Anchor device for supporting a post

Abstract

A method of installation of a post ( 18 ) in the ground which includes the steps of: (i) forming a hole in the ground; (ii) locating a ground anchor ( 10, 10 A) in the hole having one or more internal sockets ( 16, 16 B) wherein the or each internal socket is substantially flush with ground level; and (iii) inserting the guide post in the internal socket whereby said post is retained therein with a major part of the post extending above ground level whereby flexing of the post upon impact may occur about a hinge point ( 52 ) corresponding with ground level comprises a first “special technical feature”. Also claimed is a ground anchor ( 10 ) for supporting a guide post in the ground having a body and one or more ground penetration members ( 12 ) and at least one internal socket ( 16 ) for receiving the guide post in use wherein there is provided retaining means ( 19 ) for retaining the guide post within said at least one internal socket in us wherein said retaining means is located adjacent said at least one internal socket for effecting release of the guide post from said at least one internal socket when required.

1 . A method of installation of a flexible post in the ground, said flexible post being of plate like configuration having a pair of opposed broad surfaces and a pair of edges which are restricted or narrow in width which includes the steps of: 
 (i) forming a hole in the ground;    (ii) locating a ground anchor in the hole having at least one internal socket wherein the at least one internal socket is substantially flush with ground level; and    (iii) inserting the post in the at least one internal socket whereby said post is retained therein with a major part of the post extending above ground level whereby flexing of the post upon impact due to its plate like configuration may occur about a hinge point corresponding with ground level.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein in step (i) the hole is excavated prior to location of the ground anchor in the hole.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hole is formed simultaneously with driving the ground anchor into the ground.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is retained within a single internal socket of the ground anchor whereby the cross sectional shape of the post corresponds to the shape of the single internal socket.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is retained with the at least one internal socket by interference fit.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is securely retained within the at least one internal socket by at least one or more latch projection formed on one of the post or ground anchor any engaging with a corresponding aperture formed on another of the ground anchor or post.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said latch projection is disengaged from said corresponding aperture to thereby release the post from engagement with the ground anchor.  
   
   
       8 . A ground anchor for supporting a flexible post of plate like configuration having a pair of opposed broad surfaces and a pair of edges, in the ground said ground anchor having a body and one or more ground penetration members and at least one internal socket for receiving the guide post in use, said at least one internal socket being (i) of corresponding shape to the flexible post or (ii) having a pair of opposed grooves for engagement with corresponding edges of the flexible post wherein there is provided retaining means for retaining the guide post within said at least one internal socket in use wherein said retaining means is located adjacent said at least one internal socket for effecting release of the guide post from said at least one internal socket when required.  
   
   
       9 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 8  having a single internal socket which has a cross sectional shape which corresponds to a cross sectional shape of the post.  
   
   
       10 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said retaining means includes at least one latch projection of the body extending into said internal socket for engagement with a corresponding aperture of the post in use.  
   
   
       11 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the retaining means includes at least one latch aperture in the body for engagement with a corresponding latch projection of the post in use.  
   
   
       12 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 10  wherein either of said latch projection or said latch aperture are engageable or have an adjacent surface of the body contactable by a tool to effect release of the retaining means to facilitate removal of the post from the ground anchor.  
   
   
       13 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the latch projection is contactable by said tool.  
   
   
       14 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein there is provided a cover strip having said latch projection engageable with said body and said cover strip is contactable by said tool.  
   
   
       15 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the ground penetration members comprise a plurality of spikes which extend downwardly from a bottom end of said at least one socket.  
   
   
       16 . A post-ground anchor assembly which includes the ground anchor of  claim 8  and a post retained within said at least one internal socket with said retaining means including at least one latch projection formed on one of the ground anchor or post engaging with a corresponding latch aperture formed in one of the post or ground anchor.  
   
   
       17 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 11  wherein either of said latch projection or said latch aperture are engageable or have an adjacent surface of the body contactable by a tool to effect release of the retaining means to facilitate removal of the post from the ground anchor.  
   
   
       18 . A ground anchor as claimed in  claim 17  wherein there is provided a cover strip having said latch projection engageable with said body and said cover strip is contactable by said tool.