GB2388380A - Post support plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure support plate is preferably an octagonal metal plate 1 designed to enable an existing post support 5 and 6 to sustain much heavier loads without sinking by spreading such loads over a larger area of ground or substrate. The plate 1 is slotted 2 to accommodate the flutes of the post holder 6 and to separate it from the box section which holds the post 5 Teeth 2 at the edge of the plate penetrate the substrate and act to site and lock in the point of placement of the post support when it is placed or driven through the plate. Longitudinal depressions (4, Figure 1) strengthen the plate 1 to resist deformity under loading.

Description

Structure Support Plate Background. A variety of post support devices

exist which provide a lower section

which is a fluted spike and an upper box section in which the post can sit or be fixed.

However when a considerable load is put on that post it will sired into the ground.

The invention relates to a plate which when used in conjunction with such a post support device will provide a fimn foundation for small buildings and platforms built on soft or penetrable ground or made up substrate.

It is well known that vertical loads can be spread by placing them on a wider base.This effect can reduce or eliminate sinking or penetration of the load into the underlying surface. Such plates need certain features i. e. that it be strong enough to support the load, that the load does not slide on the plate and that the loaded plate does not slide on the ground or substrate.

The object of this invention is to incorporate such features in the plate which provide for improved strength and convenient location of loads on it and for it on such substrate as it sits with the load. It also provides for the incorporation of features which allows it to be used with a variety of post fixing devices that exist.

Accordingly, this invention provides a plate with downward pointing teeth at its perimeter for purchase on the substrate and a central section which is shaped to accommodate a variety of attachments which locate the load above it and the substrate below it for e.g. the post support device discussed above.

Preferably the plate is of metal but may be, for the purposes of appearance or corrosion resistance be made of plastic or plastic coated metal or metal reinforced plastic or combinations of these or be plated or painted for the same reasons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention as it relates to an existing post support device will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figurel shows a perspective of the plate Figure 2 shows a plan of the plate Figures shows a side view of the plate Figure 4 shows a view of the plate with an existing post supporting device located through its centre so its lower section can deeply penetrate the ground or substrate.

Figures shows a view where the plate engages an existing post supporting device that has a much shorter lower section such as might be use to engage or penetrate the substrate when this is cement.

As shown in Figl the plate comprises a flat octagonal sheet I devised by folding the corners of a square at right angles to form teeth 2. From the centre of the plate is a cruciform slot 3 whose component anns are directed radially towards where the teeth 2 are located.

Between the slots also directed radially are grooves or longitudinal depressions Figures 2 and 3 are plan and side views of the perspective of Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a perspective of the plate accommodating a deeply penetrating post support Figure 5 shows a perspective where the plate is accommodating a shallow penetrating post support Though the preferred plate is shown to be octagonal it may be round or triangular or any convenient shape provided that an appropriate slot or hole can be incorporated to accommodate the components of the post support device that would be used with it.

The depressions 4 and the teeth 2 are preferred incorporations for strength and location of the plate on the substrate respectively.

Claims (7)

1. Claims

   I A structure support plate with slots radiating from its centre to accommodate existing fluted post supports that may be driven through it into the ground or substrate together forming a firm foundation for structures attached to and above it.
2. 2 A structure support plate as claimed in Claim 1 that has broad based teeth at its edges that can be pushed or driven into the ground or substrate to locate the position for siting and driving a fluted post support through it into the ground or substrate.
3. 3 A structure support plate as in the previous Claims wherein linear depressions are formed radiating from the centre between the slots to provide strength to the plate.
4. 4 A structure support plate that relates to increasing the potential for loading of an existing post support device.
5. 5 A structure support plate that may locate the post support device by its slot or be fixed to it by welding or any other means between its substrate and post holding sections.
6. 6 structure support plate as in the previous claims which is made of metal, plastic coated metal, plastic,metal reinforced plastic or combinations of these or may be metal which has been plated or painted to prevent corrosion.
7. 7 A structure support plate substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.