Patent Publication Number: US-10781007-B2

Title: Handheld tool for installing wire on a fence

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of handheld devices used to assemble and repair wire fences, and more particularly, to devices that attach horizontal fence wires to vertical metal T-posts using wraparound wire clips. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The present invention utilizes a combination of linear and rotary motions of its components to strip a single clip off a stack of clips stored within the present invention, push the clip into position against a vertical T-post and a horizontal fence wire, tension the fence wire against the T-post, lock the fence wire into position against the T-post by straddling the T-post with the clip, and wrap the two ends of the clip around the fence wire to attach the fence wire to the T-post. There are number of inventions that are the subject of issued patents and patent applications that are designed to attach fence wires to fence posts, but none of these inventions incorporates the novel features of the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 356,638 (Haag, 1887) discloses a hand-crank operated machine for attaching horizontal fence wires to vertical pickets. With this invention, a single wrapping wire (aka clip) is manually installed into the invention so that each end of the clip is inserted into a hole in a respective pinion gear. When the invention is placed against a fence wire and adjacent picket, and the hand crank is operated, the pinion gears are caused to rotate, thereby wrapping the ends of the clip around the fence wire on each side of the picket. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 595,623 (Guthrie, 1897) discloses a hand-crank operated machine for attaching fence wires to pickets. As in the Haag invention described above, in the Guthrie invention a single wrapping wire (aka clip) is manually installed into the invention so that each end of the clip is inserted into a hole in a respective pinion gear. When the invention is placed against a fence wire and adjacent picket and the hand crank is operated, the pinion gears are caused to rotate, thereby wrapping the ends of the clip around the fence wire on each side of the picket. The Hardy invention incorporates components that allow the width of the invention to be adjusted in order to fit around pickets of various widths, and it incorporates multiple holes in each pinion gear to allow the use of various sizes of clips for use with various widths and thicknesses of pickets. The crank handle of the Hardy invention may be attached to either end of the crank shaft, enabling the invention to be operated by either the right or left hand of the operator. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 920,737 (Hardy, 1909) discloses an apparatus for attaching vertical stay-wires to horizontal fence wires. This invention incorporates two separate rolls of stay-wire material that are sequentially wrapped around successive strands of the horizontal fencing wires, from top to bottom of the fence, and trimmed from the roll after wrapping around the bottom fencing wire, thereby forming a pair of vertical wire stay-wires at fixed a fixed separation distance from each other along the fence. The purpose of the stay-wires is to maintain a fixed separation distance between adjacent strands of the horizontal fence wire. The invention comprises a hand-operated crank. Unlike the present invention, the Hardy invention is not designed to attach horizontal fence wires to vertical posts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,170 (Ingram, 1962) discloses a device for attaching fence wires to fence posts by applying bendable wire clips around the fence wires and fence posts. The invention comprises a spring-loaded magazine unit that is capable of holding a plurality of wire clips, and a pusher unit that is capable of removing the wire clips individually from the magazine and holding them against a fence T-post. The invention does not incorporate a crank or gears to wind the ends of a wire clip around a fence wire, but instead, the entire invention is rotated around the fence wire to wind the wire clip around the fence wire, with the handle providing the required leverage to bend the wire clips. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,181 (Vuong, 1997) discloses a handheld wire twisting apparatus that is designed to twist together a plurality of electrical wires whose ends may be attached together. The invention incorporates a locking ratchet mechanism that prevents untwisting of the wires during the twisting process. The invention does not involve the use of wire clips to attach wires to posts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,872 (Stephens, 2000) discloses a fence clip installation tool. The device utilizes a plurality of pre-shaped and pre-loaded wire clips to attach fence to fence posts. The invention utilizes a first lever handle to push a wire clip against a fence post and around a wire strand, and a second lever handle to bend the ends of the wire clip around the wire strand to form the attachment. Unlike the present invention, the Stephens invention does not comprise a crank handle or gears. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,570 (Spikes, 2007) discloses a fence wire attachment device that attaches fence wires to fence posts using attachment wires that are looped around the fence post and twisted around the fence wire in the conventional manner. The invention is capable of being loaded only with a single wire clip. The ends of the wire clip are inserted into transverse holes which are installed through a pair of twisting gears within the invention. Twisting force to install the wire clip around the fence wire is provided by a removable external machine such as an electric drill or hand drill. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,407,875 (Grey et al., 2013) discloses a tool for fastening fence wires to a fence post using preloaded staples that are bent around the fence post. Unlike the present invention, the Grey invention utilizes a crimping action rather than a twisting or winding action that attaches the staple around a fence post such as a metal T-post while also encircling a fence wire and holding it against the T-post. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,079 (Kudou, et al., 2015) discloses a device and method for attaching two wires end-to-end by twisting. This invention is not suitable for attaching fence wires to fence posts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,797,148 (Kodi, 2017) discloses a device for attaching reinforcing bars together with plastic clips. The clips used in this invention are flexible, and are snapped around pipes rather than being wrapped around wires as in the present invention. 
