U.S. patent application number 10/205537 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for device and method for twist fastening wire.
Invention is credited to Hoepfner, Thomas L..
Application Number | 20040016917 10/205537 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30770087 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040016917 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoepfner, Thomas L. |
January 29, 2004 |
Device and method for twist fastening wire
Abstract
A preformed fence clip and fence clip nut are provided that are
designed to tie the fence fabric of a chain link fence to the fence
posts that make up its frame. The fence clips used are generally
circular in shape having an open end from which extend outward a
pair of clip legs. The opening in the fence clip allows it to be
slipped over the outer surface of a fence post resulting in the
fence clip encircling the fence post and leaving the clip legs
extending perpendicularly therefrom which are then engaged by the
fence clip nut which is employed to twist the clip legs together
and synch down the clip over the fence post and contained fabric
strand. This configuration provides a situation in which the fence
clip nut is left in place once the installation is complete which
effectively and permanently covers the sharp ends of the fence clip
legs which pose a potential danger to people and property.
Inventors: |
Hoepfner, Thomas L.; (Fargo,
ND) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Curtis V. Harr
P.O. Box 2842
Fargo
ND
58108-2842
US
|
Family ID: |
30770087 |
Appl. No.: |
10/205537 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/066
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/55 |
International
Class: |
E04H 017/02; B21F
027/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A fence clip nut comprising: a nut body defining an inner cavity
having an open end and a closed end and an outer surface extending
between said ends; and at least two wire hole cavities further
defined by said nut body in said inner cavity.
2. A fence clip nut as in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
outer surface has elements forming a cross section with a polygonal
shape.
3. A fence clip nut as in claim 2 wherein said wire hole cavities
are closer to said closed end then said open end of said nut
body.
4. A fence clip nut as in claim 3 wherein said inner cavity extends
from said open end of said nut body toward said closed end of said
nut body where it terminates with said wire hole cavities.
5. A fence clip nut as in claim 4 further comprising a rounded edge
between said open end of said nut body and said inner cavity.
6. A fence clip nut as in claim 5 formed from an ABS plastic.
7. A wire nut for twist fastening two wire ends comprising: a nut
body defining an inner cavity having an open end and a closed end
with said inner cavity extending inward toward said closed end and
an outer surface extending between said ends; a first and second
wire hole cavity further defined by said nut body in said inner
cavity; and parallel sidewalls defined by said inner cavity such
that said inner cavity does not taper.
8. A wire nut for twist fastening two wire ends as in claim 7
wherein at least a portion of the outer surface has elements
forming a cross section with a polygonal shape.
9. A wire nut for twist fastening two wire ends as in claim 8
wherein said wire hole cavities are closer to said closed-end then
said open end of said nut body.
10. A wire nut for twist fastening two wire ends as in claim 9
wherein said inner cavity extends from said open end of said nut
body toward said closed end of said nut body where it terminates
with said wire hole cavities.
11. A wire nut for twist fastening two wire ends as in claim 10
further comprising a rounded edge between said open end of said nut
body and said inner cavity.
12. A wire nut for twist fastening two wire ends as in claim 11
formed from an ABS plastic.
13 A method of connecting fencing fabric to a fence post comprising
the steps of: A. placing a wire post clip having two wire ends
about said fence post so as to catch a portion of said fencing
fabric; B. placing a fencing nut having a nut body defining an
inner cavity having an open end and a closed end and an outer
surface extending between said ends and at least two wire hole
cavities further defined by said nut body in said inner cavity,
about said two wire ends of said post clip such that said two wire
ends are engaged by said two wire hole cavities; C. twisting said
nut body so as to twistedly connect said two ends.
14. A method of connecting fencing fabric to a fence post as in
claim 13 wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of said
nut body has elements forming a cross section with a polygonal
shape.
15. A method of connecting fencing fabric to a fence post as in
claim 14 wherein a powered tool is used to grip said polygonal
shape and twist said nut body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement in the
methods used to attach fencing fabric to the vertical and
horizontal posts used to construct chain link and other similar
types of fencing. More specifically, to a method of attaching the
fencing fabric to these posts that utilizes a simplified clip and
securement method and which also does not leave the sharp ends of
the clip exposed which can result in injury to people or animals or
damage to clothing or other related property.
[0002] The most common and widely used method of attaching the
fabric of chain link fence to the fence frame has been through the
use of aluminum J-hooks that are attached and twisted by hand.
Typically a user hooks one end of the J hook to the fabric bending
the long arm around a post and then twistedly attaching the long
end to the fencing fabric with a pliers or other hand tool.
[0003] One recent method of attaching the fabric of a chain link
fence to the plurality of horizontal and vertical posts, that make
up its frame, has been by the use of steel wire clips that encircle
the posts and a section of the fence fabric. These steel wire clips
are generally circular in nature and contain an open end made up of
two extending legs and are threaded around the relevant pole in a
manner so that they capture a strand of the fence fabric between
themselves and the outer surface of the fence post. The extending
legs of the clip are then grasped by the use of a pair of pliers or
other grasping implement and twisted together. This twisting motion
wraps the ends of the legs around one another and serves to draw
the body of the clip tight to the outer surface of the fence post
which in turn securely holds the fencing fabric in the desired
position in respect to the fence post.
[0004] There are a number of problems associated with this method
of attaching fencing fabric to the fence posts that make up the
frame of a chain link fence. The most prominent of these is the
time that is necessary to complete this operation even by the most
skilled of laborers. There are examples in the prior art that have
attempted to address this situation as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No.
5,275,333 issued to Wick et al. which provides a tool that is
specially designed to perform the clip leg wrapping operation with
the aid of an electric or battery operated drill or other similar
device. This tool utilizes a disc containing two holes through
which the legs are fed and the disc is then rotated by the use of a
centrally located drive shaft. The rotational force thus applied
serves to twist the legs together to tie the clip to the fence
post.
[0005] While the above described tool performs the desired
function, it suffers from design flaws that make it a less than
desirable solution. The first of these is the requirement that the
clip legs be fed through the holes in the disc which can be
difficult and time consuming. Additionally, it leaves the twisted
up legs of the clip exposed after the installation is complete.
This creates an unsightly and potentially dangerous situation as
the ends of the legs can be sharp which can lacerate or puncture
anything that accidentally comes into contact with them; a very
real possibility considering the general use of these types of
fences in enclosing residential and commercial property and the
resulting close proximity of these sharp ends to people and
animals.
[0006] A possible solution to the problem of the exposure of the
twisted ends of the clip legs is the use of wire nuts which are
threaded on to the ends of multiple wires to tie them together,
many of which are detailed in the prior art. The most relevant of
these in regard to the present invention is illustrated in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,3333,609 issued to Fielding which joins a plurality of
wires together by holding their ends stationary while the wire nut
is rotated. This causes the wires to be twisted together forming
the desired connection. The problem with this is that it is
primarily designed for use with electrical wire connections and is
therefore not heavy enough for use with fence clips. Additionally,
these wire nuts do not attach permanently to the twisted wire ends
and are easily removed by reversing the rotation of the wire nut,
by placing an outward force on the body of the wire nut, or can
even fall off on their own over time. Thus, the use of commonly
available wire nuts for the purpose of tying the legs of a fence
wire clip together in the installation of a typical chain link
fence is an inadequate solution to this problem.
[0007] Therefore, it can be seen that it would be desirable to
provide a method of fastening the fencing fabric used in the
construction of chain link fences to the posts that make up its
frame in a manner that can be accomplished by the use of an easy
and effective process that can be accomplished in significantly
less time than the processes that were previously available.
Additionally, that it would be desirable to provide such a method
of attaching fencing fabric which employs the use of a device that
both facilitates the connection of the wire clip's legs but also,
in the attachment process, becomes permanently fixed on the end of
the twisted wires to form a protective barrier which eliminates the
possibility of injury or property damage posed by the exposed
connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is the primary objective of the present invention to
provide a means by which fencing fabric, commonly used in the
construction of chain link fences, can be attached to fence posts
which will utilize a preformed fence clip and fence clip nut to tie
a strand of the fencing fabric to the fence post and effectively
twist the legs of the fence clip together to secure the
connection.
[0009] It is an additional objective of the present invention to
provide such a fencing fabric connection means in which the fence
clip nut is constructed in a manner which allows it to be employed
to twist and tie the clip legs together quickly and easily to
reduce the overall time that is generally required to construct
such fences.
[0010] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide such a fencing fabric connection means in which the fence
clip wire remains permanently on the twisted ends of the clip legs
after the installation is complete to protect people and property
from possible injury or damage due to contact with the sharp points
of the clip legs.
[0011] It is a still further objective of the present invention to
provide such a fencing fabric connection means that makes uniform
and aesthetically pleasing connections which enhance the overall
appearance of a chain link fence.
[0012] These objectives are accomplished by the use of a preformed
fence clip and fence clip nut that are designed to tie the fence
fabric of a chain link fence to the fence posts that make up its
frame. It is important to note that the present invention is
suitable for use with other types of fences or situations were wire
clips need to be twisted, as such the contained reference to chain
link fences are for illustrative simplicity. The fence clips used
are generally circular in shape having an open end from which
extend outward a pair of clip legs. The opening in the fence clip
allows it to be slipped over the outer surface of a fence post
resulting in the fence clip encircling the fence post and leaving
the clip legs extending perpendicularly therefrom. During the
process of passing the fence clip over the fence post, a strand of
the fencing fabric is placed between the inner surface of the fence
clip and the outer surface of the fence post. Therefore, when the
fence clip is tightened down, the strand of the fencing fabric is
secured to the fence post.
[0013] The extending clip legs are then engaged by the fence clip
nut which is the component of the present invention employed to
twist the clip legs together and synch down the clip over the fence
post and fabric strand. The fence clip nut is a hexagonally shaped
device that is primarily shaped like a common fastening nut but is
elongated in its longitudinal axis. The fence clip nut is ideally
fabricated out of high impact plastic such as ABS plastic, nylon or
other material and is constructed with an opening on its lower
surface and a closed upper surface. Additionally, the use of the
high impact plastic in its construction allows the fence clip nut
to be made in a wide variety of colors to match the color of the
fence being installed resulting in a more ascetically pleasing
construction as it will blend in with its surroundings.
[0014] The opening in the lower surface of the fence clip nut
provides a point of entrance to its hollow interior which is the
portion of the fence clip nut which is used to grasp and twist the
fence clip legs. This interior is composed of a large centrally
located body hole which is flanked on opposite sides by half circle
wire holes. Additionally, the central body hole extends into the
body of the fence clip nut to a depth (relative to its longitudinal
axis) that is generally greater than half of its overall length
while the two wire holes extend slightly beyond the terminal point
of the central hole.
[0015] During the installation of the present invention, the two
extending clip legs are inserted into the fence clip nut within the
two wire holes and are extended to their ends beyond the end of the
central body hole. The ends of the wire holes are separated from
one another by the divider and provide a point of securement for
each of the fence clip legs which will hold them stationary
relative to the fence nut clip regardless of any motion imparted to
its external surface. Once the fence clip nut is properly
positioned, an external tool such as a socket and ratchet or drill
is fitted on the nut rotation flats and rotational force is applied
to the fence clip nut. This rotational force twists the central
portion of the fence clip legs around each other because the
position of the fence clip body on the fence post holds it
stationary relative to the fence clip legs and the engagement of
the ends of the fence clip legs in the wire holes which hold them
stationary relative to the fence clip nut thereby imparting the
rotational motion to the extending fence clip legs.
[0016] During the twisting motion described above, the entanglement
of the two fence clip legs shortens their overall length. As the
fence clip legs shorten, they pull out of the ends of the wire
holes which releases them from their tie with the fence clip nut.
However, this release of the fence clip legs does not allow the
fence clip nut to be removed from the twisted section of the clip
legs because, as a result of the twisting motion, their central
portion expands to a degree that also expands the interior diameter
of the fence clip nut in its central and forward portions. These
expansions create an interior diameter at the forward portion of
the central body hole that is greater than the diameter at its
opening. This configuration provides a situation which allows the
fence clip nut to freely rotate once the fence clip legs have
pulled free from the wire holes while at the same time not allowing
the fence clip nut to be removed from the twisted fence clip legs.
This design of the present invention effectively and permanently
covers the sharp ends of the fence clip legs which pose the
potential danger that is the partial focus of the invention.
Finally, it should be understood that this process may be reversed
at any time prior to the clip legs being pulled from the wire
holes.
[0017] For a better understanding of the present invention
reference should be made to the drawings and the description in
which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of an example of the prior
art illustrating a specialized tool which is used to engage the
extending legs of a fence clip to fasten strands of a fencing
fabric to a fence post.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of the prior art illustrated
in FIG. 1 which details the twisting of the fence clip legs during
the attachment process.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the prior art illustrated
in FIG. 1 which details the configuration of the fence clip legs
and the remaining components of the invention once the attachment
process has been completed.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a section of a typical chain
link fence illustrating the manner in which the present invention
is employed to attach the fencing fabric to the fence posts.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective elevation view of the fence clip nut
component of the present invention illustrating the orientation of
its major components.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the fence clip nut of
FIG. 5 and illustrates the configuration of the rotation flats in
relation to its remaining components.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a bottom elevation view of the fence clip nut of
FIG. 5 and illustrates the configuration of the central body hole
and wire holes and their orientation in relation to the nut
body.
[0025] FIG. 8 is side elevation cut-away view of the fence clip nut
taken along line 3 of FIG. 7 and illustrates the configuration of
the central body hole and wire holes in relation to the nut
body.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the circular post clip
component of the present invention illustrating the construction of
its clip body and extending clip legs.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of a circular fence clip as
engaged to the outer surface of a fence post and illustrates the
manner in which the fence clip is used to attach a strand of the
fencing fabric.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a top elevation view of the circular fence clip
of FIG. 10 and further illustrates the manner in which the fence
clip nut engages the extending fence clip legs to synch up the
fence clip around the outer surface of the fence post and secure
the fabric strand.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a top elevation view of the circular fence clip
of FIG. 10 with a cut-away view of the fence clip nut and
illustrates the manner in which the fence clip nut engages the ends
of the fence clip legs prior to rotational force being applied to
the outer surfaces of the fence clip nut.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a top elevation view of the circular fence clip
and cut-away view of the fence clip nut of FIG. 12 and illustrates
the configuration of the present invention when the attachment
process has been completed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 which illustrate an example of the prior art, a
wire tie clip 10 is detailed which utilizes the use of a
specialized tie implement 22 to attach a wire tie clip 10 and a
fence fabric strand 18 to a fence post 20 during the construction
of a chain link fence. This process is accomplished by placing the
wire tie clip 10 around a fence post 20 in such a manner so that
the fence fabric strands 18 are positioned between the outer
surface of the fence post 20 and the clip body 16. Further, the
clip sides 12 extend forward from the clip body 16 along either
side of the fence post 20 and terminate in two clip legs 14 which
in turn extend outward from the fence post 20 in a perpendicular
fashion that leaves an open gap in the wire tie clip 10. This open
gap between the extending clip legs 14 allows the wire tie clip 10
to be passed over the fence post 20 and thereby facilitates the
tying of the fence fabric strands 18 to the fence post 20.
[0032] Once these components of the prior art have been properly
positioned, the tie implement 22 is placed over the ends of the
extending clip legs 14. The tie implement 22 is a device designed
to work with a power tool such as an electric or battery operated
drill which connects to a centrally located drive shaft 26. The
drive shaft 26 extends forward from its rearward end to a point
where it is attached to the central portion of a metallic disc 24
which itself contains two holes (not shown) that pass through its
body from its front to rear surfaces. In the connection with the
wire tie clip 10, the ends of the clip legs 14 are fed through
these holes from its forward surface to its rearward. Once this has
been accomplished, rotational force is applied to the drive shaft
26 which in turn rotates the disc 24 and the attached clip legs 14.
This rotational force twists the clip legs 14 around one another
which forms the tie twist 28 and synchs the clip body 16 around the
outer surface of the fence post 20 which in turn secures the fence
fabric strands 18 in the desired position relative to the fence
post 20.
[0033] The configuration of a typical chain link fence 32 is
illustrated in FIG. 4 which details the use of the present
invention to tie the strands 34 of fencing fabric 33 to the
horizontal and vertical fence posts, 36 and 38, that make up the
frame 35 of the chain link fence 32. Typically, a chain link fence
32 is made up of a plurality of vertical fence posts 38 that are
anchored into the ground and extend upward from that point. The
upper ends of the vertical fence posts 38 are equipped with a post
cap 40 which are in turn fitted with an upwardly extending post
loop 42 which forms the point of attachment for the horizontal
fence posts 36. The frame 35 of the chain link fence 32 is
completed by feeding the horizontal fence posts 36 through the post
loops 42 of the vertical fence posts 38 to tie them together. When
this is completed, fencing fabric 33 is stretched over the frame 35
and tied to its components in a plurality of positions.
[0034] The tying of the fencing fabric 33 to the frame 35 of the
chain link fence 32 is accomplished through the use of the present
invention. The present invention is composed of the circular post
clip 44 which physically ties the fencing fabric 33 to the frame 35
and the fence nut clip 30 which secures the circular post clip 44
in the desired location. The tying process is accomplished by
employing the circular post clip 44 to secure individual strands 34
of the fencing fabric 33 to the vertical and horizontal fence
posts, 36 and 38, to the frame 35. Once the circular post clips 44
are placed in the proper location, the fence clip nuts 30 are
positioned on the extending clip legs 46 and synched up by the use
of a ratchet 48 and socket 50, or other rotationally drive tool, to
stretch the fencing fabric 33 over the frame 35 and complete the
chain link fence 32.
[0035] The manner of construction of the fence clip nut 30 is
further detailed in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. The fence clip nut 30 is
essentially a common hexagonal nut having a conically shaped upper
nut body 52 which is closed off and which is constructed of high
impact plastic such as ABS or nylon, although a wide variety of
other materials may be used as needed. This design of the fence
clip nut 30 creates a smooth surface which when coming into contact
with people, animals, or property does not pose a threat of damage
or injury. Additionally, the lower portion of the nut body 52 is
equipped with a plurality of nut rotation flats 54 which provide
surfaces upon which rotational force can be applied to the fence
clip nut 30 as described above.
[0036] Additionally, the interior of the fence clip nut 30 is
equipped with a central cavity 57 which extends longitudinally from
the lower nut surface 60 to approximately two thirds of the overall
length of the nut body 52. The central cavity 57 of the nut body 52
is made up of a relatively large central body hole 56 which extends
into the nut body 52 to a point that is at or slightly beyond its
midpoint and a pair of wire holes 58 that extend past the terminal
end of the central body hole 56 to the full depth of the central
cavity 57. Additionally, the configuration of the central cavity 57
is illustrated detailing the location of the central body hole 56
in relation to the wire holes 58 which extend outward on a lateral
line from opposite outer edges of the central body hole 56. The
central cavity 57 is the component of the fence clip nut 30 which
is used to engage the clip legs 46 of the circular post clip 44 and
its operational characteristics will be described in further detail
in the text below.
[0037] The interior construction of the fence clip nut 30 and the
configuration of the circular post clip 44 are further detailed in
FIGS. 8 and 9. The circular post clip 44 is made up of a performed
piece of relatively heavy gauge wire having a clip body 64 that is
formed in a circular fashion to match the general shape of the
outer surface of the horizontal post 36 (used for illustrative
purposes). Additionally, the circular post clip 44 is also
fashioned with a pair of laterally extending clip legs 46 which
break the circle formed by the clip body 64 leaving a clip gap 47
which allows the circular post clip 44 to be passed over the
horizontal fence post 36.
[0038] As described above, the central cavity 57 of the fence clip
nut 30 is made up of a central body hole 56 and a pair of laterally
oriented wire holes 58 which are further detailed in FIG. 8. The
purpose of the wire holes 58 and the reason that they extend
further into the fence clip nut 30 than the central body hole 56 is
to provide a point of anchorage for the outer ends of the clip legs
46 when the fence clip nut 30 is initially attached to the clip
legs 46. Additionally, the upper ends of the wire holes 58 are
separated by the divider 68 which isolates the upper ends of the
two wire holes 58 from one another and adds further stability to
the securement of the clip legs 46 during the installation process.
Finally, the lower edges of the central cavity 57 are equipped with
a opening taper 62 at their junction with the lower nut surface 60
which aid in the insertion of the clip legs 46 into the central
cavity 57 as they limit any tendency of the clip legs 46 to snag or
catch on the lower nut surface 60.
[0039] The manner in which the present invention is employed to
attach a fabric strand 34 to a horizontal post 36 is further
detailed in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 which illustrate the relative
positions of the fabric strand 34 in relation to the circular post
clip 44 and the manner in which the fence clip nut 30 is employed
to secure the circular post clip 44 to the horizontal post 36.
Initially, the clip body 64 is slipped over the horizontal post 36
through the use of the clip gap 47 in a manner that engages a
fabric strand 34 in the desired fashion. With this accomplished,
the circular post clip 44 is rotated so that the fabric strand 34
or chain link is contained within a space between the inner surface
of the circular post clip 44 and the outer surface of the circular
post clip 44. Then the clip gap 47 is closed by pinching the clip
legs 46 together which in turn allows the fence clip nut 30 to be
fitted over the extending clip legs 46 in a manner so that they
engage the wire holes as previously described.
[0040] With the fence nut clip 30 properly positioned in relation
to the clip legs 46, rotational force is applied to the exterior of
the fence clip nut 30 which imparts a twisting motion to the clip
legs 46. This twisting motion results in the two clip legs 46 being
twisted around one another forming the clip twist 66 within the
cental cavity 57 of the fence clip nut 30. As the clip legs 46
become twisted together their overall length shortens which results
in their ends being released from their forward portions of the
wire holes 58. This results in the fence clip nut 30 being released
from its ties with the clip legs 46 and it is therefore capable of
freely rotating without imparting any motion to the clip twist 66.
Additionally, the twisting action of the clip legs 46 tends to
expand the outer diameter of the clip twist 66 which in turn
slightly expands the inner diameter of the central cavity 57 at its
middle and forward portions while leaving the diameter at its
opening in the lower nut surface 60 substantially the same. The
result of this process is that, while the fence clip nut 30 may be
able to rotate on the clip twist 66, it cannot be removed from the
completed attachment. This feature of the present invention is
pivotal to its operation as it provides a permanent means of
protection for the sharp edges left after the joining of the clip
legs 46.
[0041] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and
scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
description of the preferred versions contained herein.
* * * * *