Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Cord and rope holders – Pivoted part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-01-30
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Cord and rope holders
Pivoted part
C024S13400L, C024S0680CD, C254S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178603
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a tensioning apparatus for tightening fence wire and the like. The apparatus can easily be attached to a length of fence wire via opposed gripping devices which are interconnected by a cord, and also includes an intermediate tensioning device for pulling opposed ends of the cord inward to provide tension to the fence wire.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art wire tensioning apparatuses include various forms of stretchers and splicers adapted to be attached to an end of a wire or other device for pulling. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,751,381 discloses a wire stretcher having a pair of gripping members each having a respective eye for receiving a respective free end of wire. The gripping members are interconnected by a chain wheel for turning a chain. The chain wheel is turned to move the opposed wire ends toward one other.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,868,558 discloses a tension device for stretching a wire wherein a chain with a gripping device at one end is attached to a wire for pulling. The wire is pulled by passing links of the chain around a rotatable element and then downward. The rotatable element includes a ratchet device used in passing the chain links to pull the wire.
Other attempts have been made to produce tensioning devices and wire stretchers. However, a need still exists for a wire tensioning apparatus which is self-supporting, can be easily attached at opposite ends thereof to a length or lengths of wire, and which acts simultaneously on opposed portions of the wire to provide tension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a wire tensioning apparatus for use with wire such as a conventional or barbed-wire fence. The apparatus includes a pair of pressure grips interconnected by a cord, and an intermediate double-action tensioning device which cooperates with the cord to pull the grips inward and provide tension to the fence wire.
The grips each include an eccentric cleat pivotally attached to a baseplate. The cleat on each base plate is pivotal into and out of closely spaced relation with a shelf or another cleat to from a pinch point. A plurality of teeth are formed along a lower edge of each cleat. Each grip is secured to a wire by positioning the wire between the cleat and the shelf and pulling the wire therebetween causing the cleat to pivot into engaging relationship with the wire. The grips are joined together by connecting opposite ends of the cord to the grips. The tensioning device is generally a ratcheted winch selectively acting on the cord to pull the grips inward toward one another to provide tension to the fence wire.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The principal objects and advantages of the present invention include: providing an improved wire tensioning apparatus for fence wire or the like; providing such an apparatus which can be readily attached to a length or lengths of wire and operated to tension the wire or wires; providing such an apparatus which can be selectively attached to two free ends of wire, or, alternatively to a single continuous length of wire; providing such an apparatus which is self-supporting; providing such an apparatus which is portable; providing such an apparatus which is readily attachable and detachable; providing such an apparatus which can be attached to the wire to provide permanent tension and support; providing such an apparatus which can be intermittently adjusted to increase or decrease wire tension; providing such an apparatus which is weatherproof; and providing such an apparatus which is particularly well-suited to its intended purpose; and providing a method for repairing wire fences which is quick, relatively easy, inexpensive, durable and reliable.
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: 301940 (1884-07-01), Wall
patent: 403620 (1889-05-01), Stiles
patent: 765190 (1904-07-01), Moyers
patent: 902763 (1908-11-01), Roberts
patent: 1267540 (1918-05-01), Green
patent: 1751381 (1930-03-01), Anderson
patent: 1868558 (1932-07-01), Anderson
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patent: 3020021 (1962-02-01), Story
patent: 3108785 (1963-10-01), Slinden
patent: 3337927 (1967-08-01), Dresie
patent: 4541149 (1985-09-01), Jensen
patent: 4716630 (1988-01-01), Skyba
patent: 4878270 (1989-11-01), Westerkamp
patent: 5282296 (1994-02-01), Huang
Sandy Robert J.
Shughart Thomson & Kilroy P.C.
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