Abstract:
A fencing system comprises a T-post, an upper sleeve, a lower sleeve, and a bracket. Both the upper sleeve and the lower sleeve encircle respective portions of the T-post. The sleeves are designed such that passing bolts through the sleeves cooperates with the lugs on the T-post in a manner that restricts the motion of the sleeves along the longitudinal axis of the T-post. The bracket, in turn, defines an upper mounting arm and a lower mounting arm. Capturing the upper mounting arm between the T-post and the upper sleeve and capturing the lower mounting arm between the lower sleeve and the T-post acts as an effective means by which to fixate the bracket to the T-post.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for erecting fences and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A T-post is a very common type of fence post in the United States. T-posts are typically made of steel and are sometimes manufactured from discarded railroad tracks.  FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a conventional T-post  100 . When viewed from an end, the T-post  100  describes an obvious T shape. Along a spine  110  of the T-post  100 , there are series of equally spaced lugs  120  (i.e., nubs) that project outward from the spine  110 . 
         [0003]    T-posts may be used to support various types of wire (non-electrified or electrified), wire mesh, and rail fencing. When erecting such fencing, the T-posts are ordinarily driven into the ground with a manual or pneumatic post pounder. Flat plates attached near the bottoms of the T-posts are buried with the posts and help in keeping them upright. To address stress, bracing is frequently added to those T-posts that lie at the terminus of a fence, support a gate, or form a fence corner. Such bracing often includes tying one T-post to an adjacent T-post by one or more horizontal and/or diagonal support members. 
         [0004]    When erecting non-electrified wire fences, the wire will most often simply be wrapped around the lugs of the T-posts so that the wire cannot slide up or down the post. However, while the lugs of the T-posts alone may be adequate for supporting non-electrified wire, some form of separate attachment means (i.e., bracket) is usually required to attach bracing to a T-post or when erecting a T-post fence with electrified wire or fence rails. Many solutions have been directed at providing brackets for use on T-posts. Three such solutions are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,550 to Wickham, entitled “Universal connector for T-posts and the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,705 to Williams, entitled “Wedge for mounting fence post collars”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,344 to Malloy, entitled “Fence support.” However, these particular solutions, as well as the others, each suffer from one or more disadvantages, namely, difficulty of installation, inability to adapt to more than one application, complexity of manufacture, high cost, and poor attachment strength. 
         [0005]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for new T-post bracket attachment systems that do not display these various disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention address the above-identified needs by providing fencing systems that are easy to install, are easily adapted to several different applications, are relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and provide very high strength. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide effective and efficient methods of erecting a robust fence. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a fencing system comprises a T-post, an upper sleeve, two upper bolts, a lower sleeve, two lower bolts, and a bracket. The T-post defines a series of lugs arranged along a longitudinal axis. The upper sleeve, in turn, encircles an upper portion of the T-post. The two upper bolts pass through the upper sleeve such that respective shafts of the two upper bolts are disposed between two of the series of lugs of the T-post or on opposing sides of one of the series of lugs of the T-post in a manner that restricts the motion of the upper sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the T-post. The lower sleeve encircles a lower portion of the T-post. The two lower bolts pass through the lower sleeve such that respective shafts of the two lower bolts are disposed between two of the series of lugs of the T-post or on opposing sides of one of the series of lugs of the T-post in a manner that restricts the motion of the lower sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the T-post. The bracket defines an upper mounting arm captured between the T-post and the upper sleeve, and a lower mounting arm captured between the T-post and the lower sleeve. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with a T-post that defines a series of lugs along its longitudinal axis. The apparatus defines four holes that allow two bolts to pass through the apparatus while the apparatus encircles a portion of the T-post. In so doing, respective shafts of the two bolts can be disposed between two of the series of lugs of the T-post or on opposing sides of one of the series of lugs of the T-post in a manner that restricts the motion of the apparatus along the longitudinal axis of the T-post. 
