Vehicle attachable apparatus dispensing net wire/barbwire

Abstract

An apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck to safely dispense net wire or barbwire over a long distance. The apparatus has two divisible portions. The first portion is a vertical spindle for a reel of fencing wire. The second portion attaches to the first portion and supports four reels of barbwire and the like on vertical spindles with separating walls between barbwire rolls.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to fencing. More specifically, the invention is apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck for laying net wire or multiple barbwires over long distances.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The related art of interest describes various wire-laying apparatus, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck that can distribute net wire and barbwire safely along fence posts. Advantageously, the net wire dispenser unit can be separated from the multiple barbwire dispenser unit. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,634 issued on Nov. 17, 1992, to L. T. Moon et al. describes a triangular fence stretching apparatus attached to a three-point tractor hitch that has a spool of fencing material on a spindle and stretches the fencing material through a triangular framework. The apparatus can be operated hydraulically from the tractor. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring the triangular stretching framework.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 809,721 issued on Jan. 9, 1906, to William F. Myers describes a wire stretcher and stringer apparatus dragged along the ground on a sled. The sled incorporates three spindles for barbed wire fed into proper position along the fence post under tension by wire clamps on ropes or chains attached to each strung wire and to a winding spindle on a standard. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a sled having a standard with winding spindles.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,234 issued on Dec. 19, 1995, to Bertin J. St. Pierre describes a tractor-mounted, single wire dispensing apparatus comprising a farm tractor hitched and vertically coiled one or two wire spindles on a base plate assembly. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to the distribution of a one or two wires positioned vertically from a carriage.

[0009] U.S. Design Pat. No. 326,807 issued on Jun. 9, 1992, to Darrell Hargrove describes a barbed wire dispenser apparatus comprising a rectangular frame having a pair of pins presumably for wheels attached outwardly from a bottom bar, and a long bar ending in a hook extending at an obtuse angle from the top of the frame at its center and supported below by a bar attached to the bottom of the frame. The long centered bar supports two joined wire spindles on a rod positioned perpendicular to the long bar. The apparatus is structurally distinguishable for being limited to laying out a pair of single barbed wires from two joined wire spindles.

[0010] U.S. Design Pat. No. 328,378 issued on Jul. 28, 1992, to Darrell Hargrove describes a hand pulled barbed wire dispenser apparatus comprising a reel placed vertically on one side with its axle perpendicular to the axle of a pair of wheels. The upper reel disc has an upright rod. A handle having a long T-shaped stem is angled proximate its bottom to attach to a wheeled stand supporting the reel. The handle has an adjustable resting or standing rod at the angle of the handle. The apparatus is distinguishable for being structurally different, limited to one reel and requiring manual locomotion.

[0011] U.S. Design Pat. No. 424,774 issued on May 9, 2000, to Donald H. Zarley describes a portable wire dispensing reel for barbed wire comprising a rectangular box-shaped frame made of pipes having an attachment tongue on one end and a pair of wheels at the opposite end supporting a wire dispensing reel on an elevated horizontal bar. The apparatus is distinguishable for its unique structure requiring a wheel cart having only one wire dispensing reel disposed in a horizontal position.

[0012] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0038837 A1 published on Apr. 4, 2002, for George C. Jackson describes a barbed wire holder, carrier and manually operated unreeler apparatus comprising an open rectangular frame angled at an acute angle at its bottom to rest on a pair of horizontally extended legs. A reel of barbed wire is rotatably supported on a horizontal crossbar for mounting the wire dispensing reel. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring manual operation of a carrier frame with angled legs to unreel the barbed wire.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 589,490 issued on Sep. 7, 1897, to Fred S. Young describes an apparatus for distributing three fencing barbwires arranged horizontally by hand. The apparatus has two wooden bars strengthened by two cross-pieces and end in crooked handles. The front end of the apparatus supports three wire spools on a horizontal spindle rod. The apparatus is distinguishable for being significantly structurally different and requiring limited manual distribution of three in-line wire spools.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,900 issued on Oct. 29, 1996, to Harlan D. Conroy describes a receiver hitch spooled wire dispenser apparatus comprising as a first embodiment a multiple, i.e., 4 spools, barbed wire dispenser apparatus positioned on a horizontal cross member having rotatable horizontal discs with vertical posts. The cross member is attached to a vehicle by a centered drawbar. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a significantly different structure and a negative teaching of not utilizing wheels (see col. 6, lines 13-17).

