WO2025030213A1 - Apparatus and method for securing a post - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for supporting a vertical structure such as a post 12. The apparatus (10) includes a body or shell (14) arranged to provide a form or recess in which a settable material such as concrete is receivable, and a locator (16) arranged to support the post (12) relative to the body (14). The locator (16) may include an arrangement of members (40) which extend from the skirting side wall (22) of body (14) toward a centre of the body (14). The arrangement of members (40) include free ends (42) which form, in essence an aperture (44), in which the post (12) may be inserted and fitted so as to be supported by the arrangement of members (40). A related method is also disclosed.

Description

Apparatus and Method for Securing a Post

Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority form Australian provisional patent application no. 2023902510 filed on 9 August 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for securing a post. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for forming a settable material such as concrete about a post and an associated method.

Background

[003] Structures such as posts may need to be vertically supported relative to the ground. One method of supporting such a post may include digging a hole and inserting the post into the hole. A material such as concrete may then be poured into the hole to set around the post. Another method includes using a form like a bucket filled with concrete and then either the bucket resting on the ground or being placed within a hole. The post is then inserted into the bucket and the concrete sets around the post.

[004] Problems with these methods may include the alignment and straight setting of the post, pooling of water adjacent the post, repeatability of the installation, strength of the bucket, and transportation and manufacturing of the bucket.

[005] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

[006] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, an apparatus for supporting a post, the apparatus including a body arranged to provide a form in which a settable material is receivable and a locator arranged to support or locate the post relative to the body.

[007] In an aspect, the locator is arranged to support the post vertically and centrally of the body.

[008] In another aspect, the locator is arranged to support both a round and a square post.

[009] In yet another aspect, the locator includes an arrangement of members which extend from the body toward a centre of the body.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the arrangement of members have free ends arranged to fit adjacent to a side of the post.

[0011] In yet another aspect, .each member of the arrangement of members is slender.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the arrangement of members provide gaps to allow the settable material to be received into the body.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the arrangement of members are provided in pairs which intersect one another at an intersection point.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the free ends are provided between the post and the intersection point.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the free ends are shaped to accommodate the post

[0016] In yet another aspect, the arrangement of members are provided at or toward a top of the body.

[0017] In yet another aspect, body is frusto-conical in shape. [0018] In yet another aspect, the body includes a substantially open top and a substantially open bottom.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the top is narrower than the bottom.

[0020] In yet another aspect, the top includes a chamfered lip.

[0021] In yet another aspect, the bottom includes a skirting flange.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the body includes a side wall, the side wall including one or more ribs.

[0023] In yet another aspect, the ribs are lengthwise arranged and radially spaced apart around an inner face of the wide wall.

[0024] In yet another aspect, the body is shaped to be stackable.

[0025] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, a method of supporting a post prior to being secured with a settable material, the method including: providing an apparatus as defined above and herein; fitting a post within a body of the apparatus so as to be vertically located by a locator of the apparatus within the body; and, introducing the settable material within the body so as to set about the post.

[0026] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, a method of supporting a post prior to being secured with a settable material, the method including: fitting a post within a body of an apparatus so as to be vertically located by a locator associated with the body; and, introducing the settable material within the body, the body providing a form to hold the setting material so as to set about the post.

[0027] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided, an apparatus for supporting a post, the apparatus including a hollow body with a side wall arranged to provide a form in which a settable material is receivable and a locator arrangement adapted to support the post relative to the hollow body, wherein the locator arrangement includes an arrangement of slender members which extend from the side wall toward a centre of the body, each of the arrangement of sender members are provided as pairs which intersect one another at an intersection point with free ends of each of the pairs extending proud of the intersection point, the free ends terminating in feet adapted to engage with a surface of the post.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0028] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0029] Figure l is a topside perspective view illustrating an apparatus for supporting a post;

[0030] Figure 2 is an underside perspective view illustrating the apparatus;

[0031] Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the apparatus with a square post fitted in a first orientation;

[0032] Figure 4 is a topside perspective view illustrating the apparatus with the square post fitted in the first orientation;

[0033] Figure 5 is a top view illustrating the apparatus with a round post fitted;

[0034] Figure 6 is a topside perspective view illustrating the apparatus with the round post fitted;

[0035] Figure 7 is a top view illustrating the apparatus with the square post fitted in a second orientation; and

[0036] Figure 8 is an topside perspective view illustrating the apparatus with the square post fitted in the second orientation;

Detailed Description

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 8 there is shown an apparatus 10 for supporting a vertical structure such as a post 12. The apparatus 10 includes a body or shell 14 arranged to provide a form or recess (also known as formwork) in which a settable material (not shown) is receivable and a locator 16 arranged to support the post 12 relative to the body 14.

[0038] The post 12 may be any form of suitable post and may be, but not limited to, round or square in cross section. The settable material may be any form of settable material. In this example, the settleable material is, but not limited to, concrete.

[0039] The body 14 includes a first end or top 18, a second end or bottom 20 and a skirting side wall 22. Which define a passage 29 through the body. The body 14 may be frusto-conical in shape tapering from the top 18 to the bottom 20 so the bottom 20 is relatively wider than the top 18. Although, the body 14 may have any suitable shape and in some examples may have a closed bottom.

[0040] The top 18 includes a top opening 24 and the bottom 20 includes a bottom opening 26. The top 18 includes a skirting lip 28 with a chamfered edge 30 and the bottom 20 includes a skirting flange 29.