     U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0243340 (Wheeler et al., 2006) discloses a pliers-type device comprising a pair of operating handles, The invention is designed to attach fence wires to fence posts by bending a staple around the two objects. This invention does not provide for winding of an attachment clip around a fence wire as a method of attachment. 
     U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2009/0314379 (Gray et al., 2009) discloses a pliers-type device designed to attach fence wires to fence posts by bending staples around the two objects. The invention is similar to that described in Gray et al. (Pub. No. 2009/0314379). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a handheld tool for installing wire on a fence comprising: a frame having a horizontal bottom, a first vertical side, and a second vertical side; a sprocket system that is situated at least partially within the frame and engaged by an actuator; a T-post alignment unit that is configured to position a vertical T-post against the tool; a clip storage magazine that is attached to a top of the frame and mounted with its vertical axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame; a tube assembly that is movably mounted within the frame; and a presenter that is configured to present clips from the magazine; wherein the sprocket system and tube assembly are configured to cause the clip presented by the presenter to be pushed into position against the T-post and a horizontal fence wire, tension the fence wire against the T-post, lock the fence wire into position against the T-post by straddling the T-post with the clip, and wrap two ends of the clip around the fence wire to attach it to the T-post. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sprocket system comprises a first sprocket shaft that is positioned within the frame in a direction that is perpendicular to and extends through the first and second vertical sides of the frame; wherein the first sprocket shaft is mechanically coupled to a first drive sprocket; wherein the first drive sprocket is rotatably connected to a second drive sprocket via a drive chain; wherein the second drive sprocket is mechanically coupled to a second sprocket shaft; wherein the sprocket system further comprises a first right gear, a second right gear, a third right gear, and a fourth right gear that are rotatably attached to the first vertical side of the frame; wherein each of the first right gear, second right gear, third right gear and fourth right gear comprises a head that is positioned against and parallel to an interior surface of the first vertical side of the frame; wherein the fourth right gear comprises a radial slot that extends from a perimeter of the fourth right gear to a point at or slightly beyond a centerline of the head of the fourth right gear; wherein the sprocket system further comprises a first left gear, a second left gear, a third left gear, and a fourth left gear that are rotatably attached to the second vertical side of the frame; wherein each of the first left gear, second left gear, third left gear and fourth left gear comprises a head that is positioned against and parallel to an interior surface of the second vertical side of the frame; wherein the fourth left gear comprises a radial slot that extends from a perimeter of the fourth left gear to a point at or slightly beyond a centerline of the head of the fourth left gear; wherein the first vertical side and second vertical side of the frame each comprises a horizontal slot that is installed in a forward edge of the frame; and wherein the horizontal slots in the first and second vertical sides of the frame are configured to be aligned with the radial slots in the fourth right gear and fourth left gear when the fourth right gear and fourth left gear are rotated to a particular position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the fourth right gear comprises a clip winding post situated rearward of the radial slot in the fourth right gear when the radial slot of the fourth right gear is aligned with the horizontal slot in the first vertical side of the frame; wherein the clip winding post of the fourth right gear has a longitudinal axis that extends perpendicularly from a flat face of the head of the fourth right gear; wherein the fourth left gear comprises a clip winding post situated rearward of the radial slot in the fourth left gear when the radial slot of the fourth left gear is aligned with the horizontal slot in the second vertical side of the frame; and wherein the clip winding post of the fourth left gear has a longitudinal axis that extends perpendicularly from a flat face of the head of the fourth left gear. Preferably, the sprocket system further comprises a fifth right gear that is attached to the second sprocket shaft and positioned in close proximity and parallel to an interior surface of the first vertical side of the frame; wherein the fifth right gear is in mesh with the first right gear, the second right gear and the third right gear; wherein the second right gear and third right gear are in mesh with the fourth right gear; wherein the sprocket system further comprises a fifth left gear that is attached to the second sprocket shaft and positioned in close proximity and parallel to an interior surface of the second vertical side of the frame; wherein the fifth left gear is in mesh with the first left gear, the second left gear and the third left gear; and wherein the second left gear and the third left sear are in mesh with the fourth left gear. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a rearward end of a first left connecting rod is connected perpendicularly to a pin latch support plate; wherein the first left gear is rotatably attached to a forward end of a second left connecting rod; wherein a rearward end of the second left connecting rod is rotatably connected to a forward end of a left pivot arm, and a rearward end of the left pivot arm is rotatably connected to a left side of a tube connection plate; wherein the tube connection plate is connected to rear portions of an upper tube and a lower internal tube; and wherein a forward end of the first left connecting rod is rotatably attached to the presenter. In a preferred embodiment, a rearward end of a first right connecting rod is connected perpendicularly to the pin latch support plate; wherein the first right gear is rotatably attached to a forward end of a second right connecting rod; wherein a rearward end of the second right connecting rod is rotatably connected to a forward end of the right pivot arm; wherein a rearward end of the right pivot arm is rotatably connected to a right side of the tube connection plate; wherein the tube connection plate is connected to rear portions of the upper tube and the lower internal tube; and wherein a forward end of the first right connecting rod is rotatably attached to the presenter. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the tube assembly comprises: an upper tube and a lower internal tube that are fixedly attached to each other and rotationally attached to a tube connection plate; and a lower external tube into which the lower internal tube telescopically and slidably fits; wherein the pin latch support plate is fixedly connected to the lower external tube and slidably connected to the lower internal tube; wherein the pin latch support plate is rotationally connected to the presenter via a first left connecting rod and a first right connecting rod; wherein the pin latch support plate is attached to a pin latch; wherein the tube connection plate forms a mechanical connection between the upper tube and the lower internal tube; and wherein the tube connection plate is rotatably connected to a rearward end of a left pivot arm and a rearward end of a right pivot arm. Preferably, the clip storage magazine comprises a body, a top, a magazine follower and a magazine spring. Preferably, the presenter is slidably supported by a fixed clip support plate that is positioned below the presenter and attached to the first vertical side and left vertical side of the frame; and a lower end of the magazine spring is connected to a top side of the magazine follower, and an upper end of the magazine spring is in contact with the magazine top, the spring being configured to exert a downward force on a stack of clips stored in the magazine body. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the frame further comprises a support handle that is fixedly attached to the bottom of the frame. In one embodiment, the actuator is a manually operated crank lever. In an alternate embodiment, the actuator is a drive shaft driven by an electric motor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention showing the top and right side. 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevation view of the present invention shown positioned against a T-post and a horizontal fence wire. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section elevation view of the right side of the present invention taken at the section line shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section elevation view of the left side of present invention. 
         FIG. 5  A is a detail right side elevation view of the pin latch, a portion of the upper tube, and a portion of the pin latch support plate, showing the upper tube disconnected from the pin latch and moving in the forward direction toward the pin latch. 
         FIG. 5  B is a detail right side elevation view of the pin latch, a portion of the upper tube, and a portion of the pin latch support plate, showing the head of the pin latch after it has passed through the orifice of the upper tube, while the upper tube has reversed direction and is moving in the reverse direction, with the pin latch connected to the upper tube. 
         FIG. 5  C is a detail right side elevation view of the pin latch, a portion of the upper tube, and a portion of the pin latch support plate, showing the upper tube after it has reversed direction again and is moving once more in the forward direction. 
         FIG. 5  D is a detail right side elevation view of the pin latch, a portion of the upper tube, and a portion of the pin latch support plate, showing the upper tube once again moving in the reverse direction, after the pin latch has disconnected from the upper tube. 
         FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of the presenter, a T-post, and a horizontal fence wire before the fence wire has been attached to the T-post by a clip that has been installed by the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is an isometric view a T-post and a horizontal fence wire after the fence wire has been attached to the T-post by a clip that has been installed by the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  A illustrates the present invention at the starting position of an operating cycle, with the radial slot of the fourth right gear positioned in a horizontal orientation. 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates the present invention in a first intermediate position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 90°. 
         FIG. 7  C illustrates the present invention a second intermediate position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 180°. 
         FIG. 7  D illustrates the present invention in a third intermediate position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 270°. 
         FIG. 7  E illustrates the present invention in a fourth intermediate position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 360°. 
         FIG. 7  F illustrates the present invention in a fifth intermediate position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 450°. 
         FIG. 7  G illustrates the present invention in a sixth intermediate position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 540°. 