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,216 issued on Dec. 10, 1996, to Michael T. Smith et al. describes a farm tractor hitched apparatus for installing wire fencing comprising a rectangular frame having an upright spindle assembly of a stack consisting of a spool of barbed wire on a spool of field fencing on a second spool of barbed wire. The stack can comprise five spools of barbed wire. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a vertical stack of barbed wire and wire fencing.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,046 issued on Mar. 28, 2000, to Anthony W. Beyer, Sr. describes an apparatus attachable to a truck or a farm tractor for reeling and unreeling spools of fencing comprising a horizontal frame assembly formed of a drawbar for connecting to a vehicle and a cantilever frame. A vertical frame is affixed to the horizontal frame and connected to a vehicle. A rotatable vertical shaft is pivotally attached to the horizontal frame and receives one or more spools of fencing on retainer plates placed in grooves on the rotatable shaft. Retainer plates are provided for supporting the spools. A winch or cylinder is provided for lowering the shaft from an upright to a horizontal position, and for selectively raising the shaft. Up to four spools of barbed wire can be placed on the shaft by virtue of including grooves in the shaft to support retainer plates. Up to three shafts can be aligned. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a vertical to horizontal positioning of the fencing spool and a winch.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,714 issued on May 23, 2000, to Gregory Fondacaro describes a machine for dispensing barbed wire fencing on top of a fence comprising a traverse member or pole supported by a rectangular frame. The traverse pole caries three spools of barbed wire at the frame and three pulleys at the opposite end. The machine is carried by a forklift tractor to distribute three barbed wires from one fence post to an adjacent fence post. The machine is distinguishable for requiring the traverse pole, barbed wire spools at the bottom end and pulleys at the opposite end.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,984 B1 issued on Mar. 26 2000, to Phillip T. England describes a field fence unroller and stretcher apparatus pulled by a farm tractor comprising a rectangular frame carrying a roll of fencing material on a vertical shaft. The fencing is simultaneously unrolled and pulled rearwardly through a nearly closed gate to straighten the fencing material. Guide rails within the gate direct the fencing material towards a pair of horizontal fingers, wherein each finger is rigidly connected to the vertical guide bar and the vertical rear frame member. Once enough fencing material has been unrolled to span the distance between two fence posts, the gate is closed and clamps the wire fencing material against the rear vertical frame member. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to a vertical rectangular frame having a pair of horizontal fingers and a closing gate.

[0019] European Patent Office Patent No. EP 0 574 001 A1 published on Dec. 15, 1993, for Hans-Peter Klein describes a manually operated apparatus for holding, conveying and handling rollers on which four flexible cables or wires are wound aligned along the axis of an inclined mast. A rectangular platform having only two wheels at one end is pulled by the inclined mast with a hand grip containing bars or dish-shaped holding devices for attaching the rolls of wires or cables. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to a manually wheeled conveying device and requiring holding devices.

[0020] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a vehicle attaching apparatus dispensing net wire and barbwire by separable units solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention is an apparatus for safely dispensing net wire and barbwire by either a farm tractor or a truck with appropriate hitch connections. In a first embodiment for dispensing net wire from a roll, the basic apparatus component comprises a substantially rectangular horizontal platform having rearward extending leg plates at its narrow ends for supporting a pair of wheels. A centered trailer hitch component extends forwardly from the lower surface of the platform. A vertical spindle having a circular bottom plate is supported at its bottom spindle portion by a centered extension arm extending rearward from the platform. The upper end of the spindle is supported by a right-angled telescoping bar directed rearward, in-line with the spindle on a centered axis and positioned on the platform. The second embodiment comprises a combination of an array of three vertical rectangular separator plates positioned on a second horizontal platform that has four aligned sockets for supporting four barbed wire reels on separate vertical spindles. The second platform has underneath a pair of vertical inclined support arms proximate its round ends shaped to fit underneath the first platform and inside the legs to be clamped by pins to the legs. Thus, the second platform can be utilized for dispensing of multiple barbed wires while attached to the first platform and readily removed if not required.

[0022] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a combination apparatus for dispensing and stretching either net fencing or barbed wire from spools attached to a tractor or a truck.

