PIVOTING BRACKET FOR A POST
A bracket device for use with a misaligned post, the bracket comprising a first bracket portion for receiving a first end portion of the post, a second bracket portion for receiving a second end portion of the post, a pivoting means between and connected to the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion, wherein one or more angles of the misaligned post is adjusted using the pivoting means to correct the alignment of the post. The pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the angle of the post. The bracket device may be installed on a fence that is in place, enabling repairs without removing the fence. As well, the bracket device may be utilized as part of the initial installation and construction of a new fence.
The present application relates to a bracket device for adjusting the angle of a post. More particularly, the present application relates to a bracket device having a pivot between to two brackets into which portions of a post are inserted, and the bracket adjusts the angle of a post to straighten it, where the pivot may be locked in place.
BACKGROUNDThe cost of replacing a wood fence post is between $250 and $1000 in 2020, with the price of construction material skyrocketing it is more and more important for homeowner to get as long life as possible of their investment.
Currently, when fixing a fence, most contractors will remove the post and replace with a new post and concrete cast, this process takes time and is expensive. Homeowners can replace and cast concrete or replacement product for concrete for a lower price but it is labour intensive.
There are some alternative conventional products on the market that can be used to fix a leaning fence and all work to a certain degree into a specific situation. However, if the soil is moved again it becomes harder to fix the same post again.
One conventional solution is a horizontal pivot bracket that attaches to a vertical post and allow for up to 35 degrees of rotation to attach a horizontal post. Another conventional solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,874 includes a fence post anchor that adjusts for vertical post alignment by providing a post engagement support portion that swivels on a ground engagement portion (abstract). As well, a further conventional solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,872 provides an adjustable post support for use in supporting a post vertically above the ground. The support includes a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion, and provides a ball and socket type connection between the lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion (abstract) Accordingly, an improved solution for fixing the position of a vertical post is required.
SUMMARYThe present application provides a tilt adjust repair bracket. The bracket allows for the correction of a post angle without having to replace the concrete foundation of the post. The bracket device of the present application provides a pivot system to fix the angle of a fence post.
The bracket device of the present application comprises a first bracket for receiving a first end of a post, a second bracket for receiving a second end of a post and a pivoting means between the two brackets. With the bracket device of the present application, the bracket device may be installed on a fence that is in place (e.g. pre-existing installed fence), enabling repairs without removing the fence. As well, the bracket device of the present application may be utilized as part of the initial installation and construction of a new fence.
A bracket device is provided for use with a post, the bracket comprising a first bracket portion for receiving a first end portion of the post; a second bracket portion for receiving a second end portion of the post; a pivoting means connecting the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion; and one or more fasteners attached between the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion; wherein the angle of the post is adjusted using the one or more fasteners and the pivoting means. The pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the angle of the post.
A bracket device for use with a post comprising a first post portion and a second post portion, the bracket device comprising a first bracket portion for receiving an end of the first post portion; a second bracket portion for receiving an end of the second post portion; and a pivoting means positioned between and connected to the first bracket portion and second bracket portion for adjusting one or more angles of the post. The one or more angles of the post are adjusted using the pivoting means.
A bracket device for use with a misaligned post, the bracket comprising a first bracket portion for receiving a first end portion of the post, a second bracket portion for receiving a second end portion of the post, a pivoting means between and connected to the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion, wherein one or more angles of the misaligned post is adjusted using the pivoting means to correct the alignment of the post.
A method of repairing a tilted post, the method comprising: cutting the post at a first location resulting in a cut post portion and a base post portion; attaching a bracket device to the post, the bracket device comprising: a first bracket portion for receiving an end of the cut post portion; a second bracket portion for receiving an end of the base post portion; a pivoting means positioned between and connected to the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion; and adjusting one or more angles of the cut post portion using the pivoting means.
A bracket device for use with a post being installed on uneven ground, the bracket device comprising: a post support for receiving an end of the post; a base; and a pivoting means between and connected to the flat base and the bottom of the post support, wherein one or more angles of the post is adjusted using the pivoting means.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
In the example embodiment, once the bracket 200 is secured to the post 100, the adjustable bolts 240 are used to adjust the angle of the top portion 110 of the post 100 to align it vertically. For example and as shown in
The bracket device 200 may be fabricated by bending sheet metal to form the first end cover 210 (e.g. repair bracket) and a second end cover 220. The sheet metal may be with or without a powder coating. The fabrication of the bracket device 200 is low cost and is easy to prototype and use. In other embodiments, other materials may be used to fabricate the bracket device 200.
