Abstract:
An anchor system for flexible marker posts comprises an anchor that receives a post before the anchor is driven into the ground. In one version of the anchor system, a V-shaped configuration folded along two longitudinal side axes and one lower lateral axis. This version has front and rear plates, and the rear plate has and combines with two flanges to define a narrow pocket that receives the post. The post is secured in the pocket by deforming the pocket with punches. The anchor is retained in the earth by mechanical interference and friction. Additional embodiments include plates that are pre-bent into a V-shape, tabs for maintaining separation of the plates, and a one-piece anchor having a V-shaped lower portion and coplanar, horizontal, upper surfaces connected to the upper edges of the lower portion.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/086,235, filed Feb. 27, 2002, entitled “Drivable Post and Marker,” and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to installation of flexible marker posts and, more specifically, to anchor systems for retaining the posts in earth.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Markers are often used in places, such as along roadsides, where there is a likelihood that the mark will be struck or hit by a passing object. Because of the costs of replacing damaged markers, the markers are preferably constructed so that they can withstand the force imparted by passing objects without being severely damaged. Markers are also widely used on playing fields, earthen fields, and grassy areas to mark boundaries, mark locations, or provide information. They may be used on football fields, soccer fields, baseball fields, golf courses, running tracks and trails, public parks, and private lawns.  
           [0006]    Typical flexible posts have been constructed to have a base attached to the support surface and having the post mounted on the base. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,823 shows posts in which an elastomeric element connects a marker post to a base or support, enabling the post to bend relative to the base at the elastomeric element when struck. However, installation of a base adds additional cost to the post and increases installation time. Therefore, there is a need for anchor systems and a method of use for providing inexpensive, easy, and quick installations of flexible marker posts.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An anchor system for flexible marker posts comprises an anchor that receives a post before the anchor is driven into the ground. In a first embodiment, a flat, rectangular plate of mild steel is folded into a U-shape with parallel upper and lower plates. The lower end of a post is placed with the anchor, and the anchor is driven into the earth with a bladed driver, the anchor bending along an axis defined by the blade of the driver. The anchor retains the post with friction, and the anchor is retained in the earth by mechanical interference and friction.  
           [0008]    A second embodiment of the invention provides for a two-piece anchor comprising two flat plates. The lower end of the post is placed between the plates, and the anchor is then driven into the ground with a bladed driver.  
           [0009]    A third embodiment of the invention also uses a two-piece anchor, though the plates of the anchor are pre-bent during manufacture. The upper plate has tabs that pierce the post during installation, the post sliding upward on the tabs as the anchor is driven into the earth. The lower end of the tabs are in metal-to-metal contact with the lower plate, and the tabs secure the post within the anchor.  
           [0010]    A fourth embodiment of the invention is a flat steel plate folded along three longitudinal axes to form a V-shaped lower section and horizontal surfaces at the upper portion of the lower section. The lower portion and surfaces form an enclosure that receives the post, then the anchor is driven into the earth with the blade along a lateral line.  
