Patent Application
20220268054
The current disclosure relates to fencing systems and methods for their use. More specifically the current disclosure relates to fencing and fence post systems that are readily and cleanly replaced and removed, and methods of their use.
Currently available technology relating to fence posts involve digging a hole, applying a concrete base to the bottom of the hole to a desired thickness, waiting for the concrete to set/dry and positioning a fence post on top of the concrete base and filing in the hole. In some situations, the post is positioned into the concrete base and the concrete is allowed to set/dry around the post. When these posts need to be repaired and/or replaced the process involves digging up the hole, removing the post or parts thereof and replacing the post. Often if the post is positioned in the concrete the post needs to be chiseled away so a new post can be placed inside the concrete base. In many cases the concrete base also needs to be replaced. As can be seen this process is very involved, requires much physical labor and is time consuming.
To address this situation several solutions have been put forward, most of which require metal appliances, such as those disclosure in U.S. Pat. Application US2020/0347636A1 to Solazzo and U.S. Pat. Application US2004/0135135A1 to Padgett. '636 utilizes metal braces to attach a new section of the fence post to the broken section of the fence post. '135 utilizes a metallic upright support riser and a base arm which attach the broken section of the fence posts to the new section of the fence post. Both disclosures involve securing the post pieces with metallic screws to hold the pieces in place. While useful the repairs using these methods result in visible repairs, the metallic section being observable and obvious and unattractive to the casual observer ruining the look of the fence and fence posts. Thus, there is an unmet need for devices and methods that allow repairs to be conducted on wooden fence posts that require replacement, which is quick, easy and reliable and at the same time does not detract from the look of the fence when the repair is completed.
As used herein, the conjunction “and” is intended to be inclusive and the conjunction “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless otherwise indicated or required by the context. For example, the phrase “or, alternatively” is intended to be exclusive. As used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to describe an example and is not intended to indicate preference. As used herein, the term “energetically accessible” is used to describe products that may be thermodynamically or kinetically available via a chemical reaction.
As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Disclosed and claimed herein are devices that provide a new and improved fence post technology system as well as a system for quick and easy repair and replacement of fence posts which are reliable while not detracting from the desired look of the fence when the repair is completed.
In a first embodiment, disclosed and claimed herein is a fence post system comprising a fence post divided into at least two sections wherein one section comprises a first component situated in a recessed end of the section and another section comprising a second component situated in a recessed end of the another section, wherein the components are different and are a female or a male threaded component, wherein the threaded first and second components are configured to be inserted into each other and attached by threading together the components and wherein the division of the fence posts is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the fence post section.
In a second embodiment, disclosed and claimed herein is the fence post system of the above embodiment wherein the fence post is comprised of wood, treated wood, polymer, metal or combinations thereof.
In a third embodiment are the fence post systems of the above embodiments, wherein the threaded components are comprised of wood, treated wood, polymer, metal or combinations thereof.
In a fourth embodiment are the fence post systems of the above embodiments wherein one threaded component is a female threaded component and the other is a male threaded component wherein the components are configured to fit with each other.
In a fifth embodiment are the fence post systems of the above embodiments wherein the female component is situated in the end of the section, wherein the end of the female component is positioned flush with the end of the section into which it is situated, protrudes from 0.01 to 12.00 inches with the end of the section into which it is situated, and wherein the male component is situated in the end of the section, wherein the male portion of the component protrudes from the end of the section into which it is situated.
In a sixth embodiment are the fence post systems of the above embodiments further comprising a hollow fence post covering configured to fit over the sections of the fence post which have been configured for to be fitted into each other for attachment.
In a seventh embodiment are the fence post systems of the above embodiments wherein the hollow fence covering may be removably attached or they may be permanently attached.
In an eighth embodiment are methods of installing the fence post system of any of the above embodiments comprising, digging a hole large enough to encompass the fence post section comprising the first component, allowing the top of the post to protrude to a desired height, filling in dirt around the fence post section, engaging the another section comprising the second component and attaching the two section by screwing the components together.
In a ninth embodiment are method of repairing or replacing at least a section of the fence posts of claim 1 comprising removing the section to be repaired or replaced by disengaging the sections of the fence post by unscrewing the components and installing a new section by engaging the new section with a remaining section by screwing together the components which are situated in the end of the sections.
The fence post system of the current disclosure contains a fence post that is divided into at least two sections. The division can be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the fence post, such as forming a 90-degree angle between the cut plane and the center axis of the post. The posts have components situated into the recessed end of the posts, being embedded into a recessed area of the posts. The components may be attached to the interior of the post by adhesives, pressure fitting, barb fitting, or other methods well known in the are to attach two constructs. The components are threaded, one component is male and the other component is female, so that the two sections can be attached by engaging the threads and screwing the components, and thus the fence post sections, together to form a tight, secure fit. The female component may be flush with the end plane of the fence post section into which the component is situated of it may protrude from 0.01 to 6.00 inches as desired. The male component protrudes from the end plane of the fence post section into which the component is situated such that, in operation, the male component makes a tight, secure fit with the female component.
The fence post system of the current disclosure may be comprised of wood, treated wood, polymer, metal or combinations thereof, as well the threaded components may be comprised of wood, treated wood, polymer, metal or combinations thereof or any other material well known in the are that is suitable as fence post materials. The post may be 4×4, 6×6, 4×6 or any other length and depth well known to function as fence post sizes.
In other embodiments, the fence post systems of the current disclosure further contain a hollow fence post covering configured to fit over the sections of the fence post which have been configured for to be fitted into each other for attachment. The covering slides readily over the post segments to outward appearance of the posts. For example, the post section may be made from 4×4 treated lumber. The covering or sleeve may be made off white PVC, which is extruded and constructed to accept the 4×4 lumber generally in snug manner so that there is a relatively tight fit, i.e., the covering is prevented from wriggling. The covering may be any color or pattern. The hollow fence coverings may be removably attached or they may be permanently attached. In some embodiments, the hollow fence coverings are configured to be removable and replaced with decorative hollow fence coverings such as, for example, to celebrate a holiday, for example, Christmas, Easter, a Birthday, a wedding or other celebration, and be readily removed when the occasion has ended.
Further disclosed and claimed herein are methods of installing the fence post system of any of the above embodiments comprising, digging a hole large enough to encompass the fence post section comprising the first component, allowing the top of the post to protrude to a desired height, filling in dirt around the fence post section, engaging the another section comprising the second component and attaching the two section by screwing the components together. Any section may be replaced as required, or desired. For example, a house may be repainted to a different color so that the fence and fence posts are no longer compatible. The fence posts can readily be replaced with post section of a different color or pattern without having to dig up and replace the entire fence post. In another advantage of the current system, if an object needs to be move by truck, car or other conveyance and there is a need to pass through the fence, the fences of currently available technology require the fence to be dug up and replaced. With the current inventive system, the post sections can be readily unscrewed quickly and cleanly allowing access on the other side of the fence line. In this scenario, the fence post section of the current disclosure that is embedded in the ground will be chosen to protrude from the ground to a height which will not interfere with the truck, car or other conveyance when passing through the fence line.
Further disclosed and claimed herein are methods of repairing or replacing at least a section of the fence posts of any of the above embodiments comprising removing the section to be repaired or replaced by disengaging the sections of the fence post by unscrewing the components and installing a new section by engaging the new section with a remaining section by screwing together the components which are situated in the end of the sections.
Referring to the Figures,
As can be seen from the above the specification, the fence post system and methods provide conveniences, a functionalities and choices unavailable with fence systems currently available.
