None.
The present invention relates to fences. More particular, the present invention relates to a fencing system for negotiating topographical variations of surfaces.
Several types of fences currently exist. One type of fence is what is known as an “H” brace type fence. Installers of current fences used have to follow the contours of the land. This means that the resulting fence may not necessarily be laid in a straight line. The fence may need to curve around certain elevations or depressions in the earth, affecting the area being fenced. What may have been intended to be a straight line may end up having a substantial amount of curve in a fence due to the topographical variations of the surface upon which a fence is laid.
Indeed, it may be that, due to terrain, a fence may not even be feasible at a particular location. This would be especially true if the intended fence was to be laid near a cliff on a mountain top and either the lay of the land would not be conducive to the placement of a fence at that location—e.g., the topography essentially forces the fence to veer off in a direction going off the cliff and thus cannot be laid—or if the heavy machinery typically used in fencing jobs (e.g., trucks, cranes, bulldozers, tractors, cranes, generators) are not able to reach the location of the fence.
In these instances, either the fence desired cannot be laid, or, if the fence can be installed, it will not be as desired by the user, or may be installed improperly, e.g., skewing property lines between adjoining property (fencing either too much over or not enough).
Therefore, there is a need for a robust fencing system that is less demanding in terms of reliance on heavy machinery (and thus, saves time and money—in terms of less manpower needed to install) and which, when laid, is further capable of negotiating topographical variations of surfaces without any negative effect on the strength of the fencing system.
The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art. The present invention is a flexible fencing system that can be laid down in rough terrain, such as high up in the mountains, and can negotiate topographical variations of surfaces, e.g., elevations or depressions in the land, without any negative effect on the strength of the fencing system, all in a straight line. The present invention includes a starting or initial post, at least one intermediary post and an end post. In one embodiment, each of the initial and end posts includes a plate extending distally from the posts. The intermediary posts include two plates extending distally from the intermediary posts where the angle between the distally extending plates is 180°. Braces having plates at each end are located between the posts. Each plate for all posts and braces includes a hole or aperture therein configured to accommodate a fastener, such as a bolt. The braces removably connect to the posts at connection points formed by the plates of the braces aligned with the plates of the posts. The connection points form a hinge via the fastener that traverses through the apertures of the plates and secures the brace plates to the post plates. This hinge provides flexibility to either raise the brace (such that the brace continues in an inclining plane relative to the preceding post) or lower the brace (such that the brace continues in a declining plane relative to the preceding post), the variation of the brace inclination or declination determined by the topographical variations of a surface.
The present invention can negotiate certain topographical elevations and depressions, e.g., hills, or holes or indentions, such as valleys, that appear along the line where the fence is being laid (i.e., the fence line). Hinges formed at the connection point between the posts and braces in between the posts allow for the flexibility of the fencing system. The fencing system of the present invention is extendable for as long as the user needs.
Referring now to
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The plate members attached to the post and braces may be welded such that initial post 14 and plate member 16 may constitute a single component. Similarly, brace 38 and plate members 42 and 48 may also be welded together to constitute a single component. Plates 42 and 48 are wider than the outer diameter of brace 38 such that plates 42 and 48 extend beyond the outer diameter of brace 38 when welded together.
Referring now to
The posts of the present invention—whether initial post, intermediary post, end post or brace post (i.e., dead man's post)—use a 2⅜ inch pipe (steel), which can be painted. The height of the posts are variable depending upon customer preference.
The “ear” or plate members extending distally from the initial post and the intermediary posts are 0.25″×3″ in dimension. These plate members are welded to the posts.
The apertures which traverse through the plates of the post and of the braces are configured to fit an 8¾ inch bolt made up of hardened steel. A washer and lock washer are also used to ensure the bolts used remain securely fastened.
Referring now to
Brace 38 is configured to be parallel to terrain 12 as terrain 12 is relatively flat and no adjustment to the level of brace 38 between end post 52 and intermediary post 24 is necessary. The angle α formed by brace 38 and intermediary post 24 is 90° or very near 90° (if slight variations of terrain 12 are encountered but terrain 12 remains relatively flat).
Brace post 54 is removably connected to intermediary post 24 via brace 56 therebetween. Plate 26 of intermediary post 24 aligns with plate 66 at end 64 of brace 56 with a fastener traversing aperture 68 of brace 56 and the aperture of intermediary post 24 to removably secure brace 56 to intermediary post 24. A hinge is formed at this connection point.
Similarly, and still referring to
In a different embodiment, multiple brace posts may be used. Referring now to
In still a different embodiment, brace posts may be both within and outside the fence line. Referring now to
Brace post 154 is securely anchored into terrain 12 via cementitious material 156. Brace 158 connects intermediary post 140 to brace post 154. Fence wire 160 traverses along the same plane formed by intermediary post 140 and brace post 154 and passes along the same side of intermediary post 140 and brace post 154.
Brace post 162 is securely anchored into terrain 12 via cementitious material 164. Brace 172 connects intermediary post 140 to brace post 154. Plate 166 of brace 172 is oriented next to plate 168 of brace post 162 such as to align the apertures of each to allow fastener 170 to traverse thereto thereby removably securing brace 172 to brace post 162. Each of braces 148, 158 and 172 similarly connects to intermediary post 140. Brace post 162 is outside the fence line and provides structural support and reinforcement to intermediary post 140 by preventing intermediary post 140 from leaning away from or toward brace post 162. Although a single fence wire 150 or 160 is shown, multiple fence wires may be used and still be within the contemplation of the present invention.
