The present invention relates to a post support device.

Background Art

When erecting a fence, it is normal to erect a line of posts vertically in the ground and connect each post by fence panels, wooden rails, or wire such as barbed wire. When using fence posts it is especially essential that the posts are spaced to the exact width of fence panels and vertical.

One method of erecting posts is to dig a hole in the ground, temporarily hold a post in the hole in the vertical position and the correct distance from an adjacent post, and then pour concrete into the hole. A problem with this is that if the post does not stay vertical whilst the concrete is setting, or the post is not in the correct position, it is not possible to adjust the post position once the concrete has set. Also digging of a hole and mixing up the concrete is time consuming. Also at a later date it is hard to remove the concrete. Another method of erecting posts is to use a "Metposf or similar device which is a metal spike with a square section box at one end. The metal spike is hammered into the ground leaving the box just above ground, and a post is inserted and secured into the box. It is very difficult to hammer the spike into the ground so it is exactly vertical and in the correct position as it cannot be done with the post in the box, and stones or roots easily deflect the spike. Also it is difficult to create a rigid connection between the post and the box. It is also difficult to correct the position of the spike.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention seeks to provide a post support device for erecting fences and which has other uses. According to the present invention there is provided a post support device for a post adapted to be inserted substantially vertical in the ground, said post having a top end and a bottom end, said support device comprising:

a) a support member adapted to engage the post below ground level at a point remote from the post bottom end, and

b) at least two pairs of fins each pair of which extend from and form a triangulated structure with the support member and/or post,

in use, with the post with the support device inserted substantially vertical in the ground, said fins providing lateral resistance against the material in the ground to prevent the post from displacing the soil and tilting towards the horizontal.

The post support device of the invention has numerous advantages over other support mechanisms for posts. It is removable and re-useable. It requires minimal digging of a hole in the ground. The position of the support device in the ground can easily be changed both during erection of fences and afterwards. It can be used for temporary posts or other posts. In use the soil around and between the fins prevents buckling of any fin that is subject to compression forces.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention

In one embodiment the post is a fence post.

Preferably the support member includes at least one pair of opposing plates with securement means to secure them either side of the post, and said fins extend from edges of the plates.

In one embodiment the support member includes a pair of opposing plates to be secured to either side of the post, and fins extend from and are integrally formed with opposing edges of each of the plates, and ends of fins from one plate are joined to ends of fins of the other plate and joined fins form a triangulated structure with the plates secured to the post. In another embodiment the support member includes two pairs of opposing plates to be secured around the post, and fins extend from and are integrally formed with opposing edges of each of the plates, and ends of fins from one plate are joined to ends of fins of another adjacent plate and joined fins form a triangulated structure with two adjacent plates secured to the post.

The fins may be joined by a fastener such as a clip, rivet or screw, or fold in one fin which receives an edge of another fin. Preferably the join between fins provides good shear strength.

The support member and fins may be formed from two or more components which nest one within the other for storage, transport and packaging purposes. The components may be identical. In another embodiment the support member is in the form of a frame with an aperture therethrough to receive the post, and said fins extend from the frame. The post may include a cylindrical recess to receive a cylindrical post, such as a washing line post.

In another embodiment, the support member includes a first pair of opposing plates to be secured to either side of the post, and a first pair of fins extend from and each is integrally formed with one edge of each of the first pair of plates, and the end of a fin from one plate of said first pair of plates is integrally formed with the end of a fin from the other plate of said first pair of plates, and wherein the support member includes a second pair of opposing plates to be secured to either side of the post, and a second pair of fins extend from and each is integrally formed with one edge of each of the second pair of plates, and the end of a fin from one plate of said second pair of plates is integrally formed with the end of a fin from the other plate of said second pair of plates, integrally formed fins from the first or second pair of plates form a triangulated structure with the pairs of plates secured to the post. Preferably in use, said first and second pairs of plates can be secured to either side of the post with the first and second pairs of plates overlapping. Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the

accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a post in the form of a post in the ground supported by a support device,

Figure 2 shows a side view of a post in the ground supported by the support device of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows different ways fins may be joined,

Figure 4A to 4D shows different support devices supporting different posts other than that shown in Figure 1 , and

Figure 5 shows a front exploded view of a post in the form of a post in the ground supported by an alternative support device to that shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a post support device 1 is provided for a post in the form of a square section fence post 10 adapted to be inserted substantially vertical in the ground. Post 10 has a top end 10A and a bottom end 10B. Support device 1 has support member in the form of a pair of opposing plates 2,3 with securement means on the form of sets of eight holes 4A.4B to secure them either side of the post 10 using nails or screws. Plates 2,3 engage the post below ground level at a point remote from the post bottom end 10B. Two fins 2A.2B extend from edges of plate 2 and two fins 3A.3B extend from edges of plate 3. Pairs of fins 2A.3A and 2B,3B form a triangulated structure with the plates 2,3 and post 0, with the fins 2A.3A and 2B,3B having opposing faces.

