Gatepost and gatepost maintenance method

Abstract

To provide a gatepost and a gatepost maintenance method whose maintainability can be improved.SOLUTION: A gatepost 1 includes a frame section 5 and storage boxes 2, 3 attached directly or indirectly to the frame section 5. The frame section 5 has a pair of outer columns 52 disposed on the outside of both lateral ends of the storage boxes 2, 3 and extending in the vertical direction, and a pair of outer column covers 53 attached to the outside of the pair of outer columns 52, extending in the vertical direction, and having their lower ends embedded in the ground. The outer column covers 53 are divided into a plurality of separate cover sections 531, 532 at the same height as the ground G or at a position higher than the ground G.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gatepost with a storage box attached thereto and a method for maintaining the gatepost.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gatepost with a storage box attached thereto has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the gatepost described in Patent Document 1, the lower ends of a pair of outer columns arranged at both left and right ends of the gatepost are embedded in the ground.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the lower ends of a pair of outer columns of a gatepost are embedded in the ground, if the pair of outer columns are damaged, it is difficult to replace the outer columns, and the maintainability is not good. There is a need for a gatepost with improved maintainability.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gatepost with improved maintainability and a method for maintaining the gatepost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a doorpost including a frame portion and a storage box directly or indirectly attached to the frame portion, wherein the frame portion includes a pair of outer columns disposed outside both lateral ends of the storage box and extending in the vertical direction, and a pair of outer column covers attached to the outside of the pair of outer columns, extending in the vertical direction, and having lower ends embedded in the ground, and the outer column covers are divided into a plurality of divided cover portions at a position flush with the ground or above the ground.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A doorpost 1 according to an embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when a person faces the front of the doorpost 1, the depth direction is referred to as the "depth direction". In the depth direction of the doorpost 1, the front side (diagonally left front side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the front side, and the back side (diagonally right back side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the back side. Further, when a person faces the front of the doorpost 1, the lateral direction, that is, the left-right direction is referred to as the "left-right direction".

[0009] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a doorpost 1 according to an embodiment stands on the ground G such as in front of a front door. In the present embodiment, the ground G means the surface of the land on which the doorpost 1 is installed, and the ground G is, for example, the surface of the land composed of soil, concrete, or the like.

[0010] A mail post 2 and a delivery box 3 are attached to the gatepost 1. The gatepost 1 is erected while supporting the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the gatepost 1 includes a mail post 2 (storage box), a delivery box 3 (storage box), a pair of inner columns 4, an enclosure frame 5 (frame portion), a front panel 6, and a rear panel 7.

[0011] The mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 are attached to the gatepost 1 so as to penetrate in the depth direction. The mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The mail post 2 is installed at the upper part of the gatepost 1, and the delivery box 3 is arranged side by side below the mail post 2.

[0012] The mail post 2 is a mailbox for storing delivered items such as mails and newspapers. The delivery box 3 is a parcel receiving box for storing delivered parcels and the like. Both the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 are formed in a box shape with a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. In the present embodiment, the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 are formed with the same width in the left - right direction, the same length in the depth direction, and the length in the vertical direction of the mail post 2 is shorter than that of the delivery box 3.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of inner columns 4 are arranged at intervals so as to sandwich the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 in the left - right direction and are separated from each other in the left - right direction. Each of the pair of inner columns 4 has a width in the depth direction and is formed to extend in the vertical direction and is erected vertically upward from the ground G. The lower ends of the pair of inner columns 4 are buried in the ground. The pair of inner columns 4 support both ends in the left - right direction (lateral direction) of the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 in the middle of the vertical direction. The pair of inner columns 4 are formed, for example, by metal extrusion profiles.

[0014] Between a pair of inner columns 4, a postal pillar 2 and a delivery box 3 are arranged. The postal pillar 2 is attached to the pair of inner columns 4 in a state of being arranged between the pair of inner columns 4 on the upper side of the pair of inner columns 4. The delivery box 3 is attached to the pair of inner columns 4 in a state of being arranged between the pair of inner columns 4 on the lower side of the postal pillar 2 arranged on the pair of inner columns 4.

