U.S. patent application number 11/501225 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for fence post anchoring system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Quaker Plastic Corporation. Invention is credited to Donald E. Dahowski, Kenneth S. Shertzer, James G. Wilson.
Application Number | 20070034847 11/501225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37728097 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070034847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shertzer; Kenneth S. ; et
al. |
February 15, 2007 |
Fence post anchoring system and method
Abstract
A fence post anchoring system embedded in a deck for providing
anchoring holes in the deck includes a plurality of anchor links,
and a plurality of post anchors that interconnects ends of the
anchor links together, each post anchor having an opening sized to
receive a fence post therein. In another embodiment, the fence post
anchoring system includes an anchor base with side walls that
define a channel, and a post anchor received in the channel, and
the post anchor being retained in the channel of the anchor base in
an upright position. Methods for providing anchoring holes for
fence posts are also provided including pouring concrete to embed
components of the fence post anchoring system while forming the
deck.
Inventors: |
Shertzer; Kenneth S.;
(Lebanon, PA) ; Dahowski; Donald E.; (York,
PA) ; Wilson; James G.; (Lancaster, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY, LLP
401 9TH STREET, NW
SUITE 900
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-2128
US
|
Assignee: |
Quaker Plastic Corporation
Mountville
PA
17554
|
Family ID: |
37728097 |
Appl. No.: |
11/501225 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60706452 |
Aug 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/65.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/065.14 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/00 20060101
E04H017/00 |
Claims
1. A fence post anchoring system embedded in a deck for providing
anchoring holes in the deck comprising: a plurality of anchor
links; and a plurality of post anchors that interconnects ends of
said anchor links together, each post anchor having an opening
sized to receive a fence post therein.
2. The fence post anchoring system of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of anchor links have at least one hole at ends thereof,
said plurality of post anchors being received in holes of
overlapping ends of anchor links to interconnect ends of said
anchor links together.
3. The fence post anchoring system of claim 2, wherein said
plurality of anchor links have flanges at ends thereof, said holes
of said anchor links being provided on said flanges, and said
plurality of post anchors being received in holes of overlapping
flanges.
4. The fence post anchoring system of claim 3, wherein said post
anchors have integrated bases that are sized larger than said
holes.
5. The fence post anchoring system of claim 2, wherein said at
least one hole of at least one end of said plurality of anchor
links is a plurality of holes.
6. The fence post anchoring system of claim 5, wherein said
plurality of holes overlap each other.
7. The fence post anchoring system of claim 2, wherein said at
least one post anchor is tubular having a height dimension larger
than a width dimension.
8. The fence post anchoring system of claim 1, further including a
plurality of caps insertable in said openings of said post anchors
to prevent concrete and debris from entering said post anchors.
9. The fence post anchoring system of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of anchor links and said plurality of post anchors are
made of plastic.
10. A fence post anchoring system for providing anchoring holes in
a deck comprising: an anchor base with side walls spaced apart from
each other to define a channel; a post anchor received in said
channel between said side walls of said anchor base, said post
anchor having an opening sized to receive a fence post therein; and
a retaining means for retaining said post anchor in said channel of
said anchor base in an upright position.
11. The fence post anchoring system of claim 10, wherein said
retaining means includes slots provided on said side walls, and at
least one flange extending from a side of said post anchor that
engages at least one of said slots in side walls of said anchor
base.
12. The fence post anchoring system of claim 11, wherein said side
walls of said anchor base are spaced apart from each other at a
distance less than a width of said post anchor with said at least
one flange extending therefrom.
13. The fence post anchoring system of claim 11, wherein said side
walls of said anchor base further include vertically offset slots
and said post anchor includes offset flanges positioned to engage
said vertically offset slots of said anchor base.
14. The fence post anchoring system of claim 11, wherein said slots
are sized longer than a width of said at least one flange.
15. The fence post anchoring system of claim 10, wherein said
anchor base includes lateral flanges that extend outwardly from
said side walls.
16. The fence post anchoring system of claim 15, further including
a base plate, said anchor base being secured to said base
plate.
17. The fence post anchoring system of claim 16, wherein said base
plate includes a hole extending therethrough to allow said base
plate to be secured to a ground surface.
18. The fence post anchoring system of claim 16, wherein said base
plate has upwardly extending arms with locking tabs that engage
said lateral flanges of said anchor base.
19. The fence post anchoring system of claim 18, wherein said
lateral flanges and said locking tabs include chamfers thereon to
facilitate engagement.
20. The fence post anchoring system of claim 15, further including
a drain conduit, said anchor base being secured to said drain
conduit.
