Fencing system

Abstract

An agricultural fencing system employing corner posts and center posts of pre-cast concrete reinforced by rebar. The center posts have insulative tubes or conduits passing therethrough for the receipt of electrically conductive wire from a power source or transformer. The wire is wrapped about the exterior of the corner posts for change of direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention herein resides in the art of fence posts and fencing systems as are typically used for agricultural purposes. More particularly, the invention relates to a high tension electrical fence of the type typically used to confine cattle and other farm animals. Specifically, the invention relates to an agricultural fencing system in which the posts thereof are made of prefabricated reinforced concrete.

BACKGROUND ART

It is commonplace to employ fences to preclude farm animals from leaving a pasture area in favor of crop fields. Typically, the fencing systems employed include wooden posts, often from locust trees, between which are strung barbed wire or more recently, high tension electrical wire. Presently, systems employing electrical wire have used metal posts driven into the ground, with insulated connectors to preclude the electrical wire from shorting to ground through the posts or stakes.

Previously known systems, whether they employ metal stakes or wooden posts, have been given to number of problems, including deterioration from insects or rot in the case of wooden posts, or rust in the case of metal stakes. Such deterioration shortens the life of the posts and associated fencing systems and the requisite repair is both time consuming and costly.

There is a need in the art for a fencing system that employs posts that are more durable and far outlast the wooden posts and metal stakes of the prior art. There is particularly a need in the art for such a fencing system that is reliable and durable, easy to install, and cost effective in a farm management system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide an agricultural fencing system that is long lived, structurally sound, and durable in use.

Another aspect of the invention is the provision of an agricultural fencing system that is not given to rot, decay, rust, or attack by insects.

Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of an agricultural fencing system which is given to ease of fabrication and installation.

Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of an agricultural fencing system that employs but two basic types of posts, a corner post at the point in a fencing system where the direction of the fence changes, and a center post employed in substantially straight runs of fencing between corner posts.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a fencing system to enclose a piece of ground, comprising: an electrical power source; at least one corner post of precast concrete secured to the ground; at least one center post of precast concrete secured to the ground; and an electrically conductive wire passing from said power source and between said corner and center posts.

Other aspects of the invention which will become apparent herein are achieved by a fencing system for securing an area of ground, comprising: an electrical power source; a plurality of corner posts of reinforced precast concrete; a plurality of center posts of reinforced precast concrete, said center posts being interposed between said corner posts; and a high tension electrically conductive wire connected to said power source and extending through said center posts and around said corner posts.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the aspects, structures and techniques of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a center post made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the center post of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view, broken away, of a corner post employed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fencing system employing the posts of FIGS. 1-3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, an appreciation may be obtained of the fencing system made in accordance with the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that a center post made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The center post 10 has an elongated body 12 formed of precast concrete. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the concrete of the elongated body 12 comprises cement and appropriate aggregate, sufficient for the strength desired. A plurality of reinforcement bars (rebars) 14 are longitudinally positioned within each of the posts 10. In the preferred embodiment, the rebars 14 are uniformly spaced within the precast concrete of the elongated body 12, and typically four such rebars 14 are used. Extending transverse to the elongated body 12 are a plurality of electrically insulative tubes 16, of plastic or other appropriate material. The tubes 16 provide conduits through the center posts 10 for purposes that will become apparent herein. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubes or conduits 16 have a diameter of ½ inch to 1 inch, and are vertically spaced along the posts at 8-16 inch intervals.

The center posts 10 are of a rectangular, and preferably square, cross section, typically being on the order of 4×4 inches or 6×6 inches. Typically, the center posts 10 have a length of 5-8 feet, providing sufficient length to be received into the ground for securing purposes, while providing sufficient height for the animals to be contained.

