Abstract:
The present invention relates to a ground fixation device for fixating posts such as lamps, flagpoles, signs and similar substantially vertical objects to a substantially flat ground surface. The ground fixation device comprises an elongated rail extending along the ground surface, at least one fastening device located at said rail and at least one anchoring mechanism located at said rail for entering the surface of the ground.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a ground fixation device and in particular to an adjustable ground fixation device for supporting posts such as lamps, flagpoles, signs and similar vertical objects. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional ground fixation devices for posts generally consists of an anchoring mechanism such as spikes, screws or similar to be deployed below the ground and a flange or similar to remain above ground for connecting the spike to the pole. Normally, such ground fixation systems are designed for one single application only and the spike and flange are fixed non-interchangeable integrated parts of the ground fixation device. For a new application such as either a different form of post or a different nature of the ground normally a new ground fixation device must be developed. 
         [0003]    A first example of prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,141 where a sign support system has been described. The support system features an upright vertical support post, a horizontal base provided for stability, a plurality of spikes extending into the ground and a removable sign post which can be inserted into the support post and is held in place by a detent pin. To remove the support system a lever is provided to pull the spikes upwardly out of the ground. This invention provides a stable sign support structure, which at the same time can be very easily set up and removed. This system does not provide the possibility of performing an adjustment to a vertical position of the support post. 
         [0004]    A second example of prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,872 wherein an adjustable post support has been described. The post support comprises a lower spike part and an upper bracket part. Two curved domes and a fastening device provide a ball and socket type connection between the lower spike part and the upper bracket part. This provides an adjustable connection in different positions to allow a vertical position of the post also in case the spike is driven into the ground offset from vertical. 
         [0005]    A third example of prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,390, dealing with an adjustable post holder. The post holder is formed by a lower spike part and an upper bracket part where the lower spike part and an upper bracket part are connected by a curved seat and an adjustable tightening member. This provides an adjustable connection in different positions to allow a vertical position of the post also in case the spike is driven into the ground offset from vertical. 
         [0006]    A fourth example of prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,926, wherein an adjustable post holder is described. The post holder is formed by a lower spike part and an upper bracket part where the bracket part is divided into a first bracket part connected to the spike and a second bracket part, which is adjustably attached to the first bracket part. This provides a substantial tolerance between the bracket part and the post upon tightening of the bracket. 
         [0007]    A fifth example of prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,877, describing an anchor device. The anchor device comprises a ground spike, a sleeve and a connector tube where the sleeve is shaped as a four pointed star in a way to connect to cylindrical posts as well as posts of rectangular shapes. 
         [0008]    A sixth example of prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,911 wherein an earth anchor is described. The earth anchor comprises a central hub and a plurality of legs extending from the hub. At the distal end of each leg is a foot and a spike. The spike is driven into the ground at a predefined angle dictated by the angle of each foot. When subjected to forces trying to lift the central hub the plurality of spikes will due to the angle of the spikes initiate a rotational movement and dig deeper into the ground. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    On the above background it is the object of the present invention to provide a flexible ground fixation device for supporting and attaching of posts such as lamps, flagpoles, signs and similar vertical objects. 
         [0010]    The above object together with numerous other objects which will be evident from the below detailed description are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a ground fixation device for fixating posts such as lamps, flagpoles, signs and similar substantially vertical objects to a substantially flat ground surface comprising:
       an elongated rail defining a first end and an opposite second end and a longitudinal dimension along the ground surface between the first end and the second end,   at least one fastening device located at the rail, and   at least one anchoring mechanism located at the rail near the first end and/or the second end for entering the surface of the ground.       
 
         [0014]    The ground fixation device comprises at least one rail providing a base for the ground fixation device. The rail is preferably made of metal or alternatively any other substantially solid material such as plastics. The anchoring mechanism such as a spike or screw or similar is located near the end of the rail. The anchoring mechanism may be permanently welded to the rail in a vertical direction suitable for entering the ground. Alternatively, a removable anchoring device may be used. The anchoring mechanism may be driven into the ground by a vertical force such as by the use of a hammer or alternatively screwed into the ground by a rotational movement. The anchoring mechanism fixates the rail to the ground. Several anchoring mechanisms may be used for providing additional stability. The anchoring mechanism is preferably made of metal. Alternatively any rigid material may be used. 
