US3173661A - Metal fencing posts, spacers and the like - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1965 c. J. KRUGER 3,173,661

METAL FENCING POSTS, SPACERS AND THE LIKE;

Filed May 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 In en 0! CORNELIUS 1. 11568512 A Home y y March 16, 1965 c. J. KRUGER METAL FENCING POSTS, SPACERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CORNELIUS a. KR (jam Zfiwzwfi mpfw Attorney.)

United States Patent 3,173,661 METAL FENCING POSTS, SPACERS AND THE LIKE Cornelius J. Kriiger, Cullinan, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa, assignor to Cornelius Johan Kriiger and South African Iron and Steel Industrial Corporation Limited, Pretoria, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa Filed May 20, 1960, Ser. No. 30,492 Claims priority, application Republic of South Africa, May 20, 1959, 1,878/5; Jan. 4, 1960, 9/60; Mar. 10, 1960, 1,014/60 10 Claims. (Cl. 256-47) This invention relates to improved rolled or extruded steel or metallic sections particularly intended for use as fencing standards, posts, bars and/or spacers (also commonly termed droppers) and also to improved methods of producing holes and shaping of the pointed ends of such fencing standards, posts or the like.

Fencing standards, posts or the like of various crosssections are known, such as, for instance, the Y-shape, bulb-T-shape and I-shape, but these invariably have various defects, either from the producers or from the users point of view. The desirable properties of good fencing standards, posts or the like are (a) Ample strength against bending in directions transverse to and along the fence, the resistance to bending in said directions being preferably not greatly dissimilar.

(b) Ample resistance against torsional forces.

(c) Presentation of a cross-sectional shape which is sufficiently robust to withstand hammer blows when driven into the ground and also adequately to resist buckling.

(d) Presentation of a cross-sectional shape permitting the ready formation of a point on an end to facilitate penetration when driven into the ground.

(e) Absence of sharp edges liable to cut and/ or abrade the fence line Wires bearing hard against them and which may also be the cause of the start of early corrosion.

(f) The ratio of weight to strength must be a minimum.

Fencing standards, posts or the like must preferably be provided with holes for the positive location of the line wires and these holes are usually produced by cold punching operations. Conventional holes of relatively large size are readily produced, in small rolled steel sec tions of lightweight and of soft quality, by punching with the aid of reasonably robust punches and dies but, in the case of small holes, if punched in the conventional way, the punches are very slender and fragile and, consequently, not so practicable for continuous operation. For instance, in the case of H-section and such like droppers or spacers, which are very light weight sections, relatively large holes are usually punched in the web in order to utilise punches which are not too slender and fragile but sufficiently robust for rapid and substantially continued use. Another disadvantage experienced with relatively slender punches is that the quality of the material to be punched must be kept as soft as may be necessary to permit of reasonably continued operation of the plant and to avoid frequent stoppages to replace broken punches and/ or dies. I

An object of this invention is to provide a rolled steel profile or metallic section suitable for a fencing standard, post, spacer or the like, which substantially satisfies the desirable properties by presenting a cross-sectional shape providing optimum distribution of area (which is directly proportional to the weight) for maximum desirable strength in either or both of the two directions at right angles to each other and in the plane of the crosssection while in addition the shaping of the profile or section is such as to permit of easy rolling or extrusion or the like and ready punching of holes which may be relatively small.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method and means whereby holes of a special type are readily made in the rolled steel fencing standards, posts, spacers and other sections or metallic members with the aid of robust means while the holes produced may be relatively small but are capable of being readily and easily varied to suit different requirements.

Another object of this invention is to provide rolled steel or other metallic sections suitable for fencing standards, posts and the like in which the distribution of the area in cross-section is such that the section is strong against buckling and torsion whereas the location of fixing points for the line wires is favourable in respect of the transmission of the torsion and buckling loads caused by the impact of animals lurching against the fence between such standards or the like, or when the standards are driven into the ground.

A still further object of this invention is to provide special methods of punching holes in such a way that relatively robust punches are employed and a minimum of cutting of the material is effected whereas recourse is taken to exploiting the plasticity of the material by de formation and/ or stretching of the material adjacent to the out.

