FOUNDATION DEVICE FOR POSTS, PILES AND SIMILAR OBJECTS

DESCRIPTION Technical field

The present invention relates to a foundation device for posts, piles and the like. More precisely, the invention relates to a foundation device that can be fixed in the ground, for instance for supporting posts or vertical or inclined piles of different kinds, for instance for building palisades, fences, or for road signals, pylons, parasols, supporting structures and the like. Prior art It is known that posts, e.g. posts for hedges, are fixed in the ground with various methods, e. g. by means of pile drivers, by screwing, or by a combination of hitting and screwing.

Also screw or helical piles are known. Screw piles have at their lower end some turns of a cylindrical spiral with cutting edge made of cast iron, steel or forged iron. The shape of the screw depends on the nature of the subsoil.

Helical piles have a lower end consisting of a cusp having four helical ribs, and they are generally fixed by percussion and are used in soils with medium consistency.

Generally, fixing the post in the ground comprises preparing a hole into which the post is to be driven, with or without the formation of a base of concrete or other hardening material.

It is also known to use hand-driven or power-driven augers in order to drill the hole into the ground where the post is to be fixed.

Of course, depending on the soil consistency, for instance a rocky, friable, sandy ... soil, hole drilling and post fixing can be more or less easily performed. In extreme cases, the ground hardness is such that hole drilling is difficult: one can think of grounds covered with waterproofing layers, such as road surfaces, or of particularly hard grounds; in other cases, drilling a durable hole, giving sufficient time for driving the post, is difficult due to the low consistency of the soil (think for instance of a sandy soil), and often it is necessary to drill holes of greater diameter, which are to be filled with jets of concrete into which the post is to be previously embedded.

Moreover, in many applications, for instance when building a fence or installing a fencing net or preparing stake rows for vineyards, it is necessary to install a considerable number of posts, which must withstand conditions of use that sometimes can be severe, as is for instance the case of a fence for a corral.

The above circumstances entail therefore considerable operating difficulties and high costs for both the materials and the labour.

Moreover, use of bases of concrete, besides entailing high costs, is not always possible, both due to the type of ground, and because such use makes changing the post arrangement difficult.

EP 1975345 teaches using a post foundation device consisting of a hollow conical body with an external helix, which device is fixed in the ground and into which the post can be inserted. However such a device has the drawback that it requires use of a filling material capable of filling the hollow spaces that are created when the foundation device is screwed into the ground, in order to provide a sufficiently robust anchoring of the device in the ground.

Moreover, the results attained with the above device are not always satisfactory, in that the posts often are not stable enough and tend to oscillate as time goes by. Description of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for the problems mentioned above.

It is another object of the invention to provide a solution that is easy to be implemented and that can be industrially produced at reasonable costs.

The above and other objects are achieved with the support for posts and the like as claimed in the appended claims.

Thanks to the cooperation between the compression portion, radially extending with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device, and the screw or helical guiding portion enabling the device penetration, the device according to the invention can be advantageously used for making a stable foundation for posts, piles and the like, in any type of ground, even covered with asphalt layers.

Moreover, according to the invention, thanks to the provision of a shaped hole in the platter, and to the provision of the screw or helical guiding portion, the foundation device can be effectively fixed in the ground by screwing it by means of a suitable tool, either hand-driven or power-driven, which can be subsequently removed and replaced by a post, a pile or the like.

Moreover, the device according to the invention can be advantageously used for supporting posts of any material and with any cross-sectional shape, in particular posts made of steel, wood, cement, plastics, with circular, T-shaped, square etc. cross-section, by changing the shape of the hole in the platter..

Brief Description of the Figures

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will be provided by way of non- limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which equal numerical references denote equal or equivalent parts, and in which: - Fig. 1 is a side view of the device according to a first embodiment of the invention, fixed in the ground;

- Fig. 2 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 is a part-sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1, associated with an adapter;

- Fig. 4 is a side view of the device on which a variant embodiment of the platter is mounted;

- Fig. 5 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 4, with the platter removed;

- Fig. 6 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 5;

- Fig. 7 is a side view of the device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a variant embodiment of the locking device associated with the platter where a post is mounted;

- Fig. 9 is a top view of the platter shown in Fig. 8, without the post;

- Fig. 10 is a side view of a first embodiment of the guiding tool;

- Fig. 11 is a top view of a second variant embodiment of the platter;

- Fig. 12 is a side view of a second embodiment of the guiding tool; - Fig. 13 is a part-sectional side view of a third embodiment of the device;

