Adjustable screw-in post support

Abstract

An adjustable screw-in post support for use in supporting a post vertically above the ground. The adjustable screw-in post support has a shaft with a helical blade affixed thereto at one end and a shaft plate affixed thereto at the opposite end. The post support also includes a post-receiving unit mounted atop a base plate. The shaft and base plate cooperate with one-another to provide adjustment of the post-receiving unit relative to one-another and are held together by a fastener.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of structural supports and in particular to adjustable screw-in post supports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When building a structure such as a fence or deck, post supports can be used to simplify the construction process. Typically these post supports take the form of an open-top metal unit section connected to a spike having vertically tapered blades. The spike may be hammered into the ground and the supported element, such as a fence post or deck support post are seated snugly in the metal unit section where they are secured with bolts, screws, nails or the like. Because the post support is hammered into the ground, it is often difficult to ensure a proper vertical orientation. Removal of the post support may also prove difficult in such cases.

It is also known to replace the vertically tapered blades with a helical screw blade disposed only at the ground engaging end of the spike and providing a relatively longer spike. This allows the screw to engage the ground below the frost line. This arrangement allows the supported structure to remain stable despite the heaving due to frost and the loosening of the ground that occurs through the frost depth upon thawing.

It is also known to provide a post support with an extended helical screw blade affixed to a spike, which in turn is connected to an open-top four-sided metal unit section, as taught in United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB2365455. In order to allow for the application of sufficient torque the post support of GB2365455 provides a circular hole centered in the faces of opposite sides of the metal unit. A bar or the like may be threaded through the circular hole to aid in insertion or removal of the post support. While this design overcomes the deficiencies noted above, it requires the use of a specially shaped bar—one designed to fit in the circular hole—thereby adding to the expense of the system and providing an additional tool that must be stored. Furthermore, application of force against the edge of the walls bordering the circular hole can cause the circular wall to bend thereby distorting the shape of the unit that is intended to receive a square post.

In addition, 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. Here, a bracket portion 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. 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.

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 the present invention there is provided an adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground. The support may include a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein the lower end has at least one helical blade thereon and the upper end has a first curved dome. A post-receiving unit is also provided having a second curved dome; the first and second domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between the shaft and the post-receiving unit. Opposed first and second side walls extend from the second curved dome and a fastener is used for tightening the first and second domes together.

The fastener may be a threaded bolt with an enlarged head and a corresponding threaded nut.

The first and second walls may be spaced from one another a distance substantially equal to one dimension of a standard size of dimensioned lumber.

The post support may further include opposed third and fourth side walls extending generally between the first and second side walls wherein the third and fourth side walls have bottom edges that are spaced from the second curved dome to define opposed generally rectangular slots in the unit.

The post support may further include at least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extending outwardly from the first and third walls. The flanges may be adapted to be drawn towards one another.

The bottom side of the slots may be defined by the second curved dome and each of the slots may be dimensioned to accommodate a standard sized cut of lumber.

The first and second curved domes may be curved towards or away from the shaft.

The post support may further include a locking mechanism for locking the first and second domes together against rotation relative to one-another. The locking mechanism may be a pin.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground. The post support may include a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein the lower end has at least one helical blade thereon and the upper end has a first curved dome. A post-receiving unit may be provided having a second curved dome, the first and second domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between the shaft and the post-receiving unit. Opposed first and second side walls extending from the second curved dome and opposed third and fourth side walls extending generally between the first and second side walls. At least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extend outwardly from the first and third walls. The flanges may be adapted to be drawn towards one-another. A fastener may be used to tighten the first and second domes together.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground. The post support includes a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein the lower end has at least one helical blade thereon and the upper end has a first curved dome. There is also provided a post-receiving unit which has a second curved dome, the first and second domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between the shaft and the post-receiving unit. Opposed first and second side walls extend from the second curved dome and opposed third and fourth side walls extend generally between the first and second side walls. The third and fourth side walls have bottom edges that are spaced from the second curved dome to define opposed generally rectangular slots in the unit. One of the bottom edges may be spaced further from the second dome than the other bottom edge. At least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extend outwardly from the first and third walls. The flanges may be adapted to be drawn towards one-another. A fastener may be used for tightening the first and second domes together.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable post support for supporting a post. The post support includes a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein the lower end has at least one helical blade thereon. A post-receiving unit is provided having a base plate and opposed first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicular from the base plate. A shaft plate is connected to the upper end of the shaft and cooperates with the base plate for adjustment of the post-receiving unit relative to the shaft. A fastener is also provided for tightening the base plate and the shaft plate together.

