Fences – Rail – Connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-10-23
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Rail
Connection
C256S068000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305672
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for mounting between adjacent fence panels, between a gate and a fence panel, or the like in order to protect livestock, such as horses and cows, from inadvertently injuring themselves by catching a leg between two adjacent panels of a fence or corral.
Corrals, enclosed barnyards and fences in general often pose a hazard to horses, cattle and other livestock. One of the particular hazards that such animals incur is that corrals, fences and similar enclosures are often constructed of panels which are normally joined together at opposite ends and which have spacing therebetween. This is especially true at the top of the panels where the panels are often curved to reduce sharp edges, making the spacing there greater and forming a Y-shaped opening. Furthermore, gates and similar structures have spacing between such structures and adjoining fencing or the like.
Although the horses, cattle and other livestock that are enclosed by fencing do not always rear up on their hind legs or otherwise raise their front legs, they do so with some degree of regularity. Some animals are much more prone to this behavior than others. When an animal does this, the front legs sometimes flail against the top of a fence. In some instances the animal may be trying to go over a fence. If the leg strikes the fence or enclosure at the junction of two adjacent panels or where a gate joins with other fencing, the animal may have its leg fall between the adjacent structures and be pinned there. The animal then tries to pull its leg from its entrapment. This causes damage to the leg which, at best, is usually ripped and torn flesh. However, it is quite frequent that a horse or other animal may break its leg which seriously endangers the life of the animal.
Consequently, it is desirable to be able to protect the juncture of two fencing panels or other structure so as to prevent animals from getting their legs entrapped between the structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus that extends between adjacent fence panels or other types of fencing units that have at least some spacing therebetween which extends at least part of the vertical length thereof, especially from the top. The apparatus includes an upper spanning member that is sufficiently long to extend between upper elements of the adjacent panels and a downwardly extending tail. The spanning member is cupped or V-shaped so as to have a downwardly facing mouth that is sized and shaped to snugly fit over the top elements of adjacent fence units.
The tail extends downwardly generally from the center of the spanning member. The tail includes a center element and a pair of half sleeves. The half sleeves are spaced by the center element from the spanning member and are positioned to face in opposite or at least partially opposed directions from each other. The half sleeves are sized and shaped to receive riser elements of respective fence units.
The entire apparatus is relatively rigid in construction and typically formed from metal or rigid plastic material. The mouth of the spanning member will often extend in opposite directions on either side of the tail. Likewise the half sleeves will typically be aligned to extend outwardly from opposite sides of the center element. However, where a corral or other structure is made of fencing panels that are joined at less than 180 degrees, the apparatus may be constructed so as to have the mouth and half sleeves configured at angles that allow mating juncture with such panels.
In use, the apparatus is placed over the opening between two fencing units and urged downwardly by the installer. For use with gates, the apparatus is removed when the gate is opened. The half sleeves are designed to engage and snugly receive upright portions of the fence :
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panels and the mouth of the spanning member is likewise designed and shaped to receive the upper end of a pair of adjacent panels. In this manner the spanning member protects the space between the fence units to prevent an animal from raising its leg above the fence units and then dropping the leg into such a space, while the half sleeves secure and stabilize the apparatus against the forces of an animal striking it.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the objects of the present invention are to: provide an apparatus for preventing injuries to horses, cattle and livestock by reducing the likelihood that such animals will get their legs caught between adjacent fence panels or units; to provide such an apparatus that spans across the tops of adjacent panels and blocks an animal's leg from passing therebetween; to provide such an apparatus including a spanning member that extends between the top portion of both of two adjacent panels and a tail element that extends downwardly from the spanning member and joins with riser portions of the panel to stabilize the apparatus during use; to provide such an apparatus wherein the spanning member includes a mouth that extends on each side of the tail member that is adapted to be slidingly received on the upper portion of adjacent fence panels; to provide such an apparatus including lower half cylinders or semi-sleeves that extend around and receive the riser elements of the adjacent panels; to provide such an apparatus that is relatively rigid so as to deflect an animal's leg rather than give with the leg and allow an animal's leg to slip between the adjacent panels; to provide such an apparatus which can be manufactured in various configurations to allow for use wherein adjacent panels are coplanarly aligned or, alternatively, where the panels are aligned at angles less than 180 degrees relative to one another; to provide such an apparatus which is relatively easy to manufacture, simple to use and especially well adapted for the intended usage thereof.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2118467 (1938-05-01), Jones
patent: 2879087 (1959-03-01), Haglund
patent: 3221439 (1965-12-01), Schaper
patent: 3907239 (1975-09-01), Ehrlich
patent: 4208037 (1980-06-01), Le Gal
patent: 4523745 (1985-06-01), Killman et al.
patent: 4710049 (1987-12-01), Chang
patent: 5076545 (1991-12-01), Bodzin
patent: 5481772 (1996-01-01), Glynn et al.
patent: 5642545 (1997-07-01), Howard
Case Judith Ann
Case Richard E.
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
McMahon John C.
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