Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ANCHOR DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A POST
The present invention is related to an anchor device for supporting a
replaceable elongate member such as a post in the ground. The post may be
a guide post for traffic or be used for carrying a road sign.
It has been estimated that some 70 million guideposts, or delineators,
are used on Australian roads.
Most of these guideposts are made of timber. Such timber guideposts
require holes to be dug in the ground in order t~ install the guideposts
correctly in position. A correct excavation of such holes and the subsequent
correct positioning of fihe timber guideposts requires a great deal of skill
and
many man hours.
Furthermore, once such a timber guidepost is accidentally hit by a
vehicle it is usually broken and rendered useless. Thereafter a stump of the
broken guidepost has to be dug out, a new hole dug and- a new guidepost
arranged in this new hole in order to position a new guidepost correctly. This
is a costly and time consuming exercise which requires a great deal of skill
and experience.
Roll formed steel sections have also been introduced as guideposts.
However once a steel section is hit by a vehicle, the guidepost is often
rendered practically useless as the steel section can be severely twisted
beyond repair and therefore needs to be totally replaced.
In one conventional arrangement a traffic guidepost has a tubular
anchor having a closed lower end which is in the form of a flattened wedge
which is driven into the ground by a suitable driver. The anchor has an open
upper end into which is installed a tubular post which engages with the
anchor in a telescopic manner. The post is retained in the anchor by
appropriate fasteners. Usually the post had to be lubricated before
installation in the anchor and slid downwardly in the anchor a considerable
distance to make attachment between the anchor and the post more secure.
One disadvantage of this conventional arrangement is that the post extends
upwardly above the ground and is likely to be sheared off if impacted by a
vehicle which means that the entire assembly of post and anchor will need
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replacement.
PCT/AU2004/OOOy94
Received 11 November 2004
In another conventional arrangement a steel anchor is used having a
pointed end which is driven into the ground which supports an upwardly
extending post which is riveted to a plate like top part of the anchor. Again
the anchor extended above the ground and was likely to be damage by
impact which therefore required total replacement.
Reference also may be made to replaceable guideposts or traffic
posts which are disclosed in US Patent 6,461,084 which refers to a ground
anchor having fins which are embedded in the ground and a post receiving
portion in the form of deflectable collets that are clamped against a post by
a
clamping member. A damaged post can be replaced by removing the
clamping member, replacing the post and reattaching the clamping member.
However the ground anchor had an elongate part at an upper end thereof
which extended above the ground and thus was liable to be impacted during
a traffic collision which destroyed the ground anchor which thereby needed
replacement.
Similar replaceable guideposts are described in GB 2,217,357, US
3,342,444, US 4,235,034, US 5,123,623, WO 96/23118, US 4,455,795, GB
2,346,854, DE 20211831, US 3,182,936, US 2,554,887, EP 0 004820 and
WO 01/31145 all of which suffered from the same disadvantage as
described above, i.e. having a ground anchor with a part extending above
the ground for receiving a post which was liable to be impacted by a passing
vehicle which therefore necessitated entire replacement of the ground
anchor which was time consuming and expensive.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a ground anchor
and a method of installation which therefore may alleviate the
abovementioned disadvantage of the prior art.
The invention in one aspect provides a method of installation of a
flexible post in the ground, said flexible post being of plate like
configuration
having a pair of opposed broad surfaces and a pair of edges which are
restricted or narrow in width which includes the steps of:
(i) forming a hole in the ground;
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(ii) locating a ground anchor in the hole having one or more
internal sockets wherein the or each internal socket is
substantially flush with ground level; and
(iii) inserting the post in the internal sockets whereby said post is
retained therein with a major part of the post extending above
ground level whereby flexing of the post upon impact due to its
plate like configuration may occur about a hinge point
corresponding to ground level.
In step (i) the hole may be formed by an excavating tool such as a
spade or use of a suitable driving tool or alternatively may be formed by
hammering the ground anchor into the ground until the ground anchor is
substantially flush with the ground. This is suitable when the ground is
relatively soft.
