Anchor device for a wooden post

Abstract

An anchoring device for supporting a post from a support surface. The anchoring device comprises a base, at least one stanchion extending from the base, and a plate attached to the stanchion opposite the base. A plurality of side supports is included with each side support attached to and extending from the base. The side supports are also attached to the plate and extend past the plate. First and second guides are included with each guide attached to the plate and each side support. Each guide extends away from the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of supporting a support post in a generally upright position, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a bracket having a bracket length, a bracket width generally perpendicular to the bracket length and a bracket height generally perpendicular to the bracket length and bracket width, the bracket configured to support a support post in a generally upright position, the bracket comprising:   a base plate comprising a generally flat base plate bottom surface configured to rest on a support surface, a base plate top surface, a base plate height extending from the base plate top surface to the base plate bottom surface and generally parallel to the bracket height, a base plate length generally perpendicular to the base plate height, a base plate width generally perpendicular to the base plate length and base plate height, and a plurality of base plate fastener aperture apertures extending through the base plate, each base plate fastener aperture configured to receive a fastener to secure the base plate to the support surface;   a horizontal plate located above the base plate and separated from the base plate by a gap, the horizontal plate comprising a horizontal plate bottom surface, a horizontal plate top surface, a horizontal plate height extending from the horizontal plate top surface to the horizontal plate bottom surface and generally parallel to the bracket height, a horizontal plate length generally perpendicular to the horizontal plate height, a horizontal plate width generally perpendicular to the horizontal plate height and horizontal plate length, and a plurality of plate openings extending through the horizontal plate, wherein each base plate fastener aperture is located directly below and aligned with each horizontal plate opening;   a stanchion extending generally upward from the base plate and having a top end terminating above the base plate top surface connected to the horizontal plate, the stanchion having a stanchion height generally parallel to the bracket height and the base plate height;   a first side plate connected to the horizontal plate and extending generally upward from the base plate and having a first side plate top end located above the stanchion top end, the first side plate having a first side plate first fastener aperture located above the stanchion top end and below the first side plate top end; and   a second side plate connected to the horizontal plate and extending generally upward from the base plate and having a second side plate top end located above the stanchion top end, the second side plate having a second side plate first fastener aperture located above the stanchion top end and below the second side plate top end,   wherein the horizontal plate, the first side plate and the second side plate form a recess configured to support a support post in a generally upright position,    wherein the second side plate is opposite the first side plate,   wherein the first side plate fastener aperture is configured to receive a fastener to secure a support post located in the recess to the first side plate,   wherein the second side plate fastener aperture is configured to receive a fastener to secure a support post located in the recess to the second side plate,   wherein the first and second side plates are separated by a space below the stanchion top end and above the base plate top surface and the stanchion does not fill the space,;    b) placing the base plate bottom surface on a support surface;   c) providing the support post inserting fasteners through the base plate fastener apertures to connect the base plate to the support surface;   d) placing a support post in a generally upright position between the first and second plate and above the stanchion top end placing the support post in a generally upright position in the recess so that the support post rests on the horizontal plate; and   e) securing the support post to the first and second side plates by placing a fastener through the support post, the first side plate first fastener aperture and the second side plate first fastener aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stanchion is in the form of a cylinder, the stanchion further comprises a stanchion diameter perpendicular to the stanchion height, and wherein the stanchion diameter is greater than half of the lesser of the base plate length or width. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the stanchion diameter is greater than three quarters of the lesser of the base plate length or width. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fastener aperture of the first side plate is aligned with the fastener aperture of the second side plate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first side plate further comprises a first side plate second fastener aperture located above the stanchion top end and the second side plate further comprises a second side plate second fastener aperture located above the stanchion top end and step e) further comprises securing the support post to the first and second side plates by placing a fastener through the support post, the first side plate second fastener aperture and the second side plate second fastener aperture. 
     
     
         6 . A method of supporting a support post in a generally upright position, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a bracket having a bracket length, a bracket width generally perpendicular to the bracket length and a bracket height generally perpendicular to the bracket length and bracket width, the bracket configured to support a support post in a generally upright position, the bracket comprising:   a base plate comprising a generally flat base plate bottom surface configured to rest on a support surface, a base plate top surface, a base plate height extending from the base plate top surface to the base plate bottom surface and generally parallel to the bracket height, a base plate length generally perpendicular to the base plate height, a base plate width generally perpendicular to the base plate length and base plate height, and a plurality of base plate fastener aperture apertures extending through the base plate, each base plate fastener aperture configured to receive a fastener to secure the base plate to the support surface;   a horizontal plate located above the base plate and separated from the base plate by a gap, the horizontal plate comprising a horizontal plate bottom surface, a horizontal plate top surface, a horizontal plate height extending from the horizontal plate top surface to the horizontal plate bottom surface and generally parallel to the bracket height, a horizontal plate length generally perpendicular to the horizontal plate height, and a horizontal plate width generally perpendicular to the horizontal plate height and horizontal plate length;   a stanchion extending generally upward from the base plate and having a top end terminating below the horizontal plate top surface connected to the horizontal plate, the stanchion having a stanchion height generally parallel to the bracket height, the base plate height, and the horizontal plate height;   a first side plate connected to the horizontal plate and extending generally upward from the base plate and having a first side plate top end located above the horizontal plate top surface, the first side plate having a first side plate fastener aperture located above the horizontal plate top surface and below the first side plate top end; and   a second side plate connected to the horizontal plate and extending generally upward from the base plate and having a second side plate top end located above the horizontal plate top surface, the second side plate having a second side plate fastener aperture located above the horizontal plate top surface and below the second side plate top end,   wherein the second side plate is opposite the first side plate,   wherein the horizontal plate, the first side plate and the second side plate form a recess configured to support a support post in a generally upright position, the recess having a bottom defined by the horizontal plate and an open top,   wherein the first side plate fastener aperture is configured to receive a fastener to secure a support post located in the recess to the first side plate,   wherein the second side plate fastener aperture is configured to receive a fastener to secure a support post located in the recess to the second side plate,   wherein the first and second side plates are separated by a space below the horizontal plate bottom surface and the stanchion does not fill the space,   b) placing the base plate bottom surface on a support surface;   c) providing the support post; inserting fasteners through the base plate fastener apertures to connect the base plate to the support surface;    d) placing the support post in a generally upright position in the recess so that the support post rests on the horizontal plate; and   e) securing the support post to the first and second side plates by placing a fastener through the support post and the first and second side plate fastener apertures.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the fastener aperture of the first side plate is aligned with the fastener aperture of the second side plate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the first side plate further comprises a first side plate second fastener aperture located above the horizontal plate top surface and the second side plate further comprises a second side plate second fastener aperture located above the horizontal plate top surface and step e) further comprises securing the support post to the first and second side plates by placing a fastener through the support post, the first side plate second fastener aperture and the second side plate second fastener aperture. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal plate openings are larger than the base plate fastener apertures.  
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the bracket further comprises a first guide plate connected to the first and second side plates and the horizontal plate above the base plate, and a second guide plate opposite the first guide plate and connected to the first and second side plates and the horizontal plate above the base plate, and further wherein the first guide plate and the second guide plate also form the recess.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the bracket comprises a rectangular front opening defined by the first side plate, the base plate, the second side plate and the first guide plate and a rectangular rear opening defined by the first side plate, the base plate, the second side plate and the second guide plate.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein the first and second guide plates are located above the base plate.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein each of the first side plate, second side plate, first guide plate and second guide plate comprise a top and further wherein the tops of the first and second side plates are located above the tops of the first and second guide plates.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second side plates are biased inwards toward each other to facilitate the securing of the support post in the recess.  
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 6  wherein the bracket further comprises a first guide plate connected to the first and second side plates and the horizontal plate above the base plate, and a second guide plate opposite the first guide plate and connected to the first and second side plates and the horizontal plate above the base plate, and further wherein the first guide plate and the second guide plate also form the recess.  
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein the bracket comprises a rectangular front opening defined by the first side plate, the base plate, the second side plate and the first guide plate and a rectangular rear opening defined by the first side plate, the base plate, the second side plate and the second guide plate.  
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15  wherein the first and second guide plates are located above the base plate.  
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15  wherein each of the first side plate, second side plate, first guide plate and second guide plate comprise a top and further wherein the tops of the first and second side plates are located above the tops of the first and second guide plates.  
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 6  wherein the first and second side plates are biased inwards toward each other to facilitate the securing of the support post in the recess.