US459594A - Metallic fence-post - Google Patents

Description

post is formed so as to present an angular are formed horizontal slots extended into the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS P. SMITH, OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS.

METALLIC FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,594, dated September 15, 1891.

Application filed June 1l 189 1.

To all wiz/0711, it may coll/cern,.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS P. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Falls, in the county of Vhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Metallic Fence-Posts; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ot this specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in metallic fence-posts, constructed either of sheet metal or cast, but preferably of steel sheets, and adapted to be coated with any suitable preparation to prevent rust or corrosion.

My invention is more especially adapted for use in connection with fence-wire, either smooth or barbed, and either ot a single strand or of a cable consisting` of two or more strands intertwisted. The material otl the face next to the wire, in which angle there material of the post, either in a horizontal direction or obliquely upward or downward. Said slots are placed at intervals corresponding to the distances between the several fencewires, and are adapted to receive the latter. My invention further involves the use of a locking-key adapted to be dropped down in front of the inserted wire, and between it and the uncut portion of said angle ot the post, for the purpose of retaining the fence-wires in the several slots. This key is reversible, being adapted when inserted in one position to hold the wire in said slots loosely and when inserted in the opposite'position to lock said wire rigidly within said slots. I attain these objects by the mechanism illust-rated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of a fence-post embodying my invention and exhibits the wire and key in position. Fig. 2 shows modications of the form of said post. Fig. 3 is a detail of thelocking-key. Fig. 4 is a modification of said key, in round or angular wire.

Serial No. 394,726. (No model.)

Fig. 5 is a cross-section ot the post near the bottom thereof.

A is the post propel', which is formed of sheet metal, the sides of which are longitudinally bent backward laterally from the central line of the post at any suitable angle with each other, presenting the central longitudinal fold or front edge B and the rearwardly-extending sides C C. The post A may be given any desired taper from the bottom ot' the post or from the surface of the ground to the top of the post, by cutting the material from the sheet with a corresponding taper. The edges of the sides C may also be drawn lcloser together gradually from the bottom to the top, which will give said post greater iare and solidity within the earth, and present a more pleasing appearance above the ground, and increases the strength of the post toward the top against pressure perpendicular to the line of the fence.

In the fold B of the post A there is cut a series of wire-receiving slots D at such altitude respectively as it may be desired to place the wires, and adapted to receive and retain any form of fence-wire or strips ot metal. The bottom of the post may-consist simply of the straight sides C, in which condition the posts may be either driven or set into the earth; or, if preferred, the extreme lower end ot the post may be centrally slit vertically a short distance, and such slit portions folded inward, as shown in Fig. 1, in which condition the post wouldlbe set up by previously boring or digging the hole in the usual mode. The top of the postA may also be either iiat, curved, or pointed, as may be desired. The ends of the slots D may be curved or angular, as it may be desired. It preferred, also, the edges C of thesides may be curved or folded any degree upon themselves to impart greater strength to that locality. The slots D, when cut into the fold B with their innei` ends higher than their outer edges, are intended for posts set across depressions in the earth, and are thereby adapted to more certainly retain therfence- Wire prior to the insertion of the key. The slots D cut in the opposite direction are adapted for posts set over eminences and on the level where the downward tension ot' the IOO wire tends to retain the fence-wire in said slots until keyed. It the sheet metal be prepared of a width corresponding with the length of the post A, the latter can be cut 5 transversely from said sheet, points and butts alternately, with no waste ot` the material.

E is the'usual fence-wire, which may consist, as aforesaid, of one strand or of a cable consisting of two or lnore strands twisted to- 1o gether. v

F is a sheet-metal key having on its front face a longitudinal centralangle or fold adapted to looselyfit within the angleB of the posts A. From about the longitudinal center of the key F one end Gthereof has parallel sides.

About the center of the key F the sides thereof' lare extended laterally, forming flanges H, and from such point the lateral extension of' the sides or edges J J of `the key F curve or zo taper to the other end thereof. Vhen the wire E is placed within the slots D and the end G of the key F inserted downwardly between the wire E and the fold B ot the post A, the flanges H rest upon the wire E and the key F is supported by said wire, in which position, the end G being somewhat smaller than the interval between the wire E and fold B, Said wire is held loosely in said slot; but. if the key F is inserted with the sides J J 3o downwardly said key is supported entirely by its wedge -like contact with the wire E and the inner surface of the fold B, andsaid wire is held within the slot vD rigidly. As the key F in the latter position presses upon the wire E at each of its edges J and can be forced downwardly slightly when inserted, it desired, the junction of the wire with the postA is Very firm. The key F may be formed of round or angular wire, as shown in Fig. 4, which will be substantially the saine, exceptthat there will be but one point of bearing upon the wire E. In whatever position the key F maybe inserted it will be solidly supported, in the one case by the wedge-like formation of the sides J and in the other by the anges I'I, resting upon the wire E, as aforesaid.

The advantages of' my invention are, rst, the simplicity, economy, strength, and durability o he post; second, the fact that the posts aube laidwithin each other to any desired number, and therebyoccupy small space in shipment and mutually protect each other against casual injury; third,the key when in use is secluded from possible interference and from displacement by animals, and, fourth, the ease and rapidity with which the wires can be attached to or detached from the posts.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

The combination of the post A, provided with longitudinal central fold B and slots D therein, wire E, adapted to be inserted in said slots, and the key F, provided with one straight end Gr and one tapered end J and adapted to be reversibly used to lock said wire, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described. Y

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.44

AUGUSTUS P. SMITH.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. MANAHAN, ADDA E. WVARD.

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