Post anchoring device

Abstract

A post anchoring device for anchoring posts used in fence, deck, balcony and railing applications to a surface, the device comprising a base member capable of being connected to the surface, and an elongate, preferably cylindrical, tubular member having a base end and a terminal end, the base end being connected to the base member and the terminal end being remote from the base member such that the post may be impaled upon the tubular member by a user. The walls of the tubular member at the terminal end may be beveled to provide a cutting edge for cutting into the post to facilitate the impalement of the post. The base member may include a peripheral flange with a peripheral edge for abutting the end of the post thereby defining a cavity in which fasteners or other hardware may be concealed from sight for an aesthetically pleasing result.

1 . An apparatus for anchoring a post to a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a base member capable of being connected to the surface; and    an elongate tubular member having a base end and a terminal end, the base end being connected to the base member and the terminal end being remote from the base member such that the post may be impaled upon the tubular member by a user.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the walls of the tubular member at the terminal end are beveled to provide a cutting edge for cutting into the post to facilitate the impalement of the post.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein the tubular member is cylindrical.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein: 
 the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the length of the tubular member is in the range of approximately 0.8:1 to 1.5:1; and    the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the diameter of the tubular member is in the range of approximately 2.4:1 to 5.5:1.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein: 
 the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the length of the tubular member is approximately 1:1; and    the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the diameter of the tubular member is approximately 3.5:1.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for anchoring a post to a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a generally planar base member capable of being connected to the surface; and    an elongate tubular member having a base end and a terminal end, the base end being connected to the base member and the terminal end being remote from the base member such that the post may be impaled upon the tubular member by a user.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 6  wherein the walls of the tubular member at the terminal end are beveled to provide a cutting edge for cutting into the post to facilitate the impalement of the post.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as in  claim 7  wherein the tubular member is cylindrical.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as in  claim 8  wherein the base member further includes a peripheral flange extending away from the plane of the base member in the same general direction as the tubular member, the flange having a peripheral edge that is capable of abutment with the end of the post as the post is driven upon the tubular member.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein: 
 the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the length of the tubular member is in the range of approximately 0.8:1 to 1.5:1; and    the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the diameter of the tubular member is in the range of approximately 2.4:1 to 5.5:1.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein: 
 the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the length of the tubular member is approximately 1:1; and    the ratio of the width or diameter of the post to the diameter of the tubular member is approximately 3.5:1.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for anchoring a post to a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a base member capable of being connected to the surface;    an elongate tubular member having a base end and a terminal end; and    connector means to connect the base end of the tubular member to the base member in a manner that the terminal end is remote from the base member such that the post may be impaled upon the tubular member by a user.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as in  claim 12  wherein the base member is generally planar, having a first side which faces the surface when the apparatus is attached to the surface, and an opposite second side from which the tubular member extends.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as in  claim 13  wherein the connector means comprises: 
 an aperture defined in the base member, the aperture having dimensions which conform to the cross sectional dimensions of the tubular member such that the tubular member may be slid into the aperture from the first side of the base member;    at least one lateral projection on the tubular member proximate to the base end; and    at least one corresponding slot on the first side of the base member located on the periphery of the aperture, said corresponding slot extending only partially through the base member so as not to communicate with the second side, said corresponding slot being able to receive the lateral projection of the tubular member, whereby as the tubular member is slid through the aperture from the first side, the lateral projection is received in the corresponding slot thereby preventing the tubular member from completely passing through the base member, and also limiting rotation of the tubular member about its longitudinal axis relative to the base member.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as in  claim 14  further comprising a plug member for covering the base end of the tubular member.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as in  claim 14  wherein the base member further includes a peripheral flange extending away from the plane of the base in the same general direction as the tubular member, the flange having a peripheral edge that is capable of abutment with the end of the post as the post is driven upon the tubular member.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as in  claim 13  wherein the connector means comprises a gripping member connected to the base member for gripping the base end of the tubular member.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as in  claim 17  wherein the tubular member slips over the gripping member which frictionally engages the inside surface of the tubular member.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as in  claim 18  wherein the gripping member is moveable between a non-gripping position in which the tubular member may be freely slid onto or off of the gripping member, and a gripping position in which the gripping member engages the inside surface of the tubular member.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as in  claim 19  wherein the gripping member is expandable between the non-gripping and gripping positions.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as in  claim 20  further comprising a means for expanding the gripping member.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as in  claim 21  wherein the gripping member comprises a split tubular member having a first and second end, the split tubular member being connected at the first end to the second side of the base member, and wherein the means for expanding the gripping member comprises: 
 cam follower portions within the split tubular member adjacent the second end; and    a cam member having cam portions complimentary to the cam follower portions, the cam member being moveable in relation to the cam follower portions such that when the cam member is drawn into the split tubular portion, the split tubular portion expands diametrically into the gripping position.