Ground Post Support Device with Adjustable Legs and Built-in Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fence installation methods fail to securely hold posts upright during concrete pouring and setting, and lack effective alignment and leveling mechanisms, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
A ground post support and level device comprising a collar with built-in levels, adjustable legs, and removable post clamps that elevate the collar to allow concrete pouring while ensuring the post remains vertical, using adjustable feet for leveling and post clamps for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fence installation methods are used without a support device, then the installation process is simpler, but the post cannot be securely held upright during concrete pouring and setting, leading to misalignment and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into distinct functional components: a collar that surrounds the post, multiple adjustable legs that extend to the ground, and post clamps that secure the post to the collar. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary device between the post and the ground, providing a stable platform that transfers the post's weight to the adjustable legs. This intermediary structure enables secure post holding without requiring direct ground contact from the post itself, improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the collar is placed directly on the ground, then the setup is simpler, but there is no clearance for pouring concrete around the post base
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed to be adjustable in length and position, allowing the collar to be elevated to the optimal height for concrete pouring. This dynamic adjustment capability provides clearance for concrete access while maintaining ease of operation through simple leg extension and locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable legs are pre-configured to extend from the collar to the ground, establishing the necessary clearance for concrete pouring before the concrete is even poured. This preliminary elevation action ensures proper access is available from the start of the concrete pouring process.
3Manufacturing precision
If levels are not integrated into the collar, then the device is simpler, but the post cannot be accurately aligned to vertical orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The levels are integrated directly into the collar structure, merging the alignment function with the support structure. This combination provides accurate vertical alignment capability while minimizing overall device complexity by eliminating separate alignment tools and reducing the number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in levels enable the collar itself to perform the alignment function, making the device self-sufficient for ensuring vertical post orientation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external level tools and simplifies the overall system while maintaining high alignment precision.
4Reliability
If the collar is fixed to the post permanently, then the connection is more secure, but the device cannot be reused and increases waste
Solution Approach 1:
The post clamps are designed to securely hold the post during concrete setting, then be easily removed and the device recovered for reuse. This approach maintains connection security when needed while enabling device recovery and reuse, reducing waste and improving adaptability for multiple fence installation projects.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the collar and post transitions from a secure locked state during installation to a removable state afterward. This dynamic connection capability allows the device to provide strong holding power when needed while enabling easy removal and reuse, balancing connection security with device versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The ground post support and level device includes a collar, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of post clamps. The ground post support and level device may retain a post upright within a post hole dug into the ground while concrete is poured and sets in the post hole. A plurality of levels located within the collar may aid in aligning the post to be vertical. The plurality of post clamps may removably couple the collar to the post. The plurality of legs may extend from the collar to the ground to elevate the collar and provide clearance for pouring the concrete.