Post hole support

Abstract

Apparatus and method for supporting a post. In accordance with some embodiments, a subterranean support structure has a tube extension adapted for placement within a hole to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole. The tube extension has opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole. A support flange circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end of the tube extension. The support flange supports a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a tube extension adapted for placement within a hole to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole, the tube extension having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole; and   a support flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end thereof, the support flange adapted to support a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the anchoring material is a column of concrete. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the first end, wherein the anchoring material is filled in a volume space within the hole between the upper and lower flanges. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one stabilizing flange which extends along a length of the tube extension to contactingly support at least a selected one of the respective upper or lower flanges relative to the tube extension. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which an opening is formed in the second end of the tube extension, and a drainage zone is formed in the hole below the lower flange to facilitate accumulation of liquid passing down through the tube extension and through said opening. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the tube extension has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the tube extension has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the tube extension has a first cross-sectional shape, the post has a different, second cross-sectional shape, and the apparatus further comprises an insert adapted to contactingly fit in a gap between the tube extension and the post responsive to insertion of the post into the tube extension. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover member adapted to engage the tube extension and substantially fill an opening of the hole in an absence of the post, the cover member having a top surface substantially even with a surrounding ground surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a post having a first end inserted into the tube extension and secured thereto using at least one fastener, the post having an opposing second end which extends in a substantially vertical direction above the first end. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the post is a fence post and a fence panel is attached to the fence post. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a subterranean support structure placed in a hole in the ground, the support structure comprising:
 a tube extension adapted to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole, the tube extension having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole; and 
 a support flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end thereof; and 
   a column of anchoring material placed in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole, the column of anchoring material supported by the support flange.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the column of anchoring material comprises a column of concrete, and wherein a drainage zone is formed within the hole below the support flange to accommodate a flow of water passing along the length of the the tube extension. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a post inserted into the tube extension, the post extending above the hole. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a cap member inserted into the tube extension to substantially cover the hole, the cap member substantially flush with the surrounding ground. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 digging a hole;   placing a subterranean support structure within the hole, the support structure comprising:
 a tube extension adapted to receivingly nest a proximal end of a vertically extending post that extends above the hole, the tube extension having opposing first and second ends, the first end adapted for placement proximate a top elevation of the hole and the second end adapted for placement proximate a bottom elevation of the hole; and 
 a support flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the second end thereof; 
   inserting a column of anchoring material in the hole between the tube extension and a sidewall of the hole, the column of anchoring material supported on the support flange; and   inserting a post into the tube extension.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure further comprises an upper flange which circumferentially extends from the tube extension a selected distance from the first end, wherein the anchoring material is filled in a volume space within the hole between the upper and lower flanges. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure further comprises at least one stabilizing flange which extends along a length of the tube extension to contactingly support at least a selected one of the respective upper or lower flanges relative to the tube extension. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , in which an opening is formed in the second end of the tube extension, and a drainage zone is formed in the hole below the lower flange to facilitate accumulation of liquid passing down through the tube extension and through said opening. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing the post and installing a cover member which engages the tube extension and substantially fills an opening of the hole in an absence of the post, the cover member having a top surface substantially even with a surrounding ground surface.