Patent Publication Number: US-6705598-B2

Title: Fence post connector

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/328,047, filed Oct. 10, 2001, and entitled “T Post Fence Connector.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     The invention is in the field of fences and fence construction, particularly in construction of stabilizing sections of fence and in construction of such stabilizing sections of fence using T posts, and in connecting items, such as gates, to fence posts. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Many types of fences are used for various purposes. Barbed wire or other wire fences are extensively used to enclose areas to keep livestock or other animals in the area or outside of the area. Barbed or other wire fences are generally constructed using a plurality of fence posts spaced along the length of the fence so the barbed or other wire used is strung from post to post by attaching the wire to each post. The posts support the wire above the ground and hold it relatively taut. The fence posts are usually dug or driven into the ground so as to remain upright to support the wire. Such posts can usually adequately support intermediate sections of fence by merely being dug or driven into the ground because such posts merely have to space the wires and hold them above the ground and from being pushed laterally by the livestock or other animals. However posts used at corner sections of the fence or in reinforcing sections of the fence where high forces are applied to the posts because the wire is tightened around such posts to be held taut between such posts require additional support for the posts. Also posts on which gates are hung usually require additional support. While such posts can be cemented into the ground to stabilize them, usually such posts are stabilized by bracing extending at angles to the posts between posts or between the posts and the ground. Such bracing may use additional fence posts or a combination of fence posts and wire. 
     Many fences today are constructed using steel T-Posts. These posts have a T shape with projections or lugs extending along one surface which are used to hold barbed or other wire at a preset height along the post when secured to the post. These posts are easily driven into the ground, but are difficult to brace since it is difficult to connect braces to these posts. A number of special bracing systems using special brace connectors or brackets have been proposed and are shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,653,546, 5,518,333, 5,460,344, 5,356,101, 4,979,724, 4,936,550, and 4,889,322. Of these, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,322 and 4,979,724 show a connector comprising a collar which fits around and slides along a T-post to a desired location along the T-post. When in desired position, the sleeve is secured by a wedge inserted into the sleeve, which holds the sleeve positioned between adjacent lugs extending from the T-post. A brace socket is then attached to the collar to receive and hold an additional bracing post which fits freely into a receiving portion of the brace socket. Thus, such connectors include three separate pieces. With a collar post connector such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,322 and 4,979,724, the collar must be placed over an end of the T-post to which it is secured and slid along the post to desired position. This is often inconvenient, and if a collar is to be added to a post between collars or wires already secured to the post, is difficult and time consuming as the other collars or wires have to be disconnected and slid to new positions or slid off the end of the post to allow the new collar to be slid onto and along the post to desired position. It would be desirable to be able to secure the post connector at any desired position along the length of the post without having to slide it along the post to that position. Further, the wedges used to secure the collars are separate small special pieces which are needed for securement and not easily replaced if lost. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,333 similarly shows a sleeve which is placed over an end of a T-post and is slid to a desired position along the T-post. An internal keyway in the sleeve allows only one orientation of the sleeve on the post. When in position, a pin is inserted through the sleeve to fit between adjacent lugs to position the sleeve along the post. An additional post fits freely into a receiving portion of the connector. Again, having to place the sleeve over the end of the post and slide it along the post to desired position is often inconvenient and difficult and the single orientation of the sleeve on the post limits the flexibility of use and requires a larger assortment of post connector configurations than might be necessary with no limitation on orientation. 
     Room remains for improvement in such connectors to make them economical and easy and simple to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a fence post connector for joining or connecting fence posts in stabilizing sections of fence, or for connecting other items to a fence post, includes a securement section configured to be secured to a fence post at a desired location along the fence post to which the post connector is to be secured without having to slide the post connector along the post to that position. At least one receiving section of the post connector is configured to freely receive therein an end of a fence post, such as a stabilizing post, or another item, such as a gate hinge, to be received. 
