GB1601080A

GB1601080A - Post assembly

Info

Publication number: GB1601080A
Application number: GB25954/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-09-30
Filing date: 1978-05-31
Publication date: 1981-10-21
Also published as: AU525110B2; AU4018778A

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A POST ASSEMBLY (71) We, NORMAN DAVID PER KINS, an Australian citizen of 27 Singleton Road, North Balwyn, Victoria, Australia, and ALAN MITCHELL WILLIAMS, an Australian citizen of 1, Grong Grong Court, Toorak, Victoria, Australia, formerly of 27 Hillsyde Parade, Strathmore, Victoria, Australia, respectively, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a post assembly. Such an assembly may be suitable for use in a cricket wicket assembly, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that example application.It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to that example application, being also suitable for use in, for example, traffic guide post assemblies and fence post assemblies.

Australian Patent 235,492 relates to apparatus for supporting stumps of the type in which an axial recess is provided in the lower end portion of each stump, which fits loosely over an upstanding hollow locating and centralizing stud fixed to a base plate.

A tension spring interconnecting the stump and base plate, is anchored in the recess adjacent the upper end thereof and, lower through a short chain link, to an anchor pin located in a shouldered recess provided in the stud.

The cricket stump support of Patent 235,492 is relatively heavy being contructed predominantly of wood and it is believed that the support constructed in accordance with that Patent will not operate satisfactorily over prolonged and continuous usage. This is because the inertia associated with the wooden stump after a period of time may cause the tension spring to distort and this may prevent the wooden stump to return to its normal position. Moreover, should the tension spring require replacement for this or any other reason it may be comparatively difficult to install that replacement spring in the existing stump and it may be more economical to buy a new set of stumps.

An object of the present invention is to provide a post assembly which alleviates the problems with the prior art, and which may therefore be particularly suitable for use in a cricket wicket assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a post assembly comprising a support base; a hollow, elongate, open ended post extending outwardly from the base with one open end facing theretoward; and an elongate resiliently yieldable restraining mem ber which extends through said one open end and along inside the post, to releasably and resiliently interconnect the post and the base, the restraining member having an inextensible section releasably connected to the post at a location spaced from said one open end thereof, access to that connection being available through the other open end of said post, and a resiliently extensible section connected to the base, the post being deflectable from its normal position with respect to the base, and upon such deflection is continuously and resiliently biased to its said normal position by the restraining member.

In a preferred construction the inextensible section is releasably connected to the post at or adjacent the other open end. That inextensible section may have a connection portion, preferably formed at one end thereof, and it may be engageable with connection means, such a connection pin, located within the post at or adjacent the other end. With this arrangement access to the connection portion through the other open end of the post to connect and disconnect the connection portion and the connection pin may be facilitated.

In one form of the post assembly coupling means may be provided to couple the inextensible section to the extensible section.

The coupling means preferably includes a coupling member, which may be sleeve-like, connectable to a coupler portion of the extensible section. That coupler portion can be formed at one end of the extensible section. A coupler portion may be also formed on the inextensible section, preferably at the opposite end to the connection portion, and arranged to be connectable to the coupling member.

A mounting portion, preferably the other end of the extensible section may be arranged to connect the extensible section to the support base. One satisfactory arrangement is to extend the mounting portion through a mounting aperture in the base, and driving an expander element into that portion to expand it into interferring engagement with the aperture.

Post locating means may be provided on the base to facilitate location of the post in its normal position. It may also assist mounting of the extensible section to the base. The locating means may include a locating member mountable on the base surrounding the end mounting portion of the extensible section. In that way it can be arranged to extend within the post closely spaced from the inner periphery thereof.

Preferably, the locating member has an abutment surface shaped to converge convexly outwardly of the base about which the open end may pivot during post deflection.

The essential features of the invention, and further optional features, are described in detail in the following passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific form and arrangement of the features (whether they be essential or optional features) shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a cricket wicket incorporating one embodiment of a post assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken through Il-Il of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the cricket wicket as taken through Il-Il of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown generally a cricket wicket assembly incorporating three post assemblies of the present invention. That wicket assembly includes three spaced apart posts 1 forming the stumps of the wicket, each being supported in a normal upright position on common support base 2. As shown, each stump, 1, is of a hollow elongated configuration, preferably cylindrically tubular. The stumps, 1, have spaced apart stump connecting and locating ends, 3, and 4, respectively, both of which are preferably open. The stump connecting end, 3, may have opposed bail locating grooves 5 -formed therein.

The stump, 1, may be composed from a variety of suitable materials such as wood, metal, resin or other plastics material. Preferably, it is composed primarily of P. V. C.

tubing. However, protective sleeves, 6, may be secured about each end 3, and 4, thereof to minimize damage to the locating end, 3, during stump deflection and to assist in the support of the stump, 1, on base, 2, as will become more apparent hereinafter. The protective sleeves, 6, may be composed of metal, for example, aluminium.

