Abstract:
An improved fence tie and methods of using that fence tie are disclosed. Dimensions for bending wire are described for bending a wire to form a helical section, two straight ends and a straight section adjacent to the helical section in a configuration having a form that generally resembles certain known twist type fence ties.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/195,694 entitled Improved Twist Type Fence Tie. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The fencing industry is driven in large part by the costs of materials and labor associated with the construction of fences. Because of this, inexpensive fencing materials that can reduce the amount of labor required are highly desirable. Affixing the fence fabric to a fence post is an important and repetitive step in most fence installations. For this reason, an inexpensive fence tie that facilitates high quality fastening with reduced time and effort can improve upon the time and cost associated with building fences. 
         [0005]    Information relevant to attempts to address these needs can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,508 entitled TIE AND METHOD FOR SECURING FENCE FABRIC TO SUPPORTS; 385,318 entitled IMPLEMENT FOR BENDING WIRE; 1,460,936 entitled FENCEPOST ATTACHMENT; 2,795,399 entitled SNOW FENCE; 1,190,080 entitled FENCE-POST 1,153,380 entitled FENCE POST; 1,667,463 entitled FASTENING DEVICE FOR FENCING, ETC.; 5,275,383 entitled METHOD AND WIRE TIE CONNECTION FOR SECURING FENCING FABRIC TO POSTS; 1,667,463 entitled FASTENING DEVICE FOR FENCING, ETC. and United States Patent Application Publication 2004/0016917 entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TWIST FASTENING WIRE. However, each of the above references suffer from at least one of the following deficiencies: longer installation time, lack of an adequate indicator of wire tension, difficulties in opening and closing the fence tie, higher cost of installation, and poor reliability and durability in service. For the foregoing reasons there is a need for an inexpensive fence tie that facilitates high quality fastening with reduced time and effort, and methods for applying such fence ties. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Disclosed herein are embodiments of the present invention that address the needs described above by providing devices and methods that can be used for the installation of fencing, and more particularly for the affixing of fencing fabric to a fence post. 
         [0007]    A device having features of the present invention includes a fence post tie comprising an elongate deformable member that includes a substantially straight first end; a substantially straight second end that is opposite the first end with respect to the length of the member; and a central segment that is capable of substantially conforming to the outer surface of a cylindrical post without deforming the member; wherein the central segment contains both an arcuate region and a substantially linear region. In several related but independent embodiments: the arcuate region is in the form of a helix; the helix has a pitch of between 0.2 and 2.3 radii of the helix; the arcuate region is between 3.5 and 6.6 radii of the helix in length; the elongate deformable member is a wire; the elongate deformable member is a steel wire; the elongate deformable member is a nine gauge steel wire; the elongate deformable member is a galvanized steel wire; and the elongate deformable member is an aluminized steel wire. 
         [0008]    A method of affixing fence fabric to a post having features of the present invention includes the steps of enclosing both a portion of a fence fabric and a fence post within the fence post tie described above and twisting the ends of that fence post tie. 
         [0009]    A device having features of the present invention includes a fence post tie comprising an elongate deformable member that includes a substantially straight first end; a substantially straight second end that is opposite the first end with respect to the length of the member; and a central segment that is capable of substantially surrounding a majority of a perimeter of a post; wherein when equal and opposite forces are applied to the first end and the second end along a line that includes the first end and the second end in directions that would cause the first end and the second end to separate, a substantial portion of the total motion of the first end and the second end is in a direction that is perpendicular to a plane into which the member most closely fits, as determined by a least squares method of minimizing departures from the plane. In an embodiment of the invention, a portion of the central segment is linear and wherein upon tensioning the member sufficiently to create a durable connection between the first and second end enclosing a post, the linear central segment conforms to the shape of the post. 
         [0010]    A device having features of the present invention includes a fence post tie comprising an elongate deformable member that includes a substantially straight first end; a substantially straight second end that is opposite the first end with respect to the length of the member; a means for conforming to a post having a first central axis; and a means for restricting; wherein upon sliding the means for restricting on to the post, such that the post enters the means for conforming to a post, the portion of the wire that makes up the means for conforming to the post departs substantially from a plane perpendicular to the post&#39;s central axis. In an embodiment of the invention, a portion of the means for conforming to a post is linear and wherein upon tensioning the member sufficiently to create a durable connection between the first and second end enclosing a post, the linear portion conforms to the shape of the post. 