     The securement section of the post connector may be configured to be secured to a T-post, in which case the securement section includes a pair of spaced arms each having a free end so that a T-post can be inserted and received between the spaced arms. A closure member, such as an easily obtainable bolt, pin, or wire, inserted through holes through the arms toward the free ends thereof, secures the post connector to the post. This securement is accomplished by the closure member capturing the T-post between the arms so that the closure member, an arm, or the portion of the connector spacing the arms fits between projections or lugs extending from the T-post to keep the post connector in position along the T-post. The securement of the post connector to the post generally is not a rigid or tight securement. The post connector can move somewhat with respect to the post as the bolt, arm, or spacing portion of the connector slides between and is stopped by one of the lugs. 
     Thus, with a T-post, the T-post is captured and held between the arms. The sizing of the closure member, arms, and portion of the connector spacing the arms, and their spacing and arrangement is such that with a T-post captured between the arms, the T-post can be positioned so that any one of the closure member, an arm, or the portion of the connector spacing the arms will fit between lugs or otherwise cooperate with lugs extending from the T-post to limit the sliding of the connector along the T-post. With the closure member, arms, and portion spacing the arms all sized to cooperate with the lugs, the connector can be secured to the T-post with various rotated orientations with respect to the T-post. This provides desired flexibility for the user in securing the connector to the T-post. 
     Alternately, the securement section may be configured to be secured to a wood fence post, in which case the securement section includes at least one arm having one or more openings therethrough with the at least one arm positioned to abut the fence post to which it is to be secured. A securement means, such as a nail or screw, extends through each of the one or more openings to secure the post connector to the fence post. 
     The receiving section of the post connector is configured to freely receive therein an end of a fence post or other item to be received. This section will usually include an opening into which the end of a fence post or other item, such as a T-post, is inserted and may be a receiving tube, such as a square tube, for the end of the fence post or other item to slide into. When T-posts are being connected, the end of the post received in the receiving section can abut the T-post to which the post connector is secured. When a T-post is being connected to a wood post, a divider between the receiving section and arms of the post connector preferably separates the end of the T-post from the wood post to prevent the metal T-post from rubbing against and wearing away the wood post, thereby loosening the connections. This divider may be easily formed by positioning an arm or divider along the end of the receiving section to divide it from the securement section. 
     The post connectors are usually used in constructing stabilizing sections of fence wherein stabilizing fence posts are oriented to extend horizontally or at an angle between vertically oriented fence posts. In some instances one of the vertically oriented fence posts may merely be a stabilizing post rather than a fence holding or mounting post. In use, the post connectors are loosely secured to vertically oriented fence posts between which the stabilizing posts extend and the horizontal or angled stabilizing fence posts are inserted into the receiving sections. The post connectors are then positioned as desired to hold the posts. This assembly of posts will generally initially be a loose assembly wherein the posts can move relative to one another. It is not necessary that the assembly of posts itself be tight to form the stabilizing section of fence. This makes assembling the posts together relatively easy. Once the posts are assembled and loosely connected, wire is secured and tightened between at least two of the connected posts to complete the stabilizing section by tightening the connected fence posts in the post connectors, and, when T-posts are used, tightening the connectors against T-post lugs. Thus, although when using T-posts the post connector is initially loosely secured to the post to which it is to be connected, the installation and tightening of the wire tightens all of the post connectors against the fence posts and fence post lugs. This tightening with wire draws the posts and connectors together into a tight stabilizing section of fence. 
     The design of the connector makes it easy and simple to use. With T-posts, a square receiving tube for the end of the T-post received along with the spacing of the arms and the closure member allow the connector to be drawn up nicely and taut between lugs of a T-post to which it is attached when the wire is tightened. Generally, the wire will be looped around the posts between which it extends and a stick or similar handle is inserted between the wires of the loop and turned to twist the wires together to tighten the wire in known manner. 
