Patent Publication Number: US-7219872-B2

Title: Adjustable post support

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to the field of structural supports and in particular to an adjustable post support. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Generally, fence posts are held in position by digging a large opening in the ground, filling the opening with concrete and before the concrete has an opportunity to set, locating the bottom end of the fence post in the concrete. 
   The above process is very labor intensive and requires special working tools such as augers and the like for digging the ground out to receive the concrete base for the post. 
   Attempts have been made to make it easier to embed the base of a fence post or any other type of ground support post. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,967 discloses an anchoring stake having a ground engaging spike with a movable pin extending therefrom. The pin has a pivot ball on one end with a registering fitting secured to the spike. A lead ring is formed on the pin opposite end to which a pet lead can be attached. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,715 discloses a sign supporting apparatus having a ground engaging portion and an integral support post and end cap arm support from which a sign can be hung. The support post is slid up and down on the upstanding ground engagement portion of the device driving same downwardly into the ground. The end cap support arm for the sign is then inserted to the upstanding post portion. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,157 is directed to a post support having a ground engagement portion and an integral post receiving portion extending therefrom. The post receiving portion has a plurality of locking tabs within that wedgeably secure the post positioned within. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,142 shows an awning anchor having a ground engagement screw portion and a pivoted awning arm mount extending therefrom. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,149 discloses a fence post holder having a bottom spike which is embedded into a ground supporting surface with a bracket fixed to the top of the spike for receiving the base of a fence post. 
   Although the spikes disclosed above can easily be driven into the ground, such spikes may be driven at something other than a vertical angle. This may be unavoidable because of a number of factors including, the slope of the ground surface, underground impediments, such as rocks, which may deflect the spike, or simply through misjudgment by the person embedding the spike. As a result, the fence-post supported atop the spike may extend upwardly at a skewed angle from vertical. This is particularly noticeable for relatively tall fence posts, and adversely affects the overall construction of the fencing supported by such posts. 
   Many have attempted to overcome the drawbacks noted immediately above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,874 discloses a post support with a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion. However, unlike the earlier construction in the &#39;149 patent, the bracket portion in the &#39;874 patent is adjustable relative to the spike portion. This allows for upright positioning of the fence post even if the spike portion is not driven vertically into the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,677 discloses a similar post support to that disclosed in the &#39;874 patent and includes post stop tabs extending within a sleeve in spaced relation to a fixation fastener. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,390 discloses a post holder formed by a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion; the bracket portion being connected to the spike portion at an adjustable connection formed by a curved seat at the upper end of the spike portion and a curved base at the bottom end of the bracket portion. 
   European Pat No. EP0657604 discloses a post engagement portion having a contoured swivel base which is registerable on a secondary swivel base secured to a ground engagement portion. The two contoured surfaces are inter-engaged and held to one another by a pair of oppositely disposed fasteners extending through elongated slots in the respective base portion to allow for the angle orientation of the top portion. 
   Although the device disclosed in European Pat No. EP0657604 allows for the angle orientation of a top portion, no device is provided to elevate the fence post away from the pair of oppositely disposed fasteners extending through elongated slots in the respective base portion. 
   In the &#39;874 patent, the spike portion has a flat upper surface which receives a curved lower surface on the bracket portion. This connection is what allows adjustment of the bracket portion. However, because the two surfaces do not properly mate with one another, it is essentially impossible to secure them with one another in a manner which precludes undesirable deflection of the bracket portion when it is subjected to load applied to it by the fence post. 
   In the &#39;677 patent, the post stop tabs are used to support the fence post away from fastening means within the sleeve. However, such tabs may be susceptible to bending while the fence post is within the sleeve, ultimately defeating their intended purpose. 
   In the &#39;390 patent, the curved seat at the upper end of the spike portion and the curved base at the bottom end of the bracket portion curve downwardly and towards the lower spike portion. Because of this curvature, moisture may pool at the bottom of the respective curved bases which could adversely affect the functionality of the device. 
   Accordingly, a need exists for an improved post support providing ease in installation, and which overcomes the deficiencies noted above. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground. The support may include a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion. The lower spike portion may include an upper end with a first curved dome. The bracket portion may include a second curved dome corresponding to the first curved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardly therefrom. The first and second domes may nest with one another to provide a ball and socket type connection between the lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion. A fastening device may be used for tightening the first and second domes together and a support table may be located inside the sleeve. 
   The first and second curved domes may each curve outwardly and away from the lower spike portion and may each define a central opening for the fastening device to fit through. The fastening device may include a threaded nut and a threaded bolt which fits through the central openings in the domes. 
   At least one wall of the sleeve may define a slot adjacent the second curved dome. 
   The spike portion may be a plurality of spike blades joined centrally of the spike portion with one another. 
