US20060027796A1

US20060027796A1 - Fencing attachment

Info

Publication number: US20060027796A1
Application number: US10/913,260
Authority: US
Inventors: William E. O'Connor
Original assignee: O'connor William E
Priority date: 2004-08-05
Filing date: 2004-08-05
Publication date: 2006-02-09

Abstract

An attachment for the top of a metal fence post that adds utility to the fence post has a device portion and a cylindrical attachment portion with an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and an opposing second end. The second end is attached to the device portion. There is at least one pair of parallel insertion guides extending from the first end of the attachment portion to substantially the second end along the inner surface. The insertion guides are separated by an insertion slot created by an insertion slot base disposed between the insertion guides and adjacent to the inner surface. The insertion base has a first thickness at the first guide end and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at the second guide end. The attachment portion is slid over the metal fence post by inserting an outer post edge into the insertion slot until the distance between the insertion slot base and the opposing inner surface is less than the distance between the outer edges of the metal fence post, thereby wedging the metal fence post into the attachment portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Metal fencing has become prevalent as a means of separating or isolating portions of property. As compared to wooden fencing that requires significant labor and time to dig holes for the placement of each post, metal fencing is quick and easy to install as each post is quickly driven into the ground with a large hammer, sledge, or other driving device.
One common class of metal fence posts is the t-post. A t-post has a substantially t-shaped cross section to facilitate the mounting of wire supports, metal signs or other articles desired to be supported by the post. T-posts are commonly used to build a fence around a home or a farm where the posts are pounded into the ground every five to ten feet before fence wire is attached to the posts. Usually, t-posts are pounded vertically into the ground, but there may be situations in which it is desired to orient a t-post at an angle with respect to the vertical.
With metal fencing being so abundant, there is a need for readily portable devices that can safely and easily be mounted to the top of a t-post or other metal fence post adding utility to this popular fencing method. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable lighting device that can be easily and securely mounted to the top portion of a t-post.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable water sprinkler device that can be easily and securely mounted to the top portion of a t-post.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a holder for a conduction wire for an electric fence system that can be easily and securely mounted to the top portion of a t-post.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the aforementioned t-post attachments which are uncomplicated in structure, thereby inexpensive to manufacture, yet effective in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an attachment for the top of a metal fence post that adds utility to the fence post such as lighting, a sprinkler system, or to create an attachment point for electric fence wire. Typically, the metal fence post has a t-shaped cross-section with a first outer post edge and a second outer post edge extending the length of the metal fence post. The attachment has a device portion and a cylindrical attachment portion with an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and an opposing second end. The second end is attached to the device portion. There is at least one pair of parallel insertion guides extending from the first end of the attachment portion to substantially the second end along the inner surface. The insertion guides are separated by an insertion slot created by an insertion slot base disposed between the insertion guides and adjacent to the inner surface. The insertion base has a first thickness at the first guide end and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at the second guide end. The attachment portion is slid over the metal fence post by inserting the first outer post edge into the insertion slot until the distance between the insertion slot base and the opposing inner surface is less than the distance between the first outer post edge and the second outer post edge thereby wedging the metal fence post into the attachment portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken at line 2-2 of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken at line 3-3 depicting a t-post inserted into the attachment means in the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment o the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken at line 5-5 of an alternate embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken at line 6-6 depicting a t-post inserted into the attachment means in an alternate embodiment.
The above description and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, like elements retain their indicators throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicting the preferred device to fence post connection means. Portable Lighting Fixture 100 has a Solar Powered Lighting Unit 101 attached to Attachment Section 104. Attachment Section 104 slides over a metal fence post and is firmly wedged onto the metal fence post providing light to a broad area around the fence post.
Attachment Section 104 is a hollow tube with 1^stInsertion Guides 102 and 2^ndInsertion Guides 108 extending from the opening of Attachment Section 104 to approximately 3 to 4 inches into Attachment Section 104. 1^stInsertion Guides 102 and 2^ndInsertion Guides 108 are opposite and parallel to one another inside of Attachment Section 104. There is a 1^stInsertion Slot 106 separating 1^stInsertion Guides 102 by the width of 1^stInsertion Slot Base 204 (shown in FIG. 2). Similarly, there is a 2^ndInsertion Slot 112 separating 2^ndInsertion Guides 108 by the width of 2^ndInsertion Slot Base 210 (shown in FIG. 2). Although the preferred embodiment is a solar powered light, it has also been contemplated for the upper portion of the portable unit to be a battery powered light, an AC corded light, a sprinkler head, or a bracket for holding electric fencing wire. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken at line 2-2 further depicting the preferred attachment means of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken at line 2-2 of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates more clearly the means of firm attachment. 1^stInsertion Slot Base 204 and 2^ndInsertion Slot Base 210 are not parallel to one another, but get slightly closer together as they progress into the opening of Attachment Section 104. As T-post 201 is inserted into 1^stInsertion Guides 202 and 2^ndInsertion Guides 208, T-post 201 becomes wedged between 1^stInsertion Slot Base 204 and 2^ndInsertion Slot Base 210 creating a firm attachment between T-Post 201 and Attachment Section 104 without the use of screws, nails or other common attachment means. This firm attachment is critical to avoid the lighting device from falling and breaking and for the sprinkler system configuration from falling off from the pressure and movement of the water passing through the unit. Additionally, the removal of Attachment Section 104 requires no tools and minimal strength and effort to lift it from T-post 201.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken at line 3-3 of the preferred embodiment showing a T-post 201 (in phantom) inserted into Attachment Section 104 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. T-post 201 is shown with the first outside lobe and the opposing outside lobe inserted into 1^stInsertion Slot 106 and 2^ndInsertion Slot 112 respectively. Although a t-post is pictured, any metal fence post with two outer lobes of a similar thickness could be used.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment o the present invention. In FIG. 4, there is a single pair of Insertion Guides 402 within Attachment Section 104 attached along the inner wall of Attachment Section 104. As with previously discussed guides, Insertion Guides 402 are separated by the width of Insertion Slot 404. Insertion Guides 402 are affixed to the interior of Attachment Section 104 beginning at the opening of Attachment Section 104 approximately the length of Attachment Section 104.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken at line 5-5 of an alternate embodiment further depicting the attachment means of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, Insertion Slot Base 506 is shown getting slightly closer to the opposing inner wall of Attachment Section 104 as it progressing into Attachment Section 104. As T-post 201 (shown in phantom) is inserted into Insertion Slot 404, it becomes wedged between the inner wall of Attachment Section 104 and the ramping of Insertion Slot Base 506 toward the opposing inner wall of Attachment Section 104. This wedging creates a firm, stable attachment between Attachment Section 104 and T-post 201.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken at line 6-6 depicting T-post 201 inserted into Attachment Section 104 in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows one outer lobe of T-post 201 inserted into Insertion Slot 404 of Insertion Guides 402 while the opposing lobe of T-post 201 slides along the inner wall of Attachment Section 104. However, T-post 201 can easily be rotated 180 degrees for a like insertion.
Wherein the terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A metal fence post attachment for adding a utility device to the top of a metal fence post, the metal fence post having a substantially t-shaped cross-section, a first outer post edge and a second outer post edge extending the length of the metal fence post, comprising:

a device portion;

a hollow, cylindrical attachment portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and an opposing second end, said second end fixedly attached to said device portion;

at least one pair of parallel insertion guides having a first guide end and a second guide end extending from said first end of said attachment portion to substantially said second end of said attachment portion along said inner surface, said insertion guides separated by an insertion slot created by an insertion slot base disposed between said insertion guides and adjacent to said inner surface, said insertion base having a first thickness at said first guide end and a second thickness greater than said first thickness at said second guide end, whereby:

said attachment portion is slid over the metal fence post by inserting the first outer post edge into said insertion slot until the distance between said insertion slot base and the opposing said inner surface is less than the distance between the first outer post edge and the second outer post edge thereby wedging the metal fence post into said attachment portion.

2. The metal fence post attachment of claim 1, wherein said device portion is a solar powered light.

3. The metal fence post attachment of claim 1, wherein said device portion is a battery powered light.

4. The metal fence post attachment of claim 1, wherein said device portion is a sprinkler head.

5. The metal fence post attachment of claim 1, wherein said device portion is a device for threading a wire for an electric fencing system.

6. A metal fence post attachment for adding a utility device to the top of a metal fence post, the metal fence post having a substantially t-shaped cross-section, a first outer post edge and a second outer post edge extending the length of the metal fence post, comprising:

a device portion;

a first pair of parallel insertion guides having a first guide end and a second guide end extending from said first end of said attachment portion to substantially said second end of said attachment portion along said inner surface, said insertion guides separated by an insertion slot created by an insertion slot base disposed between said insertion guides and adjacent to said inner surface, said insertion base having a first thickness at said first guide end and a second thickness greater than said first thickness at said second guide end; and

a second pair of parallel insertion guides having a second guide first end and a second guide second end extending from said first end of said attachment portion to substantially said second end of said attachment portion along said inner surface opposite said first pair of insertion guides, said second insertion guides separated by a second insertion slot created by a second insertion slot base disposed between said second insertion guides and adjacent to said inner surface, said second insertion base having a first base thickness at said second guide end and a second base thickness greater than said first base thickness at said second guide second end, whereby:

said attachment portion is slid over the metal fence post by inserting the first outer post edge into said insertion slot and said second outer post edge into said second insertion slot until the distance between said insertion slot base and said second insertion slot base is less than the distance between the first outer post edge and the second outer post edge thereby wedging the metal fence post into said attachment portion.

7. The metal fence post attachment of claim 6, wherein said device portion is a solar powered light.

8. The metal fence post attachment of claim 6, wherein said device portion is a battery powered light.

9. The metal fence post attachment of claim 6, wherein said device portion is a sprinkler head.

10. The metal fence post attachment of claim 6, wherein said device portion is a device for threading a wire for an electric fencing system.