    
    
     THE DRAWINGS 
     The best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic showing of a substantially straight run of fence having end sections stabilized using connectors of the invention; 
     FIG. 2, a perspective view of a typical T-post; 
     FIG. 3, a schematic showing of a corner portion of a fence having end sections stabilized using connectors of the invention and having a gate hung using connectors of the invention; 
     FIG. 4, a perspective view of one embodiment of a connector of the invention; 
     FIG. 5, a top plan view of the connector of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 a , a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 5, but showing the connector installed on a T-post with a particular T-post orientation; 
     FIG. 6 b , a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 6 a , but showing a different T-post orientation; 
     FIG. 6 c , a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 6 a , but showing a different T-post orientation; 
     FIG. 6 d , a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 6 a , but showing a different T-post orientation; 
     FIG. 7 a , a side elevation of the connector mounted on a T-post as shown in FIG. 6 a , additionally showing a stabilizing post therein; 
     FIG. 7 b , a side elevation of the connector mounted on a T-post as shown in FIG. 6 b , additionally showing a stabilizing post therein; 
     FIG. 7 c , a side elevation of the connector mounted on a T-post as shown in FIG. 6 c , additionally showing a stabilizing post therein; 
     FIG. 8, a side elevation similar to that of FIG. 7, but with the connector shown in section so that the T-posts are visible; 
     FIG. 9, a schematic showing of an embodiment of a special stabilizing section of fence; 
     FIG. 10, a top plan view of the stabilizing section of fence shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11, a perspective view of a second embodiment of a connector of the invention; 
     FIG. 12, a top plan view of the connector of FIG. 11 showing it mounted on a T-post and showing stabilizing posts therein; 
     FIG. 13, a side elevation of the connector mounted on a T-post as shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14, a perspective view of a third embodiment of a connector of the invention; 
     FIG. 15, a top plan view of the connector of FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16, a bottom plan view of the connector of FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 17, a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 15, but showing the connector installed on a T-post; 
     FIG. 18 a , a side elevation of the connector mounted on a T-post as shown in FIG. 17, additionally showing a stabilizing post therein; 
     FIG. 18 b , a side elevation similar to that of FIG. 18 a , but showing a different orientation of T-post; 
     FIG. 18 c , a side elevation similar to that of FIG. 18 a , but showing a different orientation of T-post; 
     FIG. 19, a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a connector of the invention; 
     FIG. 20, a top plan view of the connector of FIG.  19 . 
     FIG. 21, a side elevation of the connector mounted on a T-post and showing a stabilizing post therein; 
     FIG. 22, a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a connector of the invention; 
     FIG. 23, an rear elevation of the connector of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24, a similar rear elevation showing a further embodiment of the connector of FIG. 22; and 
     FIG. 25, a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 22 secured to a wooden fence post with a stabilizing post therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows schematically a length of typical barbed wire fence. Opposite substantially vertical end posts  20  and  21  define the ends of a substantially straight run of fence with strands of barbed wire  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26  extending between the end posts and supported to maintain their spacing, prevent substantial sagging, and resist lateral movement of the wire, such as in response to livestock pushing against the wire, by intermediate posts  27 ,  28 ,  29 , and  30 . The number of intermediate posts will vary depending upon the length of the fence involved and distance between posts. Intermediate posts are generally spaced from about ten to seventeen feet apart depending upon the terrain and the use of the fence. It is generally important that the strands of barbed wire be stretched taut between the end posts. This, however, puts significant stress on the end posts  20  and  21  tending to pulling the end posts toward one another. If the end posts are not secured to resist this stress, the posts will be pulled toward one another and the wire will not be held in taut condition. The posts may be secured to resist this stress by securing the end posts in concrete in the ground, but usually the posts will be secured by bracing the end fence posts. 
     The end posts, or posts in an intermediate portion of the stretch of fence if a long stretch of more than about one-tenth to one-half mile is involved, may be braced as shown in FIG. 1, by extending a stabilizing fence post  35  at an angle to the vertical end post  20  between the vertical end post  20  and a stabilizing vertical post  36  spaced from the end post  20  a distance so that stabilizing post  35  can be secured between them. A wire  37  is tightened between stabilizing post  35  and end post  20  to complete the bracing and stabilize end post  20 . Wire  37  is preferably looped over stabilizing post  35  and end post  20  so that a stick can be positioned between the wires about midway between stabilizing post  35  and end post  20  as a handle and turned to twist the wires together to tighten them. Opposite end post  21  is similarly stabilized by stabilizing post  38 , stabilizing vertical post  39 , and wire  40 . 
     Various types of fence posts may be used. Sometimes wood posts will be used, but it is convenient and economical to use T-posts. T-posts are steel posts with a “T” cross section which are easily driven into the ground. A typical T-post is shown schematically in FIG.  2 . The T-post has cross portion  45  and leg  46  to form the “T”. Lugs  47  are spaced along and extend from cross portion face  48 . A guide plate  49  is secured to the post at a position just below the expected ground level when the post is driven into the ground so that normally the guide plate will be in the ground to help hold the post. The cross portion  45  is shown schematically in the drawings as a flat section for ease of illustration, but in most cases for actual T-posts, the ends of the cross portion will have a small curve in the direction of the lugs. Stabilizing vertical posts  36  and  39  may be short T-posts driven into the ground at the appropriate distance from the post being stabilized. A normal length T-post may be cut, such as into thirds, for use as the short stabilizing vertical posts. The stabilizing posts  35  and  38  will normally be the same as the vertical posts used in construction of the fence. As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizing posts are secured to the vertical posts using post connectors  50  of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows a further arrangement of fence. A gate  55  is included and is supported by special gate connectors  56  of the invention secured to vertical fence post  62 . The length of fence to the left of the gate is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, with the same reference numbers used, and will not be described further. A fence corner is shown to the right of the gate with the two sections forming the corner being reinforcing sections. In these sections, the reinforcing post is arranged substantially horizontally between vertical fence posts rather than diagonally as in the reinforcing section to the left of the gate and the reinforcing sections of FIG.  1 . Thus, stabilizing post  60  is connected horizontally between corner vertical post  61  and vertical post  62  with connectors  63  and  64  of the invention. Stabilizing post  65  is connected horizontally between corner vertical post  61  and vertical post  66  with connectors  64  and  67 . The horizontal stabilizing posts are spaced above the ground near the upper ends of the vertical posts. Wires  70  and  71  are stretched and tightened between vertical posts  61  and  62  and wires  72  and  73  are stretched and tightened between vertical posts  61  and  66 . These wires tighten and hold the reinforcing sections tightly together. 
     The connectors of the invention may take various configurations. Connectors  63  and  67 , FIG. 3, connect a single, substantially horizontal stabilizing post to spaced vertical posts and makes the connection at a ninety degree angle to the vertical posts. Such connector is shown in detail in FIGS. 4-8. The connector includes a securement section  74  and a receiving section  75 . The securement section  74  in this embodiment is configured to be secured to a T-post and includes two spaced apart arms  77  and  78  extending from opposite sides of a receiving tube, preferably a square receiving tube, forming the receiving section  75 . In this case the end of the receiving section  75  from which the arms extend forms the portion of the connector spacing the arms. The arms may be formed by continuations of two opposite sides of the tube with opposite connecting sides of the tube between the arms removed or bent out of the way. Also, the connector may be open from the tube forming the receiving section  75  to the arms forming the securement section  74 . 
     Each of the arms  77  and  78  include a free end with an opening  79  therein toward the free end. The arms are spaced to receive a T-post  80 , FIG. 6, therebetween. After receiving the T-post  80  between arms  77  and  78 , a closure member, such as a bolt  81 , is passed through openings  79 . Various other closure members may be used, such as various types of pins or a piece of wire that is inserted through the opening  79  with the ends of the wire extending around the free ends of the arms and twisted together. A nail could even be positioned through the openings  79  if that is all that is available and the end of the nail bent to keep the nail in place. The closure member could also be arranged to extend between the free ends of the arms secured to the arms in any suitable manner. For example, the closure member could be hinged to the free end of one arm with a securement catch at the end of the other arm to hold the member closed when a T-post is captured between the arms and releasable to open the closure member to capture or release the post. The purpose of the closure member is to capture the fence post to which the post connector is to be connected between the arms and any way of doing this will be equivalent to what has been shown and described. 
