Abstract:
A fence bracket for assisting a fence installer to erect and retain a fencing structure to a fence pole. The fence bracket includes at least one sidewall including a first end and a second end. An interior surface of the bracket has at least one corrugated portion thereon for engaging and aligning a structural member of a fencing structure to a fence pole. The corrugated portion includes interleaved grooves and folds for receiving a structural member of the fencing structure a groove and securing it to the pole. The first and second ends are adapted for securing said fence bracket to said fence pole. In one embodiment, the fence bracket has a flexible portion that allows the bracket to be opened and closed around the pole during installation. The fence bracket can secure one or more fencing structures to a single pole at various angles with respect to the pole.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to fence brackets, more specifically, the present invention relates to a fence bracket adapted for fastening a portion of a fencing structure to a fence pole.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Erecting fences along property lines and other areas deemed desirable to divide or protect, can be difficult, time-consuming, labor intensive and expensive. Fencing structures (fabrics) such as panels, chain-link fencing, wire mesh fencing, among other fencing structures can be bulky and/or heavy, and usually require two or more people to lift and fasten the fencing structure to the fence poles.  
         [0005]     Typically, the fence poles are installed on a surface, such as the ground, a foundation among other surfaces, and then the fencing structure is positioned and held against the pole for fastening thereto using a bracket or fastener (e.g., a staple, among other fasteners). For example, fence installers often fasten a corner or a section of the fencing to the pole in an impromptu or ad hoc manner, illustratively, by driving a nail through the fencing structure and into a wooden pole.  
         [0006]     One problem observed when fastening the fencing structure between fence poles, is aligning a particular structural member of the fencing structure between the poles. The fence poles are not always true with respect to being exactly vertical, or positioned in a straight line or at right angles with respect to each other. Moreover, the fence poles are not always evenly spaced apart from each other. Such variations occurring during installation may be attributed various factors, such as the topography over which the fence is being erected, weak footings, or human factors, such as errors in measurement, improper installation of the poles or a combination of multiple factors.  
         [0007]     When fastening the fencing structure (e.g., fence panel) to the poles, a lack of tolerance for such misaligned poles often leads to the fence installers having to compensate for the discrepancies or misalignments. Unfortunately, such compensation can result in the fencing fabric undesirably having excessive slack between fence poles or applying excessive stress on structural members of the fencing fabric. Excessive slack may compromise the security of the fence, as animals or people may attempt to take advantage of the slack to slip past (e.g., under) the fence. On the other hand, excessive stress on the structural members can cause wear and eventually damage such structural members, which can also compromise the integrity of the fencing structure. In either case, safety and security issues arise from an improperly installed fence.  
         [0008]     One solution is for the fence installers to adjust the positioning of the misaligned poles. However, such repositioning is costly in terms of time, labor and efficiency. A less laborious solution is to utilize a fastener, such as a nail, screw or conventional bracket to secure the fencing structure to the pole. However, the nails and/or screws by themselves are not considered very good devices for permanently fastening the fencing structures to the posts. Moreover, although conventional fence brackets are much better for securing the fencing structure to the pole over nails, screws and the like, these fence brackets are not particularly helpful for remedying misalignments between the fencing structures and the poles. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that will assist a fence installer with fastening and aligning fencing structures to a pole in a consistent, non-laborious and inexpensive manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The disadvantages heretofore associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention of a fence bracket for assisting a fence installer to erect and retain a fencing structure, such as a fence panel, wire mesh fence, chain link fence, among other sections of a fencing structure, to a fence pole. The fence bracket includes at least one sidewall including a first end and a second end. An interior surface of the bracket has at least one corrugated portion formed thereon for engaging and aligning a structural member of a fencing structure to a fence pole. The corrugated portion includes interleaved folds and grooves for retaining the structural member (e.g., a vertical structural member of a wire mesh fence) of the fencing structure.  
         [0010]     The at least one sidewall includes a flexible portion that enables the bracket to be opened and closed during installation around the pole. The interior surface of the bracket has a shape to accommodate the exterior surface of the fence pole. The first and second ends are adapted for securing said fence bracket to said fence pole.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the interior surface of the fence bracket is illustratively square to conform around a square fence pole, although such shape should not be considered as being limiting. A front portion of the interior surface of the sidewall includes a pair of corrugated portions, which are separated by the flexible portion formed therebetween. Each corrugated portion includes a plurality of interleaved grooves and folds, where each groove is formed between a pair of folds. Any one of the grooves can be used to receive a structural member of the fencing structure.  
