Abstract:
An apparatus for attachment to either a tractor or truck to safely dispense net wire or barbwire over a long distance. The apparatus has two divisible portions. The first portion is a vertical spindle for a reel of fencing wire. The second portion attaches to the first portion and supports three reels of barbwire and the like on a horizontal spindle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to wire distributors and fence stretchers. More specifically, the invention is apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck for laying barbwire and net wire.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    The related art of interest describes various wire laying apparatus, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck which can distribute net wire and barbwire safely. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,634 issued on Nov. 17, 1992, to L. T. Moon et al. describes a triangular fence stretching apparatus attached to a three-point tractor hitch which has a spool of fencing material on a spindle and stretches the fencing material through a triangular framework. The apparatus can be operated hydraulically from the tractor. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring the triangular stretching framework.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 809,721 issued on Jan. 9, 1906, to William F. Myers describes a wire stretcher and stringer apparatus dragged along the ground on a sled. The sled incorporates three spindles for barbed wire fed into proper position along the fence post under tension by wire clamps on ropes or chains attached to each strung wire and to a winding spindle on a standard. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a standard with winding spindles on a sled.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,234 issued on Dec. 19, 1995, to Bertin J. St. Pierre describes a tractor-mounted, single wire dispensing apparatus comprising a farm tractor hitched and vertically mounted coiled wire spindle on a base plate assembly. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to the distribution of a single wire from a carriage.  
           [0008]    U.S. Design Patent No. 326,807 issued on Jun. 9, 1992, to Darrell Hargrove describes a barbed wire dispenser apparatus comprising a rectangular frame having a pair of pins presumably for wheels attached outwardly from a bottom bar, and a long bar ending in a hook extending from the top of the frame at its center and supported below by a bar attached to the bottom bar of the frame. The long centered bar supports two wire spindles on a rod positioned perpendicular to the long bar. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to laying out a pair of single barbed wires.  
           [0009]    U.S. Design Patent No. 328,378 issued on Jul. 28, 1992, to Darrell Hargrove describes a hand pulled barbed wire dispenser apparatus comprising a reel placed on one side with its axle perpendicular to the axle of a pair of wheels. A handle with a long stem is angled at its bottom to attach to a bar supporting the reel. The bar has a standing rod at the angle of the handle. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to one reel and manual locomotion.  
           [0010]    U.S. Design Patent No. 424,774 issued on May 9, 2000, to Donald H. Zarley describes a portable wire dispensing reel for barbed wire comprising a rectangular frame made of pipes with an attachment tongue on one end and a pair of wheels at the opposite end supporting a wire dispensing reel. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a wheeled cart having only one wire dispensing reel.  
           [0011]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0038837 A1 published on Apr. 4, 2002, for George C. Jackson describes a barbed wire holder, carrier and unreeler apparatus comprising a rectangular frame open and angled at an acute angle at the bottom to rest on extended legs. A reel of barbed wire is supported on a crossbar and spindle. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a carrier frame with angled legs.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 589,490 issued on Sep. 7, 1897, to Fred S. Young describes an apparatus for distributing three fence wires simultaneously by hand. The apparatus has two wooden bars which end in crooked handles. The front end of the apparatus supports three wire spools in-line on a spindle rod. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to manual distribution of three in-line wire spools.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,900 issued on Oct. 29, 1996, to Harlan D. Conroy describes a receiver hitch spooled wire dispenser apparatus comprising as a first embodiment a multiple, i.e., 4 spools, barbed wire dispenser positioned on a cross member with rotatable discs having posts. The cross member is attached to a vehicle by a centered drawbar. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring posts on rotatable discs.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,216 issued on Dec. 10, 1996, to Michael T. Smith describes a farm tractor hitched apparatus for installing wire fencing comprising a rectangular frame having a spindle assembly of a stack of a spool of barbed wire on a spool of field fencing on a second spool of barbed wire. The stack can comprise five spools of barbed wire. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a vertical stack of barbed wire and wire fencing.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,046 issued on Mar. 28, 2000, to Anthony W. Beyer, Sr. describes an apparatus attachable to a truck or a farm tractor for reeling and unreeling spools of fencing comprising a horizontal frame assembly formed of a drawbar for connecting to a vehicle and a cantilever frame. A vertical frame is affixed to the horizontal frame and connected to a vehicle. A rotatable vertical shaft is pivotally attached to the horizontal frame and receives a spool of fencing. A base is provided for supporting the spool near the pivot end. A winch or cylinder is provided for lowering the shaft from an upright to a horizontal position and for selectively raising the shaft. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a vertical positioning of the fencing spool and a winch.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,714 issued on May 23, 2000, to Gregory Fondacaro describes a machine for dispensing barbed wire fencing on top of a fence comprising a traverse member or pole supported by a rectangular frame. The traverse pole carries three spools of barbed wire at the frame and three pulleys at the end. The machine is carried by a forklift tractor to distribute three barbed wires from fence post to fence post. The machine is distinguishable for requiring the traverse pole with barbed wire spools and pulleys.  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,984 B1 issued on Mar. 26, 2002, to Phillip T. England describes a field fence unroller and stretcher apparatus pulled by a farm tractor comprising a rectangular frame carrying a roll of fencing material on a vertical shaft. The fencing is simultaneously unrolled and pulled rearwardly through a nearly closed gate to straighten the fencing material. Guide rails within the gate direct the fencing material towards a pair of horizontal fingers, wherein each finger is rigidly connected to the vertical guide bar and the rear vertical frame member. Once enough fencing material has been unrolled to span the distance between two fence posts, the gate is closed and clamps the wire fencing material against the rear vertical frame member. The apparatus is distinguishable for being limited to a vertical rectangular frame having a pair of horizontal fingers and a closing gate.  
           [0018]    European Patent Office Patent No. EP 0 574 001 A1 published on Dec. 15, 1993, for Hans-Peter Klein describes a manual device for holding, conveying and handling rollers on which four flexible cables or wires are wound. A rectangular platform having only two wheels at one end is pulled by an inclined mast with a hand grip containing bars or dish-shaped holding devices for attaching the rolls of wires or cables. The device is distinguishable for being limited to a manual conveying apparatus.  
           [0019]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a combination net wire and barbwire dispensing apparatus which can be separated for attaching to either a farm tractor or a truck solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for safely dispensing net wire and barbwire by either a farm tractor or a truck with appropriate hitch connections. The basic apparatus component is an inverted U-shaped support element having a crossbar and rearwardly extending feet which supports a vertical spindle on a bottom disc for vertically positioning a wide net wire supply. The spindle is supported by a right-angled bar directed rearward and telescoping on another right-angled bar connected to the hitch. A pair of support arms for holding a horizontal spindle for three barbwire reels has its distal end connected to a first pair of pins extending outward proximate the feet of the U-shaped support element and a second pair of pins above the first pair. The horizontal spindle portion can be readily attached and removed from the inverted U-shaped support element. Thus, a bifunctional wire holding and laying apparatus is disclosed and claimed.  
           [0021]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an apparatus for safely laying net wire or barbwire for fencing.  
           [0022]    It is another object of the invention to provide a wire distributing apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck with different connecting mechanisms.  
           [0023]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing wire fencing over a long distance.  
           [0024]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing multiple barbwires from a removable holder addition.  
           [0025]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0026]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective rear view of an apparatus for dispensing net wire and barbwire towed by a farm tractor in shadow according to the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the empty wire dispensing apparatus towed by a farm tractor in shadow according to the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the wire dispensing apparatus having only the barbwire element operating and being towed by a farm tractor in shadow according to the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of an empty wire dispensing apparatus on a three-point hookup with a farm tractor in shadow according to the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an empty holder for three wire spools with a partial view of the attachment arms to a farm tractor according to the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a truck hitch for the fencing apparatus according to the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a farm tractor hitch for the fencing apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
       [0034]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]    The present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 is directed to a combination apparatus  10  for attachment to a farm tractor vehicle  12  shown in shadow or a truck to safely dispense net wire  14  or barbwire  16 . In FIGS. 1 through 4, an inverted U-shaped element  18  is depicted having a pair of rearwardly facing flanged feet portions  20  on side portions  22 , and three pins  24  outwardly facing on each side portion  22  locked by cotter pins  23 . The feet portions  20  are supported by a crossbar  19  which is further supported by a right-angled bar  21 .  
