US20060054765A1

US20060054765A1 - Prop for objects such as sunshades

Info

Publication number: US20060054765A1
Application number: US10/535,150
Authority: US
Inventors: Hubert Griengl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-14
Filing date: 2003-11-14
Publication date: 2006-03-16
Also published as: CA2505897A1; AT6883U1; AU2003287738A1; EP1560992B1; CN1711401B; WO2004044354A3; CN1711401A; DE20320460U1; ATE542970T1; WO2004044354A2; DE20321485U1; AU2003287738B2; EP1560992A2

Abstract

A prop for objects such as sunshades, information signs, advertisement boards or rotary clothes dryers includes an upper part (1) for receiving a shaft pertaining to the object, and a lower part (2, 2′) facing the ground. In order to fix the prop to the ground, a central connecting element (3, 3′), e.g. a screw, is arranged in the region of the lower part (2, 2′) and can be connected to a holding element (11, 11′) which is firmly fixed in the ground, e.g. a screw anchor, in a positively locking manner.

Description

The invention relates to a post for articles such as parasols, road signs, advertizing signs, or rotary clothes driers, with a top part for holding a shaft of the article and a bottom part facing the ground.
These posts can consist of the most varied materials, one important prerequisite being more or less heavy weight, depending on the required stability. There are therefore those which consist for example of concrete and with the greater weight can only be transported with difficulty. There are also those which can be filled with sand or water, and these posts can be transported more easily after they are emptied. One major disadvantage of all these posts is however that when not in use they are simply left standing, by which they constitute an accident or injury risk, since individuals can trip over them or bump into them, or they must be transported away and if necessary returned again to the utilization site; however for heavy posts this is laborious or for posts which can be emptied it is impractical or associated with high labor input. Inserting or installing pipes in the ground, into which the shaft of the article can be inserted, is also known. These pipes must however have a greater diameter than the shaft and are therefore unattractive.
Therefore the object of the invention is to make available a generic post which with high stability can be easily mounted and dismounted and which has a low weight.
As claimed in the invention, a generic post for achieving this object is characterized by a central connecting element which is located in the area of the bottom part and which can be positively joined to a mount which is anchored securely in the ground.
The post as claimed in the invention, since it is securely anchored to the ground, can be made relatively light since it does not achieve its stability by a heavy weight. After it has been separated from its mount which is anchored in the ground, no disruptive parts remain since the mount can be sunk entirely into the ground.
It is preferable within the framework of the invention if the central connecting element is a screw and the mount is an anchor. But other connections such as a screw thread-quick release coupling, bayonet-like connections or snap connections can also be used.
Other preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the other dependent claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a post as claimed in the invention in a exploded view,
FIG. 2 shows the post from FIG. 1 in the assembled state,
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a post as claimed in the invention in an exploded view,
FIG. 4 shows the post from FIG. 3 in the assembled state,
FIG. 5 shows the mounting means in an overhead view and
FIG. 6 shows the mounting means in a section along line VI-VI in FIG. 5.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a post as claimed in the invention which consists essentially of a top part 1 in the form of a pipe and a bottom part 2 in the form of a disk which is welded to the pipe 1. Instead of a disk 2 however also other forms of the bottom part are conceivable, for example star-like feet or supports which are attached, not to the lower end of the pipe 1, but somewhat higher, and project obliquely down.
In the area of the bottom part 2, within the pipe 1 a screw 3 is attached, as is shown in FIG. 2. To attach the screw 3 in the pipe 1, there is a holding part 4 which consists of a receiving part 5 and a fixing part 6. The receiving part 5 is attached to the bottom end of the pipe 1, for example welded or cemented to it. The screw 3 is inserted from overhead through the receiving part 5, the screw head 8 being held torsionally strong in a recess 9 in the receiving part 5. In order to secure the screw 3 against axial displacement, the fixing part 6 is screwed via screws 7 to the receiving part 5. Cementing is also possible. On its top the fixing part 6 furthermore has a centering opening 10.
From overhead the shaft of a parasol, a road sign, an advertizing sign, a rotary clothes drier or the like can be inserted into the pipe 1, the shaft, if it has a tip on its lower end, being centered in the centering opening 10. In order to secure the shaft in the pipe 1, for example a known clamp-screw sleeve is used, with which an inserted shaft can be centered and clamped by turning. But it is also possible to secure the shaft by one or more screws which are screwed horizontally through the wall of the pipe.
The connection to the ground takes place such that for example an anchor 11 of high-quality steel or aluminum is inserted into a prepared hole in the ground, for example asphalt or concrete, and is cemented there such that its top edge 12 is flush with the surface 14, or it is located slightly under the surface 14. The post can then be screwed with its screw 3 into the mount 11 until the plate 2 rests securely on the ground.
Depending on the expected load on the post, the diameter of the plate 2 and the radial distance from the feet of the post which form the bottom part, from the central connecting element which is formed by the screw 3 can be of different magnitude.
Using the invention, at those locations where as expected the aforementioned articles must be erected again and again, there can be mounts in the form of anchors 11 or the like, which when not in use are in no way disruptive. If necessary however a post as claimed in the invention can be erected very quickly and very securely at these prepared sites.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show one embodiment of a post as claimed in the invention which largely corresponds to the embodiment from FIGS. 1 and 2. The major difference lies in the execution of the bottom part in the form of a ground plate 2′ and the fastening of the central connecting element in the form of a screw 3′. The embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a simplified embodiment since the screw 3′ is screwed into a threaded hole 13 in the ground plate 2′, by which the production cost of the post as claimed in the invention can be reduced. The screw can be secured against turning for example by cementing.
The anchoring of the post as claimed in the invention to the ground can be further simplified by using screw thread-quick release couplings, bayonet-like connections or snap-rotary connections instead of a conventional screw 3, 3′ which must be screwed into the anchor 11, 11′.
FIGS. 1 to 4 show an elastic layer 15 on the bottom of the plate 2 which for example can be a rubber plate which is cemented to the bottom of the ground plate 2. The rubber plate 15 preferably tightly adjoins the screw 3, 3′ and is used to equalize ground unevenness and to prevent friction of the bottom of the ground plate 2 on the surface 14 of the ground, for example tiles or paving stones.
The mount 11, 11′, for example a screw-in anchor, must be anchored securely in the ground 14. This can take place for example by gluing or cementing it in an opening in the ground. It is important here that the anchor 11, 11′ is inserted straight, i.e. at a right angle to the surface 14 of the ground or to the bottom of the ground plate 2.
This can take place on the one hand for example by screwing the anchor 11, 11′ onto the screw 3 of the post, whereupon adhesive or cement paste is introduced into the opening in the ground and the anchor 11, 11′ then is pressed with the post 1 into the opening. In this embodiment, the rubber plate 15 is helpful, since the anchor 11 can be screwed onto the screw 3 so far that the anchor 11, 11′ seals against the rubber plate 15, so that penetration of adhesive or cement paste between the anchor 11, 11′ and the screw 3 is prevented; this make its difficult or even completely impossible to loosen this connection.
Alternatively, to insert the anchor 11, 11′ into the ground there is a mounting device as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 which consists essentially of a support 16, especially a threaded pin, from which braces 18 radially project. A support ring 19 is attached to the free end of the braces 18.
Mounting of the anchor 11, 11′ takes place using the mounting device such that the anchor 11, 11′ is first screwed onto the threaded pin 16 as far as necessary. Then the opening in the ground is filled adequately with a suitable agent (for example, adhesive or cement), and the anchor 11, 11′ is pressed into the opening by means of the mounting device until the support means 17 rests completely on the ground. Excess cement can be easily removed in the mounting device, since it is possible to reach through the braces 18 to the adhesive site. As soon as the anchor 11, 11′ sits securely enough in the ground, the mounting device can be screwed out of the anchor 11, 11′.
In summary, one embodiment of the invention can be described as follows:
A post for articles such as parasols, road signs, advertizing signs or rotary clothes driers has a top part 1 for holding the shaft of the article and a bottom part 2, 2′ which faces the ground. To anchor the post on the ground, there is a central connecting element 3, 3′, for example, a screw, which is located in the area of the bottom part 2, 2′ and can be positively connected to a mount 11, 11′ which is securely anchored in the ground, for example, an anchor.