           [0011]    A fifth embodiment of the invention is a V-shaped configuration folded along two longitudinal side axes and one lower lateral axis. This version has front and rear plates, and at least the rear plate has and combines with two flanges to define a narrow pocket that receives the post. The post may be optionally secured in the post anchor by deforming the pocket with punches.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-piece drivable anchor system for installing a marker post in the ground and shown prior to installation, the anchor system being constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the post guide and post from FIG. 1, the post guide having been bent.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an anchor system for installing a marker post in the ground and shown prior to installation, the anchor system being constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 3 with the post guide and insert being bent and the driver positioned for installation of the anchor system.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an anchor system for installing a marker post in the ground, the anchor system being constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a partially-sectioned perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 5 showing the position of the components during installation;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an anchor system for installing a marker post in the ground, the anchor system being constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor system of FIG. 1 installed in the ground.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an anchor system for installing a marker post in the ground, the anchor system being constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor system of FIG. 9 taken along the line  10 - 10  of FIG. 9.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified version of the anchor system of FIG. 9 prior to deformation of the post anchor.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 9 after deformation of the post anchor.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor system of FIG. 9 during installation in the earth.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 1 through 7 show three embodiments of an anchor system for a flexible marker post installed in the ground. The posts are used primarily along roadways to mark the edges of lanes or for other forms of traffic control. Though not required, the anchor systems are preferably installed in a pre-dug hole and rely on friction with the ground and the weight of dirt filled into the hole above the installed anchor to hold the post and anchor in place. The components of each system are made from sheet steel and may be flat or bent. This system provides a simple installation method and protects the lower end of the post while it is being installed.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a three-piece flat anchor system comprising a post anchor  111  having a U-shaped cross-section, a plastic post  113 , and a tool or driver  115  for installing post  113  and anchor  111  into the ground. Post anchor  111  is preferably formed by bending a wide, rectangular sheet of steel along its central longitudinal axis to form the U-shape. Post anchor  111  has an upper surface  112 , a lower surface  114 , and bent side edge  116 . The other side edge of anchor  111  is open. Plastic post  113  is rectangular and has a width in one embodiment that is ¼″ to ½″ narrower than post anchor  111 . Post  113  is flexible and is formed of an elastomeric material. The inner and outer surfaces of anchor  111  surround the lower portion of post  113 . Post  113  is a preferably-flat strip having a width greater than its thickness. Driver  115  is a long, flat, rectangular plate also preferably made of steel and which is narrower than post anchor  111 , but any tool with a flat lower edge, preferably measuring a minimum of 4″ by ¼″, can be used to drive the anchor system into the ground.  
         [0028]    The post  113  may be installed in the ground with one of several different methods, depending primarily upon the hardness of the ground and the tool used to install the post. For example, if the post  113  is being installed in soft earth, no hole or pre-hole is required, even if a manual installation driver  115  is used. If the post  113  is being installed in a harder or more dense material or soil, a pre-hole may need to be formed with the driver  115  prior to installation. If the soil is rocky, paved, or otherwise very hard and/or dense, an automated pneumatic device, such as a jackhammer (not shown), is recommended to install the post  113 .  
         [0029]    In some instances, a hole may be dug having a width of approximately 4″ and a depth of about 18″ for the above-dimensioned post anchor  111 . The full width of the lower end of plastic post  113  is inserted into the open edge of post anchor  111 , and the assembled post anchor  111  and post  113  are laid across the hole, the width and length of post anchor  111  being centered over the hole. Post  113  should be oriented so that it faces the desired direction after installation. The flat lower end of driver  115  is placed against the top of upper surface  112  of post anchor  111 , and driver  115  is forced downward to push the assembly into the hole. As post anchor  111  is driven into the hole, the force of the ground opposing the insertion causes the two longitudinal ends to bend upward around a generally-central lateral axis, as shown in FIG. 2, the axis defined by the position of the lower edge of driver  115 . The lower portion of post  113  bends with post anchor  111  as it is sandwiched between surfaces  112 ,  114 . This causes post  113  to stand upright and in the correct position once post anchor  111  has been driven into the hole.  
         [0030]    To complete the installation, driver  115  is removed, and the hole is filled by placing dirt  117  on top of post anchor  111  as shown in FIG. 8. The friction between post  113  and the inner surface of post anchor  111  retains post  113  within post anchor  111 . The weight of dirt  117 , the friction between the outer surface of post anchor  111  and walls  119  of the hole, and the angle of the longitudinal ends of post anchor  111  relative to vertical walls  119  of the hole combine to retain post anchor  111  in the ground.  
         [0031]    Post anchor  111  can be bent along a central lateral axis during fabrication or prior to installation to produce a V-shape as shown in FIG. 2. This would ease alignment and initial insertion, but would require an additional step in manufacturing post anchor  111 .  
