Fence Form Post & Insert Assembly

Abstract

A device for making concrete fence posts includes a frame having pivoted side gates that are closed to secure a series of forms. The device is inverted, and concrete is poured into the forms. To make hollow posts, cores or inserts are lowered into the forms. Color-coded pins may be placed in the forms to form through holes in the posts through which fence wire may be passed. When the concrete has set, the pins and inserts are removed, and the gates are opened to released the fence posts.

Description

This application claims benefit of provisional application 61/170933, filed Apr. 20, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a fence post form and insert assembly for casting fence posts from concrete in the field. In particular, the posts contemplated are massive tapered posts whose great weight makes it unnecessary to plant the posts in the ground. Instead, they are set on the surface, which avoids the cost and difficulty of digging post holes, and enables one to change the fence perimeter merely by moving the posts.

The traditional solution is to run multiple forms for making single posts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to simplify the construction of concrete fence posts and to enable one to make multiple posts at one time from a single mold.

These and other objects are attained by a fence post form and insert assembly as described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1a is a top plan view of a base assembly forming part of the invention,

FIG. 1b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 1c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 2a if a top plan view of a pivot side assembly which mounts on the base assembly,

FIG. 2b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 2c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 3a if a top plan view of the base assembly with three forms installed,

FIG. 3b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 3c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 4a if a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 3a, with an insert assembly installed,

FIG. 4b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 4c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 5a if a top plan view of the insert assembly alone,

FIG. 5b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 5c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 6a if a top plan view of the frame of the insert assembly,

FIG. 6b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 6c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 7a if a top plan view of a single insert alone,

FIG. 7b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 7c is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 8a if a top plan view of a single form alone,

FIG. 8b is a front elevational view thereof,

FIG. 8c is a right side view thereof;

FIGS. 9a - 9g are elevational views of assorted pins for forming apertures in the posts;

FIGS. 10a - 10f are details of form structure; and

FIGS. 11a and 11b are front and side elevations of a hoisting bar for the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A fence post form insert assembly embodying the invention is shown fully assembled in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c. It comprises a welded base frame assembly (FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c), which includes a structural base 10 and two end frames 11, 12. Pivoting side gates 13, 14 (FIG. 3c, one shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c) are mounted by hinge pins 16 (FIGS. 4a, 4c) on the front and rear of the frame, folding upward from the bottom as shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c. A latch action clamp holds the side gates in their closed positions.

FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c show three forms 20 inserted into the base assembly. The forms are preferably identical, and their equally spaced longitudinal axes lie on a common center plane. A detail of one of the forms is shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c. The form is reinforced by external gussets 32, and a provision is made for the insertion of pins which form holes in the posts through which electric fence wire may later be passed. Two types of pins are provided: longer ones 22, 22′ (FIGS. 9a- 9d) for making solid posts and shorter ones 24, 24′, 24″ for making hollow posts. Because the posts are tapered, he pins must be of different lengths and are color-coded to indicate which hole 26 in the form they are to be inserted into.

FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show an insert assembly (the constituent parts of which are illustrated in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b and 7c). The inserts 30, which are removably connected to a common frame 32, are internally reinforced. Like the forms, the inserts are preferably identical, have the same spacing as the forms, and their longitudinal axes lie on a common center plane. The inserts are designed to nest inside the respective forms, as one can see in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, and in this position the center planes of the forms and of the inserts coincide.

In use, the form and base assembly is closed by raising and securing the gates. To form apertures through the fence posts for fence wire, pins (shown in detail in FIG. 9) are placed in the holes 44 in the gauge bar 46 (FIG. 10). If the longer pins are used, they are placed so that the ends of opposed pins meet and interlock. If shorter pins are use, they are inserted to abut the surface of the inserts.

Now, with the large ends of the forms oriented upward, and a predetermined volume of concrete is poured into the forms. If heavy solid posts are wanted (for example to make gate or corner posts), the forms are filled completely. To make lighter hollow posts, the forms are filled part way—the volume required is easily determined—and the insert assembly is lowered onto the frame, so the individual inserts enter concentrically into the forms, displacing concrete upward around the inserts.

In either case, once the concrete has set, the device is inverted (by lifting on the hoisting bar 40 shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b), the pins are withdrawn, the gates are opened, and the posts fall out. The form assembly is reinverted, and is ready to repeat the process.

Since the invention is subject to modifications and variations, it is intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as only illustrative of the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mold for making concrete fence posts, said mold comprising

a main frame having a base and plural side gates, and

a plurality of post forms supported within the frame,

said side gates retaining the forms within the frame when the gates are closed.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein all the forms are identical.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein each form has a longitudinal axis, the axes of all the forms lying in a first common center plane.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first common center plane is parallel to the gates when they are closed.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein the gates having hinge connections to the base, said hinge connection having pivot axes which are parallel to said first common center plane.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein an insert frame having means for engaging structure on the main frame to hold said gates in a closed position.

7. The invention of claim 1, wherein a plurality of inserts removably connectable to the insert frame.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein all the inserts are identical.

9. The invention of claim 1, wherein each insert has a longitudinal axis, the axes of all the inserts lying in second common center plane.

10. The invention of claim 1, wherein when said inserts are installed on the insert frame to form an insert assembly, and the insert assembly is lowered onto the main frame so that the inserts nest within the respective forms, said first and second common center planes coincide.

11. The invention of claim 1, wherein each form has an array of through holes for receiving aperture-forming pins.

12. The invention of claim 1, wherein said holes extend perpendicular to the form's longitudinal axis.

13. The invention of claim 1, wherein said holes extend perpendicular to said first common center plane.

14. The invention of claim 1, wherein further comprising a set of pins for placement through said holes, to form apertures in the fence post.

15. The invention of claim 1, wherein said pins are sized to meet at the center of the form, to form holes through solid fence posts.

16. The invention of claim 1, wherein said pins are sized to abut the insert, to form holes through hollow fence posts.

17. The invention of claim 1, wherein said pins are provided in sets of graduated lengths, to form holes of different depths in tapered fence posts.

18. The invention of claim 1, wherein the pins are color-coded according to their length.