POST INSTALLATION SYSTEMS
Systems and methods relating to post or pole installation wherein a post-attachable member with outward projections is fastened to a post or pole prior to installation.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/839,294 filed Jun. 25, 2013, the content of which is incorporated herein by this reference and is not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by mention in this cross-reference section.
BACKGROUNDTreated lumber, also referred to as pressure-treated wood, is lumber treated with a preservative to prevent the lumber from rotting and from consumption by insects. Treated lumber is used in many construction projects including fence posts and deck posts, mailbox posts, light posts, arbors, residential building foundations, and many others. Treated lumber is known to shrink over time. After installation, a fence post of treated lumber that has shrunk can make the resulting fence unstable as the shrunken fence post may loosen and wobble in its installation location. For example, a pressure-treated wood post set into a concrete foundation may eventually shrink to such a degree that the post can be lifted away from the concrete with relatively little effort. A system that solves the above-noted problems associated with treated lumber would be highly beneficial. Additionally, when installing posts or poles, a system that assists in balancing and stabilizing the post or pole during installation would be highly beneficial.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTIONA primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide a system overcoming the above-mentioned problems.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide embodiments of such a system that increase the positional stability of concrete-embedded posts and poles.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide post-attachable embodiments of such a system that can be fastened to a wood post prior to installation in a concrete foundation.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide pole-attachable embodiments of such a system that can be fastened to a pole prior to installation in a concrete foundation.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a method of installing a post utilizing an embodiment of such a system.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide a method of installing a pole utilizing an embodiment of such a system.
A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide such a system that is efficient, inexpensive, and useful. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides an apparatus comprising a post-attachable member; the post-attachable member comprising one or more projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the post-attachable member and one or more apertures that permit passage of a fastener through an exterior surface of the post-attachable member and into a post placed adjacent an interior surface of the post-attachable member to secure the post-attachable member to a post for below-ground installation of the post-attachable member secured with the post. Further, this invention provides such an apparatus according wherein the post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a square-shaped post. Still further, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein the post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a rectangular-shaped post. Even further, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein the post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a circular-shaped post. Moreover, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein the post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a circular-shaped pole. Additionally, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein the post-attachable member is a plate. Also, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein the post-attachable member comprises an L-shaped bracket. In addition, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein the post-attachable member comprises a U-shaped bracket. And, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein each of the one or more projections is about two inches to about four inches in length. Further, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein each of the one or more projections has an outer diameter between about one quarter inch to about three eighths inch. Even further, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising a post. Still further, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising a pole. Moreover, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising an installation detection member to detect below ground installation of the post-attachable member.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides an apparatus comprising a post-attachable member; the post-attachable member comprising a four-walled sleeve member having an open top, the open top and the four-walled sleeve member defining a central passage, the central passage sized to fit a post or pole; one or more projections extending outwardly from each wall of the four-walled sleeve member; and one or more apertures on each wall of the four-walled sleeve member wherein each of the one or more apertures permit passage of a fastener to secure the four-walled sleeve member to a post or pole positioned within the central passage for below-ground installation of the post-attachable member secured with the post or pole. Additionally, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein each of the one or more projections is about two inches to about four inches in length. Also, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein each of the one or more projections has an outer diameter between about one quarter inch to about three eighth inch. Moreover, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising a post. Still further, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising a pole. In addition, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising an installation detection member to detect below ground installation of the post-attachable member.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a method of installing a post or pole, the method comprising the steps of preparing a hole for installation of a post or pole; connecting to a post or pole a post-attachable member, the post-attachable member comprising one or more projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the post-attachable member and one or more apertures that permit passage of a fastener through an exterior surface of the post-attachable member and into a post or pole placed against an interior surface of the post-attachable member to secure the post-attachable member to a post for below-ground installation of the post-attachable member secured with the post; securing the post-attachable member to the post; inserting the post or pole into the hole wherein the post-attachable member secured to the post or pole is below ground level; and pouring concrete into the hole.
In accordance with still another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides an apparatus comprising a pole-attachable member; the pole-attachable member comprising a circular-shaped continuous sidewall having an open top, the open top and the continuous sidewall defining a passage, the passage sized to fit a pole; one or more projections extending outwardly from the continuous sidewall; and one or more apertures on the continuous sidewall wherein each of the one or more apertures permit passage of a fastener to secure the pole-attachable member to a pole positioned within the central passage for below-ground installation of the pole-attachable member secured with the pole. Additionally, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein each of the one or more projections is about two inches to about four inches in length. Also, this invention provides such an apparatus wherein each of the one or more projections has an outer diameter between about one quarter inch to about three eighth inch. Still further, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising a pole. Moreover, this invention provides such an apparatus further comprising an installation detection member to detect below ground installation of the post-attachable member.
This invention also provides each and every novel feature, element, combination, step, and/or method disclosed or suggested herein.