         [0015]    A fastening device is fixated at the rail and may be utilized to fixate a post to the ground fixation device. The fastening device may comprise a clamping mechanism for clamping the post to the rail. The fastening device may comprise e.g. a screw or bolt or the like. Alternatively, a band such as a rubber band or the like may be used to fasten the post to the ground fixation device. Several fastening devices may be employed for additional stability. 
         [0016]    According to a further advantageous embodiment of the ground fixation device according to the present invention the fastening device comprise an outwards extending threaded rod, or alternatively a rod having an interior threaded channel, for attaching the post. By providing a threaded rod for attaching the post substantially different posts may be used together with the same ground fixation device. A simple fixation hole in the post would be sufficient for a secure fixation of the post. A threaded rod further provides quick and simple assembly and disassembly of the post and ground fixation device. Alternatively to a threaded rod a rod having an interior threaded channel. The rod then has a smooth outer surface and a groove including threads. In this way the threads are better protected from damage when the ground fixation device is subject to rough environments such as typical outdoor environments. Such damage may be the result of snow, rain, dust, sand etc. Damage may also result from human or animal interaction. 
         [0017]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention the rail may comprise:
       a rectangular bottom surface juxtaposed the ground surface extending between the first and second ends,   a rectangular top surface opposite the bottom surface extending between the first and second ends, the top surface having a gap extending between the first and second end,   two rectangular side surfaces perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces extending between the first and second ends       
 
         [0021]    The above rail is hollow and provides a substantial rigidity with a reduced material usage. The above rail further has a reduced weight. The gap allows access to the interior of the rail for accessing a plurality of possible attachment surfaces for the fastening device. A suitable attachment surface, which is achieved by the gap, is the top surface. The top surface may constitute a flange, which may be used as a seat for a fastening device comprising a clamping device. The fastening device may therefore preferably be clamped to the top surface. 
         [0022]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention may comprise a fastening device which may be translated in the longitudinal dimension and the fastening device includes means for fixating the fastening device to the rail. This will make the ground fixation device flexible to adapt to various posts, which may be connected to the ground fixation device. The flexibility may range from allowing some tolerance between the ground fixation device and the attaching post thereby permitting small manufacture errors to a fully flexible ground fixation device for fastening a variety of different posts types using the same ground fixation device. The size of the posts may thus differ substantially. The rails may further accommodate a plurality of fastening devices such as threaded rods clamped at variable positions along the rail for fixating a plurality of posts to variable positions on the same ground fixation device. 
         [0023]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention the fastening device may be permanently fixated to the top surface. The fastening device may e.g. be welded to the rail for a permanent secure fixation. The ground fixation device may thus be customized to a specific application, e.g. holding a specific post. Alternatively, several fastening devices may be permanently fixated to the top surface for allowing several posts to be attached to a single ground fixation device. 
         [0024]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention may further comprise a second rail extending perpendicular outwards from the elongated rail. Such second raid will provide additional stability of the ground fixation device and also additional attachment surfaces for the fastening device, thereby allowing a greater variety in the shapes of the posts suitable for the ground fixation device. The second rail may be permanently fixated to the elongated rail, e.g. by welding, or alternatively removable such as attached by screws. In yet another alternative the second rail may be foldable or retractable for reduction of space when it is not needed. The second rail may be supplemented with further rails to achieve a cross shape or even more complex shapes. 
         [0025]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention may comprise an extension plate. The extension plate may act as an auxiliary rail extending in any direction for attaching a specific post. The post may be clamped to the extension plate. Alternatively, the extension plate is flexible thereby providing a rotational degree of freedom to the fastening device. Thus, by providing an extension plate an even broader variety of posts may be attached to the ground fixation device. 
         [0026]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention may comprise at least one holder tube placed on the rail at the first end and/or second end in a vertical direction in relation to the ground surface for inserting and fixating the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism may be inserted into the holder tube for increased stability. The holder tube may comprise a screw or similar for clamping the anchoring mechanism to the rail. Alternatively, the holder tube may be of flexible material such as a rubber and shaped to apply a pressure to the anchoring mechanism when the anchoring mechanism is inserted into the holder tube. 