21. The fence post anchoring system of claim 20, wherein said drain
conduit has upwardly extending arms with locking tabs that engage
said lateral flanges of said anchor base.
22. The fence post anchoring system of claim 21, wherein said
lateral flanges and said locking tabs include chamfers thereon to
facilitate engagement.
23. The fence post anchoring system of claim 20, further including
a drain cover with at least one post hole sized to allow said post
anchor to extend partially therethrough.
24. The fence post anchoring system of claim 10, further including
a plurality of caps insertable in said openings of said post
anchors to prevent concrete and debris from entering said post
anchors.
25. The fence post anchoring system of claim 10, wherein said
anchor base and said post anchor are made of plastic.
26. A method of anchoring fence posts in a deck comprising:
providing a plurality of anchor links; providing a plurality of
post anchors, each post anchor having an opening sized to receive a
fence post therein; interconnecting ends of said anchor links
together using said plurality of post anchors; and pouring concrete
to form the deck with said anchor links and at least a portion of
said plurality of post anchors embedded in said concrete.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said plurality of anchor links
have holes at ends thereof, said method further including
overlapping ends of said anchor links to align said holes, and
inserting said plurality of post anchors through said aligned holes
to interconnect ends of said anchor links together.
28. The method of claim 26, further including inserting a plurality
of caps in said openings of said post anchors to prevent concrete
and debris from entering said post anchors.
29. The method of claim 26, further including inserting fence posts
in said openings of said post anchors.
30. A method of anchoring fence posts in a deck comprising:
providing an anchor base having side walls spaced apart from each
other to define a channel; providing a post anchor having an
opening sized to receive a fence post therein; inserting said post
anchor in said channel between said side walls of said anchor base
to retain said post anchor in an upright position; and pouring
concrete to form the deck with said anchor links and at least a
portion of said plurality of post anchors embedded in said
concrete.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein said post anchor is retained in
said anchor base by engaging at least one flange extending from a
side of said post anchor with at least one slot in said side wall
of said anchor base.
32. The method of claim 31, further including aligning said at
least one flange with said channel to insert said post anchor in
said channel, and rotating said post anchor to engage said at least
one slot with said at least one flange.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein said anchor base includes
lateral flanges that extend outwardly from said side walls, said
method further including securing said anchor base to a base
plate.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said base plate has upwardly
extending arms with locking tabs that engage said lateral flanges
of said anchor base.
35. The method of claim 30, wherein said anchor base includes
lateral flanges that extend outwardly from said side walls, said
method further including securing said anchor base to a drain
conduit.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein said drain conduit has upwardly
extending arms with locking tabs that engage said lateral flanges
of said drain conduit.
37. The method of claim 30, further including installing a drain
cover with at least one post hole sized to allow said post anchor
to extend partially therethrough.
38. The method of claim 30, further including inserting a cap in
said opening of said post anchor to prevent concrete and debris
from entering said post anchors.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/706,452, filed Aug. 9, 2005, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to fence post anchoring
system and method that provides holes for supporting fence
posts.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Mesh fences have been commonly utilized as removable safety
barriers. In this regard, whereas such mesh fences have been
utilized in various different applications, such mesh fences are
frequently used as safety barriers for swimming pools and the like
where fencing is desirable to keep small children from accidentally
drowning, or otherwise being injured. Mesh fences are made from a
long piece of flexible mesh made of woven nylon or other
appropriate material(s) to which a plurality of posts are attached.
Generally, the mesh has reinforced edge hems to increase strength
and prevent tearing. The posts attached to the mesh define multiple
panels. The posts are slid into mounting receptacles which are
essentially sleeved receiving holes that are positioned along the
periphery of the swimming pool thereby forming a fence around the
swimming pool. Such mesh fences are well known in the art as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,833 to Bohen, U.S. Pat. No.
5,664,769 to Sadinsky et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,990 to
Coppedge.
[0006] In order to install the mesh fences described above, holes
are typically drilled into the existing concrete deck, the drilled
holes being sized to securely hold the fence posts upright.
However, accurately positioning the holes to be drilled in the deck
can be difficult. If the distance between the holes are smaller
than it should be, there will be slack in the mesh fence, thereby
reducing the efficacy of the mesh fence in providing a safety
barrier. On the other hand, if the distance between the adjacent
holes are too large, the posts of the mesh fence cannot be inserted
into the holes drilled into the concrete deck. In such an instance,
another hole must be drilled, or alternatively, the position of the
fence post on the mesh must be adjusted. Either of these options
are difficult and laborious, and can increase the cost and time
required for proper installation of the mesh fence.
