SUPPORT POST SECURING SYSTEM

Abstract: The Support Post Securing system allows for the removal and reinstallation of a support post fitted with tapered sleeves (12) installed in a ground tube (16) secured in concrete. The holding ability can be increased by applying downward pressure to post (17). The taper of sleeves (12) when fitted to post (17) installed in ground tube (16) seals ground tube (16) against water or foreign material entering ground tube (16). A cap (40) is fitted to ground tube (16), when the post is removed, to allow passage of traffic over the ground tube (16) and exclude foreign materials and water from the ground tube (16). Cap and post removal tools are also disclosed and are operated from a standing position.

Description: Support Post Securing System 1 Support Post Securing System The present invention relates to a support post securing system which allows for the simple installation and removal of a metal support post particularly although not exclusively for road direction signs - information signs - street furniture - pedestrian handrail - safety rails or the like. The support post securing system can be used wherever a member is installed to be removabley attached to another member - generally one member is a metal support post fitted to a solid secure footing the footing can be at any angle. Background to Invention A common method of installing a conventional post is to dig a hole in the ground at an installation site for the post - insert the base of the post into the hole and fill the space betweeen the post and the sides of the hole with concrete when the concrete is set the post is rigidly fixed in place In the event that the support post is damaged and requires removal from its location the concrete has to be broken up to allow the removal of the support post this has the disadvantage of being slow labour intensive and costly also the footing has to be replaced duplicating the cost A better system would allow the simple removal of the damaged support post and the footing to be reusable The Support Post Securing System would allow the easy removal of the damaged post from the footing - the footing to remain in place and be reusable The Support Post Securing system allows the post to be removed and reinstalled in less than one minute by one man using a very simple tool Summary of I vention Therefore it is the object of the invention to provide a Support Post Securing System to address the shortfalls of the currently used method The practical re use of the existing footing after the removal of a damaged support post using minimal physical effort from a standing position - in one form of the invention the support post securing system allows for the refeasabfy fixing of a support post to a second member being a plastic house tubing set in concrete The support post securing system is comprised of two sleeves being tapered from their upper end towards their lower end being secured to the support post by coiffrtersunk screws recessed in the tapered sleeves to be received into the moulded plastic post housing tube being shaped to receive sleeves fitted to the lower end of the second member a support post The locking ^plication can be increased _j$» the post being driven downwardly to increase the friction between the sleeves fitted to the support post and the post housing tube secured such as in concrete Description of Drawings To assist the understanding of the invention reference will be made to the accoπφaηying drawings which will show one example of the invention Figure 1 : Is a cross sectional side view of the support post securing system assembled and installed in the post housing tube secured in a concrete footing. Figure 2 Shows a side view of substantially identical tapered sleeves forming a tapered cylindrical sleeve approximately 300mm in length but not restricted to 300mm Figure 3: Shows a plan view of a pair of substantially identical sleeves Figure 4: Shows a side elevation of a plastic post housing tube with an internal taper substantially identical to the tapered sleeves in figure 2 the length of the post housing tube to be approximately 100m longer than the tapered sleeves igure 2 but not restricted to 100mm Figure 5: Shows a side elevation of a plastic cap to fit firmly into the aperture of the post housing tube In figure 1 there is shown a support post securing system support post 17 and post housing tube 16 set in a concrete footing A The support post securing system comprises two substantially identical plastic sleeves 12 fitted approximately level with the base of the support post 17 in this example of the support post securing system the post 17 is round in profϋe although it may be square or rectangular or irregular inshape Particularly as shown in figures 1 -2-3- the sleeves 12 are each tapered from upper end 13 to the lower end 14 and semi circular in shape as shown in cross section fig: 3 Internal wall 15 is to be dimensioned and profiled substantially similar to wall 47 of support post 7 external wall 8 is to be dimensioned and profiled to be substantially as wall 19 of post support tube 16 Each sleeve 12 has side walls 15 and 18 the internal wall 15 of sleeve 12 is vertical from the lower end 14 of sleeve 12 to the upper end 13 of sleeve 12 the outer wall 18 of sleeve 12 is tapeTed from the upper end 13 of sleeve 12 to the lower end 14 of sleeve 12 The taper of wall 18 of sleeve 12 from the upper end 13 of the sleeve 12 to the lower end 14 of sleeve 12 is approximately 1 degree but not restricted to 1 degree TypicaHy the sleeve 12 would be made from a plastic material such as U stabafised polypropelene or