Post support and stabilization

Abstract

A post support and stabilization apparatus includes a stand having at least three legs, each of the legs being pivotally attached to a substantially ‘U’ shaped bracket, and a reversible mechanism for holding and releasing a post, when set within the bracket. A method for post support and stabilization includes the steps of placing the post support apparatus in a desired location with the ‘U’ bracket positioned at the desired height above the chosen post base location.

1 . A post support and stabilization apparatus, comprising: 
 a) a stand having a plurality of legs wherein said legs are not evenly spaced apart around said post;    b) each of said legs being pivotally engaged with a post-restraining bracket having a substantially U-shaped cross section, said U-shaped bracket being substantially horizontally disposed for receiving through an open end thereof a substantially vertical post; and    c) means for reversibly affixing said post within said bracket.    
   
   
       2 . A post support and stabilization apparatus, comprising: 
 a) a stand having at least three leg assemblies pivotally engaged at or adjacent to an upper end thereof with a post-restraining bracket having a substantially U-shaped cross section, said U-shaped bracket being substantially horizontally disposed for receiving through an open end thereof a substantially vertical post;    b) one of said three leg assemblies being pivotally engaged with said U-shaped bracket opposite said open end, and said second and third leg assemblies being pivotally engaged at or adjacent to said open end of said U-shaped bracket on opposite sides thereof; and    c) means for reversibly affixing said post within said bracket.    
   
   
       3 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising means for independently adjusting the length of one or more of said leg assemblies.  
   
   
       4 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said leg assembly adjusting means comprises one or more telescopic and/or folding leg assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said reversible affixing means comprises a threaded rod or thumb screw passing through one or both sides of said U-shaped bracket, or any clamping means.  
   
   
       6 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a supporting backplate affixed within said U-shaped bracket and extending vertically above and/or below said bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said reversible affixing means comprises a threaded rod or thumb screw passing through said backplate, and another threaded rod or thumb screw passing through each of said opposite sides of said U-shaped bracket.  
   
   
       8 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said supporting backplate is adjustable for making coarse post width adjustments by means of a telescopic back plate.  
   
   
       9 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising friction pads, one or more spikes, feet, or other non-slip means pivotally or swivelly attached at a lower end of one or more of said leg assemblies.  
   
   
       10 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one flexible or rigid bracing member is reversibly attached connecting at least one of said leg assemblies to one or more of said other leg assemblies and/or said post.  
   
   
       11 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising additional post restraining means including a ratchet strap or tightening device for restraining said post within said U-shaped bracket.  
   
   
       12 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a second, smaller U-shaped bracket disposed within the first, allowing for stabilization of objects of various sizes and shapes.  
   
   
       13 . The post support and stabilization apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising means for adjusting plumb or vertical alignment of said post.  
   
   
       14 . A method for supporting and stabilizing a post, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a post support apparatus comprising a stand having at least three leg assemblies pivotally engaged at or adjacent to an upper end thereof with a post-restraining bracket having a substantially U-shaped cross section, said U-shaped bracket being substantially horizontally disposed for receiving through an open end thereof a substantially vertical post, one of said three leg assemblies being pivotally engaged with said U-shaped bracket opposite said open end, and said second and third leg assemblies being pivotally engaged at or adjacent to said open end of said U-shaped bracket on opposite sides thereof;    b) placing said post support apparatus in a desired location with said U-shaped bracket positioned at a desired height above a chosen post base location;    c) lifting and engaging said post into said U-shaped bracket; and    d) reversibly securing said post within said bracket.