METHOD OF MAKING POST SUPPORTS

Abstract: A post support comprising a post receiving box section (1) and a ground engaging portion (2) is produced by forming the box section (1) with slots (5) at its lower end (4) of dimensions appropriate closely to engage with one end (3) of the ground engaging portion, introducing the ground engaging portion (2) into the slot (5) of the box section (1) and welding the ground engaging portion (2) into the slots (5), attach the ground en­ gaging portion (2) rigidly to the box section (1).

Description: METHOD OF MAKING POST . SUPPORTS This invention relates to post supports and more particularly to a method of making post supports of metal comprising a box section for receiving a post and an elongate ground engaging portion which can be driven into the ground to hold the post support steady. Post supports of this type have usually previously been made by forming d box section with a closed or substantially closed base portion and welding the underside of the base of the box section onto the end of the ground engaging portion, which is normally of cruciform cross section. According to the invention a post support comprising a post receiving box section and an elongate ground engaging portion is produced by forming the box section with slots at its lower end of dimensions appropriate closely to engage with one end of the ground engaging portion, introducing the ground engaging portion into the slots in the base of the box section and welding the ground engaging portion into the slots to attach the ground engaging portion rigidly to the box section. It has been found that this minor modification in the manufacturing process produces a surprising increase in the strength of the bond between the box section and. the ground engaging portion. The box-section at its lower end may be closed or open. When the box section is closed at its lower end the slots are formed in the base and may extend partially up the wall of the box section. When the box section has an open lower end the slots extend partially up the wall of the box section. The ground engaging portion may be introduced -into the slots in the base of a close-ended-box section through the box and in the case where the ground- engaging portion is a tapered section the length of the slots in the base of the box section will normally be slightly less than the maximum cross-sectional length of the received part of the tapered ground engaging portion so that the ground engaging portion is retained in the box section with its end proud af the base. With this arrangement the post support can be driven into the ground by applying force top the ground engaging portion rather than to the base of the box section. Preferably, however, the ground engaging portion is introduced into the slots from underneath the box. Advantageously in this case the ground engaging portion has maximum dimension equal to the relevant external dimensions of the box section so that in order that the ground engaging portion can be introduced into the aperture in the base, the slots extend up the corners and/or the sides of the box by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the material of the base to allow the plane of the top of the ground engaging portion to lie level with or above the top surface of the base of the box section. When the box section does not have a base the slots extend up the corners and/or the sides of the box section a distance sufficient to give an adequate strength of weld. The box section may have a plane internal surface or it may be formed with inturned flanges or the like, or other means for enabling an over-or-under sized post to be received-tightlywithin-the box section; for example, as described and claimed in our copending patent application GB-8402848. The ground engaging portion may be of any desired shape or section but is preferably of cruciform cross section. The cruciform cross section may, for example, be a tau or a trifin cross but is preferably a saltire. When the ground engaging portion is of saltire cross section, the arms preferably extend diagonally of the box as this gives the greatest length of weld and also provides considerably more stability against movement of the post support when it is in the ground. The invention will now be described in greater detailsby way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first form of post support to be produced in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a second form of post support to-be produced according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a third form of post support to be produced according to the invention; and Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a fourth form of post support to be produced according to the invention. With reference to Fig. 1 the first form of post support comprises -a hollow boy section l of substantially . square cross section and a ground engaging: portion 2, which is of saltire cross section-and which tapers from one end to the- other. At its large end 3 the span of the ground engaging portion-is substantially equal to the diameter of the base 4 of the box section 1. The base 4 of the box section has four intersecting slots 5 forming a saltire shaped aperture the width of which slots in such as to closely correspond to the thickness of the material from which the ground engaging portion is made. The slots 5 extend up the corners 6 of the box section 1 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the base 4 of the box so that the end 3 of the ground engaging portion 2 can be received in the slots 5 and lie substantially flush with the inside surface of the base 4. In this position the ground engaging portion 2 is welded into the slots 5 in the box section 1 by forming four V-shaped welds on the under surface of the base 4 of the box section 1 and also by producing vertical welds in the corners 6. The arrangement shown in Fi-g. 2 is substantially the same except that in this case the ground- engaging portion is in the shape of-a trifin cross and the aperture 8 is formed by -a Y-shaped arrangement ofslots extending:-betweentwo-corners6:and the mid- point 7 of the opposite side of the bases - With reference to Fig. 3 the third form of post support comprises a hollow box section 11, open at both ends, of substantially square cross section and a ground engaging portion 1-2, which is -of saltire cross section and which tapers from one end to the other. At its larger end 13 the span of the ground engaging portion 12 is substantially equal to the diameter of the lower end 14 of the box section 11. In the lower corners 16 of the box section 11 are formed slots 15 of width such as to closely correspond to the thickness of the -material of the ground engaging portion 12 and of height such that a sufficiently strong weld can be produced to affix the ground engaging portion 12 in the slots 15. The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 3 except that in this case the ground engaging portion 12 is in the shape of a trifin cross and the slots 18 are formed in two corners 16 and the mid point 17 of the opposite side of the box section 11.

Claims: C LA IMS: 1. A method of producing a post support comprising a post receiving box section and an elongate ground engaging portion which comprises forming the box section with slots at its lower end of dimension appropriate closely to engage with one end of the ground engaging portion, introducing the ground engaging portion into the slots in the base of the box section and welding the ground engaging portion into the slots to attach the ground engaging portion rigidly to the box section. 2. A method according to Claim.l, wherein the box section is closed at its lower end and the s-lots are formed in the- base and partially up the walls of the box section. 3. A method according to Claim lea wherein the box section is open at its lower end and the slots extend partially up the wall of the box section. 4. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the ground engaging portion is introduced into the slots through the box. 5. A method according to Claim 4, wherein the ground engaging portion is a tapered section and the length of the slots in the base of the box are slightly less than the maximum cross sectional length of the received part of the tapered ground engaging portion so that the ground engaging portion is retained in the box section with its end proud of the base. 6. A method according to any one of Claims I to 3, wherein the ground engaging portion is introduced into the slots from underneath the box and the ground engaging portion has maximum dimension equal to the relevant external dimensions of the box section. 7. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the box section is provided with means for enabling an over-or-under sized post to be received tightly within the box section. 8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein said means comprise inturned.flanges arranged to dig into an undersized post to hold it rigidly in the box section. 9. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the ground engaging portion has a salt ire cross section. 10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein the saltire is arranged diagonally of a rectangular box section.

Inventors: MILLS, DEREK JOHN
Applicants: METPOST LIMITED
Application year: 1985
Main classification: E04H12
IPC codes: E04H12