Universal fence post base foot

Abstract

A base comprises a base plate having a planar surface and a pair of raised, spaced, parallel walls extending along part of the length of the base plate. Each wall comprises at least one connection aperture 22 for receiving a protrusion on a member to be coupled to the base. Each aperture comprises a rotational aperture in which the protrusion can rotate and at least one slot into which the protrusion can slide from the rotational aperture when rotated to the correct orientation. Each slot extends radially from an edge of the rotational aperture. Once received in the slot, the protrusion is prevented from further rotation. An access slot allowing the protrusion to be moved into the rotational aperture is also provided, extending from the edge of the rotational aperture to an edge of the wall. The base plate is formed from a sheet of steel with folded up arms forming the walls. The post base may be a fence post base.

Description

The present invention relates to a Universal fence post base foot having an improved structure and improved method of manufacture. Background Fencing equipment is required to be mass-produced and as such it is desirable that the method of production be streamlined. Especially as the user may require many fence posts and panels to produce the desired fence perimeter. Further, such fences would need to be configured for rapid deployment regardless of the terrain on which the fence is located. Additionally, such fence may need to be configured to be easily removable, such that the user may dismantle and move the various fence components easily, this may be necessary for various events where the fence is not needed permanently. To achieve these effects the fence system may include a universal fence post base, a type of base that can be easily transported for rapid deployment over any terrain. Such a base requires a relatively sophisticated design to allow for moving parts and the securing of those parts in at least two orientations, one when deployed and another compact position for storage and transportation. This results in a multicomponent part typically with several welding operations required and this results in less efficient production both in time and materials. However, the production of such parts can be time-consuming when multiple components need to be made, additionally, welding each set of components can result in the creation of a large amount of pollution from the waste products produced during each weld. There is therefore a need for an improved structure and method of manufacture or a fencing component securable in at least two orientations. The present invention The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. The present invention provides a universal base plate and a method of producing said base plate. Wherein the base plate is configured to be mass-produced using a simple two-step process. Once produced the base plate can be rapidly deployed by transporting the base to the desired location. Once in place the user can place the base plate over the ground at the locations where the user requires the various fence posts for the fence perimeter. Once deployed the user can couple the posts to the base plate to form the fence. It is noted that such base plates are configured to be compatible with a wide variety offence posts, allowing the same base plate to be used with different types of fences. A particular advantage of the present invention is that the base plate when made of steel is normally galvanised in this step is required to take place after all welding in conventional production, has taken place to avoid the toxic gassing of zinc during the welding process. Therefore, the final product which is galvanised typically have a high surface area, cavities and apertures under the features which give rise to high levels of zinc retention, beyond what is necessary to give a uniform coating and this makes the galvanising step less efficient. The present invention in providing a planar sheet of steel, cutting that planar sheet to provide a plurality of apertures and then in a, preferably, single bending operation to create two parallel walls to accommodate further features such as an attached member and then galvanising this provides the complete functionality for a deployable base such as for use in fast deployment fencing. The cutting operation is itself a single operation as this can be carried out by a pressing operation or by laser cutting. Laser cutting enables a fast and accurate cut but is limited to a planar surface, this is achieved because the subsequent bending step places the relevant cut portion into a perpendicular orientation ready for deployment. In general, the base plate comprises a planar plate that acts as the foot of the fence post, with one or two wings / walls that rise vertically from the plane of the base plate and extend along the length of the base plate. The raised walls of the base plate comprise an aperture configured to receive a protruding member attached to the fence post, wherein the apertures are configured to allow the post to rotate at least between a vertical and horizontal position relative to the plane of the base plate. This rotation allows the member attached to the base to rotate between a deployed position, wherein the attached member is vertical, referring to a direction perpendicular to the base plate, and a storage position wherein the member is horizontal, referring to a direction parallel to the plate, such that the base foot will be more compact that substantially planar, allow the base to be stored and stacked more easily, allowing for many bases to be transported more easily. It is noted that the walls would further comprise a means of locking the attached member into at least one position. This may be achieved by having slots that extend from the rotation aperture described above, wherein there is one slot for each position the attached member may be locked to. In use, the user can rotate the member within the aperture until the member protrusions align with a desired slot. Once aligned the user can push or pull the member to insert the protrusions into the desired slot. As the slot is thinner than the aperture, the member will no longer be able to rotate thereby locking the member into position. An alternative, method may be to include fastener apertures within the walls of the base plate, again one such aperture for each position the member can be locked to, then the user would use a member with a corresponding fastener aperture, wherein as the member rotates the fastener aperture of the member can be aligned with one of the fastener apertures on the base. Once aligned a suitable fastener can be inserted through the aligned apertures to lock the member in place. It is noted that these two methods are not mutually exclusive, therefore some embodiments may use a combination of both locking methods to hold the member in place more firmly and have the second locking method as a fail-safe should one of the methods fail to work. Another feature that may be included in the base walls is a receiving channel, this channel extends from the rotation aperture to the edge of the base wall. The purpose of this channel is to receive the protrusions that extend from the