Patent Application
20150108419
TransformaFence (TM) support system turns a utilitarian-looking chain link fence terminal post into a support for a decorative or functional item such as a planter, bird feeder, solar lights, etc. A support system includes a cap, a threaded rod configured to be vertically supported by the cap, and a stabilizer configured to couple to the threaded rod inside the terminal post and to stabilize the threaded rod to minimize movement of the threaded rod out of parallel with the terminal post. The height of the threaded rod is adjustable so a to be adaptable to various item support heights above the cap.
A user can attach a decorative or functional item to the threaded rod, and then swap the item for any of a variety of different items. The support system is simple to install (without tools) by sliding an assembled threaded rod, stabilizer, and cap into a terminal fence post into the terminal post until the cap is firmly on top of the post. Optionally, the support system can be installed onto a terminal post with an attached decorative or functional item mounted on the threaded rod. Alternatively, a user can select an item (also referred to as an accessory herein) for mounting after the support system is installed and/or change an installed accessory at a later time. to the user can easily move the support system to a different post. For example, if the user wants to mount flower baskets in the spring and bird feeders in the fall, the change can be made by simply unscrewing the flower basket(s) and screwing on the bird feeder. The support system can be added to an existing fence by simply removing a standard cap and sliding on the support system.
According to an embodiment, a support system for mounting items onto a chain link fence terminal post includes a post cap assembly including post cap configured to fit onto a top of a chain link fence terminal post and defining an axial threaded hole, the axial threaded hole having an axis substantially parallel to a centerline of the terminal post. A threaded rod is configured for threaded coupling to the axial threaded hole. A stabilizer assembly is configured for operative coupling to the threaded rod to an inside wall of the post, the stabilizer assembly being configured to stabilize the threaded rod against lateral loads above the post cap assembly.
According to an embodiment, a method for mounting items onto a chain link fence terminal post includes providing a threaded rod, screwing a post cap assembly over a top end of the threaded rod to leave a projecting portion of the threaded rod, coupling a stabilizer assembly to a bottom end of the threaded rod, and sliding the threaded rod and stabilizer assembly into a chain link fence terminal post until the post cap assembly rests against a top end of the chain link fence terminal post. A functional or decorative item can be screwed onto or slid over the projecting portion of the threaded rod.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
According to an embodiment, the post cap assembly 104 can be configured to support a vertical load on the threaded rod 112. The threaded rod 112 can be configured for threaded coupling through the axial threaded hole 108. Additionally or alternatively, the post cap assembly 104 can be configured as a monolithic threaded structure.
In another embodiment, a sleeve (see
Additionally or alternatively, the sleeve 320 can be selected to support the mounted item 101. In some embodiments, vertical support can be provided essentially by the threaded rod 112, with the sleeve maintaining alignment between the mounted item 101 and the threaded rod 112. In another embodiment, the sleeve can form a compression member that supports the vertical load of the item 101 against the post cap assembly 104 top, with the threaded rod providing lateral support to the sleeve to prevent buckling.
A chain link fence terminal post 102 normally has an outside diameter of about 2.375 inches and an inside diameter of about 2.25 inches. Such a post is normally referred to as a 2⅜″ post but is sometimes referred to as a 2½″ post. This is the normal size of terminal post used in residential fences.
Other types of cylindrical posts can be substituted for a chain link terminal post. In particular, the inventor has used the mounting system in conjunction with 2⅜″ posts that are freestanding on a tripod base. Other types of bases can be substituted.
In other embodiments, the size of the post cap assembly 104 and the stabilizer 114 can be varied to accommodate posts other than 2⅜″ posts. For example, in an embodiment, a 1½ inside diameter post can provide support for a suitably sized post cap assembly 104 and stabilizer 114.
The post cap assembly 104 can include a cast metal post cap 106 carrying an axial tube. The axial tube can define threads forming the axial threaded hole 108. The cast metal post cap 106 can be formed from a near net shape casting operation. The threads can be formed in the cast metal post cap 106 by a secondary machining operation performed on the near net shape.
The post cap assembly 104 can further include a Galvanized stamped steel post cap 106 configured to fit a chain link fence terminal post 102, the post cap 106 defining an axial hole 302 therethrough. A threaded fastener 304 can extend from an upper surface 306 of the post cap 106 through the hole 108. A washer 308 can be disposed subjacent to a lower surface 310 of the post cap 106 and aligned with the threaded fastener 304. The threaded fastener 304 and the washer 308 can be adhesively joined to the post cap 106.
The threaded rod 112 can include 1/16 inch to ¾ inch galvanized steel continuous threaded rod. For example, the threaded rod 112 can include ⅜ inch galvanized steel continuous threaded rod 112 having a length of between about one and four feet. According to another embodiment, wherein the threaded rod 112 includes ⅜ inch galvanized steel continuous threaded rod having a length of about one and one-half foot. Optionally, threads can be omitted from portions of the rod that do not need to couple to a threaded fastener 304 or threaded hole. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded rod is zinc-plated steel nominal ⅜ inch with 16 threads per inch.