     Arms  77  and  78 , along with openings  79 , are all spaced so that when a normal T-post  80  is captured between the arms, the connector will be held between two adjacent lugs  82  extending from the T-post  80 . Thus, if the T-post is positioned as shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  7   a , a closure member extending through openings  79  will pass across the face of the cross portion of the T-post and will be located to fit between two adjacent lugs  82 . The connector will be able to slide upwardly along the T-post until the closure member abuts the upper of the adjacent lugs or downwardly along the T-post until the closure member abuts the lower of the adjacent lugs. When the closure member abuts the lug, travel of the connector along the T-post in that direction is stopped. The end of the receiving section  75  where it joins the securement section  74 , i.e., where the arms  77  and  78  extend from the usually tubular receiving section, will be sized so that opposite walls of the tube will fit between lugs. The connector is then held in position along the post by one of the walls abutting a lug as shown in FIGS. 6 b  and  7   b . The arms  77  and  78  of the connector are each sized so that they too can fit between lugs of the T-post. With the connector positioned in relation to the T-post as shown in FIGS. 6 c  and  7   c , arm  78  is positioned between adjacent lugs rather than the closure member. The connector can be similarly positioned so that arm  77  is positioned between lugs  82  as shown in FIG. 6 d . The arms could also be configured with an opening to receive a lug therethrough so the connector is held in position along the post by the lug extending through the opening. The advantage of having the closure member, the arms, and the portion of the connector spacing the arms all sized and configured to fit between lugs is that the connector can be arranged so that the receiving section  75  extends from any desired side of the T-post  80 . 
     Receiving section  75  provides walls  85  forming a square receiving opening and square receiving tube  86  to receive an end of stabilizing post  87  therein. Stabilizing post  87  freely slides into receiving opening  86 . As shown in FIG. 8, the end of T-post  87  extends through receiving section  75  into securement section  74  to abut T-post  80 . Rather than a square receiving tube, a cylindrical receiving tube could be used. Other shapes could also be used, but may limit the orientation of the post received therein. It is preferred that the receiving tube be able to receive the stabilizing post in any orientation. 
     The size of T-posts vary to some degree. The cross portion of a standard size T-post varies between about one and one-quarter inch to about one and three-eights inch and the leg of the T varies between about one inch and about one and one-quarter inch. The lugs usually extend between about one-eighth and one-quarter inch from the face of the cross portion. The receiving opening and tube of a standard size connector are sized to receive the largest standard size T-post therein. Also, the arms of a standard size connector of the invention are spaced to accept the largest standard size T-post between the arms. There are some larger size T-posts with cross portion about one and three-eighth inch and legs about one and three-eighth inch. For this larger size T-post, a larger size connector will generally be needed. While the arms of the securement section of the connector may closely receive the T-post therebetween, particularly a larger T-post, the spacing of the arms and the closure members need only be such that the connector is held by a lug, as explained, when the closure member, an arm, or the portion of the connector spacing the arms is aligned with the face of the cross portion of the T. In some instances, the T-post can be received at an angle between the arms. In such case, while the T-post is captured between the arms, the connector may not be oriented with respect to the T-post to prevent the connector from sliding along the post. In such instance, that angled connector may be positioned vertically above a regularly placed connector to be held up by that connector. 
     Such a situation may occur in constructing a special reinforcing section of fence as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This type of reinforcing section stabilizes the vertical posts against movement in all directions and is particularly advantageous for stabilizing posts for gates. As shown in FIG. 9, a fence end post  90  supports gate  91 . Barbed wires  92  form the fence and are secured to fence end post  90  and are supported also by post  93 . A vertical stabilizing post  94  is spaced laterally from the fence between posts  90  and  93 . Connectors  95  as shown in FIGS. 4-8 are located on posts  90 ,  93 , and  94  as shown to connect horizontal stabilizing post  96  between posts  90  and  93  and to connect one end of horizontal stabilizing post  98  to vertical post  94 . Connectors  97 , also as shown in FIGS. 4-8, are located on posts  90 ,  93 , and  94 , as shown, to connect horizontal stabilizing posts  98  and  99  between posts  93  and  94  and between posts  90  and  94 , respectively. The only difference between connectors  95  and  97 , as best seen in FIG. 10, are that connectors  95  are secured to the respective fence posts so as to engage lugs extending from the fence posts, as described above, to limit sliding of the connectors along the posts. Connectors  97  are secured to the respective fence posts at an angle where they do not engage the lugs so can slide along the fence posts. Note that connectors  97  are all located on the respective fence posts vertically above a connector  95  so that connectors  95  will limit sliding downwardly of connectors  97 . 
     In making the connections between the posts, connectors for one end of the horizontal posts can be attached to a vertical post, the horizontal posts inserted into the receiving sections and connectors placed on the ends of such posts which are then moved to position and connected to the other vertical post concerned. These connections are loose connections since the connectors, as described, can slide to some extent along the vertical posts and the ends of the horizontal posts can slide in the receiving portions as they are freely received in such portions. To tighten the stabilizing section and actually stabilize all posts, wires are stretched between various posts and tightened. The particular posts between which the wires are connected is not critical as long as tension can be applied to the posts to tighten all connections so all posts are held tightly and securely in the connectors and all connectors are held tightly to the posts to which they are secured. In the embodiment shown, wire  100  extends diagonally between the upper portion of post  93  and the lower portion of post  90 , wire  101  extends diagonally between the upper portion of post  90  and the lower portion of post  93 , wire  102  extends diagonally between the upper portion of post  94  and the lower portion of post  93 , wire  103  extends diagonally between the upper portion of post  94  and the lower portion of post  90 , wire  104  extends diagonally between the upper portion of post  93  and the lower portion of post  94 , and wire  105  extends diagonally between the upper portion of post  90  and the lower portion of post  94 . These wires are all tightened which tightens all connections between posts and forms a tight stabilizing section of fence. With this stabilized section of fence, the posts  90 ,  93 , and  94  are all stabilized against movement in all directions. With the stabilizing sections shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the posts involved in each section are stabilized only in the direction of pull of the fence. As described, connectors  97 , which may slide, are connected vertically above connectors  95  which are connected to prevent sliding, and therefore all connectors are held against sliding upon tightening of the wires. Once tightened by the wires, all connectors are secured against the posts, lugs, and adjacent connectors. 
     The connectors of the invention may take various configurations to connect posts in various orientations. The connectors described for FIGS. 4-8 connect two posts at ninety degree angles, and correspond to connectors  63  and  67  in FIG.  3  and connectors  95  and  97  in FIGS. 9 and 10. 
