Dual Longitudinal-Weld Step-In Anchor Post for Hard Soil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fence posts face challenges in penetrating hard ground and withstanding abusive conditions, such as high forces during installation and livestock pressure, leading to potential weld failures and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
The Dual Longitudinal-Weld Step-In Anchor Post (DLWSAP) features a mast and anchor member with chamfered facets and double weld fillets for enhanced ground penetration and resistance to breaking, along with a removable body portion for versatility and material efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high forces are applied to step the post into hard ground, then ground penetration is achieved, but weld failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor member is divided into two separate weld locations (first and second longitudinal welds) positioned at opposite sides of the mast. This segmentation distributes the applied forces across multiple weld points, preventing single-point failure and allowing the post to be driven into hard ground without compromising weld integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual weld configuration provides redundant structural support before installation occurs. By pre-positioning welds at both sides of the mast, the design anticipates and cushions against the high impact forces that will be applied during installation, ensuring that no single weld bears the full brunt of the driving force.
2Ease of manufacture
If single weld configuration is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but service life is reduced under abusive conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor member is divided into two separate weld locations (first and second longitudinal welds) positioned at opposite sides of the mast. This segmentation distributes the applied forces across multiple weld points, preventing single-point failure and allowing the post to be driven into hard ground without compromising weld integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If material is used efficiently with serial cutting, then manufacturing cost decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process merges two operations into one: the same cutting tool that creates the trailing chamfered facet of one anchor member simultaneously creates the leading chamfered facet of the next anchor member. This merging of operations ensures precise alignment and equal facet dimensions while maximizing material utilization, as the cut for one piece directly prepares the next piece.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Dual Longitudinal-Weld Step-In Anchor Post (DLWSAP) having a mast or body member extending along an axis, and weld fillets to an anchor member, the weld fillets located on both sides of a mating line of the body and anchor members, the anchor member bent in two places forming two segments parallel, and one segment orthogonal to the body member, the body and anchor members extending toward the ground, chamfered for ground penetration. In an illustrative example, a farmer wishing to reconfigure the fencing in his stockyard due to changes of his livestock populations, may insert a number of DLWSAPs along a perimeter of a new fencing enclosure, by setting the DLWSAPs in place, and stepping on the integrated anchor sections. The farmer may then, for example, hang mesh fencing on the DLWSAPs, to quickly create the new fencing enclosure.