US3502303A - Fencing - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1970 c. E. BISHOP 3,502,303

FENCING Filed Oct. 31, 1968 United States Patent 3,502,303 FENCING Charles Edward Bishop, Box 137, Minyip 3392, Victoria, Australia Filed Oct. 31, 1968, Ser. No. 772,153 Claims priority, application Australia, Nov. 7, 1967,

Int. Cl. E04h 17/20 US. Cl. 2:56-48 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention provides a novel fencing post or dropper which comprises a steel post, or a steel or aluminium dropper having a number of longitudinally spaced transverse slots therein to accommodate fencing wires or mesh. A locking wire or rod extends the length of the post through the slots to retain the fencing wires in the slots and within the post or dropper.

This invention relates to improvements in fencing, and in particular to an improved steel post and the manner in which fencing wires, fabricated fences, meshes and other posts are attached to such steel posts and to an improved dropper and the attachment of the wires or meshes thereto.

At the present, the steel posts used extensively for fencing have a plurality of preformed holes through which either the fencing wires may be individually fed or else short wires to support the already erected fencing wires or meshmay be twitched. As the holes in the posts are preformed for conventional fencing and the mesh spacing is different, the posts, in addition to causing time consuming threading through of the fencing wires and twitches, do not readily adapt for use with fencing mesh or for fabricated fences.

Pine posts are also used for fencing, the posts usually being power driven into the ground and the wires individually stapled to each post, so that once again erecting a fence is a time-consuming operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a steel post and/or dropper which assists in the rapid construction of fences, which is simple and economical in use. The present invention also provides an improved clamping device whereby said posts may be readily joined together.

According to the present invention there is provided a post and/ or dropper formed of steel plate and preferably having transverse elongated slots at longitudinally spaced intervals for the reception of fencing wires, the slots being located on an angle, curve or bend of the post and/0r dropper so that a second locking rod or wire of similar gauge may be accommodated between the fencing wires and the steel plate of the angle curve or bend.

Although for use with fencing wires, the slots are horizontal, when used with fencing mesh the slots may be inclined at an angle to the horizontal so that the angled wires of the fencing mesh are more readily accommodated.

The transverse slots may be formed by punching, milling or otherwise cutting a transverse opening from the post. Alternatively, holes may be punched in the post at the location of the angle, curve or bend, the material of the post transversely indented or grooved so as to accommodate the fencing wires, the indenting or grooving process elongating the holes so that they extend from one side of the recess so formed to the other, thereby forming an opening to accommodate the locking wire or rod.

In another modification, a series of two or four slits per slot are cut, and the material of the post deformed, either, in the case of the two slits, by being pressed inwardly of the post, or in the case of the four slits, by the two outermost bands being pressed outwardly of the post, the central inner band either being untouched or else pressed inwardly of the post. It will be apparent that the two-slit modification results in the same effect as achieved by the milling or otherwise cutting, with the exception that the retention of the post material within the post avoids any sharp edges which may cut into the fencing wires. In the four-slit modification, the two outwardly extending bands support the fencing wires therebetween, the two bands also providing the plate against which the locking wire or rod is located.

In yet another modification, the slots are each formed by cutting out one or two tabs, the fencing wire either resting thereon or therebetween, the tabs having a hole punched therein to locate the locking wire or rod.

The present invention also provides a clamping bracket, which may be either fiat, or angled whereby two of said posts may be positively clamped together, either at right angles or adjacent each other.

When used as a post, the plate is preferably shaped to provide a triangular cross-section, with the apex accommodating the transverse slots being curved. The longitudinal wall which forms the side opposite this apex is preferably partly open (formed by turning the two edges of the strip forming the post inwardly towards each other, without actually meeting). This open-back to the post allows access to the locking rod or wire so that should it bow or bend during insertion, it is possible to quickly guide it into the desired position between the plate and the fencing wires.

The open-back also prevents water from being trapped in the otherwise hollow post, and so greatly reduces the possibility of rusting of the steel plate.

The open-back may also be used to accommodate the shank of a bolt against which a clamping plate is anchored, as for example when clamping the post to one end of a cross-bar used to equalise the strain on an end post. The two inwardly directed edges or arms act to hold a clamping plate in position, the bolt passing through the clamping plate and cross-bar to be tightened by a nut, preferably against the cross-bar.

The clamping bracket is used in conjunction with the open-backed post, the clamping bolt passing through the bracket and tightening against a clamping plate held within the fence post by the two arms. When an angle bracket is used, the two fence posts are positioned adjacent each other, with their open-backs at right angles. By clamping the two posts together, a rigid corner or end structure is obtained, fencing Wires being led from the front slot of each post to form wire fences at right angles to each other.

A similar right-angled clamping bracket may be used to join an end post to a similar profiled cross-bar, this time the bracket preferably fitting within the cavity of the vertical post.