         FIG. 7  H illustrates the present invention in a final position of an operating cycle, with the fourth right gear rotated counterclockwise 630°. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
         
           
               1  Frame 
               2  Support handle 
               3  Operating handle 
               4  Right side of frame 
               5  First sprocket shaft 
               6  Left side of frame 
               7  T-post alignment unit 
               8  Second sprocket shaft 
               9  Retaining nut 
               10  First right gear 
               11  Second right gear 
               12  Third right gear 
               13  Fourth right gear 
               14  Circlip 
               15  Radial slot 
               16  Horizontal slot in frame 
               17  Third left gear 
               18  Fourth left gear 
               19  Clip winding post 
               20  Clip storage magazine 
               21  magazine body 
               22  magazine top 
               23  Magazine follower 
               24  Magazine spring 
               25  Clip 
               26  Tube assembly 
               27  Upper tube 
               28  Lower internal tube 
               29  Tube connection plate 
               30  Lower external tube 
               31  Pin latch support plate 
               32  Presenter 
               33  First left connecting rod 
               34  First right connecting rod 
               35  T-post 
               36  Fence wire 
               37  First left gear 
               38  Second left gear 
               39  First drive sprocket 
               40  Drive chain 
               41  Second drive sprocket 
               43  Pin latch 
               44  Machine screw 
               45  Left pivot arm 
               46  Right pivot arm 
               46  Fifth right gear 
               47  Second right connecting rod 
               48  Clip support plate 
               49  Fifth left gear 
               50  Second left connecting rod 
               51  Extension tab of pin latch 
               52  Head of pin latch 
               53  Orifice 
               54  Interior portion of the upper tube 
               55  Inner wall of the upper tube 
               56  Coil spring of the pin latch 
               57  T-post protrusion 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention showing the top and exterior right side of the invention. The frame  1  of the present invention comprises a solid horizontal bottom, solid left and right vertical sides, and an open front, rear, and top. Although the rear and top are shown as open in the figures, the rear and top may be enclosed by a cover; the front end must be open, however, to accept the T-post and fence. The frame  1  comprises a support handle  2  that is generally cylindrically shaped and which is rigidly attached to and protrudes from the bottom of the frame  1  at a rearward sloping angle. An operating handle  3  is rotatably attached to the right side  4  of the frame and rigidly attached to the right end of a first sprocket shaft  5  that is positioned in the frame  1  in a direction perpendicular to the right side  4  and the left side  6  of the frame  1 , and extends through the left side  6  of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The frame  1  comprises a T-post alignment unit  7  that is used to correctly position a T-post against the present invention when a fence wire is being attached to the T-post with a clip, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the following drawings and descriptions, the forward end of the present invention is defined as the end of the device closest to the T-post alignment unit  7 . A second sprocket shaft  8  and retaining nut  9  are attached to the right side  4  of the frame forward of the first sprocket shaft  5 . The second sprocket shaft  8  is positioned in the frame  1  in a direction perpendicular to the right side  4  and the left side  6 , and it extends through the left side  6  of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 2 . A first right gear  10 , a second right gear  11 , a third right gear  12  and a fourth right gear  13  are rotatably attached to the frame  1  through holes installed through the right side  4  of the frame, and are held in place with circlips  14  that fit into axial grooves installed around the shafts (commonly referred to as the “hubs”) of the first through fourth right gears  10  through  13 . The hubs of the first through fourth right gears  10  through  13  are visible in  FIG. 1  extending through the right side  4  of the frame, while the heads (i.e., the toothed portions) of these gears are positioned against and parallel to the interior surface of the right side  4  of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The fourth right gear  13  comprises a radial slot  15  that extends from the perimeter to a point slightly beyond the centerline, as shown. The right and left sides  4  and  6  of the frame  4  each comprise a horizontal slot  16  that is installed in the forward edge of the frame  1 . The present invention is bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the first through fourth right gears  10 - 13 ; in other words, there is an identical set of first through fourth left gears that are mounted on the interior of the left side  6  of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The heads of the third left gear  17  and the fourth left gear  18  are shown in  FIG. 1 . The fourth left gear  18  comprises a radial slot  15  and a left clip winding post  19 , wherein the left clip winding post  19  is cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinal axis that extends perpendicularly from the flat face of the head of the fourth left gear  18  at a point slightly off of the centerline of the fourth left gear  18 . The present invention incorporates a clip storage magazine  20  which is rigidly attached to the top of the frame by welding or machine screws. The clip storage magazine  20  is mounted with its vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, and comprises a body  21 , a top  22 , a magazine follower  23 , and a magazine spring  24  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The clip storage magazine  20  is shown partially loaded with a stack of new clips  25 . The present invention further comprises a tube assembly  26  that is moveably mounted to internal components within the frame  1  as described in more detail in reference to  FIGS. 7  A through  7  H. The tube assembly  26  comprises an upper tube  27  and a lower internal tube  28  that are rigidly attached to each other and rotationally attached to a tube connection plate  29 , and a lower external tube  30  into which the lower internal tube  28  telescopically and slidably fits, and a pin latch support plate  31  which is rigidly mounted to the front end of the lower external tube  30 , with the plane of the pin latch support plate  31  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower external tube  30 . The pin latch support plate  31  is rotationally connected to a presenter  32  via a first left connecting rod  33  and a first right connecting rod  34  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In a preferred embodiment, all of the components of the present invention are fabricated from metal such as steel or aluminum. Alternately, the frame may be constructed from polymer, such as injection-molded high density polyethylene. 