A further object of the invention is that the number of handling actions of a rolled steel section in the process of cutting to length, punching or producing of the holes, the pointing and the straightening of the fencing posts or the like constructed from the section are greatly reduced with a resultant substantial increase in production.

According to this invention, a fencing post, standard, spacer or the like, comprising an elongated metallic member, presents a cross-sectional shape having enlarged area concentration regions at or adjacent a first central position and at each of two flanking positions similarly offset from said first position so that the area concentration regions do not lie in a straight line, each of said flanking area concentrations being connected to said first area concentration region(s) by narrow web-like regions symmetrically arranged in general diverging relationship relative to said first central position, said web-like regions being provided with shoulders at positions intermediately of the area concentration regions and which shoulders form longitudinal planes, throughout the length of the fencing member, substantially parallel to a plane touching the flanking enlarged area concentration regions.

More particularly, the elongated metallic member from which the fencing standard, post or the like is constructed presents a cross-sectional shape having three spaced enlarged area concentration regions arranged at a central and at offset flanking positions relative to one another and connected by two web-like regions of substantially reduced thickness and arranged in diverging relationship to one another. Said web-like regions provide the shoulders at positions adjacent the central concentration region or in spaced relationship thereto, said shoulders on the I a a two web-like regions beingpreferably oppositely and at in-line locations.

The said shoulders, which extend longitudinally throughout the elongated members, form areas on which the hole punching tools are brought to bearduring the initial stage of producing the holes and also to positively register the member in the correct position for such holing operation. The width of the shoulders and their positioning are specially arranged to suit the method and means of holing, as will be subsequently described. 7

The size and positioning of the central areaconcentra-v tion region of the section, with respectjto the adjacent longitudinal'shoulder forming regions, are arranged in such a fashion as to permit of efficient pointing and spear: ing of the member in a single operation which pointing or.

the same. position thus enabling any one of these finishing operations on the member to be'done simultaneously with all the other above operations or, if particularly desired, with any one other or more of such operations.-

The pointing and spearing are effected by two converging shear blades arranged to shear ofi end portions of the,

member angularly along the offset flanking area concentration and web-like connecting regions. The whole or part of the central area concentration region is not sheared off whereby a point, which is not too sharp but sufficiently robust, is formed.

The holes are produced in the elongated member by punching shears; which are robust in relation to the size of the holes, arranged to sever. the material along a short distance and simultaneously arranged to deform by in dentation, displacement, stretching and drawing of the metal adjacent such severing'line.v Such deformation of the material may-take place on one side or on both sides of the severing line.

Each hole is producedin the material by means of two coacting juxtaposed and relatively movable punching shears for shearing the metal along a short distance, and simultaneously indenting the regions of the metal'adjacent one or both sides of the shear line and'simultaneously forcing or displacing one or both the transverse faces of the deformed region, produced by the shearing action, away from and out of alignment with the other face formed by such shearing action. A pair of holes is shear punched on both sides of the central area concentration region while simultaneously lead-in indentations on each side of'the member are produced.

Where such holes are formed close to the central area concentration region, such region between a pair of holes may be forced outwardly during the shear punching action to provide a protuberance.

means for shear punching holes ina fencing post or the like;

FIGURES 8 and 9 are side views of different forms of shearing dies shown in FIGURES 7 and8;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a memher in position just prior to'the shear punching of holes and showing the relative positions of the straightening dies; V 1

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 showing the coactinghole shearing and deforming punches and straightening or shaping dies at the completion of the operative stroke; and I FIGURES 12 and 13 are fragmentary pictorial views of rolled steel fencing standards, posts or spacers accordor the like shown in the drawings and drawn to an en- In order thatthe inventionmay be clearly'understood and carried into effect, reference will'now be made to the accompanynig sheets of drawings on which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the severalviews. In the drawings: 7 FIGURE 1 is an end viewof a rolled steel section for fencing posts, standards or the like in accordance with the invention; g

' FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE'I showing a modified shaping of the rolled steel section;

. FIGURE3 is a view similarto FIGURE 1 showing a FIGURE 5 is afragmentary plan view illustrating the method of pointing URE 4';

FIGURES 6 and 7 are schematic viewsshowing the the fencing standard shown in FIG- larged scale provides the three area concentration regions 1, 2 and 2 which are connected by like connecting parts .or webs 3 arranged in diverging relationship. The area concentration region 1 is centrally disposed whereas the regions 2, are infianking'and offset positions relative to the region 1. The web-like parts 3 are shaped. to form longitudinal shoulders 4 presenting longitudinalfaces 5 and 6 which are substantially parallel to a common plane 7 touching the flanking enlarged area concentrations 2. The said-areas 5 and 6 formed by the shoulders 4 present faces substantially normal to thepunching or shearing FIGURE ,3 such shoulders 4 .are formed substantially eguidistantly between the central area concentration reg1on-1 and the flanking area concentration regions 2.

Other locations forthe shoulders. 4 :may be selected, as I may be desired, within thescope of'the-invention.

. The cross-sectional area of a rolled steel or other metallic member according to this. invention is distributed in such a way as 'to have main concentrations of area at three, positions and substantially at the corners of a triangle thus presenting a'section of trough-like or bell-like shape having a thickened region at the narrow part and at the. free end of eachlimb or leg. The area concentration regions 2 at the ends of the connecting regions, limbs or legs 3 are arranged to project from the outwardly directed faces'of such regions, limbs or legs. The formation of" the shoulders 4 by stepping of the connecting regions, limbs orlegs 3, inaddition to providing locations for easy shear punching of the holes for the tying wires. of a fencing post or thelike or for threading therethrough of the line wires, also contributes. towardsv strengthening of the section. i Y

The .fo-rmation of the holes in the section is effected byupper and lower punching shears 10 and 11 or 11a. Each punching shear. Ill-or 11 provides aparabolicallyshaped cutting edge.;12 or converging cutting edges 13 (see FIGURES 8 and 9 0n the flat faces-14 and an indenting or deforming face 15 with rake as may be requ1red.- The lower punching shear 11a 5(see FIGURE 7 provides a straight cutting edge 16 onthe end of each face 14. The upper and/ or lower punch holders may be provided, if so desired,- with shaped recesses which at the l1m1t the stroke'ofthe coacting punches will ensure the pos tive desired shaping'of the'meta'l region adjacent the eutline and which is bent orv deformed by the noncutnng part 15 of the punching shears. Such positive shapmg is not essential. v

During the holding action, the metal is cut along a plane by a pair of coacting punching shears and the material on one or on both sides, as may be desired, of the metal, is deformed while the size of the hole or aligned holes thus formed is determined by the amount of overlap of the two punching shears. The parts 15 of the shears do not cut the material but exert a deforming pressure on it so as to assist in creating a hole 17 and thus forming an aproach or lead-in 18 towards such hole (see FIGURES l2 and 13).

As previously stated, the cutting edges 12 of the punching shears can be provided with diiferent contours. A rounded contour of the edges 12 will result in a rounder hole While converging straight edged punching shears will result in a more or less square or diamond shaped hole. Rounded contours are required for materials of higher tensile strength to provide a broader cut and press and thus prevent premature rupture of the material.

The formation of a twin holed protuberance 19 in which the holes are aligned, see FIGURE 12, is produced with the aid of two spaced upper punching shears which are adapted to formtwo shearing lines or cuts by their cutting edges 12 on the opposite sides of the longitudinal rib-forming centre area concentration region 1. The lower punching shear 11 comprises a member presenting two parallel vertical faces also with cutting edges and in fact may be composed of two punching shears 11 or 10 rigidly Secured together in back-toback relationship. The upper and lower punching shears are arranged in juxtaposed relationship for the upper punching shears 10 to be capable of moving past the lower punching shears 11 which is conveniently rigidly and immovably fixed. The raked non-cutting parts 15 of the upper punching shears 10 deform the material of the Web-like connecting regions 3 of the section adjacent the two out lines and indent the material downwardly on either side thus forming approaches or lead-ins 18 for the holes 17. When a protuberance 19 is formed, the material of the centre area concentration region 1 is formed outwardly to curved shape, as is clearly shown in FIG- URE 12. This may be applied readily on sections of the shape as shown in FIGURE 2. In the case of a sec tion according to FIGURE 1, the inner parts of the shoulder forming regions of the web-like regions 3 may be deformed upwardly to form further inner lead-ins by the action of the lower punches (see FIGURE 11).

It will be obvious that single holes may be provided at staggered spaced relationship on the two sides of the centre rib formed by region 1 but for fencing standards or posts or the like this is, however, not desirable. For fencing posts, standards or the like, twin opposing holes are preferably provided for ready threading therethrough of a line wire or tying wire or for attaching clip devices.

The upper and lower punching shears 1t? and 11 (or 11a) are preferably mounted in the elongated straightening dies 20 and 2 1 which are employed for straightening, where this operation is to be carried out simultaneously with holing of the rolled steel section in the construction of fencing posts, spacers or the like. The said punching shears are placed at the desired spaced intervals and arranged to protrude from the contoured faces of the straightening dies 20 and 21 which are shaped to correspond with the faces of the particular section to be straightened thereby. Said straightening dies, with suitable ejecting devices, are fixed to the coacting relatively movable parts of a press according to known practice.

Where deformation of the material of the central area concentration region 1 or of the web forming material 3 adjacent such region on the interior is not required, the lower shear 11a provides the aforesaid straight cutting edges 16 while the punching shear 11a does not protrude beyond the contour of the lower straightening die 20. With such arrangement, as shown in FIGURE 7, practically no upward deforming pressure with the lower punching shears 11a is effected. The downward deformation and stretching is then done wholly on the outer parts of the limb material 3 and not on the inner parts adjacent the central area of concentration 1, nor on the central area of concentration.

It will be obvious that a hole 17, as shown in FIGURE 13, can be brought about at any desired position on the side limbs of the section by the method of punching as described, by providing the shoulders 4 at such positions in the rolled steel section. Whilst it is possible, within the scope of this invention to punch shear holes by the special method and means of holing according to this invention, at any location and against the inclined faces of the limbs or legs 3, the provision of shoulders or steps ensures that the punching shears will cut the material substantially at right angles to its surface with the result that a slippage of the shears or smearing of the material and the application of transverse bending forces on the punching shears are much reduced or eliminated. The shoulders can conveniently be made narrower than shown on the drawings, just sufiicient being required for the holing operation still to function satisfactorily. Another advantage when holing through the material at right angles and not against an inclined face is that less thickness of material of the limb is cut.

With the sections according to this invention, due to their shape and the fact that the limbs being cut fall or taper away rapidly from the initial point of cut, only a very small amount of rake on the deforming part of the punching shear is necessary, just sufiicient being required for easy release of the punching shears. The lead-ins or approaches to the holes are thus virtually at right angles to the plane of the cut, i.e. to the holes, thus facilitating threading of line or tying wires or attaching of clip devices.

A major advantage arising from using the method and means according to this invention of punching holes in the fencing post, standard, spacers or the like of the said cross-sectional shape is, that a small hole can be punched with relatively robust punching shears. The size of the hole is determined by the inclinations and shapes of the cutting contours of the punching shears, combined with the stroke of the punching or cutting action and the extent of overlap of the punching shears.

Another major advantage arising from using the method and means of punching holes in the sections according to this invention is that material of much harder quality or higher tensile strength can be punched where conventional means are not practicable. The contours of the cutting edges of the punches, i.e. Width of cut and bluntness of point, together with the adjustment of the rake of the non-shearing parts of the punching shears must be varied to sut the hardness of the material to be cut. A sharp point with steep sides to the punching shear, thus resulting in a narrow cut, will cause rupture of the indented material more easily than a blunt point with a broad cut, where the pressure and deformation is spread over a greater area of the material to be cut. It will be obvious that if a higher tensile material is used for rolled steel fencing posts, standards or the like, the strength of the section is greatly increased over, for instance, mild steel. Moreover, it is a great advantage to the manufacturer to have a wider range of steel qualities from which such products can be made.

Another advantage obtained by providing holes with the method and means according to this invention is that the member is weakened to a much lesser extent than when holes of conventional type are punched clear out of the member. There is no metal removed from the member according to the method and means of this invention and the metal deformed adjacent such hole or holes remains to contribute towards the strength of the fencing post or the like. There is also no loss in Weight of the member due to the punching of the holes therein.

By providing straightening dies for fencing standards in which the punching shears are mounted and with which the pointing shears 25, and if desired or found practieaof area 1, which permits of clean pointingin one opera-' tion, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The pointing or spearing of the fencing'standard is effected by the two converging shear blades 25 arranged to shearofi end portions, of the member angularly along the offset flanking area concentrations 2 and web-like connecting regions or limbs 3 while the whole or substantially the major part of the central area concentration 1 is not sheared, thus providing an ideal strong point which is not too sharp but sufiiciently robust for driving into the ground. The bottom straightening die 20, in respect of one end, is shaped to the setting of the oblique pointing shears-25 and is arranged to form counter shear means against which the shearing action is effected. Similarly, the oppoiste end of the bottom straightening die 8 tangent to the two flanking cross-sectional areas, said fencingstandard having at one end a point constituted substantially by the endof the. longitudinal rib *formed by the said central cross-sectional area andjtwo straight shear cuts through the web-likeregions and flanking ribs formed by said flanking cross-sectional areas, which shear cuts diverge rearwardly substantially from the edges of the said end of the longitudinal rib.

2. 'A fencingstandard as claimed in claim 1 in which said shoulders form longitudinal ledges running along the length of said fencing standard, and said ledges have 7 holes therein in-the form of a short straightshear cut 20 may form'counter shear means along which the transverse severing shear performs its shearing action. Where no stnaightening is to be effected and consequently no straightening dies employed, suitable lower profiled shears, as described above,'can be used for acting together with suitable upper shears for pointing and also for cutting to length. I I t The arrangement of pointing the member as is shown in FIGURE 5, by means of shears arranged perpendicularly to the aforesaid plane 7 (touching the area conextending parallel to the length of the fencing standard, the material of the ledge onat least one side of said shear cut being in the form of a scalloped indentation for providing a lead-in to said hole, the maximum depth of the indentation being midway between the ends of the shear cut.

3. A fencing standard as claimed in claim 2 in which the material on both sides'of the shear cut is indented, the material on one side being indented in the opposite direction from the material on the other side.

4. A fencing standardas claimed in claim 2 in which said holes are in pairs with one hole in a pair being on one side of the central enlarged cross-sectional area and the other hole ,;being on the other side of the 'central enlarged cross-sectionalarea and the holes in each pair being aligned with each other.

' substantially equal. dimensions. in transverse. directions,

- two symmetrical outwardly diverging narrow web-like centration regions 2) a sharp edge 26 is produced by the.

