IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC FENCES
Year: 1886

page_text: JAMES ATEN COOPER, Gentleman, a Citizen of the United States of America,
residing in the City of Lima, in the County of Allen, and State of Ohio, does
hereby declare the nature of his Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
FENCES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to improvements in metallic fences, the object of the
Invention being to provide a metallic fence of such construction that it may be
quickly and readily adjusted to different angles to adapt the same to grades of
greater or less pitch, and to provide picket-holding ornaments of such construc-
tion that when in place they will have the same appearance when viewed from
either side.
Another object of the Invention is to provide a fence post with pickets and
ornaments, similar to the pickets and ornaments which constitute the main portion
of the fence proper, so that the same ornamentation will extend from end to end
of the fence.
Another object of the Invention is to provide the fence with metallic connections
of such construction that the adjacent ends of the rails (which constitute the picket-
supports) of two "sections" or "pannels" may be connected together after all the
line-posts are "set" and without tipping or inclining the said rails to enter their
ends into the connection, or without sliding then forward to accomplish this
result.
The Invention consists primarily in a metallic fence, comprised of channel-rails
having slightly elongated picket openings therein; pickets extended through said
openings vertically and picket-holding ornaments to engage the pickets at points
above and below the channel-rail, bear upon the said rail at its upper and under
side near its edges, in a line central with relation to the central line of the picket,
and extend around the rail both at its front and rear sides, substantially as and for
the purpose hereinafter described.
It also consists in an improved ornament for metallic fences having eyes to
encircle the picket above and below the rail (two of which eyes are in close
proximity to the upper and under side of the rail respectively,) and arms or webs
flaring outwardly in opposite directions from said eyes, one of said arms extending
around and in front of the rail, and the other around and in the rear of the rail,
each arm having lugs to contact with the upper and under side of the rail, said
lugs contacting with the rail in a line central to a vertical line bisecting the.width

page_text: of the ornament and forming bearings upon which the rail may rock when it is
desired to incline it more or less to adapt the fence to different grades the arms
which enclose the rail, front and rear, being provided with a suitable ornament of
like construction to bear against the front and rear sides of said rail, they thereby
obviating lateral displacement of the rail and securing the same appearance to the
fence when viewed from either side, all substantially as hereinafter described.
It also consists, in an improved post, comprised of a base vertical standards
seated in said base; a top or cap secured to the upper ends of said standards,
bands embracing the standards, and having vertical picket openings therein, pickets
extended through the picket-openings in the said bands between adjacent standards
and ornaments to engage the pickets and bands to secure them together, and a
central stay-rod, extending from the cap of the post its entire length and through
the base to secure and stay the parts of the post, all coustructed and arranged
substantially as hereinafter described.
It also consists in certain details of construction of the parts of the post
substantially as hereinafter described.
It also consists in an improved connection for the picket supporting rails of the
fence, substantially as hereinafter described.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1, Sheet 1 represents in front elevation a portion of a fence as constructed
in accordance with this Invention.
Figure 2 Sheet 2, a front view of a portion of a picket and channel rail and
the ornament which secures them, the rail being shown by dotted lines as slightly
inclined.
Figure 3, a side elevation of the same the rail being shown in section.
Figures 4, 5 & 6, details of the adjustable connection which connects the rails of
the fence to the post.
I
Figure 7, a side elevation of the rail connection.
Figure 8, a vertical central longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 9, a vertical cross section of the same, on dotted line x. x. Fig. 7 and
Figure 10, an underside view of the same.
The metallic fence forming the subject of this Invention is comprised of the
post A, its component parts; the adjustable connection B, connecting the post and
channel-rails, C; the pickets D, the ornaments E, which engage the pickets and
channel-rails; and the rail connections F, that connect the ends of the rails, of
adjacent sections or pannels of the fence proper, all of which parts are constructed
and arranged substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth..
The post is comprised of the base a, cap b, vertical supporting standards c;
top-pieces d, d', stay-rod e, brace f, picket-supporting bands g, pickets D and
picket-holding ornaments E, all of which are constructed and arranged as herein-
after set forth.
The adjustable connection B, which connects the rails of the fence proper to the
post-standard consists of a two-part ball socket clutch B¹, having fingers b', at one
end to grasp the post standard, and a two-part rail engaging sleeve B2, having a
ball c', formed integral with one of its parts to enter the ball-socket of the
clutch B', these two elements forming together a universal or ball and socket
connection between the fence rails and the post and allowing the fence proper to
be inclined more or less with relation to the post to adapt it to grades of various
pitch, and at the same time permitting lateral adjustment of the same if desired..
As above stated, the socket-clutch which forms, one element of the adjustable
connection B, is made in two parts, it being centrally and vertically divided, as
clearly illustrated in the drawing, Figure 4, Sheet 2..
¿
Each part or member of the clutch has two standard-grasping fingers b¹, the
inner contour of which is right-angle or V-shape, that is to say, they are of such
construction that when the two- members or parts of the clutch are united an
enclosed square.space is. left between them for the reception of the post-standard..
The upper and lower fingers of one member of the clutch have upwardly and