       FIG. 2  is a left side elevation view of the present invention showing the gears mounted on the exterior left side of the frame, with the present invention shown with the T-post alignment unit  7  positioned against a T-post  35  (shown in phantom) and a horizontal fence wire  36 .  FIG. 2  shows the hubs of the first left gear  37 , the second left gear  38 , the third left gear  17  and the fourth left gear  18 , which are rotatably attached in holes that are installed into the left side  6  of the frame, and held in place with circlips  14 , in an identical manner as described in reference to  FIG. 1  for the first through fourth right gears  10 - 13 . Also shown are the support handle  2 , the operating handle  3 , the clip storage magazine  20  and the tube assembly  26 . The radial slot  15  of the fourth loft gear  18  is shown aligned with the horizontal slot  16  in the left side  6  of the frame in this view, allowing the fence wire  36  to be positioned within the slot  15  as shown. A first drive sprocket  39  is attached to the left end of the first sprocket shaft  5 , whose right end, as previously described, is connected to the operating handle  3 . The first drive sprocket  39  is rotatably connected by a drive chain  40  to a second drive sprocket  41 , thereby causing the second drive sprocket  41  to rotate when the operating handle  3  is rotated by a user. The second drive sprocket  41  is rigidly connected to the left end of the second sprocket shaft  8 . The ratio of the number of teeth between the first drive sprocket  39  and the second drive sprocket  41  determines the drive ratio of the present invention, and the drive ratio establishes the number or turns of the operating handle  3  required to perform one complete operating cycle of the present invention. For example, in  FIG. 2 , the first drive sprocket  39  has 40 teeth, while the second drive sprocket  41  has 20 teeth, resulting in a gear ratio of 2 to 1. In  FIG. 2 , the tube assembly  26  is shown in a fully rearward position. The pin latch support plate  31  is rigidly attached to a pin latch  42  with a pair of machine screws  43 , with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical pin latch  42  perpendicular to the plane of the pin latch support plate  31 . The tube connection plate  29  forms a rigid connection between the upper tube  27  and the lower internal tube  28 . The tube connection plate  29  is also rotatably connected to the rearward ends of the left pivot arm  44  and the right pivot arm  45  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section elevation view of the right side of the present invention taken at the section line shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the gears mounted on the interior of the right side  4  of the frame, with the gears and operating handle oriented similarly to the orientations shown in  FIG. 1 . The second sprocket shaft  8  shown is rigidly connected to a fifth right gear  46  that is positioned in close proximity and parallel to the interior surface of the right side  4  of the frame. The fifth right gear  46  is in mesh with the second right gear  11  and the third right gear  12 , which in turn are in mesh with the fourth right gear  13 . The fifth right gear  46  is also in mesh with the first right gear  10 . A second right connecting rod  47  has its forward end rotatably connected to the first right gear  10 , and its rearward end rotatably connected to the forward end of the right pivot arm  45 . The rearward end of the right pivot arm  45  is rotatably connected to the right side of the tube connection plate  29 . The tube connection plate  29  is rigidly connected to the rear portions of the upper tube  27  and the lower internal tube  28 . In the position shown, the forward end of the upper tube  27  is rigidly but removably connected to the pin latch  42 , which is rigidly connected to the pin latch support plate  31 . The pin latch support plate  31  is rigidly connected to the lower external tube  30 , and slidably connected to the lower internal tube  28 . The rearward threaded end of a first right connecting rod  34  is rigidly connected perpendicularly to the plane of the pin latch support plate  31 , and the forward bearing end of the first right connecting rod  34  is rotatably attached to the presenter  32 . The presenter  32  is slidably supported by a fixed clip support plate  48  that is positioned below the presenter  32  and rigidly attached to the left side  4  and the right side  6  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the frame. The lower end of the magazine spring  24  is rigidly connected to the top side of the magazine follower  23 , while the upper end of the magazine spring  24  is in contact with the magazine top  22 , providing a downward force on the stack of clips  25  that are stored in the magazine body  21 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section elevation