         [0012]     The corrugated portions enable a fence installer to secure one or more fencing structures to a single pole. In particular, once the structural member is positioned in a groove, the bracket is fastened around the pole, such that the structural member is secured between the interior surface (i.e., groove) of the bracket and the exterior surface of the pole. Where two or more fencing structures are attached to the pole by the bracket, the fencing structures can be secured at various angles with respect to one another. Further, the corrugated portions enable a fence installer to remedy alignment and tolerance related problems by selecting a suitably positioned groove for retaining a structural member to ensure optimum integrity of the fencing structure.  
         [0013]     Typically, each fence pole requires at least two fence brackets spaced a distance apart along the pole to secure a single fencing structure thereto. The optimal number of fence brackets used during installation depends on the height of the pole and the rigidity of the fencing structure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a top traversal view of an illustrative fence bracket of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a first rear perspective view of the fence bracket of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a first lateral perspective view of the fence bracket of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a second lateral perspective view of the fence bracket of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a frontal perspective view of the fence bracket of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a second rear perspective view of the fence bracket of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top traversal view of the fence bracket in an open configuration for securing a fencing structure to a fence pole; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the fence bracket in a closed configuration for securing one or more fencing structures to a fence pole. 
     
    
       [0023]     To facilitate an understanding of the invention, the same reference numerals have been used when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the drawings shown and discussed in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     The present invention is a fence bracket that advantageously assists in the installation process of securing fencing structures to fence poles. As illustratively discussed herein, the fence bracket of the present invention is particularly advantageous for securing fence structures, such as wire mesh fences, chain-link fences, lattice structured fences, wire partition panels, or any other fencing structures or fabrics having structural members that may be aligned and secured by the fence bracket.  
         [0025]     The fence bracket of the present invention includes at least one sidewall having a corrugated portion formed on an interior surface of the sidewall. The corrugated portion includes a plurality of interleaved folds and grooves that are sized to accommodate a structural member of the fencing structure. For example, a panel fabricated from wire mesh fencing structures typically includes vertical and horizontal wires that form the structural members, which can be used to secure the fencing structure to the poles.  
         [0026]     A flexible portion of the fence bracket allows the bracket to be selectively opened and closed around both the structural members and the pole. For example, the fence bracket can be inserted between a pair of adjacent horizontal structural members such that a vertical structural member of the panel is positioned in a groove between a pair of folds. When the bracket is closed about the fence pole, the structural members of the fencing structure are positioned therebetween. That is, the grooves and folds help align and secure the fence panel to the pole. For sake of clarity, the term fence “pole” includes any shaped pole, post, rod or other structural support for supporting, hanging or otherwise erecting a fencing structure. Although  FIGS. 1-8  illustratively show a square shaped fence bracket that is sized for fastening a fencing structure to a square fence pole, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the fence bracket of the present invention may include any shape and/or size to engage an exterior surface of a correspondingly shaped fence pole.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-6  depict various views of an illustrative fence bracket  100  of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , which is a top traversal view of the illustrative fence bracket  100 , the fence bracket  100  comprises at least one sidewall  110  having an interior surface  112  and an exterior surface  114 .  
         [0028]     In particular, the at least one side wall  110  is illustratively shown as having a square shape to circumscribe a square shaped fence pole. The at least one side wall  110  includes a first end  116  and a second end  118 . When the bracket  100  is in a closed position, the first and second ends are positioned adjacent to each other such that a slot  142  is formed therebetween. As illustratively shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the square shaped fence bracket  100  includes a front portion  120 , a rear portion  122 , and lateral side portions  124   1  and  124   2  (collectively lateral portions  124 ). Accordingly, the interior wall  112  extends contiguously, illustratively, from the first ends  116  along the rear portion  122 , and extends along the first lateral portion  124   1 , the front portion  120 , the second lateral portion  124   2 , and terminates along the rear portion  122  at the second ends  118  of the bracket  100 .  
