Metallic support for stabilizing a broken fence post

Abstract

A metallic support comprises an upright support riser and base arm positioned a distance D laterally offset from the base of the broken post, interior of and upon the property of the owner of the fence. Such base arm integrally connects to the riser through curved regions that causes the riser to extend outward toward the broken fence post above the break area, but provides for ample burial space offset from the broken post below the riser. The curved regions are defined by a center of curvature. Both upper and lower termini of the riser and base arm are cut along a bias relative to their respective axis of symmetry so as to (i) permit easy attachment of a L-shaped hanger to the riser and base arm at a position above the earth's surface and the broken fence post, using the broad surface of the upright leg of the L-shaped hanger, and the remaining transverse leg is attached to the curved regions of the riser and base arm and (ii) allow easy penetration by the lower termini into a concrete base constructed offset from the broken fence post. Result: the lower termini can be inserted into the prepared concrete base, allowed to set and then the L-shaped hanger can be attached to the broken fence post above the break plane in the correct working plane using conventional fasteners, without the need to extract the original broken fence post.

Description

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a metallic support for repairing a wooden fence having a broken post at or near the earth's surface. The invention, more particularly, refers to such a metallic support that includes a common working plane bisecting same and in which, in operations, the latter is usually perpendicular to the earth's surface.

[0002] In one aspect, the vertically positioned, metallic support of the invention comprises an upright, extending tubular support riser bent over a central region to form a curved region defining a center of curvature, and a base arm positioned a distance D from line of the fence to be repaired. Both the upper and lower termini of the riser and base arm are cut along a bias that (i) permits easy attachment of a L-shaped hanger of rectangular cross section to the broken fence, say wherein the broad surface of an upright leg of the L-shaped hanger is broadly attached to the fence post above the broken plane and the remaining transverse leg is attached perpendicular to the curved region of the upright extending tubular support (ii) allows easy penetration by the lower termini into a wet concrete base constructed offset from that of the broken fence post. Result: lower termini of the tubular base arm can be easily inserted into the prepared wet concrete base, allowed to set and then the L-shaped hanger can be attached to the broken fence post above the break plane without the need to extract the original broken fence post below same. The latter is unusually difficult to extract since it usually includes a heavy, concealed, irregularly shaped concrete mass at its lower end below the earth surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The prior art is replete with systems and apparatuses for the purpose of excavating broken fence posts from their underground positions. For example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,437 for “POST PULLER INCLUDING CONCRETE BASE PULLING MEANS”, there is described a post puller with enlarged base to permit large lifting forces to be applied to the broken fence post. Even though such puller improves the prior art, the operation is still difficult owing to the fact that the concrete mass is usually quite heavy and awkward to extract, especially by one person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the invention, a metallic support can be provided for repair of a broken fence post without the need to remove the underground post remnant by the provision of a tubular upright support riser and base arm, both of circular cross section. The base arm of the support is positioned in operations, a distance D lateral of and offset from the base of the broken post perpendicular to the earth's surface, say 10 inches interior of and upon the property of the owner of the fence, such base arm integrally connected to the riser through curved regions that causes the riser to extend outward toward the broken fence post above the break area but provides for ample space to bury the base arm in ground offset from the broken post. In more detail, the curved regions are defined by a center of curvature and define an included angle A. Both upper and lower termini of the riser and base arm are cut along a bias relative to their respective axis of symmetry so as to (i) permit easy attachment of a L-shaped hanger to the riser and base arm at a position above the earth's surface and the broken fence post, say wherein the broad surface of the upright leg of the L-shaped hanger is broadly attached to the post above the broken plane and the remaining transverse leg is attached to the curved regions of the riser and base arm of the tubular support of the invention (ii) allow penetration by the lower termini into a wet concrete base constructed offset from the broken fence post. Result: the lower termini of the tubular support can be easily inserted into the prepared concrete base, allowed to set and then the L-shaped hanger can be attached to the broken fence post above the break plane in the correct working plane using conventional fasteners, without the need to extract the original broken fence post below same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a broken fence post and fence in partial section, skewed in a first direction lateral to the fence line plane P1;

