises a square tray having a peripheral wall so, the front face 52 of which is taller than the rest of the wall. The face 52 defines the front of three sockets 54, 56 and 58, the rear edge of each of which is defined by a further wall 60. Dividing strips 62 and 64 separate adjacent sockets. The bottom of the tray includes an opening bounded at the front and sides by the wall 50 and at the rear by the wall 56, which is inclined towards the face 52 so that two identical bases can be stacked one on top of the other with the walls 56 and faces 52 nested together.

7

Claims

1. A base for a post, the base comprising a container which has a peripheral wall, and which is arranged to contain ballast for stabilising the base, the base further comprising receiving means for receiving the post and retaining the post in position relative to the base, wherein the receiving means is situated adjacent the wall, the arrangement being such that, in use, a post retained by the receiving means is also situated adjacent the wall.

2. A base according to claim 1, in which the receiving means comprises an upstanding socket.

3. A base according to claim 2, in which the socket abuts the wall.

4. A base according to any of the preceding claims, in which the container comprises an open topped tray.

5. A base according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the socket is defined by an upstanding wall which extends beyond the top of the tray, and the bottom of the tray includes an aperture in registry with the socket, the socket being so tapered that the top portion of the socket can fit into the aperture in the bottom of a tray of another, identical base.

6. A base according to any of the preceding claims, in which the base includes locking means for preventing the removal of a post therefrom.

7. A base according to claim 6, in which the locking means comprises a simple locking bolt which extends, in use, through the post and through the walls defining the socket, and is secured by means of a padlock.

8. A fence comprising a plurality of bases, each according 8 to any of the preceding claims, a plurality of posts, each retained in the receiving means of a respective one of the bases, and fencing attached to and extending between the posts, wherein the fencing also extends in front of the bases.

9. A fence according to claim 8, in which the lower portion of the fencing is embedded in the ground on which the bases stand.

10. A fence according to either claim 8 or claim 9, in which the fencing comprises chain-link or wire fencing.

11. A base for a post for a fence, the base having a socket f or the post, wherein the socket and hence, in use, a post retained therein is positioned adjacent the periphery of the base.

12. A base substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

13. A fence substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

14. A base and post retained therein substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.