Apparatus and method for attaching fencing material

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.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

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.

2. Background of the Invention and Related Art

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.

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.

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.

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'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.

All US patents, applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS.1and12-14, an embodiment of a fencing tool10is shown. The tool10is utilized to position a wire12at a desired location adjacent a post14and then attach the wire using an inventive staple16. This tool will attach any commercially available fencing material, and wire should be understood as referring to either metal or plastic. The tool10includes a base plate18(best seen inFIGS. 6-8) and a top plate20(best seen inFIG. 9). As shown inFIG. 9, the top plate20includes a number of apertures21,23,25, and27for pivotally attaching various parts of the tool10between the top and base plates20and18, as will be described herein. The top plate20includes a first wire lift finger29for positioning the wire or other fencing material to be attached. The bottom plate18includes a second lift finger32for 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 assembly22is connected to the top plate20and will be discussed in further detail later in this description.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-5, the embodiment of the fencing tool10is shown where the top plate20is removed for ease of understanding. The base plate18is shown inFIGS. 2-5as well asFIGS. 6-8. The base plate18includes a number of apertures24,26,28and30(best seen inFIG. 6) for mounting various parts of the tool10to be described herein. The base plate18also includes a second wire lift finger32for positioning the wire or fencing material when using the tool. The base plate18further includes a staple platform34. The staple platform34includes a base36, side walls38and40, and a crimp pocket42. The staple platform34is sized and configured to accommodate the desired shape and size of the staple16.

A first handle44includes an aft end46and forward end48. The aft end46is gripped by the user. The forward end48includes an aperture50and a first set of gear teeth52. A cam assembly54is also included. A bushing60pivotally connects the handle44and cam assembly54to the base plate18and top plate20, so that the cam54rotates with handle44. The cam assembly54includes an aperture56and a slot58. Aperture56is aligned with aperture50of the handle44, aperture24of base plate18, and aperture21of the top plate20. The bushing60is 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.

Again, referring toFIGS. 2-5, a second handle62is shown and includes an aft end64and a forward end66. The aft end64is used as a grip by the user. The forward end66includes an aperture68and a second set of gear teeth70which are constructed and arranged to engage the first set of gear teeth52. The second handle62is pivotally connected to the base plate18and top plate20with bushing72. Aperture68and aperture30of the base plate18are aligned with aperture27of the top plate20. The bushing72is constructed and arranged such that it provides the required spacing between the plates for operation and fastening.

A first crimp arm80is pivotally connected to the base and top plates18and20. The crimp arm80includes a third set of gear teeth82which are constructed to engage the first set of gear teeth52of the first handle44. The crimp arm80has a first crimping jaw84for engaging and crimping a staple16as desired. The first crimp arm80is connected to the base and top plates18and20by means of a bushing85through apertures23and26of the top and base plates.

A second crimp arm86is pivotally connected to the base and top plates18and20. The crimp arm86includes a fourth set of gear teeth88which are constructed to engage the second set of gear teeth70of the second handle62. The crimp arm86has a second crimping jaw90for engaging and crimping a staple16as desired. The second crimp arm86is connected to the base and top plates by means of a bushing87through apertures25and28of the top and base plates.

Still referring toFIGS. 2-5, an advance slide100is shown. The advance slide100has a forward end102and aft end104. The aft end104includes a pin106(best seen inFIG. 17) which is received by the slot58of the cam assembly54. The forward end102is slidably received by the staple platform34. The slide100rests on the staple platform base36and is guided by the walls38and40. The forward end102includes a wall108generally shaped to contact at least a portion of the staple16and move it along the staple platform base36and through guides38and40to the crimp pocket42as the tool10is operated.

The inter-operation of the handles, cam, crimp arms and advance slide will now be described. A staple16rests upon the base36of the staple platform34. When the first and second handles44and62are fully opened as shown inFIG. 2, the advance slide100is moved rearwardly by the cam54to a full rearward position. The wall108of the advance slide100sits rearward of the staple16as shown inFIG. 2. The first and second handles44and62are indexed with opposing gear teeth52and70for correct timing positions. The gear teeth82and88of the first and second crimp arms80and86are indexed with opposing gear teeth52and70of the first and second handles, respectively. In this manner, the first and second crimp arms80and86are in their fully opened position when the first and second handles44and62are in their fully opened position. As the handles44and62are moved together by the user as seen inFIG. 3, the gear teeth52and70cooperatively engage, and cam54is rotated with the movement of the handle. Pin106of advance slide100moves within the slot58of the cam assembly54. Therefore, advance slide100is moved generally linearly thereby pushing the staple16toward the crimp pocket42. Also, crimp arms80and86begin to move inward due to the rotation of the handles44and62and engagement of the gear teeth52and70with the gear teeth82and88of the crimp arms80and86.