surface of the attached member and guide the protrusion into the rotation aperture as the user pulls or pushes the attached member. It is noted that this channel will have a width similar to the slots described above, thereby preventing the member from rotating until the protrusions have entered the rotation aperture. In some cases, such a channel may not be necessary, in these cases the walls of the plate may be configured to deform elastically, allowing the walls to bend in a direction that will widen the gap between the walls, specifically to make the gaps wider than the member the user wishes to attach. This wider gap will allow the protrusions of the attached member to be inserted directly into the rotation apertures. Once the protrusions are inserted the walls can be released if elastically deformed or folded back, to return the walls to their original position. In other cases, the attached member may comprise a secondary plate or member that passes through apertures in the member to form the protrusions. In these cases, the user can place the attached member between the walls with the apertures in the members aligned with the rotation apertures. Once aligned the user may insert the secondary plate or member through each of the aligned apertures thereby coupling the member to the base plate. In some cases, the base plate walls may comprise two sets of apertures as described above, at each end of the wall. This will allow the user to couple a member to either side of the base plate and more importantly can allow the user to attach two members to a single base plate. It is noted that in some cases, the user may have different types of members coupled to each end of the plate using the same mechanism as described above. Regardless of the type of members that are connected to the base plate, it is noted that the members would be configured to rotate towards the centre of the base plate when transitioning from the vertical to the horizontal position. This means that when both members are in the horizontal position the members will be parallel and will rest either adjacent to each other or stacked one atop the other. In the preferred embodiment, the rotational apertures on each end of the plate walls would be positioned at different heights. This change in height ensures that the horizontal members can be stacked with the member coupled to the higher aperture resting atop the other member. The base plate may include further features designed to help secure the base in place and or assist in the transportation of the base plate. For example, the base plate may comprise a handle that extends from one edge of the plate, in the same plane as the plate. This handle can be used to transport the base blate more easily to the desired location when constructing the desired fence, and as the handle is in the same plane as the plate it will not interfere with the positioning of the attached member. The base plate may further include one or more fastener apertures that are configured to receive apertures such as a bolt. These fasteners will pass through the body of the base plate to secure the base plate to the surface below the base plate. In other cases, the fasteners may be used to secure a weight to the top surface of the base plate to fasten the weight to the plate to hold the weight in place on top of the plate, this in turn secures the base plate in its desired location. Further, the base may comprise a guiding feature, this is a protrusion or similar feature proximate to one end of the longitudinal axis of the base plate. In some cases, the plate may comprise an aperture configured to receive such a guiding feature, allowing the feature to be removed or changed for a feature with a more suitable design. In either case, the guiding feature is configured to guide any article that is to be coupled to the base plate. More specifically the feature is a fixture configured to guide an item that is to be coupled to the rotating member that is inserted into the base plate. For example, when used for a perimeter fence the rotating member comprises a mounting arm which is to be coupled to a fence post, the guiding feature is used to guide the fence post into position adjacent to the mounting arm and may be used to hold the post in place as it is being coupled to the arm. It is noted that for different items, such as fence posts with different profiles and or surfaces, different guiding features may be needed, for this reason, it is preferable for the guiding features to be interchangeable, such that the same base plate may be used with a range of guiding features. However, it is noted that in some cases, the guiding feature may be formed from part of the fence plate, for example, a section may be cut and then folded out of the plane of the plate to form a protrusion to act as the guiding feature. For example, a rectangular portion of the plate may be folded in this manner to form a bracket-like backstop, which may prevent the fence post from sliding forward away from the mounting arm. Regardless of the exact design of the base plate, the same methodology can be applied to produce the plates rapidly, with minimal part, machining and with less waste being produced. Specifically, the claimed base plate can be formed from a single piece of sheet metal using a simple two-step process. In the first step of the process, the sheet metal will be cut according to the parameters of the desired base plate. This includes cutting out the shape of the base plate from the sheet metal, including any handles. Then cutting the various apertures from the centre of the base plate. It is noted that these apertures include the apertures for receiving the member to be coupled to the base plate, including the rotational aperture, locking slots and receiving channel if present. The apertures will also include any fastener apertures on either the walls of the plate or the base plate itself. Lastly, three more apertures will be cut forming an l-shape in the centre of the plate that defines the edges of the raised walls. This l-shape aperture will define the walls that will rise from the surface of the plate, wherein the first cut will be along the centre of the plate, following the elongated axis of the base plate, this cut will determine the length of the walls, with a further perpendicular cut at each end of the first cut, these perpendicular cuts will determine the height of the raised walls and the size of the gap between said walls. It is noted that the central cut may be widened to shorten the height of the raised walls while maintaining a suitable size gap between the walls. Once all of the edges and apertures have been cut into the pieces of sheet metal, the second and final step of the process is to simply fold out the sections that need to rise from the plane of the base. In particular, a suitable machine or press can fold out the plate walls such that the walls rise perpendicular to the plane of the base plate. It is noted that in the cases where the guiding feature is a separate part that is coupled to the base plate, a suitable aperture configured to receive the guiding feature would be cut into the base plate during the first step. Otherwise in the cases where the guiding feature forms part of the base plate, the edges of