PIVOTING BRACKET FOR A POST

Abstract

A bracket device for use with a misaligned post, the bracket comprising a first bracket portion for receiving a first end portion of the post, a second bracket portion for receiving a second end portion of the post, a pivoting means between and connected to the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion, wherein one or more angles of the misaligned post is adjusted using the pivoting means to correct the alignment of the post. The pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the angle of the post. The bracket device may be installed on a fence that is in place, enabling repairs without removing the fence. As well, the bracket device may be utilized as part of the initial installation and construction of a new fence.

Claims

1. A bracket device for use with a post comprising a first post portion and a second post portion, the bracket device comprising: a first bracket portion for receiving an end of the first post portion; a second bracket portion for receiving an end of the second post portion; and a pivoting means positioned between and connected to the first bracket portion and second bracket portion for adjusting one or more angles of the post.

2. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means pivots along one axis of freedom.

3. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means pivots along two axes of freedom.

4. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein a misalignment of the post is corrected by adjusting the pivoting means.

5. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the post in place with the adjusted one or more angles.

6. The bracket device of claim 1, further comprising one or more adjusting means between the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion for additional adjustment of the one or more angles of the post.

7. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion each comprise a base and two side portions extending perpendicular from opposing sides of the base, wherein the two side portions each have a plurality of holes for use with a plurality of fasteners to secure the first and second bracket portions to the post.

8. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the post is part of a pre-existing fence and the bracket device is installed on the post without removing the fence.

9. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the bracket device is installed on the post during the construction of a fence.

10. The bracket device of claim 1, wherein the first post portion is a cut post portion and the second post portion is a base post portion having one end secured to the ground.

11. The bracket device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adjustable bolts positioned between the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion and adjacent to the pivoting mechanism, wherein the adjustable bolts are each rotated to have the bolt head push against the second bracket portion to adjust one or more angles of the post.

12. The bracket device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of adjustable bolts are rotated by different amounts to achieve the desired adjusted one or more angles of the second bracket portion to cause the post to be straightened.

13. A method of repairing a misaligned post, the method comprising: cutting the post at a first location resulting in a cut post portion and a base post portion; attaching a bracket device to the post, the bracket device comprising: a first bracket portion for receiving an end of the cut post portion; a second bracket portion for receiving an end of the base post portion; a pivoting means positioned between and connected to the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion; and adjusting one or more angles of the cut post portion using the pivoting means.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising cutting the post at a second location, a predetermined distance away from the first cut location, the predetermined distance corresponding to the height of the bracket device, wherein the repaired post has the same height as before the repair.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the adjusted angles cause the cut post portion to be straightened vertically.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting includes adjusting two angles of the cut post portion along two axes of freedom.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the method of repairing the misaligned post is performed on the post without removing the post from a fence.

18. A bracket device for use with a post being installed on uneven ground, the bracket device comprising: a post support for receiving an end of the post; a base; and a pivoting means between and connected to the flat base and the bottom of the post support, wherein one or more angles of the post is adjusted using the pivoting means.

19. The bracket device of claim 18, wherein a plurality of holes on the base for use with a plurality of bolts are used to secure the bracket device to the ground.