Preferably, the connection means within stump, 1, comprises a connection pin, 7, which extends across hollow stump, 1, substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stump at or adjacent connecting end, 3. Connection pin, 7, may comprise an elongated rivet extending through diametrically opposed apertures formed in the wall of stump, 1.

Support base, 2, may be of any convenient configuration, although preferably, it is of minimal thickness so as to minimize any interference that base may case during use of the cricket wicket. Base, 2, may be plate like and may have a rectangular configuration in plan.

As shown in Figure 2, restraining member, 8, is connected to base, 2, and extends upwardly therefrom to be releasably connected to connection pin, 7, and thus stump, 1.

Restraining member, 8, has an extensible section, 9, and an inextensible section, 10, which are preferably coupled together by coupling means, 11.

Extensible section, 9, is connected to base, 2, by any suitable arrangement that provides for firm retention of extensible section, 9.

As detailed in Figure 3, that may be achieved by mounting end portion, 12, of extensible section, 9, in base, 2. Preferably, end mounting portion, 12, is mounted within post locating means, 13, which in turn is mounted in base, 2.

Locating means, 13, preferably comprises post locator member, 14, secured to base, 2, by fastener, 15, extending through aperture, 16, in base, 2. Interconnection between post locator member, 14, and fastener, 15, may be achieved by mating screw theads formed thereon. Each of locator member, 14, and fastener, 15, may be substantially annular in crosssection, the aperture in fastener, 15, constituting mounting aperture, 17, for end portion, 12. The head of the fastener, 15, may be countersunk as may be aperture, 16. In that way projections from the underside of base, 2, which could effect the stability of the post assembly, may be minimized.

An expander element, 18, is preferably driven axially into end portion, 12, thereby expanding end mounting portion, 12, into interferring engagement with the wall of mounting aperture, 17. To assist in retention of end portion, 12, interruptions such as screw threads may be formed on the wall of mounting aperture, 17. In addition, cooperative abutment surfaces may be provided on fastener, 15, and expander element, 18, between which end portion, 12, may be gripped. Those abutment surfaces are preferably provided by countersinking mounting aperture, 17, and the head of expander element, 18. To that end expander element, 18, may comprise, for example, a countersunk head screw.

Locator member, 13, is preferably arranged to extend within stump, 1, and have a maximum diameter at the base thereof slightly smaller than that of the bore of stump, 1.

From that maximum diameter locator member, 13, converges convexly outwardly from base, 2. In this way abutment surface, 19, can present a relatively smooth face about which stump, 1, can pivot without receiving major obstruction therefrom. Inner peripheral edge, 20, of fastener, 15, may be chamfered to minimize undue fraying or wear on extensible section, 9.

In one form the coupling between extensible section, 9, and inextensible section, 10, may be achieved by extending a coupler end portion, 21, of inextensible section, 10, through an open ended passage in coupler end portion, 22, of the extensible section, 9. In another form end portion, 22, may be looped, through which loop coupler end portion, 21, may be projected.

Preferably however, as shown in Figure 3, coupling means, 11, is provided and includes a coupling member, 23, secured to coupler portion, 22, of extensible section, 9, and projecting therefrom. Preferably, coupling member, 23, is sleeve-like and has interruptions, 24, such as screw threads, formed on the inner wall thereof. In that way, coupling member, 23; can be slipped over coupler portion, 22, whereafter an expander element, 25, can be driven into that end laterally expanding - the coupler portion, 22, into interferring engagement with interruptions, 24. Expander element, 25, may comprise, for example, a countersunk head screw to assist in expansion of coupler portion, 22.

A coupling aperture, 26, may extend through projecting coupling member, 23, and coupler portion, 21, of inextensible section, 10, may extend through aperture, 26, in any interconnecting manner. Coupler portion, 21, may be formed as a return portion, preferably substanially hook-shaped to achieve that interconnection.

Inextensible section, 10, preferably has a connection portion, 27, formed at the other end thereof, engageable with connection pin, 7, of stump, 1. Connection portion, 27, may be formed into a return portion, preferably hook-shaped, adapted to capture connection pin, 7, therewithin.

A variety of materials such as string and wire may be suitable for forming inextensible section, 10. In one practical example of a cricket wicket assembly, inextensible section, 10, was composed of 9 gauge high tensile steel wire. Hooked portion, 21, and 27, where formed, such as by bending, and the inextensible section, 10, had an effective length of approximately fifty-eight centimetres.

Extensible section, 9, may be of any suitable resilient material such as rubber or plastics material. One suitable material is known as POLYCORD which is composed of polyurethane and obtainable from Hamasit (Australia) Ltd. This material has a tensile strength of 5690 p.s.i., a stretch at break of 550% and a specific gravity of 1.17.

In one practical example of a cricket wicket assembly, the POLYCORD measured approximately ten centimetres long and seven millimetres in diameter.