It therefore will be appreciated from the foregoing that steps (i) and (ii)
can be carried out sequentially or simultaneously.
In relation to step (iii) the post may be retained within the internal
socket of the ground anchor by interference fit or alternatively by use of a
latch or projection engaging an aperture in the ground anchor or the post.
Preferably use is made of a latch of the post engaging a mating aperture of
the ground anchor.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a ground anchor
said ground anchor having a body and one or more ground penetration
members and at least one internal socket for receiving the guide post in use,
said at least one internal socket being (i) of corresponding shape to the
flexible post or (ii) having a pair of opposed grooves for engagement with
corresponding edges of the flexible post wherein there is provided retaining
means for retaining the guide post within said at least one internal socket in
use wherein said retaining means is located adjacent said at least one
internal socket for effecting release of the guide post from said at least one
internal socket when required.
The internal socket of the body of the ground anchor may be elongate
and thus may have a cross sectional shape in the form of a shallow rectangle
A1N1=NDE~ SH~~T
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wherein one pair of opposed surfaces of the rectangle have a much greater
width than another pair of opposed surfaces of the rectangle. In another and
more preferred arrangement the socket may be in the shape of a shallow
channel corresponding to a V, U or C wherein the socket has a pair of
opposed surfaces of shallow corresponding curvature which are of far
greater width than another pair of opposed surfaces which are relatively
narrow in width in comparison.
This embodiment is particularly useful because the posts to which the
ground anchor of the invention are particularly directed have a corresponding
shape to the internal socket.
However it is within the scope of the invention as described in the
preferred embodiment hereinafter that the body of the ground anchor
comprise a pair of spikes separated by a spacer plate wherein each spike is
provided with a socket or groove of channel configuration whereby edges or
flanges of the post having a similar cross sectional shape may engage with
and move or slide within a corresponding socket or groove.
The retaining means of the ground anchor may comprise a slot or
aperture in a side waN of the body which in use may engage with a latch or
projection of the post to retain the post within the internal socket of the
ground anchor. Alternatively the retaining means may comprise a latch or
projection of the body engaging with a corresponding slot or aperture of the
post.
The body may also have at least one ground penetrating member or a
pair of ground penetrating members. In one form the ground penetration
member may comprise a sharpened bottom edge portion of the body
preferably having a wedge type configuration. In another form the ground
penetration members) may comprise one or more ground penetration spikes
extending downwardly and outwardly from the body in use.
Reference may now be made to a preferred embodiment of the
invention as shown in the attached drawings wherein:
FiG 1 is an exploded perspective view of the ground anchor of the
invention in the appropriate orientation to engage with a mating post;
Amended Sheet
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FIG 2 is a similar view to FIG 1 wherein the ground anchor is provided
with a different retaining means to that shown in FIG 1;
FIG 3 shows a similar view to FIG 1 showing the use of a screwdriver
or other tool to release the post from the ground anchor;
5 FIG 4 is a perspective view of a driving tool for forming a hole in the
ground before insertion of the ground anchor as shown in FlG 1;
FIG 5 is a perspective view of the ground anchor of FIG 1 associated
with another driving tool for driving the ground anchor into the ground;
FIGS 6-7 show different perspective views of another ground anchor
of the invention in the appropriate orientation to receive an associated post;
FIG 8 shows a perspective view of another form of ground anchor in
accordance with the invention in the appropriate orientation to receive an
associated post;
FIG 8A shows the device of FIG 8 being impacted by a mallet to
penetrate the ground;
FIG 9 shows various forms of indicator means attached to the post
which extends upwardly from the ground anchor as shown in FIG 1;
FIG 10 shows the post supported by a ground anchor of the invention
springing back to an upright orientation after being impacted;
FIGS 11, 12 and 13 show views of the sequential steps of the method
of the invention;
FIG 14 shows a post supported by a ground anchor of the invention
having a ramp device associated therewith to lessen the force of an impact
and showing the post springing back to the upright orientation after impact;
and
FIGS 15-16 show a perspective view and a side view of the ground
anchor of the invention having a peripheral rounded lip adjacent an open end
of the internal socket; and
Amended Sheet
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FlG 17 shows an exploded perspective view of another ground anchor
device of the invention; and
FIG 18 shows a cross sectional view showing how a cover strip of the
ground anchor is attached to the body of the ground anchor.
