Fence post

Abstract

A nominally vertically disposed fence post comprises a wall defining an interior. A plurality of nominally horizontally disposed slots are located at equally spaced intervals along the length of the fence post and extend through the wall into the interior thereof. Selected slots receive fence wires therein. A keeper rod extends through the interior of the fence post between the wall and the fence wires to retain the fence wires in the slots. Electrified fence wires are each received in an insulated insert which is received in one of the slots and are retained therein by an insulated keeper rod.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority of prior provisional Application Ser. No. 60/541,882 filed Feb. 4, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to fence posts, and more particularly to an improved fence post design which is both easier to use and more pleasing in appearance as compared with traditional fence posts.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Over the centuries fence posts have been manufactured from a wide variety of materials including unprocessed sticks and tree limbs, various wooden configurations manufactured by conventional wood processing techniques, metal tubes formed from iron, steel, and other metals, etc. A fence post design that is currently in wide spread use is formed from steel and is T-shaped in horizontal cross section. Protrusions are provided at equally spaced intervals along the length of the fence post to facilitate alignment of fence wires therewith.

One difficulty that has heretofore been common to all fence post designs comprises the fact that a fastener of some type is necessary in order to secure each fence wire to each fence post. In the case of wooden fence posts, nails or cleats can be used to secure the fence wires to the fence post. In the case of the T-shaped fence post described above, clips are received around the fence wires and the fence post. The opposite ends of the clips are then twisted around one another to secure the fence wires in place.

As will therefore be understood, the construction of a fence utilizing conventional fence post designs entails considerable expense due to the fact that each fence wire must be manually attached to each fence post. An additional difficulty involves the fact that the necessity of utilizing fasteners to attach fence wires to fence posts often results in a fence construction which is unsightly in appearance.

The present invention comprises an improved fence post design which overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have long sense characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, one or more side walls define an interior which may be open, partially enclosed, or fully enclosed. Nominally horizontally disposed slots are formed through the side wall and into the interior of the fence post. The horizontally disposed spots are located at equally spaced intervals along substantially the entire length of the fence post.

In use, the fence post is driven into the ground in a nominally vertical orientation. Fence wires are positioned in some or all of the horizontally disposed slots comprising the fence post. The fence wires are fully seated in the slots after which a keeper rod is extended through the interior of the fence post between the wall of the fence post and the fence wires thereby retaining the fence wires within the horizontally disposed slots.

In the case of an electrified fence, wire receiving inserts formed from an electrically insulating material are received in the horizontally disposed slots comprising the fence post. The fence wires are received in the inserts and are retained by keeper rod which is either formed from or covered with an insulating material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a fence post comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention which is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with electrified fences.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an eighth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the horizontal slots which are used in the practice of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the horizontal slots which are used in the practice of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a fence post 10 comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The fence post 10 comprises a wall 12 defining an interior 14. The wall 12 of the fence post 10 comprises a unitary construction formed from steel or any other high strength, weather resistance material, however, multiple component walls may also be used in the practice of the invention. The interior 14 defined by the wall 12 may be either open as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or partially closed, or fully closed depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the lower end of the fence post 10 comprises a beveled point 16. The beveled point 16 facilitates insertion of the fence post 10 into the ground. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other types and kinds of lower end configurations for the fence post 10 may be utilized in the practice of the invention dependent upon the requirements of particular applications thereof.

The lower end of the fence post 10 is also provided with a spade 18. The function of the spade 18 is to prevent removal of the fence post 10 after it is installed in the ground. The spade 18 also functions to prevent rotational movement of the fence post 10 in the vertical plane following installation thereof.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the wall 12 comprises a v-shaped front section 20 which extends to spaced, parallel side sections 22. The side sections 22 in turn extend to flanges 24 which extend perpendicularly outwardly from the side sections 22. The wall 12 has a height H1 which is configured for optimal resistance to bending in the direction extending parallel to the wall 12. The configuration of the wall 12 as shown in FIG. 2 provides an interior 14 which is entirely open. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the flanges 24 can also extend inwardly from the wall sections 22 thereby providing an interior 14 which is partially enclosed. The flanges 24 can also extend inwardly from the wall sections 22 a sufficient distance to engage one another in which case the interior 14 is entirely enclosed.