20. The bracket device of claim 18, wherein the pivoting means includes a locking mechanism to secure the post in place with the adjusted one or more angles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1A shows an example of misaligned post in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 1B shows an example of a cut misaligned post in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2A shows an example of a bracket device attached to a misaligned post in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 2B shows an example of the bracket device adjusting the angle and alignment of the misaligned post in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 3 shows an example of a pivoting mechanism of the bracket device in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0018] FIG. 4 shows an example of a flat base bracket with an adjustable base and pivoting mechanism, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1A illustrates an example of misaligned post (e.g. tilted post) in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, there is an example of a misaligned post 100, where in the example the post 100 is 3 degrees off from a straight vertical position. This is only one example and the angle can vary. In an example method of the present application, the misaligned post 100 is cut near its base. In an example embodiment the post 100 is first cut approximately 4 inches from the ground. A second cut is made on the post 100 approximately 2 inches above the previous cut (e.g. or 6 inches from the ground) for bracket clearance. That is, the distance between the first cut and the second cut corresponds to the height a bracket device when installed on the post 100. This ensures that the post 100 will remain at the same height it was prior to the repair (e.g. post 100 height will match other posts on a fence). The portion 102 cut from the post 100 is removed and not used (e.g. discarded). In other embodiments, only one cut is made to the post and the height of the repaired post is adjusted after the repair, for example by cutting the top of the post. FIG. 1B illustrates the misaligned post 100 after the two cuts, showing a top portion 110 of the post 100 and a bottom portion 120 of the post. By leaving the concrete support with the base portion 120 of the post in position, the post 100 has great stability for the future. In other embodiments the distance of the cuts on the post 100 may be different than what was previously described. For example, the diameter (e.g. size) of the post 100 (e.g. smaller or larger) as well the size of the bracket device (e.g. smaller or larger) may affect where the first and second cuts are made on the post 100 (e.g. different distances may be used to install the bracket device).

[0021] FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a bracket device 200 attached to the top portion 110 and bottom portion 120 of the post 100, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The bracket device 200 includes a first end cover 210 (e.g. repair bracket, first bracket portion), a second end cover 220 (e.g. base bracket, second bracket portion), a plurality of adjustable bolts 240 (e.g. screws, other adjustable fastening means) and a pivoting means 250. The shape of the first and second end covers 210, 220 correspond to the shape of the ends of the first and second portions 110, 120 of the post 100. As well, the first end cover 210 and the second end cover 220 each have a recess for receiving the end of the first end portion 110 and the end of the second portion 120, respectively. The first and second end covers 210, 220 are connected to each other by a pivoting means 250 (e.g. the pivoting means is attached to each of the first and second end covers 210, 220). The pivoting means 250 facilitates the motion of pivoting the post 100 and locking the post 100 in the desired position with the bolts 240. In an embodiment, the pivoting means 250 provides for the capacity of rotation of the bracket on one fixed axis where the center of rotation is at the center of a retaining pin (not shown) that is secured in the hole 251 of the pivoting means 250 (e.g. the pivoting means pivots along one axis of freedom). In other embodiments, the pivoting means 250 may have a different shape and design and provide rotation in more than one axis such (e.g. the pivoting means pivots or rotates along two axes of freedom) and may provide for example 360 degrees of rotation. For example, the pivoting means may be a pivot joint, a swivel ball joint or other rotating joint. In use, the bracket device 200 is placed between the top portion 110 and bottom portion 120 of the post 100 (e.g. between the two cuts). Then the bracket device 200 is secured to the top portion 110 of the post 100 with fasteners. In example embodiments, the fasteners may be a bolt, clevis pin or similar hollow type of pin. The type of fastener used may depend on the size, shape and material of the post 100. For example, for a wood post a combination of through bolt and screw may be used.

