Post anchoring devices and methods

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   a tubular member that is at least twice as long as it is wide, and 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, wherein the terminal end defines an edge capable of piercing into the post to enable the tubular member to being deeply impaled into the post as a result of force applied by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  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 of  claim 2  further comprising a nut and bolt combination wherein the bolt is adapted to being passed through a hole provided in the post and the tubular member and to being tightened by the nut in a manner that binds together the material of the post and the tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . A method of anchoring a post to a surface comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an apparatus comprising a base member adapted to being attached to the surface and a tubular member that defines an inside surface, an outside surface and has a base end and a terminal end, and is at least twice as long as it is wide, wherein the base end of the tubular member is connected to the base member and the terminal end is remote from the base member, and the terminal end defines an edge capable of piercing into the post; and   (b) carrying out steps (i) and (ii) in any order:   (i) attaching the base member of the apparatus to the surface at a location where the post is to be located;   (ii) longitudinally aligning the post with the tubular member, abutting an end of the post to the terminal end and forcing the tubular member into the post to substantially impale the post in a manner that all of the outside surface and all of the inside surface of the tubular member that is within a space defined by the external boundaries of the post are in frictional engagement with the material of the post to secure the tubular member to the post;   (c) providing a horizontal hole passing from one side of the post, through the tubular member and out the other side of the post;   (d) passing a bolt having a head and a threaded portion through the hole such that some of the threaded portion is exposed; and   (e) securing a nut to the exposed threaded portion and tightening the nut such that the nut and the head are snug against the post.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing a circular cut of the same diameter as the tubular member in one end of the post to accommodate the tubular member therein, the circular cut having a depth that is less than the length of the tubular member; and wherein step (b) comprises:
 carrying out steps (i) and (ii) in any order: 
 (i) attaching the base member of the apparatus to the surface at a location where the post is to be located; 
 (ii) aligning the circular cut of the post with the tubular member and sliding the post over the tubular member until the terminal end of the tubular member abuts the end of the circular cut, and then forcing the tubular member further into post to substantially impale the post in a manner that all of the outside surface of the tubular member that is within the post, and a portion of the inside surface of the tubular member, are in frictional engagement with the material of the post to secure the tubular member to the post. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a countersinking recess portion at each opening of the hole wherein each recess portion is adapted to accommodate either the nut or the head of the bolt such that the nut and the head of the bolt are situated substantially within the perimeter of the post once the nut is tightened. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  further providing a suitable filler material in each recess portion to fill any gap remaining between the nut or the head of the bolt and the respective side of the post so as to provide a smooth, flush finish. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nut and bolt comprise a barrel bolt, each having a flattened head portion that fits closely to the sides of the post. 
     
     
         9 . A system for mounting a post to a surface comprising:
 an apparatus having a base member adapted to being attached to the surface and a tubular member that is at least twice as long as it is wide and 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, and the terminal end defines an edge capable of piercing into the post; and   a post having a circular cut or cavity at one end to accommodate the tubular member therein, the circular cut or cavity having a cut or cavity depth that is less than the length of the tubular member.   
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the cut or cavity depth is not greater than two-thirds of the length of the tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 10  further comprising a nut and bolt combination wherein the bolt is adapted to being passed through a hole provided in the post and the tubular member and to being tightened by the nut in a manner that binds together the material of the post and the tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 11  further comprising orienting means for adjusting the longitudinal axis of tubular member relative to the surface. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein the orienting means comprises a wedge-like shim member for mounting between the base and the surface such that the base is capable of being attached to the surface notwithstanding the shim member being situated between the base and the surface.