The fence post 10 differs from prior fence post designs in that the fence post 10 is provided with a plurality of nominally horizontally disposed slots 30. As is best shown in FIG. 2, each of the slots 30 extends through the wall 12 comprising the fence post 10 and into the interior 14 thereof. As is best shown in FIG. 1 the slots 30 are located at equally spaced intervals along substantially the entire length thereof. Although the slots 30 are illustrated in the drawings as being equally spaced, the fencepost 10 may also be manufactured with the slots 30 unequally spaced. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to provide slots 30 in the portion of the fence post 10 that will be underground following installation thereof. However, the slots 30 may be provided at equally spaced intervals along the entire length of the fence post 10 depending upon the particular process that is utilized in the manufacture of the fence post 10.

Utilization of the fence post 10 begins with installation of the fence post into the ground. The fence post 10 is installed using any of a variety of well know fence post installation techniques. The fence post 10 is typically installed in a nominally vertical or plumb orientation, however, other orientations of the fence post 10 may be utilized depending upon the requirements of particular applications thereof.

The following installation of the fence post 10 in the ground, fence wires 32 are installed in one or more of the slots 30. Each fence wires 32 is fully seated in its corresponding slot 30. Following the positioning of the fence wires 32 in the slots 30, a keeper rod 34 is extended through the interior 14 of the fence post 10 between the wall 12 and the fence wires 32. The keeper rod 32 may be formed from the same material that is utilized in the manufacture of the fence post 10 and/or the fence wires 32. Alternatively, the keeper rod 34 may be formed from steel or other metals, fiberglass, various plastics and other polymerics, and other materials, provided only that the keeper rod 34 is sufficiently strong and tough to resist breakage during utilization of a fence that is constructed from fence post comprising the present invention and sufficiently resistant to deterioration due to weather.

In actual practice the keeper rod 34 may be installed by first pushing the uppermost fence wire 32 into its corresponding slot 30 as far as possible, inserting the keeper rod 34 into the upper end of the fence post 10 until it moves past the uppermost fence wire 32 and the uppermost slot 30, thereafter pushing the next lower fence wire 32 as far as possible into its corresponding slot 30, moving the keeper rod 34 downwardly until it is past the second fence wire 32 and its corresponding slot 30, etc. When the keeper rod 34 is fully seated in the fence post 10 thereby retaining all of the fence wires 32 in their respective slots 30, the upper end of the keeper rod 34 is typically aligned with the upper end of the fence post 10. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is also possible to move the upper end of the keeper rod 34 further downwardly relative to the fence post 10 provided only that the upper end of the keeper rod 34 has not moved downwardly sufficiently to disengage the keeper rod 34 from the uppermost fence wire 32.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a fence post 40 comprising a second embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts of the fence post 40 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 3 with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the fence post 10, but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation.

The fence post 40 comprises a triangularly shaped wall 42. The wall 42 comprises three interconnected panels 42a, 42b and 42c. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the wall 42c is utilized the interior 14′ of the fence post 40 is completely enclosed. However, the wall 42c may be dispensed with entirely in which case the interior 14′ of the fence post 40 is open. The wall 42c can also comprise inwardly turned flanges in which case the interior 14′ Lastly, the wall 42c can comprise outwardly turn flanges similar to the flanges 24 of the fence post 10 as shown in FIG. 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a fence post 50 comprising a third embodiment of the invention. The fence post 50 includes numerous component parts which are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 4 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation.

The fence post 50 differs from the fence post 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the fence post 50 comprises a wall 52 which is square or rectangular in configuration. The horizontally disposed slots 30′ extend into the wall 52 through one corner 54 thereof thereby extending into the interior 14′ of the fence post 50.

A fence post 60 comprising a fourth embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 5. Many of the component parts of the fence post 60 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 5 with the same reference numerals utilized in conjunction with the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by prime (′) designation.

The fence post 60 differs from the fence post 10 in that the wall 62 thereof is round. Thus, the wall 62 may comprise a length of pipe formed from steel or other metals, fiberglass, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other polymerics, etc. with the only requirements for the selection of the material to be utilized in the construction of the wall 62 being sufficient strength and weather resistance to meet the requirements of particular applications of the invention. As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the cross section of the wall 62 is not necessarily round, but can be oval, etc.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fence post 70 comprising a fifth embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts of the fence post 70 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 6 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation.

