Fence Post Wire Attachment System

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a fence post wire hanger, comprising: a) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and b) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure is in the field of fence post wire attachment devices and systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] There are different types of fasteners used for securing wire fencing to wood and fiberglass posts. The most common method for securing wire to wood posts is using fencing staples.

[0003] In this method, the wire is tightened between the braced tightening posts, which are typically about two hundred yards apart. After the wire is tightened it is attached with staples to the line posts, which are between the braced tightening posts and are between about 16 foot to 25 foot intervals in a straight line between the tightening posts. In this case, unless the terrain is flat and level the wires have to be pulled up or down on the posts to be positioned correctly. This means that the installer has to have one hand on the staple and one hand on his hammer. When the taut wire is held in position for driving the staple, some other part of his body must be used to hold it in place. This can be very awkward, sometimes resulting in bruised hands, hammered fingers, wire cuts and torn clothing.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a different device and method for securing wire fencing material to wood and fiberglass posts that allows an installer to perform the installation safely, efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Disclosed herein is a fence post wire hanger, comprising: a) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and b) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire.

[0006] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a method of securing a wire fence to a post with the fence post wire hanger, comprising the steps of: a) providing a length of wire fence material and a plurality of wood and/or fiberglass posts; b) providing a plurality of fence post wire hangers, comprising: i) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and ii) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped inner portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire; b) aligning a hanger such that a fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener is affixed with the post about halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture and the post; c) positioning a length of the wire fence material within the C-shaped inner portion via the receiving aperture; d) securing the fastener of the fence post wire hanger fully into the post, wherein the bottom surface of the hanger is secured against the post and the receiving aperture is closed against the post with the length of the wire fence material secured within the inner diameter of the C-shaped portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a fence post wire hanger comprising a C-shaped portion 106 and a base 110 affixed to a post 102.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an illustration of side view a fence post wire hanger 200 comprising a C-shaped portion 106, a base 110 and a receiving aperture 202.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a fence post wire hanger comprising a C-shaped portion 106 positioned on a fastener 108 to expose the receiving aperture 202 to receive a wire 104.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a view of a fence post wire hanger system comprising a plurality of line posts 102 affixed with a plurality of fence post wire hangers 200.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The following is a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the fence post wire hanger and methods disclosed herein.

[0012] In one aspect, disclosed herein is a fence post wire hanger, comprising: a) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and b) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped portion of a wire hanger, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire, and wherein the wire hanger has is comprised of metal that has a thickness of between about 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch.

[0013] Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a fence post wire hanger 200 comprising a C-shaped portion 106 and a base 110 affixed to a post 102. The base 110 employs a mounting hole 108 that is capable of engaging with a fastener 112. In some embodiments, the fastener 112 can be a screw, nail or another suitable fastener with a length of at least about 1/2 inch. The mounting hole 108 is configured to freely receive a fastener 112. In this manner, a fastener 112 can be extended through the mounting hole 108 of the hanger and into the post 102. In some embodiments, the post is a wood or fiberglass post. In some embodiments, the post is a 4.times.4 wood post or a 4.times.4 fiberglass post. In some embodiments, the mounting hole 108 is threaded and capable of engaging threads of a threaded fastener 112 to draw the hanger 200 and the post together whereby the hanger is affixed to the post in a stable position. The threaded fastener and threaded mounting hole 108 are designed to make simplify installation by affixing the fastener via the threads to the hanger 200 while an installer holds a screwdriver or otherwise to engage the fastener with the post.