         [0036]    A vertical spindle  26  containing a roll of net wire  14  between a top disc  28  having at least one penetrating wire holding pin  29  (FIG. 1), and a supporting bottom disc  26  is positioned on the center of the top surface of the inverted U-shaped element  18  by equally spaced four triangular support plates  30 . A right-angled hollow bar  32  with a square cross-section supports the top of the vertical spindle  26 , and is secured by a threaded locking pin  34  to a telescoping right angled bar  36 . The distal end of the bar  36  is connected by an upper centered hitch of a three-way hitch  32  to a vehicle such as the farm tractor  12  shown in shadow.  
         [0037]    The upper right-angled bar  32  has a braking means  38  (FIGS. 3, 4,  6  and  7 ) for preventing the rolled barbwire  16  from unrolling, including a right-angled brake arm  40  with its distal end penetrating the aperture  41  of a vertical guide rod  42 . The horizontal leg of the brake arm  40  has a series of apertures  44 , selectively engaged by a locking pin  46  having a tee handle  48 . A short stud  45  extends horizontally from the upper right-angled hollow bar  32 , having a bolt  47  for supporting the tee handle  48 , and further having a series of metal U-shaped supports  49  (hidden) to guide the locking pin  46  into an aperture  44 . A horizontal support bar  50  is added between the vertical guide rod  42  and the vertical portion of the right-angled upper bar  32  and above the brake arm  40 . Thus, when the unrolling of the net wire  14  is stopped, the brake arm  40  can be actuated to penetrate the net wire  14 . A threaded friction pin  52  is added at the closed end of the upper right-angled bar  32  to maintain a controllable rotation of the spindle  26  containing the net wire.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 1, 2,  4 ,  5 , and  7  illustrate the equally spaced and locked positioning of the three barbwire reels  54  on a cylindrical horizontal rod  56  by lockrings  58 . The upper two pins  24  on the side portions  22  of the inverted U-shaped element  18  support the pair of supporting arms  60  of the horizontal bar  56  in apertures  62  which permit rotation of the bar  56  for distributing the three barbwires  16 . This configuration of three barbwire reels  54  enables the distribution of three barbwires  16  evenly spaced for adding to posts. When the barbwire  16  is not needed, the horizontal rod  56  with its reels  54  can be readily dismantled for distribution of the net wire  14 .  
         [0039]    The combination apparatus  10  is hitched to the conventional three-way hitch apparatus  64  of the farm tractor  12  by an upper centered hitch  66  (FIGS. 3 and 7) and two lower hitch arms  68  and hydraulic cylinders  70  (shown in shadow in FIGS. 3, 4 and  7 ). Thus, a combination apparatus  10  has been disclosed which can distribute barbwires  16  as well as net wire  14  to create wire fencing by attaching to a farm tractor  12 .  
         [0040]    The combination apparatus  10  can be hitched to a truck  72  (in shadow) as depicted in FIG. 6 having a conventional hollow hitching bar  74  with a square cross-section. The lower telescoping bar  36  is supported on a frame portion  76  comprising a U-shaped crossbar,  78  having a hinge  80  at each corner to support arms  82  having apertured lugs  84  which attach to the lowermost pair of pins  24  (FIGS. 1 through 4). The horizontal hollow bar  86  attached at the midpoint of crossbar  78  is inserted in the hollow hitching bar  74  of the truck  72  and conventionally affixed. The bar  86  is strengthened by a triangular plate  88  above and an angled bar or strap brace  90  and a crosspiece plate  92  below.  
         [0041]    All the hardware for the combination apparatus consist of steel and are welded together to form a durable apparatus. Thus, a versatile apparatus hitchable to either a farm tractor or a truck and capable of distributing at least three rolls of barbwire and a net fence wire by releasing the barbwire apparatus from the combination.  
         [0042]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.