US20040107670A1

US20040107670A1 - Post stabilizer

Info

Publication number: US20040107670A1
Application number: US10/313,216
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Messier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-06
Filing date: 2002-12-06
Publication date: 2004-06-10

Abstract

The “post stabilizer” “is basically an efficient, inexpensive, time and cost saving device to stabilize posts, poles, columns, etc. The objective is to keep posts, poles, columns, etc. in their upright vertical position, in order for them to do the job they were intended to do. This could be holding up a mailbox, street sign, flag, wires, fence, etc.

The “post stabilizer” accomplishes its mission by greatly increasing the amount of soil that has to be displaced in order for the post to move out of position. In order for a post to move or tilt out of position, it normally has very little resistance to do so from the soil, especially if the post is thin or round. Up to this time cement tubes have been used to firm up the stability of post. This may still be a requirement in some cases, but it is usually time consuming and can be relatively expensive.

In many situations with the “post stabilizer,” the stability can be obtained with a fraction of the cost and great reduction of time and effort. The “post stabilizer” is basically made up of four (4) interlocking plates, locked in place around the post that are then hammered into the ground, out of sight, and basically requires any movement of the post, except up and down, to displace 5, 10, 20, or more times the amount of soil than without it, in order to move. Thus the post stays in place, stabilized, to do the job it was intended to do.

Description

The “post stabilizer” is made up of (4) interlocking plates with pre-cut or pre-punched slots that are locked in place around the post, pole, etc., and driven into the ground, flush with the ground or below ground level depending on preference or application. Each plate can have multiple slots to accommodate different sized posts, poles, or columns. It makes no difference whether the post is round, square, or other shape. It is important that the slots be spaced properly to create a snug fit around the post. Width, thickness, length, and type of material will vary depending on the application, type of soil, size and length of pole, post or column to be stabilized.

Functional requirements are: [0002]
Slots properly spaced to create snug fit around the post [0003]
Slots cut half-way through the plate and wide enough to create a snug slip fit for the thickness of the other plate. [0004]
Plates can also have multiple slots to accommodate multiple, most commonly, used size of post, or possibly for clearance on one side of the post, although the maximum stabilization can be obtained by centering the post in the four (4) plates. [0005]
The plates must be reasonably thin to facilitate being driven into the ground and will be firm and rigid to prevent bending. [0006]
The post is first inserted into the ground as usual. The four (4) interlocking plates are then placed around the post above the ground and fitted and locked into each other by sliding each plate into the mating slot. Once the plates are locked in position around the post, they are then hammered and driven into the ground, until they are flush with the ground or slightly below the ground level. In some cases it may be advantageous to drive the stabilizer into the ground first, (if the post or pole is to be driven into the ground), and then drive the post or pole through the center area of the stabilizer. [0007]
The utility of the “post stabilizer” is to keep the post in place by requiring large amounts of earth to be displaced in order for the post to move in any direction, thus, stabilizing the post, column, pole, etc. [0008]

Claims

1- I hereby claim that my “post stabilizer” idea is new, unique, personal property, and therefore claim the right to patent this idea and utility. Although this configuration may have been used in the past for other purposes such as packaging, the use of slotted plates for the purpose of stabilizing posts, poles, columns, etc. is new, unique and my idea.

2- I further claim that this “post stabilizer” will save time and cost of keeping posts, poles, etc. in their proper position. This “post stabilizer” system can be used by homeowners for a mail box post, fence post, flag pole, etc., by Municipalities for street signs, traffic signs, flag poles, etc., and by utilities to stabilize their poles.

3- I further claim that this “post stabilizer” will serve as an economical, efficient, alternative, in many instances, to a concrete base. These “post stabilizers” can be efficiently mass produced with pre-cut or pre-punched slots to accommodate the most common and popular post and pole sizes.