         [0009]    In accordance with even another aspect of the invention, a T-post defining a series of lugs along a longitudinal axis is erected. An upper sleeve is then made to encircle an upper portion of the T-post. Two upper bolts are passed through the upper sleeve such that respective shafts of the two upper bolts are disposed between two of the series of lugs of the T-post or on opposing sides of one of the series of lugs of the T-post in a manner that restricts the motion of the upper sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the T-post. In addition, a lower sleeve is made to encircle a lower portion of the T-post. Here, two lower bolts are passed through the lower sleeve such that respective shafts of the two lower bolts are disposed between two of the series of lugs of the T-post or on opposing sides of one of the series of lugs of the T-post in a manner that restricts the motion of the lower sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the T-post. A bracket is fixated to the T-post at least in part by capturing an upper mounting arm of the bracket between the T-post and the upper sleeve, and capturing a lower mounting arm of the bracket between the T-post and the lower sleeve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a conventional T-post; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a fencing system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 2  fencing system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a front perspective view of a sleeve in the  FIG. 2  fencing system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a partially broken front perspective view of a portion of the  FIG. 2  fencing system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a front elevational view of the bracket in the  FIG. 2  fencing system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of four brackets attached to a T-post in the  FIG. 2  fencing system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a front perspective view of the  FIG. 2  fencing system with the addition of a bracing T-post and an extension bar; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a front elevational view of the  FIG. 8  extension bar; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a front perspective view of the  FIG. 2  fencing system with the addition of an alternative bracket; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a front elevational view of the  FIG. 10  alternative bracket; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a front perspective view of a fencing system in accordance with aspects of the invention supporting a fence rail. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The present invention will be described with reference to illustrative embodiments. For this reason, numerous modifications can be made to these embodiments and the results will still come within the scope of the invention. No limitations with respect to the specific embodiments described herein are intended or should be inferred. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a fencing system  200  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3 , moreover, shows an exploded perspective view of the system  200 . The system  200  comprises a bracket  205  attached to a T-post  210  having a series of lugs  212 . The bracket  205  includes an upper mounting arm  215  and a lower mounting arm  220 , which are captured by an upper sleeve  225  and a lower sleeve  230 . The upper sleeve  225  and the lower sleeve  230  are each attached to the T-post  210  using two respective bolts  235 , four respective washers  240 , and two respective nuts  245 . The bracket  205  further comprises a connecting arm  250  that defines an opening  255 . As will be seen below, the opening  255  is a convenient means by which to attach other objects to the bracket  205  and ultimately to the T-post  210 . 
         [0025]    The upper and lower sleeves  225 ,  230  are substantially identical. Additional aspects of the upper sleeve  225  are detailed in the front perspective view shown in  FIG. 4 . The upper sleeve  225  comprises a portion of square tubing with a first pair of holes  400  on one flat surface and a second pair of holes  410  on an adjacent flat surface. The first pair of holes  400  is aligned with the second pair of holes  410  so that the two bolts  235  may be made to pass through the upper sleeve  225  at an oblique angle. Once fully inserted the heads and threaded ends of each of the two bolts  235  lie outside the upper sleeve  225 . At the same time, the shafts of the bolts  235  pass through the inside of the upper sleeve  225  at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the flat surfaces of the upper sleeve  225 . 
         [0026]    For use with conventional T-posts like the T-post  210 , the upper and lower sleeves  225 ,  230  may have the dimensions shown in  FIG. 4 , although these particular dimensions are merely illustrative and other suitable dimensions may also be utilized. With the upper and lower sleeves  225 ,  230  sized as shown in this figure, the shafts of the two bolts  235  that pass through each of the upper and lower sleeves  225 ,  230  will be spaced apart by about one inch. The bolts  235  may have a length of two inches and a diameter of ¼ inches, although, again, other equally suitable sizes may be utilized. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  goes on to show a partially broken front perspective view of the system  200  which helps to illustrative the manner in which the upper and lower sleeves  225 ,  230  are fixated to the T-post  210 . The upper sleeve  225  is positioned where desired on the T-post  210 , and the two bolts  235  are passed through the upper sleeve  225  and secured using four washers  240  and two nuts  245 . Depending on the placement of the upper sleeve  225  on the T-post  210 , the two bolts  235  will either both fall between two lugs  212  or straddle a single lug  212  (the latter being the case in  FIG. 5 ). Notably, the bolts  235  in combination with the lugs  212  now stop the upper sleeve  225  from moving substantially upward or downward along the T-post&#39;s longitudinal axis (i.e., the lengthwise axis of the T-post  210 ). At the same time, the relatively loose fit of the upper sleeve  225  over the T-post  210  gives the upper sleeve  225  a limited amount of rotational freedom. The lower sleeve  230  is fixated to the T-post  210  in a similar manner. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a front elevational view of the bracket  205 . Attaching the bracket  205  to the T-post  210  to obtain the configuration shown in  FIG. 2  merely requires positioning the bracket  205  where desired and attaching the lower sleeve  230  to the T-post  210  just below the bracket  205  such that the lower mounting arm  220  of the bracket  205  is captured between the lower sleeve  230  and the T-post  210 . Likewise, the upper sleeve  225  is attached to the T-post  210  just above the bracket  205  so that the upper mounting arm  215  is captured between the upper sleeve  225  and the T-post  210 . 
