Abstract:
A tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple. The tool includes a base plate; first and second handles; first and second crimping arms, and a cam operatively engaged with the first handle. A slide is operatively engaged with the cam. The first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms are pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post. A method for attaching the staple to a fence post is also described and claimed. An inventive staple is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application entitled “Apparatus and Method for Attaching Fencing Material” provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/664,291 filed Mar. 22, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     This invention relates generally to a tool and connector for attaching fencing material to a post and the methods of using the same. Some embodiments of the invention relate more specifically to a tool and method for attaching fencing material to a generally t-shaped post with an inventive staple.  
         [0005]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0006]     The use of barbed wire and woven wire fences is common throughout the world. A fence post having a generally T-shaped cross section was developed many years ago to replace the wooden fence post as it is more durable and economical. It is generally known that a T-shaped fence post is constructed to include a plurality of protrusions located on what may be considered the top portion of the T-shape and which are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the vertical direction the length of the post. These protrusions are utilized to prevent wire or other material from slipping downward or upward after fencing has been attached to the post.  
         [0007]     The most common application for the T-post is for livestock containment. After the T-posts are driven into the ground, the fencing is stretched from a beginning location to an end location proximate each post. Typically, four or five strands of barbed wire or a woven wire are attached to each post. A common technique for attaching the fencing is to lift the wire or wires by hand into position and hold them in place with one hand while hooking a clip made of preformed wire to the fence wire on one side of the T-post with the other hand. The clip is then swung around the post and with the aid of a tool, the other end of the clip is hooked over the wire. This process is repeated for each wire intersection at each post. Such a clip is manufactured by Chicago Heights Steel of Chicago Heights Ill.  
         [0008]     Other methods of attaching the fencing material to the post include wrapping an attachment wire around the post and twisting the attachment wire ends together to secure the fence wire to the post with pre-made wire or wire from a roll of wire. Yet another method of attachment for chain link fence with round posts includes use of a shaped wire formed to surround the post and fencing material. The protruding ends of the shaped wire are then twisted together using a drill attachment. Such a shaped wire and drill attachment are manufactured by Stay-Tite Fence Mfg. Inc. of New Braunfels, Tex.  
         [0009]     The methods described above are labor intensive and difficult. The installation is done by hand. The use of available tools still requires positioning and holding the wire to be attached by hand. The installer&#39;s safety is of concern as material such as barbed wire must currently be handled directly by hand which can lead to injury. The use of current tools is also cumbersome at best and may not allow for useful access when a woven wire material is used.  
         [0010]     All US patents, applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
         [0011]     Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.  
         [0012]     A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     An embodiment of the invention provides a tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple. The tool includes a base plate, first and second handles, first and second crimping arms, and a cam operatively engaged with the first handle. A slide is operatively engaged with the cam. The first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms are pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post.  
         [0014]     The tool of further comprises a top plate connected to the base plate, the top plate having a first wire positioning member for engaging and positioning the fencing material proximate the post, the first member having a top and a bottom. The base plate includes a second wire positioning member for engaging and positioning the fencing material proximate the post, the second member having a top and a bottom. The fencing material is positioned on the top of the first member and on the bottom of the second member, it can be positioned on the bottom of the first member and on the top of the second member.  
         [0015]     The tool includes a staple delivery apparatus, the staple delivery apparatus comprising the slide having a staple receiving end, and a recess for receiving the staple, the slide engaging a staple and advancing the staple into the recess as the cam linearly advances the slide. A top plate is connected to the base plate, the top plate having an aperture proximate the staple receiving end of the slide. A chute is constructed and arranged to receive at least one staple, the chute connected to the top plate and having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having a chute aperture, the chute aperture generally aligned with the top plate aperture, wherein when the first and second handles are in an open position the staple is positioned onto the slide plate. The chute holds a plurality of staples. A shuttle is configured and arranged to slide within the chute, the shuttle having a forward and a rear end, wherein the forward end of the shuttle engages the staple. A spring having a first end and a second end is provided, the first end connected to the chute and the second end connected to the shuttle, for applying a force to the staple to hold it in position.  
         [0016]     The handles are rotated through a plurality of positions, from the open position to a fully open position, from the fully open position to a crimping position, from a crimping position to a closed position. When the handles are in the fully open position, the slide is retracted behind the staple, the spring forcing the staple downward to the base plate. When the handles are in the crimping position, the slide having advanced the staple into the recess. When the handles are in the closed position, the crimping arms have crimped the staple to the post.  
         [0017]     A method for attaching fencing material to a post is also disclosed, the method comprising providing a tool having a base plate; first and second handles; first and second crimping arms; a cam operatively engaged with the first handle; a slide operatively engaged with the cam; the first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post. The tool also provides first and second wire engaging prongs. The tool is engaged with the wire so that the wire extends over a top surface of the first prong and extends under a bottom surface of the second prong. The tool is advanced so that the wire is in contact with the fence post. The staple is crimped to the fence post by moving the handles towards one another to attach the wire to the fence post.  
