US3572639A

US3572639A - Charged wire fencing

Info

Publication number: US3572639A
Application number: US825151A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph E Shettel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-05-16
Filing date: 1969-05-16
Publication date: 1971-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-30

Abstract

A charged wire fence line structure comprising insulator and post components of integral design that effectively simplify the construction of portable and rotation systems, while adapting to existing fence lines. The insulator selectively receives and contains the wire without being attached thereto. The supporting post offers the insulator diverse vertical position for the creation of single fence lines or multiples of fence lines spaced apart from each other to better effect the control of livestock of whatever kind.

Description

United States Patent 10/1907 Cooper 25 6/47UX 8/1914 Purkey 256/48UX 8/1948 Huette.... 256/10UX 11/1948 Craig 256/48 9/1952 Norris 256/47 FOREIGN PATENTS 1/1953 Australia 256/10 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor ABSTRACT: A charged wire fence line structure comprising insulator and post components of integral design that effectively simplify the construction of portable and rotation systems, while adapting to existing fence lines. The insulator selectively receives and contains the wire without being attached thereto. The supporting post offers the insulator diverse vertical position for the creation of single fence lines or multiples of fence lines spaced apart from each other to better effect the control of livestock of whatever kind.

Patented Ma 'ch 30, 1971 \NVENTOR CHARGED WIRE FENCING The invention herein disclosed presents new and useful improvements in charged wire fencing common to the ranch or farm, with special reference to the single or multiple-wire fencing systems incorporating insulators typically and diversely mounted on posts of steel.

Those familiar with the use of electrical fencing as it relates to the control of livestock are aware that the need for efficient portable systems is continuing. Since the electrical pulse gives this type of fencing its authority, excessive wire tensions and component bulk are undesirable. The system should adapt to temporary and rotation installations in particular and require a minimum of substance and labor. By using light wire, small steel posts can be angled and then warped erect to maintain the necessary local tension through the use of the fencing barbs as stops against the insulators. The nuisance of clips which flip off at the least abuse and the inconvenience of ties, which take time to twist on and twist off, all await improvement.

Charged wire fencing has a primary duty to control livestock through fear of shock. Therefore, this present invention relates to a fence line system consisting of insulators and posts that perpetuate the charge carried by effectively placed fencing for the management of livestock.

It remains, then, to provide the individual components that integrally receive and apply, one to the other, toward ease of installation and transport, as the particular object of the invention.

Another important object of the invention is that it have some application to existing fence lines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fencing structure that diversely assembles in the field without tools.

The foregoing objects of the invention and other advantages manifest by its novel construction, combinations and arrangement of parts will be hereinafter fully described, and detailed in the cooperate drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basic fence line support assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the insulator thereon, in mounting direction;

FIG. 3 is a repeated view thereof, in locating direction;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the working features of the line insulator; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate mounting thereof.

With reference to the drawings, it will be noted in FIG. 4 that line insulator I0 is an enlargement of the top insulator shown in FIG. I in typical position on post with the charged wire in place as a unit. Wire 30 forms the fence line and is, preferably, like the 17- or l8-gauge galvanized and barbed wires available on the market today. Insulator 10 can be molded of a tough resilient plastic and is designed to receive and support wire 30 without being attached thereto. The shape preferred consists of a pair of sides and top and bottom surfaces set apart and converging in a coplanar arrangement, joined together and interconnecting a substantial coved back portion 12 and a lesser apposing face portion 11. Coving the back surface brings the side edges thereof to bear solidly against any supporting structure in providing a broad base which will eliminate overhang and the resulting pivot which promotes nail loosening. The arrangement of the top surface of insulator 10 requires notice in that the frontward downslant 13 of its beginning against coving 12 is reversed upward to meet face portion 11 and thereby form trough 14 which will contain wire 30 on the insulator during the fence-building operation. A bight 32 is given the lower edge of face 11 whereby a tie wire 33, of FIG. 5, may be looped around the insulator end, including any fencing wire 31 superficially resting therein, and twisted to thereby diversify the method of at tachment in the field. The installation of insulator 10 against wood supports 21 is accomplished by driving a double-headed nail 36 through hole 34, of FIG. 4, which is symmetrically positioned in top slant 13 apart from trough l4, and angles rearwardly down, toenail-fashion 35, to exit spaced apart from the lower edge of back coving l2. This angling will more effectively resist nail pulling under stress and reduce seasonal nail popping. More importantly however, groove 16 extending angled across trough 14 is sized to receive wire 30. It is seen to penetrate vertically down to a depth before laterally turning conversely inward upon itself and thereby form overhanging wedges 15, and end as a symmetrically located horizontal perforation 17 which will support and impart continuity of line to wire 30. Furthermore, with wire 30 in tension, its removal is blocked by the overhang 15, just before described. Though it be resting in trough I4, wire 30 can be introduced into grooving 16 only after it is warped with the fingers 29 of FIG. 3. It will then follow the grooving to find position in perforation l7.