[0041] The chamfered edge 30 slopes downwardly away from the post 12, when fitted, to assist to drain water and provide a finishing edge the concrete. The frusto-conical shape and skirting flange 29 allow sets of the apparatus 10 to be stacked atop one another. The skirting side wall 22 includes internal ribs 34 which are lengthwise arranged and radially spaced apart about an internal face 36 of the skirting side wall 22. It is noted that the body 14 may in some examples take other forms such as a cylinder or even a rectangular shape. [0042] The locator 16 may take various forms. However, in this example, the locator 16 is provided in the form of an arrangement of members or fingers 40 which extend from the skirting side wall 22 of body 14 toward a centre of the body 14. The arrangement of members 40 have free ends 42 which form, in essence an aperture 44, in which the post 12 may be inserted and fitted. The members 40 may be elongate and slender and extend in a generally radial direction toward the centre of the body 14.

[0043] The free ends 42 of the member 40 are arranged to fit adjacent to a side 46 of the post 12. It is noted that for a square post, the arrangement of the free ends 42 may lock or restrict the orientation of the post 12 to stop unwanted rotation.

[0044] The arrangement of members 40 provide gaps or a grate 48 to allow the settable material to be received, such being poured, into the body 14. The arrangement of members 40 are provided in pairs which intersect one another at intersection points 50. In this example, there are four pairs of members 40 which each separately provide four location points. However, of course, more or less pairs could be used such as three pairs.

[0045] The free ends 42 are provided between the post 12 and the intersection point 50. The free ends 42 are shaped, such as being sloped or chamfered feet 45, to accommodate and bear on the post 12. The arrangement of members 40 are provided at or toward the top 18 of the body 14. Further, the intersection points 50 and adjacent free ends 42 provide a Y- shaped nook 43 which may receive edges of a square post as shown in Figure 7.

[0046] This arrangement of members 40 provides several advantages including providing a top level to which the concrete is poured and finished, providing support to the concrete once set within the concrete, and, of course, holding the post 12 in position. It may be seen that the arrangement of members 40 may accommodate both round and square posts, and also, the normal or diagonal orientation of a square post as shown in Figures 4, 6, 7 and 8.

[0047] In relation to a method of use, the apparatus 10 may be seated on a ground surface or within a hole. The post 12 may then be fitted within the body 14 of an apparatus 10 so as to be vertically located by the locator 16 associated with the body 14. A settable material may then be introduced within the body 14, the body providing a form to hold the setting material so as to set about the post 12. The settable material may be screeded to the sloped skirting lip 28 to allow or promote drainage away from the post. It is noted that in some examples, the apparatus 10 may remain fitted or it may be removed on the concrete has been set. Both uses are contemplated herein.

[0048] It is noted the during transport and packing, the apparatus 10 may be stacked and may be fitted alongside one another to efficiently use available space such as on or in a pallet.

[0049] In relation to a method of manufacture, the apparatus 10 may be formed of plastic such as by using a mould. The locator 16 provided toward the top 18 allows the arrangement of members 40 to be formed at the release of the mould which allows ease and efficiency of manufacture.

[0050] It is noted that in some examples, the body 14 of the apparatus 10 may be provided in two halves (not shown) that are separatable so that the body 14 can be clamped about the post 12. The two halves may have releasable fixtures such as a pin, clip or the like so that the two halves may be clamped or secured about the post 12.

[0051] Advantageously, there has been described an apparatus for holding a post whilst a settable material is poured into a body of the apparatus to set about the post. The apparatus may fit with round, and also square posts in two orientations, and includes a lip to assist with a slope of the formed concrete to direct water away from the post. The apparatus is easy to use, simple to manufacture and efficient to transport due to it being stackable.

[0052] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [0053] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0054] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0055] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. An apparatus for supporting a post, the apparatus including a body arranged to provide a form in which a settable material is receivable and a locator arranged to support the post relative to the body.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locator is arranged to support the post vertically and centrally of the body.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locator is arranged to support both a round and a square post.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the locator includes an arrangement of members which extend from the body toward a centre of the body.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the arrangement of members have free ends arranged to fit adjacent to a side of the post.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each member of the arrangement of members is slender.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement of members provide gaps to allow the settable material to be received into the body.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement of members are provided in pairs which intersect one another at an intersection point.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the free ends are provided between the post and the intersection point.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the free ends are shaped to accommodate the post.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the arrangement of members are provided at or toward a top of the body.

12. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein body is frusto-conical in shape.

13. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the body includes a substantially open top and a substantially open bottom.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the top is narrower than the bottom.

15. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the top includes a chamfered lip.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the bottom includes a skirting flange.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the body includes a side wall, the side wall including one or more ribs.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the ribs are lengthwise arranged and radially spaced apart around an inner face of the wide wall.

19. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the body is shaped to be stackable.

20. A method of supporting a post prior to being secured with a settable material, the method including: providing an apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18; fitting a post within a body of the apparatus so as to be vertically located by a locator of the apparatus within the body; and, introducing the settable material within the body so as to set about the post.

21. A method of supporting a post prior to being secured with a settable material, the method including: fitting a post within a body of an apparatus so as to be vertically located by a locator associated with the body; and, introducing the settable material within the body, the body providing a form to hold the setting material so as to set about the post.

22. An apparatus for supporting a post, the apparatus including a hollow body with a side wall arranged to provide a form in which a settable material is receivable and a locator arrangement adapted to support the post relative to the hollow body, wherein the locator arrangement includes an arrangement of slender members which extend from the side wall toward a centre of the body, each of the arrangement of sender members are provided as pairs which intersect one another at an intersection point with free ends of each of the pairs extending proud of the intersection point, the free ends terminating in feet adapted to engage with a surface of the post.