the feature would be cut into the base plate during the first step, similar to the raised walls. Then in the second step, a suitable tool or press may be used to fold the guiding feature raising it out of the plane of the base plate in the same direction as the raised walls. It is noted that when the walls and guiding features are folded out of the base plate, this will be a form of permanent, or non-elastic, deformation. Wherein once the pieces are folded into position they do not fold back. However, it is noted that these folded portions should have some flexibility allowing them to undergo some elastic deformation after the manufacturing process. This additional flexing may be used to widen the gap between the raised walls when coupling the attached member to the plate as described above. And may be used by the guiding feature to help absorb the force of any impacts onto the attached member or the item that is coupled to the member. By producing the base plate in this manner, the number of parts required for each plate is reduced, with some plates being formed from only a single piece of sheet metal. This method also removes the need to weld any of the components of the base plate together. This vastly reduces the amount of energy required to form the base plate and reduces the amount of carbon emissions produced during the manufacturing process, thereby providing a greener alternative to the current manufacturing process. It is also noted that as the base plates are made from a single piece of sheet metal, such as sheet steel, it is possible to protect the base plate from weathering and erosion by galvanising the surface of the steel. This is preferably done after the base plate is formed so that the smaller edge surfaces, such as the surface inside the aperture can also be protected. It is noted that the surface can be protected by other means such as painting or sand coating the base’s surface. However, it is noted, that these other methods would need to be reapplied over time and therefore would have a shorter effective lifespan compared to galvanisation. It is noted, that these other methods can be used in combination with the galvanisation of the base’s surface. By using this method a larger number of base plates can be produced within a limited amount of time, allowing them to be deployed more rapidly to locations where they are needed. It is noted that the claimed base plate may be used for a variety of applications, however, the invention further claims a base foot suitable for a perimeter fence, wherein the base foot comprises a base plate as described above. Wherein the plate acts as the base of the fence post, helping to secure the post into place and provide structural support to the fence it is coupled to. This plate features an elongated plate with extends in at least one direction such that the plate is larger than the diameter of the post, such that when the fence post is placed over the base plate, the plate extends beyond the edge of the post. This extending portion of the base is used to receive weights that will be used to hold the base foot in place and secure the fence post in place. It is preferable that the base plate is shaped such that the elongated length of the plate extends in a direction perpendicular to the fence post that extends inwards relative to the perimeter of the fence. This way the weights used to secure the base plate will be positioned within the area protected by the fence, thereby reducing the risk of the weights being removed or otherwise tampered with. Further, the base foot comprises a first member attached to the plate as described above. The first member comprises a securing arm, wherein the securing arm is configured to extend vertically upwards, out of the plane of the base plate, and is also configured to be affixed to the fence post via a suitable fastener. Once the arm is fastened to the post, the arm will secure the fence post to the base plate. It is noted that the arm would be coupled to the base plate such that the arm can rotate around the end coupled to the base plate, wherein the securing arm is configured to pivot around the end coupled to the base plate so that the arm can move from a first position parallel to the base plate to a second position perpendicular to the base plate. It should be noted that in some cases the weight placed over the base plate may be sufficiently large or positioned in a manner that would prevent the securing arm from folding back to the first position, should the locking mechanisms described earlier fail to secure the arm in place. When the securing arm is configured to rotate as described above the rotation allows the arm to be foldable. More specifically, this rotation allows the user to fold down the securing arm by moving the arm into the first position such that the elongated axis of the arm is parallel to the plane of the base, in this configuration, the size of the base foot is minimized allowing more bases to be stored in a given volume, especially as the near-flat profile of the folded base foot would allow the feet to be stacked for ease of storage. It is noted that the securing arm may be configured to stand at a position in between the first and second positions, such that the arm extends above the base plate at a non-perpendicular angle. This may be necessary in cases wherein the surface below the base plate is not level, therefore requiring the post to be non-perpendicular relative to the base plate to keep the elongated axis of the post vertical. To this end, the base plate and / or securing arm may comprise a plurality of apertures, wherein the user may pass a suitable member or fastener between a chosen aperture of the plurality of apertures to lock the securing arm in the desired position. It is noted that the aft end of the securing arm, this term referring to the end of the securing arm that is not connected to the base plate, is configured to be coupled to the fence post. The aft end of the arm comprises a member or plate with an aperture. In use the post would comprise a corresponding aperture, such that once aligned a fastener may be passed through the aperture in the arm and the aperture in the post to secure the two together. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture in the arm would comprise a slot that extends along the width of the member or plate that is coupled to the post such that the post can be adjusted left or right relative to the base plate and still be coupled to the arm. This is useful as it would allow the user to keep the post vertical even when the surface beneath the fence is not flat as the user can adjust the post left or right while still coupling it to the securing arm. Note that in some cases, the aperture in the post may comprise a bolt nut attached to the surface of the post. In these cases, the fastener used to couple the post and the arm is a bolt, this way the nut on the post grips the bolt preventing the post from sliding along the aperture of the securing arm once the bolt is fastened. It is also noted that the user can use such a bolt to adjust the post forward or backward relative to the securing arm by using bolts of different lengths, with the longer bolts pushing the post further forward. This again allows the position of the post to be adjusted to keep the post vertical relative to the ground even when the surface beneath the post is not level. By using a securing arm as described above the user can adjust the position of the arm and post fastened to the arm in multiple directions to allow the user to ensure that the post is always vertical relative to the ground. This prevents the post from leaning which may weaken the fence, or the need for additional components to prevent the post from leaning. It is also noted that the surface under the base feet may have different heights, therefore the user may need to adjust the height of the fence posts to keep the fence panels at a consistent height. To this end, the securing arm may be configured to have an adjustable height, wherein the arm is configured to extend and / or contract vertically relative to the base plate. This may be achieved by using a securing arm that is telescopic or ratcheted, such that the arm can be set to different heights as required by the user. As noted, this may allow the user to adjust the height of the post coupled to the rail such that the fence it is attached to has a consistent height along its entire perimeter. The fence foot may further comprise an optional second member, which will couple to the base plate at the end opposite the end coupled to the first member but will be coupled using the same methods described above. This second member comprises a weight arm configured to hold the base weights in place over the base plate. The weight arm may not comprise any further aperture like the securing arm, as the weight arm is configured to act as a backstop preventing the weights positioned over the base plate from sliding off of the base, this arm also prevents an intruder from sliding the base plate out from under the weights thereby making it more difficult for an intruder to tamper with the fence. In use the weight arm can have a variety of designs, with some designs being longer or wider than others, wherein the size of the weight arm may be chosen based on the dimensions of the weight to be used. More specifically, depending on the size of the weight being used to secure the base foot the weight arm may be made taller and / or wider to better grip and support the weights. In some cases, the arm may include a curve, hook, or perpendicular portion configured to hook over the top of the weights to better hold the weights in place further reducing the risk of the weights being removed from the base foot. It is noted that the weight arm is also configured to rotate between at least two positions the first position being parallel to the base plate and the second position being perpendicular to the base plate. As with the securing arm, the weight arm can be placed in the first position to reduce the size of the base foot and allow for easier storage as the feet would be relatively flat and therefore easier to stack when stored or in transit. As previously noted, both arms would be configured to fold into a horizontal position such that the arms are either stacked or laid adjacent to each other along the elongated axis of the base plate. This helps to reduce the size of the base foot when being stored or transported. It is noted that these arms would be coupled to the base plate using the rotational aperture as described above. In the preferred embodiment, this locking mechanism would comprise a round aperture with sufficient size for the received protrusion from the attached member to rotate within the aperture. The edges of this round aperture may include guide walls, and or protrusions designed to slow or limit the rotation of the protrusions within the round aperture, such as restricting the rotation to between certain angles or slowing the protrusion at specific angles to allow the user to more easily halt the member at the most desirable angles. As described above, the aperture further comprises a plurality of slots that extend from the edge of the rotational aperture, these slots act as a locking mechanism for the different desired positions for the attached member. As previously noted, the user can rotate the member within the rotation aperture until the protrusion on the member aligns with the desired slot. The user may then move the member laterally, by pushing or pulling the member thereby inserting the protrusion into the slot. Once the protrusions are inserted the member will be locked in place, unable to rotate until the protrusions are removed from the slot. It is noted that in some cases, the rotational aperture may further comprise a receiving channel. This channel comprises a slot that extends from the edge of the rotational aperture to the edge of the raised wall, creating a channel that is opened at both ends such that the user can attach and detach a member from the base plate by passing the protrusion of the memberthrough the open channel. In some designs, the end of the channel that reaches the edge of the raised wall may include a sealing tab, this refers to a piece of the wall that can be hammered into position to seal the open end of the channel thereby locking the member into the base plate. It is noted that with a base plate created using the method described above, it is possible to insert the member and lock it to the base without the need for the channel described above. Instead, as the raised walls are folded, the user can bend the walls thereby widening the space between the walls to allow the member to be inserted directly into the rotation aperture. Once inserted the user can bend the walls back into their original position thereby locking the member to the base plate. Drawings The present invention is illustrated by means of the following drawings in which like features are designated with like numerals. The figures provide Figure 1 - depicts an example of the net used to form the claimed base plate Figure 2 - depicts the claimed base plate formed from the net of Fig. 1 Figure 3 - depicts an example of the coupling aperture used to attach a member to the base plate, demonstrating how the member can be rotated Figure 4 - depicts the same example of the coupling aperture used to attach a member to the base plate, demonstrating how the member can be locked using the depicted slot Figure 5 - depicts how mechanical force can be used to seal the receiving channel of the depicted aperture Figure 6 - depicts an example fence base foot comprising the claimed base plate Figure 7 - depicts the securing arm and weight arm attached to the base plate to form the fence base foot. The features of the drawings are listed as follows: 10 - Sheet metal net 12 - Base plate 14 - Handle 16 - Fastener apertures 18 - Guiding feature aperture 20 - Raised side walls 22 - Member receiving aperture 30 - Guiding feature 40 - Rotational aperture 42 - Guiding wall 44 - Locking slot 50 - Member protrusion 60 - Receiving channel 62 - Channel tab 70 - Arrow indicating rotation 72 - arrow indicating lateral motion 80 - Fence base foot 90 - Securing arm 92 - Securing arm legs 94 - Securing arm cross bar / handle 100 - Weight arm 102 - Weight arm legs 104 - Weight arm cross bar / handle Detailed description The present invention provides a universal base plate that can be used for a variety of purposes, wherein the base includes apertures configured to