         [0029]     The bracket  100  is also shown with the exterior surface wall  114  substantially conforming to the square shape of the interior surface wall  116 , and having a substantially uniform thickness. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the exterior wall  114  can have a nonconforming shape with respect to the shape of the interior wall  112 .  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, the first end  116  and second end  118  respectively include rear flange  140   1  and rear flange  140   2  (collectively rear flanges  140 ) extending outward from the exterior wall  114 . In this embodiment, the first and second ends  116  and  118  are “L-shaped,” and a rear slot  142  is formed between the flanges  140  when the bracket  100  is in a closed position. Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , aperture  144   1  is formed in first rear flange  140   1 , and aperture  144   2  is formed in the second rear flange  140   2 . The apertures  144  are formed co-axially with each other such that a fastener (e.g., a bolt and nut) can be inserted through the apertures  144  to securely retain the bracket  100  in a closed position. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the apertures  144  are sized to accommodate a particular sized fastener, such as a threaded bolt, among other fasteners, and that more than one aperture can be included in each flange  140 , depending on the height of the brackets  100 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the interior wall  112  along the front portion  120  of the bracket  100  includes at least one corrugated portion, illustratively corrugated portions  132   1  and  132   2  (collectively corrugated portions  132 ). The corrugated portions  132  each comprise a plurality of interleaved folds  134  and grooves  136 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , “universal” shaped grooves are preferably formed in the corrugated portions  132  having a curved bottom portion and substantially opposing oblique or parallel linear sidewalls (i.e., opposing sidewalls of adjacent folds). The universal shaped grooves are suitable for retaining various shaped structural members of a fencing structure.  
         [0032]     Alternatively, the grooves  136  can be sized and shaped to accommodate a particular shape of a structural member of a fencing structure (e.g., a vertical wire of a wire mesh fence). For example, square grooves can be provided to accommodate fencing structures having square shaped structural members, circular grooves can be provided to accommodate fencing structures having circular shaped structural members, and so forth.  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, four folds  134  and four corresponding grooves  136  are formed along the front portion  120  between the first and second lateral portions  124   1  and  124   2 , although the number of folds and grooves is not considered as being limiting. As such, a structural member of a fencing structure may be positioned in any one of the grooves  136  along the front portion  120  of the bracket  100 .  
         [0034]     In order to facilitate opening and closing of the bracket  100 , preferably a flexible portion  138  is formed along the front portion  120  of the bracket  100 . For example, as illustratively shown in  FIG. 1 , a non-corrugated gap  150  is provided between the corrugated portions  132   1  and  132   2  along the interior surface of the front portion. In one embodiment, the flexible portion  138  along the front portion  120  has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the remaining portions of the sidewall  112 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the thickness of the sidewall  110 , as well as the flexible portion  138  is a design choice that is based on various factors associated with the type of materials from which the bracket  100  is fabricated, as well as desired traits and features associated with flexibility, durability, among other characteristics. Preferably the bracket  100  is fabricated from polyethylene. Alternatively, the bracket  100  can be fabricated from plastic, metal or any other flexible materials that permit the brackets  100  to be opened and closed without being damaged (e.g., tearing or snapping).  
         [0035]     In addition to the corrugated portions  132  formed on interior surface  112  of the front portion  120 , one or more lateral grooves  148  may be formed along the interior surface of the lateral portions  124   1  and  124   2  of the bracket  100 . For example, a first lateral groove  148   1  is formed proximately between the front portion  120  and rear portion  122 . Similarly, a second lateral groove  148   2  is also formed along the interior surface of the second lateral portion  124   2  mid-way between the front portion  120  and rear portion  122  of the bracket  100 . Although only a single lateral groove  148  is illustratively shown as being formed in each of the lateral portions  124 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that additional lateral grooves  148  may also be provided along the interior surface of the lateral portions  124 . The lateral grooves  148  are sized and shaped to accommodate a structural member of a fencing structure in a similar manner as described with respect to the grooves  136  of the corrugated portions  132 . Thus, the illustrative bracket  100  is capable of securing a single or multiple fencing structures along any of the three sides of the bracket  100 .  
