Post stabilizer

Abstract

A post stabilizing device including a plurality of interconnectable plates is provided. Each of the plates has one or more series of slots that can be mated with slots in one or more of the remaining plates. The plates can be driven into the ground before or after the post intended to be stabilized. The post stabilizing devices help keep a post in place by requiring large amounts of earth to be displaced in order for the post to move in any direction, thus, stabilizing the post.

1 . A post stabilizing device, comprising: 
 a plurality of plates for positioning around a post, each of the plurality of plates having one or more series of slots formed therein along a length of the plates so that the plates can be interconnected around a variety of different posts;    wherein at least one of the plurality of plates has spacing between slots within the one or more series of slots that is non-uniform.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of plates is devoid of any feature for coupling the plate to a post.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plates includes four plates.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of plates has a length of from about 12 inches to about 18 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of plates has only a single series of slots.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more series of slots includes at least seven slots.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of plates has spacing between slots within the one or more series of slots that is non-uniform.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more series of slots is disposed proximate a central region of the plates.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein slots in the one or more series of slots extend from an edge of the plates to about half of the width of the plates.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of plates are planar.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plates includes a means for engaging a post.  
   
   
       12 . A post stabilizing device, comprising: 
 a plurality of plates for positioning around a post, each of the plurality of plates having a series of slots formed therein along a length of the plates so that the plates can be interconnected around a variety of different posts;    wherein the series of slots includes slots arranged to have at least three different spacing intervals between the slots.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of plates includes four plates.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein spacing intervals between some of the slots in the series of slots is equivalent.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of plates is devoid of any feature for engaging a post.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plates includes a means for coupling the plate to a post.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the at least three different spacing intervals is {fraction (5/8)} inch, {fraction (3/4)} inch, and 1 inch.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the at least three different spacing intervals is {fraction (3/4)} inch.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the at least three different spacing intervals is 1 inch.  
   
   
       20 . A post stabilizing device, comprising: 
 a plurality of plates for positioning around a post, each of the plurality of plates having a series of slots formed therein along a length of the plates so that the plates can be interconnected around a variety of different posts, the plurality of plates comprising: 
 a first plate including a first arrangement of slots; and  
 a second plate including a second arrangement of slots that is different than the first arrangement of slots.  
   
   
   
       21 . A method of stabilizing a post, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a post stabilizing device including a plurality of plates;    interconnecting the plurality of plates around a post so that the interconnected plates are not affixed to the post; and    driving the interconnected plates at least partially into ground that is or will be surrounding the post.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the post stabilizing device is in accordance with  claim 1 .  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the post stabilizing device is in accordance with  claim 12 .  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of plates includes multiple spaced apart slots formed therein along a length of the plates.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein spacing between the multiple spaced apart slots is uniform.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein spacing between the multiple spaced apart slots is non-uniform.