US2084095A - Fence post - Google Patents

Description

Patented June 15, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to fence posts, the principal object being to provide a post of that type through the use of which the fence may be lowered to the ground when occasion requires,

such as in the event of flood waters when damage to the fence may result from driftwood, ice, etc.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists primarily of a post formed of upper and lower sections pivotally connected together so that the former section, to which the fencing is attached, may be swung downwardly to rest on the ground, while the latter section remains upright, with its lower end embedded in the ground.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a post embodying the features of this invention, a portion of the lower section being broken away,

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the post with the upper section in lowered position in dotted lines, and

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the post.

Referring to the drawing, I I! designates the upper section of the post and I I the lower section thereof, both sections being preferably formed of metal. The lower section is provided with vertical parallel flanges I2 at its side edges and a horizontal flange I3 at its upper end, positioned between the vertical flanges and provided with a 0 central perforation I 4. The flange I3 may be con- 7 nected tothe flanges I2 by welding, or otherwise,

if desired.

The upper section II) of the post is in the form of an inverted U and is provided with a marginal flange I5 which extends at right angles thereto, to impart rigidity. The legs I6 of the upper section E6 straddle the lower section I3 and their lower ends are pivotally connected to said lower section by means of a suitable pin I'I passing through the flanges I2.

Connecting the legs I6 of the upper section III is a pin IB, at a point to clear the upper end of the lower section I I, and this pin passes through the legs I9 and 20 of a latch, also in the form of an inverted U, said latch being adapted to pivot on said pin, the leg 20 being elongated to extend below the pin to a sufiicient degree to aid in maintaining the latch in a locking position as will be described later herein.

Suitably secured to the inner face of one of the legs I6 of the upper section I0, above the pin I8, is a plate 2| having an inturned flange 22 at its upper edge. To each end of this flange is connected an end of an extensible spring 23, the 55 other ends of which are connected to the top of the latch, whereby to maintain said latch in alinement with the legs I6. The edges of the leg I9 of this latch converge to form a point 24 which rests within the opening I4 at the top of the lower section, when the upper section is in raised position, thus serving to maintain the sections in vertical alinement.

The unflanged edge of the upper section IIl may be provided with notches 25 or other suitable means for attaching a fence thereto or, if desired, the same may be suitably attached to the flange I5 of the upper section.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Assuming that the post is in erect position, as shown in Figure 1, and it is desired to manipulate the same to lower the fence, the upper section Ill is grasped and swung to one side which will cause a rocking movement of the latch, permitted by the spring 23, thus releasing the point 24 of the latch from the opening It. The upper section, together with the fencing attached thereto, may then be lowered to the ground. When it is desired to raise the fence into position for use, the upper section is moved in the opposite direction, during which movement the leg I9 of the latch will engage the upper end of the lower section and cause the latch to swing on its pivot so as to permit the two sections to be brought into alinement. The point 24 will then again seat itself in the perforation I4 where it will be held by the springs 23, assisted by the downwardly extending position of the leg 20.

It will be understood that either or both sections of the post may be constructed of material other than that mentioned herein and may be differently formed, and that other details may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A post including a lower section, an upper section pivoted to the lower section, a latch pivoted to the upper section and adapted to engage the upper end of the lower section for holding the sections in alinement, an extensible spring connected to the latch and to the upper section above the pivotal point of the latch, and a weight on the latch below its pivotal point, whereby the weight and spring will cooperate to hold the latch in engagement with the lower section.

2. A fence post including a lower section, an upper section pivoted to the lower section, a latch pivoted to the upper section, said latch having a portion adapted to engage the upper end of the lower section and having a portion normally 4. A fence post including a lower section, a

U-shaped upper section having its legs straddling and pivoted to the lower section, a latch pivotally mounted between the legs of the upper section, said latch having a portion normally in engagement with the upper end of the lower section and a portion normally positioned between said post sections and in alinement therewith, and means connecting said latch and said upper section for holding said latch portions in said normal positions. I

OLE T. LARSON. INMJLN L. LARSON.

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