sheared face 27 andthe inwardly directed faces of the limb-like connecting regions 3. Such edges 26 may be' useful under certain conditions but on driving a post into rocky soil such edges are liable to be bent, turned overorotherwise damaged which may impede the penetration qualities of. the post. To eliminate the formation of such sharp edges, the regions 3 can be splayed out previously at the end to be pointed, and the pointing operation carried out in a perpendicular shearing operation and such region subsequently bent back to the original shape in a subsequent straightening operation. The shears 25 can be arranged to operate towards :and on the sides of the member and obliquely to the said plane 7 in order to provide a sheared face substantially. at right angles to the faces of the connecting regions 3, Alternative'ly, a single shear or saw can be employed which regions extending from. said'central enlarged cross-sectional area, flanking enlarged cross-sectional areas at the other end of each web-likeregion and similarly offset from the .centralenlarged cross-sectional area so that the enlarged cross-sectional areas do not lie in a straight line, and each web-likeregion having a shoulder. between the central and flanking cross-sectional areas, the central part of which shoulder is parallelto a straightline tangent tothe two flanking cross-sectional areas, cutting said steel member, into fencing standard lengths, and shearing one end of each" of, said lengths along two straight lines whichdiverge rearwardly from the edges of the end of a longitudinal ribrformed by said enlarged central cross-sectional', area and which lines extend through said web-like regions and flanking ribs "formed by I said flanking cross-sectional areas, whereby a point is is arranged to operate obliquely relative tothe plane 7 I y to simultaneously shear or cut off the flanking and connecting regions 2 and 3 along the intended angular cutting lines. Such shear or saw, during operation,.may be arranged to be directed, towards or away from the end of the member during the cutting operation. For robustness of the point, the shoulder forming regions 4 of the members of section according to FIGURES 1 and 2, or the adjoining parts of the limbs 3 adjacent the central area concentration region 1 ofthe member. according, to FIGURE 3, are retained and not severed by the shears2 5 or single, shear, saw or like means.

What I claim is:

1. A straight rolled steel fencing standard with a cross sectional shape having a central enlarged cross-sectional. area with substantially equal dimensions in transverse distraight line, each web-like region havinga' shoulder be-- tween the central and flanking cross-sectional areas, the

central part of which shoulder is parallel to a straig'ht line formed on the said one end of the length. 7

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 further. comprising forming holes in the longitudinal ledges formed by said shoulders by shearing said ledges. along short shear lines in the center of said ledges extending parallel. to said longitudinal rib andindenting the material of the fencing standard on at least one side or each shear cut to'form a scalloped indentation with the maximum indentation being formed midway between the ends of the shear cut.

7. i A method asclaimed in claim 6 in-which the material on the other side of each shear cut is indented to an equal degree'in the opposite direction from the material on the oneside of each shear cut.

:8. A method as claimed in-clainr 6 in which indenting the material adjacent the one, side of the shear cut com:

prises displacing, drawing and stretching said material the other transverse face, produced by'the shear cut.

9. A methodfiasclaimed in claim 16' comprising forming the holes in pairs'with onehole in a pair-beingon one side of the central enlarged cross-sectional area and the other hole being on the other side of the central enlarged cross-sectional area and the holes in geach' pair' being aligned with each other;

tuberance.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Colvin 18929 Amt et al 8352 Murton 189-23 Hill 18923 Hunter 29-155 1 0 7/50 Telzlah- 189-29 8/50 Harris 25 622 12/ 5 2 Williams 189-3 6 X 6/59 Seely 29-155 FOREIGN PATENTS 2/54 France. 12/ 55 France.

11/56 Germany.

10 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

CORNELIUS D. ANGEL, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A STRAIGHT ROLLED STEEL FACING STANDARD WITH A CROSSSECTIONAL SHAPE HAVING A CENTRAL ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA WITH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL DIMENSIONS IN TRANSVERSE DIRECTIONS, TWO SYMMETRICAL OUTWARDLY DIVERGING NARROW WEB-LIKE REGIONS EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTRAL ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA, FLANKING ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS AT THE OTHER END OF EACH WEB-LIKE REGION AND SIMILARLY OFFSET FROM THE CENTRAL ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA SO THAT THE ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS DO NOT LIE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, EACH WEB-LIKE REGION HAVING A SHOULDER BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AND FLANKING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS, THE CENTRAL PART OF WHICH SHOULDER IS PARALLEL TO A STRAIGHT LINE TANGENT TO THE TWO FLANKING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS, SAID FENCING STANDARD HAVING AT ONE END A POINT CONSTITUTED SUBSTANTIALLY BY THE END OF THE LONGITUDINAL RIB FORMED BY THE SAID CENTRAL CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AND TWO STRIAGHT SHEAR CUTS THROUGH THE WEB-LIKE REGIONS AND FLANKING RIBS FORMED BY SAID FLANKING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS, WHICH SHEAR CUTS DIVERGE REARWARDLY SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE EDGES OF THE SAID END OF THE LONGITUDINAL RIB.

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