view of the left side of present invention taken at the longitudinal centerline of the frame, and shown in the same gear orientations as shown in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the bilateral symmetry of the gear components. As shown, a fifth left gear  49 , which is attached to the second sprocket shaft  8 , is in mesh with the second left gear  38  and the third left gear  17 , which are in turn in mesh with the fourth left gear  18 . The fifth left gear  49  is also in mesh with the first left gear  37 , which is rotatably attached to the forward end of the second left connecting rod  50 . The rearward end of the second left connecting rod  50  is rotatably connected to the forward end of the left pivot arm  44 , and the rearward end of the left pivot arm  44  is rotatably connected to the left side of the tube connection plate  29 . The tube connection plate  29  is rigidly connected to the rear portions of the upper tube  27  and the lower internal tube  28 . In the position shown, the forward end of the upper tube  27  is rigidly but removably connected to the pin latch  42 , which is rigidly connected to a pin latch support plate  31 . The pin latch support plate  31  is rigidly connected to the lower external tube  30 , and slidably connected to the lower internal tube  28 . The rearward threaded end of the first left connecting rod  33  is rigidly and perpendicularly connected to the plane of the pin latch support plate  31 , and the forward bearing end of the first left connecting rod  33  is rotatably attached to the presenter  32 . The presenter  32  is slidably supported by the fixed clip support plate  48  that is positioned below the presenter  32  and is rigidly attached to the left side  6  and the right side  4  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the frame. 
     The pin latch  42  is preferably a commercially available component (A4 pin latch assembly, Southco.com, part number A4-20-501-10). The function of the pin latch is to cause the upper tube  27  to pull the presenter  32  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) in a rearward direction on every second rearward cycle of the upper tube  27 , and to allow the presenter  32  to remain in a forward position on the other alternate rearward cycles of the upper tube  27 . The operation of the pin latch  42  is described in reference to  FIGS. 5  A through  5  D, which are detail right side elevation views of the pin latch  42 , a portion of the upper tube  27 , and portion of the pin latch support plate  31 , with the internal walls of the upper tube  27  shown in phantom. In  FIG. 5  A, the upper tube  27  is disconnected from the pin latch  42 , and is moving toward the stationary pin latch  42  in the forward (leftward) direction, as indicated by the dashed arrow. The pin latch  42  comprises an extension tab  51  that retracts inside the body of the pin latch  42  as the head  52  of the pin latch is pushed through an orifice  53  of the upper tube  27 , and then the extension tab  51  re-extends under spring pressure as the head  52  of the pin latch passes through the orifice  53  and enters the hollow interior portion  54  of the upper tube  27 . 
     In  FIG. 5  B, the head  52  of the pin latch has passed through the orifice  53  of the upper tube, while the upper tube  27  has reversed direction and is moving toward the right, and the extension tab  51  of the pin latch has re-extended and contacted an inner wall  55  of the forward end of the upper tube  27 . As the upper tube  27  moves toward the right, the pin latch  42 , being held in contact with the upper tube  27  by its extension tab  51 , is also pulled toward the right by the movement of the upper tube  27 . 
     In  FIG. 5  C, the upper tube  27  has reversed direction again and is moving toward the left. The leftward movement of the upper tube  27  has pushed the pin latch  42  and the attached pin latch support plate  31  in a leftward direction until the pin latch connector plate  31  has reached its maximum limit of leftward travel. At this point, the upper tube  27  continues to move an additional short distance in the leftward direction, while the pin latch  42  is stationary, thereby compressing the coil spring  56  of the pin latch, and forcing the head  52  of the pin latch deeper into the upper tube  27 , which causes the extension tab  51  to retract inside the body of the pin latch  42 . In this retracted position of the extension tab  51 , the pin latch  42  will detach from the upper tube  27  when the upper tube  27  reverses direction and moves in a rightward direction. 
     In  FIG. 5  D, the upper tube  27  is moving toward the right, and has disconnected from the pin latch  42 . As shown, after the head  52  of the pin latch  42  exits from the orifice  53  of the upper tube, the extension tab  51  moves into a re-extended position, and the system is reset for the next repetitive cycle. 
       FIGS. 6  A and  6  B are isometric views of a T-post  35  and a horizontal fence wire  36  before and after the fence wire  36  has been attached to the T-post  35  by a clip  25  that has been installed by the present invention.  FIG. 6  A shows the presenter  32  and a clip  25 , illustrating how the shape of the forward edge of the presenter  32  mates with the shape of the central V section of the clip  25  when the clip is being stripped from the clip storage magazine and pushed against a T-post. The clips  25  used by the present invention are preferably of custom manufacture, and are made from a single piece of bent metal wire having a central apex and two identical leg portions. The clips  25  preferably have a wire diameter of about 7/64 inch, a length from the apex to the ends of the legs of about 2⅞ inch, and a maximum width of about 2½ inches across the ends of the legs. The clips have a shape in which the width between the two legs increases toward their ends.  FIG. 6  A also shows a fence wire  36  properly positioned on a T-post  35  just above one of the T-post protrusions  57  that are manufactured into standard T-posts, prior to the fence wire  36  being attached to the T-post by a clip  25 .  FIG. 6  B shows a fence wire  36  attached to the T-post  35  with a clip  25  that has been installed by the present invention. As shown, one leg of the clip  25  is wrapped around the fence wire  36  on each side of the T-post, with the fence wire positioned on top of one of the protrusions  57 . 
     One complete cycle of the present invention involves two distinct types of motions, as follows:
         1) Linear Motion: Rotation of the operating handle  3  is converted to linear motion of the presenter  32 , which causes the presenter  32  to strip a clip  25  from the clip storage magazine  20  and push the clip  25  in a forward direction, until the clip  25  is forcibly held against a vertical T-post  35 . At this time, the two legs of the clip  25  extend beyond a horizontal fence wire  36  which has been positioned against the T-post.   2) Rotational Motion: After the clip  25  has been positioned in accordance with Stage  1  above, rotation of the operating handle  3  causes the fourth right gear  13  and the fourth left gear  18  to wind the two ends of the clip  25  around the fence wire  36 , which thereby attaches the fence wire  36  to the T-post  35 .       

       FIGS. 7  A through  7  H are simplified right side cross-section elevation views of the present invention that illustrate eight sequential steps that occur during one complete cycle of operation, which occurs when the present invention installs one clip  25  around a T-post  35  and fence wire  36 . For clarity, these figures show only the right side of a clip  25  being wrapped around a fence wire  36  by the right-side components of the present invention. The left side of the clip (not shown) is simultaneously wound around the fence wire  36  by the left-side components of the present invention in an identical manner to the right side. Heavy dashed arrows indicate directional movement of the various components. In these views, the frame  1 , clip supply magazine  20 , second right gear  11 , the clip support plate  48 , the T-post alignment unit  7 , and the T-post  35  have been removed for clarity. 
       FIG. 7  A illustrates the present invention at the starting position of an operating cycle. As shown, the radial slot  15  of the fourth right gear  13  is positioned in a horizontal orientation, and a fence wire  36  has been inserted into the radial slot  15 . The clip winding post  19  of the fourth right gear  13  is at a 3 o&#39;clock position relative to the axis of the fourth right gear  13 . The tube assembly  26  is positioned at the right extent of travel (fully rearward), and a clip  25  is positioned directly in front of and in line with the presenter  32 . The pin latch  42  is engaged with the upper tube  27 , causing the presenter  32  to be pulled into the fully rearward position. 
     In  FIG. 7  B, the fifth right gear  46  has been rotated (by a user turning the operating handle  3  shown in  FIG. 1 ) so that the fourth right gear  13  has been caused to rotate counterclockwise 90°, placing the clip winding post  19  at a 12 o&#39;clock position. At this point, the rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also caused a rotation of the first right gear  10 , which has caused the second right connecting rod  47  to push against the right pivot arm  45 , thereby causing the right pivot arm  45  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, which causes the tube assembly  26  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise movement of the tube assembly  26  pushes the first right connector rod  34  forward, and this movement pushes the presenter  32  forward against the clip  25 , thereby moving the clip  25  in a forward direction. At this point in the cycle, the clip  25  has been positioned over the top of the fence wire  36 . The end of the clip  25  is also positioned directly below and slightly forward of the clip winding post  19  of the fourth right gear  13 , but the clip  25  has not yet started to wind around the fence wire  36 . 
     In  FIG. 7  C, the fifth right gear  46  has rotated sufficiently to rotate the fourth right gear  13  180°, placing the clip winding post  19  in a 9 o&#39;clock position. The rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also caused the first right gear  10  to rotate so that the second right connecting rod  47  is being pulled in a forward direction. The forward movement of the second right connecting rod  47  causes the right pivot arm  45  to reverse direction and start to rotate in a clockwise direction. The extension tab  51  of the pin latch (shown more clearly in  FIG. 5  C) has been retracted, and the pin latch  42  has started to pull out of the upper tube  27 , as the upper tube  27  begins to rotate in a clockwise direction. The presenter  32  has pushed the clip  25  fully forward against the T-post (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The presenter  32  remains in a fully forward position since the extension tab  51  has been retracted and the pin latch  42  is not being pulled by the upper tube  27 . At this point in the operating cycle, the rotation of the clip winding post  19  has caused the clip  25  to wind around the fence wire  36  about ⅛ of a revolution. 