Ends of the pairs of fins 2A.3A and ends of pairs of fins 2B.3B are joined together by a fold 5A in the end of fin 3A engaging with the end of fin 2A and rivets 6A holding the two together, and a fold 5B in the end of fin 2B engaging with the end of fine 3B and rivets 6B holding the two together.

As shown in Figure 2, with the post 10 with the support device inserted substantially vertical in the ground, pairs of fins 2A.3A and 2B.3B fins provide lateral resistance against the material in the ground to prevent the post from displacing the soil and tilting towards the horizontal. A restraining moment is provided with the upper force from the fins and the lower force from the projection of the post. Because the pairs of fins 2A.3A and 2B,3B form a triangulated structure with the plates 2,3, when lateral force (as shown by straight arrows) is applied to the fins from movement of the post 0 (as shown by curved arrows), one fin is always in compression and the other in tension which is a strong structure. This means that the fins can be made of relatively thin material, e.g. from sheet metal. Also the material either side of and between pairs of opposing fins 2A,3A and 2B.3B provides restraint to the fin under compression to help prevent it from buckling.

Plate 2 with its fins 2A.2B and plate 3 with its fins 3A.3B are integrally formed and are identical components. Prior to connection to a post, these two components nest one within the other for storage, transport and packaging purposes.

Instead of the ends of fins 2A.2B and fins 2B.3B being secured by folds and rivets as shown in Figures 1 and 2, they could be secured by other methods as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 4A, the support device shown in Figure 1 could be modified to engage an H-shaped concrete post 10 by means of bolts 7A,7B,7C,7D clamping opposing plates 2,3 either side of the post 10.

As shown in Figure 4B, the support device shown in Figure 1 could be modified to engage a circular section wooden post 10 by means of bolts 7A,7B,7C,7D clamping opposing plates 2,3 either side of the post 10. Also plates 2,3 may be V-shaped instead of planar

The support devices described above only provide lateral resistance in one plane against the material in the ground, and so are appropriate for supporting fence posts which only support fence panels or other structures between post in the same plane.

In some instance it may be desirable to have posts or other posts supported in two or more planes as shown in Figures 4C and 4D.

As shown in Figure 4C the support member includes two pairs of opposing plates 12,13 and 14,15 to be secured around a post in the form of a post 10. Fins 12A.12B 13A.13B 14A.14B 15A,15B extend from and are integrally formed with opposing edges of each of the plates 12,13,14,15, and ends of fins from one plate are joined to ends of fins of another adjacent plate and joined fins form a triangulated structure with two adjacent plates secured to the post 10.

The ends of the fins may be joined by any of the methods described above. Adjacent fins are at 90 degrees to each other and provide lateral resistance in two planes against the material in the ground to prevent the shaft from displacing the soil and tilting towards the horizontal.

As shown in Figure 4D the support member includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve 22 adapted to engage the post in the form of a hollow shaft 21 below ground level at a point remote from the shaft bottom end. Three pairs of fins 23A.23B 23C.23D

23E.23F each extend radially from and form a triangulated structure with the sleeve 22. With the shaft with the support device inserted substantially vertical in the ground, the fins provide lateral resistance against the material in the ground to prevent the shaft from displacing the soil and tilting towards the horizontal. Shaft 21 provides a cylindrical recess which may be used to support the pole 24 of a rotary clothes dryer or other washing line post. Alternatively sleeve 22 could receive pole 24 and hollow shaft 21 could be omitted.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a post 10 support device 30. Device 30 has a support member which includes a first pair of opposing plates 31 ,32 to be the secured to either side of the post 10, and a first pair of opposing fins 31A.32A extend from and each is integrally formed with one edge of each of the first pair of plates 31 ,32, and the end of fin 31 A from plate 31 is integrally formed with the end of fin 32A from the other plate 32. . The support member also includes a second pair of opposing plates 33,34 to be secured to either side of the post 10, and a second pair of fins 33A.34A extend from and each is integrally formed with one edge of each of the second pair of plates 33,34, and the end of a fin 33A from plate 33 is integrally formed with the end of a fin 34A from the other plate 34. The integrally formed fins from the first or second pair of plates form a triangulated structure with the pairs of plates secured to the post. As shown, first and second pairs of plates 31 ,32 and 33,34 can be secured to either side of the post with the first and second pairs of plates overlapping. Each plate 31 ,32,33,34 includes a number of apertures 35 to receive nails or screws, with each of the apertures being staggered to prevent a wooden post 10 from splitting when it receives nails or screws (the principal of staggered apertures to prevent splitting could be applied to the other embodiments shown in the drawings).

Holes 36A.36B may be provided to secure pairs of support members and fins together, e.g. using a cable tie, so that they can be sold in pairs.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.