System for securing a post

• US 7,278,240 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lmt Mercer Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stallion Fence Accessories (Lmt Mercer Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Herion, Jeffrey G., Burkart, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman; Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KATCHEVES, BASIL S
• Application Number:
  US10/982,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20050072068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 521/55, 521/65, 521/699, 248/346.01, 248/346.03, 248/188.1, 248/231.31, 248/523
• US Class Current: 52/155
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/4078 using stripping means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/005 characterised by the location of the parting line of the mould parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/44 with means for, or specially constructed to facilitate, the removal of articles, e.g. of undercut articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/444 for stripping articles from a mould core, e.g. using stripper plates
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/40 Removing or ejecting moulded articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/10 Building elements, e.g. bricks, blocks, tiles, panels, posts, beams frameless domes B29L2025/00, doors B29L2031/724
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/108 Roofs
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/73 Fences
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/0823 containing carboxylate salt groups or groups forming them
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/12 using two or more compounds having active hydrogen in the first polymerisation step
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/3834 containing hydrazide or semi-carbazide groups
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/4018 Mixtures of compounds of group C08G18/42 with compounds of group C08G18/48
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/6692 with compounds of group C08G18/34
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 175/04 Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/685 Subsoil means, e.g. foundations
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/158 covering the overhang at the eave side, e.g. soffits, or the verge of saddle roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2284 Means for adjusting the orientation of the post or pole

Abstract

A post mounting system and method that includes individually adjustable angled gripping elements which contact the interior of a hollow post so as to hold the post firmly against a retaining wall of a base member surrounding the lower end of the post. One or more shim components having a surface area substantially the same as at least the surface area of the bottom of the base member is used to adjust the vertical angularity of a post secured to the base member. The shims may be circularly shaped with a slot extending to the center thereof for shim placement about a rod upon which the base member is mounted. There is a thicker portion of such a shim opposite the slot. Alternative embodiments include additional post reinforcing structures insertable into the interior of the hollow post to provide additional support for complying with building code requirements, such as second story dwelling uses, etc.

Claims

1. A post mounting apparatus, comprising:

a base member for attaching to an end of a post, wherein the post end has an opening into an interior of the post, said interior having one or more interior walls;

wherein said base member includes;

(a1) a support member for inserting into the interior, said support member having one or more sides that slope relative to the interior walls of the post when the support member is provided in the interior, and

(a2) a post receiving portion provided between a wall of the base member, and said support member, wherein when the post end is provided within said post receiving portion, said wall contacts an exterior of the post end;

one or more gripping members, each gripping member having a portion for providing in a corresponding position between one of the sides and one of the interior walls;

a tightening mechanism for securing the portion of at least one of the gripping members in the corresponding position;

wherein said tightening mechanism includes at least one part that is moveable between;

(b1) a first configuration, wherein the at least one gripping member is not secured to at least one of;

any of the sides, and any of the interior post walls, and

(b2) a second configuration, wherein the at least one gripping member is secured to both;

one of the sides, and one of the interior post walls, wherein the at least one gripping member contributes to maintaining the post in a desired orientation.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a shimming component for placing between said base member and a base member support for supporting said base member, said shimming component having an opening for receiving a projection projecting outwardly from the base member support, wherein said shimming component is rotatable about said projection for changing a vertical orientation of at least one of:

said base member, and the post attached to said base member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said shimming component has a first thickness and a different second thickness between a first surface of said shimming component facing said base member, and a second surface of said shimming component facing said base member support, wherein a change in a position of the first and second thicknesses between said base member and said base member support changes a vertical orientation of at least one of:

said base member, and the post attached to said base member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a shimming component for placing between said base member and a base member support for supporting said base member, said shimming component having a first surface facing toward said base member such that said first surface has a perimeter that:

(i) substantially encloses said wall of the base member, and (ii) is substantially between said base member the base member support.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tightening mechanism includes a threaded bolt that threads through the at least one of gripping member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tightening mechanism includes a shaft and a lever, wherein said shaft contacts the at least one gripping member for moving the portion thereof from being:

(i) unsecured to at least one of;

all of the sides, and all of the interior post walls, and (ii) secured to both;

one of the sides, and one of the interior post walls.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said sides slope toward both the opening of the post and the interior walls of the post.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a retaining member for exerting a retaining force on said at least one gripping member so that it is provided in a first orientation when the part of said tightening mechanism is in the first configuration, and wherein said retaining force is overcome when the part of said tightening mechanism transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping member includes a bore therethrough for receiving a bolt or a shaft, said bolt or shaft operably attached to the at least one gripping member for moving the portion thereof between:

(1) a position wherein the portion is not secured to at least one of;

all of the sides, and all of the interior post walls, and (2) a position wherein the portion is secured to both of;

at least one of the sides, and at least one of the interior post walls.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the at least one gripping member includes a wedge having a wide portion and a narrow portion, wherein in the corresponding position, the narrow portion is closer to the opening of the post.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the second configuration, at least a portion of the post end is clamped between the at least one gripping member, and the wall of the base member.

12. A method for positioning a post, comprising:

providing a base member having;

(a1) a support member for inserting into an interior of a post, said support member having one or more sides for extending into the interior of the post, and

(a2) a post receiving portion provided between a wall of the base member, and said support member, wherein when the post is provided in said post receiving portion, said wall contacts an exterior of the post;

providing one or more gripping members, each said gripping member having a wedge for positioning in a corresponding position between one of the sides and a surface of the post interior;

providing a tightening mechanism for securing, for each gripping member, its wedge to both of;

one of the sides, and the surface of the post interior;

wherein said tightening mechanism includes at least one part that is moveable between;

(b1) a first configuration, wherein at least one of the gripping members is not secured to at least one of;

any of the sides, and any portion of the surface of the post interior, and

(b2) a second configuration, wherein the at least one gripping member is secured to both;

one of the sides, and a portion of the surface of the interior, wherein the at least one gripping member contributes to maintaining the post in a desired orientation.

13. A method for positioning a post, comprising:

positioning one or more gripping members in a predetermined orientation relative to a base member;

wherein;

(1) said base member includes (i) and (ii) following;

(i) a support member for inserting into an opening of a post having an interior, said support member having one or more sides, and

(ii) a post receiving portion provided between a wall offset from said support member, and the support member, wherein when the post is provided in said post receiving portion, said wall is substantially parallel to an exterior of the post;

(2) each of said gripping members includes a wedge with a narrower end and a wider end, such that said predetermined position positions said wedge between one of the sides and a surface of the post interior, wherein the narrower end is closer to the opening of the post;

connecting a securing mechanism to at least one of said gripping members for moving the at least one gripping member between its position in the predetermined orientation and a gripping position, wherein its wedge (W) securely contacts one of the sloping side, and the surface of the post interior;

wherein said securing mechanism includes at least a part that is moveable between;

(b1) a first configuration, wherein the wedge W is not secured to at least one of;

any of the sides, and the surface of the post interior, and

(b2) a second configuration resulting in the wedge W being secured to both of;

one of the sides, and the surface of the post interior;

inserting said support member and said gripping members into said post interior such that said opening enters said post receiving portion; and

moving a portion of said securing mechanism in a predetermined way so that said at least one gripping member moves to the gripping position.

14. The method of claim 13, further including placing a shim between said base member and a support for supporting said base member, said shim component having a slot for receiving a rod projecting outwardly from the support, wherein said shim is rotatable about said rod for changing a vertical orientation of at least one of:

said base member, and the post attached to said base member.

15. The method of claim 13, further including:

providing a shim component having a first thickness and a different second thickness between a first surface of said shim component facing said base member, and a second surface of said shim component facing a support for said base member; and

changing a position of the first and second thicknesses between said base member and said support for changing a vertical orientation of at least one of;

said base member, and the post attached to said base member;

wherein said first surface has a perimeter that;

(i) substantially encloses said post receiving portion, and (ii) is substantially between said base member the support.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein in the second configuration, at least a portion of the post adjacent the opening is clamped between the at least one gripping member, and the wall of the base member.