     In  FIG. 7  D, rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has caused the fourth right gear  13  to rotate 270°, placing the clip winding post  19  in a 6 o&#39;clock position. The rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also caused the first right gear  10  to continue to pull the second right connector rod  47  along in a forward direction, thereby continuing to rotate the right pivot arm  45  in a clockwise position, which causes the upper tube  27  to fully separate from the pin latch  42  and continue to move in a clockwise direction, while the lower internal tube  28 , which is also moving in a clockwise direction, begins to slide rearward relative to the lower external tube  30 . The presenter  32  remains in a fully forward position. At this point in the cycle, the clip winding post  19  has rotated sufficiently to wind the clip  25  around the fence wire  36  slightly less than ½ of a revolution. 
     In  FIG. 7  E, rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has caused the fourth right gear  13  to rotate 360° and the clip winding post  19  to be in a 3 o&#39;clock position. Rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also caused the first right gear  10  to rotate sufficiently so that the second right connector rod  47  has been pulled to almost at its limit of forward travel, which has continued to rotate the right pivot arm  45  in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the tube assembly  26  to be rotated into almost its fully rearward position. The lower internal tube  28  has moved almost fully rearward relative to the lower external tube  30 . The presenter  32  remains in a fully forward position. The clip winding post  19  has rotated sufficiently so that the clip  25  has been wound slightly less than ¾ of a revolution around the fence wire  36 . 
     In  FIG. 7  F, the fifth right gear  46  has rotated sufficiently so that fourth right gear  13  has rotated 450°, and the winding post  19  is in a 12 o&#39;clock position. Rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also rotated the first right gear  10  sufficiently so that the second right connector rod  47  is being pushed in a rearward direction. This movement causes the right pivot arm  45  to reverse direction and rotate in a counterclockwise direction, which causes the upper tube  27  to also move in a counterclockwise direction toward the pin latch  42 , and causes the lower internal tube  28  to slide forward within the lower external tube  30 . The presenter  32  remains in a fully forward position. The clip winding post  19  has wound the clip  25  slightly less than one full revolution around the fence wire  36 . 
     In  FIG. 7  G, the fifth right gear  46  has rotated sufficiently so that fourth right gear  13  has rotated 540° and the winding post  19  is in a 9 o&#39;clock position. Rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also caused the first right gear  10  to rotate sufficiently so that the second right connecting rod  47  is being pulled in the forward direction, thereby causing the right pivot arm  45  to reverse direction and rotate in a clockwise direction. The upper tube  27  has connected to the pin latch  42 , has begun to rotate clockwise, and is starting to pull the pin latch  42 , the pin latch support plate  31 , the right first connector rod  34 , and the presenter  32  in the rearward direction. The clip winding post  19  has wound the clip  25  approximately 1⅛ revolutions around the fence wire  36 . 
     In  FIG. 7  H, the fifth right gear  46  has rotated sufficiently so that the fourth right gear  13  has been rotated 630°, and the clip winding post  19  is in a 6 o&#39;clock position. Rotation of the fifth right gear  46  has also caused the first right gear  10  to continue to rotate, so that the second right connector rod  47  has continued to move in the forward direction, thereby continuing the clockwise rotation of the right pivot arm  45  and the tube assembly  26 , which causes the first right connector rod  34  to pull the presenter  32  in a rearward direction so that it is no longer in contact with the clip  25 . The clip winding post  19  has wound the clip  25  approximately 1¼ to 1½ revolutions around the fence wire  36 . At this point, the clip  25  has been fully installed around the fence wire  36  and the T-post  35  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), and the present invention may be pulled away from the T-post  35 . The operating cycle is completed by continuing to turn the operating handle  3  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) until the fourth right gear  13  has rotated an additional 90°, for a total rotation of 720°, or two complete revolutions. At this point in the cycle, the present invention has returned to the position illustrated in  FIG. 7  A. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the manual operating handle, first drive sprocket, second drive sprocket, drive chain, and first sprocket shaft may be replaced by a battery-powered electric motor, which may be configured so as to fit within the frame  1  and so as to provide rotational power to the second sprocket shaft  8 . Batteries for the motor may be positioned within the frame or, optionally, within the support handle. The motor may be equipped with controllers to automatically control its start and stop timing. Optionally, the right side  4  and the left side  6  of the frame may be extended upward and rearward so as to provide side covers for the tube assembly  26 . 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.