[0023] It is another object of the invention to provide a combination apparatus wherein the barbed wire dispenser portion can be readily added to or removed from the net fencing portion.

[0024] It is a further object of the invention to provide a telescopic holder for the net fencing spool.

[0025] Still another object of the invention is to provide and dispense at least four barbed wires from individual spools on the combination apparatus.

[0026] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0027] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is an environmental, right side perspective view of a first embodiment apparatus containing a vertical spool of net wire fencing attached to a truck according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a rear partial perspective view of the first embodiment apparatus according to the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of dispensing multiple barbed wires from apparatus attached to a farm tractor according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective partial view of the second embodiment lacking the multiple barbed wire spools according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of only the multiple barbed wire dispensing portion illustrating the bottom region and without the barbed wire spools according to the present invention.

[0033] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention is directed to a combination apparatus for dispensing fencing wire from a roll and multiple rolls of barbed wire. In a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a net wire carrier apparatus 10 attached to a pickup truck 12 by a conventional hookup of the long bar 14 of the apparatus 10 to a drawbar 16 of the truck by a hitch pin 18. The carrier apparatus 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a horizontal rectangular platform or frame portion 20 having a planar top surface 22, a planar front surface 24, a planar rear surface 26, and two planar end surfaces 28 covered by square end plates 30, 30. Flanged leg portions 32, 32 are attached to the end plates 30, 30 by fasteners 34 and inclined rearward to support wheels 36, 36 in sockets 38, 38. A right angle bracket 40 welded to a cylindrical rod 42 with extended ends 44 in its included angle is attached to the leg portions 32, 32 by pins 46 which preferably has rings 48 to facilitate removal of the bracket 40. The long square bar 14 is inserted in the channel bar 50 welded under the right angle bracket 40 and locked with a hitch pin 18.

[0035] A horizontal rod 52 extends from the center of the rear surface of the right angle bracket 40, and is attached to a socket 54 that supports a vertical spindle 56 having a disc 58 adjacent to the socket 54. The spindle 56 and disc 58 support a roll of net fence wire 60. A right-angled telescopic cylindrical tube 62 supports the vertical spindle 56 with the net fence wire 60 by a bracket 64 and pin 66. Another bracket 64 with a pin 66 on the front of the non-telescopic portion of tube 62 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is utilized for connection to the upper middle hitch of a tractor 72 (FIG. 3). FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the side posts 35 that complete the connection to the tractor. FIG. 2 illustrates several apertures 68 in the spindle disc 58 which can be utilized to secure the end of the net fence wire roll 60 to prevent the disengaging of the roll from the revolving disc 58. Thus, it has been shown that the net fence wire spindle portion 70 (FIG. 1) can be readily disengaged from the platform or frame portion 20.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a third apparatus portion is added to the platform or frame portion 20. A tractor 72 is utilized as an example for using a three-way hitch 74 to pull the platform or frame portion 20 without the net wire spindle portion 70.

[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the mounted apparatus portion and the detached apparatus portion, respectively. The third barbwire apparatus portion 76 comprises a horizontal rectangular base element 78 having a top planar surface 80, a bottom planar surface 82, a front flanged edge 84, a rear flanged edge 86, and two semicircular ends 88. A plurality of apertures 90 are aligned and equally spaced in the top and bottom planar surfaces, 80, 82, respectively, for inserting barbed wire spools 92 in sockets 91 having apertures 93 (FIG. 5) separated by a plurality of rectangular separator plates 94. The front and rear flanges edges 84, 86, respectively, aid in securing the base element 78 to the frame or platform portion 20. A bracket 95 placed in the center of the front flanged edge 84 stabilizes the telescopic cylindrical tube 62. A pair of hook-shaped plates 96 depend by fasteners 99 from the bottom surface 82 of the base element 78 to attach to the leg portions 32 by studs 100 as depicted in FIG. 5. Thus, fence posts requiring three or four barbed wires can be supplied over distances from the barbwire apparatus 76 towed by either a tractor or a truck.