As well as using similar profiled steel bars as the top cross-bar for bracing two or three end posts, the profiled steel bars and even wooden bars may also be used, in conjunction with vertical posts to form a post-and-rail fence, without any fencing wires. This is extremely important for end structures in, for example, cattle ramps. The bolt is clamped either directly to the wooden bar, or by means of a straight clamping bracket to a profiled steel bar, and then into the clamping plate behind the two arms of the vertical post gap. This arrangement may also be used in cross-bracing two end posts, in such case, angle brackets being slid into appropriate positions along the two end posts to be braced, and the cross-brace structure allowing for out-of-line positioning of said posts.

If desired, a combined post, wire and rail fence can be constructed, the rails being used on the top and possibly, in the case of sheep yards, on the sides of the posts, mainly to add strength to the fence structure and so prevent excess pressure being placed on the wires by the sheep within the yard pushing as a single body.

A curved backing plate may be used in conjunction with the clamping bracket and/or the clamping plate to prevent spreading of the arms of the steel posts, and to act as stilfeners.

If three posts are used in the end bracing of a fence, the cross-bar may be attached to the central post by means of a bracket which is clamped to the vertical post as before but has a flat horizontal surface which fits inside the top of the vertical post, and through which a bolt is passed to engage in a nut and/or plate held between the arms of the cross bar.

The locking wire or rod may be used as an anchor wire around which the fencing wires may be turned and then twisted and so keyed to themselves. This is of particular importance when it is desired to erect an end structure of the fence with the anchor posts being driven at right angles. The end of the wires of the new fence may be threaded through the slot and about the locking wire or rod (preferably as a pre-formed loop into which the locking wire is threaded), then out the slot and the end twisted and keyed to the wire of the fence.

In such cases, it may be desirable to have the slots wider than normal so that the two sets of horizontal fencing wires may be accommodated with ease. Alternatively, a slot a spacing lower may be used for the other direction. It may also be desirable to have the top slot of each post and dropper wider so that barbed wire may be threaded therethrough.

The lower end of each post is preferably tapered, cut or otherwise formed into a point for ease of driving into the ground.

When used for or with cross-bars, the posts need not be slotted for wire, and may be supplied in long lengths to be sawn to the length desired.

The dropper may be a longitudinally curved or angled strip with the slots at the desired spacing. With such curved or angled strip, the droppers may be readily stacked one inside the other for easy packaging and storage.

Preferably the posts and droppers are cold rolled from plate metal strips, slots being blanked off before rolling the profile in a continuous mill.

In use, the posts and droppers may be supplied in any desired length, usually lengths of '6" or 6. Sim ilarly the slots may be spaced at 1" intervals, preferably with a double-width slot at the top to accommodate barbed wire, or as desired. One end of the post may be pointed to facilitate insertion thereof into the ground. The posts are erected at the desired positions, and then the fencing wires or mesh may be erected and tensioned over a considerable distance, the individual wires being slipped into the appropriate slots on the post, and then the locking wire slid between the fencing wire and plate to prevent the fencing wire from escaping from the slots. Droppers may then be inserted at appropriate positions along the fence.

The top of the locking wire may be bent into the shape of a U, preferably prior to use and may be hooked over the top wire of the fence within the post. Alternatively, the top of the locking wire is twisted around the top wire of the fence and keyed toit. The bottom of the locking wire where it protrudes past the dropper is also keyed to the bottom fence wire.

If desired, additional fences, at right angles or other angles, to the first fence may be erected using the post according to the present invention as a corner post, and either threading the end of the fencing wires about the locking wire or rod, or more preferably, clamping the corner post to an adjacent corner post, the two open backs thereof forming a right angle and being held together at two or three positions by an angle clamping 'bracket. Likewise, the end post of the fence may be joined to the other posts by a cross-bar at the top to equalise the tension strains, the cross-bar being bolted to each post by a clamp held within the post. If the cross-bar has a similar profile to the post, a clamping bracket may be used to hold the cross-bars to each end post.

Thus it will be readily seen that the present invention provides a simple and non-time-consuming method of attaching fencing wires and cross-bars to posts. Further such fencing may be readily dismantled if so desired, similarly without much effort or time lost.

But in order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a post according to the invention, with the fencing and locking wires in position;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section, showing how two posts of the type depicted in FIGURE 1 may be clamped together;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are transverse sections through droppers according to the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view, similar to FIGURE 1 of a modified post according to the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a transverse section through another modification of a post according to the present invention.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, the post 1 is formed of steel plate, and having a substantially triangular-cross-section. Along the apex of the triangle, a series of longitudinally spaced transverse slots 2 are cut so that fencing wires 3 may be slipped therein, a locking rod or wire 4 being led down the inside of the post 1 between the inner surface of the apex and the fencing wires 3 to retain the fencing wires within the slots 2. At the top of the post, the locking wire 4 is bent over in a U-shape to retain it within the post. Alternatively, as shown in FIGURE 6, it may be twitched around the top fencing wire, as at 17.