similar corrosion resistant material which wiH not corrode on contact with support post 17 or with post housing tube 16 To secure sleeve 12 to support post 17 wall 15 of sleeve 12 is presented to wall 47 of support post 17 approximately level with base 26 of support post 17 Tec scTβw 20 is received into tapered aperture 21 of sleeve 12 from wall 18 of sleeve 12 passing through wall 15 of sleeve 12 which is in contact with wall 47 of support post 17 and penetrating wall 47 of support post 17 to secure sleeve 12 to wall 47 of support post 17 Tec screw 20 is received into tapered aperture 21 of second sleeve 12 from wall 18 passing through wall 15 of sleeve 12 which is in contact with wall 47 of support post 17 and penetrating wall 47 of support post 17 to secure second sleeve 12 to wall 47 of support post 17 The head of tec screws 20 must be embedded below the surface of wall 18 in aperture 21 of sleeves 12- the fitting of two sleeves 12 to support post 17 has created a cylindrical tapered sleeve 12 to lower end of support post 7 as in figure 1 Post housing tube 16 shown in figure 4 is dimensioned to accept support post 17 itted with two sleeves 12 Surface 25 of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 to have dimension from diameter 23 to perimeter 24 of 6mm but not restricted to 6mm The inner wall 19 of post housing tube 16 to be dimensioned and profiled to be substantially identical to wall 18 of sleeve 12 Wall 29 of post housing tube 16 to be substantially parallel to wall 19 of post housing tube 16 The base 26 of post housing tube 16 is blanked off at a similar thickness as the distance between walls 19 and 29 of post housing tube 16 B ase 26 of post housing tube 16 wffl have an aperture 27 moulded in in base 26 of post housing tube 16 will be dimensioned to accept a commercially available PVC piping for electrical cables Four verticle ribs 28 are moulded in wall 29 of post housing tube 16 and evenly dimensioned around the perimeter waH 29 of post housing tube 16 - F.ibs 28 extend from e underside 30 of flange 22 of post support tube 16 to the base 26 of post support tube 16 Ribs 28 extend to wall 29 of post support tube 16 approximately twice the distance between waH 19 and 29 of post support tube 16 and taper from the junction with waH 29 of post support tube 16 to extremity 31 of rib 28 moulded to wall of post support tube 16 Six horizontal flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 are moulded to wall 29 and ribs 28 fo post housing tube 16 Upper flange 32 to be located approximately 50mm below underside 30 of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 but not restricted to 50mm Intermediate flanges 33 34 35 36 to be evenly dimensioned between flanges 32 and 37 of post housing tube Flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 to be moulded to the perimeteT of wall 29 and to ribs 28 of post housing tube 16 Flanges 32 3334 35 36 37 moulded to wall 29 of post housing tube 16 to extend horizontally to perimeter 31 being dimensioned to approximately twice the distance between wall 19 and 29 of post housing tube 16 but not restricted to that dimension Upper side 38 of flanges 3233 34 353637 to taper from watt 29 of post housing tube 16 to perimeter 31 Underside 39 of flanges 32 33 34 35 36 37 to taper from wall 29 of post housing tube 16 to perimeter 31 -a cap 40 having a tube 41 extending a minimum of 30mm below underside of flange 46 of cap 40 Tube 41 having a plurality of projection 47 being of greater diameter than diameter 23 of post housing tube 16 Flange 46 of cap40 to have a diameter approximatly 10 greater than 37 of cap 40 -Flange 46 of cap40 to taper from 43 of flange 46 to perimeter 42 of flange 46 of cap40-underside 44 of flange 46 of cap 40 to taper from 45 of underside 44 of flange 46 down to perimeter 42 of flange 46 of cap 40- Flange 46 of cap 40 to have vertical dimension to support the passage of traffic - all components could be manufactured by injection moulding Reference Fig 1. The installation of a typical support post securing system requires the digging of a hole deeper than the vertical dimension of the post housing tube 16 and wider than the dimension of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 then fill the space between post housing tube 16 and the sides of the hole in which post housing tube 16 is situated with wet concrete A -post housing tube 16 can be installed at any angle required - If a support post is not installed imrnediatiy cap40 should be installed to aperture 23 of post housing tube 16 to exclude dirt and water from entering post housing tube 16 also to make safe for pedestrian traffic When installing a support post in a post housing tube 16 that has a cap40 installed in aperture 23 cap 40 must be removed using s simple special leverage tool Fig 8 Support post 17 fitted with two sleeves 12 as per fitting instructions is presented into aperture 23 of post housing tube 16 set in concrete A with a downward force br gsng smiaces 18 of sleeves 12 fitted to support post 17 into contact with surface 19 of post housing tube 16 increased pressure can be imparted to surfaces 18 of sleeves 12 fixed to support post 17 and surface 19 of post housing tube 16 By applying downward pressure to the top of support post 17 the friction between surfaces 18 of sleeves 12 and 19 of post housing tube 16 is greatly increased which eliminates any rotation of support post 17 on its axis it also excludes any dirt from entering the post housing tube 16 eliminating possibility of support post 17 being locked in post housing tube 16 in the event the support post is damaged a special simple