Post joining means

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a device for joining together lengths of timber and more particularly for joining together a vertically standing wooden post, for example a fence post, to an extension post to provide a longer vertical standing post, which may, for example, be used to erect a higher panel fence or to support a trellis or other structure above an existing fence, without the need to replace the existing post by a longer post.

[0002] GB-A-2132305 describes a timber connector comprising a sleeve having a plurality of inturned teeth around its periphery the tips of which teeth engage with a pair of timbers introduced one from each end of the sleeve and serve to resist movement of the timbers out of the sleeve.

[0003] According to the invention a device for joining a vertically standing wooden post to an extension post to provide a longer vertically standing post, comprises a tubular metal sleeve, the sleeve having substantially no external projections and being open at both ends and having a first end portion for receiving the top end of a vertically standing wooden post and a second end portion for receiving one end of a second wooden post portion such that the second wooden post portion extends coaxially with the post, said first and second end portions being separated by a stop member comprising a portion of the sleeve of restricted internal dimension preventing the post or the second post portion from passing completely through the sleeve, the wall of the sleeve in each end portion being formed with a plurality of axially oriented inturned flanges extending substantially prependicularly to the wall of the sleeve.

[0004] The device according to the invention may be used with wooden fence posts of any cross section and will normallly have a cross section corresponding to the section of the post to be extended. Normally the device will be used with posts of rectangular, and especially square cross section, in which case the sleeve will be of rectangular section.

[0005] The inturned flanges allow a device of a given cross sectional dimension to be used on fence posts of smaller dimensions than their nominal size.

[0006] When the sleeve is rectangular there will normally be at least one inturned flange in two adjacent walls of the sleeve, at each end. In a preferred embodiment two flange portions will be formed in each of two adjacent walls at each end of the sleeve.

[0007] The flange portions may be produced by forming a suitable cut in the metal wall of the sleeve and bending the thus formed flap inwardly of the sleeve.

[0008] The stop member is preferably located substantially midway along the length of the sleeve and may for example be produced by deforming the wall of the sleeve inwardly without breaking the wall of the sleeve to form a ridge extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve at least partially around the periphery thereof. Preferably, however, the stop member is provided by at least one tongue portion projecting inwardly of the sleeve and having a surface or edge substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve.

[0009] A deformation forming such a ridge on the internal surface of the sleeve may extend completely around the sleeve but is preferably present on only part of the periphery, for example, on one or two walls of a rectangular sleeve, and similarly an inturned tongue of material may be formed on each wall of a rectangular sleeve but preferably is formed on only one or two walls.

[0010] An inturned tongue forming a stop member preferably has two surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve since it does not then matter which way up the device is used.

[0011] The invention also provides a method for vertically extending a post using a device according to the invention.

[0012] The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which :-

Fig. 1 shows one form of device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a second form of device according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig.2; and

Fig. 4 shows a third form of device.

[0013] Referring to Fig.1 the first form of device according to the invention comprises a rectangular open ended sleeve 1 of mild steel. The sleeve has a first end portion 1a for receiving the top end of a vertically arranged fence post (not shown) and a second end 1b for receiving one end of a second fence post portion thereby forming an extended fence post. The metal of the wall of the sleeve 1 at each end 1a,1b is cut at two locations on adjacent walls by a vertical and two horizontal cuts and the tongue of material thus formed is turned inwardly of the sleeve to extend perpendicular to the wall forming apertures 2 in the wall and vertically arranged inturned flanges 3. When a wooden post or a post extension portion is inserted into an end 1a,1b of the sleeve 1 the flanges 3 will dig into the surface of the post, securely to fix the sleeve to the post and the post extension portion.

[0014] In order to prevent the sleeve from passing too far over the post the sleeve 1 has a stop member arranged substantially midway along its length. According to Fig.1 the stop member is produced by forming a horizontal and two vertical cuts in two adjacent walls of the sleeve, in the Fig.1 these walls being the same walls as have the inturned flanges 3, and bending the resultant flap of material inwards providing openings 4 in the wall of the sleeve 1 and a downwardly inclined tongue of material 5 resisting passage of the post or second post portion.

[0015] The arrangement shown in Fig 2 and 3 is basically the same as that shown in Fig.1 except that in this case stop member is formed by groove 6 on the surface of the sleeve 1 and a corresponding ridge 7 on the inner wall of the sleeve 1.

[0016] In the form of device shown in Fig.4, the flanges 3 are formed as described in relation to Fig.1. but with one horizontal and one inclined cut so that the flanges 3 each have an upper surface inclined towards an open end of the sleeve. This assists the flanges to cut into the wood of a post or post portion being introduced into the sleeve. Moreover, the tongues 5 extend perpendicular to the walls of the sleeve and are positioned on the two walls that do not include flanges 3.

[0017] The device of the invention is preferably made up from two prestamped blanks welded together along diagonally opposed edges of the sleeve.

[0018] The device of the invention may be attached first to the post portion by driving the post portion into one end portion of the sleeve until further movement is prevented by the end of the post portion contacting the stop member. The second post portion with the attached device may then be postioned over the fence post and the top end of the post be driven into the sleeve by applying a driving force to the free end of the second post portion.

[0019] Alternatively the end of the post and one end of the second post portion may partially inserted into respective end portions of the sleeve and a driving force applied to the free end of the second post portion to drive the post and the post portion completely into the sleeve until they contact the stop member.

[0020] The device can, also first be applied over the post but then care must be taken to avoid damage to the opposite end of the sleeve while driving it over the post.

[0021] The device of the invention will be dimensioned to receive a conventional nominal size of post, say 50 x 50 mm (2 x 2 inch) or 75 x 75 mm (3 x 3 inch). The length of the sleeve is preferably about 2.to 2.5 times the nominal dimension of the post, say 100 to 125 mm or 150 to 180 mm.

[0022] The stop member may, for example, project inwardly approximately 6.5 mm (.25 inch) and the inturned flanges may have a length of about 40 mm (1.5 inches) and a width of 6.5 mm (.25 inch). The device is preferably constructed from 3 mm (.125 inch) mild steel.

Claims

1. A device for joining a vertically standing wooden post to an extension post to provide a longer vertically standing post, which comprises a tubular metal sleeve (1) the sleeve (1) having substantially no external projections and being open at both ends and having a first end portion (1a) for receiving the top end of a vertically standing wooden post and a second end portion (1b) for receiving one end of a second wooden post portion such that the second wooden post portion extends coaxially with the post, said first and second end portions (1a, 1b) being separated by a stop member (5, 6) comprising a portion of the sleeve (1) of restricted internal dimension preventing the post or the second post portion from passing completely through the sleeve (1), characterised in that the wall of the sleeve (1) in each end portion (1a, 1b) is formed with a plurality of axially oriented inturned flanges (3) extending substantially perpendicularly to the wall of the sleeve (1).

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve (1) is of rectangular cross section.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the sleeve (1) is of square cross section.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the axially oriented inturned flanges (3) are formed at at least two spaced apart locations peripherally of the sleeve (1) in each end portion (1a, 1b).

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the axially oriented inturned flanges (3) are formed on two adjacent walls of each end portion (1a, 1b).

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the stop member (5, 6) is located substantially midway along the length of the sleeve (1).

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stop member (6) is provided by a ridge extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve (1) and at least partially around the wall of the sleeve (1).

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stop member (5) is provided by at least one tongue portion projecting inwardly of the sleeve (1) and having a surface or edge substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve (1).

9. A method for vertically extending a vertically standing wooden post to produce a longer vertically standing post wherein there is used a device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and comprising the steps, in any order, of fitting one end portion of the device over the upper end of the post and the other end portion of the device over one end of a second post portion until the ends of the post and post portion contact the stop member.

Revendications

1. Dispositif destiné à raccorder un poteau en bois disposé verticalement à un poteau prolongateur de manière à réaliser un poteau disposé verticalement plus long, qui comporte un manchon en métal tubulaire (1), le manchon (1) n'ayant pratiquement pas de projections extérieures et étant ouvert aux deux extrémités et ayant une première partie terminale (1a) pour recevoir l'extrémité supérieure d'un poteau en bois disposé verticalement et une seconde partie terminale (1b) pour recevoir une extrémité d'une seconde partie de poteau de bois, de manière que la seconde partie de poteau de bois s'étende coaxialement avec le poteau, ces première et seconde parties terminales (1a, 1b) étant séparées par un élément d'arrêt (5, 6) comprenant une partie de manchon (1) de dimension intérieure réduite empêchant le poteau ou la seconde partie de poteau de passer complètement à travers le manchon(1), caractérisé en ce que la paroi du manchon (1) dans chaque partie terminale (1a, 1b) est formée de plusieurs ailettes (3) tournées vers l'intérieur et orientées axialement, s'étendant pratiquement perpendiculairement à la paroi du manchon (1).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le manchon (1) est de section transversale rectangulaire.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le manchon (1) est de section transversale carrée.

4. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel les ailettes (3) tournées vers l'intérieur orientées axialement sont formées à au moins deux emplacements séparés périphériquement sur le manchon (1) dans chaque partie terminale (1a, 1b).

5. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les ailettes (3) tournées vers l'intérieur orientées axialement sont formées sur deux parois voisines de chaque partie terminale (1a, 1b).

6. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel l'élément d'arrêt (5, 6) est situé pratiquement à mi-chemin de la longueur du manchon (1).

7. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel l'élément d'arrêt (6) est fourni par une arête s'étendant pratiquement perpendiculairement à l'axe du manchon (1) et au moins partiellement autour de la paroi du manchon (1).

8. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel l'élément d'arrêt (5) est constitué par au moins une partie de languette se projetant à l'intérieur du manchon (1) et ayant une surface ou un bord pratiquement perpendiculaire à l'axe du manchon (1).

9. Méthode pour prolonger verticalement un poteau de bois disposé verticalement de manière à produire un poteau disposé verticalement plus long, dans lequel on utilise un dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8 et comprenant les étapes, dans un ordre quelconque, correspondant à l'adaptation d'une partie terminale du dispositif sur l'extrémité supérieure du poteau et l'autre partie terminale du dispositif sur une extrémité d'une seconde partie de poteau jusqu'à ce que les extrémités du poteau et de la partie du poteau viennent en contact avec l'élément d'arrêt.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Zusammenfügen von einem vertikal stehenden Holzpfosten mit einem Verlängerungspfosten, um einen längeren vertikal stehenden Pfosten zu erhalten, der aufweist: eine röhrenförmige Metallbuchse (1), wobei die Buchse im wesentlichen keine externen Vorsprünge aufweist, an beiden Enden offen ist und einen ersten Endabschnitt (1a) zur Aufnahme des oberen Endes eines vertikal stehenden Holzpfostens und einen zweiten Endabschnitt (1b) zur Aufnahme des Endes von einem zweiten Holzpfostenabschnitt aufweist, damit sich der zweite Holzpfostenabschnitt koaxial mit dem Pfosten erstreckt, und der erste und zweite Endabschnitt (1a, 1b) durch ein Stopteil (5, 6) getrennt sind, das einen Abschnitt der Buchse (1) von begrenzenden inneren Abmessungen enthält, wodurch der Pfosten oder der zweite Pfostenabschnitt am vollständigen Durchgang durch die Buchse (1) gehindert wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Wandung der Buchse (1) an jedem Endabschnitt (1a, 1b) mit mehreren axial orientierten einwärts gedrehten Ansätzen (3) versehen ist, die sich im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Wandung der Buchse (1) erstrecken.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Buchse (1) einen rechtwinkligen Querschnitt aufweist.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Buchse (1) einen quadratischen Querschnitt aufweist.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die axial orientierten einwärts gedrehten Ansätze (3) an wenigstens zwei mit Abstand zueinander angeordneten peripheren Stellen der Buchse (1) an jedem Endabschnitt (1a, 1b) ausgebildet sind.

5. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die axial orientierten einwärts gedrehten Ansätze (3) an zwei aneinandergrenzenden Wänden von jedem Endabschnitt (1a, 1b) ausgebildet sind.

6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Stopteil (5, 6) im wesentlichen in der Mitte entlang der Länge der Buchse (1) angeordnet ist.

7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Stopteil (6) durch einen Steg gebildet wird, der sich im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Achse der Buchse (1) und wenigstens teilweise um die Wandung der Buchse (1) erstreckt.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Stopteil (5) durch wenigstens einen zungenförmigen Abschnitt gebildet wird, der einwärts gerichtet an der Buchse (1) hervorspringt und eine Oberfläche oder Kante im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Achse der Buchse (1) aufweist.

9. Verfahren zum vertikalen Erstrecken eines vertikal stehenden Holzpfostens, um einen längeren vertikal stehenden Pfosten zu erzeugen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Vorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1-8 verwendet wird und folgende Schritte in beliebiger Reihenfolge ausgeführt werden: Aufsetzen eines Endabschnitts der Vorrichtung über dem oberen Ende des Pfostens, und Aufsetzen des anderen Endabschnitts der Vorrichtung über einem Ende eines zweiten Pfostenabschnitts, bis die Enden des Pfostens und des Pfostenabschnitts das Stopteil berühren.

Drawing