Post support apparatus and method of use
First Claim
1. An apparatus for supporting a post which is to be driven into the ground by an individual wherein the post has a ground-engaging lower end, the apparatus comprising:
- a platen base for resting upon the ground and having an upper surface upon which an individual can stand while the post is being driven into the ground, the base defining a through-opening therein which is located within the upper surface of the base so that when an individual stands upon the upper surface while the post is being driven into the ground, the through-opening is disposed between the feet of the individual; and
guide means for providing an elongated cavity having two opposite ends, the cavity being sized to slidably receive a post inserted end-wise therein, and the guide means being attached to the base so that the cavity of the guide means is positioned in registry with the through-opening of the base so that when an individual stands upon the base with his feet disposed on opposite sides of the through-opening and a post is received by the cavity so that the lower end of the post engages the ground through the through-opening of the base, the post is supported by the guide means in a steady condition for being driven into the ground; and
the cavity of the guide means is at least about twelve inches in length to enhance the steadiness of the post positioned within the guide means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting a metal post while it is being driven into the ground utilizes a platen base and a guide member which is joined to the base for holding the post in a steady condition while the post is being driven into the ground. The post is insertable endwise into the guide member and is engageable with the ground through a through-opening defined in the base. As a user stands upon or beside the base with his feet positioned on opposite sides of the through-opening, both of his hands are free to use a driver to drive the post into the ground. Therefore, this apparatus allows an individual to drive a post into the ground without the aid of another individual.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a post which is to be driven into the ground by an individual wherein the post has a ground-engaging lower end, the apparatus comprising:
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a platen base for resting upon the ground and having an upper surface upon which an individual can stand while the post is being driven into the ground, the base defining a through-opening therein which is located within the upper surface of the base so that when an individual stands upon the upper surface while the post is being driven into the ground, the through-opening is disposed between the feet of the individual; and
guide means for providing an elongated cavity having two opposite ends, the cavity being sized to slidably receive a post inserted end-wise therein, and the guide means being attached to the base so that the cavity of the guide means is positioned in registry with the through-opening of the base so that when an individual stands upon the base with his feet disposed on opposite sides of the through-opening and a post is received by the cavity so that the lower end of the post engages the ground through the through-opening of the base, the post is supported by the guide means in a steady condition for being driven into the ground; and
the cavity of the guide means is at least about twelve inches in length to enhance the steadiness of the post positioned within the guide means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for supporting a post desired to be driven into the ground by an individual wherein the post has a lower end which is engageable with the ground for being driven therein during a post-driving operation and an opposite upper end which is impacted by a driving tool as the post is being driven into the ground, the apparatus comprising:
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a platen base adapted to rest upon the ground and having an upper surface upon which an individual can stand while the post is being driven into ground, the base defining a through-opening which extends between the upper and lower surface and which is located along the upper surface of the base so that when an individual stands upon the upper surface during a post-driving operation, the feet of the individual are disposed on opposite sides of the through-opening; and
guide means for providing an elongated cavity having two opposite ends, the cavity being sized to slidably receive a post inserted endwise therein, and the guide means being attached to the base so that the cavity of the guide means is positioned in registry with the through-opening of the base so that when an individual stands upon the base with his feet disposed on opposite sides of the through-opening and a post is received by the cavity so that the lower end of the post is positionable against the ground through the through-opening in the base, the post is maintained in a steady condition by the guide means for being driven into the ground; and
the cavity of the guide means is at least about twelve inches in length to enhance the steadiness of the post by the guide means and reduce the amount of play which could otherwise exist between the post and the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for driving a post into the ground by an individual wherein the post has a ground-engaging lower end and an upper end which is impacted by a driving tool as the post is being driven into the ground, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a support apparatus including a) a platen base for resting upon the ground and having an upper surface upon which an individual can stand while the post is being driven into the ground, the base defining a through-opening therein which is located within the upper surface of the base so that when an individual stands upon the upper surface while the post is being driven into the ground, the through-opening is disposed between the feet of the individual; and
b) guide means for providing an elongated cavity having two opposite ends, the cavity being sized to slidably receive a post inserted end-wise therein, and the guide means being attached to the base so that the cavity of the guide means is positioned in registry with the through-opening of the base so that when an individual stands upon the base with his feet disposed on opposite sides of the through-opening and a post is received by the cavity so that the lower end of the post engages the ground through the through-opening of the base, the post is supported by the guide means in a steady condition for being driven into the ground, and the cavity of the guide means is at least about twelve inches in length to enhance the steadiness of the post positioned within the guide means;
positioning the base upon the ground so that the lower surface engages the ground and the through-opening is disposed in registry with the location at which a post is desired to be driven;
inserting a post lower-end first into the cavity of the guide member so that the lower end of the post engages the ground through the through-opening of the base; and
driving the post into the ground by impacting the upper end of the post with a post-driving tool. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification