A post

Abstract

The invention comprises a post having a pole ( 1 ), a rigid sleeve ( 2 ) that has at least two inwardly extending locking 2024/054121 nodes ( 4 a , 4 b ) and a screw fastener ( 3 ). The post is such that a base portion of the pole ( 1 ) is lodged within the ground and the pole cantilevers upright. The sleeve ( 2 ) extends around and covers at least most of the portion of the post that is cantilevered. The fastener ( 3 ) exerts pressure on the pole ( 1 ) to cause at least two substantially planar contact surfaces ( 5 a, 5 b ) of the pole ( 1 ) to wedge between the nodes ( 4 a , 4 b ) to prevent the post ( 1 ) from rotating with respect to the sleeve ( 2 ).

1 . A post comprising:
 a) a pole;   b) a rigid sleeve that has at least two inwardly extending locking nodes; and   c) a fastener;   the post being such that:   d) a base portion of the pole is lodged within the ground;   e) the pole cantilevers upright out of the ground;   f) the sleeve extends around and covers at least most of the portion of the post that is cantilevered out of the ground; and   g) the fastener exerts pressure on the pole and the trailing end of opposing substantially planar contact surfaces of the pole are too wide to pass the nodes, but leading ends of the contact surfaces can, to cause said contact surfaces to wedge between the nodes to prevent the post from rotating with respect to the sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two nodes has a substantially planar contact surface that butts against one of the planar contact surfaces of the pole such that there is a rotational impasse between the butting surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . A post according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the two nodes has a substantially planar contact surface that butts against a respective one of the substantially planar contact surfaces of the pole such that there is a rotational impasse between the butting surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . A post according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking nodes are diagonally opposite the fastener and are at opposing sides of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . A post according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking nodes are angled towards one another such that the space between them constricts with increasing distance from the fastener. 
     
     
         6 . A post according to  claim 5 , wherein the pole is substantially triangular or hexagonal in transverse cross-section at least where the pole's contact surfaces wedge between the nodes. 
     
     
         7 . A post according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 a) the nodes are diagonally opposite the fastener and are at opposing sides of the sleeve;   b) the nodes are angled towards one another such that the space between their planar contact surfaces constricts with increasing distance from the fastener; and   c) the pole is substantially hexagonal in transverse cross-section at least where the pole's contact surfaces wedge between the nodes.   
     
     
         8 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two nodes has a rounded or otherwise curved contact surface that butts against a respective one of the substantially planar contact surfaces of the pole such that there is a rotational impasse between these butting surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . A post according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the two nodes has a rounded or otherwise curved contact surface that butts against a respective one of the substantially planar contact surfaces of the pole such that there is a rotational impasse between these butting surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . A post according to  claim 9 , wherein the pole is substantially hexagonal in transverse cross-section at least where the pole's contact surfaces wedge between the nodes. 
     
     
         11 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein the pole has bend memory such that if the post is knocked into a less upright position the post is biased to return to, or towards, its original position. 
     
     
         12 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein the pole is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         13 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking nodes are diagonally opposite the fastener and are at opposing sides of the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking nodes are angled towards one another such that the space between them constricts with increasing distance from the fastener. 
     
     
         15 . A post according to  claim 1 , wherein the pole is substantially triangular or hexagonal in transverse cross-section at least where the pole's contact surfaces wedge between the nodes.