U.S. patent application number 10/153958 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-27 for fence spool.
Invention is credited to Raney, Harry, Reiff, Jason, Robbins,, Edward S. III, Saylor, John, Tackett, James R..
Application Number | 20030218162 10/153958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29548752 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030218162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tackett, James R. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2003 |
Fence spool
Abstract
A fence spool core member has a slot having an open end to
permit straddling of a flexible member. A niche adjacent the core
open end receives a flange web to trap the flexible fence member in
the slot. Torque couplings on the flanges permit rotational
displacement of the core in relation to the flexible member. The
end flanges include a plurality of peripheral openings that receive
pins to retain any rotational displacement of the core in relation
to the flexible fence member trapped in the core slot to remove
slack from the flexible fence member.
Inventors: |
Tackett, James R.;
(Florence, AL) ; Reiff, Jason; (Florence, AL)
; Saylor, John; (Florence, AL) ; Raney, Harry;
(Florence, AL) ; Robbins,, Edward S. III; (Muscle
Shoals, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 1600
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-2033
US
|
Family ID: |
29548752 |
Appl. No.: |
10/153958 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/68 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/364 20130101;
B65H 2701/5134 20130101; B65H 2701/3912 20130101; E04H 17/10
20130101; B65H 75/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/68 |
International
Class: |
E04H 017/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for tightening a flexible member of a fence, the
flexible member being coupled to a plurality of posts situated in
spaced relation to each other, the apparatus comprising: a core
member bifurcated by a slot having a closed end and an open end to
form two legs, the open end permitting the core member legs to
straddle a flexible fence member, a first flange member fixed to
the core member adjacent the closed end of the slot, a second
flange member engagable with the core adjacent the core open end to
trap the flexible fence member in the core slot between the first
and second flange members, each of the first and second flange
members including a torque coupling and a plurality of peripheral
openings, and at least one retainer engagable in at least one of
the plurality of peripheral openings of both flange members to
retain any rotational displacement of the core in relation to the
flexible fence member trapped in the core slot.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the core member includes a
flange-engaging niche adjacent the open end, and the second flange
member includes a web portion engagable in the flange-engaging
niche.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the core member includes a
cylindrical outer surface, the slot being aligned with a diameter
of the cylindrical outer surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flange-engaging niche is
aligned perpendicularly to the slot.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the slot includes an enlarged
portion adjacent to the open end leading to the flange-engaging
niche.
6. The apparatus of any of claims 3-5 wherein the second flange
member includes arcuate openings adapted to receive a portion of
the core member legs adjacent the open end.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the torque coupling of the
second flange member is situated inside the arcuate openings.
8. In apparatus for tightening a flexible member of a fence, the
flexible member being coupled to a plurality of posts situated in
spaced relation to each other, the apparatus including a core
member having a slot for receiving the flexible member and a torque
coupling for rotationally displacing the core in relation to the
flexible member, first and second flange members coupled to the
core member at opposite ends of the slot, each of the first and
second flange members including a plurality of peripheral openings,
and at least one retainer engagable in at least one of the
plurality of peripheral openings of both flange members to retain
any rotational displacement of the core in relation to the flexible
fence member trapped in the core slot, the improvement comprising:
an open end to the slot, the open end permitting the core to
straddle the flexible fence member, the core member including a
flange-engaging niche adjacent the open end, at least one of the
first and second flange members being removably engagable in the
flange-engaging niche so that the flexible fence member can be
trapped in the slot.
9. The improvement of claim 8 wherein the core member includes a
cylindrical outer surface, the slot being aligned with a diameter
of the cylindrical outer surface.
10. The improvement of claim 9 wherein the flange-engaging niche is
aligned perpendicularly to the slot.
11. The improvement of claim 10 wherein the slot includes an
enlarged portion adjacent to the open end leading to the
flange-engaging niche.
12. The improvement of any of claims 8-11 wherein one of the flange
members includes arcuate openings adapted to receive a portion of
the core member legs adjacent the open end.
13. The improvement of claim 12 wherein the torque coupling of the
second flange member is situated inside the arcuate openings.
14. The improvement of claim 12 wherein the arcuate openings are
separated by web portions adapted to engage the flange-engaging
niche.