[0015] The pair of inner columns 4 are made of metal and the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3 are directly attached thereto. The lower ends of the pair of inner columns 4 are embedded in a deeper position in the ground than the lower ends of a pair of outer columns 52 and a pair of outer column covers 53 of an enclosure frame 5 described later. Therefore, the pair of inner columns 4 constitute a strength member having the strength to support the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3.

[0016] On the other hand, a pair of outer columns 52 of the enclosure frame 5 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described later are not members that directly support the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3, but mainly support the enclosure frame 5 at both left and right ends in the lateral direction of the enclosure frame 5. By supporting the enclosure frame 5, the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3 are also indirectly and supplementarily supported. A pair of outer column covers 53 that cover the outer surfaces of the pair of outer columns 52 are attached to the outside of the pair of outer columns 52.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of inner columns 4 are formed in a hollow frame shape whose cross-sectional shape cut in the horizontal direction extends in the depth direction. Curved convex portions 41 are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of inner columns 4 in the left-right direction with respect to each other. The curved convex portions 41 protrude in a curved shape with a rounded shape inward in the left-right direction of the pair of inner columns 4 at the center in the depth direction of the inner columns 4. Further, on the curved convex portions 41, convex portions that protrude thickly inward in the left-right direction of the pair of inner columns 4 are formed at the center in the depth direction of the inner columns 4 in the rounded curved portion.

[0018] When attaching the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 to the pair of inner columns 4, first embed the lower ends of the pair of inner columns 4 in the ground, install the pair of inner columns 4, and then insert the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 between the pair of inner columns 4 along the curved convex portions 41 of each of the pair of inner columns 4. Then, fix the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 to the pair of inner columns 4.

[0019] When inserting and attaching the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 between the pair of inner columns 4, the curved convex portions 41 formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of inner columns 4 are rounded and protrude, and a convex portion is formed at the center in the depth direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the inner surfaces of the pair of inner columns 4 are formed as planes, the contact area that contacts the side surfaces of both end portions in the left - right direction of the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 is small. As a result, the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 can be easily inserted between the pair of inner columns 4 while being guided by the curved convex portions 41 of the pair of inner columns 4 in a state where the end surfaces of both end portions in the left - right direction are less likely to be damaged.

[0020] The enclosure frame 5 is arranged to surround at least the upper parts of the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 and the outer sides in the left - right direction of the pair of inner columns 4. The postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 are attached to the enclosure frame 5 in a state of being supported by the pair of inner columns 4. That is, the postal post 2 and the delivery box 3 are indirectly attached to the enclosure frame 5 via the pair of inner columns 4.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the enclosure frame 5 includes an upper horizontal member 51, a pair of outer columns 52, a pair of outer column covers 53, an upper end cover 54, a pair of lower side rails 55, an upper upper - side panel 56 on the front side, an upper lower - side panel 57 on the front side, and a pair of corner members 58.

[0022] The pair of outer columns 52 are arranged outside the pair of inner columns 4 that support both left and right ends of the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 in the left - right direction, so they are arranged outside both left and right ends of the mail post 2 and the delivery box 3 in the left - right direction. The pair of outer columns 52 are formed to extend in the vertical direction, and their lower ends are embedded in the ground and erected.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, each of the pair of outer columns 52 has a cross - sectional shape when cut horizontally that is formed in a C - shape with the inner side in the left - right direction of the pair of outer columns 52 open. The pair of outer columns 52 are both formed of solid materials without hollow parts. The pair of outer columns 52 are formed in a frame shape where the inner side in the left - right direction of the pair of outer columns 52 is open and a wiring pipe P (wiring) can be arranged inside. In this embodiment, inside one of the pair of outer columns 52, a vertically extending wiring pipe P (wiring) inserted from the inner part in the left - right direction of the pair of outer columns 52 is arranged.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper horizontal member 51 is arranged above the mail post 2, extends in the left - right direction, and is spanned over the upper ends of the pair of outer columns 52. Both left and right ends of the upper horizontal member 51 are fixed to the upper ends of the pair of outer columns 52 respectively.