         [0018]     The method further includes the step of moving the handles from an open position to a fully open position, so that the slide is retracted behind the staple, and the staple is positioned on the base plate. The method further includes the step of moving the handles from the fully open position to a crimping position, so that the slide advances the staple into a recess. The method further includes the step of moving the handles from the crimping position to a closed position, so that the staple is crimped by the crimping arms to the post.  
         [0019]     An inventive staple is also described herein, comprising a v-shaped base portion, the v providing a space for a wire of the fencing material, and first and second legs connected to the v-shaped base portion.  
         [0020]     These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for additional understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIOIN OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention comprising the fencing tool;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 2 through 5  are top elevational views of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  without the top plate, illustrating the process of moving and crimping of a staple;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 6 through 8  are perspective views of the base plate of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  showing the positioning of the staple;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the top plate of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the load side of the staple magazine of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective partial view of the rear side of the staple magazine of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a perspective partial view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  in an open position engaged with a wire to be attached to a fence post;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective partial view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  in a crimping position;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective partial view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  in an open position after the staple has been attached to the fence post;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a top elevational view of an embodiment of the inventive staple;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is an end elevational view of an embodiment of the inventive staple; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a side elevational view showing the handle, cam and slide plate.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 12 - 14 , an embodiment of a fencing tool  10  is shown. The tool  10  is utilized to position a wire  12  at a desired location adjacent a post  14  and then attach the wire using an inventive staple  16 . This tool will attach any commercially available fencing material, and wire should be understood as referring to either metal or plastic. The tool  10  includes a base plate  18  (best seen in  FIGS. 6-8 ) and a top plate  20  (best seen in  FIG. 9 ). As shown in  FIG. 9 , the top plate  20  includes a number of apertures  21 ,  23 ,  25 , and  27  for pivotally attaching various parts of the tool  10  between the top and base plates  20  and  18 , as will be described herein. The top plate  20  includes a first wire lift finger  29  for positioning the wire or other fencing material to be attached. The bottom plate  18  includes a second lift finger  32  for positioning the wire or other fencing material to be attached. It should be understood that the lift fingers could be reversed, or both could be located on one plate or the other. A magazine assembly  22  is connected to the top plate  20  and will be discussed in further detail later in this description.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , the embodiment of the fencing tool  10  is shown where the top plate  20  is removed for ease of understanding. The base plate  18  is shown in  FIGS. 2-5  as well as  FIGS. 6-8 . The base plate  18  includes a number of apertures  24 ,  26 ,  28  and  30  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ) for mounting various parts of the tool  10  to be described herein. The base plate  18  also includes a second wire lift finger  32  for positioning the wire or fencing material when using the tool. The base plate  18  further includes a staple platform  34 . The staple platform  34  includes a base  36 , side walls  38  and  40 , and a crimp pocket  42 . The staple platform  34  is sized and configured to accommodate the desired shape and size of the staple  16 .  
         [0036]     A first handle  44  includes an aft end  46  and forward end  48 . The aft end  46  is gripped by the user. The forward end  48  includes an aperture  50  and a first set of gear teeth  52 . A cam assembly  54  is also included. A bushing  60  pivotally connects the handle  44  and cam assembly  54  to the base plate  18  and top plate  20 , so that the cam  54  rotates with handle  44 . The cam assembly  54  includes an aperture  56  and a slot  58 . Aperture  56  is aligned with aperture  50  of the handle  44 , aperture  24  of base plate  18 , and aperture  21  of the top plate  20 . The bushing  60  is constructed and arranged such that it provides the required spacing between the top and base plates for operation as well as providing a means for fastening.  
         [0037]     Again, referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , a second handle  62  is shown and includes an aft end  64  and a forward end  66 . The aft end  64  is used as a grip by the user. The forward end  66  includes an aperture  68  and a second set of gear teeth  70  which are constructed and arranged to engage the first set of gear teeth  52 . The second handle  62  is pivotally connected to the base plate  18  and top plate  20  with bushing  72 . Aperture  68  and aperture  30  of the base plate  18  are aligned with aperture  27  of the top plate  20 . The bushing  72  is constructed and arranged such that it provides the required spacing between the plates for operation and fastening.  
         [0038]     A first crimp arm  80  is pivotally connected to the base and top plates  18  and  20 . The crimp arm  80  includes a third set of gear teeth  82  which are constructed to engage the first set of gear teeth  52  of the first handle  44 . The crimp arm  80  has a first crimping jaw  84  for engaging and crimping a staple  16  as desired. The first crimp arm  80  is connected to the base and top plates  18  and  20  by means of a bushing  85  through apertures  23  and  26  of the top and base plates.  