The fence post 70 is particularly adapted for use with fences in which the fence wires 72 are electrified. Rather than being received directly in the horizontally disposed slots 30′, the electrified fence wires 72 are received in inserts 74 which are formed from an insulating material. The inserts 74 are in turn received in the slots 30′ formed in the wall 12′ comprising the fence post 70. The fence post 70 further differs from the fence post 10 in that the keeper rod 76 is either formed from an insulating material or is coated with an insulating material. Thus, by means of the inserts 72 and the construction of the keeper rod 76, the electrified fence wires 32′ are entirely isolated from the wall 12′ of the fence post 70 thereby preventing grounding of the electrified wires 32′.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fence post 80 comprising a sixth embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts of the fence post 80 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 7 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation.

The fence post 80 differs from the fence post 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the fence post 80 comprises side sections 22′ which are not perpendicular, but extend from the v-shaped front section 20′ side section 22′ construction enables the fence post 80 to be manufactured more easily as compared with the perpendicular side sections 22.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fence post 90 comprising a seventh embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts of the fence post 90 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 8 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (″) designation.

The fence post 90 differs from the fence post 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the fence post 90 comprises shorter side sections 22″. As a result of the shorter side sections 22″, the wall 12″ has a height H2. The shorter wall 12″ requires less raw material and is therefore less expensive to manufacture than embodiments having the taller wall 12, having height Hi. Although the shorter wall 12″ does not provide the same bending resistance as the taller wall 12, the strength sacrificed is minimal and does not impact the intended performance or durability of the fence post 90.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fence post 100 comprising an eighth embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts of the fence post 100 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 9 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (″) designation.

The fence post 100 differs from the fence post 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the fence post 100 comprises side sections 22″ which are not perpendicular, but extend from the v-shaped front section 20″ at an angle. Additionally, the side sections 22″ are shorter in height than the side sections 22 of fence post 10. The wall 12″ has a height H2, requiring less raw material for the manufacture thereof. The shorter wall 12″ and the angled side sections 22″ present an embodiment which is more easily manufactured and at lesser cost as compared with other embodiments of the invention described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The fence post 10 is provided with a plurality of nominally horizontally disposed slots 30 having a width W1. Slots 30 having width W1 are sized appropriately for receiving a varying sizes of fence wire.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Many of the component parts of the fence post 110 are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the fence post 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 11 with the same reference numerals utilized in the description of the fence post 10 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (″′) designation.

The fence post 110 differs from the fence post 10 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 10 in that the fence post 110 comprises nominally horizontally disposed slots 30″′ having a width W2 which is substantially greater than width W1. Slots 30″′ having width W2 accommodate more easily accommodate misalignments of fence wires used in the practical of the invention.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A fence post comprising:

a wall defining an interior;

at least one slot extending through the wall into the interior for receiving a fence wire therein; and

a keeper rod extending through the interior of the fence post between the wall and the fence wire for retaining the fence wire in the slot.

2. The fence post according to claim 1 wherein the interior of the fence post is entirely enclosed except for the slot extending through the wall.

3. The fence post according to claim 1 wherein the wall defines an interior which is partially enclosed except for the slot extending through the wall.

4. The fence post according to claim 1 wherein the wall defines an interior having one side which is entirely open.

5. The fence post according to claim 1 further including an insert formed from an electrically insulating material, the insert being received in the slot formed through the wall and the fence wire being received in the insert, and wherein the keeper rod comprises at least an exterior surface form from an electrically insulating material.

6. A fence post comprising:

a wall defining an interior;

a plurality of slots each extending through the wall and into the interior;

the slots being positioned at spaced apart intervals along the length of the wall;

each of the slots for selectively receiving a fence wire therein; and

a keeper rod extending substantially the entire length of the wall and positioned within the interior defined by the wall between the wall and the fence wires for retaining the fence wires in the slots.

7. The fence post according to claim 6 wherein the interior of the fence post is entirely enclosed except for the slot extending through the wall.

8. The fence post according to claim 6 wherein the wall defines an interior which is partially enclosed except for the slot extending through the wall.

9. The fence post according to claim 6 wherein the wall defines an interior having one side which is entirely open.

10. The fence post according to claim 6 further including inserts formed from an electrically insulating material, the inserts being received in the slots formed through the wall and the fence wires being received in the inserts, and wherein the keeper rod comprises at least an exterior surface form from an electrically insulating material.

11. The fence post according to claim 6 wherein the slots are positioned at equally spaced apart intervals along the length of the wall.

12. The fence post according to claim 6 wherein the slots are positioned at unequally spaced apart intervals along the length of the wall.