Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FENCE POST WIRE ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present disclosure is in the field of fence post wire attachment
devices and systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[002] There are different types of fasteners used for securing wire fencing
to
wood and fiberglass posts. The most common method for securing wire to wood
posts is
using fencing staples.
[003] In this method, the wire is tightened between the braced tightening
posts, which are typically about two hundred yards apart. After the wire is
tightened it is
attached with staples to the line posts, which are between the braced
tightening posts and
are between about 16 foot to 25 foot intervals in a straight line between the
tightening posts.
In this case, unless the terrain is flat and level the wires have to be pulled
up or down on
the posts to be positioned correctly. This means that the installer has to
have one hand on
the staple and one hand on his hammer. When the taut wire is held in position
for driving
the staple, some other part of his body must be used to hold it in place. This
can be very
awkward, sometimes resulting in bruised hands, hammered fingers, wire cuts and
torn
clothing.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a different device and method for
securing
wire fencing material to wood and fiberglass posts that allows an installer to
perform the
installation safely, efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] Disclosed herein is a fence post wire hanger, comprising: a) a base
portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a
bottom surface
and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and b) a C-shaped
portion extending
from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving
edge, wherein
the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as
the bottom
surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the
second receiving
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edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is
secured within the
C-shaped portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and
the second
receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture
while
allowing movement of the wire.
[006] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a method of securing a wire
fence
to a post with the fence post wire hanger, comprising the steps of: a)
providing a length of
wire fence material and a plurality of wood and/or fiberglass posts; b)
providing a plurality
of fence post wire hangers, comprising: i) a base portion comprising a first
receiving edge,
a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole
for receiving
a fastener; and ii) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge
of the base
portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and
the second
receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion,
and wherein the
first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture
for receiving
a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped inner portion of a
wire hanger, and
wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged
with a post
thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire; b)
aligning a
hanger such that a fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener
is affixed with
the post about halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture
and the post;
c) positioning a length of the wire fence material within the C-shaped inner
portion via the
receiving aperture; d) securing the fastener of the fence post wire hanger
fully into the post,
wherein the bottom surface of the hanger is secured against the post and the
receiving
aperture is closed against the post with the length of the wire fence material
secured within
the inner diameter of the C-shaped portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] Figure 1 is an illustration depicting a fence post wire hanger
comprising
a C-shaped portion 106 and a base 110 affixed to a post 102.
[008] Figure 2 is an illustration of side view a fence post wire hanger 200
comprising a C-shaped portion 106, a base 110 and a receiving aperture 202.
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[009] Figure 3 is an illustration depicting a fence post wire hanger
comprising
a C-shaped portion 106 positioned on a fastener 108 to expose the receiving
aperture 202
to receive a wire 104.
[0010] Figure 4 is an illustration of a view of a fence post wire
hanger system
comprising a plurality of line posts 102 affixed with a plurality of fence
post wire hangers
200.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The following is a detailed description of certain specific
embodiments
of the fence post wire hanger and methods disclosed herein.
[0012] In one aspect, disclosed herein is a fence post wire hanger,
comprising:
a) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top
surface, a bottom
surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and b) a C-
shaped portion
extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second
receiving edge,
wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same
plane as the
bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and
the second
receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the
wire is secured
within the C-shaped portion of a wire hanger, wherein the first receiving edge
and the
second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving
aperture while
allowing movement of the wire, and wherein the wire hanger has is comprised of
metal
that has a thickness of between about 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch.
[0013] Turning to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 depict a fence post
wire hanger
200 comprising a C-shaped portion 106 and a base 110 affixed to a post 102.
The base 110
employs a mounting hole 108 that is capable of engaging with a fastener 112.
In some
embodiments, the fastener 112 can be a screw, nail or another suitable
fastener with a
length of at least about 1/2 inch. The mounting hole 108 is configured to
freely receive a
fastener 112. In this manner, a fastener 112 can be extended through the
mounting hole
108 of the hanger and into the post 102. In some embodiments, the post is a
wood or
fiberglass post. In some embodiments, the post is a 4x4 wood post or a 4x4
fiberglass post.
In some embodiments, the mounting hole 108 is threaded and capable of engaging
threads
of a threaded fastener 112 to draw the hanger 200 and the post together
whereby the hanger
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is affixed to the post in a stable position. The threaded fastener and
threaded mounting hole
108 are designed to make simplify installation by affixing the fastener via
the threads to
the hanger 200 while an installer holds a screwdriver or otherwise to engage
the fastener
with the post.
