Post installation

• US 5,492,429 A
• Filed: 01/10/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Poletech Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Poletech Systems Limited
• Inventors: Hodges, David R. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, HARRY CHONG HYUN
• Application Number:
  US08/146,106
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 403/372, 403/367, 403/365, 403/228, 403/225, 403/359, 403/368, 403/223, 256/19, 256/1, 256/DIG. 5, 404/10, 404/6, 404/9, 52/160, 52/165, 52/153, 52/155, 248/156, 40/606, 40/607
• US Class Current: 403/372
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/685 Subsoil means, e.g. foundations
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2215 driven into the ground ground anchors E02D5/80
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2269 in a socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 256/05 Metal post
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/455 Elastomer interposed between radially spaced members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7051 Wedging or camming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7061 Resilient

Abstract

A device for use in erecting a post. The device comprises a tubular body intended for installation in the ground, e.g. in concrete within a hole, and a deformable collar for tightly retaining a post adapted to interengage with the tubular body in tight engagement. The collar is slightly deformed so as to receive the post and retain it in place. However, with appropriate equipment the post can be readily removed and replaced, for example, if accidentally damaged.

Claims

1. A device for use in the erection of a post comprising:

a tubular body portion which is adapted to be firmly installed in a supporting stratum and has an open end adapted to receive a the post to be supported, the tubular body portion includes means adapted to be seated in a preformed hole in the supporting stratum and held in place therein; and

a first resiliently deformable collar adapted to be received within said body portion,

the collar having an opening adapted to receive the post in forced engagement and the collar comprising a plurality of lengthwise-extending inwardly projecting ridges on an inner surface of the collar defining the opening therein thus to grip the post inserted therein and retain the post in tight engagement.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion and the resiliently deformable collar are of circular cross-section.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein the collar is made from polyurethane.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein the resiliently deformable collar further comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting ridges adapted to tightly engage said body portion.

5. A device according to claim 1 comprising an outwardly projecting flange around the open end of the body portion.

6. A device according to claim 5 comprising one or more vanes projecting outwardly from a tubular core of the body portion.

7. A device according to claim 1 adapted to retain the post by friction forces between the collar and the post and the collar and the body portion.

8. A device according to claim 1 comprising engaging means on the post and the body portion to orient the body portion and the post in desired relative orientation and to prevent relative rotation thereof.

9. A device according to claim 1 comprising engaging means on the body portion and the collar to orient the body portion and the collar in a desired orientation and to prevent relative rotation thereof.

10. A device according to claim 1 comprising means on the collar adapted to engage the post to provide a seal.

11. A method of erecting a post using a device according to claim 1, the method comprising installing the body portion in the supporting stratum, and introducing the post and the resiliently deformable collar into the body portion, and forcing the post and the collar into tight engagement with the body portion thus to retain the post in position.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion further comprises means militating against tilting of the body portion away from a desired orientation, when installed.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said means militating against tilting comprises an outwardly projecting flange portion.

14. A device according to claim 13 comprising one or more vanes projecting outwardly from a tubular core of the body portion.

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the collar has a Shore D hardness of about 65 with a collar minimum wall thickness of about 5 mm.

16. A device according to claim 1 comprising reinforcing means molded integrally with the collar.

17. A device according to claim 1 wherein the collar comprises a relatively rigid core and inner and outer surface portions of softer more compressible material.

18. A device according to claim 1 wherein the collar comprises an outwardly projecting ranged end portion which overlies said open end of said tubular body portion.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein the collar further comprises an inwardly projecting lip which projects inwardly around the post-receiving opening and upwardly whereby to form a fight seal between the collar and the post inserted into the opening.

20. A device according to claim 19 wherein the outer surface of the lip is frustoconical.

21. A device according to claim 18 wherein the collar further comprises lug projecting from an underface of the ranged end portion seated in a recess at said open end of said tubular body portion whereby to locate the collar in a desired orientation relative to the tubular body portion.

22. A device according to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion has an opening, the device comprising an inspection pit connected to the tubular body portion and providing access to said opening for introduction of wiring.

23. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a second resiliently deformable collar housed in said tubular body portion at a lower end remote from said open end and having a tapering entrance portion.