[0014] As illustrated with FIG. 2, the fence post wire hanger 200 comprises a C-shaped portion 106 positioned on a fastener 108 partly or halfway engaged with the post 102 to expose the receiving aperture 202 to receive a wire 104. In some embodiments, the base portion of each wire hanger comprises a length between the first receiving edge and the second edge such that the at least one mounting hole is not vertically obstructed by the C-shaped portion. In some embodiments, the base portion of each wire hanger comprises a length between the first receiving edge 204 and the second edge 220 of between about 1/2 inch and 6 inches. The dimensions of the fence post wire hanger 200 comprises a base length 210 between about 1/2 inch and 6 inches, a base width 212 between 3/8 inch and 4 inches, a receiving aperture width 208 between 1/8 inch and 1 inch, a C-shaped portion inner diameter 218 between 3/8 inch and 2 inches, a C-shaped portion outer diameter 216 between 1/2 inch and 3 inches and a hanger thickness 214 between 1/8 inch and 5/8 inch. In some embodiments, the base portion has a width of between about 1/2 inch and 4 inches. In some embodiments, the C-shaped portion has an inner diameter of between about 1/2 inch and 2 inches. In some embodiments, the receiving aperture 202 for receiving the wire has a width of between about 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch. In some embodiments, the wire hanger has is comprised of metal that has a thickness of between about 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the fence post wire hanger 200 comprise a base length 210 is about 5/8 inch, a base width 212 is about 9/16 inch, a receiving aperture width 208 is about 1/4 inch, a C-shaped portion inner diameter 218 is about 9/16 inch, a C-shaped portion outer diameter 216 is about 13/16 inch and a hanger thickness 214 is about 1/8 inch. In some embodiments, the mounting hole 108 has a diameter that is about 3/16 inch and positioned about 5/16 inch from the second edge 220. The fence post wire hanger 200 may be fabricated from steel, aluminum, tin, plastic, rubber or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fence post wire hanger 200 is fabricated from 1/8'' thick metal sheet, metal bars or another suitably sized metal sheet.

[0015] Turning to FIG. 3, during the operation of securing a wire on a post the fence post wire hanger 200 is positioned against a post 102 whereby a fastener such as a screw is inserted in the mounting hole 108 and the fastener is engaged within the post approximately halfway. In some embodiments, the at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener is not threaded and is capable of receiving a threaded fastener. In some embodiments, the at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener is threaded and capable of receiving a threaded fastener. In this fashion the receiving aperture 202 is not in contact with the post thereby exposing a gap 302 between the post and the receiving aperture 202. The length of the wire fence material is positioned within the C-shaped inner portion 114 between the receiving aperture 202 and the fence post 102.

[0016] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 4 depicts a view of a plurality of line posts 102 affixed with a plurality of fence post wire hangers 200. In some embodiments, the fence post wire hangers 200 may be installed whereby the second edge 220 is positioned toward the top 302 or the bottom 304 of a post 102. The orientation of the fence post wire hangers 200 may be dependent on how close to the top or bottom of a post the installer needs the C-shaped portion 106 relative to the top 402 and bottom 404 of the post 102 with the fence post wire hanger system 400.

[0017] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a method of securing a wire fence to a post with the fence post wire hanger, comprising the steps of: a) providing a length of wire fence material and a plurality of wood and/or fiberglass posts; b) providing a plurality of fence post wire hangers, comprising: i) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and ii) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped inner portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire; b) aligning a hanger such that a fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener is affixed with the post about halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture and the post; c) positioning a length of the wire fence material within the C-shaped inner portion via the receiving aperture; d) securing the fastener of the fence post wire hanger fully into the post, wherein the bottom surface of the hanger is secured against the post and the receiving aperture is closed against the post with the length of the wire fence material secured within the inner diameter of the C-shaped portion, and wherein the post is a line post and a plurality of line posts are aligned in series.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, there is shown a frontal view of the fence post wire hanger system 400 of the present disclosure in a working state with a plurality of fence post wire hangers 200 supporting a barbed wire fence 104 against a plurality of round line posts 406 in series. The fence post wire hangers 200 support a segment of the barbed wire fence, thereby preventing the wire 104 from moving substantially away from the line post horizontally or vertically away from the post beyond the C-shaped inner portion 114. Moreover, the C-shaped portion inner portion 114 of the fence post wire hanger 200 allows for the installer to tighten the wire fence material at the tightening posts because the C-shaped portion inner diameter 218 is larger than the diameter of the barbed wire or typical wire material used to construct wire fencing in the industry. In some embodiments, the method of securing a wire fence to a post with the fence post wire hanger further comprises a step of tightening the wire material via a tightening tool at each tightening post. This allows the fence to accommodate a displacement when being pressed by a large animal or otherwise and also facilitates installation by allowing for incremental repositioning of the wire fence material 104 along the post when securing the fence post wire hangers 200 thereto. In some embodiments, the plurality of line posts aligned in series are each independently spaced between about 5 feet and 35 feet from each adjacent line post. In some embodiments, the method of securing a wire fence to a post with the fence post wire hanger further comprises a plurality of tightening posts intermingled with the line posts about every 20 to 25 line posts. In some embodiments, the plurality of fence post wire hangers are aligned vertically at and upper position and/or a lower position via separate lengths of wire material.

[0019] The fence post wire hangers 200 and method disclosed herein allow for safe and efficient installation of wire fencing material with wood and fiberglass posts. Typically, the posts are 4.times.4 posts, which afford a 4 inch wide surface for conveniently mounting the fence post wire hangers 200 disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the posts may be round posts with a diameter of between about 3 inches and 6 inches. The pressure of the fastener from tightening the fastener will press the bottom surface of the wire hanger flat against the round contour of a round post thereby capturing the wire in the C shaped portion of the wire hanger.

[0020] However any fiberglass or wood post with a surface that is at least as wide as the width of the fence post wire hangers 200 disclosed herein may be used. The installer is able to safely and efficiently install the fence post wire hangers 200 disclosed herein employing the method disclosed that comprises aligning a hanger such that a fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener is affixed with the post about halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture and the post, which allows the installer to position the wire fence material with one hand and then hammer the fastener of the fence post wire hanger fully into the post, wherein the bottom surface of the hanger is secured and stable against the post and the receiving aperture is closed against the post.

Definitions

[0021] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," include plural references unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. As used herein, the term "comprising" means including elements or steps that are identified following that term, but any such elements or steps are not exhaustive, and an embodiment can include other elements or steps.

[0022] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

[0023] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

[0024] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and devices within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods or devices, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0025] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict any definitions in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A fence post wire hanger, comprising: a) a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and b) a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire.

2. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener is threaded and capable of receiving a threaded fastener.

3. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the base portion of each wire hanger comprises a length between the first receiving edge and the second edge such that the at least one mounting hole is not vertically obstructed by the C-shaped portion.

4. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the base portion of each wire hanger comprises a length between the first receiving edge and the second edge of between about 1/2 inch and 6 inches.

5. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the base portion has a width of between about 1/2 inch and 4 inches.

6. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the C-shaped portion has an inner diameter of between about 1/2 inch and 2 inches.

7. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the wire hanger has is comprised of metal that has a thickness of between about 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch.

8. The fence post wire hanger of claim 1, wherein the receiving aperture for receiving the wire has a width of between about 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch.

9. A method of securing a wire fence to a post with the fence post wire hanger, comprising the steps of: a) providing a length of wire fence material and a plurality of wood and/or fiberglass posts; b) providing a plurality of fence post wire hangers, comprising: i. a base portion comprising a first receiving edge, a second edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener; and ii. a C-shaped portion extending from the first receiving edge of the base portion and to a second receiving edge, wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge in the same plane as the bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge form a receiving aperture for receiving a wire, wherein the wire is secured within the C-shaped inner portion of a wire hanger, and wherein the first receiving edge and the second receiving edge are engaged with a post thereby closing the receiving aperture while allowing movement of the wire; c) aligning a hanger such that a fastener is engaged with a mounting hole and the fastener is affixed with the post about halfway thereby leaving a gap between the receiving aperture and the post; d) positioning a length of the wire fence material within the inner diameter of the C-shaped portion via the receiving aperture; e) securing the fastener of the fence post wire hanger fully into the post, wherein the bottom surface of the hanger is secured against the post and the receiving aperture is closed against the post with the length of the wire fence material secured within the C-shaped inner portion.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the post is a line post and a plurality of line posts are aligned in series.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of line posts aligned in series are each independently spaced between about 5 feet and 35 feet from each adjacent line post.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of tightening posts intermingled with the line posts about every 20 to 25 line posts.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of tightening the wire material via a tightening tool at each tightening post.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fence post wire hangers are aligned vertically at and upper position and/or a lower position via separate lengths of wire material.