FIG. 4illustrates further movement of the handles where the staple16has been moved to the crimp pocket42, and the tool is shown in the crimping position. The staple16is pushed into the crimp pocket42at the end of travel of the advance slide100. The cam54is designed to stop advancement of the slide100after the staple16is moved to the crimp pocket42so that the staple16may be attached and crimped to the fence post without interference. The arms80and86continue to rotate inward with the rotation of the handles44and62to crimp the staple16. The crimping jaws84and90contact the staple16and bend it inward as desired.FIG. 5shows the tool10in a closed position after crimping of the staple16by the jaws84and90of the crimp arms80and86. Moving the staple16into crimp pocket42has 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.

Referring now toFIGS. 10 and 11, a staple magazine22is shown. The staple magazine22is able to store a plurality of staples16and feed the staples one at a time onto the base plate of the tool10as demanded by the user. The magazine22includes a body120. The body120includes a top plate122, side walls124and126, a back128and a front130. The back128includes a slot132. The front130includes an elongate opening134and a staple receiving opening136. A shuttle140is slidably received to slide within the body120. A magazine handle142and spring144are connected to the shuttle140through the slot132in the back128of the body by conventional attachment such as a screw or rivet. The spring144is connected to the handle142at a non-coiled end.

The staple magazine22is connected to the top plate20for use. The top plate includes a pair of pivot mounts150. The staple magazine also includes a pair of pivot mounts152. The spring144is positioned between the mounts152, and the mounts and the coiled end of the spring are axially aligned. A magazine pivot rod154is positioned through the axially aligned mounts and the coil end of the springs and shoulder screws are received in each end of the rod154, in one embodiment. The magazine pivot rod154is utilized to connect the mounts thereby connecting the magazine assembly to the top plate20, and providing a connection for the spring to tension the magazine, thus providing a downward force on the staples16. The rod154allows for pivoting from a storage position to an operational position. It should be understood that the spring144could be attached to the tool or magazine elsewhere to provide the effective tensioning described herein. A magazine latch160is connected to the magazine body120. The magazine assembly is moved to the operating position and the latch160is latched to the lip162of top plate20. In this manner, the magazine assembly is secure in the upright, operational position.

The shuttle140is moved to the top of the body120for loading. The handle may be held by the user or latched to the top of the magazine for ease of use. A lip or latch121is utilized in one embodiment and is provided on handle142. The lip121engages the top plate122of the magazine to hold it in a staple loading position. The number of staples16desired are placed in the body through the opening136. The shuttle is then released allowing the shuttle to apply spring force to the staples making them ready to be loaded into the tool10, on demand. As the handles44and62of the tool are fully opened, the advance slide100is moved by the cam54to the fully rearward position, allowing one staple16to index down to the platform on the base just in front of the advance slide. As the handles are rotated inward, the slide100forces one staple into the crimp pocket42. The magazine utilizes the linear spring144to 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.

When the tool is ready for storage, the staples may be removed by moving the shuttle to the top plate122and removing the staples through the opening136. The latch160may be released and the magazine is allowed to pivot downward to rest on the top plate20for storage.

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 finger29and the second wire lift finger32as shown inFIG. 12. The wire is positioned over one of the lift fingers and positioned under the other lift finger. The tool10is then moved against the fence post by the operator at a desired position on the post as shown inFIG. 13. The handles are then rotated inward. As described above, the staple16is moved into the crimp pocket42and the crimp arms crimp the staple to the post as shown inFIG. 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 tool10is moved away from the post and the cycle is complete.

The staple16is crimped to a post as described above in one embodiment. As shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, the staple16includes a base17and having a pair of legs19and21. 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 legs19and21of the staple around the back side of the wide side of the T-post. The crimping jaws84and90each contact an arm19or21of the staple16and force the arms inward and around the post. In one embodiment, the base of the staple includes a V-shape23to 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.