[0022] In the example embodiment, once the bracket 200 is secured to the post 100, the adjustable bolts 240 are used to adjust the angle of the top portion 110 of the post 100 to align it vertically. For example and as shown in FIG. 2B, when the angle is adjusted the top portion 110 of the post 100 will be straight vertically while the bottom portion 120 will remain skewed (e.g. in the angle position it was in at the start of the post repair). In the example embodiment there are four adjustable bolts 240, however in other embodiments another number of bolts may be used. The adjustable bolts 240 may facilitate additional adjustment of the angles of the post. As well, in some embodiments no adjustable bolts are used and the pivoting means alone provides the adjustment of the angles to correct the alignment of the post. In another embodiment, a locking mechanism is used, for example a horizontal threaded pin that once tightened with a proper locking nut, will secure the angle of the bracket 200 in the position that the post 100 is to be straightened. Other locking mechanisms may be used, for example a locking lever attaching to the pivoting means. As well, the post 100 is able to rotate freely for the readjustment of the bracket 200 when the locking mechanism is loosened. The use of this bracket 200 design may be dependent on the size of the post 100 and the vertical force applied on the bracket.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an example of a pivoting mechanism 300 (e.g. pivoting means) of the bracket device in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example embodiment, the pivoting mechanism 300 comprises a flat top 310, a flat bottom 320, a pivoting mechanism 350 (e.g. pivoting means) and a plurality of bolts 340. As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the pivoting mechanism 350 is pyramidal. Utilizing the pivoting mechanism 350 the angle of the post 100 may be adjusted along two axes of freedom using the bolts 340 while preventing torsion movement, the adjusted angle resulting in the post 100 being positioned in the right orientation (e.g. vertical). For example, the bolts 340 are each rotated to have the bolt head push against the interior side of the flat bottom 320. The bolts 340 may be rotated different amounts to achieve the desired angle to cause the post 100 to be straightened (e.g. vertically upright). In use, the pivoting mechanism 350 may be used on a corner post where the correction to the tilt would be required in two planes. In other embodiments, the pivoting mechanism 350 may have a different shape and configuration.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flat base bracket with an adjustable base and pivoting mechanism, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure. The base bracket 400 includes a post support 410, an adjustable base 420 and a pivoting mechanism 430 (e.g. pivoting means). The base bracket 400 may be used when there is a post is to be erected on uneven ground (e.g. unlevel concrete). In use, the post 100 is positioned in the post support 410, and fasteners may be used to secure the post 100 in the post support 410. In the example shown, the post support 410 has a plurality of holes 411 that can receive screws or nails to secure the post 100 in the post support 410. And the pivoting mechanism 430 facilitates the pivoting of the post 100 to an angle that causes the post 100 to be in a vertical position (e.g. adjust the angle of the post 100 to correct for the uneven ground). The pivoting mechanism 430 also has a locking mechanism to secure and lock the angle of the post 100 in the post support 410 (e.g. to secure the post in place of the adjusted angle). For example, the locking mechanism may be a retaining pin placed in the hole 431 of the pivoting mechanism 430. In other embodiments the locking mechanism may be a locking lever attaching to the pivoting mechanism 430. The adjustable base 420 is secured to the ground, which may be a concrete ground or other type of ground surface. In the example embodiment, the base 420 has a plurality of holes 421 to receive fasteners such as anchor bolts to secure the base 420 to the ground. In other embodiments, other securing means may be used such as epoxy adhesives. As well, the example base 420 shown is generally flat but in other embodiments the base 420 may have a different shape and configuration to accommodate the ground it is being installed on.

[0025] The bracket device 200 may be fabricated by bending sheet metal to form the first end cover 210 (e.g. repair bracket) and a second end cover 220. The sheet metal may be with or without a powder coating. The fabrication of the bracket device 200 is low cost and is easy to prototype and use. In other embodiments, other materials may be used to fabricate the bracket device 200.

[0026] The bracket devices and pivoting mechanisms described in the application may be made of, for example, sheet metal, vinyl, plastic and composite materials or other materials. The bracket devices and pivoting mechanisms described herein may be manufactured using metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, metal infection molding, plastic injection molding, forming, extrusions, or other methods of fabrication.

[0027] As well, in other embodiments the bracket device 200 may have a different size, shape and configuration. The main pivot design of pivoting mechanism 300 may be used for the posts having the same size (e.g. diameter) between the first end cover 210 (e.g. repair bracket) and the second end cover 220 (e.g. base bracket).

[0028] The bracket device 200 may be installed as a pivot mechanism into a post base support when a new fence is being built. As well, the bracket device 200 may be used with wood posts as well as posts made of other materials such as metal or vinyl. Also, a bracket cover may be used to cover the installed bracket device 200 for aesthetic purposes (e.g. the bracket cover has the same or similar colour as the post material to provide a seamless and uniform appearance).

[0029] What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed architecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[0030] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.