         [0011]    The above described advantages, other advantages and features of this invention will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a top elevation view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the invention with the ends proximate to the viewer. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a top elevation view of an embodiment of the invention engaged and surrounding the outer surface of a fence post. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top elevation view of an embodiment of the invention engaged and surrounding the outer surface of both a fence post and a single wire of fence fabric prior to the twisting of the ends. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top elevation view of an embodiment of the invention engaged and surrounding the outer surface of both a fence post and a single wire of fence fabric after the ends have been twisted to secure the fabric. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As used herein the term “arcuate” shall mean having an appearance that is characteristic of any of the following: arcs, circles, helixes, or bows or essentially following a path that is characteristic of any of the following: arcs, circles, helixes, or bows. 
         [0019]    Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 ; an embodiment of the invention includes a wire  8  bent into a three dimensional configuration. Wire  8  has a first end  10  and a second end  12  both of which are essentially straight. First end  10  and second end  12  are connected to each other by central segment  14  and separated by opening  38 . Central segment  14  is configured so as to generally follow the external diameter of a post  30  as shown in  FIG. 4  and as such is capable of substantially conforming to the outer diameter of a post  30  without deforming the member.  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5  show central segment  14  containing an arcuate region  16  and a substantially linear region  18 . In an embodiment of the invention, the arcuate region  16  takes the form of a helix configuration. When wire  8  is placed around a post  30  substantially linear region  18  is configured to remain in proximity to post  30 . The result of placing wire  8  around post  30  is that first gap  32  and second gap  34  form between wire  8  and post  30 . Thus, first end  10  is connected to substantially linear region  18  which is connected to arcuate region  16  which is connected to second end  12 . The internal diameter of arcuate region  16  should be slightly larger than the outer diameter of post  30 . 
         [0020]    The following descriptions contain dimensional information for an embodiment of the invention and are illustrative only. Various modifications to the embodiment described will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the fencing art based on the disclosures herein. Wire  8  was constructed from a nine gauge steel wire of 8.89 inches in length. The first end  10  is approximately 1.23 inches long and the second end  12  is approximately 1.4 inches long. Arcuate region  16  may be approximated by a segment of a helix having a diameter of 1.81 inches and a pitch of 0.81 inches. The length of arcuate region  16  is approximately 4.39 inches. The length of substantially linear region  18  is approximately 0.85 inches. Opening  38  is approximately 0.47 inches wide at the most narrow portion of the opening and 0.81 inches wide at the widest portion of the opening. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment of the invention, fence posts having a 1⅝ inch diameter, wire gauges between eight and ten will be used. In a related embodiment, 9 gauge wire is used for fence posts having a 1⅝ inch diameter. In an embodiment of the invention, wire construction is selected from the following: steel, galvanized steel, aluminized steel, bright wire, and coated wire such as PVC coated steel and vinyl coated steel. In three embodiments that work with fences posts having a 1⅝ inch diameter, the length of wire  8  is between seven and eleven inches; the length of wire  8  is between eight and ten inches; and the length of wire  8  is approximately 8.9 inches. In one embodiment, first end  10  is between 0.9 inches and 1.75 inches, and in a related embodiment, first end  10  is approximately 1.23 inches. In one embodiment, second end  12  is between 1.0 and 2.0 inches and in a related embodiment, second end  12  is approximately 1.4 inches. In an embodiment of the invention, the helix referred to above has a diameter of between 1.75 and 2.25 inches and in a related embodiment, that diameter is approximately 1.81 inches. In three related embodiments of the invention, the helix referred to above has a pitch of between 0.25 inches and 1.75 inches; a pitch of between 0.5 and 1.5 inches; and a pitch of between 0.75 inches and 1.25 inches. In an embodiment of the invention, the length of arcuate region  16  is between 4.0 and 5.0 inches and in a related embodiment, the length of arcuate region  16  is between 4.25 and 4.75 inches. In an embodiment of the invention, the length of substantially linear region  18  is between 0.5 and 2.0 inches and in a related embodiment, the length of substantially linear region  18  is between 0.75 and 1.5 inches. In an embodiment of the invention opening  38  is between 0.25 and 0.75 inches at its most narrow point and between 0.5 inches and 1.75 inches at its widest point. 