At the side of the post remote the apex, there is a gap 6, which in addition to allowing water to escape from within the post, also provides means whereby clamping bracket 7 and backing plate 8 may be affixed, via bolt 9 and nut 10 to a post 1. As shown in FIGURE 3, clamping bracket 7 is right-angled and serves to support two posts at right angles to each other-as for example at a corner in the fence. It will be appreciated that the clamping bracket 7 may also be merely a straight plate to join two posts side-by-side. Similarly the bracket may be used to clamp any post according to the present invention.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show two possible cross-sections for droppers according to the present invention, the droppers 11 and 13 being provided with longitudinally spaced transverse slots 12 and 14 respectively which function in the same manner as slots 2 to accommodate the fencing wires 3 therein, locking wires 4' and 4" retaining the fencing wires within the droppers.

Irr the modified post In shown in FIGURE 6, each slot has been formed by cutting four slits transversely in the apex of the post 111, and pressing the material between the upper two and lower two slits outwardly of the post so that there is formed a transverse recess 15 or slot to accommodate the fencing wire, and two loops 16 to accommodate the locking wire, which may be twitched around the top fencing wire, as at 17.

In the modification shown in FIGURE 8, a tab 18 is cut from and bent outwardly of the post 1b to form a ledge upon which the fencing wire 3b is supported. Preferably a second tab (not shown) is formed immediately above tab 18 so that the fencing wire is located between the two tabs. Each tab 18 has a hole 19 therein through which the locking wire or rod is threaded to retain the fencing wire against the post 1b.

In a specific example, a 6 wide strip of gauge galvanized steel plate is cold-rolled to the required crosssection on a continuous mill, a plurality of elongated slots, about A4, x 1 /2" at 1" longitudinal spacings, and centrally of the strip being blanked off before rolling. The cross-section of the post is that of a triangle with a rounded apex wherein is located the elongated slots, base 2" and height 2%", with a 1" gap centrally on the base. The posts may be cut off to a length 5'6" to 6', and their lower ends formed to a point.

The dropper may be a 2 /2" wide strip of 18 gauge galvanized steel or aluminium, having a central longitudinal right angle there along, and a plurality of slots, about 1 x 1 /2" at 1 longitudinal spacings. Thus fencing wire or mesh (normally 8-9 gauge and 12 /2 gauge respectively) may be threaded through the slots, and a locking wire of between 8 and 12 /2 gauge slid between the fencing wire or mesh and the plate of the post and/or dropper to form a positive anchor for the fencing wire or mesh.

The angle clamping bracket has two arms at right angles to each other, each arm being 2 /2" long and about 1 /2"2 high, and having a hole drilled through the centre thereof. The clamping plate fits neatly within the post profile and may be curved in line therewith.

A backing plate may be provided, said backing plate fitting snugly around the base of the post profile and extending slightly therebeyond.

Such posts are of sufiicient strength that only 2 per chain (i.e. 33 .ft. spacings) need be used, thus comparing favorably with known posts. Dependent on the crop or animals to be enclosed by the fences, droppers may be used between the posts to maintain the desired spacing of the fencing wires.

Thus the present invention provides a cheap and simple method for attaching fencing wires to posts.

It will be readily appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes are possible both for the post and for the dropper.

I claim:

1. An elongated hollow fencing post of steel plate, said post having a generally uniform, triangular cross-section throughout the length of said post, with at least the apex thereof being rounded, said apex having transversely elongated, parallel slots at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong for receiving fencing wires, the depth of said transverse slots being such that said fencing wires can be retained between said plate and a locking wire extending vertically downwardly within the confines of said apex, the base of said post opposite said apex being formed with a longitudinal gap of sufiicient width to provide access for bolts for securing said post to a fixed supporting member.

2. The post of claim 1 wherein each of said slots is defined by vertically spaced horizontal tabs struck from the apex of said post, said tabs being formed with aligned openings for receiving said locking wire thereby retaining said fencing wires on said post.

3. The post of claim 1 wherein each of said slots are defined by four transverse slits formed in said apex, the steel plate vertically defined by each pair of slits being pressed outwardly to form a loop for receiving said locking wire.

4. The post of claim 1 wherein said slots comprise longitudinally spaced cuts in said apex.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,125,827 l/19l5 Faunt 25652 1,267,568 5/1918 McAlister 256-52 1,355,754 10/1920 Dickerson 25652 2,401,978 6/ 1946 Smith 25648 2,728,560 12/1955 Pals 256-48 FOREIGN PATENTS 225,594 12/1959 Australia.

DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 25 65 2

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