Preferred embodiments of the present system, including the depicted post-attachable member 104, are designed to improve the long-term stability of wood posts or poles (or posts of poles made of other materials, such as, for example, metal) placed within concrete foundations.
Square post sleeve 105 is preferably designed to engage a post having a square cross sectional base 123. Posts of this type are widely used in the construction of fences, decks, and the support of signs. It is noted that, within the present disclosure, the terms “post” and “pole” are used interchangeably to refer to elongated pieces of, for example, timber or other material, such as, for example, metal, that can be set upright in the ground for the support of secondary elements or as a marker.
Square post sleeve 105 is preferably made up of four substantially planar side walls 120 joined together to form a sleeve-like member having open upper and lower ends and a central passage 122 arranged to accommodate the passage of a post or pole, as illustrated in
As shown in
Each projection 110 is preferably about two to about four inches in length. Under appropriate circumstances, other lengths of such projections may suffice. In preferred embodiments of the present system, projections 110 comprise sets of rigid metallic bars, each one having a preferred outer diameter of between about ¼ inch and about ⅜ inch. Depending on the intended use, other outer diameters of projections may suffice. In one preferred embodiment of the present system, projections 110 comprise segments of steel reinforcing bar having deformed or roughened outer finishes. The terminating end 108 of each projection 110 is preferably blunt to simplify transport logistics and reduce the potential for injury to installer during use.
Square post sleeve 105 is preferably made of a substantially rigid material, preferably a metallic material, most preferably steel. To reduce corrosion, the steel forming square post sleeve 105 preferably receives a protective coating, most preferably a zinc coating applied using a hot-dip galvanization process. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, other anti-corrosive metals or materials or coating methods may be used as well.
Side walls 120 of square sleeve post 105 are preferably formed from sections of sheet steel or steel plate. Preferred steel-plate materials are of a sufficient thickness to permit the permanent attachment of projections 110 to side walls 120 using a thermal welding process. Thus, a minimum preferred thickness of the steel-plate material forming side walls 120 is about 16 gauge (about 0.06 inch). This preferred minimum thickness allows the projections 110 to be coupled to side walls 120 using a continuous circumferential fillet weld 112.
In a preferred method of construction, rectangular steel plates are bent on a metal brake to form a pair of L-shaped members. Each L-shaped member comprises two side walls 120 integrally joined at a 90-degree bend. Square post sleeve 105 is preferably formed by joining the two L-shaped members along their lateral edges using a thermal welding process. Alternately, the four side walls 120 may be formed by cutting segments from pre-formed tubular-steel structural members of an appropriate size. Upon reading this specification, those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other construction arrangements such as, for example, forming a sleeve using an extrusion process, molding portions of the apparatus, etc., may suffice.
Square post sleeve 105 shown in
According to one preferred embodiment of square post sleeve 105, each side wall of side wall 120 has a preferred length of about six inches and a preferred width of about 3 and ¾ inches with projections of length about three inches and an outer diameter of projections of about ¼ inch. The center of apertures 115 are preferably positioned about 1 and ¼ inch from the top (or bottom) of side wall 120 and about one inch from the side of side wall 120. Projections 110 are positioned about 2 and ¼ inches from the top (or bottom) of side wall 120 and about 1 and ¼ inches from the side of side wall 120. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such dimensions may be modified depending on the size of the post or pole to which the post-attachable member will be fastened.
As the treated lumber forming wood post 121 shrinks, the nails 117 installed through apertures 115 hold the post in place preventing wobbling of the wood post 121 within the assembly. If shrinkage of the treated lumber occurs, square post sleeve 105 secures wood post 121 in position. The cross-pattern of nails 117 driven into wood post 121 secures wood post 121 to square post sleeve 105. The arrangement of projections 110 contacting the surrounding concrete ensures that wood post 121 will remain in place. Without square post sleeve 105, wood post 121 would shrink and loosen away from the surrounding concrete, thus allowing the wood post to shift within the foundation material. As noted above, the securing of the square post sleeve 105 to post 121 with nails 117 through apertures 115 and securing projections 110 in concrete prevents issues with shrinkage of the treated lumber along with providing much stabilization to post 121.
Detection member 505 preferably consists of a frangible strip of metal having an arrangement of spaced-apart grooves or perforations 510 to assist a user in manually “snapping off” or cutting away unneeded portions of detection member 505. During installation, appropriate portions of detection member 505 are removed leaving a small visible portion to assist detection after installation. The detection member 505 is preferably snapped or cut so that it slightly projects above ground level.
In view of the similarity between rectangular post sleeve 200 of
Referring to both the top view of
Side wall 254 of circular post sleeve 250 preferably includes a set of apertures 115 for passage of a fastener, preferably a self-tapping metal screw, used to secure circular post sleeve 250 to a circular post or pole in a manner similar to the installation depicted in
Circular post sleeve 250 is preferably made of a substantially rigid material, preferably a metallic material, most preferably steel. To reduce corrosion, the steel forming circular post sleeve 250 preferably receives a protective coating, most preferably a zinc coating applied using a hot-dip galvanization process. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, other anti-corrosive metals or materials may be used as well.