- Fig. 14 is an enlarged side view of the device shown in Fig. 13;

- Fig. 15 is a part-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of the device;

- Fig. 16 is an enlarged side view of the device shown in Fig. 15. Detailed description According to the first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, foundation device 11 includes an elongated body 13, arranged to be fixed in the ground and having a length varying depending on the applications and the soil for which the device is intended, for instance 50 cm for supporting posts of fences in soils with medium consistency. According to the invention, body 13 is so shaped as to define, at a first end 13a

(upper end), a compression portion including a platter 15, arranged on a plane substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis "S" of said elongated body 13. The platter thus radially extends with respect to said axis, and it is arranged to axially compress (arrow F) ground surface ST when said body is fixed in the ground.

At opposite end 13b (lower end) of said body 13, a guiding portion is provided, comprising a screw tip 17 enabling the introduction of the foundation device into ground TR through a rotational movement.

Body 13 preferably has a circular cross-section and has an internal axial cavity 19 extending over at least part (preferably at least 20%) of the length of body 13, starting from upper end 13a.

Moreover, said body 13 preferably has an annular rib 21 radially extending inside cavity 19 and defining an abutment, inside cavity 19, for the base of the shaft of a post or a pile or the like inserted in the foundation device. Platter 15 is preferably frusto-conical, with the major base directed towards body 13, and has a central hole 23 allowing access to internal cavity 19 of body 13.

Moreover, platter 15 is equipped with a locking device 25 including a bracket 27, axially extending on platter 15 on the opposite side with respect to body 13. The bracket has a threaded thoughhole 29 for a locking screw 31, arranged to radially engage the shaft of a post or a pile or the like that is partially received in hollow 19 and projects from the foundation device through hole 23 of platter 15. When said locking device 25 is in engagement configuration, said shaft cannot be rotated or removed from the foundation device.

Since platter 15 is brought in contact with ground surface ST when foundation device 11 is being fixed, and since the foundation device is preferably screwed into the ground, it is clear that the circular shape of platter 15 is preferable; however, other geometrical shapes, e.g. a square or hexagonal shape, are possible for platter 15.

Moreover, according to the invention, said platter 15 will have a sufficient radial extension to ensure a large abutment surface against the ground, and therefore its diameter will be at least twice, preferably at least three times, the diameter of body 13.

In the embodiment illustrated, screw tip 17 has some turns of a cylindrical spiral with cutting edge 33 and ends with a conical portion 35.

Turning now to Fig. 3, an adapter 41 associated with foundation device 11 is shown, which adapter enables receiving in the foundation device thus obtained the base of the shaft of a post or a pile or the like having a different cross-section (in the case illustrated, a greater cross-sectional size) from the section of hole 23 and cavity 19.

Adapter 41 has a stem 43 whose shape and size are compatible with hole 23 and cavity 19, and a cylindrical body 45, defining a corresponding seat 47 for the base of the shaft of a post or a pile or the like, is associated with, for instance welded to, the stem.

Moreover, cylindrical body 45 preferably has a radial hole 49 through which a radial screw for locking the shaft of the post or pile or the like received in seat 47 can pass.

Advantageously, stem 43 can be introduced into cavity 19 of body 13 through hole 23, and then locked by means of locking device 25. Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, a variant embodiment of platter 15 is shown, in which the platter has a central portion 15a associated with, for instance welded to, body 13, and a second removable annular portion or ring 15b. Securing means, for instance some screws 18, in the example illustrated three screws spaced apart by 120°, are provided for securing ring 15b to central portion 15a. Moreover, ring 15b can preferably be associated with body 13 by introducing tip 17 through the central opening of ring 15b and by locking screws 18 when ring 15b has been brought in contact with central portion 15a.

Advantageously, according to this variant embodiment, it is thus possible to obtain platters 15 with the size and shape required by the different soil types, by simply replacing ring 15b, with a resulting considerable saving in production, distribution and storage of the foundation device. In particular, platters 15 may have a size preferably in the range 15 to

50 cm in diameter.

Turning now to Fig. 7, there is shown a second embodiment of the foundation device, generally denoted 111. Parts identical to those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

According to this embodiment, foundation device 111 has an elongated body 113 formed by a metal rod 114 twisted in form of a spiral, preferably cylindrical or conical, and arranged to be fixed in the ground.

At a first end 113a (upper end) of said body 113 a compression portion is defined, arranged to axially compress (arrow F) the ground surface when said body is fixed in the ground, said portion including a platter 115, radially extending with respect to said elongated body 113, and an axial seat 119 arranged to receive the base of the shaft of a post or a pile or the like. *

At opposite end 113b (lower end), a guiding portion is defined, arranged to facilitate the introduction of the foundation device into the ground through a rotational movement.

