Fences – Rail – Connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-05
2001-08-28
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Rail
Connection
C256S035000, C403S403000, C248S219200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279879
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a fence. More particularly, the invention relates to a bracing system for corner fence posts and end posts for fences under tension.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many examples of fence corner post bracing systems are known in the art. Examples of these bracing systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 170,024; 282,039; 436,279; 444,753; 451,461; 540,161; 615,855; 725,770; 865,858; 966,969; 2,445,545; 3,014,701; 4,349,181; 4,679,772; 4,682,761; 4,893,787; 5,192,055; and 5,738,342, incorporated herein by reference.
Corner fence posts on stretched fences are often subjected to substantial constant pull or tension. Corner fence posts utilized in high tensile fences will often be subjected to tension forces of greater than 3,500 pounds or more. If the post is not properly braced, such forces will pull the fence post out of the ground or towards the direction of the tension, causing the tension to be lost and the fence to sag or be racked.
A common arrangement for bracing corner fence posts involves utilizing a corner post and a second brace post which are spaced apart. The spaced apart fence post may be braced in a number of ways. In one arrangement, a rigid brace member extends between the two posts, perpendicular to the posts and parallel to the ground, and then a diagonal truss wire is installed to keep the assembly from racking. In another arrangement, a diagonal brace member is incorporated. The diagonal brace member extends diagonally between the top of one of the posts and the bottom of the other post. The diagonal brace member must be a rigid member such as a piece of wood or steel Different combinations of the basic systems are possible. For instance, a corner post arrangement may include three posts, or two posts having two diagonal braces.
A problem with many currently used bracing systems, especially diagonal brace systems and diagonal truss wires, is that animals such as horses may entangle their legs between the brace and the fence, causing injury to the animal. Furthermore, bracing systems employing only horizontal cross-members are often not sufficient to resist high pull forces or tensions. What is needed in the art is a bracing system that employs a horizontal brace member located at a sufficient distance above the ground so that the animals' legs will not become entangled with the brace, and yet is also capable of withstanding high pull forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a bracing system for corner fence posts. It is another feature of the present invention to provide a bracing system for corner posts utilized in high tensile fences which can withstand high pull forces so that the corner posts remain plumb. It is another feature of the present invention to provide a bracing system which can be utilized with posts driven into the ground, avoiding the need for extensive underground bracing of the fence posts. It is another feature of the present invention to provide a corner fence post bracing system lacking pinch points, truss wires and truss rods so that animals' legs will not become entangled.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a corner post bracing system includes a corner post having a vertical axis, a brace end, and a corner post bolt hole. The bracing system further includes a brace post having a vertical axis, a brace end, and a brace post bolt hole. The brace post is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the corner post.
The bracing system further includes a pair of substantially identical gussetted braces, namely, the corner post brace and the brace post brace. Each brace includes a triangular frame. The triangular frame includes a vertical frame member with an upper end and a lower end. The vertical frame member may be either flat and rectangular or cylindrical. The lower end of the vertical frame member has therethrough a lower mounting bolt hole for fixing the brace to the corner post. The upper end of the vertical frame member has therethrough an upper mounting bolt hole for fixing the brace to the brace post. The triangular frame also preferably includes a cylindrical upper frame member extending outwardly and horizontally from the vertical frame member upper end. The upper frame member having an inner end and an outer end. The triangular frame also includes a diagonal frame member extending from the upper frame member outer end to the vertical frame member lower end. Preferably, a triangular gusset plate is fixed within the triangular frame and extends between the vertical frame member, upper frame member, and diagonal frame member, thereby supporting the brace. The braces are preferably fixable to the respective posts by means of separate bolt and nut combinations, the bolts respectively extending through the mounting bolt holes and the post bolt holes and securable by the nuts. Preferably, a brace collar surrounds the upper frame member outer end and a brace extension extending from the upper frame member.
The bracing system further preferably includes an elongated cylindrical cross-member extending between the corner post and the brace post. The cross-member has a corner end and a brace end, the corner post brace extension being insertable into the corner end and the brace post brace extension being insertable into the brace end so that the corner end engages the corner post collar and the brace end engages the brace post brace collar, thereby bracing the corner post against the brace post when a force is exerted in the direction of the brace post or away from the corner post.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vertical frame member includes at least a pair of mounting holes located therethrough such that a U-bolt or similar assembly extends through the mounting holes in order to secure the gussetted brace to the corner post or brace post.
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Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Qual Line Fence Corporation
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