In FIG 1 there is shown ground anchor 10 of the invention having
body 11 which has a pair of ground penetrating spikes 12. Each spike 12 is
provided with reinforcement ribs 13. The body 11 is also provided with
reinforcement ribs 14 and 15 on each side of an internal socket 16 having an
open end 17. Ribs 14 and 15 also have pointed ends 14A and 15A. There is
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also provided a post 18 of plate-like configuration having a latch projection
19 extending outwardly therefrom. The projection 19 engages with a mating
aperture 20 in body 11 as shown in phantom.
In FIG 2 the ground anchor 10A of the invention is shown with a cover
strip 21 and there is also provided a pair of teeth or projections 22 which
extend inwardly into internal socket 16 as shown. These teeth 22 engage
with elongate slot 23 of post 18A to facilitate refiention of post 18A in
internal
socket 16. The cover strip 21 is slidably and releasably mounted to body 11
by engagement with securing slots (not shown) formed by securing ribs 24.
In FIG 3 there is shown how use of a screwdriver 25 or other suitable
tool may effect separation of post 18A from ground anchor 10A wherein
teeth 22 may be removed from engagement with slot 23. The screwdriver
engages in aperture 26 adjacent teeth 25 to press on post 18A to release
teeth 22 from engagement with slot 23 as shown by the arrow.
In FIG 4 there is shown a driving tool 27 for forming a cavity in the
ground for subsequent insertion of ground anchor 10 or 1 OA into the ground.
Driving tool 27 has a body 28 and a pair of ground penetration spikes 29 and
an integral driving rod 30. Thus driving tool 27 can be hammered into the
ground to provide the cavity which generally corresponds to the external
cross sectional shape of body 11 whereby after removal of driving tool 27,
ground anchor 10 or 1 OA may be inserted into the cavity. The driving tool 27
is preferably used in hard ground.
In another embodiment as shown in FIG 5 there is provided an
alternative driving tool 31 having an insert part 32, shown in phantom, which
fits within internal socket 16 of ground anchor 10. The driving tool 31 is
also
provided with an impact body 33 and impact surface 34 for impaction by a
mallet or a hammer for driving ground anchor 10 into fihe ground. The driving
tool 31 is also provided with an integral driving rod 35. The driving tool 31
may be used with a post thumper or a jackhammer to drive the ground
anchor 10 into the ground. The provision of impact body 33 enables ground
anchor 10 to be driven into the ground level with the surface thereof and also
enables an even spread of the driving load applied to impact surface 33. The
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insert part 32 ensures that the internal socket 17 is not damaged or
misshaped during driving of ground anchor 10 info the ground.
In FIGS 6-7 there is shown a modified ground anchor 10B preferably
made from metal having a body 11 B and internal socket 16B. The post 18 is
driven into internal socket 16B and retained therein by latch projection 19A
engaging in aperture 20A as described above in relation to the FiG 1
embodiment. Socket 16B may be provided with a bottom wedge
configuration shown at 36 to facilitate penetration of the ground. Body 11 is
also provided with ground penetration spikes 12B and overlapping edges of
opposed plates 37 and 38 forming internal socket 16B may be riveted
together at 39.
In FIGS 8-8A there is provided an alternative ground anchor 10C
having a pair of rod elements 40 which are spaced by a spacer plate or web
41. Each rod element 40 is provided with a pointed or sharp end 42 and also
with internal sockets or grooves 43. Post 18C having flanges 44 and latch
projections 45 may be brought into abutment with ground anchor 10C
wherein flanges 44 engage with mating grooves 43. Each latch projection 45
may engage with a mating aperture (not shown) as described above in
relation to the FIG 1 embodiment to retain post 18C within ground anchor
10C. There is also provided a length of wire 47 which may be used to
release post 18C from ground anchor 10C when required. Alternatively a
screwdriver may be used to release latch projecfiions 45 from their mating
apertures as shown in the FIG 3 embodiment.