         [0027]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention wherein the holder tube is movable. By providing a movable holder tube variable fixation points into the ground may be achieved. This will allow some tolerance between the ground and the ground fixation device permitting small mounting errors. Alternatively, a plurality of holder tubes and corresponding anchoring devices may be provided for allowing even more secure fixating. 
         [0028]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention wherein the holder tube is inclined in relation to the vertical plane. Inclined anchoring devices will secure the ground fixation device better against forces in the vertical direction than vertical anchoring devices would do. 
         [0029]    According to a further advantageous embodiment the ground fixation device according to the present invention wherein the anchoring mechanism is permanently fixated to the first end and/or the second end. The anchoring mechanism may be welded permanently to the rail for providing a more robust fixation. This would be suitable when large forces are applied to the ground fixation device. 
         [0030]    In the following detailed description of the invention the concepts of the invention will be illustrated by reference to a set of specific embodiments of the invention, but it is understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the figures, where 
           [0032]      FIG. 1   a  shows a perspective view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement having flexible threaded rods, 
           [0033]      FIG. 1   b  shows a side view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement having flexible threaded rods, 
           [0034]      FIG. 1   c  shows a perspective view of a cross shaped rail arrangement having fixed threaded rods, 
           [0035]      FIG. 1   d  shows a side view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement having fixed threaded rods, 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  shows a threaded rod together with plates and nuts for clamping the threaded rod to the rails, 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-shaped rail arrangement of the first embodiment together with a lamp post, 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a rail with an elongated plate from a second embodiment, 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  shows a pair of rails from a third embodiment for two or more poles 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a flexible holder tube from a fourth embodiment, 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  shows a plate from a fifth embodiment, 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  shows an arrangement with an inclined spike. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    The invention relates to an adjustable ground fixation device  6  for supporting and attaching posts such as lamps, flagpoles, signs and similar vertical objects. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1   a  shows a perspective view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement of a first embodiment of a ground fixation device  6  comprising a rail system  8  having three base rails where one longer rail  10  has approx. twice the length of the other two shorter rails  12 . The two shorter rails  12  are mounted perpendicular onto the longer rail  10  and placed on the ground in the shape of a cross for stability in all directions. 
         [0045]    The long rail  10  and the short rails  12  in the rail system  8  are shaped in a U form with two L shaped flanges in each end pointing inwards provided for mounting of the threaded rod  18  as described below in an arbitrary position along the rail. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1   b  shows a side view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement of the first embodiment as described above. At each periphery end of the rail system  8  a holder tube  14  can be placed in vertical direction towards the ground for inserting an anchoring mechanism  15  such as a screw or a spike or the like. The holder tube further comprises a thread  16  for inserting a screw to fix the anchoring mechanism  15  onto the ground fixation device  6 . Four threaded rods  18  may be clamped onto the rail system  8 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 1   c  shows a perspective view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement of a second embodiment of a ground fixation device  6 . The rail system  8  comprises four threaded rods  18  welded onto the rails  10 ,  12 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 1   d  shows a side view of a cross-shaped rail arrangement of the second embodiment as described above. The rail system  8  comprises four anchoring mechanisms  15  welded onto the ends of the rails  10 ,  12 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 2   a  shows the threaded rod  18  having a pair of mounting nuts  26  for mounting the post, an inner plate  20  and an outer plate  24  for mounting the threaded rod  18  onto the rail  8 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 2   b  shows a threaded rod  18  clamped onto the rail using a rectangular inner plate  20  with a threaded hole in the centre being attached to one end of the threaded rod where one side of the inner plate  20  is longer than the distance between the rail flanges  9  and one side being shorter than the distance between the rail flanges in the rail system  8  in a way that the plate can be inserted between the flanges and turned 90 degrees to attach to the inner side of the rail flange. The inner plate  20  has grooves  22  that extend along the