[0006] FIG. 2 is another side elevation of the broken fence post and fence of FIG. 1 in which the metallic support of the invention is positioned offset from the broken fence post in a direction opposite to the first direction;

[0007] FIG. 3 is yet another side elevation of the broken fence post and fence of FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the metallic support of the invention is attached to the broken fence post above its broken zone to bring the post and fence back into proper working orientation, say normal to the earth's surface;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a side view of the metallic support of FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a detail of a portion of the metallic support of FIG. 4;

[0010] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the support of FIG. 4;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a front view of the support of FIG. 4;

[0012] FIG. 8 is a front view of the support of FIG. 4 minus a L-shaped hanger to illustrate a riser and a base arm thereof;

[0013] FIG. 9 is a side view of the riser and base arm of FIG. 8;

[0014] FIGS. 10 and 11 are sections taken along lines 10-10 and 11-11 of FIG. 9, respectively;

[0015] FIG. 12 is a front view of the L-shaped hanger of FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 13 is a side view of the L-shaped hanger of FIG. 12;

[0017] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the L-shaped hanger of FIG. 12;

[0018] FIG. 15 is a section taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14; and

[0019] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of another broken fence post in which the broken zone of the broken post is completely surrounded by a concrete section so that the modified metallic support of the invention is shown attached at opposite ends (i) to the broken fence post above its broken zone and (ii) to the concrete section to bring the post and fence back into proper working orientation, say normal to the earth's surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a fence post 9 supports a lateral fence section 10 of a conventional fence 11 in a transverse direction signified by fence line plane P1, even though the fence post 9 is broken at break zone 13. The post 9 is of wood having an uniform size say of rectangular cross section, and includes a base segment 14 below the earth's surface 17 encased within concrete mass 15, and an above-ground segment 16. For descriptional purposes only, the break zone 13 is seen to be horizontal to the earth's surface due to bending force applied to the fence post 9, say in the above ground segment 16 of the post 9 at its intersection with the earth's surface 17 where such bending and/or twisting forces are maximum. Such break zone 13 is seen to extend across a pair of parallel side surfaces 18 to define irregular break surfaces 13a, 13b so that the above-ground segment 16 of the post 9 and attendant lateral fence section 10 is displaced sideways away from fence line plane P1 in a longitudinal direction indicated by arrow 19 wherein significant numbers of other fence posts (one of which is shown at 9A) along the fence 11 remain intact to support the fence 11 in an upright portion relative to the earth's surface 17 as indicated by the fence line plane P1.

[0021] In order to repair the broken fence post 9, the repairer heretofore usually had to extract the base segment 14 including concrete mass 15 from its position below the earth's surface 17 and then replace same with a new fence post (not shown). The operation is difficult owing to the fact that the concrete mass 15 is usually quite heavy and awkward to extract, especially by one person.

[0022] In accordance with the invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a metallic support 20 can be provided as depicted to effect stabilization of the above-ground segment 16 of the broken fence post 9 above break zone 13 without the need to extract the base segment 14 of the latter from its location. Furthermore, the repairer does not have to do follow up steps that include, say re-nailing the upright side sections relative to the new post and to dispose of both the base and top segments 14, 16 of the broken fence post 9 in proper fashion, say in accord with environmental laws.

[0023] As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the metallic support 20 is seen to be bisected by a working plane P normal to the fence line plane P1 where such bisection is defined as dividing the support 20 into identical and equal vertical parts via the vertical plane P (which is also normal to the earth's surface), such plane P also intersecting the fence line plane P1 (which is also vertical)_ at 90 degrees as if imaginary letter “X” exits at the intersection of the earth and support 20 and the fence line and the planes P and P1 and passes through opposed legs thereof.

