Fences – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-04-03
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Electric
C174S15800R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209853
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support bracket for attaching an electric fence wire to metal posts such as in garden, yard or field fencing. More specifically the bracket constitutes an electric insulator for supporting the electric wire spaced from the metal fence posts and cooperates with a flange on the metal fence posts for supporting the bracket and electrical wire.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has become common practice in ranch, farm and orchard fencing to utilize some form of electrically charged wire to discourage and/or restrain livestock or game from access to certain areas or to protect vegetation. The electrically charged wire system may be utilized either as the sole barrier or, quite commonly, in combination with non-charged barriers such as field fencing. In most instances steel fence posts are the most economical means of fence support because of their indestructibility and because they are easily installed, removed and are reusable. The following are examples of insulator support brackets of various designs which have been utilized in conjunction with the steel fence posts to support electric wires.
U.S. Pat. No.
Patentee
2,429,857
Verner
2,445,009
Strauss et al
3,572,639
Shettif
3,652,780
Wilson
3,908,964
Leiblich
4,905,968
Eby et al
5,085,409
Teixeira
Most of these brackets are made of dielectric materials such as rubber or plastic with the bracket being attachable directly to the fence post or to some appendage attached to the post to provide support. Some problems encountered with prior art support brackets include the close proximity with which the electric wire is held to the steel post. The electrical system is subjected to arcing and grounding under severe field conditions such as the accumulation of debris or extremely wet or moist atmospheric conditions. Brackets made of lightweight plastics which “snap” on to the posts are especially vulnerable because of material fatigue and deterioration causing the brackets to dislodge from the post or to be broken by contact with animals. Other drawbacks such as the complexity and expense of an intricately designed bracket which may be either difficult to install and/or not reusable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The electric fence wire post-mounting bracket arm of the present invention comprises an elongated arm fabricated from a non-conducting material such as plastic. In the preferred embodiment of the bracket arm, the bracket arm is fabricated as plastic tubular cylinder. The preferred embodiment of the bracket arm is designed for attachment to metal fence posts of a standard configuration such as a modified T-shaped cross-section (having two “wings” and “T-leg” segments as viewed in cross section). More broadly, the bracket arm is capable of being adapted for cooperation with any steel post configuration having longitudinally extending flanges such as commonly used steel angle iron posts. With the novel cooperation between the tubular support bracket and the metal post, a system of parallel wires running on both sides of the posts and/or field fence is made possible. The bracket arm comprises a simplistic structure which is adaptable for either single or double wire support and is versatile in its positioning on the flanges of the metal post and has the ability to cooperate with like brackets to form corner configurations at different angles.
Embodiments of the bracket arm may be designed for attachment to either a metal fence post or a wood fence post. The versatility of the bracket may be broadened by varying the hanger or attachment means, however, the configuration of the bracket arm for attaching and supporting electric fence wires may be the same.
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Roy Duane L.
Roy Lewis
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Dowrey & Associates
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