Abstract:
A device and method for eliminating fence gate sagging having an inferior bracket attached to a portion of the gate, a superior bracket attached to a portion of the gate, and a tension rod in mechanical communication therebetween, wherein said tension rod is adjustable to create tension and thus urge said portions of said gate toward each other.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a device for fence gate maintenance and more particularly to a device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people install a wooden privacy fence at their home or place of business to enjoy their backyard or green space with privacy from the outside world. While there are many advantages of choosing a wooden privacy fence over other types, there is a problem that can arise after installation that becomes an inconvenience and annoyance over time. Most wooden privacy fences have one or more gates installed during construction. Gates give access to the backyard or green space from the outside without having to enter the privacy area via a house or building the fence is typically associated with. 
         [0003]    To maintain the aesthetic look of the privacy fence, the gate, like the fence, is constructed of wood. Wooden gates are typically heavy and over time can cause strain on the hinges. As time passes, the heavy load placed on the hinges cause the hinges to become weak and the free end of the gate typically begins to sag. After enough time, the sagging gate can eventually begin to scrap and drag the ground as it is opened and closed. The scraping and dragging of the gate on the ground causes wear and tear to the gate and the landscape the gate is affecting. Increased damage to the gate both at the hinges and where it scrapes the ground reduces the life expectancy of the gate and the strained hinges. A device that can reduce or eliminate gate sagging as seen with wooden privacy fences would provide consumers a means of protecting their investment and increase the life expectancy of their fence gates. 
         [0004]    As such, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein which provides an alternative to consumers whereby the device maintains the integrity of the fence gate eliminating the gate from sagging. Thus, reducing wear and tear on the fence gate itself and the landscape associated with the gate. The decreased wear and tear to the fence gate will increase the longevity of the gate and help protect the consumer&#39;s investment. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein of the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein having an inferior bracket, tension rod, and superior L bracket. 
         [0006]    More specifically, the inferior bracket preferably is secured to the diagonal support beam on the fence gate via a screw bolt. The superior L bracket preferably is secured to the top support beam on the fence gate via a screw bolt. The tension rod preferably hooks to the superior L bracket with an S-shaped hook located at the top end of the tension rod, and the tension rod preferably attaches to the inferior bracket via the threaded end of the rod and a hex nut. Tension can be applied to the tension rod by tightening the hex nut causing the top support beam to pull the diagonal support beam closer to the top support beam. Increasing the tension will pull the free end of the fence gate off the ground reducing the gate&#39;s sagging and dragging on the ground. Pulling the free end of the gate off the ground will reduce wear and tear on the fence gate and reduce the strain on the gate hinges protecting the gate from further damage and need of future replacement or repair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawing Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure, and in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a view of the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein shown attached to a fence for functional use; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of the inferior bracket that attaches the diagonal support beam of the fence gate of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view of superior L bracket that attaches the top support beam of the fence gate of the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a view of the inferior bracket and superior L bracket that attaches to the fence gate of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       
    
    
       [0012]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In describing preferred embodiment of the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0014]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein  10  preferably comprises inferior bracket  20 , tension rod  40 , and superior L bracket  60 . 
         [0015]    Shown in  FIG. 2 , inferior bracket  20  preferably comprises top  22 , bottom  24 , screw port  26 , angled curve  28 , L shaped curve  30 , and tension rod port  32 . The bottom end of bottom  24  of inferior bracket  20  preferably interfaces with the diagonal support beam of the fence gate. A screw is preferably drilled into the diagonal support beam through screw port  26  of inferior bracket  20  securing inferior bracket  20  to the diagonal support beam. About one third the length of inferior bracket  20  from screw port  26  is preferably angled curve  28  in inferior bracket  20  that angles the remaining length of inferior bracket  20  away from the fence allowing space for manipulation of the hex nut associated with tension rod  40 . At or near the end of inferior bracket  20  there is preferably L angled curve  30  such that inferior bracket  20  can interact with tension rod  40 . At the distal end of inferior bracket  20  there is preferably tension rod port  32  that allow passage of tension rod  40  from top  22  to bottom  24  of inferior bracket  20 . 
         [0016]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , tension rod  40  preferably comprises screw pattern end  42 , hex nut  44 , smooth rod portion  46 , and S-curve end  48 . Screw pattern end  42  of tension rod  40  preferably inserts through tension rod port  32  into bottom  24  of inferior bracket  20  and maintains preferably half the length of tension rod  40 . Hex nut  44  preferably fastens to screw pattern end  42  on bottom  24  of inferior bracket  20 . After tension rod  40  is hooked to superior L bracket  60 , hex nut  44  can preferably be tightened as needed to raise the free end of the fence gate and eliminate sagging. Smooth rod portion  46  of tension rod  40  maintains preferably the last half of tension rod  40 . At the end of smooth rod portion  46 , tension rod  40  becomes S-curved end  48 . S-curved end  48  is preferably designed to hook to superior L bracket  60  on the top support beam of the fence gate. 
         [0017]    Shown in  FIG. 3 , superior L bracket  60  preferably comprises interior  62 , exterior  64 , screw port  66 , L angle  68 , and tension rod port  70 . Superior L bracket  60  is preferably oriented to top support beam such that interior  62  is closer to the open end of the fence gate and such that exterior  64  is closer to the hinged end of the fence gate. A screw is preferably drilled into the distal end of top support beam through screw port  66  from interior  62  side of superior L bracket  60  securing superior L bracket  60  to the top support beam. Furthermore, superior L bracket  60  is oriented such that interior  62  of superior L bracket  60  is closer to the open end of the fence gate as described above. At preferably half the length of superior L bracket  60 , L angle  68  extends superior L bracket downward toward tension rod  40 . At the bottom end of superior L bracket  60 , tension rod port  70  interacts with S-curved end  48  of tension rod  40  allowing attachment of tension rod  40  to superior L bracket  60 . Using S-curved end  48  tension rod  40  preferably hooks to superior L bracket  60 . 
         [0018]    Once the device for eliminating fence gate sagging is constructed as described above, the device is operational. Twisting hex nut  44  clockwise will tighten hex nut  44  drawing the diagonal support beam and fence gate attached to the diagonal support beam off the ground at the open end in the vertical direction. Tightening of the hex nut  44  will preferably result in a reduction of fence gate sagging and dragging of the fence on the ground. Once the open end of the fence has be raised to the consumers desired position the device will maintain the fence&#39;s position eliminating the fence from sagging and eliminating the wear and tear due to fence sagging.