[0007] Therefore, in view of the above, there exists an unfulfilled
need for an anchoring device for facilitating the provision of
holes used in installation of such fences and fence posts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing, an advantage of the present
invention is in providing a fence post anchoring system and method
for facilitating the provision of anchoring holes in the deck which
are used in installation of such fences and fence posts.
[0009] Another advantage of one embodiment of the present invention
is in providing such fence post anchoring system and method that
allows provision of such anchoring holes for fence posts without
drilling holes.
[0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
fence post anchoring system and method are provided that can be
used to provide anchoring holes for anchoring the fence posts
before the concrete is poured to form the concrete deck. This
eliminates the need for drilling holes in the concrete deck after
the concrete has cured. Thus, the fence post anchoring system can
be used to facilitate providing anchoring holes that receive fence
posts. The components of the fence post anchoring system are
positioned, for instance, around a swimming pool, before the
concrete is poured, such that anchoring holes can be provided for
the fence posts without the drilling operation of the cured
concrete deck.
[0011] Correspondingly, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, the fence post anchoring system that is embedded
in a deck for providing anchoring holes in the deck includes a
plurality of anchor links, and a plurality of post anchors that
interconnects ends of the anchor links together, each post anchor
having an opening sized to receive a fence post therein. In one
implementation, the plurality of anchor links have at least one
hole at ends thereof, the plurality of post anchors being received
in the holes of overlapping ends of the anchor links to
interconnect ends of the anchor links together.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment, the at least one hole
of at least one end of the plurality of anchor links may be
implemented as a plurality of holes. In such an embodiment, the
plurality of holes may be implemented to overlap each other. The
plurality of anchor links may be implemented to have flanges at
ends thereof, the holes of the anchor links being provided on the
flanges. The plurality of post anchors may be received in the holes
of overlapping flanges, and implemented with integrated bases that
are sized larger than the holes.
[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the post anchor is tubular, having a height dimension
larger than a width dimension, and the fence post anchoring system
further includes a plurality of caps insertable in the openings of
the post anchors to prevent concrete and debris from entering the
post anchors, for example, during pouring of concrete which hardens
and embeds the fence post anchoring system therein to form the
deck. The plurality of anchor links and the plurality of post
anchors are preferably made of plastic.
[0014] In another embodiment, the fence post anchoring system
includes drain conduits that are installed in the concrete deck,
for example, installed around a swimming pool. The drain conduits
include provisions for installing post anchors subsequently, if
desired. This allows the fence posts to be supported in the drain
conduits via the post anchors. Thus, holes need not be drilled into
the cured concrete deck, but may be provided in conjunction with
the drain conduits.
[0015] Correspondingly, in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention, the fence post anchoring system for
providing anchoring holes in a deck includes an anchor base with
side walls spaced apart from each other to define a channel, a post
anchor received in the channel between the side walls of the anchor
base, the post anchor having an opening sized to receive a fence
post therein, and a retaining means for retaining the post anchor
in the channel of the anchor base in an upright position. In one
implementation, the retaining means includes slots provided on the
side walls, and at least one flange extending from a side of the
post anchor that engages at least one of the slots in side walls of
the anchor base. In another embodiment, the side walls of the
anchor base further include vertically offset slots, and the post
anchor includes offset flanges positioned to engage the vertically
offset slots of the anchor base.
[0016] In accordance with another embodiment, the side walls of the
anchor base are spaced apart from each other at a distance less
than a width of the post anchor with the at least one flange
extending therefrom. In addition, the slots are sized longer than a
width of the flange. In still another embodiment, the anchor base
includes lateral flanges that extend outwardly from the side walls.
In yet another embodiment, the fence post anchoring system includes
a base plate, the anchor base being secured to the base plate. In
this regard, the base plate may be implemented with upwardly
extending arms with locking tabs that engage the lateral flanges of
the anchor base, the lateral flanges and the locking tabs including
chamfers thereon to facilitate engagement. The base plate may
further be provided with a hole extending therethrough to allow the
base plate to be secured to a ground surface.
[0017] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the
fence post anchoring system is provided with a drain conduit, the
anchor base being secured to the drain conduit. In this regard, the
drain conduit may be implemented with upwardly extending arms with
locking tabs that engage the lateral flanges of the anchor base,
the lateral flanges and the locking tabs further including chamfers
thereon to facilitate engagement. In such an embodiment, the fence
post anchoring system may further include a drain cover with at
least one post hole sized to allow the post anchor to extend
partially therethrough. The anchor base and the post anchor may be
made of plastic, and a plurality of caps insertable in the openings
of the post anchors may also be provided to prevent concrete and
debris from entering the post anchors.
[0018] Furthermore, in accordance with another aspect of the
present invention, a method for providing anchoring holes for fence
posts is provided including providing a plurality of anchor links,
providing a plurality of post anchors, each post anchor having an
opening sized to receive a fence post therein, interconnecting ends
of the anchor links together using the plurality of post anchors,
and pouring concrete to form the deck with the anchor links and at
least a portion of the plurality of post anchors embedded in the
concrete. The plurality of anchor links may be implemented with
holes at ends thereof, the method further including overlapping
ends of the anchor links to align the holes, and inserting the post
anchors through the aligned holes to interconnect ends of the
anchor links together.
[0019] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a method of anchoring fence posts in a deck is provided
including providing an anchor base having side walls spaced apart
from each other to define a channel, providing a post anchor having
an opening sized to receive a fence post therein, inserting the
post anchor in the channel between the side walls of the anchor
base to retain the post anchor in an upright position, and pouring
concrete to form the deck with the anchor links and at least a
portion of the plurality of post anchors embedded in the
concrete.
[0020] In accordance with another embodiment, the post anchor is
retained in the anchor base by engaging at least one flange
extending from a side of the post anchor with at least one slot in
the side wall of the anchor base. In this regard, the method may
further include aligning the flange with the channel to insert the
post anchor in the channel, and rotating the post anchor to engage
the slot with the flange.
[0021] In accordance with still another embodiment, the anchor base
includes lateral flanges that extend outwardly from the side walls,
the method further including securing the anchor base to a base
plate. In this regard, the base plate may be implemented with
upwardly extending arms with locking tabs that engage the lateral
flanges of the anchor base.
[0022] In yet another embodiment of the method, the anchor base
includes lateral flanges that extend outwardly from the side walls,
the method further including securing the anchor base to a drain
conduit. In this regard, the drain conduit may be implemented with
upwardly extending arms with locking tabs that engage the lateral
flanges of the drain conduit. Furthermore, the method may also
include installing a drain cover with at least one post hole sized
to allow the post anchor to extend partially therethrough.
[0023] The methods described above may further include inserting a
plurality of caps in the openings of the post anchors to prevent
concrete and debris from entering the post anchors, and inserting
fence posts in the openings of the post anchors.
[0024] These and other advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention
when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a topographical view of a fence post anchoring
system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
that function as an anchor template.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a side profile view of one anchor link shown in
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the fence
post anchoring system in accordance with one preferred embodiment
of the present invention that has been installed in a deck.
[0028] FIG. 4A shows a topographical view of an anchor link in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4B shows a topographical view of an anchor link in
accordance with still another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a fence post
anchoring system in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 6A shows a side profile view of a post anchor utilized
in the fence post anchoring system of FIG. 5.
[0032] FIG. 6B shows a topographical view of the post anchor of
FIG. 6A.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows an end view of the anchor base utilized in the
fence post anchoring system of FIG. 5.
[0034] FIG. 8A shows an end view of an optional anchor base plate
which may be used in conjunction with the anchor base shown in FIG.
7.
[0035] FIG. 8B shows a topographical view of the anchor base plate
of FIG. 8A.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows a perspective partially-assembled view of the
fence post anchoring system shown in FIG. 5 with an optional drain
conduit and drain cover.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of a fence post
anchoring system in accordance with still another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 11A shows a side profile view of a post anchor utilized
in the fence post anchoring system of FIG. 10.
[0039] FIG. 11B shows a topographical view of the post anchor shown
in FIG. 11A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] As described in detail below, the fence post anchoring
system and method in accordance with the preferred embodiments of
the present invention provides anchoring holes for fence posts in a
concrete deck before the concrete is poured. This eliminates the
need for drilling holes in the hardened concrete deck after the
concrete has been poured and hardened, such a task being labor
intensive and expensive. In addition, the present invention further
provides for proper spacing and layout of the anchoring holes for
the fence posts, thereby reducing the need for tedious
measurements, facilitating installation, and decreasing costs of
such fence systems. In addition, as described in further detail
below, the fence post anchoring system may be provided with
optional drain conduits such that if fencing is desired after the
drain conduits are installed in the concrete deck, the drain
conduits can be modified to support the post anchors for the fence
posts.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a topographical view of a fence post anchoring
system 10 in accordance with one example implementation of the
present invention, FIG. 2 showing a side profile view of one anchor
link that is used in the illustrated embodiment of the fence post
anchoring system 10. In this regard, FIG. 3 shows a partial
cross-sectional view of the fence post anchoring system 10 that has
been installed in a concrete deck.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 briefly described above, the fence
post anchoring system 10 includes a plurality of anchor links 12,
14, and 16 which are swiveled together, end to end, by post anchors
22. In particular, anchor link 12 is pivotably interconnected to
anchor link 14 by one post anchor 22, while anchor link 14 is
further pivotably interconnected to anchor link 16 by another post
anchor 22. Of course, whereas only three interconnected anchor
lines are illustrated, many such interconnected links are used in
the preferred implementation.