         [0039]     A second crimp arm  86  is pivotally connected to the base and top plates  18  and  20 . The crimp arm  86  includes a fourth set of gear teeth  88  which are constructed to engage the second set of gear teeth  70  of the second handle  62 . The crimp arm  86  has a second crimping jaw  90  for engaging and crimping a staple  16  as desired. The second crimp arm  86  is connected to the base and top plates by means of a bushing  87  through apertures  25  and  28  of the top and base plates.  
         [0040]     Still referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , an advance slide  100  is shown. The advance slide  100  has a forward end  102  and aft end  104 . The aft end  104  includes a pin  106  (best seen in  FIG. 17 ) which is received by the slot  58  of the cam assembly  54 . The forward end  102  is slidably received by the staple platform  34 . The slide  100  rests on the staple platform base  36  and is guided by the walls  38  and  40 . The forward end  102  includes a wall  108  generally shaped to contact at least a portion of the staple  16  and move it along the staple platform base  36  and through guides  38  and  40  to the crimp pocket  42  as the tool  10  is operated.  
         [0041]     The inter-operation of the handles, cam, crimp arms and advance slide will now be described. A staple  16  rests upon the base  36  of the staple platform  34 . When the first and second handles  44  and  62  are fully opened as shown in  FIG. 2 , the advance slide  100  is moved rearwardly by the cam  54  to a full rearward position. The wall  108  of the advance slide  100  sits rearward of the staple  16  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first and second handles  44  and  62  are indexed with opposing gear teeth  52  and  70  for correct timing positions. The gear teeth  82  and  88  of the first and second crimp arms  80  and  86  are indexed with opposing gear teeth  52  and  70  of the first and second handles, respectively. In this manner, the first and second crimp arms  80  and  86  are in their fully opened position when the first and second handles  44  and  62  are in their fully opened position. As the handles  44  and  62  are moved together by the user as seen in  FIG. 3 , the gear teeth  52  and  70  cooperatively engage, and cam  54  is rotated with the movement of the handle. Pin  106  of advance slide  100  moves within the slot  58  of the cam assembly  54 . Therefore, advance slide  100  is moved generally linearly thereby pushing the staple  16  toward the crimp pocket  42 . Also, crimp arms  80  and  86  begin to move inward due to the rotation of the handles  44  and  62  and engagement of the gear teeth  52  and  70  with the gear teeth  82  and  88  of the crimp arms  80  and  86 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  illustrates further movement of the handles where the staple  16  has been moved to the crimp pocket  42 , and the tool is shown in the crimping position. The staple  16  is pushed into the crimp pocket  42  at the end of travel of the advance slide  100 . The cam  54  is designed to stop advancement of the slide  100  after the staple  16  is moved to the crimp pocket  42  so that the staple  16  may be attached and crimped to the fence post without interference. The arms  80  and  86  continue to rotate inward with the rotation of the handles  44  and  62  to crimp the staple  16 . The crimping jaws  84  and  90  contact the staple  16  and bend it inward as desired.  FIG. 5  shows the tool  10  in a closed position after crimping of the staple  16  by the jaws  84  and  90  of the crimp arms  80  and  86 . Moving the staple  16  into crimp pocket  42  has the advantage of decreasing the forces that would be acting on the cam, pin, and slide if no pocket is present. Also, the part size and weight of the cam, pin, and slide may be reduced. Further, wear on the pin and slot are reduced. With the use of the pocket, the brunt of the forces created by the crimping action are borne by the base plate of the tool. This embodiment also requires less force by the user to operate the tool through crimping.  
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a staple magazine  22  is shown. The staple magazine  22  is able to store a plurality of staples  16  and feed the staples one at a time onto the base plate of the tool  10  as demanded by the user. The magazine  22  includes a body  120 . The body  120  includes a top plate  122 , side walls  124  and  126 , a back  128  and a front  130 . The back  128  includes a slot  132 . The front  130  includes an elongate opening  134  and a staple receiving opening  136 . A shuttle  140  is slidably received to slide within the body  120 . A magazine handle  142  and spring  144  are connected to the shuttle  140  through the slot  132  in the back  128  of the body by conventional attachment such as a screw or rivet. The spring  144  is connected to the handle  142  at a non-coiled end.  