The fencing system of the present invention provides the structural support for the fencing used. Further, the fencing system of the present invention lays the path for which the fencing wire follows. For example, and referring now to
Still referring to
Referring now to
Now referring to
The brace of the present invention uses 2⅜ inch steel pipe, which, is preferred. The outer diameter (OD) size of the brace can range from 2⅞ inch OD pipe up to a 4 inch OD pipe. Other sizes may also be used, based upon user preference, and still remain within the contemplation of the present invention. Additionally, other comparable metal may also be used and still remain within the contemplation of the present invention. Further, while the configuration of the present invention is a pipe tube, other configurations, such as square tubing, may be utilized and still remain within the contemplation of the present invention.
The present invention uses a bolt with washer, lock washer and nut to removably fasten the brace to the post. However, other types of comparable robust fasteners, such as rivets and the like, may be used and still remain within the contemplation of the present invention.
The fencing system further includes at least one bracing post placed either along the same line as the fence or at some angle relative to the line of the fence to stabilize the posts and braces of the fence system.
The hinges formed at the connection points between the posts and the braces provide the fencing system with flexibility to adjust and be configured to negotiate various topographical terrain. For example, if the terrain is relatively flat, then there would be little need to adjust the heights of the posts and the fence as a whole would appear relatively “normal.” However, if the terrain has hills and valleys, then the second post (i.e., intermediary post) would either be raised or lowered relative to the first post to negotiate the hill or valley. Subsequent intermediary posts would also either be raised or lowered relative to the prior intermediary post and this process would continue until the hill or valley has been negotiated.
This is best illustrated with reference back to
At certain locations along the fence line of fencing system 10 additional reinforcement may be desired. This is accomplished through the incorporation of brace posts. For example, intermediary post 110 is braced by brace post 124 and brace post 128 with braces 126 and 130 therebetween at the bottom of a depression, as shown in
Still referring to
Once the topography changes again, the hinges between the next intermediary posts are again adjusted to negotiate the change in topography. For example, as terrain 12 begins to elevate, hinges at the connection point between intermediary post 110 and subsequent brace 94 are increased (i.e., the angle between intermediary post 110 and subsequent brace 94 increases). This process of continually adjusting fencing system 10 continues until the fencing system is as long as desired.
A single fencing wire 120 alone or with a second fencing wire 122 (or with even a third and fourth fencing wire) is then twisted multiple times around initial post 104 and stretched towards and either twisted or tied to the next intermediary post. This process continues along the fencing line until the desired length of fence is reached, at which point the fencing wire is tied or otherwise secured to the end post and fencing system 10 is complete.
To install, the first post is placed with at least 2 feet (and up to 3 feet) of the post below ground, and compliance with all applicable guidelines (see, e.g.,
The present invention has 7-foot spacing between posts. However, the spacing may vary pursuant to the user's preference, e.g., 6 feet, 7 feet or 8 feet separations. The first post and the last post in a complete fencing system will include a post having a single ear or plate member distally extending therefrom with these plate members “facing each other,” as shown, for example, in
The dead man's post may be located along the same axis (or line) as the fence (see, e.g.,
Any type of fence may be used with the fencing system of the present invention, including barbed wire, net or cable. Generally, a 12-gauge or 16-gauge galvanized steel material may be used. The fencing (wire, net or cable) is wrapped twice around the first post, then stretched to the next intermediary post where the fence may either be wrapped at least two times around the intermediate post or is fastened to the intermediary post via ties. In an alternative embodiment, an electrical fence may be installed over this fencing system for added security and protection. The fencing system may be expanded to however long the user desires by adding additional intermediary posts.
While the present invention describes the fencing system as having a single brace between two posts, in an alternative embodiment, there may be multiple braces between posts. The use of multiple braces between posts provides additional reinforcement and structural integrity to the fencing system of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment, the posts will also include a plurality of distally extending members equally spaced vertically along the posts, each distally extending member connected to a plate member at one end of a brace. Referring to
In another alternative embodiment, the posts used in the fencing system of the present invention may also include at least two plate members at 90° relative to other plate members on the same post such that the post may be used as a corner post. Referring now to
In another alternative embodiment, the posts may also include at least 3 plate members at 90° relative to other plate members on the same post such that the post may be used as an intersecting post. Referring now to
In yet another alternative embodiment, the posts may also include at least 4 plate members at 90° relative to other plate members on the same post such that the post may be used as an intersecting post. Referring now to
The present invention may also be included in a kit containing the various components for the fencing system of the present invention for a certain size or length of fence (e.g., sufficient number of posts, intermediary posts, dead man's posts, braces and fencing).
While the present invention is discussed in the context of ranches, the present invention may have applications in other areas, such as farms, and for game fences. The present invention further finds application in residential and commercial settings.
The various embodiments described herein may be used singularly or in conjunction with other similar devices. The present disclosure includes preferred or illustrative embodiments of specifically described apparatuses, assemblies, and systems. Alternative embodiments of such apparatuses, assemblies, and systems can be used in carrying out the invention as described herein. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings.
This original non-provisional application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/783,889, filed Dec. 21, 2018, and entitled “Fencing System for Negotiating Topography of Surfaces,” which is incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country |
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94 10 107 | Nov 1994 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200199906 A1 | Jun 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62783889 | Dec 2018 | US |