[0025] On the front side of the gatepost 1 at the upper ends of the pair of outer columns 52, between the pair of outer columns 52, an upper front - side upper panel 56 is attached above and an upper front - side lower panel 57 is attached below. On the front side and the back side of the gatepost 1 at the lower side of the pair of outer columns 52, a pair of lower baseboards 55 are attached.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 - 3, the pair of outer - column covers 53 are formed to extend in the vertical direction, and their lower ends are embedded in the ground. The pair of outer - column covers 53 are attached outside the pair of outer columns 52 so as to cover the outer surfaces of the pair of outer columns 52. Each of the pair of outer - column covers 53 is vertically divided into two divided - cover parts 531, 532 at the split line 53a.

[0027] The two divided cover parts 531 and 532 both extend vertically, are connected via a dividing line 53a, and continuously extend vertically in a straight line. The two divided cover parts 531 and 532 are composed of a subsurface divided cover part 531 embedded in the ground and an upper divided cover part 532 disposed above the subsurface divided cover part 531.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, both the subsurface divided cover part 531 and the upper divided cover part 532 have a width in the depth direction and are formed in a frame shape with the inner side in the left - right direction open. The subsurface divided cover part 531 and the upper divided cover part 532 are connected by a connecting component 533 at the dividing line 53a.

[0029] Most of the lower end side of the subsurface divided cover part 531 can be embedded in the ground, and the upper end is disposed at the position of the ground G or a position protruding above the ground G. The connecting component 533 is fixed to the upper end of the subsurface divided cover part 531 by a screw 533b. The connecting component 533 is fixed to the outer side surface in the left - right direction of the outer column 52 by a screw 533a.

[0030] The lower end of the upper divided cover part 532 is disposed above the connecting component 533 and is fitted and fixed to the connecting component 533. Thereby, the upper divided cover part 532 is connected to the subsurface divided cover part 531 via the connecting component 533. The upper divided cover part 532 extends continuously upward from the subsurface divided cover part 531 on the extension line of the subsurface divided cover part 531.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the dividing line 53a is formed to extend horizontally at the part where the subsurface divided cover part 531 and the upper divided cover part 532 are divided. In this embodiment, the dividing line 53a where the subsurface divided cover part 531 and the upper divided cover part 532 are divided is provided at a position above the ground G.

[0032] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the dividing line 53a is provided above the ground G, but is not limited thereto. The dividing line 53a may be provided at the same position as the ground G. As a result, the underground side dividing cover portion 531 and the upper side dividing cover portion 532 are divided at the same position as the ground G or at a position above the ground G.

[0033] When the outer pillar cover 53 is damaged, it is preferable that most of the portion of the outer pillar cover 53 exposed on the ground G can be replaced along the dividing line 53a. Therefore, the dividing line 53a is preferably provided, for example, at the same position as the ground G or at a position above the ground G and close to the ground G.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the dividing line 53a is provided, for example, in a range from above the ground G to a height that is one-fourth of the height of the upper end portion of the outer pillar cover 53 from the ground G. As a result, in a portion above the height that is one-fourth of the height of the upper end portion of the outer pillar cover 53 from the ground G and within the reach of a person's line of sight, the portion of the outer pillar cover 53 exposed to the outside can be replaced.