[0043] The anchor links of the illustrated embodiment have fixed
dimensions, and as most clearly shown in FIG. 2, are provided with
overlapping flanges 18 and 19 having holes 20 therethrough. The
plurality of anchor links are interconnected together by orienting
the overlapping flanges of adjacent links together so as to align
the holes at the ends thereof, and inserting the post anchor 22
through the aligned holes 20 of the overlapping flanges 18 and 19
as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. In this
manner, adjacent anchor links are pivotably interconnected together
in the illustrated embodiment with the post anchor 22 serving as
the pivot point.
[0044] As can be clearly seen in FIG. 3, the post anchor 22 of the
illustrated embodiment is substantially tubular in shape having an
opening 23, thus providing anchoring holes sized to receive a base
8 of fence post 7 on the formed deck. In this regard, as shown most
clearly in FIG. 3, the height dimension of the post anchor 22 is
larger than the width dimension of the post anchor 22 (in this
embodiment, diameter). The post anchor 22 is also provided with an
integrated base 24 that is larger than the holes 20 of the anchor
links. Correspondingly, the integrated base 24 abuts against an
overlapping flange 19 of the anchor link 14 when installed to
interconnect anchor links so that the post anchor 22 does not pass
through the aligned holes of the anchor links. Once two adjacent
anchor links 14 and 16 are overlapped and interconnected by the
post anchor 22, it forms an anchor template assembly which is
positioned on the ground or earth fill 4 as shown in FIG. 3, prior
to pouring of concrete. A cap 26 is provided for insertion into the
post anchor 22 so as to prevent concrete or other debris from
entering the post anchor when the concrete 6 is poured during
formation of the deck, FIG. 3 showing the cap 26 removed from the
post anchor 22.
[0045] The anchor links and the post anchors of the fence post
anchor system 10 described above may be made of extruded or molded
plastic, and are preferably substantially rigid. The cap 26 may be
made of a more compliant material so that it can be fitted into the
opening of the post anchor 22. In addition, in the illustrated
implementation of FIGS. 1 to 3, the post anchors have a circular
tubular shape for receiving fence posts 7 therein. In other
implementations, the post anchors may have a non-circular shape for
receiving non-circular fence posts. However, providing circular
tubular shape for the post anchors and the fence posts received
therein is preferred since it facilitates manufacturing and reduces
cost, while also allowing the anchor links to be pivoted to a
desired angle, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the fence post anchor
system 10 can articulate around curves and corners, etc.
[0046] Of course, as noted, whereas FIG. 1 merely illustrates three
anchor links being interconnected together, in practice, more
anchor links would be interconnected together using post anchors as
described above, and positioned at the desired location on the
earth fill 4 prior to pouring of concrete thereon. For instance,
the interconnected anchor links may be positioned to circumscribe a
swimming pool or the like, thereby providing a plurality of
anchoring holes for receiving fence posts once the poured concrete
hardens.
[0047] In particular, as can be appreciated and as noted above, the
anchor links have a fixed length, and are preferably dimensioned so
that the interconnecting post anchors 22 are spaced corresponding
to the desired span of the anchoring holes for receiving the fence
post in a mesh fence. In other words, the fence post anchoring
system 10 that has been assembled into an anchor template as shown
in FIG. 1 maintains center to center spacing for the fence posts.
The post anchors 22 that serve as the pivot point for the
interconnected anchor links 12, 14, and 16, thereby allowing
accommodation of radius configurations of the fence where the fence
turns. The concrete 6 is then poured thereby embedding the fence
post anchoring system 10 within the concrete deck 9.
[0048] Correspondingly, the fence post anchoring system 10 provides
an easy method of locating, and providing, properly spaced
anchoring holes for receiving fence posts, prior to the pouring of
the concrete for the concrete deck. Once the concrete 6 is poured
and cured, the cap 26 can be removed and the fence post 7 of the
fencing system can be inserted into the post anchor 22. As clearly
shown in FIG. 3, when the concrete is poured and hardened, the
fence post anchoring system 10 of the present invention is embedded
within the concrete deck 9, the opening 23 of the post anchor 22
providing the fence post hole in the concrete deck for receiving a
fence post 7 therein.