short end of the inner plate  20  to fit to the inner side of the flange to provide rotational stability of the inner plate  20  in relation to the rail system  8 . On the opposite side of the rail flange  9  an outer plate  24  with both sides being larger than the distance between the rail flanges and with a hole in the centre through which the threaded rod  18  is fitted and clamped to the rail by a nut  26 , thereby clamping the threaded rod  18  to the rail  8 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  shows the remaining length of the threaded rod  18  may be used for clamping an attaching post  31  between two further nuts  28  and  30  in a flexible way at the end of the threaded rod  18  provided the attaching post  31  comprises suitable holes for fitting onto the threaded rods  18 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  shows in a third embodiment using a bolt  32  instead of a threaded rod to clamp a rectangular outer plate  34  together with an inner plate  20  as described above in embodiment 1. The rectangular outer plate  34  of the second embodiment has a long side significantly longer than the short side and a hole for fitting a threaded rod  36  near each short side, where one of the holes is used to fit the rectangular outer plate  24  onto the rail and the other hole is used to clamp a threaded rod  36  onto the outer plate  24  by two nuts  38  mounted onto each side of the outer rectangular plate. By rotating the outer rectangular plate  34  around the bolt  32  an additional degree of freedom compared to the first embodiment is obtained for the threaded rod  36  which can then be used for clamping the attaching post  31  between two further nuts  40  in a flexible way. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  shows a fourth embodiment using two or more parallel rails instead of two cross-shaped rails providing the possibility of attaching two or more posts. Stability in all directions is provided by interconnecting the two posts transversal to the parallel rails by using a solid long object, such as a large sign, a fence or the like. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  shows in a fourth embodiment a movable holder tube  42  being attached to a bracket  44 . The bracket is further attached to the rail by one or a pair of threaded rods  46  in a similar way as the threaded rod  18  described in the first embodiment. This provides flexibility in the direction of the rail system  8  for the attachment of the anchoring mechanism. By using an elongated bracket additionally some rotational freedom can be given to the holder tube  42 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 7  shows in a fifth embodiment four threaded rods  48  being attached to a large plate  50  with two tubes  52  attached in line in two of the corners of the plate. This will provide a hinge function for aiding in rising of large objects such as flagpoles onto the ground fixation device  6 , provided the large object has a corresponding tube for fitting a rod into the corresponding tube and the two previous mentioned tubes  52 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  shows as an additional feature the holding tube  14  being inclined in relation to the vertical plane for providing additional hold for the anchoring mechanism to withstand larger forces in the vertical direction. 
         [0057]    The ground fixation device may be mounted to a post by following the steps below: The post is mounted onto the ground fixation device with the post in a horizontal position by inserting the holes in the flange of the post into the threaded rods and thereafter clamps the flange between two nuts. The post is thereafter raised to a vertical position and the spikes are plugged into the ground deep enough for providing a hold. 
         [0058]    The screws in the vertical tubes around the spikes are tightened to fasten the ground fixation device in an appropriate preferably horizontal alignment. Alternatively the movable tube can be used for further adjustment of the tube. 
         [0059]    Adjusting the nuts of the threaded rod can further regulate the vertical alignment of the post. Adjusting the position of the threaded rods in the rails can regulate the horizontal alignment. 
         [0060]    Alternatively, the elongated bracket can be used to further to allow the threaded rod to be positioned outside of the rail system, thus the threaded rod is not limited to the positions within the dimensions of the rail system. 
         [0061]    Alternatively, a non-vertical object can be mounted as well by adjusting the nuts of the threaded rod and/or adjusting the screws in the vertical tube. 
       LIST OF PARTS 
       [0062]    A list of the parts and their designated number is stated below: 
         [0063]      6 . Ground fixation device 
         [0064]      8 . Rail system 
         [0065]      10 . Long rail 
         [0066]      12 . Short rail 
         [0067]      14 . Cylindrical holding tube 
         [0068]      16 . Fixing screw 
         [0069]      18 . Threaded rod 
         [0070]      20 . Inner plate 
         [0071]      22 . Groove 
         [0072]      24 . Outer plate 
         [0073]      26 . Nut 
         [0074]      28 . Nut 
         [0075]      30 . Nut 
         [0076]      31 . Post 
         [0077]      32 . Bolt 
         [0078]      34 . Rectangular plate 
         [0079]      36  Treaded rod 
         [0080]      38 . Nut 
         [0081]      40 . Nut 
         [0082]      42 . Movable cylindrical holding tube 
         [0083]      44 . Bracket 
         [0084]      46 . Threaded rod 
         [0085]      48 . Treaded rod 
         [0086]      50 . Large plate 
         [0087]      52 . Tube