15. A method for tightening a flexible member of a fence, the
flexible member being coupled to a plurality of posts situated in
spaced relation to each other, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a spool having a core including two legs separated by a
slot with an open end, straddling the core legs on opposite sides
of the flexible fence member, closing the slot open end by securing
a flange member to the spool core to trap the flexible fence member
within the slot, applying a torque to the spool to rotationally
displace the core in relation to the flexible fence member, and
retaining the spool in the rotationally displaced condition.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the closing step comprises
inserting arcuate end portions of the spool legs into arcuate slots
in the flange member, and rotating the flange member relative to
the core to engage web portions of the flange member in niches
provided in the core member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to fencing having
the general form of one or more elongated flexible members coupled
to a plurality of posts situated in spaced relation to each other.
The present invention relates more particularly to apparatus for
tightening a flexible member of such a fence.
[0002] Fences are the most commonly employed means for confining
that which would otherwise escape and excluding that which would
otherwise intrude. Fences may vary greatly in both structure and
materials of composition. Fence structure and composition are
selected on the basis of initial and upkeep costs, durability,
strength, aesthetic characteristics, and safety desired or
required. Common fence structures include a plurality of posts
situated in spaced relation to each other with one or more members
extending between the posts. The members extending between the
posts can take the form of rigid structures such as split rails,
boards, planks, slats, bars, etc. The members extending between the
posts can also take the form of flexible structures such as wire,
cable, chain, and chain link. Generally, such flexible form
structures are sufficiently long to be coupled to a plurality of
the posts. In some installations, some means is provided to remove
or reduce the slack in the flexible members to enhance the
appearance of the fence and to ensure its retention and exclusion
functionality.
[0003] Particularly desirable structures for the flexible members
of a fence are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 32,707; 4,881,721;
4,860,996 and 4,973,029 and are in the form of a composite metal
and plastic fencing comprised of at least two metal wires having
high tensile strength sheathed in a plastic casing. The wire may be
of any diameter suitable to the strength required in service.
Between the wires, the plastic casing assumes the form of a sheet
or web. When strung on supporting posts, the metal wires and
associated webbing can extend for the entire length of a fence. The
plastic casing encloses the wires and keeps the wires at a fixed
vertical separation. A fence so constructed has the advantages of
high visibility, good strength, and relatively low cost of
purchase, installation and upkeep.
[0004] When properly installed, a fence constructed using such
composite metal and plastic web fencing is very attractive. The
composite metal and plastic web fencing is typically coupled to
each supporting fence post using brackets of the type disclosed in
the previously identified patents. The brackets are intended to
permit the flexible elongated composite metal and plastic fencing
to move laterally with respect to any particular post so that the
brackets do not introduce high stress points in the flexible
fencing. The eye-catching character of the fencing can be enhanced
by substantially removing any slack from the flexible fencing so
that the flexible fencing assumes a substantially linear form
between each neighboring sets of posts. The brackets permit the
slack to be removed by installing a fence tightening mechanism that
places the flexible fencing under tension.
[0005] Apparatus for tightening, and/or splicing-joining the
elongated flexible members of fencing are known including those
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,527,877 and 6,152,429. One apparatus of
particular utility in conjunction with such composite metal and
plastic web fencing installations takes the form of a spool having
a slotted core. The flexible fencing is threaded through the core
slot during construction of the fence. Once the ends of the
flexible fencing have been secured, the spool is rotated so as to
wind some portion of the flexible fencing around the core, thereby
removing slack from the length of flexible fencing on which the
spool was originally installed. Since the spools of the prior art
require that the flexible fencing be threaded through the core
slot, this threading operation must generally be done during
initial construction of the fence. If through time, a fence
installation becomes slack and no such spool was included in the
initial installation, a terminal end of the flexible fencing must
be opened to permit the threading operation necessary to install
the prior art spool.
[0006] What is needed is a spool constructed in such a manner to
permit its installation at any point along the length of a flexible
fencing member at any time without the need for a threading
operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A spool apparatus of the present invention for tightening a
flexible member of a fence, includes a core member bifurcated by a
slot having a closed end and an open end so as to form two legs. A
first flange member is fixed to the core member adjacent the closed
end of the slot. The slot open end permits the core member legs to
straddle a flexible fence member at any point along the length of
the flexible fence member. To straddle a flexible fence member, the
slot open end is positioned at a lateral edge of the flexible fence
member, and the core is then slipped over the flexible fence member
so that the two legs are situated on opposite sides of the flexible
fence member. The straddling operation can be done at any time
during or subsequent to the fence construction without the need to
thread the flexible fencing through the core slot. A second flange
member is provided that is engagable with the core adjacent the
core open end to trap the flexible fence member in the core slot
between the first and second flange members. Once the second flange
is secured to the core, a suitable driver can apply a torque to the
spool to remove slack from the flexible fencing and one or more
retainers can be employed to secure the spool in position with the
excess length of the flexible fencing removed.