   The sleeve may include upstanding walls. The support table may include a support face oriented substantially perpendicular to the walls of the sleeve and a support member extending substantially perpendicularly from the support face towards the second curved dome. The support table may be above the fastening device and each of the central openings of each of the curved domes. The support table may include a central opening above the fastening device. 
   The post support may further include at least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extending outwardly from an adjacent pair of side walls of the sleeve, the flanges being adapted to be drawn toward one another. 
   In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable post support for use in supporting a post vertically above the ground. The support may include a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion. The lower spike portion may include an upper end. The bracket portion may include a curved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardly therefrom. The curved dome may nest with the upper end of the spike to provide a ball and socket type connection between the lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion. A fastening device may be used for tightening the upper bracket and lower spike portion together and a support table may be located inside the sleeve. 
   Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a part of a fence including upright fence posts secured in position by fence post supports made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cut-away view of the connection region between an upper bracket portion and a lower spike portion of the post support of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the post support of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the post support of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the top bracket and fastening device of the post support along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the top bracket and fastening device of the post support along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a partial cut-away view of a second embodiment of the connection region between an upper bracket portion and a lower spike portion of the post support of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a section of a fence generally indicated at F. This fence is formed by a pair of cross members CM held in position by upright fence posts FP. The fence posts are secured to a ground supporting surface by means of adjustable post supports generally indicated at  10 . 
   The adjustable post supports  10  are formed by a lower spike portion generally indicated at  12  and an upper bracket portion generally indicated at  14 . Spike portion  12  embeds into the ground and bracket portion  14  sits above ground level for receiving the bottom end of any one of the fence posts FP. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2-3  and  7 , the spike portion  12  is formed by a plurality of tines or blades  16  which join centrally of the spike portion as indicated at  18  and diverge outwardly from their central connection. In the present embodiment, blades  16  may be formed by separate blades welded together at the central connection  18  or the blades may be formed from a unitary structure. 
   Each of the blades  16  has an upper end  20 . Preferably, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the upper end  20  is secured to a lower dome  22 . A recess  24  is formed by the plurality of blades  16  adjacent the upper portion of the lower spike  12  and directly below the upper end  20 . The lower dome  22  curves upwardly and outwardly away from the recess  24  and includes a central opening  26  which aligns with the recess. 
   The upper bracket portion  14  includes an upper dome generally indicated at  28 . The upper dome  28  has a corresponding curvature to the lower dome  22  and also includes a central opening  30 . Accordingly, the upper dome  28  and lower dome  22  interfit in a ball and socket type manner with one another. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, the upper dome  28  may simply interfit in a ball and socket type manner with the upper end  20  of the lower spike portion  12  without the benefit of the lower dome  22 . In such an embodiment, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the upper dome  28  will be curved to allow it to slidably move across the upper end  20  of the lower spike  12 . The upper end  20 , in this instance may also be formed to facilitate the movement of the upper dome  22 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the upper bracket portion  14  also includes an upstanding sleeve  32  connected to the upper dome  28 . The sleeve  32  includes a plurality of side walls; in this embodiment, four side walls  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40 , which are preferably welded to the upper dome  28  in an upstanding vertically aligned fashion. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the sleeve  32  is not limited to four side walls and may in fact be comprised of an infinite number; that is, a sleeve circular in cross-section as viewed from above. Side walls  34  and  36  include slots  42  and  44 , respectively, the purpose of which will be described in detail later. Preferably, the sleeve  32  is formed from a single piece of metal rather than being formed separately then welded, so as to minimize the risk of failure of such welds. 
   Walls  34  and  40  further comprise flange portions  46  and  48  respectively, extending diagonally outward from a corner of the sleeve  32 , substantially parallel to each other. Bolts  50  or the like may be inserted through holes (not shown) in each of flange portions  46  and  48 . Bolts  50  may be tightened so as to reduce the cross sectional size of the sleeve  32 , thereby holding a post firmly in place inside the sleeve. It will also be appreciated that as a result of this flange tightening arrangement, side wall  34  strictly speaking does not extend between side wall  38  and side wall  40  but more precisely it extends between side wall  38  and the flanged opening between side wall  34  and side wall  40 . 
   The size of the sleeve  32 , and the post support as a whole, may be varied in order to accommodate different standard sizes of dimensioned lumber. Preferably, the spacing between walls  34  and  36  and between walls  38  and  40  is chosen to correspond to standard widths of cut lumber, for example 3 and ½ inches to accommodate 4″×4″ lumber in the sleeve. 
   Fastening means are provided to fasten the top bracket  14  and lower spike portion  12  together. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, fastening means may include clamps, pins, and locking bars. Preferably, the fastening means includes a nut and bolt combination. In particular, the nut and bolt combination includes a nut  52  which locks against rotation in the recess  24  at the upper end of the spike portion  12 , and a bolt  54 . The bolt  54  fits through a lock washer  56 , the central opening  30  in the upper dome  28 , the central opening  26  in the lower dome  22 , and into the nut  52 . The bolt head  58  is exposed for tightening the bolt  54  with the nut  52  while the bottom end of the fence post is in the bracket portion  14 . 