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 front elevation of a post support according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown inserted into the ground;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the post-receiving unit of the post support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the post-receiving unit of the post support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of an adjustable post support;

FIG. 5 is front elevation view of yet another embodiment of an adjustable post support; and,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a user embedding the adjustable post support of FIG. 1 into the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the post support 10 of the invention is illustrated inserted into the ground 5.

A shaft 12, has a helical blade 14 affixed thereto, preferably by welding. The blade is adapted to screw into the ground and is preferably disposed only at the ground-engaging end of the shaft. The ground-engaging end of the shaft 12 tapers to a point 13.

The shaft 12 may be hollow and point 13 may be provided with an opening 15 defined by the wall of the shaft. Thus, when the shaft 12 is inserted into the ground 5, soil may enter the hollow interior through opening 15. This allows for easier insertion of the shaft into the ground, as less soil must be displaced to create space for the shaft.

A shaft plate 16 is affixed to the top of the shaft 12, preferably by welding. In this embodiment, the shaft plate 16 is a dome curved towards the shaft 12. Alternatively, the shaft plate 16 may be a dome curved away from the shaft 12, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In yet another embodiment, the shaft plate 16 may be a flat plate with a divot 40 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a post-receiving unit 18 is provided. Unit 18 has a base plate 20. In this embodiment, base plate 20 is a dome curved towards the shaft 12 so that the base plate 20 and shaft plate can nest with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between the post unit 18 and shaft 12. To alternatively provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between the post unit 18 and shaft 12, the base plate 20 may be a dome curved away from the shaft 12, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In yet another embodiment, the base plate 20 may be a flat plate having dome 42 curved towards the shaft plate 16. The dome 42 is shaped to nest in the divot 40, thereby allowing the post-receiving unit 18 to pivot relative to the shaft plate 16 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 2., post-receiving unit 18 also includes preferably four side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28, although two opposing side walls is also contemplated as illustrated in FIG. 5. Opposed side walls 22, 24 extend vertically from and substantially perpendicular to base plate 20. Side walls 26 and 28 each extend substantially between side walls 22 and 24, but the bottom edges 27 and 29 of side walls 26 and 28 are spaced from base plate 20 a distance sufficient to accommodate a standard width of dimensioned lumber, for example at least 1¾″ for 2×4 lumber. The spacing of the bottom edges 27 and 29 from base plate 20 form rectangular slots 30, 32 through which dimensioned lumber may be inserted horizontally to torque the post support 10.

Preferably, base plate 20 and side walls 22 and 24 are formed from a single piece of metal rather than being formed separately then welded, so as to minimize the risk of failure of such weld when applying torque to the unit 18 to screw the post support 10 into the ground 5.

Insertion of a piece of 2×4 lumber through slots 30 and 32 allows for application of sufficient torque to screw the post support 10 into the ground 5. Because the post support 10 is used in the construction of fences, decks and the like, a plentiful supply of lumber should be available for use in screwing the post support into the ground 5. After the post support 10 has been put in place, the lumber used to screw in the post support may be used in construction of the intended structure, burned or otherwise disposed of. Furthermore, because the force is applied against the broad interior surfaces of walls 22 and 24 near base plate 20, and because walls 22 and 24 are otherwise joined together through wall 26, the edges of side walls 22 and 24 are not likely to bend inwards or otherwise distort when torque is applied.

Preferably, walls 22 and 28 further comprise flange portions 40 and 42 respectively, extending diagonally outward from a corner of unit 18, substantially parallel to each other. Bolts 44 or the like may be inserted through holes (not shown) in each of flange portions 40 and 42. After a 2×4 is used to screw the post support the desired distance into the ground 5, a post is inserted into post-receiving unit 18 and bolts 44 may be tightened, thereby reducing the cross sectional size of the unit 18 so as to hold the post firmly in place. It will also be appreciated that as a result of this flange tightening arrangement, side wall 28 strictly speaking does not extend between side wall 22 and side wall 24 but more precisely it extends between side wall 24 and flange portion 42.

