GB2201702A

GB2201702A - Ground engaging holder for a post or polo

Info

Publication number: GB2201702A
Application number: GB08706473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Michael Hargreaves
Original assignee: PAGE MARION DOREEN
Current assignee: PAGE MARION DOREEN
Priority date: 1987-02-17
Filing date: 1987-03-18
Publication date: 1988-09-07
Also published as: GB8703672D0; GB8706473D0

Abstract

A post, pole or the like holder having an upper box-section 1 to receive the post, pole or the like and a lower section 6 attached to the lower end of the upper section, the lower section being auger-like with the lowermost turn or turns of the auger being of reducing diameter as compared to the rest of the auger. <IMAGE>

Description

Post and the like Holders This invention relates to holders for posts, poles and the like and, in particular although not exclusively for holders for fencing posts.

The conventional way of fixing fencing posts is to dig a hole in the ground somewhat larger than the cross-section of the fencing posts and to a depth of 12 inches or more, placing the fencing post with its lower end in the hole, and in-filling the hole with hard-core and/or concrete. This method of fence-post erecting is clearly time consuming and requires a reasonable degree of skill to ensure correct location and uprightness of the post.

An alternative and relatively commercially-new approach to the problem is by the use of metal fence-post holders. These holders have at their lower end a spike-shaped web of cruciform shape and at their upper ends a box-section to receive the fence post. These holders are used by first hammering the holder, spiked-end downward, into the ground and then inserting the fence post into the upper box-section. These holders require a substantial degree of strength to use the sledge-hammer necessary to force the holer into the ground and also a reasonable degree of skill to ensure that the holder is equally struck. Any error in the manipulation of the sledge hammer will force the holder into the ground out of true with consequent error in the uprightness of the post.Indeed, it is unlikely that each stroke of the sledge hammer will be dead true and it will be necessary frequently to adjust the lateral position of the holder whilst hammering it into the ground. This is ot only time-consuming but also results in the holder not being as firmly fixed in the ground.

To obviate the disadvantage of these known alternatives, the present invention provides a post, pole or the like holder having an upper box-section to receive the post, pole or the like and a lower section attached to the lower end of the upper section, the lower section being auger-like with the owermost turn or turns of the auger being of reducing diameter as compared to the rest of the auger.

Between the two sections there may be a third section which comprises a plurality of blades the overall configuration of which tapers from the upper box-like section to the lower auger-like section.

The lower section may be formed of a central tube around which is wound an auger-shaped blade.

The lowermost end of the lower section may be pointed and may be provided by a cap member secured to the remainder of the lowermost section.

The upper box-like section may have one in each of opposed sides thereof a hole, the holes being of similar diameter to receive a tommy-bar by which the holder can be "screwed" into the ground.

One embodiment of the pesent invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The holder (which is for a fencing post) has an upper bo-like section 1 which is of a cross-section as to receive a fencing post. Conventionally, the cross-section would be square and dimensioned to receive a 3" x 3" fencing post. This upper section has through each of opposed side walls thereof aligned holes 2 to receive a tommy-bar of appropriate diameter.

The upper section 1 is closed at its bottom end by a wall 3 to the underside of which is secured a mid-section 4. This mid-section 4 is formed by a pluality (four) of blades 5 the overall configuration of whih tapers from the upper section 1 towards a lower section 6.

The lower section 6 is secured to the mid-section 4 and is composed by a central tube 7 around which is wound an auger-like blade 8. The lowermost two turns 9 and 10 are progressively of reduced diameter relative to the other turns of the blade 8. The lowermost end of the tube 7 has secured to it a cap member 11 terminating at its lowermost end in a point 12.

The above-described holder is fixed into the ground by threading the tommy-bar through the holes 2, placing the point 12 on the ground at the desired centre position of the fencing post and, with downward pressure, rotating the holder by the tommy-bar. The lower section 6 will act as a screw and will pull the holder downwardly as it is rotated into the ground.

Rotation of the holder is terminated when the bottom wall 3 of the upper section 1 is flush with the ground.

The fencing post is then forced into the upper box-like section 1.

To ensure firm retention of the fencing post, one or more of the side walls of the upper section may be provided with internally-projecting cut-outs from the side wall.

The holder may not be provided with the mid-section 4 but may merely be comprised by the upper section 1 and the lower section 6 directly affixed to it.

The holders of the present invention provide a ready and unskilled means for securing fencing posts in the ground and provide a particularly firm support for them when so secured.

Whilst the holders have been described above as being for fencing posts, it will be appreciated that holders in accordance with the present invention could be used for other posts, poles or the like; for example, flag poles or washing-line posts.

Claims

Claims:

1. A post, pole or the like holder having an upper box-section to receive the post, pole or the like and a lower section attached to the lower end of the upper section, the lower section being auger-like with the lowermost turn or turns of the auger being of reducing diameter as compared to the rest of the auger.

2. A holder as claimed in Claim 1, wherein between the two sections is a third section which comprises a plurality of blades the overall configuration of which tapers from the upper box-like section to the lower auger-like section.

3. A holder as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the lower section is formed of a central tube around which is wound an auger-shaped blade.

4. A holder as claimed in any one of the peceding Claims, wherein the lowermost end of the lower section is pointed.

5. A holder as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pointed end of the lowermost section is provided by a cap member secured to the remainder of the lowermost section.

6. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the upper box-like section has one in each of opposed sides thereof a hole, the holes being of similar diameter to receive a turning-bar by which the holder can be "screwed" into the ground.

7. A post, pole or the like holder substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.