[0024] Briefly, in FIG. 2 the metallic support 20 includes an Upright support riser 24 of circular cross section of a diameter Do, and an upright base arm 25 planted in the new concrete base 26 laterally offset a transverse distance D measured from centerline 27 of the base segment 14 of the broken post 9 perpendicular to earth's surface 17, say about 10 inches interior of and upon the property owner. But note that the lateral fence section 10 attached to the broken post 9 remains tilted in a longitudinal direction indicated by arrow 19 off-side from the metallic support 20 of the invention until the new concrete base 26 is fully set. As a result, significant numbers of other fence posts (one of which is shown at 9A) along the fence 11 remain intact to support the fence 11 in an upright portion relative to the earth's surface 17 as indicated by the fence line plane P1. Note that the support riser 24 is positioned to extend toward the above-ground segment 16 but does not contact same.

[0025] In FIG. 3, the broken above-ground segment 16 of the broken post 9 is shown attached to the upright support riser 24 of the metallic support 20 via fasteners 21 whereby the fence 11 is brought into complete, stabilized upright orientation. As indicated, centerline 22 of the above-ground segment 16 of the post 9 is brought into linear alignment with the centerline 27 of below-ground base segment 14. As a result, the mended post 9 is fully bisected by the fence line plane P1, such plane P1 usually but not necessarily being normal to the earth's surface 17. That is to say, the broken above-ground segment 16 of the broken post 9 is shown attached to the support riser 24 of the metallic support 20 via a L-shaped hanger 30 whereby the fence 11 is brought into complete upright orientation as indicated by fence line plane P1, usually but not necessarily normal to the earth's surface 17.

[0026] FIGS. 4-15 show the metallic support 20 in more detail.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the metallic support 20 includes the upright support riser 24 of circular cross section. The riser 24 and the upright base arm 25 (also of circular cross section), the riser 24 and base arm 25 being integrally connected as previously mentioned. Finally, L-shaped hanger 30 is attached thereto via welds 31, 32.

[0028] In detail as shown in FIGS. 8-11, the upright base arm 25 comprises a lower terminus 33, a main section 34 and a curved terminating region 35. Similarly, the support riser 24 includes a curved terminating region 36 integrally connected to the curved terminating region 35 of the upright base arm 25, main section 37 and terminus 38. The diameter Do of the support riser 24 and upright base arm 25 is common which defines a common side wall 39 equal to about 1½ inches O.D.

[0029] In FIGS. 8 and 9, both lower and upper termini 33, 38 of the base 25 and the riser 24, respectively, are cut along a bias relative to the axes of symmetry 60. 61 thereof, as shown.

[0030] FIGS. 12-15 depict the L-shaped hanger 30 in detail.

[0031] As shown, the L-shaped hanger 30 includes upright leg 40 of length Lo and transverse leg 41 of length L1 where Lo is greater than L1. The legs 40, 41 are of rectangular cross section and define a thickness T and the legs 40, 41 intersect each other at rounded corner 42. Terminal end 43 of the transverse leg 41 is inwardly concave. Openings 44 extend through the upright leg 40 to allow entry of fasteners as previously mentioned.

[0032] In FIGS. 12 and 13, note that the openings 44 are formed in upright leg 40 but with a paucity of openings in transverse leg 41. The openings 44 are spaced apart a distance D4 measured from respective axes of symmetry 50. Upper opening 44a is located a distance D5 from upper end 51 of the upright leg 40 of L-shaped hanger 30 to form a free zone along the latter for easier attachment as explained below. Note the absence of any openings in transverse leg 41. Hence, there is no structural weakness due to such effects.

[0033] Returning to FIGS. 4-7, note the assembly of the invention is straight forward.

[0034] That is, weld 31 is provided at oval intersection 45 Occurring between broad surface 46 of the upright leg 40 of L-Shaped hanger 30 and the terminus 38 of the support riser 24. While weld 32 occurs between concave terminal end 43 (see FIG. 5) of transverse leg 41 to form an arcuate intersection 47 relative to curved regions 35, 36 of the upright base arm 25, and upright support riser 24, respectively. Note also that in assembly such curved regions, 35, 36 are orientated such that the support riser 24 is cantilevered to one-side of axis of symmetry 60 of the base arm 25. Similarly, the L-shaped hanger 30 is oriented such that its upright leg 40 is parallel to the base arm 25. Furthermore, axes of symmetry 60, 63 of the base arm 25 and of the upright leg 35, respectively, are parallel.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 5 which is a detail, enlarged view of the arcuate intersection 47, of the curved regions 35, 36 and of the weld 32, note that such regions 35, 36 are seen to be defined by a center of curvature C and an angle A of about 150 degrees relative to axis of symmetry 60 of the base arm 25 and axis of symmetry 63 of the riser 24, respectively. Also note in FIG. 6 that the weld 31 extends about a limited sector of the total circumference of riser 24 to define the arcuate intersection 45.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 4, note that the regions 35, 36 are located slightly beyond midpoint between the base arm 25 and the riser 24. Thus the base arm 25 is a bit longer than the riser 24. Note that the axes of symmetry 60, 61 intersect at junction 64 whereby the center of curvature C is offset to one side thereof. Such junction 64 is located a distance D1 from the upper terminus 38 of the riser 224 and a distance D2 from the lower terminus 33 of the base arm 25 where D2>D1. The regions 35,36 are formed using a conventional pipe forming tool such as an electrical conduit bender obtained from a hardware store. Note that axis of symmetry 61 intersects broad surface 46 of upright leg 400 at an included angle equal to A formed at the regions 35, 36.

[0037] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the common diameter Do of the riser 24 and upright base arm 25 is depicted so as to be about equal to the lateral dimension W of the L-shaped hanger 30 when combined with welds 31, 32, as depicted even though both lower and upper termini 33, 38 of the base 25 and the riser 24, respectively, are cut along a bias relative to the axes of symmetry 60. 61 thereof, as shown.

[0038] Result: (i) easy attachment of the upper terminus 38 of the riser 24 relative to the broad surface 46 of the upper leg 40 of the L-shaped hanger 30 can occur so that the broad surface 46 accepts the parameter of the upper terminus 38 of the riser 24 and supports same whereby parametric weld 31 can be applied to permanently affix the former to the latter, and (ii) easy penetration by the lower termini 33 of the base arm 25 is also allowed, say into the wet concrete base 26 of FIG. 2 offset from the concrete base 15 of the broken fence post 9, through the efforts of a single workman.

[0039] Rigidity as well as light weightiness of the support 20 is aided by the fact that the riser 24 is provided with a circular cross section so resistance to bending forces (either in compression or tension) are high, by the fact that the L-shaped hanger 30 is of a rectangular cross section, see FIG. 15, that includes broad surfaces 66, as well as the fact that the riser 24 is preferably formed of aluminum while the L-shaped hanger 30 is formed of a compatible metal to allow easy welding thereof.

[0040] In FIG. 4, note that the biased upper terminus 38 of the riser 24 defines a plane that is parallel to the axis of symmetry 60 of base arm 25. Likewise, the position of the upright leg 40 of the L-shaped hanger 30 is similarly defined.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the concave, rounded end 43 of the transverse leg 41 is shaped to solidly butt against the curved regions 35, 36 at the circumference of the latter. When attached by sector weld 32, permanently and rigid attachment occurs, viz., at intersection 47 thereof.

Operations

[0042] In operations as seen in FIG. 3, note that compression Bending forces F acting on the fence 11 are resisted by the full depth of the base arm 25 within the concrete base 26, acting through the riser 24. Hence, the length of the base arm 25 and hence depth of the concrete base 26 may be extended to counteract high environmental wind conditions. Tensional bending acting on the fence 11 is similarly resisted.

[0043] Note also that via resolution of forces principles, the shearing force acting on riser 24 due to compressional force F is much reduced in direct consequence of the angled orientation of riser 24 and the nature of triangulation of force effects. As to the latter, note that the forces F act normal along the full length of pright leg 40 of the L-shaped hanger 30 and thence through lower transverse leg 41 to the curved regions 35, 36. A right resistance triangle is thus formed wherein the hypotenuse is the riser 24, while the upright and transverse legs 40, 41 are the sides thereof. To fail, the riser 24 must bend through the vertical plane established by the base arm 25 and such bending is resisted by the orientation of such triangle. That is to say, the shearing force acting on the riser 24 is directly reduced by the angle B formed between the riser 24 and the upright leg 40 of the L-shaped hanger 30.

[0044] The probability of internal failure of the riser 24 is Further aided (with respect to such forces F) because its circular Cross section which is an optimal factor in effecting resistance of bending loads on the fence 11.

[0045] Result: (i) easy attachment of the upper leg 40 of the L-shaped hanger 30 relative to the above-ground segment 16 of the post 9 is permitted wherein broad surface 46 of the upright leg 40 accepts pressure loads therealong, yet (ii) bending forces F acting on the fence 11 are optimally resisted.

[0046] The above description offers a description of several aspects of the invention. However, it is not intended that such be construed as limitations as to the scope of the invention, but merely serve as examples in that persons skilled in the art can envision other obvious variations, modifications and changes within the scope of such description. For example, the cross section of the riser 24 could be changed to say square so long as the length of the welds 31, 32 remain about the same. In addition, while the riser 24 is preferably formed of aluminum, the L-shaped hanger 30 should be formed of a compatible metal to allow easy welding thereof. In addition, note that the metallic support 20 can be constructed by a method that includes the steps of:

[0047] (i) bending a length of a metallic tube of diameter Do about an offset center of curvature C to form curved regions 35, 36 defining an interior angle A, a base arm 25 and a riser 24, the latter being integrally attached at the curved regions 35, 36 wherein the base arm 25 and the tubular riser 24 each has a terminus 33, 38 oriented along a bias, and wherein axes of symmetry 60, 61 of the base arm 25 and of the riser 24 intersect at common junction point 64 adjacent to the center of curvature C wherein a common working plane P can be defined that is coincident with the center of curvature C and the axes of symmetry 60, 61 and which bisects the base arm 25 and the riser 24,

[0048] (ii) attaching a metallic, L-shaped hanger 30 having upright and transverse legs 40, 41 each of rectangular cross section defining a transverse dimension W, relative to the tubular riser on the same side as the center of curvature C so that the L-shaped hanger 30 is also bisected by the common working plane wherein attachment occurs via terminus 38 of the tubular riser 24 being placed in parametric contact with the broad surface 46 of the upright leg 40 and via the concave round end 43 of the transverse leg 41 being placed in butting contact with the curved regions 35, 36 of the base arm 25 and of the riser 24 whereby a resistance triangle to bending is formed totally within the working plane P.

Article of Manufacture

[0049] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of a modified, L-shaped metallic hanger 100 of the invention in an environment in which broken zone 101 of a wooden post 102 is completely surrounded by a concrete section 103 so that the modified metallic hanger 100 of the invention is shown attached via upright arm 100a, and transverse arm 100b (i) to the above-ground segment 102a of the broken fence post 102 (i.e., above the broken zone 101 thereof) and (ii) to concrete section 103 to bring the post 102 and fence 106 back into proper working orientation, i.e. wherein the above-ground segment 102a and below-ground segment 102b are positioned atop each other in the vertical direction, viz., coextensive of each other. Vertical alignment is attained between the above-ground segment 102a and the below-ground segment 102b, as shown wherein concrete anchors 106 and wood screws 107 are inserted through the hanger 100 into engagement with the concrete section 103 and into engagement with the above-ground segment 102a of the post 102, respectively. Note further that the description of L-shaped metallic hanger 100 is the same as that of hanger 30 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 7, supra, and that description and the accompanying written matter are incorporated herein by reference. Hence the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for the repair of a broken fence post comprising the steps of:

(i) digging a hole at the earth's surface positioned to one side of the broken fence post to be repaired, a selected distance D from the latter, the broken fence post including an above-ground segment and an underground base segment, said fence post also forming a portion of a fence defined by a fence line and a vertical plane through through said fence line,

(ii) filling the hole with concrete,

(iii) spading in a base arm of a metallic support into the concrete of step (ii), said metallic support including (a) a tubular segment bent to form a curved region, said tubular segment including a metallic base arm used to spade in the metallic support into the concrete and a metallic angled riser integral to said metallic base arm at said curved region, said base arm and said angled riser each defining a remote terminus and a common bisecting working plane P, and (b) a L-shaped hanger of rectangular cross section attached to said base arm and said riser adapted to be bisected by said working plane P, said L-shaped hanger also extending above the concrete and including an upright leg in parametric oval contact with said remote terminus of said riser including a portion that cantilevers beyond aid remote terminus, and a transverse leg in terminating arcuate contact with said curved region to provide a resistance triangle,

(iv) manipulating the metallic support so that the angled rise and L-shaped hanger integral of the metallic support, extend above the concrete to a position wherein said working plane P for the metallic support is approximately normal to the established vertical plane of the original fence line wherein the upright leg of the L-shaped hanger is positioned offset from the plane of the fence line by a selected amount related to the lateral dimension D of the broken fence post,

(v) securing the above-ground segment of the broken fence post to the upright leg of the L-shaped hanger via fasteners whereby in operating, bending forces acting on the fence are resisted by the resistance triangle in the working plane P that includes the riser and the upright and transverse legs of the L-shaped hanger.

2. The method of claim 1 in which steps (ii) and (iii) occur about simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1 in which step (iv) includes the precursor step of allowing sufficient time to permit the concrete to set about the base arm of the metallic support.

4. A method of making metallic support for the repair of a broken fence post in the field, comprising the steps of:

(i) bending a length of a metallic tube of diameter Do so as to define an interior angle A and a curved region, said bent tube including a metallic base arm and a metallic angled riser integral to said base arm at said curved region, said base arm and said angled riser each defining a remote terminus and a common working plane P,

(ii) attaching a metallic, L-shaped hanger to said bent tube in a particular position, said l-shaped hanger having upright and transverse legs and a curved region therebetween of rectangular cross section, said transverse leg defining a transverse dimension W, said particular position being such that the L-shaped hanger is also bisected by the common working plane P whereby a resistance triangle to bending is formed in the common working plane P.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the resistance triangle of step (ii) is a right triangle in which the hypotenuse is the riser and the upright and transverse legs of the L-shaped hanger are the sides thereof whereby in operations, bending forces are resisted.

6. The method of claim 5 in which the diameter Do of the riser and base arm is about equal to the lateral dimension W of the L-shaped hanger.

7. The method of claim 6 in which the riser is formed of aluminum and attachment between the riser and L-shaped hanger is via welding.

8. In the repair of a broken fence post, an article of manufacture comprising:

tubular means bent to form a curved region defining an interior angle A, a metallic base arm and metallic angled riser integral to each other at said curved region whereby each define a biased terminus and common working plane P bisecting said arm and riser,

a metallic L-shaped hanger of rectangular cross section defining a lateral dimension W, said L-shaped hanger including an upright leg having a broad surface in attaching contact with an above-ground segment of a broken fence post, said L-shaped hanger also including a transverse leg adjacent to an under-ground segment and adapted to be attached to said tubular means whereby said L-shaped hanger is also bisected by said working plane P and whereby a resistance triangle to bending is formed thereby wherein said above-ground and below-ground segments of said broken post in coextensive positional relationship of each other in a vertical direction normalized to the earth's surface.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 8 in which said riser and said base arm of tubular means are formed of aluminum and said L-shaped hanger is formed of a compatible metal to allow easy welding therebetween.

10. The article of manufacture of claim 8 in which said resistance triangle of said L-shaped hanger is a right triangle including a hypotenuse and sides opposite thereto in which said hypotenuse is said riser and said sides are said upright and transverse legs, respectively, of said L-shaped hanger whereby in operations, bending forces are resisted in said working plane.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 8 in which said diameter Do of said riser and said base arm of said tubular means is about equal to said lateral dimension W of said upright and transverse legs of said L-shaped hanger.