receive protrusions from a member to be coupled to the base plate, wherein the aperture is configured to allow the member to rotate allow the member to be folded to make the base more compact during transport. Further, the aperture comprises a means to lock the member into a desired position. This base plate is preferably formed from a single piece of machined sheet material, such as a sheet metal like sheet steel. Wherein the edges of the base and the apertures are cut into the sheet material, then the base can be formed by using simple machining means, such as a press, to fold the cut material into the desired shape for the base. Figure 1 depicts an example net 10 that can be cut into the used sheet material to form the claimed base plate. In the depicted example the net 10 cuts out the outer edges of the base plate 12, note that in this example the edge of the base plate 12 includes a handle that is formed as part of the plate by being cut out of the same sheet material. Though the example includes only one handle 14, the base plate 12 may include multiple handles, and it is noted that the handle 14 may have a different shape or size to the one shown so long as the handle is a suitable size for the user to carry the base plate via the handle and that the handle can be cut out of the sheet material as the base plate is cut from the same material. By forming the handle this way, the user reduces the number of components needed to form the desired base plate. Additionally, this method removes the need to weld or fasten the handle into place. It is noted that by removing the need to weld the amount of pollution generated when manufacturing the base is reduced, further it is noted that any fasteners may create a weak point where the base may break, therefore by removing the need for fasteners by making the handle 14 part of the base plate 12. Further, the net 10 comprises a plurality of apertures cut into the base plate 12. In the comers of the plate 12 there is a plurality of fastener apertures 16. These apertures are configured to allow a suitable fastener, such as a bolt, to be passed through the base plate 12. These fasteners may be used to secure the plate 12 to the surface below the plate or may be used to secure one or more weights to the top surface of the base plate, such that the weight may secure the base plate in position when in use. The plate 12 further comprises an aperture 18 near the front end of the plate 12. This aperture is configured to receive a guiding feature. These guiding features are configured to guide and support an object to be coupled to one of the members that are coupled to the base plate 12. For example, the guiding feature may be used as a backstop for a fence post or panel to be coupled to the member attached to the base plate 12. In some cases, the guiding feature may act as a guide that is used to position the object being coupled to the member into the desired position, wherein the user can rest the object on the guiding feature to hold it in place as the user secures the object to the member. However, it should be understood that differently shaped guiding features may be needed for different objects and members, as such it is preferable for the plate 12 to comprise an aperture 18 that receives the required guiding feature thereby allowing the user to change the guiding feature as required, by inserting the necessary guiding feature into the aperture 18, and then swapping out the guiding feature when necessary. This allows a single base plate 12 to be used in a wider range of applications as the guiding feature can be adapted on-site to meet the user’s requirements. Lastly in the centre of the net 10, there is a set of cuts configured to define a pair of raised walls 20, these walls will be configured to rise out of the plane of the base plate, in use the members coupled to be base plate 12 will be positioned between these walls and will be coupled to the base plate 12 via the walls 20 as described in more details below. More specifically, the walls can be defined in the net by cutting an l-shaped cut, wherein a long cut down the centre of the base plate 12 will define the length of the raised walls 20, and the horizontal cuts and the end of the central cut define the height of the walls when unfolded. It is noted that the cuts used to define the walls 20 can be widened to reduce the size of the walls 20 while maintaining the space between the walls 20 to accommodate the coupled member. It is also noted that the ends of each raised wall comprise a receiving aperture that is configured to receive protrusions attached to the members being coupled to the base plate 12. Once this net is cut into a piece of sheet metal, the base foot can be formed through sampling machining. More specifically, when the net 10 has been cut out of a piece of material, the user can simply use a press to fold out the raised walls 20. Once the walls 20 have been folded out the base plate is ready to be deployed. As such the plate 12 can be formed quickly allowing them to be mass-produced more easily. Additionally, this method of manufacturing the base plate 12 removes the need for multiple components to be fastened or welded together. This helps to reduce the complexity in building each of the base plates 12 and may reduce the amount of material needed to form each base allowing the base to be mass-produced with less raw material and at a cheaper cost. Additionally, as the base does not need to be welded this method will reduce the amount of pollution produced per base plate, it is also noted that as the base plate is formed from a net 10, the user can easily adapt the design of the base plate by changing the cuts and edges of the net 10, to produce base plates 12 with a different shape or size based on the user’s specific requirements. Figure 2 depicts an example of the base plate 12 formed from the net in Figure 1. In this image, it can be seen how the walls 20 are folded out of the base plate 12 such that the walls 20 raise perpendicularly from the plane of the base plate 12. It can also be seen in this image how there is a gap or channel between the walls 20, this channel allows the members coupled to the base plate 12 to be folded down such that the member lay parallel to the base plate housed within the gap. It is also noted that, in the depicted example, the members receiving apertures 22 are located at different heights. By having the apertures 22 at different heights the user can adjust the height of the members attached to the base plate 12. More specifically, the different aperture heights mean that when the members are folded down they will rest at different heights allowing the members to rest one atop of the other within the gap between the walls. This design will allow the base plate to be more compact when the attached members are folded down. It is also noted that in some cases, the length of the walls 20 may be sufficient to allow the folded members to lay adjacent, end-to-end, within the gap between the walls 20 without the need to have the coupling apertures 22 at different heights. The depicted example also shows an exemplary guiding feature 30. In the depicted example the coupling feature is in the form of a hollow cuboid coupled to the guiding feature aperture 