leverage tool Fig 7 is used to break the friction between surfaces 18 of sleeve 12 and surface 19 of post housing tube 16 by raising sleeves 12 upper ends 13 above surface 25 of flange 22 of post housing tube 16 allowing the easy removal of support post A post removal tool Fig 6 is a simple leaver action compression tool to remove posts fitted with the support post securing system to be removed by an operator from a standing position the post remover figure 6 consists of a handle dimensioned to be of sufficient strength and length to operate from a standing position the handle is welded to fulcrum 2 being dimensioned to withstand pressure applied by handle 1 steel flat bar 3 of sufficient dimension to extend from the maximum diameter of fulcrum 2 to handle 1 tobe welded to fulcrum 2 and handle 1 as in figure 6 a steel pivot pin 4 is welded inside fulerum2 pivot pin 4 is to be dimensioned to accomodate force applied by handle 1 pivot pin 4 to be sufficient length to accept bar 5 and 6 and retention clips 7 Bar 5 to be of sufficient dimensions to accept post 8 having'a hole drilled at one end to accept pivot pin 4 a steel wedge 9 is welded to the outer end of bar 5 at sufficient dimensions from flat bar 3 to accept post 8 wedge 9 to be of sufficient length to accept post and swing bar 6 bar 5 is fitted to pivot pin 4 and retaining clip 7 is installed swing bar 6 is cut in such a way as to fit over wedge 9 dimensioned to be able to have a hole drilled in the opposite end to accept pivot pin 4 bar 6 is installed on pivot pin 4 a retention clip 7 is installed To operate bar 6 is pivoted back to allow post 8 to enter between 3 and 9 bar 6 is pivoted forward to lock over bar 9 pressure is applied to handiel in a direction away from post 8 imparting a lifting action to post 8 removing it from ground tube fig 4 using minimal force from a standing position Damaged post remover figure 7 is a simple leaverage tool to remove a post which has been impacted moving the section of the post above the base from a vertical position to horizontal the base being secured by support post securing system The tool consists of a handle 1Fig 7 which is dimensioned to be of sufficient strength and length to allow operation from a standing position handle 1 is welded to fulcrum 2 wedge 3 is welded to fulcrum 2 at right angles to handle 1 fulcrum 2 is to be of sufficient dimensions to withstand the pressure applied by handle 1 to operate tool wedge 3 is inserted under the horizontal section of post which has been impacted pressure is applied to handle 1 in a direction away from wedge 3 wedge 3 imparts pressure to damaged post secured by support post securing system raising the post releasing the post from the securing system Ground Cap remover figure 8 for the removal of cap fig 5 installed in a ground tube fig4 when a post is not installed in the ground tube the cap remover fig 8 consists of a handiel dimensioned to enable a person to operate from a standing position handle 1 is welded to fulcrum 2 dimensioned to accomodate an operators foot wedge 3 fig 8 is welded to fulcrum 2 at plus 5 degrees from parallel to handle 1 wedge 3 is placed in contact with cap fig 5 installed in ground tube fig4 pressure is applied through handiel and foot pressure to fulcrum2 causing wedge 3 to penetrate cap fig 5 pressure is applied to handle 1 in a direction away from wedge 3 removing cap fig 5 from ground tube fig 4

Claims: ι THE PAWS DEFINING THE INVENTION ABE AS FOUO S 1 A post base securing system comprising a tapered ground tube for f eceiving a post fitted with 2 tapered sleeves to releasably secure the 5 lower end of a post 2 A post base securing system as claimed m clam 1 m which the post can be round- square- rectangular - or of irregular shape as the tapered ground tube and the tapered sleeves are profiled to the post. 10 3 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 being a ground tube with a plurality of horizontal and vertical projections to the outer surface to secure the ground tube when concrete is poured around it to retain it in the required location. 15 4 A post base ourin system as claimed in claim 3 being a ground tube having a tubular projection either horizontal or vertical to accept electrical cables at the lower end 20 5 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 being 2 sleeves external tapered from the upper end to the lower end a vertical inner surface profiled to the post to be used. 6 25 A post securing system as claimed in claim 5 being 2 substantially identical tapered sleeves having a countersunk recess centrally located in the external perimeter below the upper end - the recess to accept a countersunk head self drifting screw which will penetrate the post securing the sJeeves to the post. 7 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 6 when a post fitted with 2 tapered sleeves is installed in the tapered ground tube - the sleeves are compressed to the ground tube and the post making it self locking - the post may be driven downwardly to increase the pressure of the sleeves to the ground tube and post to increase the resistance to removal in an upwards direction and rotation of the post on its axis. 8 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 can be installed at an angle from horizontal through vertical to horizontal 180 degrees. 9 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims for releasably securing road sign posts-commercial sign posts- crowd control barriers -traffic control barriers - street furniture - shade structures - rotary clothes line posts - parking metres - traffic tights - removable structures. 