POST HOLE SUPPORT

• US 20130312340A1
• Filed: 05/24/2013
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William Cole Miller, William Todd Miller
• Original Assignee: William Cole Miller, William Todd Miller
• Inventors: Miller, William Cole, Miller, William Todd
• Application Number:
  US13/902,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20130312340A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/169.13
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/685 Subsoil means, e.g. foundations
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/22 Sockets or holders for poles or posts for sports articles, e.g. floor sockets A63B71/023; for road signs E01F9/673
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2269 in a socket
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/009 Footing elements for fence posts or fence sections

Abstract

Apparatus and method for supporting a post. In accordance with some embodiments, a subterranean support structure has a tube extension adapted for placement within a hole to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole. The tube extension has opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole. A support flange circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end of the tube extension. The support flange supports a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a tube extension adapted for placement within a hole to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole, the tube extension having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole; and

a support flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end thereof, the support flange adapted to support a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the anchoring material is a column of concrete.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upper flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the first end, wherein the anchoring material is filled in a volume space within the hole between the upper and lower flanges.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one stabilizing flange which extends along a length of the tube extension to contactingly support at least a selected one of the respective upper or lower flanges relative to the tube extension.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which an opening is formed in the second end of the tube extension, and a drainage zone is formed in the hole below the lower flange to facilitate accumulation of liquid passing down through the tube extension and through said opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the tube extension has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the tube extension has a circular cross-sectional shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the tube extension has a first cross-sectional shape, the post has a different, second cross-sectional shape, and the apparatus further comprises an insert adapted to contactingly fit in a gap between the tube extension and the post responsive to insertion of the post into the tube extension.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover member adapted to engage the tube extension and substantially fill an opening of the hole in an absence of the post, the cover member having a top surface substantially even with a surrounding ground surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a post having a first end inserted into the tube extension and secured thereto using at least one fastener, the post having an opposing second end which extends in a substantially vertical direction above the first end.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the post is a fence post and a fence panel is attached to the fence post.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a subterranean support structure placed in a hole in the ground, the support structure comprising;

a tube extension adapted to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole, the tube extension having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole; and

a support flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end thereof; and

a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole, the column of anchoring material supported by the support flange.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the column of anchoring material comprises a column of concrete, and wherein a drainage zone is formed within the hole below the support flange to accommodate a flow of water passing along the length of the the tube extension.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a post inserted into the tube extension, the post extending above the hole.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a cap member inserted into the tube extension to substantially cover the hole, the cap member substantially flush with the surrounding ground.

16. A method comprising:

digging a hole;

placing a subterranean support structure within the hole, the support structure comprising;

a tube extension adapted to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole, the tube extension having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole; and

a support flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end thereof;

inserting a column of anchoring material in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole, the column of anchoring material supported on the support flange; and

inserting a post into the tube extension.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the support structure further comprises an upper flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the first end, wherein the anchoring material is filled in a volume space within the hole between the upper and lower flanges.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the support structure further comprises at least one stabilizing flange which extends along a length of the tube extension to contactingly support at least a selected one of the respective upper or lower flanges relative to the tube extension.

19. The method of claim 16, in which an opening is formed in the second end of the tube extension, and a drainage zone is formed in the hole below the lower flange to facilitate accumulation of liquid passing down through the tube extension and through said opening.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing the post and installing a cover member which engages the tube extension and substantially fills an opening of the hole in an absence of the post, the cover member having a top surface substantially even with a surrounding ground surface.