As shown in FIG. 3, corner posts 18 are formed from appropriate precast concrete, as in the case of the center posts 10. The corner posts 18 have an elongated body 20, with cross sectional dimensions exceeding those of the center posts 10. Preferably, the corner posts 18 have a rectangular or square cross section, on the order of 6×6 inches to 10×10 inches. Again, the corner posts 18 have a length on the order of 5-8 feet. The corner posts 18, of appropriate precast concrete, include rebars 22 therein. Again, four or more uniformly spaced longitudinally extending rebars 22 are employed. It may be desired that the rebars 22 be of a larger diameter than the rebar 14 used for the center posts 10. While half inch rebar may be employed as the rebar 14 of the center posts 10, it is preferred that the rebar 22 of the corner posts 18 be on the order of ¾-1 inch. It will be particularly noted that the conduit or tubes 16 of the center posts 10 are not required for the corner posts 18, as will become apparent herein.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a fencing system 30 employing the posts 10, 18 can be seen. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a post hole digger or the like is employed for digging holes of appropriate depth into the ground 36, for receipt of the various posts 10, 18. As their name implies, the corner posts 18 are positioned at the corners of the fenced-in area, while the center posts 10 are positioned in substantially straight line arrangement between the corner posts 18. When so positioned, electrically conductive wires 32 are strung from a power source or transformer 34 through the various tubes or conduits 16 of the center posts and about the external side of the corner posts 18, as shown. Accordingly, two sides of the corner posts receive the electrical wires 22, which are preferably high tension wires. An insulative strap or underlayment 38 may be wrapped around the sides and corner of the corner post 18 to insulate the electrical wire 32 from grounding though the post 18. Alternatively, the wires 32 may pass through insulating sleeves at the corners. It will be appreciated that one single continuous wire may be employed to complete the fencing, although the embodiment shown also contemplates a plurality of separate wires 32.

The invention also contemplates the use of horizontal braces or stringers 40 between the corner posts 18 and each of opposite center posts 10. The horizontal braces 40 secure the corner of the fencing system 30 by effectively tying a pair of center posts 10 to the corner posts 18, to resist the lateral forces imparted by the high tension wires 32. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the horizontal braces 40 are of prefabricated concrete, reinforced with appropriate rebar, similar to posts 10, 18. The horizontal braces 40 also have imbedded therein and extending from opposite ends thereof, pairs of pins 42, shown in phantom in FIG. 4. Corresponding receiving bores may be provided on the center posts 10 and corner posts 18 to receive the pins 42, during construction of the fence system 30. The bores 44 can either be formed in the posts 10, 18 during fabrication, or may be drilled thereinto on site, during construction. In either event, a pair of bores 44 is desired to receive a corresponding pair of pins 42, either in horizontal or vertical arrangement, to prevent rotation of the brace 40.

With the posts 10, 18 received in the ground 36, and with high tension wires 32 strung therebetween, there around and therethrough, an electrical fence system has been devised that will be strong and long lived. The reinforced concrete of the posts 10, 18 is not given to decay, rot, insect damage, or weather deterioration. Once installed, the fencing system will remain in place without need for the replacement or repair incident to systems employing wood or steel posts.

Thus it can be seen that the aspects of the invention have been attained by the structure and system presented and described herein. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention reference should be made to the following claims.

Claims

1. A fencing system to enclose a piece of ground, comprising:

an electrical power source;

at least one corner post of precast concrete secured to the ground;

at least one center post of precast concrete secured to the ground; and

an electrically conductive wire passing from said power source and between said corner and center posts.

2. The fencing system according to claim 1, wherein said corner and center posts have rebar extending longitudinally therein.

3. The fencing system according to claim 2, wherein said center posts have tubular conduits passing laterally therethrough, in a direction substantially orthogonal to said rebar.

4. The fencing system according to claim 3, wherein said conduits are electrically insulative.

5. The fencing system according to claim 4, wherein said electrically conductive wire passes through said conduits.

6. The fencing system according to claim 5, wherein said center and corner posts are substantially rectangular in cross section.

7. The fencing system according to claim 6, wherein said electrically conductive wire wraps around at least two sides of said corner.

8. A fencing system for securing an area of ground, comprising:

an electrical power source;

a plurality of corner posts of reinforced precast concrete;

a plurality of center posts of reinforced precast concrete, said center posts being interposed between said corner posts; and

a high tension electrically conductive wire connected to said power source and extending through said center posts and around said corner posts.

9. The fencing system according to claim 8, wherein said center posts have insulative conduits passing therethrough said conduits receiving said high tension electrically conductive wire.

10. The fencing system according to claim 9, wherein said corner posts are absent any conduits passing therethrough.

11. The fencing system according to claim 11, wherein said corner posts have a greater cross sectional area than said center posts.

12. The fencing system according to claim 11, wherein said corner and center posts are reinforced with uniformly spaced and longitudinally extending rebar.

13. The fencing system according to claim 12, further comprising an insulative corner patch interposed between said corner posts and said high tension electrically conductive wire.

14. The fencing system according to claim 9, further comprising a horizontal brace between and secured to a corner post and a next adjacent center post.

15. The fencing system according to claim 14, wherein said horizontal brace is of prefabricated concrete, with pins extending from opposite ends thereof, said pins being received by corresponding bores in each of said corner post and next adjacent center post.