         [0036]     The at least one sidewall  110  can optionally include a plurality of interior ridges  146  formed along the interior surface  112  of the sidewall  110 . The plurality of interior ridges  146  is illustratively formed along the interior surfaces of the lateral portions  124   1  and  124   2 , as well as the rear portion  122 , although the ridges can be formed on any one of the lateral and/or rear portions. In one embodiment, the interior ridges extend perpendicular between the top and bottom of the bracket  100 . However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the interior ridges  146  may also be formed parallel with respect to the upper and lower surfaces of the bracket  100 . The interior ridges  146  advantageously increase the rigidity of the lateral portions  124  and the rear portion  122 , as well as increase the contact area for securing the bracket  100  to the external surface of the fence pole.  
         [0037]     Operation of the bracket  100  is now discussed with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  is a top traversal view of the fence bracket in an open configuration for securing a fencing structure  710  to a fence pole  702 . Once a fence pole  702  is secured in the ground, a fencing structure  710 , such as a wire mesh fencing structure having a plurality of horizontal wire structure members  712  and a plurality of vertical structural members  714 , is positioned along the length of the pole  720 . One installation technique includes using a fence pole cap to assist in holding the horizontal and vertical structural members  712  and  714  substantially flush against the pole  720 . The fence installer then opens the fence bracket  100  by separating the first and second ends  116  and  118  so that the slot  142  expands a distance sufficient to fit around the diameter of the fence pole  702 . For a detailed understanding of the fence pole cap and its operation, the reader is directed to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ , entitled “Method and Apparatus for Installing A Fencing Structure to a Fence Pole,” by Tamez, et al. (Attorney Docket No. AFFS 206,952) the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
         [0038]     As illustratively shown in  FIG. 7 , the first end  116  is inserted through an open portion formed between adjacent horizontal structural members  712   1  and  712   2  and adjacent vertical structural members  714   1  and  714   2  of the fencing structure  710 . The fence installer then moves the bracket  100  along the sides of the fence pole  702  until the rear portion  122  is proximately adjacent to the rear portion of the fence pole  702 . Once the bracket  100  substantially circumscribes the fence pole  702 , the structural members, such as a vertical structural member  714 , can be positioned within one of the grooves of a corrugated portion  132  or a lateral grooves  148 . Thereafter, the fence installer closes the bracket  100  by pushing the first and second ends  116  and  118  of the bracket  100  towards each and around the rear portion of the pole. The first and second ends  116  and  118  (e. g., rear flanges  140 ) are secured together by a fastener (e.g., bolt and nut)  802  extending through the apertures  144 , as illustratively shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the fence bracket  100  in a closed configuration for securing a fencing structure  710  to a fence pole  702 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a vertical structural member  714   1  of fencing structure  710   1  being retained by a corner groove  136  of a corrugated portion  132 . Similarly, a second fencing structure  710   2  is shown having a vertical structural member  714   2  being retained by lateral groove  148   2  of lateral portion  124   2 . Accordingly, the bracket  100  is capable of securing multiple fencing structures  710  to a single pole  702 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  also illustratively depicts fencing structures  710  alternatively or additionally being positioned in other grooves  148  and  136 , as shown in phantom.  
         [0041]     The grooves  136  and  148  allow the fencing structures  710  to be secured to the fence pole  702  at various angles. For example, fencing structure  710   2  can be positioned approximately 180° along the lateral side of the fence post  702 . Similarly, a corner groove formed in the corrugated portion  132  of the fence bracket  100  also allows approximately 180° of rotation tangent to the corner of the fence pole  702 . Additionally, interior grooves  136  of the corrugated portions  132  also facilitate various angles at which the fencing structure  710  can be secured to the front portion of the fence pole  702 .  
         [0042]     As such, the fencing bracket  100  of the present invention accommodates securing one or more fencing structures  710  to a single fence pole  702 . Furthermore, the fencing structure may be attached to the fence pole at various angles to accommodate different pole positions.  
         [0043]     Moreover, fence bracket  100  of the present invention is useful for remedying misalignment or lack of tolerance issues between the structural members of the fencing structure and the pole, illustratively, due to misalignment of the poles. Referring to  FIG. 8 , for example, if fencing structure  710 , is found to have excess slack when its vertical structural member is retained in the first corner groove of first corrugated portion  132   1 , the vertical structural member can be relocated and retained in a distal groove on the bracket, such as a groove formed in corrugated portion  132   2 , to thereby decrease the slack in the fencing structure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the groove selected to secure the structural member of the fencing structure is one that optimizes the overall integrity of the fencing structure.  
         [0044]     Although various embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.