The size of the unit 18, and the post support 10 as a whole, may be varied in order to accommodate different standard sizes of dimensioned lumber. Preferably, the spacing between walls 22 and 24 and between walls 26 and 28 is chosen to correspond to standard widths of cut lumber, for example 3 and ½ inches to accommodate 4×4 lumber in the unit. If the size of the unit increases, so does the size of slots 30, 32. Preferably, lumber inserted into slots 30 and 32 shares similar dimensions as the slots in order to prevent excessive forces being placed on the outer edges of side walls 22 and 24. However, even if a smaller lumber piece, for example a 2×4, were used in a larger sized opening, for example an opening sized for a 2×8, the resultant forces would not alter the effectiveness of the unit 18.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the post support in which bottom edges 27 and 29 of side walls 26 and 28, respectively, are spaced at different distances from the base 20. In this embodiment, bottom edge 27 is spaced from the base 25 to form a large slot 30. Bottom edge 29 is spaced from the base 20 to form a small slot 32 opposed to the large slot 30. Other aspects of the post support in this embodiment remain the same as discussed above.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet an alternative embodiment of the post support in which the shaft plate 16 may be a dome curved away from the shaft 12. Base plate 20 is also a dome curved away from the shaft 12. Each of the shaft plate 12 and base plate 20 are dimensioned to that they may nest with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between the post unit 18 and shaft 12. Other aspects of the post support in this embodiment remain the same as discussed above.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet an alternative embodiment of the post support in which the shaft plate 16 may be a flat plate with a divot 40. Base plate 20 may be a flat plate having dome 42 curved towards the shaft plate 16. The dome 42 is shaped to nest in the divot 40, thereby allowing the post-receiving unit 18 to pivot relative to the shaft plate 16. Other aspects of the post support in this embodiment remain the same as discussed above.

Operation

In operation, a user employs a fastening means to tighten the base plate 20 and shaft plate 16 to one-another. The fastening means may be a threaded bolt with an enlarged bolt head 34 and a corresponding threaded nut 36. The enlarged bolt head 34 may rise over the plane of base plate 20 to enable a user to access the bolt head for tightening, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A washer 38 may also be provided and nut 36 may be integrally formed in shaft 12.

To further lock the shaft plate 16 and base plate 20 from rotation relative to each other during installation, a user may employ a locking means. The locking means may be a pin 46 and a corresponding locking nut 48 as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Pin 46 may simply fit through corresponding holes (not illustrated) in the shaft plate 16 and base plate 20. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, as torque is applied to unit 18, shaft plate 16 and base plate 20 are further prevented from rotation relative to one-another as pin 46 locks the shaft plate and base plate together.

Once the shaft plate 16 and base plate 20 are secured to one-another, a user then inserts a piece of lumber 100 into slot 30 through the post-receiving unit 18 and finally, through the slot 32. The user then rotates the post support 10 along line 101 to embed the post support into the ground 10.

When the post-receiving unit 18 gets closer to ground level, the user merely lifts the free end of the lumber 100 in the direction of arrow 102 causing the lumber 100 to sit at an angle within post-receiving unit 18. By continuing to angle the lumber 100 within the post-receiving unit 20 as the post support in screwed into the ground, the user can remain more upright during operation.

The use of a substantially four-sided unit provides reliable and complete support for the post, while the slots 30, 32 at the base of the unit allow the insertion of a torquing element without the need for specialized tools and minimizing the risk of deformation of the unit due to torquing.

When the shaft 12 is embedded into the ground with its axis being angled off from vertical, the unit 18 needs to be axially off-set from the shaft in order to have the fence post sit perfectly vertical in the unit. This is achieved by angling the unit 18 relative to the shaft 12 such that the unit itself is completely vertical. Such an adjustment is easily accomplished as a result of the above described ball and socket type connections. By removing locking nut 46 and loosening the fastening means a user may then swivel unit 18 relative to shaft 12.

Once a desired angle has been achieved, normally a true vertical alignment of the post within the unit 18, a user inserts a tool through slot 30 or 32, whichever slot is more easily accessible, and tightens bolt head 34 down against the base plate 20.

It will thus be seen that a new and novel adjustable screw-in post support 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.

Claims

1. An adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground comprising:

a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein said lower end has at least one helical blade thereon and said upper end has a first curved dome;

a post-receiving unit having a second curved dome, said first and second domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between said shaft and said post-receiving unit, said post-receiving unit also having opposed first and second side walls extending from said second curved dome; and

fastening means for tightening said first and second domes together.

2. The post support of claim 1 wherein said post-receiving-unit further comprises opposed third and fourth side walls extending generally between said first and second side walls.

3. The post support of claim 2 wherein said third and fourth side walls have bottom edges that are spaced from said second curved dome to define opposed generally rectangular slots in said unit.

4. The post support of claim 3 wherein a bottom side of said slots is defined by said second curved dome.

5. The post support of claim 3 or 4 wherein each of said slots is dimensioned to accommodate a standard sized cut of lumber.

6. The post support of claim 1 wherein said first and second walls are spaced from one another a distance substantially equal to one dimension of a standard size of dimensioned lumber.

7. The post support of claim 2 or 3 wherein said post-receiving unit further comprising at least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extending outwardly from said first and third walls, said flanges being adapted to be drawn towards one another.

8. The post support of claim 1 wherein said first and second curved domes are curved towards said shaft.

9. The post support of claim 1 wherein said first and second curved domes are curved away from said shaft.

10. The post support of claim 1 further comprising locking means for locking said first and second domes together against rotation relative to one-another.

11. The post support of claim 10 wherein said locking means comprises a pin.

12. The post support of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded bolt and a corresponding threaded nut.

13. The post support of claim 12 wherein said bolt comprises an enlarged bolt head.

14. An adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground comprising:

a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein said lower end has at least one helical blade thereon and said upper end has a first curved dome;

a post-receiving unit having a second curved dome, said first and second domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between said shaft and said post-receiving unit; opposed first and second side walls extending from said second curved dome and opposed third and fourth side walls extending generally between said first and second side walls; at least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extending outwardly from said first and third walls, said flanges being adapted to be drawn towards one-another;

and

fastening means for tightening said first and second domes together.

15. An adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground comprising:

a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein said lower end has at least one helical blade thereon and said upper end has a first curved dome;

a post-receiving unit having: a second curved dome, said first and second domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between said shaft and said post-receiving unit; opposed first and second side walls extending from said second curved dome and opposed third and fourth side walls extending generally between said first and second side walls, said third and fourth side walls having bottom edges that are spaced from said second curved dome to define opposed generally rectangular slots in said unit, one of said bottom edges being spaced further from said second dome than said other bottom edge; and at least one pair of opposed, parallel and spaced flanges extending outwardly from said first and third walls, said flanges being adapted to be drawn towards one-another;

and

fastening means for tightening said first and second domes together.

16. An adjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground comprising:

a shaft having an upper end and a lower end wherein said lower end has at least one helical blade thereon;

a post-receiving unit having a base plate and opposed first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicular from said base plate;

a shaft plate connected to said upper end of said shaft, said shaft plate cooperating with said base plate for adjustment of said post-receiving unit relative to said shaft; and

fastening means for tightening said base plate and said shaft plate together.

17. The adjustable post support of claim 16 wherein said base plate and said shaft plate are each curved domes, said domes nesting with one-another to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection between said shaft and said post- receiving unit.

18. The adjustable post support of claim 16 wherein said base plate comprises a dome curved towards said shaft plate to provide a pivot point for said post-receiving unit to pivot about said shaft plate.

19. The adjustable post support of claim 18 wherein said shaft plate comprises a divot for receiving said dome of said base plate.

20. The post support of claim 16 further comprising locking means for locking said first and second domes together against rotation relative to each other.

21. The post support of claim 20 wherein said locking means comprises a pin.

22. The post support of claim 16 wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded bolt and a corresponding threaded nut.

23. The post support of claim 22 wherein said bolt comprises an enlarged bolt head.