Patent Publication Number: US-7216852-B2

Title: Multi-position wire insulator and fence support bracket

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to wire fences. Specifically, the present invention relates to fence support brackets that serve as wire insulators for electric fences. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The introduction and widespread adoption of the wire fence brought about enormous cultural and economic changes. The wire fence enabled relatively inexpensive and durable livestock containment systems that revolutionized the way ranches and farms operated. The subsequent development of metal fence posts and electrically conductive fences further enhanced the ability of ranchers and farmers to manage their stock. 
   Inherent in the construction of such fencing is the problem of mounting an electrically charged wire onto an electrically conductive metal post such that the post is insulated from the wire. Several patents address the problem, among which is U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,611 to Wilson. This patent is directed to a fence wire mount and insulator device adapted for mounting on a metal fence post of T-shaped cross section in which wire is supported in spaced relationship relative to the fence post by a bracket member which engages the fence post and is shaped to accommodate a variety of configurations and dimensions. The bracket which engages the fence post is provided with a curved offset portion which permits elongation of one portion of the bracket and permits initial easy insertion of the fence post relative to the bracket. 
   Another example can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,853 to Roy et al., which shows an electric wire insulator and support bracket for metal fence posts having a cylindrical bracket arm slotted along its length to receive and be mounted on a flange of a steel fence post. Tie holes are located at each side of the slot for positioning a tie member for securing the bracket to the post. Wire retention slots are located in each end of the arm for supporting electric fence wires and retention pins confine the wires in the slots. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,158 to Yearwood shows an electric wire insulator for connection with a T-shaped corner fence post formed by a generally U-shaped rigid mounting member having parallel legs transversely spanning a T-shaped post. A pair of U-shaped bracket members each journalling a dielectric spool are provided with a threaded rod rigidly connected with the bight portion of the respective U-shaped bracket and threadedly entering the respective mounting member leg for impinging the mounting member on the T-shaped post. One of the U-shaped brackets may be angularly rotated about the axis of its threaded rod for disposing the axis of one dielectric spool normal to the axis of the other dielectric spool. 
   U.S. Pat. No. D248,750 to Langlie et al. deals with ornamental design for an electric fence extender for T-posts having an extension tab to assist in the mounting of the extender to a T-post. 
   While known mechanisms are reasonably effective in mounting fence wire to posts, they are accompanied by several drawbacks. For example, known brackets are typically unidirectional, i.e., they can be secured to only one side of the fence post. Furthermore, known brackets are difficult to remove from the post without destroying the bracket, a frequent occurrence when fences are removed or relocated. 
   It can thus be seen that the need exists for a simple, inexpensive, repositionable and easily removable fence support bracket that serves as a wire insulator for electric fences. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These and other objects are achieved by providing a support bracket for securing wire fence elements to posts having T-shaped cross-sections with a leg and two cross-arms. The bracket includes a first slot adapted and constructed to receive a cross-arm of a fence post, and a second slot adapted and constructed to receive a cross-arm of the fence post, the second slot being generally aligned with the first slot. A third slot is adapted and constructed to receive a leg of the fence post, and is generally perpendicular to the first and second slots. The bracket can be mounted to the post in a first position in which the leg is received in the third slot, and a second position in which the leg extends opposite the third slot. 
   In an embodiment, the support bracket includes a first tab connected to the first slot, and a second tab connected to the second slot. The first and second tabs are adapted and constructed to facilitate opening of the slots for insertion and removal of the cross-arms therefrom. The bracket can be fabricated from a relatively flexible electrically insulative material, for example, from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. At least one reinforcing rib can be provided adjacent to the third slot. 
   The features of the invention believed to be patentable are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a support bracket in accordance with the principles discussed herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a the  FIG. 1  support bracket mounted in a first position. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a the  FIG. 1  support bracket mounted in a second position. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a the  FIG. 1  support bracket showing the function of the mounting tabs. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A support bracket  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The bracket  10  includes a holder arrangement  12  adapted to retain a wire fence element, and a shaft  14  extending from the holder  12 . A fence attachment portion  16  is connected to the shaft  14  opposite the holder  12 . 
   The attachment portion  16  includes a first lateral retainer  18  and a second lateral retainer  20 . The lateral retainer  18  includes a slot  22  adapted and constructed to receive a cross-arm of a fence post. A tab  24  extends from the lateral retainer  18 . The lateral retainer  20  includes a slot  26  adapted and constructed to receive a cross-arm of a fence post. A tab  28  extends from the lateral retainer  20 . The slots  22 ,  26  are generally aligned with one another. The tabs  24 ,  28  are adapted and constructed to facilitate opening of the slots  22 ,  26  for insertion and removal of the cross-arms therefrom. A third slot  30  is adapted and constructed to receive a leg of the fence post, and is generally perpendicular to the slots  22 ,  26 . Reinforcing ribs  32  can be provided to add stiffness to the bracket  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bracket  10  can be mounted to a fence post P in a first position in which a leg L of the post P is received in the third slot  30 . In this position, a first cross-arm C 1  is received in the slot  22 , and a second cross-arm C 2  is received in the slot  26 . This mounts the bracket  10  on what is typically considered the “front” side of the post P. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bracket  10  can alternatively be mounted to the fence post P in a second position in which the leg L of the post P is extends opposite the third slot  30 . In this position, the first cross-arm C 1  is received in the slot  26 , and the second cross-arm C 2  is received in the slot  22 . This mounts  30  the bracket  10  on what is typically considered the “back” side of the post P. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the functioning of the tabs  24 ,  28 . During installation or removal of the bracket  10  from the post P, a user applies force, by hand, to the tabs  24 ,  28  in the direction of arrows A 1 , A 2 . This moves the lateral retainers outwardly to the position shown in broken line, thus opening the slots  22 ,  26  sufficiently to facilitate easy mounting or removal of the bracket  10  to or from the post P. 
   The bracket of the present invention permits installation on either the “front” or “back” side of a T-shaped fence post, thus affording greater flexibility of installation. Furthermore, situations in which posts are oriented opposite to one another can be easily accommodated without removing and reinstalling the post itself. The tabs further facilitate ease of operation of the bracket. The bracket can be fabricated from a relatively flexible electrically insulative material, for example, from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.