[0049] Again, because the dimensions of the anchor links are known
and fixed, the positioning of the post anchors are also fixed. This
fixed positioning of the post anchors is especially advantageous in
that it allows the mesh fence or other fencing systems to be
manufactured with the fence post installed at the desired intervals
corresponding to the dimension of the anchor links. In this manner,
laborious measurement and drilling of anchoring holes in a concrete
deck, or repositioning of fence posts, as required in the prior art
fences and methods of installing such fences, can be avoided.
[0050] FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a topographical view of an anchor
link in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention.
In this regard, FIG. 4A shows an anchor link 25 that is
substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 2, the anchor link 25
having flanges 26 and 27. However, the anchor link 25 is
implemented with a plurality of holes 28 provided on the flange 27.
In the manner previously described, plurality of anchor links are
interconnected together by overlapping the flanges of adjacent
links together so as to align the holes at the desired position,
and inserting the post anchor 22 shown in FIG. 3 through the
aligned holes, to pivotably interconnected adjacent anchor links
together. Provision of the plurality of holes 28 in the illustrated
embodiment of FIG. 4A allows further flexibility in utilization of
the fence post anchoring system of the present invention in that
the position of the post anchor (such as that shown in FIG. 3 and
discussed in further detail below) can be adjusted as needed. For
instance, this feature is especially useful for locating fence
posts for gates or at the end of a span of fencing.
[0051] The embodiment of the anchor link 25' shown in FIG. 4B is
substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4A. However, the
plurality of holes 29 overlap so that the holes are interconnected
to each other. This allows higher number of holes to be provided on
the overlapping flange 27', thereby allowing finer adjustments to
the positioning of the post anchor along the anchor link 25' than
otherwise possible if separate and discrete plurality of holes are
provided as shown in the anchor link 25 of FIG. 4A.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows a fence post anchoring system 30 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention. The fence post
anchoring system 30 includes a post anchor 32 having a
substantially tubular shape with an opening 34 sized to receive a
fence post therein. In addition, the post anchor 32 of the
illustrated embodiment also includes flanges 36 extending from the
exterior of the post anchor 32 as most clearly shown in the side
and topographical views of FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.
[0053] In addition, the fence post anchoring system 30 also
includes an anchor base 38 to which the post anchor 32 is installed
positioned upright. In this regard, the anchor base 38 includes a
pair of side walls 39 which are spaced apart to define a channel 41
therebetween for receiving the post anchor 32. A plurality of slots
40 are provided on the side walls 39 of the post anchor 32, the
slots 40 being sized to engage flanges 36 that are provided on the
exterior of the post anchor 32. The slots 40 that are provided on
the anchor base 38 repeat along the side wall 39 so that the post
anchor 32 can be positioned accordingly along the length of the
anchor base 38 at the desired locations of the anchoring holes for
receiving the fence posts.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the flanges 36 of the post anchor 32
engage the slots 40 on the side walls 39 of the anchor base 38 so
as to provide a means for retaining the post anchor 32 within the
channel 41 of the anchor base 38 in the upright position shown. In
this regard, the side walls 39 of the anchor base 38 are spaced
apart from each other at a distance less than a width of the post
anchor 32 with the flanges 36 extending therefrom. However, the
slots 40 are sized longer than the width of the flanges 36. Thus,
the post anchor 32 is installed into the anchor base 38 by
initially inserting the post anchor 32 in the anchor base 38
between the side walls 39 thereof with the flanges 36 aligned along
the channel 41. Then, the post anchor 32 is rotated therein so that
the flanges 36 of the post anchor 32 engage the slots 40 on the
side walls 39 of the anchor base 38, and are oriented substantially
perpendicular to the channel 41 as shown in FIG. 5. Of course,
whereas in the illustrated embodiment, two pairs of flanges 36 are
provided on the post anchor 32, and each side walls 39 of the
anchor base 38 are provided with corresponding number of slots 40,
it should be noted that a different number of flanges and slots may
be provided in other implementations of the present invention. For
example, only one flange may be provided on sides of the post
anchor and one slot may be provided for each side wall.
[0055] The fence post anchoring system 30 is utilized by
positioning a plurality of anchor bases at the locations of where
the anchoring hole is to be provided, installing the post anchor 32
to engage the desired slots, and pouring concrete to thereby form
the deck. A protective cap such as that shown in FIG. 3 can be
fitted to the opening 23 of the post anchor 22 to prevent the
concrete, or other debris, from entering the opening 23, when the
concrete is poured. The anchor base 38 provides added rigidity
during the concrete pouring process. In this regard, like the
previously described embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the fence post
anchoring system 30 is embedded in concrete when in use, except for
the opening 34 of the post anchor 32.