     FIGS. 11-13 show a connector corresponding to connector  64  in FIG. 3, which connects three posts at ninety degree angles. Such connector has a securement section  110  similar to that of the securement section  74  of the connector of FIGS. 4-8 with arms  111  extending from receiving section  115 . Each arm  111  has an opening  113  toward the free ends thereof. Securement of the connector to a T-post is as previously described with a closure member  114 . The illustrated connector has a receiving section  115  with opening  117  and a receiving section  116  with opening  118  for freely receiving T-posts therein. The receiving sections  115  and  116  are positioned at ninety degrees to one another so connect T-posts at ninety degrees. Thus, with the connector connected to a T-post  120 , FIGS. 12 and 13, a T-post  121  can be received in receiving section  115  and a T-post  122  can be received in receiving section  116 , at ninety degrees to T-post  121 . Both are at ninety degrees to vertical post  120 . This is a configuration of posts satisfactory for a fence corner as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIGS. 14-18 show a connector corresponding to connectors  50  in FIG. 1, which connects posts at an angle. Such connector has a securement section  125  with arms  126  extending from receiving section  131 . Each arm  126  has an opening  128  toward the free end thereof. Securement of the connector to a T-post  129  is as previously described with a closure member  130 , FIGS. 17 and 18. The illustrated connector has a receiving section  131  with opening  132  for freely receiving a T-post  133  therein. Receiving section  131  has a long wall  134 , FIGS. 15-18, and short wall  135 , FIGS. 16-18, to hold the connector at an angle to the T-post  129  to which it is connected. The connector can be configured, depending upon the relative lengths of long wall  134  and short wall  135 , to position the receiving section at any desired angle. Usually angles of forty five or sixty degrees will be used. Again, as shown by FIGS. 18 a - 18   c , the arms  126  and end of the receiving portion  131  from which arms  126  extend, as well as closure member  130 , all are sized to fit between lugs  136  to limiting sliding of the connector along the post in various orientations of the connector with respect to the post. 
     FIGS. 19-21 show a connector corresponding to gate connectors  56  in FIG. 3 (also shown but not numbered in FIG.  9 ), which connect a gate to a fence post. Such connector has a securement section  140  with arms  141  extending from receiving section  145 . Each arm  141  has an opening  143  toward the free end thereof. Securement of the connector to a T-post  144  is as previously described with a closure member not shown. The receiving section  145  has a hinge pin  146  secured thereto and extending therefrom. A gate hinge  147  is placed onto the hinge pin  146  as shown in FIG. 21 so as to be able to rotate thereon so that the gate can be swung open or closed. The connector is prevented from sliding along the fence post  144  by sliding by gravity against a lug  148 , FIG.  21 . 
     FIGS. 22-25 show a connector for securement to a wooden fence post  150  rather than a T-post. Such connector has a securement section  151  with arms  152  extending from receiving section  156 . Each arm  152  has one or more openings  154  toward the free end thereof. To secure the connector to the wooden post  150 , a securement means  155 , such as a screw or nail, is placed through an opening  154  into the fence post. A receiving section  156  has an opening  157  to receive a T-post  158  therein. When using a wood fence post and a T-post as a stabilizing post, the T-post, generally made of steel, if it directly abuts the wood post, can dig into the wood post over time, loosening the stabilizing section. It is therefore preferred to provide a divider between the securement section  151  and receiving section  156  to separate the T-post in the receiving section from the wood post to which the connector is secured. This may be done by using arm  152   a , FIG. 24, as a divider by forming it to extend at least partially across the opening of the tubular receiving section  156  where it joins the securement section  151 . This arm is difficult to get to when receiving section  156  is angled, as shown, and is not needed for securement since the remaining arms are sufficient to secure the post connector to the post  150 . In fact, the connector will generally work satisfactorily with a single arm, particularly if two or more openings  154  are provided in the arm. The receiving section  156  may be arranged with respect to arms  152  to provide any desired angular orientation of the receiving section. Thus, while the receiving section  156  is shown angled with respect to post  150 , it could form a ninety degree angle or any other desired angle. 
     The connectors of the invention may be made of various materials, such as metal or plastic. The connectors may also be formed or fabricated in various ways. When made of metal, they can be easily fabricated from a metal tube, preferably a square tube, by cutting the tube at one end to separate it into arms, while the other end of the tube becomes the receiving section. An extruded metal tube works well. However, they may also be made from flat stock bent to the desired configuration, may be cast to the desired configuration, or made up of a plurality of parts joined together, such as by welding or other assembly techniques. If made of plastic, the connectors will generally be molded into the desired configuration, although an extruded or molded plastic tube can be cut, as with a metal tube, to form the connector. 
     Whereas the invention is here illustrated and described with reference to embodiments thereof presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out the invention in actual practice, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in adapting the invention to other embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein and comprehended by the claims that follow.