         [0032]    A second embodiment of the anchor system is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This system is a four-piece flat design comprising a post guide  211 , a post  213 , a driver  215 , and an insert  217 . Post guide  211  and insert  217  are flat, rectangular sheets of steel with a horizontal area approximately equal to that of post anchor  111  shown in FIGS.  1  and  2 . Driver  215  is the same as that in the first embodiment, and installation follows the same procedure as described above. Post guide  211  and insert  217  are placed on opposite sides of a lower portion of post  213 . As shown in FIG. 4, these components also may be bent along a central lateral axis prior to insertion in the ground, forming a V-shaped trough having upward-and-outward-extending legs.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention comprising four pieces. Shown in FIG. 5 are rectangular tabs  319  depending from the lower surface of insert  317  along the central lateral axis. Insert  317  and post guide  311  are preferably bent during fabrication or prior to installation to assist in aligning the components to each other and to reduce the possibility that tabs  319  will be bent during installation. The lower end of plastic post  313  is positioned in post guide  311 , and insert  317  is placed onto the upper surface of the post  313  with tabs  319  in contact with post  313 . Tabs  319  cut through plastic post  313  as the assembly is driven into the ground, and post  313  slides upward into notches  321  between tabs  319 . This provides a metal-to-metal contact between tabs  319  and post guide  311  and protects post  313  from being damaged by the force between a lower surface  323  of insert  317  and an upper surface  325  of post guide  311 . Tabs  319  do not extend through post guide  311 .  
         [0034]    Installation using a pre-bent anchor system is similar to that of the systems using flat components. Post guide  311  is inserted into the hole with the V-shape opening upward and the lateral axis perpendicular to the desired direction to which a front side of post  313  will be exposed. The lower end of post  313  is lowered into the hole and inserted in post guide  311 . Insert  317  is placed into the hole and onto post  313  with the same orientation as post guide  311 . The lower edge of driver  315  is placed against the vertex of the V-shape on an upper surface  327  of insert  317  with the lateral axis of driver  315  being parallel to that of insert  317 . Driver  315  is forced downward to push the assembly into the ground.  
         [0035]    A fourth embodiment of an anchor system of the invention is shown in FIG. 7. This system is a three-piece design comprising a post anchor  411 , a post  413 , and a driver (not shown). Post  413  is shown as having a curved front surface  415 , though post  413  may alternatively have a flat front surface  415 . Post anchor  411  is a rectangular sheet of preferably mild steel that is bent along three longitudinal axes to form a V-shaped lower portion  417  and coplanar, horizontal, longitudinal surfaces  419  connected along the upper edges of lower portion  417 . The V-shape of lower portion  417  is a trough having upward-and-outward-extending legs, the trough opening upward. Surfaces  419  extend inward from the upper edges of lower portion  417  and toward each other. In this embodiment, surfaces  419  do no touch each other, but surfaces  419  and lower portion  417  partially surround an enclosure  421  having open ends  423 ,  425  and being sized for receiving post  413 .  
         [0036]    To install post  413  using post anchor  411 , post  413  is inserted into enclosure  421 . A pilot hole is created in the earth as described above, then anchor  411  is placed over the hole, anchor  411  being generally centered over the hole. A flat-bladed driver, such as that shown in previously-described embodiments, is used to drive anchor  411  into the earth. For best results, the blade of the driver preferably contacts anchor  411  approximately along line  427 . As anchor  411  is driven into the earth, the longitudinal ends of anchor  411  are bent upwards around line  427  (or wherever the blade of the driver contacts anchor  411 ), producing a V-shape having a lateral axis, and post  413  assumes a vertical orientation. As described above, friction between post  413  and the inner surfaces of anchor  411  retains post  413  within anchor  411 , and mechanical interference and friction with the earth retains anchor  411  within the hole.  
         [0037]    A fifth embodiment of an anchor system of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This system is also a three-piece design comprising a post anchor  511 , a post  513 , and a driver or automated device (not shown). In one version of this embodiment, the respective materials used to form post anchor  511  and post  513  are designed to be heavier gauges and more resilient (e.g., steel and fiberglass/plastic). Post  513  is shown as having a lower end  515 , and post anchor  511  is a generally rectangular structure of preferably mild steel that is pre-bent along two longitudinal portions and one lateral portion. The resulting configuration is generally V-shaped with a vertex  517  and coplanar, longitudinal flanges  519  extending upward from just above vertex  517 .  