[0056] Furthermore, the anchor base 38 of the illustrated
embodiment is provided with lateral flanges 44 that extend
outwardly from the side walls 39 which serve to further stabilize,
and securely embed, the fence post anchoring system 30 in the
poured concrete deck 9. FIG. 7 shows an end profile view of the
anchor base 38 with the lateral flanges 44 provided on the side
walls 39 thereof. The lateral flanges 44 are also sized so that
they may be used in conjunction with an optional base plate, or be
installed in a drain conduit, both of which are discussed in detail
below.
[0057] In the above regard, the anchor base 38 may be used in
conjunction with a base plate 50 that is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
FIG. 8A shows an end profile view of the base plate 50 while FIG.
8B shows a topographical view of the base plate 50. The base plate
50 serves as a holding device for the anchor base 38. The base
plate 50 includes upwardly extending arms 51 with locking tabs 52
which are dimensioned in size, and positioned to engage the lateral
flanges 44 of the anchor base 38 so as to secure the anchor base 38
to the base plate 50. This engagement is attained by downwardly
pressing the anchor base 38 (as shown in FIG. 7) in the direction
of arrow "A" into the channel 54 that is defined between the
locking tabs 52. In this regard, the tips of the lateral flanges
and the locking tabs 52 may be chamfered to facilitate insertion of
the anchor base 38 as most clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A. Of
course, in other implementations, the lateral flanges of the anchor
base and the locking tabs of the base plate may be dimensioned and
made of sufficiently rigid material so that the anchor base must be
slid into the base plate from an end thereof, instead of being
installed by downward pressing.
[0058] When the anchor base 38 as shown in FIG. 7 is inserted into
the base plate 50 and secured thereto, a larger base is provided
for stabilizing and securing the post anchor 32. The base plate 50
can be placed where needed in the proposed concrete deck according
to a layout designed for the fence system. The base plate 50 may be
held in position on the ground or earth fill using wires, rods, or
stakes that may be inserted into the holes 56 provided on the
periphery of the base plate 50.
[0059] FIG. 9 shows how the fence post anchoring system 30 of the
present invention may be utilized in conjunction with an optional
drain system 60 in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention. In this regard, the drain system 60 includes a main
drain conduit 62 that is typically installed around the periphery
of a swimming pool within a concrete decking. The drain conduit 62,
however, is provided with a means for retaining the post anchor 32
described. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the drain
conduit 62 is provided with locking tabs 64 that protrude upwardly
from the bottom of the drain channel 66 of the drain conduit 62.
The locking tabs 64 are spaced and sized to receive the fence post
anchoring system 30 discussed above relative to FIG. 5.
[0060] Correspondingly, the anchor base 38 is pressed downwardly so
that the lateral flanges 44 of the anchor base 38 engages the
locking tabs 64, thereby securing the anchor base 38 within the
drain channel 66 of the drain conduit 62 as shown in FIG. 9. In
this regard, locking tabs 64 of the illustrated embodiment are
provided with chamfers to facilitate engagement of the lateral
flanges 44 of the anchor base 38. The anchor base 38 is provided
with a plurality of slots 40 along its length so that a post anchor
32 can be installed in the manner previously described above
relative to FIG. 5, the anchor base 38 being positioned so as to
provide a fence post hole at a desired location so that the fence
can be received therein.
[0061] A drain cover 68 is provided so as to allow water to enter
into the drain channel 66 of the drain conduit 62, thereby allowing
the drain conduit 62 to perform its drainage function. However, the
drain cover 68 in accordance with the illustrated implementation is
further provided with a post hole 70 thereon so as to allow the
post anchor 32 to extend partially therethrough. A fence post can
then be inserted into the post anchor 32 as previously
described.
[0062] It is noted that the drain system 60 is especially
advantageous in that the drain conduit 62 can be used with, or
without, the fence post anchoring system 30 installed therein. For
example, a pool may be initially installed with the drain conduit
62 provided along the periphery of the pool. A conventional drain
cover may be used in such an instance. However, if a pool owner
desires to have a fence installed around the periphery of the pool,
for example, has children, the fence post anchoring system 30 may
be installed into the already installed drain conduit 62 in the
manner shown in FIG. 9. The drain covers can be then replaced with
drain covers 68 having the post hole 70 provided thereon, or
modified to provide such holes. Then, a mesh fence can be easily
installed with the fence posts being received in the post anchor
32, thereby providing a mesh fence around the periphery of the pool
along the drain conduit 62 that was previously installed. Thus, as
can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the drain
system 60 can significantly minimize the cost and labor associated
with installing a mesh fencing around the periphery of the
pool.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of a fence post
anchoring system 80 in accordance with still another embodiment of
the present invention. This embodiment is substantially the same as
the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and in this regard, includes an
anchor base 88 to which a post anchor 102 is installed positioned
upright. The anchor base 88 includes a pair of side walls 89 which
are spaced apart to define a channel 91 there between for receiving
the post anchor 102. A plurality of slots 94 are provided on the
side walls 89 for engaging flanges of the post anchor 102. However,
the anchor base 88 of the illustrated embodiment further includes
vertically offset slots 95 that can alternatively engage offset
flanges of the post anchor 102 as describe in further detail
below.