[0038] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle attachable apparatus dispensing net wire over extended distances, comprising: a horizontal rectangular frame portion having a planar top surface, a planar front surface, a planar rear surface, and two planar end surfaces; a leg portion positioned on each end surface of the frame portion and extending above and below the frame portion; each leg portion supporting a wheel and having an aperture in each end proximate the bottom surface of the frame portion; a right-angle bracket element having a rod with extended ends at its included angle for attachment of the rod ends in the apertures of the leg portion by pins; a vertical spindle having a top end and a bottom end; a right-angled upright cylindrical tube supporting the top end of the vertical spindle and anchored in the center of the top surface of the frame portion; a disc positioned proximate the bottom end of the spindle for supporting a roll of net wire; the bottom end of the vertical spindle being supported proximate the rear and top surfaces of the frame portion; a right-angled upright cylindrical tube supporting the top end of the vertical spindle and positioned medially on the top surface of the frame portion; and a horizontal hollow bar having a square cross-section attached medially to the bottom surface of the frame for connecting the apparatus to a vehicle; whereby the apparatus dispenses and stretches the net wire during the attachment to fence posts.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the right-angled tube is telescopic to adjust to the length of the net wire roll.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the vertical spindle is supported by a horizontal rod extending from the rear surface of the frame.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bracket having a lockable pin is positioned on the front surface of the upright portion of the right-angled tube at a height suitable for connection to a tractor hitch.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal hollow bar is connected to a tractor.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal hollow bar is connected to a trailer hitch of a truck.

7. A vehicle attachable apparatus adapted to dispense a plurality of barbed wires over extended distances, comprising: a horizontal rectangular base element having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, a front flanged edge, a rear flanged edge, and two semicircular ends; a plurality of apertures aligned and spaced equally in the top planar surface; a plurality of rectangular separator plates positioned between each aperture; a pair of hook-shaped plates depending from the bottom surface of the base element; and each hook-shaped plate having a pin extending outwardly from its terminal end.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each aperture in the base element has a downwardly depending socket.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of spindles are inserted in the plurality of apertures in the base element.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of barbed wire spools are each positioned on the spindles.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rectangular separator plates have a height greater than the height of the plurality of the barbed wire spools.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the base element is affixed to a wheeled platform element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the base element and the wheeled platform element are hitched to a truck or a tractor.

14. A vehicle attachable combination apparatus dispensing net wire or multiple barbed wires over extended distances, comprising: a horizontal rectangular frame portion having a planar top surface, a planar front surface, a planar rear surface, and two planar end surfaces; a leg portion positioned on each end surface of the frame portion and extending above and below the frame portion; each leg portion supporting a wheel and having an aperture in each end proximate the bottom surface of the frame portion; a right-angle bracket element having a rod with extended ends at its included angle for attachment of the rod ends in the apertures of the leg portion by pins; a vertical spindle having a top end and a bottom end; a right-angled upright cylindrical tube supporting the top end of the spindle and anchored in the cent of the top surface of the frame portion; a horizontal hollow bar having a square cross-section attached medially to the bottom surface of the frame portion for connecting the apparatus to a vehicle; a disc positioned proximate the bottom end of the spindle for supporting a roll of net wire; said frame having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and two end surfaces; the bottom end of the vertical spindle being supported proximate the rear and top surfaces of the frame portion; a right-angled upright cylindrical tube supporting the top end of vertical spindle and positioned medially on the top portion of the frame portion; a horizontal hollow bar having a square cross-section attached medially to the bottom surface of the frame portion for connecting the apparatus to a vehicle; an attachable base element to the frame portion having substantially the same planar size comprising: the attachable base element having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface; a front flanged edge, a rear flanged edge, and two semicircular ends; a plurality of apertures aligned and spaced equally in the planar surface; a plurality of rectangular separator plates positioned between each aperture; a pair of hook-shaped plates depending from the bottom surface of the base element; each hook-shaped plate having a pin extending outwardly from its terminal end; and the attachable base element attached to the frame portion to overly the frame portion; whereby the combined apparatus can be attached to a vehicle.

15. The combination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the right-angled tube is telescopic to adjust to the length of the net wire roll.

16. The combination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the bottom end of the vertical spindle is supported by a horizontal rod extending from the rear surface of the frame portion.

17. The combination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a bracket having a lockable end pin is positioned on the front surface of the upright portion of the right-angled tube at a height suitable for connection to a tractor hitch.

18. The combination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each aperture in the base element has a downwardly depending socket.

19. The combination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of a plurality of spindles are inserted in each of the plurality of apertures in the base element.

20. The combination apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a plurality of barbed wire spools are each positioned on separate spindles.