   Preferably, to provide support for the nut  52  and to prevent the nut from shifting from side-to side when in place, the central opening  26  of the lower dome  22  and/or recess  24  may be dimensioned to be just large enough to enable the nut to fit through. 
   The central opening  30  of the upper dome  28  is preferably dimensioned to provide the upper dome with the greatest degree of movement as it is slidably moved across the plane of the lower dome  22 , or upper end  20  as the case may be, while the bolt  54  is in place. As such, lock washer  56  is preferably dimensioned to cover the central opening  30  of the upper dome  28  as the upper dome is slidably moved along its entire range of motion. 
   As noted above, nut  52  is locked against rotation in recess  24  because of the abutment of the shoulders of the nut with the interior faces of the blades  16  around the recess  24 . Accordingly, the nut  52  will not turn as bolt  54  is threaded into the nut by a tool for tightening the connection between the bracket portion  14  and the spike portion  12 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 , to support the fence post in the sleeve  32  away from bolt head  58 , the sleeve includes a support table  60 . The support table  60  has a support face  62  which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the side walls  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  and is preferably dimensioned to fit substantially across the sleeve  32  to prevent the support table from shifting within the sleeve. 
   The support face  62  may simply be a piece welded within the side walls  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . To provide support to the support face  62 , the support face preferably includes support members  64  and  66  extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. In this embodiment, when the support table  60  is inserted into the sleeve  32 , the support members  64  and  66  may frictionally engage the side walls  38  and  40 , respectively. As such, support table  60 , when placed properly, will be retained at the bottom of the bracket  14 . To increase the frictional engagement, the support members  64  and  66  may be pulled away from one-another before the support table  60  is inserted into the sleeve  32 . Spot welds  70  may also be used to further secure the support table  60  inside the bracket  14 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the exact dimensions of the support table may be altered to accommodate various sized fence posts and may not necessarily be held in place inside the bracket  14 . 
   Support members  64  and  66  are preferably dimensioned to support the support face  62  just above the bolt head  58 . Support table  60  includes a central opening  5  which is preferably dimensioned to allow a user access with a tool, for example, a ratchet wrench, to the bolt head  58 . During fabrication of the support post  10 , the central opening  68  may also be accessed to install the bolt  54 . Preferably, support table  60  is formed from a single piece of metal rather than being formed separately. 
   Other means of supporting the fence post in the sleeve  32  away from bolt head  58  are contemplated. For example, a shelf may be built inside sleeve  32  along the inside of side walls  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40 . The shelf may be integrally formed with the side walls or may be welded to them. Alternatively, a through bolt may be inserted through hole  70  extending through side walls  34  and  36 . 
   Operation 
   To drive the post support  10  into ground, a user simply places a short piece of lumber into the sleeve  32  of the upper bracket  14 . Because the post support  10  is used in the construction of fences, decks and the like, a plentiful supply of such lumber should be available for use in driving the post support into the ground. After the post support  10  has been put in place, the lumber used to drive in the post support may be used in construction of the intended structure, burned or otherwise disposed of. 
   When the spike  12  is embedded into the ground with its axis being angled off from vertical, the fence post needs to be axially off-set from the spike in order to have the fence post sit perfectly vertically. This is achieved by angling the bracket  14  portion relative to the spike portion  12  such that the bracket itself is completely vertical. According to the present invention, such an adjustment is easily accomplished as a result of the above described ball and socket type connection, i.e. the connection between the upper dome  28  of the bracket  14  with the lower dome  22  or upper end  20  of the spike portion  12 , as the case may be. 
   With respect to the embodiment which utilizes a lower dome, regardless of the amount of adjustment between the two domes, there is always a substantial surface contact area between the two of them. This large surface contact area ensures a very large frictional engagement between the two domes once the nut and bolt fastener has been tightly secured into position. This further ensures that the bracket  14  portion will maintain its vertical orientation even under heavy load on the fence post. 
   Once a desired angle has been achieved, normally a true vertical alignment of the post within the sleeve  32 , a user inserts a tool through slot  42  or  44 , whichever slot is more easily accessible, and tightens bolt  54  down against the upper dome  28 . Alternatively, before the fence post is inserted into the sleeve  32 , the user may access the bolt  54  via central opening  68  of table support  60 . 
   It will be evident from the above description that with the lower spike portion  12  driven into the ground the upper bracket  14  can be positioned vertically as desired by the adjusting the upper dome  28 . The upper dome  28  which is slidably movable over the lower dome  22  or upper end  20 , as hereinbefore described, is locked into place by tightening the bolt  54  using a tool which is inserted through slot  42  of side wall  34 , or slot  44  of side wall  36 , or through central opening  68  of support table  60 . It will thus be seen that a new and novel adjustable fence post anchor has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.