[0064] In particular, FIG. 11A and 11B show side profile and
topographical views of a post anchor 102 that can be utilized in
the fence post anchoring system 80 of FIG. 10. As can be seen from
these figures, in addition to the flanges 106 that engage slots 94
of the anchor base 88, the post anchor 102 further includes offset
flanges 108. These offset flanges 108 are positioned along the post
anchor 102 to engage the vertically offset slots 95 of the anchor
base 88. As shown, the offset flanges 108 are both vertically
offset and angularly offset (approximately 90.degree.), relative to
the flanges 106.
[0065] The post anchor 102 is installed into the anchor base 88 by
initially inserting the post anchor 102 between the side walls 89
with the flanges diagonally oriented relative to the channel 91.
Then, the post anchor 102 is rotated therein so that the flanges
106 engages plurality of slots 94, or alternatively, the offset
flanges 108 engage the vertically offset slots 95, so that the post
anchor 102 can be positioned accordingly along the length of the
anchor base 88 at the desired locations of the anchoring holes for
receiving the fence posts. Provision of the offset flanges 108 and
the vertically offset slots 95 allow finer adjustments to the
positioning of the post anchor 102 in the anchor base 88.
[0066] In view of the above, it should be apparent that another
aspect of the present invention are methods for providing anchoring
holes for fence posts in a deck. As can be appreciated from the
discussion above relative to the fence post anchoring system 10
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one embodiment of the present method
includes providing a plurality of anchor links, providing a
plurality of post anchors, each post anchor having an opening sized
to receive a fence post therein, interconnecting ends of the anchor
links together using the plurality of post anchors, and pouring
concrete to form the deck with the anchor links and at least a
portion of the plurality of post anchors embedded in the
concrete.
[0067] As described relative to the fence post anchoring system 10,
the plurality of anchor links may be implemented with holes at ends
thereof, the method further including overlapping ends of the
anchor links to align the holes, and inserting the plurality of
post anchors through the aligned holes to interconnect ends of the
anchor links together.
[0068] In addition, in view of the fence post anchoring system 30
also described above relative to FIGS. 5 to 7, another embodiment
of the method includes providing an anchor base having side walls
spaced apart from each other to define a channel, providing a post
anchor having an opening sized to receive a fence post therein,
inserting the post anchor in the channel between the side walls of
the anchor base to retain the post anchor in an upright position,
and pouring concrete to form the deck with the anchor links and at
least a portion of the plurality of post anchors embedded in the
concrete.
[0069] In the above regard, the post anchor may be retained in the
anchor base by engaging at least one flange extending from a side
of the post anchor with at least one slot in the side wall of the
anchor base as previously described relative to the fence post
anchoring system 30. In this regard, the method may further include
aligning the flange with the channel to insert the post anchor in
the channel, and rotating the post anchor to engage the slot with
the flange.
[0070] In accordance with still another embodiment, the anchor base
may further include lateral flanges that extend outwardly from the
side walls, and the method further include securing the anchor base
to a base plate or a drain conduit as described above relative to
FIGS. 7A to 8. In this regard, the base plate or a drain conduit
may be implemented with upwardly extending arms with locking tabs
that engage the lateral flanges of the anchor base. In the
embodiment where a drain conduit is utilized, the method may also
include installing a drain cover with at least one post hole sized
to allow the post anchor to extend partially therethrough. In
addition, the methods described above may further include inserting
a plurality of caps in the openings of the post anchors to prevent
concrete and debris from entering the post anchors, and inserting
fence posts in the openings of the post anchors.
[0071] Therefore, in view of the above, it should be evident how
the present invention also provides systems and methods for
anchoring fence posts before the concrete is poured, thus
eliminating the need for drilling holes in the hardened concrete.
In addition, it should also be evident how the fence post anchoring
system of the present invention can be integrated with a drain
conduit, which can be provided around the periphery of the swimming
pool, for example.
[0072] While various embodiments in accordance with the present
invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the
invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be
changed, modified and further applied by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, this invention is not limited to the detail shown and
described previously, but also includes all such changes and
modifications.
* * * * *