[0035] Also, in the present embodiment, the dividing line 53a is provided at a position above the ground G and close to the ground G. More preferably, the dividing line 53a is provided, for example, in a range from above the ground G to a height of 5 cm. Most of the portion of the outer pillar cover 53 exposed to the outside is arranged in a range above a height of 5 cm from the ground G in the outer pillar cover 53. Therefore, by providing the dividing line 53a, for example, in a range from above the ground G to a height of 5 cm, most of the portion of the outer pillar cover 53 exposed to the outside in a range above a height of 5 cm from the ground G in the outer pillar cover 53 can be replaced. In addition, by providing the dividing line 53a at a position close to the ground G in a range from above the ground G to a height of 5 cm, the dividing line 53a can be made inconspicuous, and the design property can be improved.

[0036] At the upper ends of each of the pair of outer column covers 53, as shown in FIG. 4, corner members 58 are fixed. The corner members 58 are fixed to the upper ends of the outer column covers 53 by screws 58a and are also fixed to the upper ends of the outer columns 52 by screws 58b.

[0037] The upper cover 54 extends in the left - right direction so as to connect the pair of corner members 58 fixed to the upper ends of each of the pair of outer column covers 53 at the upper part of the upper horizontal member 51. The upper cover 54 is attached to the upper part of the upper horizontal member 51.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front - side panel 6 and the back - side panel 7 are attached inside between the pair of outer column covers 53, the upper cover 54, and the lower sill 55 on the front - side or back - side of the enclosure frame 5. The front - side panel 6 and the back - side panel 7 are attached to the front or back so as to cover the front or back part of the portion where the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3 are not arranged. The front - side panel 6 and the back - side panel 7 are composed of, for example, a plate material with a design such as a wood - grain pattern on the surface.

[0039] In the above - mentioned gatepost 1, when performing maintenance on the pair of outer column covers 53, the upper - side split - cover part 532 is split from the ground - side split - cover part 531 at the split line 53a, the upper - side split - cover part 532 is removed from the outer column 52, and another upper - side split - cover part is attached to the part of the outer column 52 from which the upper - side split - cover part 532 has been removed. Thereby, the upper - side split - cover part 532 arranged to be externally exposed above the ground G of the outer column cover 53 can be easily replaced. Therefore, since the outer column cover 53 can be easily replaced, the maintainability of the gatepost 1 can be improved.

[0040] According to the pillar 1 of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved. The pillar 1 of the present embodiment includes an enclosure frame 5, a mailbox post 2 and a delivery box 3 attached to the enclosure frame 5. The enclosure frame 5 includes a pair of outer columns 52 that are arranged outside both left and right ends of the mailbox post 2 and the delivery box 3 and extend in the vertical direction, and a pair of outer column covers 53 that are attached to the outside of the pair of outer columns 52, extend in the vertical direction, and have lower ends embedded in the ground. The outer column cover 53 is divided into an underground side divided cover portion 531 and an upper side divided cover portion 532 at a position at the same level as the ground G or above the ground G. Thereby, the upper side divided cover portion 532 disposed outside and exposed to the outside above the ground G of the outer column cover 53 can be easily replaced. Therefore, since the outer column cover 53 can be easily replaced, the maintainability of the pillar 1 can be improved.

[0041] Also, in the present embodiment, the division position between the underground side divided cover portion 531 and the upper side divided cover portion 532 is in the range from the ground G upward to a height of one-fourth of the height from the ground G to the upper end of the outer column cover 53. Thereby, in the portion above the height of one-fourth of the height from the ground G, where the human line of sight can easily reach, to the upper end of the outer column cover 53, the portion of the outer column cover 53 that is exposed to the outside can be replaced.

[0042] Also, in the present embodiment, the division position of the outer column cover 53 is in the range from the ground G upward to a height of 5 cm. Most of the portion of the outer column cover 53 that is exposed to the outside and is disposed above a height of 5 cm from the ground G can be replaced. Further, by providing the division line 53a at a position close to the ground G within the range from the ground G upward to a height of 5 cm, the division line 53a can be made inconspicuous, and the design property can be improved.

[0043] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the pair of inner columns 4 is formed to have a width in the depth direction, and in the middle of the depth direction, it has a curved convex portion 41 that protrudes in a curved shape inward in the left - right direction of the pair of inner columns 4. As a result, the curved convex portion 41 provided on the inner surface of the pair of inner columns 4 protrudes in a rounded shape and has a convex portion formed at the center in the depth direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the inner surfaces of the pair of inner columns 4 are formed as flat surfaces, the contact area that contacts the side surfaces at both ends in the left - right direction of the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3 is small. Thereby, the postal pillar 2 and the delivery box 3 can be easily inserted between the pair of inner columns 4 while being guided by the curved convex portions 41 of the pair of inner columns 4 in a state where the end faces at both ends in the left - right direction are not easily damaged.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the pair of outer columns 52 is formed without a hollow portion, and the inside of the pair of outer columns 52 is open and formed in a frame shape in which the wiring pipe P can be arranged inside. Thereby, the wiring pipe P can be easily arranged inside the outer column 52 from the inside of the outer column 52.

[0045] As described above, the preferred embodiment of the gatepost 1 of the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above - described embodiment and can be appropriately modified.

[0046] For example, in the above - mentioned embodiment, the outer column cover is configured by dividing it into two divided cover portions, but it is not limited to this. It may be configured by dividing it into three or more divided cover portions.

[0047] In the above - mentioned embodiment, the storage box is configured by two types of two storage boxes, namely the postal pillar and the delivery box, but it is not limited to this. The storage box may be configured by, for example, either the postal pillar or the delivery box.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the storage box (mailbox 2, delivery box 3) is configured to be indirectly attached to the frame portion (enclosing frame 5) via the inner column 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The storage box (mailbox 2, delivery box 3) may be configured to be directly attached to the frame portion (enclosing frame 5).

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 1 Gatepost, 2 Mailbox (storage box), 3 Delivery box (storage box), 4 Inner column, 5 Enclosing frame (frame portion), 41 Curved convex portion, 52 Outer column, 53 Outer column cover, 531 Underground side divided cover portion (divided cover portion), 532 Upper side divided cover portion (divided cover portion), G Ground surface, P Wiring pipe (wiring)

Claims

1. A frame portion and A gatepost comprising: a storage box attached directly or indirectly to the frame portion; The frame portion includes a pair of outer columns arranged outside both lateral ends of the storage box and extending in a vertical direction, and a pair of outer column covers attached to the outside of the pair of outer columns, extending in a vertical direction, and having lower ends embedded in the ground, A gate post, wherein the outer post cover is divided into a plurality of split cover parts at a position at the same level as the ground or above the ground.

2. The gate post according to claim 1 , wherein the divided positions of the divided cover parts are within a range of 5 cm above the ground.

3. A gate post as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising a pair of inner posts arranged laterally inward of the pair of outer posts, extending in the vertical direction with their lower ends buried in the ground, and supporting both lateral ends of the storage box midway in the vertical direction.

4. The gate post described in claim 3, wherein each of the pair of inner columns is formed with a width in the depth direction and has a curved convex portion midway in the depth direction that protrudes in a curved shape toward the inside of the pair of inner columns in the left-right direction.

5. A gate post as described in either claim 1 or 2, wherein neither of the pair of outer columns is formed having a hollow portion, and the inside of the pair of outer columns is open and formed into a frame shape within which wiring can be arranged.

6. A maintenance method for a gatepost comprising a frame portion and a storage box directly or indirectly attached to the frame portion, comprising: The frame portion includes a pair of outer columns arranged outside both lateral ends of the storage box and extending in a vertical direction, and a pair of outer column covers attached to the outside of the pair of outer columns, extending in a vertical direction, and having lower ends embedded in the ground, The outer column cover is divided into an underground split cover part buried in the ground at the same level as the ground or at a level above the ground, and an upper split cover part provided on the upper part of the underground split cover part, removing the upper split cover portion from the outer pillar; and attaching another upper split cover part to the portion of the outer post from which the upper split cover part was removed.

Images