10 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims locking properties are increased by the movement of the post by wind or traffic vibration. 11 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims when installed will exclude water and fine particles from entering the ground tube and the tapered sleeves ensuring the post base can always be removed. 12 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims be preferably manufactured from a plastic material so the locking surfaces do not corrode locking the post in place. 13 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims has the advantage of being reusable when the post is damaged by impact the plastic ground tube may absorb some of the impact without splitting and having a memory to regain its shape - installation of a new post fitted with tapered sleeves will force the ground tube back into its original shape. 14 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims which can only be released from the locked position by a person using a 3 simple special tool from a standing position. 15 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims which will aBow the removal of a damaged post by a person using a special tool from a standing position 16 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 4 can be sealed with a plastic cap if a post is not to be installed allowing the safe passage of pedestrian and vehicle traffic - the cap requires a special tool to remove, fig 8 AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 12 May 1998 ( 12.05.98); original claims 1-16 replaced by amended claims 1-14 (3 pages) THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS 1 A post base securing system comprising a tapered ground tube 16 of non - corrosive material secured in concretere - tapered wedged sleeves 12 of non corrosive material profiled to the internal profile of tapered ground tube 16 tapered sleeves 12 fitted to post 17 a cap of non corrrosive material with horizontal retention rings of a greater diameter than ground tube 16 - a special tool fig 6 for the removal of post 17 fitted with sleeves 12 installed in ground tubel 6 - a special tool figure 7 to remove post 17 fitted with post base securing system that has been impacted to deform post 17 into a horizontal position - a special tool fig 8 to remove cap 40 from ground tube 1 G 2.. A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 where ground tube 16 tapered sleeves 12 are made form polypropelene or similar material with a high uv resistant factor and having a substantial memory factor to enable ground tube 16 and sleeves 12 to absorb impact and return to original shape. 3. A post base securing system as claimed in claim 2 being a ground tube 16 made in polypropelene or similar material when deformed by impact to post 17 fitted with sleeves 12 new post 17 fitted with sleeves 12 when installed in ground tube 16 automatically returns ground tube 16 to profile of sleeves 12 the greater the downward pressure applied to post 17 the better the profile. . 4. A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 where the body of post17 is of a tubular configuration. T e principal can be applied to a square or rectangular configuration. 5. A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 which is installed by a person standing in an upright position and allowing the mass of post 17 fitted with sleeves 12 to enter ground tube 16 automatically locking post 17 in position the locking action can be increased by imparting pressure to the top of post 17. 6. . • A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 which when installed automatically excludes any foreign material entering ground tube 16 and post 17 fitted with sleeves 12 installed in ground tube 16 can never be locked in position making removal impossible 7 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 that the automatic locking action is increased by vibration imparted to post 17 by wind or traffic vibrations. 8. A post securing system as claimed in claim 1 that allows the removal of postl 7 which has been impacted to a horizontal position by a person standing upright using a special tool fig 7 9. A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 having a cap 40 made of polypropelene being of sufficient dimentions to securely iock into ground tube 16 and allow traffic to pass safely over ground tube 10 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 9 having cap40 removed by a person standing in an upright position using a special tool fig 8.. 11 A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 which allows the installation and removal of a post 17 fitted with sleeves 12 installed in ground tube 16 by a peron standing in an upright position greatly reducing the risk of back injury. . 12. A post base securing system as claimed in claim 1 having a ground tube 16 with a tubular aperture 27 moulded into its base to allow the fitting of electrical PVC conduit for electrical connection to a sign. 13 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims the components to be manufactured from identical plastic material so the locking surfaces do not corrode locking the post in place 14 A post base securing system as claimed in the preceding claims for releasably securing road signs posts commercial sign posts crowd control barriers traffic control barriers street furniture shade structures rotary clothes line posts parking metres traffic lights removable structures.

Inventors: KASTEN BRIAN JOHN, KASTEN, BRIAN, JOHN
Applicants: KASTEN BRIAN JOHN, KASTEN, BRIAN, JOHN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E01F9
IPC codes: E01F9, E04H12