Patent Application
20190003204
The present disclosure pertains to a tool for attaching and/or removing t-post clips to/from a t-post. More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to a tool that can be used to attach and/or remove a t-post clip to/from a t-post which allows wire to be secured to the t-post.
The use of fencing by farmers and ranchers changed the face of America. In particular, in the West, the use of barbed wire to define grazing boundaries essentially changed the landscape in drastic ways as land owners no longer were able to free graze their animals, such as cows, on the open range. Fence posts are a necessary part of every fence and originally fence posts were all wooden posts typically 4-6 inches in diameter to which the fencing materials could be attached, often by using metal “staples”. Using all wood posts on large fencing projects however is both time consuming and expensive, so the metal t-post was developed. Typically, several metal t-posts are placed between wooden posts which provides a more economical fence as the t-posts are easier to place into the ground and are cheaper than the wooden posts.
One issue with t-posts is securing the fencing material (such as barbed wire or smooth wire) to the t-post. The most common method is the use of metal wire clips which engage the wire and wrap around the t-post. One such clip is shown in
To further illustrate the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings are not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a fencing tool having a first and second end separated by a shaft, the second end further comprising an opening drilled therein and extending partially the length of the shaft and a plurality of exterior grooves on its exterior.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a fencing tool with a first and second end separated by a shaft, the second end further comprising: an opening drilled therein and extending partially the length of the shaft and a plurality of grooves on its exterior, said grooves being configured to provide a friction fitment against a fence wire. In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a fencing tool with a first and second end separated by a shaft, the second end further comprising an opening drilled therein and extending partially the length of the shaft and wherein the shaft comprises an annular wall surrounding the opening and the opening has a diameter and wherein the thickness of the annular wall is greater than the diameter of the opening.
Now referring to
Now referring to
The clip engagement end 42 has an opening 46 in its distal end. This opening 46 is adapted and configured to receive the first and second ends 12, 16 of the clip 10. In one embodiment, the opening 46 is approximately ⅛ inch in diameter while the shaft 45 has an outer diameter of approximately ½ inch. Thus, as shown in
The clip engagement end 42 also has a plurality of grooves 48 on its outer surface. The grooves 48 provide a friction fit against the fencing wire 30 that is being secured by the clip 10. In particular, as shown in
Opposite the clip engagement end 42, the fencing tool 10 has a handle end 44. The handle end 44 is adapted and configured to provide a convenient place to securely grip the fencing tool 40 during use. In various embodiments, the handle end 44 may have a hex-shaped head or potentially a flattened portion for ease of grasping.
The fencing tool 10 may be made out of a number of materials. It is believed however that a hardened metal, such as quenched and tempered steel is desirable as it provides the strength and durability needed to allow the fencing tool 40 to provide years of service. Of course, additives may be added to the steel as desired to provide desirable properties. In one embodiment, the fencing tool 40 is constructed from grade 8 steel which is a medium carbon alloy steel that has been quenched and tempered during forging. Typically, the mechanical properties of grade 8 steel include a proof load of approximately 120,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), a minimum yield strength of about 130,000 PSI, a Core Rockwell Hardness (HRC) of C33-39 and a minimum tensile strength of about 150,000 PSI.
The dimensions of the fencing tool 40 may be varied for various purposes. The inventor has found that a length of approximately 6.0 to 7.0 inches is both convenient in that it is easy to carry and manipulate but provides enough leverage to allow a user to wrap the clip 10 around the fence wire 30 without undue force. Other lengths ranging from 3.0 inches to 12.00 inches should be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally the diameter of the shaft 45 may also be varied between 0.1 and 1.0 inches and in one embodiment the shaft 45 has an outer diameter of about 0.5 inches.
Additionally, the tool may be painted a highly visible color, such as bright yellow, red, blue, green, pink or orange to aid in locating the tool in a tool box or if it dropped in tall grass such as in a pasture.
The fencing tool 40 is simple and easy to use as shown in
Although particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the claims.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/525,809 filed Jun. 28, 2017.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62525809 | Jun 2017 | US |