[0008] A preferred embodiment of the spool apparatus of the present
invention includes a core that has a generally cylindrical outer
surface, with the slot aligned with a diameter of the cylindrical
outer surface. More than one slot could be provided to accommodate
flexible fencing of different widths. In the preferred embodiment,
the core member includes a flange-engaging niche adjacent the open
end, with the niche being aligned perpendicularly to the slot. The
niche permits the second flange to be securely coupled to the core
at a pre-selected spacing from the first flange. The spacing
between the first and second flanges can be selected in relation to
the width of the flexible fencing with which the spool is intended
to be used. Where the spool might be employed with flexible fencing
of differing widths, the core could be provided with niches
positioned at differing locations along the core.
[0009] In the preferred embodiment, the slot includes an enlarged
portion adjacent to the open end leading to the flange-engaging
niche. The core portions defining the ends of the legs between the
enlarged slot portions are seen to be arcuate in shape when viewed
from the core open end. The second flange member includes arcuate
openings adapted to receive the arcuate end portions of the core
member legs adjacent the open end. The ends of the arcuate openings
in the second flange member are separated by web portions. The web
portions of the second flange member are sized to be received in
the enlarged portion of the slot, but not the narrower flexible
fencing-receiving portion of the slot. Each web portion of the
second flange member is also sized to be received in the
flange-engaging niche of the core to secure the second flange to
the core.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment, each of the first and second
flange members include a torque coupling so that the torque applied
to the spool can be balanced to ensure a desirable alignment for
the spool in relation to the flexible fencing member on which the
core is engaged. In the preferred embodiment, the torque coupling
of the second flange member is situated inside the arcuate
openings, while the torque coupling on the first flange is
centrally located in relation to the perimeter of the first
flange.
[0011] In use, the second flange is removed from a spool of the
present invention to expose the core slot open end. The core legs
are then caused to straddle a flexible fencing member so that the
legs are positioned on opposite sides of the flexible fence member.
The slot open end is then closed by securing the second flange
member to the spool core to trap the flexible fence member within
the slot. A torque is then applied to the spool to rotationally
displace the core in relation to the flexible fence member. Both
flanges are provided with a plurality of peripheral openings. At
least one retainer pin is provided that is engagable in at least
one of the plurality of peripheral openings of both flange members
to retain any rotational displacement of the core in relation to
the flexible fence member trapped in the core slot.
[0012] The features of a spool constructed in accordance with the
present invention permit its installation at any point along the
length of a flexible fencing member at any time without the need
for a threading operation. Other features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from a consideration of the following description of a preferred
embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art fence spool.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fence spool of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fence spool
shown in FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the spool shown in FIGS.
2 and 3 showing the flexible fence member receiving slot.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the fence spool shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 showing an end of the spool partially engaged with
the spool core.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 4 but with
the spool rotated by 90.degree..
[0019] FIG. 7 is an end elevation view similar to FIG. 5, but
showing the opposite end of the spool.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fence spool of the present
invention being placed on a fence for use to tighten the flexible
members forming the fence.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] A fence spool 10 of the prior art is shown in FIG. 1 that is
suitable for use on composite metal and plastic web fencing
installations. The spool 10 includes a core 12 that has a slot 14.
Flanges 16 and 18 are welded adjacent each end of the core 12. An
end portion 22 of the core 12 projects outward through the flanges
16 and 18 at each end so that a tool (not shown), such as a 1/2
inch driver, can engage the end portion 22 of the core 12. Each of
the flanges 16 and 18 include a plurality of peripheral openings
24. One or more retainer pins 26 are provided that can be inserted
though aligned pairs of the peripheral openings 24. In use, the
flexible fencing, that is to be tightened with the spool 10, is
required to be threaded through the core slot 14 during
construction of the fence. Once the ends of the flexible fencing
have been secured, the spool 10 can be rotated with the aid of one
or more tools (not shown) engaging the core end portions 22 so as
to wind some portion of the flexible fencing around the core 12.
This winding operation removes any slack from the length of
flexible fencing on which the spool 10 was originally installed.