Claims

1. Post for articles such as parasols, road signs, advertizing signs, or a rotary clothes drier, with a top part (1) for holding a shaft of the article and a bottom part (2, 2′) facing the ground, characterized by a central connecting element (3, 3′) which is located in the area of the bottom part (2, 2′) and which can be positively joined to a mount (11, 11′) which is anchored securely in the ground.

2. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central connecting element (3, 3′) is a screw and the mount (11, 11′) is an anchor.

3. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central connecting element (3, 31) and the mount (11, 11′) form a screw thread-quick release coupling.

4. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central connecting element (3, 31) and the mount (11, 11′) can be joined to one another via a snap connection and/or rotary connection.

5. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mount (11, 11′) consists of high-quality steel or aluminum.

6. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top part (1) is a pipe and the bottom part (2) is a plate which is connected to the pipe in the manner of a flange.

7. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pipe (1) is open on its end facing the mount (11) and wherein the connecting element (11) on this end is attached to the pipe (1).

8. Post as claimed in claim 7, wherein a holding part (4) for the connecting element (3) is mounted in the pipe (1).

9. Post as claimed in claim 8, wherein the holding part (4) consists of a receiving part (5) through which the connecting element (3) extends, and a fixing part (6) with which the connecting element (3) is held in the receiving part (4).

10. Post as claimed in claim 9, wherein the receiving part (5) and the fixing part (6) are screwed (7) to one another.

11. Post as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fixing part (6) has a centering opening (10).

12. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom part (2, 2′) is captively connected, for example welded, to the top part (1).

13. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom part (2′) is formed by an essentially all-over ground plate which is permanently joined to the top part (1).

14. Post as' claimed in claim 12, wherein the connecting element is inserted through a hole (13) in the ground plate (2′).

15. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element (3, 3′) is captively connected, for example, cemented to the post.

16. Post as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connecting element (13) is a screw (3′) which is screwed into the ground plate (2′) and is optionally fixed there.

17. Post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top part (1) in the area of its top end has a clamp device for the shaft of the article.

18. Post as claimed in claim 13, wherein there is an elastic layer (15) on the ground plate (2′) on the side facing the ground.

19. Post as claimed in claim 18, wherein the elastic layer (15) is a plate of rubber or the like.

20. Post as claimed in claim 19, wherein the layer (15) is permanently joined, for example cemented to the bottom part (2′).

21. Post as claimed in claim 18, wherein the layer (15) closely surrounds the central connecting element (3, 3′).

22. Mounting device for attachment of a mount in an opening in the ground with a support (16) on which the mount (11, 11′) is detachably mounted during installation, characterized by a support means (17) which during mounting of the mount (11) in the opening in the ground rests on the surface (14) of the ground, and essentially symmetrically surrounds the support (16).

23. Mounting device as claimed in claim 22, wherein braces (18) which form the support means (17) project away from the support (16) essentially in a star shape.

24. Mounting device as claimed in claim 23, wherein a support ring (19) is attached to the braces (18).

25. Mounting device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the support (16) is a threaded pin.