In the illustrated example, metal rod 114 is twisted to a spiral so that axial seat 119 has a greater cross-sectional size than remaining portion 113b of body 113, each said portion being however preferably cylindrical with constant cross-sectional size.

In this manner, device 111 is capable of receiving posts with larger sizes than the

cross sectional size of guiding portion 113b, and moreover transition region 121 between both portions forms an abutment for the base of the shaft of the post or the like when the latter is inserted in seat 119.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, a first variant embodiment of the locking means, here generally denoted 125, is shown. In that embodiment, the locking means include a frusto- conical plate 26 secured to platter 15 by means of an axial screw 28 adjacent to central hole 23. As screw 28 is being screwed into platter 15, plate 26 is advantageously radially deformed by compression towards the inside of hole 23, thereby assisting in locking post shaft PT the base of which is received in the foundation device. Referring to Figs. 10, there is shown a first embodiment of the tool guiding the descent of the foundation device according to the invention into the ground through a rotational movement.

According to this embodiment, tool 61 includes a corresponding T-shaped key having, at the base of shank 63, an insertion end 65 with half-circular cross-section, compatible with the cross-section of hole 23 in platter 15. Advantageously, tool 61 can be gripped at the ends of control handle 67 and rotated to guide the descent of the foundation device into the ground.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, there are respectively shown a platter 115, provided with a circular central hole 123 and two diametrically opposite holes 16, and a T-shaped key 71 provided, at the bottom of central shank 73, with a circular insertion end 75 arranged to engage hole 123 and with two axial pins 76 carried by radial arms and intended to engage holes 16 in platter 115. Advantageously, tool 71 can be gripped at the ends of control handle 77 and rotated to guide the descent of the foundation device into the ground. In the alternative, the foundation device according to the invention can also be fixed in the ground by using a power-driven tool.

Turning now to Figs. 13 and 14, there is shown a third embodiment of the foundation device, generally denoted 211. Parts identical to those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. According to this embodiment, foundation device 211 includes a platter 215 formed of two frusto-conical portions 215a, 215b arranged one over the other and connected together by locking means 225, preferably consisting of one or more screws 228 that are secured in corresponding threaded holes 230 formed in lower platter portion 215a and that pass through radial slots 232 formed in upper platter portion 215b. Advantageously,

thanks to the above arrangement, portions 215a, 215b of platter 215 are slidable relative to each other and, since they are frusto-conical, respective axes S, S' can be arranged at different angles.

Referring in particular to Fig. 13, axis S' of upper portion 215b and axis S of lower portion 215a are shown, defining an angle of about 5° between them.

According to this embodiment, lower platter portion 215a is secured, for instance welded, to upper end 13a of body 13, whereas upper platter portion 215b can be advantageously associated with a post or a post receiving member or the like 234, which can be mounted vertically or at any desired angle, by correcting alignment errors, if any, of body 13 once the latter has been fixed in the ground thanks to the mutual sliding of platter portions 215a, 215b.

Turning to Figs. 15 and 16, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the foundation device, generally denoted 311. Parts identical to those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. According to this embodiment, foundation device 311 includes a platter 315 formed of two frusto-conical portions 315a, 315b arranged one over the other and connected together by locking means 325, preferably consisting of one or more screws 328 that are secured in corresponding threaded holes 330 formed in lower platter portion 315a and pass through holes 332 formed in upper platter portion 315b. According to this embodiment, lower portion 315a of platter 315 is secured, for instance welded, to upper end 13a of body 13. Both portions 315a, 315b of platter 315 have a respective central hole 336a, 336b allowing passage of a portion of a sphere 338 mounted idle, in correspondence of platter 315, in cavity 19 provided in body 13 of device 311. In correspondence of the sphere portion passing through hole 336 and projecting out of platter 315, said sphere 338 is associated with a post or a post receiving member or the like 334, which, by rotating sphere 338 inside cavity 19, can therefore be tilted so that its axis S' forms a desired angle α with axis S of body 13. The tightening of screws 328 results in sphere 338 becoming locked between both platter portions 315a, 315b and hence in the impossibility of further changing said angle α. According to this embodiment, alignment errors, if any, between axes S and S ¹ can be corrected by rotating sphere 338 inside cavity 19 while assembling the device.

Advantageously, the foundation device according to the invention, in the various embodiments described, can be made of steel or plastics or other suitable materials.