         [0044]     The staple magazine  22  is connected to the top plate  20  for use. The top plate includes a pair of pivot mounts  150 . The staple magazine also includes a pair of pivot mounts  152 . The spring  144  is positioned between the mounts  152 , and the mounts and the coiled end of the spring are axially aligned. A magazine pivot rod  154  is positioned through the axially aligned mounts and the coil end of the springs and shoulder screws are received in each end of the rod  154 , in one embodiment. The magazine pivot rod  154  is utilized to connect the mounts thereby connecting the magazine assembly to the top plate  20 , and providing a connection for the spring to tension the magazine, thus providing a downward force on the staples  16 . The rod  154  allows for pivoting from a storage position to an operational position. It should be understood that the spring  144  could be attached to the tool or magazine elsewhere to provide the effective tensioning described herein. A magazine latch  160  is connected to the magazine body  120 . The magazine assembly is moved to the operating position and the latch  160  is latched to the lip  162  of top plate  20 . In this manner, the magazine assembly is secure in the upright, operational position.  
         [0045]     The shuttle  140  is moved to the top of the body  120  for loading. The handle may be held by the user or latched to the top of the magazine for ease of use. A lip or latch  121  is utilized in one embodiment and is provided on handle  142 . The lip  121  engages the top plate  122  of the magazine to hold it in a staple loading position. The number of staples  16  desired are placed in the body through the opening  136 . The shuttle is then released allowing the shuttle to apply spring force to the staples making them ready to be loaded into the tool  10 , on demand. As the handles  44  and  62  of the tool are fully opened, the advance slide  100  is moved by the cam  54  to the fully rearward position, allowing one staple  16  to index down to the platform on the base just in front of the advance slide. As the handles are rotated inward, the slide  100  forces one staple into the crimp pocket  42 . The magazine utilizes the linear spring  144  to apply the correct consistent force on the staples in the magazine to insure correct loading into the tool from a full staple load to the last staple.  
         [0046]     When the tool is ready for storage, the staples may be removed by moving the shuttle to the top plate  122  and removing the staples through the opening  136 . The latch  160  may be released and the magazine is allowed to pivot downward to rest on the top plate  20  for storage.  
         [0047]     In operation, the magazine is moved into position and the staples loaded as described above. With the first and second handles in the fully open position, the wire or fencing material to be attached is engaged by the first wire lift finger  29  and the second wire lift finger  32  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The wire is positioned over one of the lift fingers and positioned under the other lift finger. The tool  10  is then moved against the fence post by the operator at a desired position on the post as shown in  FIG. 13 . The handles are then rotated inward. As described above, the staple  16  is moved into the crimp pocket  42  and the crimp arms crimp the staple to the post as shown in  FIG. 14 . The handles are opened at this time to release the crimp arms from the staple and the post. The tool is now ready to begin a new cycle. The tool  10  is moved away from the post and the cycle is complete.  
         [0048]     The staple  16  is crimped to a post as described above in one embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the staple  16  includes a base  17  and having a pair of legs  19  and  21 . As described above, the staple is moved into position to contact the post and the staple is crimped onto the post, containing the wire, by forming the legs  19  and  21  of the staple around the back side of the wide side of the T-post. The crimping jaws  84  and  90  each contact an arm  19  or  21  of the staple  16  and force the arms inward and around the post. In one embodiment, the base of the staple includes a V-shape  23  to allow the wire to be securely crimped to a post while eliminating a point load that could cause a fence wire to fail at a low value. The V-shape also allows the fence wire to move laterally sharing loads to neighboring posts.  
         [0049]     The staple is made of a heavy gauge wire in one embodiment and is generally circular in cross-section. It should be understood that the diameter of the wire may be varied for varying applications. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the staple may be of a variety of shapes including but not limited to round, oval, square or any other shape desired or required for a specific application. Further, the V-shape of the staple may not be required or desired in all applications.  
         [0050]     It should be understood that the tool and application of fencing described above are not limited to the connection of one or more wires to a post. The tool works equally well with other types of material such as woven wire, metal snow fencing material, chain link fencing and non-metallic fencing. Non-metallic fencing includes but is not limited to safety barrier fencing, crowd control fence, snow fence, deer fence and barrier fence.  
         [0051]     It should be understood that the tool and staple described herein may be used with a number of different materials in a number of different applications. The tool has been described in relation to fencing material and a T-post. However, a number of different applications include storage shelving, mechanical devices, or connection of two or more items. This may include brackets, straps, clips and other forms. The crimp jaws of the tool and the interface of the tool to the device may be varied to accommodate unique shapes and sizes of items to be attached and the form receiving the attachment. It should be understood that the fencing material may be plastic or metal.  
         [0052]     It should be understood that the cam described in the embodiment shown could be connected or mounted to any of the moving elements of the tool or may be included as a separate driven element cooperatively engaged with the working parts of the tool.  
         [0053]     It should be understood that the parts could be made of any commercially available material, such as steel, aluminum or plastics, or combinations thereof. In the embodiment discussed herein, the shuttle is preferably plastic and the other parts are steel.  
         [0054]     The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.  
         [0055]     Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.