Upon achieving a desired tension in the flexible fencing through
the winding operation, one or more retainer pins 26 are inserted
though aligned pairs of the peripheral openings 24 to preserve the
desired tension. Since these prior art spools 10 require that the
flexible fencing be threaded through the core slot 14, this
threading operation must generally be done during initial
construction of the fence. If through time, a fence installation
becomes slack and no such spool 10 was included in the initial
installation, a terminal end of the flexible fencing must be opened
to permit the threading operation necessary to install the prior
art spool 10.
[0022] A fence spool 30 of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
2-8. The fence spool 30 includes a core member 32 bifurcated into
two semi-cylindrical legs 34 and 36 that are separated from each
other by a core slot 38. The core slot 38 is generally aligned with
a diameter of the generally cylindrical outer surface 31 of the
core member 32 and includes a closed end 40 and an open end 42. A
first flange member 44 is fixed to the core member 32 adjacent to
the closed end 40 of the core slot 38. A second flange member 46 is
releasably coupled to the core member 32 adjacent to the open end
42 of the core slot 38, particularly as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The
releasable coupling between the second flange member 46 and the
core member 32 enables the legs 34 and 36 of the core member 32 to
straddle a flexible fence member 60 supported on posts 61 as shown
in FIG. 8. The second flange member 46 can then be coupled to the
core member 32 to trap the flexible fence member 60 in the core
slot 38. Further, this straddling operation can be achieved at
anytime during or subsequent to the construction of the fence
without the need to open an end of the fencing to permit a
threading operation as is required by the prior art spool of FIG.
1.
[0023] The coupling arrangement between the second flange member 46
and the core member 32 can be achieved by a variety of means such
as a threaded coupling, a bendable tab received in a slot, or a key
and keyway arrangement. The preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS.
2, 3 and 5 where it can be seen that the second flange member 46
includes arcuate openings 48 that are designed to receive the
distal ends 50 and 52 of the core legs 34 and 36. Web portions 54
of the second flange member 46 separate the arcuate openings 48
from each other. The web portions 54 are dimensioned to be received
in enlarged end portion 56 of core slot 38. Flange-engaging niches
56 are arranged perpendicularly to core slot 38 at the proximal end
of the enlarged end portions 58 of the core slot 38. Rotation of
the second flange member 46 with respect to the core member 32
causes the web portions 54 to become engaged in the flange-engaging
niches 56. Of course, rotation in the opposite sense permits
release of the second flange member 46 from the core member 32.
[0024] With the second flange member 46 released from the core
member 32, the fence spool 30 of the present invention can be
positioned so that the legs 34 and 36 straddle a flexible fence
member 60 as shown in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the spool
can be applied, with substantially equal function, with the first
flange member 44 on the bottom of the flexible fence member 60 as
shown in FIG. 8 or on the top of the flexible fence member. Once
the flexible fence member 60 is fully received in the core slot 38,
the second flange member 46 can be coupled to the core member 32 as
previously discussed, thus trapping the flexible fence member 60
within the core slot 38. Of course, the spool 30 of the present
invention can be installed at any point along the length of a
flexible fencing member 60 at any time and without the need for a
threading operation that was required by the prior art spool shown
in FIG. 1. Both the first flange member 44 and the second flange
member 46 include torque coupling elements 68, that are intended to
be driven by a suitable drive tool (not shown) such as a 1/2 inch
driver typically employed with the prior art device of FIG. 1. The
torque coupling element 68 on the second flange member 46 is
located radially inside the arcuate openings 48. The first and
second flange members 44 and 46 also include a plurality of
peripheral openings 62 that are intended to receive retainer pins
64 that can be inserted though aligned pairs of the peripheral
openings 62.
[0025] Once the second flange member 46 has been secured to the
core member 32 entrapping the flexible fencing member 60, the spool
30 can be rotated with the aid of one or more tools (not shown)
engaging the torque coupling elements 68 so as to wind some portion
of the flexible fencing around the core member 32. This winding
operation removes any slack from the flexible fencing 60 which the
spool 30 straddles. Upon achieving a desired tension in the
flexible fencing 60 through the winding operation, one or more
retainer pins 64 are inserted though aligned pairs of the
peripheral openings 62 to preserve the desired tension.
[0026] Although the present invention as been described in detail
in relation to the illustrated preferred embodiment, those skilled
in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications not
described in detail above are possible without departing from the
novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
this invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *