US542976A

US542976A - Fence-post

Info

Publication number: US542976A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1895-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1912-07-16

Description

(No Model.)

L. B. MESNARD.

FENGBPOSI. Patented July 16, 1895.

71% tzze J56 a.

UNITED STATES LUTHER B. MESNARD,.OF NORWALK, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,976, dated July 16, 1895. Application filed February 4., 1895- Serial No. 537,204. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUTHER B. MEsNARD, of Norwalk,in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby 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 pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in metallic fence-posts more especially designed for use in the building of wire fences.

The primary object is to construct a post that when set in the ground is not liable to be displaced and that is exceedingly simple in construction and comparatively inexpensive.

WVith this object in view and to the end of.

realizing certain other advantages hereinafter specified my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a metallic fence-post embodying my invention, showing the post set in the ground. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the post and the tool that may be employed in centering the same during its introduction into the ground. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a portion of the,post and centering-tool. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4, Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections of a post, Fig. 6 being supposed to be a sectiouxon line 6 6, Fig. 1. Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on lines 7 7and 8 8, respectively, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the body portion of my improved metallic fence-post. The post is preferably composed of sheet or plate metal bent longitudinally, so as to render the body portion of the post V-shaped or, U -shaped in cross-section, as shown'in Figs. 5 and 6. The post is slotted or slitted upwardly from its lower extremity, as at a, to form blades A, that are arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post. The blades are bent outwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, preferably so that the outer ends thereof shall be located in a plane below the inner ends of the blades. The

blades at one of their longitudinal edges terminate, respectively, in a cutting-edge a, and

each blade is, furthermore, bent in such a manner that the cutting-edge thereof shall be located below the opposite longitudinal and blunt edge of the blade. Briefly described, the post at its lower end is provided with outwardly-projecting blades arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post and shaped and bent in such a manner as to op? erate in the manner of an anger or screw.

I'am aware that metallic posts have heretofore been made with screws at the lower ends for screwing them into the ground.

A sheet or plate metallic post provided with blades constructed and arranged as hereinbefore described is much simpler and cheaper than the construction of the screw-post heretofore devised, and is preferable, not only because it is equally as durable and much cheaper, but more effectuallyprevents vertical displacement of the post, because the blades are comparatively long, and the ground-entering end of my improved post is not unlike the root of a tree. The post is readily introduced into the ground, because it is hollow and enables the earth displaced by the blades in screwing the post into the ground to escape upwardly inside of the post.

A centering-tool B (see Figs. 2 and 3) may be employed during the introduction of the post into the ground. Said tool consists preferably of a metallic bar pointed at its lower end and provided at any suitable point with a laterally-projecting lug 1), adapted to engage aud rest upon a shoulder or seat A formed upon the body portion of the fencepost, said shoulder or seat on the fence-post being readily formed by making the lower portion of the post tapering toward its lower end and slotting or indenting said tapering portion of the post laterally. The upper portion of the centering-t0ol is provided with an eye B, that protrudes at the outer side of the post and accommodates the introduction of a crowbar or other tool suitable for turning the post, as required to introduce the same into the earth.

The edges of the upper portion of the post are preferably corrugated at suitable intervals, as at A to form seats for the wires of the fence.

An anchor-plate O is, preferably, also provided, (see Figs. 1 and 7,) said plate being adapted to be inserted into the ground, preferably just below the surface of the earth, and is arranged in the direction of the line of the fence. Anchor-plate C is slitted, as at C, to form two jaws or tongues 0 that are bent laterally to engage the external surface of opposite sides, Said anchor-slate acts to prevent the post from displacement or swaying laterally in a direction transversely of the line of the fence.

D designates a brace for preventing the displacement or swaying of the post laterally of the fence, said brace being arranged diagonally to the post and consisting, preferably, of a strip of sheet metal,the upper portion whereof is bent longitudinally into a shape adapted to conform to the external shape of the post for which the brace is designed, and the brace and body portion of the post are secured together by an adjustable collar E that embraces the post and brace. The brace at its lower end engages a horizontally-arranged anchor-plate G that is struck up at its central portion, as at g, to form an eye for the reception of the lower outwardlybent portion of the brace.

Collar IE, it will be observed, is adjustable vertically to accommodate the tilting of the post and brace as required in plumbing the post. The collar is readily lifted or loosened by a blow from below to accommodate the adjustment of the brace and post and is as readily brought into and secured in its operative position by one or more blows or press ure from above.

What I claim isrespectively, of the post 1. A metallic fence-post, slotted or slitted upwardly from its lower extremity to form blades that are bent outwardly and are arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post, substantially as set forth.

2. A metallic fence-post slotted or slitted upwardly from its lower extremity to form blades that are bent to project outwardly and are arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post, said blades having cutting-edges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A metallic fence-post the body-portion whereof is composed of plate or sheet metal and V-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section, and is slotted or slitted upwardly from its lower extremity to form blades that are arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post, substantially as set forth.

4;. The combination with a metallic fencepost V or U-shaped in cross-section, and provided at its lower end with outwardly-pro jeeting blades arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post,of a centering-baradapted to be placed within the post during the introduction of the latter into the ground said centering-device being provided with an eye for the reception of the bar or tool employed in turning the post, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this Q-tth day of November, 1894:.

LUTHER l3. MESNARD.

Witnesses:

G. H. Donna, L. WARD Hoovnn.