[0014] As
illustrated with Figure 2, the fence post wire hanger 200 comprises
a C-shaped portion 106 positioned on a fastener 108 partly or halfway engaged
with the
post 102 to expose the receiving aperture 202 to receive a wire 104. In some
embodiments,
the base portion of each wire hanger comprises a length between the first
receiving edge
and the second edge such that the at least one mounting hole is not vertically
obstructed by
the C-shaped portion. In some embodiments, the base portion of each wire
hanger
comprises a length between the first receiving edge 204 and the second edge
220 of
between about 1/2 inch and 6 inches. The dimensions of the fence post wire
hanger 200
comprises a base length 210 between about 1/2 inch and 6 inches, a base width
212 between
3/8 inch and 4 inches, a receiving aperture width 208 between 1/8 inch and 1
inch, a C-
shaped portion inner diameter 218 between 3/8 inch and 2 inches, a C-shaped
portion outer
diameter 216 between 1/2 inch and 3 inches and a hanger thickness 214 between
1/8 inch
and 5/8 inch. In some embodiments, the base portion has a width of between
about 1/2 inch
and 4 inches. In some embodiments, the C-shaped portion has an inner diameter
of between
about 1/2 inch and 2 inches. In some embodiments, the receiving aperture 202
for receiving
the wire has a width of between about 1/8 inch and IA inch. In some
embodiments, the wire
hanger has is comprised of metal that has a thickness of between about 1/8
inch and 3/8
inch. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the fence post wire hanger 200
comprise a
base length 210 is about 5/8 inch, a base width 212 is about 9/16 inch, a
receiving aperture
width 208 is about 1/4 inch, a C-shaped portion inner diameter 218 is about
9/16 inch, a C-
shaped portion outer diameter 216 is about 13/16 inch and a hanger thickness
214 is about
1/8 inch. In some embodiments, the mounting hole 108 has a diameter that is
about 3/16
inch and positioned about 5/16 inch from the second edge 220. The fence post
wire hanger
200 may be fabricated from steel, aluminum, tin, plastic, rubber or
combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the fence post wire hanger 200 is fabricated from 1/8"
thick metal
sheet, metal bars or another suitably sized metal sheet.
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[0015] Turning to Figure 3, during the operation of securing a wire on a
post
the fence post wire hanger 200 is positioned against a post 102 whereby a
fastener such as
a screw is inserted in the mounting hole 108 and the fastener is engaged
within the post
approximately halfway. In some embodiments, the at least one mounting hole for
receiving
a fastener is not threaded and is capable of receiving a threaded fastener. In
some
embodiments, the at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener is
threaded and
capable of receiving a threaded fastener. In this fashion the receiving
aperture 202 is not in
contact with the post thereby exposing a gap 302 between the post and the
receiving
aperture 202. The length of the wire fence material is positioned within the C-
shaped inner
portion 114 between the receiving aperture 202 and the fence post 102.
[0016] Turning to the drawings, Figure 4 depicts a view of a plurality
of line
posts 102 affixed with a plurality of fence post wire hangers 200. In some
embodiments,
the fence post wire hangers 200 may be installed whereby the second edge 220
is positioned
toward the top 302 or the bottom 304 of a post 102. The orientation of the
fence post wire
hangers 200 may be dependent on how close to the top or bottom of a post the
installer
needs the C-shaped portion 106 relative to the top 402 and bottom 404 of the
post 102 with
the fence post wire hanger system 400.
[0017] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a method of securing a
wire fence
to a post with the fence post wire hanger, comprising the steps of: a)
providing a length of
wire fence material and a plurality of wood and/or fiberglass posts; b)
providing a plurality
of fence post wire hangers, comprising: i) a base portion comprising a first
receiving edge,
a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole
for receiving
a fastener; and ii) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge
of the base
portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and
the second
receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion,
and wherein the
first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture
for receiving
a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped inner portion of a
wire hanger, and
wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged
with a post
thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire; b)
aligning a
hanger such that a fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener
is affixed with
the post about halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture
and the post;
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c) positioning a length of the wire fence material within the C-shaped inner
portion via the
receiving aperture; d) securing the fastener of the fence post wire hanger
fully into the post,
wherein the bottom surface of the hanger is secured against the post and the
receiving
aperture is closed against the post with the length of the wire fence material
secured within
the inner diameter of the C-shaped portion, and wherein the post is a line
post and a
plurality of line posts are aligned in series.