Spaced apart from back coving 12, a hole is seen to exist as a vertically aligned and symmetrically located double oval bore 18, FIG. 2, extending therethrough, and sized to receive post 20 from two directions. Through a quarter turn 38, post 20 displaces and passes over a diagonal pair of the four inward protruding bore intersects 19 axially depending the length thereof, and their action as curbing elements confines post 20 to an appropriate bore. In the mounting direction of FIG. 2, insulator 10 has alignments with the fence line and is allowed free vertical travel, since that bore is slightly oversize. To acquire location, a quarter turn 38 is initiated and post 20 is frictionally caught and held in the locating direction of FIG. 3, since that bore is slightly undersize. This selective engagement or disengagement is completely flexible and unlimited. From the mounting direction, left or right, to the locating direction, facing front or rear, insulator 10 can find any position, alone or in various combinations for multiple wire installations. In actual practice. however, the quarter-tum will be accomplished by the insulator with the wire disengaged since the post, under field conditions, would'already be in place in the ground. Obviously, the quarter-tum can be optionally and conversely applied to either post or insulator for release and relocation.

The typical fence line structure of FIG. I shows post 20 driven with the greater dimension of its oval shape facing the fence line to thereby correctly position insulator 10, while more effectively resisting the warp and tension thrust upon it. It can be of round steel stock slightly rolled to an oval with a plurality of reference marks 22 indenting the surface thereof, in a tier and in spaced relationship together apart from the upperrnost extremity. This will promote identity between the insulators, through visual reference, in presenting fence lines uniformly spaced from each other and the ground. The gentle reflex curving of post 20 apart from the lower extremity forms bend 24 below grade line 23. It isdesirable to avoid the high fatigue ratio inherent with right angled bends because the resulting low tolerance for abuse in the field leads to early breakage. Bend 24 will resist the pivot of post 20 in the ground. But the addition of a heavy gauged galvanized iron anchor plate 26 will provide the more effective means for locating post 20 in the ground. It is seen as an overlay with the configuration of reflex bend 24 impressing its surface engaging over bend 24 for attachment, while presenting sufficient projection whereby post 20 may be leg driven. The resulting down pressure wedges them solidly together, and the driving thereof is eased by point 28.

Although line insulator 10, FIG. 1, is readily adaptable to fence meandering or both inside and outside corner installations, it is advisable to incorporates terminal or comer insulator for that purpose, especially as assuming the stress of increasing tension. In like manner, as heretofore described, the proportions of insulator 10 can be modified to receive and support conventional gauges of barbed wire, again incorporating terminal insulators to thereby release the line insulators from any tension requirement.

It will be seen that a charged wire fencing system has been disclosed which meets the several objects of the invention.

lclaim:

I. A fence line structure in the combination of an insulator means selectively locating on a post means disposed in the ground to support and continue the line of fence wire, said insulator means comprising a pair of sides and top and bottom surfaces set apart and converging to join together and interconnect a substantial coved back portion and lesser face portion, said top surface slanting downwardly from back and face extremities to form a trough with a grooving angling therein fonn side to side, said grooving penetrating vertically down to a depth before turning conversely inward to form overhanging v 2. A fence structure and construction set forth in claim 1- wherein said insulator means being further defined as having a bore set vertically therethrough aligned apart from said back portion, said bore comprising double ovals disposed axially at right angles to thereby create curbing elements of intersect for the confinement of said post means.

3. A fence structure and construction set forth in claim 2 wherein said post means being in oval configuration disposed to act within said double oval bore from two directions to freely travel the bore of the first direction or frictionally locate within the bore of the second direction, said post displacing and passing over said curbing elements for selective location and relocation through a quarter-tum action, a reflex bend apart from said post lower extremity set below grade to resist pivot and selectively receive an anchor plate means.

4. A fence structure and construction set forth in claim 3 wherein said anchor plate means being an overlay having the configuration of said reflex bend impressed therein disposed to frictionally engage over and attach said post, said anchor plate having projection whereby said post may be leg driven.

Claims

1. A fence line structure in the combination of an insulator means selectively locating on a post means disposed in the ground to support and continue the line of fence wire, said insulator means comprising a pair of sides and top and bottom surfaces set apart and converging to join together and interconnect a substantial coved back portion and lesser face portion, said top surface slanting downwardly from back and face extremities to form a trough with a grooving angling therein form side to side, said grooving penetrating vertically down to a depth before turning conversely inward to form overhanging wedges, said grooving ending in horizontal alignment as a symmetrically located perforation serving to receive and locate wire fencing, the removal of said fencing under tension being blocked by said overhanging wedges, a hole means toenailing said insulator to wood supporting structures, a bight depending the lower edge of said face portion providing a tie wire loop attachments thereto.

2. A fence structure and construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said insulator means being further defined as having a bore set vertically therethrough aligned apart from said back portion, said bore comprising double ovals disposed axially at right angles to thereby create curbing elements of intersect for the confinement of said post means.

3. A fence structure and construction set forth in claim 2 wherein said post means being in oval configuration disposed to act within said double oval bore from two directions to freely travel the bore of the first direction or frictionally locate within the bore of the second direction, said post displacing and passing over said curbing elements for selective location and relocation through a quarter-turn action, a reflex bend apart from said post lower extremity set below grade to resist pivot and selectively receive an anchor plate means.