         [0022]    One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various other embodiments could be constructed consistent with disclosures herein. For sizes of fence post other than 1⅝ inches in diameter the lengths can be expressed as a multiple of the radius of the arcuate region  16  with the following descriptions characterizing lengths as a function of the radius of the arcuate region  16 . In an embodiment of the invention, first end  10  is between 0.8 radii and 2.3 radii and in a related embodiment, first end  10  is approximately 1.4 radii. In an embodiment of the invention, second end  12  is between 0.9 and 2.6 radii and in a related embodiment, second end  12  is approximately 1.5 radii. In three related embodiments of the invention, the helix referred to above has a pitch of between 0.2 radii and 2.3 radii; between 0.5 and 2.0 radii; and between 0.6 radii and 1.7 radii. In an embodiment of the invention, the length of arcuate region  16  is between 3.5 and 6.6 radii and in a related embodiment, arcuate region  16  is between 3.8 and 6.2 radii. In an embodiment of the invention, the length of substantially linear region  18  is between 0.5 and 2.6 radii and in a related embodiment, linear region  18  is between 0.6 and 2.0 radii. In an embodiment of the invention, opening  38  is between 0.2 and 1.0 radii at its most narrow point and between 0.5 radii and 2.3 radii at its widest point. In an embodiment of the invention, when central segment  14  is arranged to surround post  30  in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 , the maximum gap between central segment  14  and post  30  is between 0.08 and 0.4 radii. In a related embodiment, that maximum gap is between 0.12 and 0.3 radii and in a further related embodiment, that maximum gap is approximately 0.2 radii. In an embodiment of the invention, post  30  has an outer surface radius of approximately 0.9 of the inner surface radius of the helix of arcuate region  16 . 
         [0023]    Various modifications to the embodiments above can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various gauges of wire may be used in the inventions. In related embodiments of the invention, gauges of wire between 4 and 13 are used. In an embodiment of the invention, gauges of wire between 6 and 12 are used for posts having a diameter of 1⅝ inches. In an embodiment of the invention, the fence tie is used on posts having diameters between 1 and 12 inches. Substantially linear region  18  can be placed in any location within central segment  14 . In an embodiment of the invention, substantially linear region  18  is placed near either first end  10  or second end  12  such that it is easily viewed by a person twisting first end  10  and second end  12  together. 
         [0024]    The invention may be constructed on a computer numerically controlled wire bender such as the 3D8T machines available from Automated Industrial Machinery, Inc. or other mechanical wire benders. 
         [0025]    The uses of various embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following description of how the above-described embodiment of the invention may be employed to secure fence fabric to a fence post as illustrated by  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . Fence fabric is placed against post  30  in a way that places fence fabric wire  36  against the post  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . With wire  8  initially oriented such that first end  10  and second end  12  are nearest fence fabric wire  36 , wire  8  is slid over fence fabric wire  36  and post  30  so that both fence fabric wire  36  and post  30  pass through opening  38  and into space  40  creating the configuration seen in  FIG. 5 . In an embodiment of the invention, the portions of the wire that are adjacent to the narrowest portion of opening  38  may be considered a means for restricting the entry of a post into space  40 . Other configurations of wire creating a similarly narrow opening could also be considered a means for restricting such entry. The three dimensional helical configuration of arcuate region  16  allows the first end  10  to separate more easily from second end  12  than is typical of similar devices in which the wire is bent in only two dimensions. This ease of bending allows post  30  to pass through opening  38  and into space  40  with greater ease, thereby reducing the total effort necessary to secure the fence fabric to a fence post. In an embodiment of the invention, arcuate region  16  is a means for conforming to a post. Additional means for conforming to a post include configurations in the form of circles, helixes, or bows. First end  10  and second end  12  are then twisted together using any suitable means such as a drill, pliers or other tool. Further examples of such suitable means for accomplishing the twisting are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 385,318 entitled IMPLEMENT FOR BENDING WIRE and 5,275,383 entitled METHOD AND WIRE TIE CONNECTION FOR SECURING FENCING FABRIC TO POSTS; and United States Patent Application Publication 2004/0016917 entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TWIST FASTENING WIRE. During the twisting process, first gap  32  and second gap  34  are monitored. When the twisting is sufficient to cause either or both of first gap  32  and second gap  34  to disappear, then the wire has been properly tensioned and the twisting is complete. Upon completion of the twisting, wire  8  will substantially conform to post  30  and fence fabric wire  36  in the manner shown in  FIG. 6 . Ceasing the application of the twisting force upon the disappearance of first gap  32  can prevent both over tensioning of wire  8  and under tensioning of wire  8 . 
         [0026]    Any and all reference to patents, documents and other writings contained herein shall not be construed as an admission as to their status with respect to being or not being prior art. It is understood that the array of features and embodiments taught herein may be combined and rearranged in a large number of additional combinations not directly disclosed, as will be apparent to one having skill in the art. 
         [0027]    There are of course other alternate embodiments which are obvious from the foregoing descriptions of the invention, which are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.