The assembly of a cricket wicket assembly incorporating the essential and certain preferred features of the post assembly of the present invention will now be outlined. It will be appreciated - that each of the stumps, 1, may be supported on support base, 2, in a similar fashion. Accordingly, assembly will be outlined only in relation to one stump.

Initially, locator member, 14, is secured to base, 2, with fastener, 15. Coupling member, 23, may then be slipped over coupler portion, 22, of extensible section, 9, and firmly secured thereon with expander element, 25. Mounting portion, 12, of extensible section, 9, may then be secured in aperture, 17, with expander element, 18. Coupler portion, 21, can then be inserted through coupling aperture, 26, and bent into a hook-shape so as to be retained therein.

Stump, 1, is then positioned over restraining member, 8, with locating end, 4, being positioned surrounding locator member, 14, and in abutment with base, 2. In this position hooked connection portion, 27, will be adjacent but slightly beneath connection pin, 7. Hooked connection portion, 27, is then gripped by any suitable gripping tool, access to that portion being gained through open connecting end, 3, and drawn over con section pin, 7, against the resilience of extensible section, 9. The opening in hooked connection portion, 27, and connection pin, 7, are aligned whereupon connection portion, 27, is released, extensible section, 9, drawing connection portion, 27, inwardly of stump, 1, into engagement with connection pin, 7.

The arrangement is such that, in use, extensible section, 9, is pretensioned, that pretension permitting restraining member, 8, to support stump, 1, on support base, 2. The resilience of extensible section, 9, however, permits stump, 1, to be deflected, during which deflection locating end, 4, pivots about base, 2, whereupon restraining member, 8, acts against the deflecting force to restore stump, 1, to its normal upright position.

It will be understood that by following a reverse procedure to the above the cricket wicket assembly may be dismantled.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the post assembly of the present invention may be readily assembled for use, and dismantled for storage and maintenance. Additionally, a cricket wicket assembly incorporating a post assembly of the present invention may have an advantage of a minimum support base thickness. This may avoid the necessity of providing a recess in which to accommodate the support base, or a raised pitch against which the support base may abut.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A post assembly comprising a support base; a hollow elongate, open ended post extending outwardly from the base with one open end facing theretoward; and an elongate resiliently yieldable restraining member which extends through said one open end and along inside the post, to releasably and resiliently interconnect the post and the base, the restraining member having an inextensible section releasably connected to the post at a location spaced from said one open end thereof, access to that connection being available through the other open end of said post, and a resiliently extensible section connected to the base, the post being deflectable from its normal position with respect to the base, and upon such deflection is continuously and resiliently biased to its said normal position by the restraining member.

2. A post assembly according to Claim 1, wherein said inextensible section is releasably connected to said post at or adjacent said other open end to facilitate access to said connection.

3. A post assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein connection means are located within the post and wherein the inextensible section has a connection portion engageable with said connection means thereby to connect the post and inextensible section.

4. A post assembly according to any preceding Claim including coupling means adapted to couple the inextensible and extensible sections of the restraining member, which coupling means includes a coupling member connected to a coupler portion of the extensible section, spaced from that portion of said extensible section connected to the base, a coupler portion of the inextensible section, spaced from that portion of said inextensible section connected to the post, being con nected to the coupling member.

5. A post assembly according to any preceding Claim, including post locating means on the base, and arranged so that the post abuts thereagainst to facilitate location in its normal position.

6. A post assembly according to Claim 5, wherein the post locating means includes a locating member having an abutment surface against which said post abuts, said abutment surface being shaped to converge convexly outwardly of said base.

7. A post assembly substantially as here- inbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A cricket wicket assembly including three post assemblies, each according to any preceding Claim, the support bases thereof being formed integral with each other and arranged such that the posts lie parallel and in spaced apart relation to each other thereby to form stumps of a said wicket.

9. A cricket stump assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. resilience of extensible section, 9, however, permits stump, 1, to be deflected, during which deflection locating end, 4, pivots about base, 2, whereupon restraining member, 8, acts against the deflecting force to restore stump, 1, to its normal upright position. It will be understood that by following a reverse procedure to the above the cricket wicket assembly may be dismantled. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the post assembly of the present invention may be readily assembled for use, and dismantled for storage and maintenance. Additionally, a cricket wicket assembly incorporating a post assembly of the present invention may have an advantage of a minimum support base thickness. This may avoid the necessity of providing a recess in which to accommodate the support base, or a raised pitch against which the support base may abut. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A post assembly comprising a support base; a hollow elongate, open ended post extending outwardly from the base with one open end facing theretoward; and an elongate resiliently yieldable restraining member which extends through said one open end and along inside the post, to releasably and resiliently interconnect the post and the base, the restraining member having an inextensible section releasably connected to the post at a location spaced from said one open end thereof, access to that connection being available through the other open end of said post, and a resiliently extensible section connected to the base, the post being deflectable from its normal position with respect to the base, and upon such deflection is continuously and resiliently biased to its said normal position by the restraining member.