         [0029]    Attaching the bracket  205  to the T-post  210  in this manner has several advantages. The bracket  205  may, for example, be attached to the T-post  210  almost anywhere along the T-post&#39;s longitudinal axis. Because of the manner in which the bracket  205  is attached to the T-post  210 , the bracket  205  is also free to swivel about the T-post&#39;s longitudinal axis by about 30-45 degrees. This has the benefit of allowing external objects to be attached to the T-post  210  from almost any angle. 
         [0030]    In addition, more than one bracket  205  can be captured by a single set of upper and lower sleeves  225 ,  230 , thereby allowing several brackets  205  to be placed at a single point along the longitudinal axis of the T-post  210 .  FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of four brackets  205  attached to the T-post  210  using the upper sleeve  225  and the lower sleeve  230 . 
         [0031]    As indicated earlier, bracing a T-post often includes tying that T-post to an adjacent T-post by one or more horizontal and/or diagonal support members (i.e., bracing members).  FIG. 8  shows a front perspective view of an optional means for accomplishing this bracing in combination with the above-described bracket  205 , T-post  210 , and sleeves  225 ,  230 . The optional means utilizes a separate bracing T-post  800  in combination with an extension bar  810  to create a unique bracing member. The resulting bracing member is both easy to utilize and extremely strong. 
         [0032]    Particulars of the extension bar  810  in accordance with aspects of the invention are shown in the front elevational view in  FIG. 9 . The extension bar  810  defines a series of slots  820  along its longitudinal axis and a hole  830  at one of its ends. The slots  820  in the extension bar  810  are sized and spaced so that lugs  805  from the bracing T-post  800  may be made to fall within the slots  820  when the extension bar  810  is aligned with and placed against a spine of the bracing T-post  800 . The extension bar  810  can be placed so that between one and four lugs  805  from the bracing T-post  800  fall within the slots  820  of the extension bar  810 , thereby allowing the total length of the resultant bracing member to be varied. Once in its correct position, the extension bar  810  may be held firmly against the bracing T-post  800  by a conventional U-bolt  840  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0033]    The bracket  205  is merely one illustrative design and many other forms of brackets may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the invention.  FIG. 10  shows a front perspective view the system  200  with an alternative bracket  1000 .  FIG. 11 , moreover, shows a front elevational view of the alternative bracket  1000 . Like the bracket  205 , the alternative bracket  1000  includes an upper mounting arm  1010  and a lower mounting arm  1020 , which may be captured by the upper sleeve  225  and the lower sleeve  230 , respectively. But, in contrast to the bracket  205 , the alternative bracket  1000  comprises two connecting arms  1030 , each connecting arm  1030  defining a respective opening  1040 . The two connecting arms  1030  and their respective openings  1040  may, for example, provide a convenient means by which to attach fence rails between two T-posts. A fencing system  1200  with the inclusion of an alternative bracket  1000  and a fence rail  1210  is shown in the perspective view in  FIG. 12 . The fencing system  1200  also utilizes several of the elements described above, many of which are labeled by like reference numerals. 
         [0034]    Advantageously, once the novel aspects of the invention are understood, its components may be readily formed utilizing ordinary manufacturing techniques or easily sourced from commercial vendors. The sleeves  225 ,  230  may, for example be formed from 1/16-inch thick steel square tubing in the manner indicated above, while the various brackets may be formed from ¼-inch thick sheets of steel utilizing conventional plasma or water-jet cutting technologies. Once so formed, these components may be dipped in a protective paint to increase their resistance to corrosion. The remaining T-posts  210 , bolts  235 , washers  240 , nuts  245 , and U-bolts  840  are entirely conventional and may be sourced from many hardware stores. 
         [0035]    It should again be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only. Other embodiments can use different types, arrangements, and sizes of elements for implementing the described functionality. As one example, aspects of the invention may be adapted for the purpose of supporting a swinging fence gate. These numerous alternative embodiments within the scope of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    Moreover, all the features disclosed herein may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purposes, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0037]    Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function or “step for” performing a specified function is not to be interpreted as a “means for” or “step for” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.