Concrete post with attachment rail

Abstract

This invention relates generally to a concrete post having metal insert members cast therein at desired locations. The metal insert members accommodate common specialty fasteners that interlock within the insert member and thereby provide a quick and easy means for attaching electrical boxes and the like to the concrete post.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to concrete posts which support electrical junction boxes, meters, and conduit More specifically, the concrete post of this invention can be easily, economically, and reliably used to support any number of such materials by means of a specialty fastener, such as is common in the industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concrete posts have been utilized for a long time to stabilize and support electrical meters, junction boxes and the like. The traditional means of securing electrical or mechanical equipment to a concrete post has required a laborious and time consuming drilling of multiple holes with a specialized drill bit to accommodate concrete screws. Typically however, concrete posts require complicated or expensive fastening systems. Concrete posts may also require one or more reinforcement rods to add needed strength and integrity, and such rods may corrode if subjected to ambient conditions.

Consequently, it is an object of this invention to provide a concrete post which can be easily and reliably anchored into the ground.

A further object of this invention is to provide a means for attaching electrical and/or mechanical equipment to a concrete post by means of conventional specialty fasteners. A further object of this invention is to provide a non-corrosive concrete post with sufficient structural integrity such that the post requires no structural reinforcement, other than that provided by the embedded metal attachment rails.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification when read in the light of the annexed drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a concrete post having metal attachment rails cast therein at desired locations. The metal attachment rails accommodate common specialty fasteners and thereby provide a quick and easy means for attaching junction boxes and the like to the concrete post.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front side view as utilized;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating utilization of unclaimed fastener;

Section 44 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Like reference numbers will be used to refer to like parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The concrete post of this invention is shown generally at 1 in FIG. 1. As shown by this Figure, the post has a plurality of metal inserts indicated generally at 2, which forms a seat for common specialty fasteners as depicted in FIG. 3. Conventional earth embedment level is indicated by grade line shown generally at 3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 discloses a perspective front view of the preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the unclaimed electrical and/or mechanical equipment is indicated generally at 5 in FIG. 2. Said equipment is illustrated as would generally be expected to be utilized. FIG. 3 is a partial horizontal sectional view of the concrete post and attachment rail. As illustrated, the preferred utilization of a common specialty fastener, known in the industry as a “twist-lock nut” with it's accompanying bolt and washer are shown generally at 4 and 5 in FIG. 3.

Section 4-4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1, illustrating the concrete post as shown generally at 1, additionally, a plurality of embedded metal attachment rails are shown generally at 2 in Section 4-4.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only the preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A concrete post capable of supporting multiple electrical and/or mechanical equipment such as meters, junction boxes, and conduit by means of common specialty fasteners,

said post including,

a main body portion composed of concrete, and

an attachment rail located substantially on one or more of the exterior faces of said main body portion,

said attachment rail supporting at least one interlocking insert fastener received within and carried by the rail,

2. The concrete post of claim 1 wherein said post comprises a solid concrete top, and said attachment rail extends from just below the top of said post downwardly.

3. The concrete post of claim 2 wherein the bottom portion of said post is flat.

4. A concrete fence post capable of releasably engaging a conventional specialty fastener and having structural integrity sufficient to allow said post to be set and reliably anchored into the ground, said post comprising:

a concrete main body having a flat bottom end portion;

said concrete main body encasing an attachment rail located along one or more faces of said post;

5. A concrete post having a plurality of attachment rails, said rails providing all required structural reinforcement to the concrete main body.