The stabilizer can further include a cylindrical body 316 configured to fit inside the terminal fence post. A second axial hole 314 can be defined by the cylindrical body 316, and can be configured for operable coupling to the threaded rod 112 below the post cap assembly 104. The second axial hole 314 can include threads configured for threaded coupling to the threaded rod 112. The stabilizer 114 can further include a second threaded fastener 304 disposed in the second axial hole 314. The second threaded fastener 304 can be configured for threaded coupling to the threaded rod 112. The stabilizer 114 can further include, operatively coupled to a lower end of the cylindrical body 316, an end wall 318. The second axial hole 314 can be formed in the end wall 318.
The stabilizer 114 can be formed at least partially from glued-together polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe fittings 312, 318. The cylindrical body 316 can be formed at least partially from a section of PVC pipe 312.
The stabilizer 114 can consist essentially of an injection-molded thermoplastic part. In this example, the axial hole can include threads formed in a secondary operation.
The stabilizer 114 can include an injection-molded body and a threaded fastener 304 fixedly coupled to the injection-molded body. The threaded fastener 304 can be co-molded with the injection-molded body, for example.
The stabilizer 114 can be formed as a die cast metal part. The axial hole can include threads formed in a secondary operation. Additionally or alternatively, the stabilizer 114 can be formed as a deep drawn sheet metal part.
The depictions of
The inventor contemplates alternative stabilizer configurations. In the configuration depicted in
The end wall 318 or intermediate wall can be continuous or can be formed as a discontinuous surface such as a surface formed as one or more planes of spokes extending from near the second axial hole 314 to the cylindrical portion 312. Alternatively, the end wall 318 or intermediate wall can be formed to include peripheral apertures between the second axial hole and the cylindrical portion 312. The peripheral apertures (or spokes) can be used, for example to affect compliance of the end wall 318 or intermediate wall. In another example, the peripheral apertures (or spokes) can be included essentially to reduce the amount of material in the stabilizer 114 and/or to reduce the weight of the stabilizer 114. In another embodiment, the peripheral apertures (or spokes) can be included primarily to allow passage of humidity upward and downward within the terminal post 102 so as to reduce or prevent condensation.
The cylindrical portion 316 can be continuous or discontinuous. For example, the cylindrical portion 316, illustrated in sectional view in
In another embodiment, the views 100, 200, 300 can represent a stabilizer 114 in which the cylindrical portion 316 is formed as a plurality of discrete or discontinuous sections, each section being supported by a continuous or discontinuous end wall 318 or intermediate wall. For example, the cylindrical portion 316 can be formed as a discontinuous radial surface defined by a plurality of projections from a region of the end wall 318 or intermediate wall peripheral to the second axial hole 314, such that the distal end of each projection, independently of others of the projections, positions or urges its radial surface against the inside of the terminal post 102.
Referring to
In one embodiment, second axial hole 314 is sufficiently large to clear the threads of the threaded rod 112. For example, the second axial hole 314 can be sized to provide 0.01 to 0.10 inch of clearance between the tips of the threads of the threaded rod 112 and the second axial hole 314. In another embodiment, the second axial hole 314 is sized for partial interference with the threads of the threaded rod 112. For example, the partial interference can allow the threads to pass through the second axial hole 314 with resistance sufficiently low to allow manual insertion without additional tools. In another embodiment, the threaded rod 112 includes a non-threaded region, and the second axial hole 314 is sized for slidable coupling to the non-threaded region of the threaded rod 112. Slidable coupling can, for example, refer to 0.01 to 0.035 inches of clearance between the non-threaded region of the threaded rod 112 and the second axial hole 314.
The stabilizer 114 can optionally be formed as a toric (stiff) foam body.
While description heretofore has focused on providing a mounting system for mounting items on a chain link fence terminal post, the inventor contemplates using the mounting system to mount items on other hollow non-cylindrical posts, such as a hollow square post.
In step 508, the threaded rod and stabilizer assembly is slid into a chain link fence terminal post until the post cap assembly rests against a top end of the chain link fence terminal post. Sliding the threaded rod and stabilizer assembly into a chain link fence terminal post in step 508 can optionally include sliding a stabilizer having an interference fit with an inside wall of the chain link fence terminal post into the terminal post.
The method 500 can include optional step 510, wherein a sleeve is slid or screwed over the projecting portion of the threaded rod.
According to an embodiment, the method 500 includes step 512, wherein a decorative or functional item is coupled to the projecting portion of the threaded rod. For embodiments including optional step 510, step 512 includes sliding the decorative or functional item into or onto the sleeve. For embodiments that do not use the sleeve, step 512 includes screwing a decorative or functional item onto the projecting portion of the threaded rod.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
The present application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/892,282, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING AN ITEM ON A CHAIN LINK FENCE”, filed Oct. 17, 2013; in which, to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, is incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61892282 | Oct 2013 | US |