Ground anchor 10C may be driven into the ground by use of a mallet
46 having handle 47 as shown in FIG 8A.
In FIG 9 there is shown indicator means in the form of a red reflector
48 attached to one face 49 of the post 18 and a white reflector 50 attached
to another face 51 of the post 18.
In FIG 10 is illustrated one of the principal advantages of the ground
anchor 10 of the invention wherein any flexing of the post 18 caused by
impact with a vehicle will flex about a hinge point at ground level and then
flex back automatically to its normal vertical position. This is shown in FIG
10
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wherein post 18 after impact will flex about hinge point 52 to reach a
position
always lying on the ground as shown at 53 before flexing back to reach
position 54 and finally to an upright position as shown at 55. This is clearly
shown by the arrows 57. Position 55 of course corresponds to the position
before impact which is shown by arrow 56.
In FIGS 11-13 there is shown schematic views of the method of the
invention wherein ground anchor is embedded in the ground 58 substantially
flush with a top surface 59. Subsequently post 18 is inserted in socket 17B of
ground anchor 10 as shown by the arrow in FIG 12 and retained therein by
the use of retaining means such as the use of latch projection 19 and mating
aperture 20 as shown in FIG 1. FIG 12 shows post 18 about to be inserted in
socket 17B and FIG 13 shows post 18 retained in ground anchor 10 with a
major part of the post 18 extending above the ground. This facilitates flexing
of post18 as shown in FIG 10.
In FIG 14 there is shown post 18 retained in ground anchor 10 in the
upright position shown in full outline prior to impact from vehicle wheel 60.
Advantageously there may be provided a ramp 61 which causes wheel 60 to
impact on the hinge point 52 whereby post 18 may flex as shown in phantom
to reach positions 53, 54 and finally 55 as described in FIG 10. Ramp 61
may be retained in ground 58 by the use of spike 62. The various positions
of wheel 60 are also shown in phantom.
In FIGS 15-16 there is also provided a rounded lip or peripheral rib 63
about open end 17 of internal socket 16. This feature is advantageous in that
it inhibits post 18 from being indented by anchor 10 upon impact.
In FIGS 17-18 there is shown another embodiment of the invention
wherein ground anchor 10A shown in FIG 2 is provided with a removable
cover strip 21A having a pair of top latch projections 22 and a bottom rib 64.
Initially cover strip 21A is hammered into position with rib 64 engaging in
slot
65 which is provided between rib 66 and bottom rib 67 of body 11. Latch
projections 22 then engage in aperture 68 below aperture 26 so that
projections 22 may engage in slot 23 as shown in FIG 17. To remove post 18
the cover strip 21 is prised open at the top as shown in FIG 3. Each
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projection 22 as shown in F!G 17 locks into post 18 as shown by the sloping
angle of sides 69 of slot 23. FIG 17 also shows the engagement of rib 64
with mating ribs 66 and 67 of body 11.
In use the method of the invention as shown in the preferred
embodiment in the drawings has considerable advantages over the prior art
in that:
(i) upon impact damage to the post is alleviated by having the
ground anchor terminating substantially at ground surface level which
thereby provides a hinge point to enable flexing of the post and return to a
normal upright position as shown in FIGS 10 and 12;
(ii) the post is securely retained in the ground anchor by the
retaining means as shown by latch projection 19 or latch projections 22
engaging in corresponding apertures in the post whereby such retaining
means is easily disengaged by a screwdriver or other suitable tool as shown
in FIG 3; and
(iii) the interns( socket of the ground anchor has a cross sectional
shape which corresponds to the cross sectional profile of the post to
facilitate
secure engagement between the post and the ground anchor.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a post ground
anchor assembly which includes the ground anchor as described above
together with the post as described above.