The material forming side wall 254 is of a sufficient thickness to permit a welded attachment of projections 110 to side wall 254, preferably about a 16 gauge minimum thickness. This preferred minimum thickness allows the projections 110 to be joined to side wall 254 using a continuous circumferential fillet weld 112. It should be noted that preferred circular embodiments of the present system may be modified to comprise the detection member 505 illustrated and described in
In a preferred method of construction, U-shaped bracket 352 is formed from a rectangular steel plate or sheet that is bent on a metal brake. Each full side wall 354 comprises four symmetrically-spaced projections 110, as shown. Each partial side wall 356 comprises two vertically-stacked projections 110, as shown. Each full side wall 354 comprises four symmetrically-spaced nail-receiving apertures 115 with each partial side wall 356 comprising two nail-receiving apertures 115, as shown. In view of the similarity between split rectangular post sleeve 350 of
As shown in
Post-attachable plate members 500 are preferably made of a substantially rigid material, preferably a metallic material, most preferably steel. To reduce corrosion, the steel forming post-attachable plate members 500 preferably receives a protective coating, most preferably a zinc coating applied using a hot-dip galvanization process. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, other anti-corrosive metals or materials may be used as well.
Rectangular plate 502 of post-attachable plate member 500 is preferably formed from sections of sheet steel or steel plate. Preferred steel-plate materials are of a sufficient thickness to permit the permanent attachment of projections 110 using a thermal welding process.
The embodiments illustrated herein may be used in several application including fence post installation, deck post installation, mailbox post installation, pole installation, telephone pole installation, utility pole installation, pillar installation, column installation, or any installation having a direct ground burial, etc. The dimensions and shapes of the post sleeves and the numbers and arrangements of projections and apertures may be scaled accordingly for the desired application.
In subsequent preferred step 706, pole-attachable member is fastened to the pole. In preferred step 708, the pole fastened to pole-attachable member is inserted into the hole, wherein the pole-attachable member is located below ground level. In final step 710, concrete is poured into the hole. As above, the concrete is allowed to dry and set. Once the concrete has hardened, further project installation may proceed accordingly.
According to a preferred embodiment hereof, the post-attachable members of the present invention may be sold to consumers with the pole or post already attached to the post-attachable member (see
Different preferred embodiments, methods, applications, advantages, and features of the invention have been described above; however, these particular embodiments, methods, applications, advantages, and features should not be construed as being the only ones that constitute the practice of the invention. Indeed, it is understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes many uses and design variations. Further, other embodiments of present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a post-attachable member; said post-attachable member comprising one or more projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of said post-attachable member and one or more apertures that permit passage of a fastener through an exterior surface of said post-attachable member and into a post placed adjacent an interior surface of said post-attachable member to secure said post-attachable member to a post for below-ground installation of said post-attachable member secured with the post.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a square-shaped post.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a rectangular-shaped post.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a circular-shaped post.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member is dimensioned to fit onto a circular-shaped pole.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member is a plate.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member comprises an L-shaped bracket.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post-attachable member comprises a U-shaped bracket.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said one or more projections is about two inches to about four inches in length.
10. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each of said one or more projections has an outer diameter between about one quarter inch to about three eighths inch.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a post.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pole.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an installation detection member to detect below ground installation of said post-attachable member.
14. An apparatus comprising: a post-attachable member; said post-attachable member comprising a four-walled sleeve member having an open top, said open top and said four-walled sleeve member defining a central passage, said central passage sized to fit a post or pole; one or more projections extending outwardly from each wall of said four-walled sleeve member; and one or more apertures on each wall of said four-walled sleeve member wherein each of said one or more apertures permit passage of a fastener to secure said four-walled sleeve member to a post or pole positioned within said central passage for below-ground installation of said post-attachable member secured with the post or pole.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein each of said one or more projections is about two inches to about four inches in length.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein each of said one or more projections has an outer diameter between about one quarter inch to about three eighth inch.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a post.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a pole.
19. The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising an installation detection member to detect below ground installation of said post-attachable member.
20. A method of installing a post or pole, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a hole for installation of a post or pole;
- b) connecting to a post or pole a post-attachable member, the post-attachable member comprising one or more projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the post-attachable member and one or more apertures that permit passage of a fastener through an exterior surface of the post-attachable member and into a post or pole placed against an interior surface of the post-attachable member to secure the post-attachable member to a post for below-ground installation of the post-attachable member secured with the post;
- c) securing the post-attachable member to the post;
- d) inserting the post or pole into the hole wherein the post-attachable member secured to the post or pole is below ground level; and
- e) pouring concrete into the hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2014
Publication Date: Dec 25, 2014
Applicant: VMR PRODUCT GROUP (San Antonio, TX)
Inventor: Eloy Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX)
Application Number: 14/315,022
International Classification: E04H 12/22 (20060101); E02D 27/42 (20060101);