The bracket devices and pivoting mechanisms described in the application may be made of, for example, sheet metal, vinyl, plastic and composite materials or other materials. The bracket devices and pivoting mechanisms described herein may be manufactured using metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, metal infection molding, plastic injection molding, forming, extrusions, or other methods of fabrication.
As well, in other embodiments the bracket device 200 may have a different size, shape and configuration. The main pivot design of pivoting mechanism 300 may be used for the posts having the same size (e.g. diameter) between the first end cover 210 (e.g. repair bracket) and the second end cover 220 (e.g. base bracket).
The bracket device 200 may be installed as a pivot mechanism into a post base support when a new fence is being built. As well, the bracket device 200 may be used with wood posts as well as posts made of other materials such as metal or vinyl. Also, a bracket cover may be used to cover the installed bracket device 200 for aesthetic purposes (e.g. the bracket cover has the same or similar colour as the post material to provide a seamless and uniform appearance).
What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed architecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. A bracket device for use with a post comprising a first post portion and a second post portion,
- the bracket device comprising:
- a first bracket portion for receiving an end of the first post portion;
- a second bracket portion for receiving an end of the second post portion; and
- a pivoting means positioned between and connected to the first bracket portion and second bracket portion for adjusting one or more angles of the post.
2. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means pivots along one axis of freedom.
3. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means pivots along two axes of freedom.
4. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein a misalignment of the post is corrected by adjusting the pivoting means.
5. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the post in place with the adjusted one or more angles.
6. The bracket device of claim 1, further comprising one or more adjusting means between the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion for additional adjustment of the one or more angles of the post.
7. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion each comprise a base and two side portions extending perpendicular from opposing sides of the base, wherein the two side portions each have a plurality of holes for use with a plurality of fasteners to secure the first and second bracket portions to the post.
8. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the post is part of a pre-existing fence and the bracket device is installed on the post without removing the fence.
9. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the bracket device is installed on the post during the construction of a fence.
10. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the first post portion is a cut post portion and the second post portion is a base post portion having one end secured to the ground.
11. The bracket device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adjustable bolts positioned between the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion and adjacent to the pivoting mechanism, wherein the adjustable bolts are each rotated to have the bolt head push against the second bracket portion to adjust one or more angles of the post.
12. The bracket device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of adjustable bolts are rotated by different amounts to achieve the desired adjusted one or more angles of the second bracket portion to cause the post to be straightened.
13. A method of repairing a misaligned post, the method comprising:
- cutting the post at a first location resulting in a cut post portion and a base post portion;
- attaching a bracket device to the post, the bracket device comprising: a first bracket portion for receiving an end of the cut post portion; a second bracket portion for receiving an end of the base post portion; a pivoting means positioned between and connected to the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion; and
- adjusting one or more angles of the cut post portion using the pivoting means.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising cutting the post at a second location, a predetermined distance away from the first cut location, the predetermined distance corresponding to the height of the bracket device, wherein the repaired post has the same height as before the repair.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the adjusted angles cause the cut post portion to be straightened vertically.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting includes adjusting two angles of the cut post portion along two axes of freedom.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the method of repairing the misaligned post is performed on the post without removing the post from a fence.
18. A bracket device for use with a post being installed on uneven ground, the bracket device comprising:
- a post support for receiving an end of the post;
- a base; and
- a pivoting means between and connected to the flat base and the bottom of the post support,
- wherein one or more angles of the post is adjusted using the pivoting means.
19. The bracket device of claim 18, wherein a plurality of holes on the base for use with a plurality of bolts are used to secure the bracket device to the ground.
20. The bracket device of claim 18, wherein the pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the post in place with the adjusted one or more angles.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2023
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2023
Inventors: Daniel PILON (Edmonton), Maxime DESGAGNE (Caraquet)
Application Number: 18/129,227