Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a concrete fence post having plastic insert members cast therein at desired locations. The plastic insert members accommodate traditional fasteners such as fencing staples or nails and thereby provide a quick and easy means for attaching barbed wire and the like to the concrete post.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of the copending application, Ser. No. 880,617, filed on June 30, 1986. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to fence posts which support fencing material such as barbed wire. More specifically, the concrete fence post of this invention can be easily, economically, and reliably used to support any one of a number of such fencing materials by means of conventional fasteners, such as common fencing staples or nails. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fence posts have been known for a long time and have traditionally been made of wood. Wood has been the material of choice due to its availability and ability to accommodate traditional fasteners, such as nails or staples. Such fasteners are preferred by persons constructing fences because they are inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use. 
     However, wood is no longer as plentiful as it once was, and it may not be available in some regions. Also, wood does not have the strength or rigidity of many other building materials, such as concrete. 
     Indeed, concrete is more weather resistant, rigid and durable; moreover, in damp climates, wood has a tendency to rot, and in dry climates, wood may be a fire hazard. Concrete on the other hand does not rot and is not flammable. Concrete&#39;s fire resistance is of particular significance in areas where unwanted vegetation is usually &#34;burnt off&#34; for aesthetic or safety reasons, such as along railroad right of ways. 
     Typically however, concrete fence posts are not adaptable to conventional fasteners, and many concrete post designs require complicated or expensive fastening systems. Concrete posts may also require one or more reinforcement rods to add needed strength and integrity, and such rods may corrode if subjected to ambient conditions. 
     Finally, concrete posts can be difficult to anchor into the ground. Concrete typically absorbs and dissipates heat more quickly than the surrounding soil into which the post is placed, and tiny voids can occur between the post and ground. Thereafter, moisture can seep into the voids, enlarging the voids during freezing and providing space for more moisture during thawing. Also, external forces on the heavy concrete posts may also cause them to shift and wobble. 
     Consequently, it is an object of this invention to provide a concrete fence post which can be easily and reliably anchored into the ground. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a means for attaching fencing wire and similar-type fencing materials to concrete fence posts by means of conventional fasteners. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a non-corrosive concrete fence post with sufficient structural integrity such that the post can be anchored into the ground using a conventional hammer means. 
     Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification when read in the light of the annexed drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a concrete fence post having plastic insert members cast therein at desired locations. The plastic insert members accommodate traditional fasteners such as fencing staples or nails and thereby provide a quick and easy means for attaching barbed wire and the like to the concrete post. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective front side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective rear side view; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective side view in greater detail of the preferred embodiment in combination with a conventional fencing wire and staple fastener; 
     FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially along the line 6--6 in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a view taken substantially along the line 7--7 in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of the plastic insert within the concrete post; and 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the plastic insert locking wedge. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Like reference numbers will be used to refer to like parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     The concrete fence post of this invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. As shown by this Figure, the post has plastic polypropylene inserts indicated generally at 11, which forms a seat for wire staples 12. Conventional fencing securement means, such as wire staples 12, are driven into the inserts and project radially outward beyond the post&#39;s outer surface as shown in FIG. 1. These inserts and their associated staples are vertically aligned and spaced to accommodate the desired fencing material to be attached to the post. A means is thereby provided for securing conventional fencing material to the post using conventional fastener means. 
     FIG. 2 discloses a perspective rear view of the preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the rear portion does not have plastic insert seats for receiving fencing staples, although such a design is possible if fencing material is to be fastened on both sides of the post. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the post and shows more specifically the outwardly projecting staples 12. It will be noted that the entire top surface of the post is concrete, and no steel or other material is exposed. This view also illustrates the post&#39;s flat top portion upon which force can be exerted when driving the post into the ground during installation, although a drive cap can be used if desired. 
     FIG. 4 discloses the post&#39;s tapered bottom portion. This tapered portion is important, because unlike many conventional posts having flat bottoms, the concrete post of this invention has a tapered concrete end which allows the post to be driven into the ground, thereby firmly compressing the ground around the post as it is installed. The tapered bottom portion prevents loosening of the post, because the compressed soil around the post is typically free of voids, and this prevents moisture accumulation. Furthermore, the compressed soil around the post&#39;s tapered portion provides a solid barrier perpendicular to the tapered surface, thereby providing a secure foundation which substantially precludes unwanted movement by the post. 
     FIGS. 5 through 9 add further clarity. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the concrete post has a central steel reinforcement bar 16. The reinforcement bar is completely encased in concrete, and since it is not exposed to ambient conditions, it will not corrode. When a force is exerted on the top of the post, such as by means of a hammer, the reinforcement bar will add structural integrity to the post and prevent any adverse affect on the post due to the downward force. The size of the reinforcement bar is calculated by conventional engineering design considerations, thereby providing a post with a desired strength. 
     The reinforcement bar 16 provides structural rigidity, and absorbs external forces on the post, particularly tensile stresses, and distributes forces substantially evenly within the post. The plastic inserts indicated at 11 in FIG. 1 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5 through 8. These inserts have a central aperture 22 through which the bar 16 extends. The inserts have wedged, shock dissipating extensions 13 and a pocket extension 15, all of which extend radially outward equidistant from one another. Extensions 13 are preferably triangular in cross section as best seen in FIG. 8. Pocket extension 15 extends vertically a distance sufficient to form a pocket 17 within which a staple or other securement means is secured. Preferably, the width of the pocket is slightly less than the thickness for the fastener so that a gripping action is created. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 6, to attach a conventional fencing wire 24 to the post, a conventional fencing staple 12 is inserted into the pocket of extension 15 and the pointed tips of the staple can then be embedded into the solid plastic main body 20. The polypropylene plastic main body 20 provides greater holding power than many wood materials. 
     In addition, the plastic insert main body 20 has sufficient elasticity to allow the staple 12 to be pried out and reinserted many times without adversely affecting the ability of the plastic body to grip the staple. Consequently, not only is the holding power typically greater for the concrete post relative to wooden posts, but the fasteners can be removed and replaced without loss of holding power as is sometimes the case with wooden posts. 
     FIG. 8 shows a side view of the plastic insert member 11, and FIG. 9 shows a plastic wedge locking member 28 used to secure the insert 11 to the reinforcement bar 16 prior to encasing the bar and plastic inserts in concrete. The wedge locking member 28 is wedged between the inner surface of the central aperture 22 of insert 11 and the outside surface of reinforcement bar 16 as shown in FIG. 7. 
     Consequently, the concrete post can be firmly anchored by driving the post into the ground using conventional means such as a hammer, and the concrete post can withstand the hammering force due to the added strength resulting from the internal reinforcing bar and the consequent dissipation of force throughout the post. The pointed bottom portion is thereby forced into the ground, and any subsequent external forces will not loosen the post, because the downward driving force of the post during installation compacts the soil around the tapered bottom of the post, thereby eliminating any voids around the post and thereby maintaining significant perpendicular support to the outer surface of the bottom portion of the post. 
     Once installed, the conventional fencing material such as barbed wire can be fastened to the post by placing the wire between the front tips of the staple, pushing the front tips of the staple into the hollow extension portion of the insert and embedding the staple into the solid plastic body of the insert using conventional means. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only the preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.