18. In use, the item coupled to the base can be sandwiched between the guiding feature 30 and the member attached to the base 12 to help secure the item in place. It is noted that the guiding feature 30 may have different shapes from the one depicted depending on the shape of the object and members coupled to the base. It is also noted that the guiding feature may be formed from the same sheet material as the rest of the base plate 12. More specifically, instead of an aperture 18 the base plate net 10 may have the edges of the guiding feature 30 cut into the sheet material, such that the guiding feature can be folded out of the base plate 12 in the same manner as the raised walls 20. By forming the guiding feature as part of the base plate 12, the user can reduce the number of parts needed to produce the base plate 12, at the cost of not being able to change out the guiding feature 30 which may limit the versatility of the base plate 12. Figures 3 to 5 depict the preferred example of the member receiving aperture 22 within the raised walls 20 of the base plate 12. In this embodiment, the aperture comprises a central aperture, referred to as the rotational aperture 40, this aperture 40 is sufficiently wide to allow the received protrusion 50 attached to the member coupled to the base plate to rotate within the aperture 40. By allowing the protrusion 50 to rotate the user will be able to adjust the relative angle between the member and the base plate 12. In particular, the protrusion 50 would preferably be able to rotate between at least two positions, a vertical position wherein the member is perpendicular to the plane of the base plate 12, and a horizontal position wherein the member is parallel to the base plate 12 with the member housed within the gap between the walls 20. This rotation is illustrated by the arrow in Figure 3. The rotational aperture 40 may include one or more guiding features within the aperture. These guiding features are configured to slow or limit the rotation of the member within the rotational member 40. These features may limit the member’s movement, such that the member can only rotate through certain angles. In the depicted example the guiding feature is in the form of guiding walls 42 that extend from the edges of the rotational aperture 40. These walls are configured to block the rotating member and prevent it from rotating past the wall 42. In the depicted example the walls 42 are configured to block two quadrants of the rotational aperture 40. These walls are configured to block the rotation of the member within the aperture 40. In this case, the shape of the walls 42 allows the member to rotate through 90 degrees from a vertical position to a horizontal position and no further. With these walls 42, the user can stop the rotation of the coupled member at a desired point. This may be used to align the member with a locking mechanism configured to grip the member holding it firmly in its current position such that it can no longer rotate. It is noted that depending on the application of the base plate 12 the guiding walls 42 may have a different shape allowing the member to rotate through a larger or smaller range of angles. In other cases, the rotational aperture 40 may include protrusions, such as bumps, slopes or grooves along the edge of the aperture 40, wherein these protrusions are configured to slow the rotation of the member within the aperture 40 while still allowing the member to rotate past the protrusion with some additional force. These edge protrusions can be used to slow the rotating member at certain points along its rotation. Both of these features make it easier for a user to align the rotating member with the locking mechanism designed to hold the rotating member firmly in a specific orientation. It is noted that the claimed base will include a locking mechanism design to lock the member in at least the vertical position such that items can be coupled to the member, in some cases, the base 12 may include a locking mechanism that can also lock the member in the horizontal position such that the members do not rotate when the base 12 is being stored or transported. The depicted example shows the preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is formed using slots 44 that extend from the edges of the rotational slot 44. Wherein each slot is sufficiently long and wide to receive the protrusions 50 on the member from the rotational aperture 40, such that once the protrusion 50 is inserted into the slot 44, the member is no longer able to rotate. With this mechanism, the user can lock the member coupled to the base plate 12 into a desired position by inserting the member into a corresponding slot of the locking mechanism. In the depicted example there is only one slot 44, configured to lock the member in the horizontal position, however, it should be understood that there can be multiple slots at different locations along the edge of the rotational aperture, with each slot corresponding to a respective position for the member coupled to the base plate 12. In the preferred embodiment, there would be a slot 44 for both the horizontal position and the vertical positions, with the guiding walls 42 helping to block the rotating member into one of these positions to make it easier for the user to align the protrusion 50 with the desired slot. Regardless of the number of slots the method of using the locking mechanism remains the same. Namely, once the protrusion 50 within the rotational aperture 40 has been aligned with the desired slot, the user can insert the protrusion 50 into the desired slot 44 by moving the member laterally, as indicated by arrow 72 in Figure 4. Wherein the member is moved in a direction that inserts the protrusions 50 of the member into the slot 44. Once inserted the member will no longer be able to rotate thereby locking the member into the desired position. In some cases, the edges of the rotational aperture may also include protrusions designed to slow the member during its rotation at points where it aligns with intermediate slots, thereby allowing the member to rotate past these slots 44 when necessary. Another possible locking mechanism would comprise a series of apertures positioned around the rotational aperture 40, wherein the member would comprise a corresponding aperture. In this mechanism, the user will rotate the member until the aperture of the member aligns with the aperture corresponding with the desired position for the member. Once aligned the user may insert a fastener or small member through the aligned apertures to lock the rotating member in place. It is noted that both of these locking mechanisms can simply be cut into the base plate 12 as it is formed. However, of these mechanisms, the example that uses the slot 44 is preferred as the mechanism removes the need for external parts thereby making the construction of the base plate simpler, and removing the potential weak points created by the external fastener or member. Another feature shown in the depicted example is the receiving channel 60. This channel 60 extends from the edge of the rotational aperture 40 to the edge of the raised wall 20. This channel allows the protrusion 50 of the member to be inserted into the rotational aperture by passing the protrusion 50 through the channel 60. Additionally, the user can decouple the member from the base plate 12 by passing the protrusion 50 through the channel 60 to remove it from the base plate 12. This will allow the user to easily couple and decouple a member from the base plate 12. In some cases, the channel 60 may be configured to be collapsable. This is to say that part of the channel may be collapsed or otherwise closed to seal the channel 50. In such cases, the channel would be configured to be sealed by applying mechanical force onto the channel. An example of this is depicted in Figure 5. In this example the channel 60 extends diagonally through the raised wall 20 thereby creating a tab 62 at the end of the channel at the edge of the raised wall 20. The user can seal the channel 60 by bending the tab 62 as depicted in the figure, using the tab to seal the channel. Once sealed the member would be locked into the base plate 12 such that the member cannot be decoupled. It is noted that the channel 60 may not always be needed. In some cases, if the raised walls 20 are sufficiently flexible the user may fold out the raised walls 20 such that the gap between the walls 20 is widened. Once the gap is widened the user can insert the protrusion 50 directly into the rotational aperture 40, then the user can fold the raised walls 20 back into place to prevent the member from being decoupled from the base plate, this method is preferable as the channel 60 can create a weak point in the raised walls 20 that can make it easier to damage the base plate 12 and may allow an intruder to decouple the member from the base plate 12 more easily. Figures 6 and 7 depict an example of a fence base foot 80 formed using the claimed base plate 12 as described above. This base foot comprises a base plate formed from a piece of sheet metal as described above, with two members attached to the base plate 12 using the coupling methods described above. More specifically the base foot 80 comprises a pair of arms coupled to the base plate 12. One arm is a securing arm 90, this arm is configured to act as a support to an item coupled to the member, in this case, the arm 90 supports a fence post coupled to the base foot 90. In use the user will rotate the securing arm such that it raises above the base plate 12, allowing the user to couple the fence post to the arm using a suitable fastener. This securing arm 90 should be able to rotate between a vertical and horizontal position as described above. Using the vertical position, perpendicular to the base plate 12 to deploy the securing arm for use, and a horizontal position, parallel to the base plate 12 to reduce the size of the base foot 80 when the base foot 80 is being stored and / or transported. It is noted that it may be preferable to have the securing arm 90 be configured to be locked at several angles, not just the horizontal and vertical positions. In particular, if the ground below the base foot 80 is not level the user may need to lock the securing arm 90 in a non-vertical position to keep the fence post vertical. It is noted that the securing arm 90 will be coupled to the end of the base plate 12 proximate to the guiding feature 30. In these cases, the guiding feature 30 will be configured to guide and hold the fence post as it is being coupled to the securing arm 90 with a suitable fastener. At the other end of the base foot, 80 is an optional weight arm 100. In use a user would put weights onto the base plate 12 to secure the base foot 80 in place and stop the fence post from falling over. The purpose of the weight arm 100 is to act as a backstop that prevents the weights from sliding off of the base plate, as with the securing arm 90, the weight arm would be configured to rotate at least between a vertical and horizontal position. As with the securing arm 90, the weight arm 100 may also be configured to be locked at different angles between the vertical and horizontal positions, for use when the ground beneath the base plate 12 is not level. It is noted that the weight arm 100 may also include features, such as a hook, configured to grip the weights atop the base place 12 to assist in holding the weights in place. Figure 7 shows the same base foot 80 when the arms 90,100 have been folded down. This configuration is used to store and transport the base foot 80. In particular, when the arms are folded as shown in the figure the overall size of the base foot 80 is reduced. The base foot is also configured so that both arms are housed in the gap between the raised walls 20 of the base plate 12. In particular, the arms may be configured to rest adjacent to each other when folded into the horizontal position, or as shown in the depicted example the apertures used to couple the arms to the base plate 12 may be set at different heights so that the arms rest atop each other when both arms are folded. In either case, this arrangement allows both arms to be folded while keeping the size of the base foot 80 minimal, additionally, this arrangement keeps the profile of the base foot 80 flat so that the base foot 80 can be stacked more easily for easier storage. Figure 8 depicts the preferred examples of the members used to form the securing arm 90 and weight arm 100. In the depicted example each of the arms comprises a frame, wherein the frame comprises a pair of legs 92,102, wherein one end of each leg is coupled to the end of the corresponding leg via a crossbar 94,104. The opposite end of the legs comprises a pair of apertures, wherein a metal plate or member is passed through the apertures so that the ends of the plate / member protrude through the legs 92,102, thereby producing the protrusions 50 used to couple the members to the base plate 12. It is noted that the crossbar 94 of the securing arm 90 comprises an aperture configured to receive the fastener used to secure the fence post to the securing arm 90. It is noted that this aperture is preferably in the form of a slot along the length of the crossbar 94, as this will allow the user to adjust the position of the fence post horizontally relative to the base foot 80. This will allow the user to ensure that the fence post is vertical even if the base plate 12 is not level. It is also noted that the weight arm 100 is shorter and wider than the securing arm 90. The securing arm is taller so that it can support more of the fence post, additionally as the fence post will be fastened to the securing arm at a higher point the arm will be less likely to fall over, compared to fastening the post proximate to the base foot 80. In contrast, the weight arm 100 is configured to be wider such that the arm can support more weight compared to a narrower arm, especially as the shorter and wider arm will be sturdier and thus can support more mass without bending. By using a base foot 80 as described above the user can mass produce a plurality of fence foots needed to deploy a fence around the desired area quickly. By using the design described above the number of parts needed to form the functioning base foot is reduced allowing the base to be formed quickly with fewer weak points created by welding or fasteners. Additionally, by removing the need for welding the user reduces the amount of pollution produced when creating the base foot.

Claims

1. The present invention provides a base, for coupling, in use, with a member rotationally coupled to the base by means of a protrusion in the member, the base comprising:A base plate comprising a planar surface;Wherein the base further comprises a pair of raised parallel walls that extend along at least part of the length of the base plate, with a space between the walls;wherein each wall comprises an aperture configured to receive the protrusion on the member to be rotationally coupled to the base, wherein the aperture comprises a rotational aperture which is sufficiently wide for permitting the received protrusion to rotate within the raised wall, and one or more slots which extend from the edge of the rotational aperture, wherein each slot is sufficiently wide to receive the protrusion while preventing the protrusion from rotating.wherein the base plate is a single formed component made from a single sheet of pressed steel having a predominantly planar base and parallel arms folded up from the base to form the walls.

2. The base of claim 1 wherein the base plate is elongate.

3. The base plate of claims 1 and 2, wherein the aperture further comprises a receiving channel configured to receive the protrusions of the attaching member, wherein the channel is open at each end and extends from the edge of the rotational aperture and an edge of the wall containing the aperture.

4. The base of claim 3, wherein the channel is further configured to be bent by means of mechanical impact to seal the channel and retain the aperture.

5. The base of any preceding claim, wherein the base plate further comprises one or more handles that extend from an edge of the base plate.

6. The base plate of any preceding claim, wherein the plate comprises either a guiding feature or an aperture suitable for receiving a guiding feature proximate to an edge of the base plate.

7. The base of any preceding claim wherein the base plate comprises one or more fastener apertures.

8. The base of any preceding claim wherein the base comprises a plurality of apertures wherein the apertures are located at different heights along the raised walls.30 07 259. The base of any preceding claim, wherein the apertures in the raised walls comprise one or more guiding walls configured to limit the rotation of the protrusion within the aperture10. The base of any preceding claim, wherein the edges of the aperture comprise protrusions, bumps or grooves configured to slow the rotation of the protrusion within the aperture as it passes over them.11 .The base of any preceding claim wherein the base is formed from galvanized steel.

12. A fence base foot comprising the base plate of claims 1 to 11 coupled to a member, wherein the member comprises a securing arm;Wherein the securing arm is coupled to the base plate proximate to a first end of the plate walls and is configured to pivot around the end of the arm coupled to the base plate with the arm being able to actuate between at least two positions; a first position parallel to the base plate between the base walls and a second position perpendicular to the base plate; and wherein the end of the arm remote from the base comprises a slot aperture configured to receive a fastener for coupling the securing arm to a fence post, wherein the slot aperture comprises an elongated axis that is perpendicular to the elongated axis of the fence post, such that the post may be adjusted horizontally relative to the base;13. The fence base foot of claim 12, further comprising a second member coupled to the base plate, the second member comprising a weight arm;Wherein the weight arm is coupled to the base plate proximate to a second end of the plate walls opposite the first end and is configured to pivot around the end of the arm coupled to the base plate with the arm being able to actuate between at least two positions; a first position parallel to the base plate and a second position perpendicular to the base plate; andWherein, when the securing arm and weight arm are in the horizontal position, both arms are stacked atop each other or laid adjacent to each other within the space between the base walls.

14. A method of producing the base of claims 1 to 11, wherein a piece of sheet metal is first cut to form the edges of the base plate, the edges of the raised walls, the edges of the apertures within the wall, and any apertures within the base plate; and pressing the sheet material to remove the base plate from the material and to fold the raised walls away from the plane of the base plate.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprises the step of cutting the edges of the guiding feature into the base plate and pressing the sheet material to fold the guiding feature away from the plane of the base plate.

16. The method of claim 14 of claim 15 when the step of cutting is carried out by means of a pressing operation.

17. The method of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the step of cutting is carried out by means of laser cutting.

18. The method of any of claims 14 to 17, further comprises the step of galvanising the steel of the base plate.30 07 25

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