[0018] Referring now to Figures 2 and 4, there is shown a frontal view
of the
fence post wire hanger system 400 of the present disclosure in a working state
with a
plurality of fence post wire hangers 200 supporting a barbed wire fence 104
against a
plurality of round line posts 406 in series. The fence post wire hangers 200
support a
segment of the barbed wire fence, thereby preventing the wire 104 from moving
substantially away from the line post horizontally or vertically away from the
post beyond
the C-shaped inner portion 114. Moreover, the C-shaped portion inner portion
114 of the
fence post wire hanger 200 allows for the installer to tighten the wire fence
material at the
tightening posts because the C-shaped portion inner diameter 218 is larger
than the
diameter of the barbed wire or typical wire material used to construct wire
fencing in the
industry. In some embodiments, the method of securing a wire fence to a post
with the
fence post wire hanger further comprises a step of tightening the wire
material via a
tightening tool at each tightening post. This allows the fence to accommodate
a
displacement when being pressed by a large animal or otherwise and also
facilitates
installation by allowing for incremental repositioning of the wire fence
material 104 along
the post when securing the fence post wire hangers 200 thereto. In some
embodiments, the
plurality of line posts aligned in series are each independently spaced
between about 5 feet
and 35 feet from each adjacent line post. In some embodiments, the method of
securing a
wire fence to a post with the fence post wire hanger further comprises a
plurality of
tightening posts intermingled with the line posts about every 20 to 25 line
posts. In some
embodiments, the plurality of fence post wire hangers are aligned vertically
at and upper
position and/or a lower position via separate lengths of wire material.
[0019] The fence post wire hangers 200 and method disclosed herein allow
for
safe and efficient installation of wire fencing material with wood and
fiberglass posts.
Typically, the posts are 4x4 posts, which afford a 4 inch wide surface for
conveniently
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mounting the fence post wire hangers 200 disclosed herein. In some
embodiments, the
posts may be round posts with a diameter of between about 3 inches and 6
inches. The
pressure of the fastener from tightening the fastener will press the bottom
surface of the
wire hanger flat against the round contour of a round post thereby capturing
the wire in the
C shaped portion of the wire hanger.
[0020] However any fiberglass or wood post with a surface that is at
least as
wide as the width of the fence post wire hangers 200 disclosed herein may be
used. The
installer is able to safely and efficiently install the fence post wire
hangers 200 disclosed
herein employing the method disclosed that comprises aligning a hanger such
that a
fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener is affixed with the
post about
halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture and the post,
which allows
the installer to position the wire fence material with one hand and then
hammer the fastener
of the fence post wire hanger fully into the post, wherein the bottom surface
of the hanger
is secured and stable against the post and the receiving aperture is closed
against the post.
DEFINITIONS
[0021] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims,
unless
otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or
proportions, and
other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be
understood as being
modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated
to the contrary,
the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached
claims are
approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to
be obtained.
It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms
"a," "an," and "the," include plural references unless expressly and
unequivocally limited
to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical
variants are intended
to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the
exclusion of other like
items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. As used herein,
the term
"comprising" means including elements or steps that are identified following
that term, but
any such elements or steps are not exhaustive, and an embodiment can include
other
elements or steps.
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[0022] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all
purposes,
particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed
herein also
encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges
thereof. Any
listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling
the same range
being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,
tenths, etc. As a non-
limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into
a lower
third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one
skilled in the art
all language such as "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," and the
like, include the
number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into
subranges
as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art,
a range includes
each individual member.
[0023] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it
should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in
accordance
with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its
broader aspects
as defined in the following claims.
[0024] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the
particular
embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations
can be made
without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those
skilled in the art.
Functionally equivalent methods and devices within the scope of the
disclosure, in addition
to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
the foregoing
descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within
the scope of the
appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of
the appended
claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. It is to
be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods or
devices, which
can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used
herein is for the
purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be
limiting.
[0025] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other
documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by
reference as if each
individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document
was
specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
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Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded
to the extent
that they contradict any definitions in this disclosure.