         [0038]    Resilient front and rear plates  523 ,  525  extend upward from vertex  517 . Flanges  519  are integrally formed with and extend from rear plate  525  toward each other but do not touch. A thin retention sleeve or pocket is defined between rear plate  525  and flanges  519  and is sized to receive the post  513 . The lower ends of the flanges  519  may be pinched to form a seat  526  upon which the lower edge of post  513  abuts. Post anchor  511  also may be provided with an optional small, bisecting, longitudinal ridge  521  that is located on rear plate  525 , vertex  517 , and front plate  523 . Ridge  521  is centrally located between flanges  519  for additional strength.  
         [0039]    To install post  513  using post anchor  511 , the lower end  515  of post  513  is inserted into the pocket defined between flanges  519  and rear plate  525 . Post anchor  511  is then punch pressed or similarly deformed at several locations on flanges  519  and/or rear plate  525 , such as those indicated at deformations  527 . Deformations  527  ensure retention of post  513  in post anchor  511  by penetrating portions of the rear plate  525  and the flanges  519  into the post  513 .  
         [0040]    As described above, no hole, a pilot hole, or an anchor-sized hole is created in the earth, and anchor  511  is placed at the burial site or over or in the hole, with anchor  511  being generally centered in the hole. With this embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic tool, such as a jack hammer, may be used to drive anchor  511  into the earth. However, a flat-bladed driver, such as that shown in previously-described embodiments, can be used to drive anchor  511  into the earth. For best results, the blade of the driver preferably contacts anchor  511  approximately along vertex  517 . As anchor  511  is driven into the earth, the front and rear plates  523 ,  525  of anchor  511  may deflect toward each other about vertex  517 , and post  513  assumes a vertical orientation as it extends above the earth. As described above, mechanical interference and friction with the earth retains anchor  511  within the hole. However, because post  513  is mounted to post anchor  511  in the manner described above, post  513  is not deformed or bent other than the slight perforations or indentations caused by deformations  527 . Thus, post  513  retains its substantially linear configuration even after it is installed in the earth with post anchor  511 . This design allows post  513  to be formed from materials that are much more rigid and less flexible than those used for the posts described above for the other embodiments.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIGS.  11 - 13 , a sixth embodiment of an anchor system of the present invention is shown, comprising a post anchor  611 , a post  613 , and a driver or automated device  616  (see FIG. 13). This embodiment is very similar to the fifth embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, except that the flanges  619  of the post anchor  611  extend from end to end, and the post anchor  611  initially has a generally flat configuration, rather than a preformed V-shaped configuration.  
         [0042]    Initially, the post anchor  611  is undeformed (FIG. 11) such that a pair of flanges  619  extend from its substantially planar base  612  at acute angles as shown. Post  613  is inserted into a pocket of the undeformed post anchor  611  such that a lower end  615  of post  613  substantially aligns with one end of the post anchor  611 . The flanges  619  are then deformed or bent down toward each other and onto the post  613  as shown in FIG. 12, to permanently retain the post  613  in the post anchor  611  and form an assembly. This process may include puncture deformations, as previously described above.  
         [0043]    The assembly is installed in the ground in a manner similar to that described above. Since the assembly is flat, it is simply placed on the ground at the point of insertion. A small pilot hole or a larger hole may be formed if necessary to penetrate the ground. However, in most instances, no hole of any type will be required. The assembly is struck with a driver  616  or other tool (FIG. 13) and driven into the ground. As the assembly is installed, it forms a V-shaped configuration having a vertex  617 , a front plate  623 , and a rear plate  625 . Note that in this version, the flanges  619  are also formed in the V-shape opposite front and rear plates  623 ,  625 .  
         [0044]    The invention provides for several advantages. Using the anchor systems of the invention makes the installation of flexible posts both easy and quick, typically allowing one person to install a post in less than two minutes. Since the anchor systems are hidden underground, they are tamper resistant. The anchor systems also provide an installation that strongly resists the post being pulled out of the ground.  
         [0045]    While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, in some cases, sufficient force may be applied by the driver to insert the anchor and lower end of the post into the ground without digging a hole in advance. Also, posts could be automatically installed from a vehicle that continuously moves along the desired path.