page_text: downwardly projecting lugs b³, which lugs are engaged when the two members are
united, by a slightly hook-shaped projection b, on the fingers b¹, of its fellow-
member, said pin and book preventing any liability of the two members becoming
seperated when bolted together around the post-standard.
The opposite end of the clutch B₁, is shaped to form projecting ears 65, having
spherically concaved inner faces, the said ears forming a socket for the reception of
the ball-like end c¹, of the two-part fail-engaging sleeve B2, the clutch-members
being clamped together around the post-standard and ball c¹, by a bolt between the
socket and finger-ends. The sleeve B², consists of a lower plate c³, to support the
channel-rail C, of the fence, and a cap c³, to over-lap and cover said plate and
channel-rail, the said plate being of a shape in cross-section, to correspond to the
cross-sectional shape of the channel-rail, it being of less diameter however and
being interposed between the depending flanges of the rail C. The ball c', which
is engaged by the clutch is preferably formed integral with the plate, c³, and the
cap c³, which covers the plate c², is constructed similar to a square or oblong box
with one end and the bottom off, the said cap being of sufficient internal diameter
to over-lap the rail C, and plate c², which supports the rail, an open slot being
made in the forward end of the cap to straddle the stem or shank of the ball c¹.
The rail C, is secured to the two-part sleeve B2, by the bolt c* extended through
the plate c² rail C; and cap c³, as illustrated in Figure 4, Sheet 2.
In the post A, illustrated, in Figure 1, Sheet 1, the vertical standards c, are
seated at their base in square bearings formed in square upwardly projecting
bosses d', on the base-cap b, and at their upper ends in like bearings in the top
piece d, the said standards being secured in position at points intermediate between
opposite ends by the metallic bands or spiders g, the said bands having openings at
their corners through which the standards c, extend,-and having central openings
through which the stay-rod e (which extends from one end of the post A to its
other) passes. The base cap b, rests upon and is supported by the base a, which
base has a square top-plate el, and a bottom-plate e², connected together by flanged
supporting legs e³. As will be noticed by reference to the drawing, the bottom-
plate e, of the base a, is raised somewhat near its centre, so as to have a bearing
only at its ends, the object being to prevent rocking of the base upon stones or
other obstructions which may accumulate to mar the evenness of the ground upon
which the plate rests. The top of the post may be of any design desired, the
design shown in the drawings being preferable. The headed stay-rod e, extends
from the top of the post its entire length, through the base cap b, and top-plate
of the base a, a nut being provided at its extreme lower end to hold and tighten
the same.
At a point just above the base piece b, of the post is a four-armed brace f, each
arm of which is provided at its extreme end with square openings through which
the standards c, of the post extend, said brace being preferably of cast-metal, and
being provided at its centre with a sleeve f¹, through which the central stay-rod
of the post A, extends, said sleeve resting (when the brace is pressed downward by
means of the bolt f³, which engages the central stay rod and bears upon the centre-
piece of the brace f,) upon the base-piece b, thereby securing the standards c, of the
post against movement.
The picket D, which may be of any ordinary pattern, will preferably be used
with a channel-supporting rail C, of the shape clearly illustrated in Figure 3,
Sheet 3, of the drawing other forms of rail might be used however if desired, the
said rail having a slightly elongated slot through its central web, through which
the picket is inserted when putting the fence together.
The ornament E, by means of which the channel-rail C, and picket D, are
secured in place, is provided at its upper and lower ends with picket-encircling
eyes h, h, as in ornaments of usual construction. Located upon the ornament E,
a suitable distance above and below the centre are picket-engaging eyes h³, h¹,
connected together by ornamental arms or webs h*, h³, which extend outward in
opposite directions for a short distance from each eye, h³, above and below tho

page_text: rail O, and extend around both sides of said rail; thereby forming a bearing for the
said rail and preventing lateral movement.
These arms h2, h², which extend around the rail C, are in a central line with the
centre of the picket and have projecting lugs h³, to bear upon the rail at its upper
and under face in a line with the centre of the picket, said lugs being rounded at
their ends and forming axial-bearings for the rail upon which the rail may rock
when being inclined to a desired angle to adjust the fence to grades.
By this construction of ornament, that is having like arms h², to extend around
both sides of the rail C, the same appearance is secured to the fence when viewed
from its front or rear sides, which is very desirable as it adds greatly to the beauty.
of a feuce, and also permitting the fence to be quickly and readily adjusted to any
grade.
In the post A, pickets are extended through openings in the bands 9, between
the post-standards c, and are secured thereto by ornaments similar to those above
described, which construction and arrangement gives the same ornamentation to the
post as to the fence proper, which greatly adds to the appearance of the fence and
facilitating a like and continuous ornamentation from end to end of the fence,
which is very desirable.
In Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, Sheet 2, an improved connection F, for the ends of
the rails in the fence sections, is illustrated. This connection F, is constructed in
three pieces, a rail-supporting plate k, and two caps k¹, k¹. The supporting-plate k,
will in practice be of a width equal to the width of the rail C it having a raised
box-like central portion k³, as shown most clearly in Figure S, the ends of the plate
each side of the portion ³, being of a shape to correspond to the interior contour
of the rail C, the said rail straddling said ends and being secured thereto by a bolt
extending through the cap 1, rail C, and plate , the rail having an elongated
opening therein to permit expansion and contraction.. The caps ¹, which cover the
rail and plate k, are shaped like a box without a bottom or ends, and are placed
over the rail after the same is in position,-By this construction of rail-connection
the rails may be secured in place, without tipping or inclining. them or without
sliding them forward to enter the connection as is customary with connections of
ordinary construction which is greatly advantageous, as it permits the pannels or
sections of fence to be connected after setting all the line-posts, which is impossible.
with other connections.
.
The plate, has a picket-opening , formed therein, for the reception of the
picket, a set-screw, extending through a boss, upon the side of the plate k,
holding the picket in place.
D
The same ornament E, will be used to secure the picket and connection together,
which will be arranged in the same manner as before described.
.
It is not desired to limit the Invention to the exact shape of rail or ornament,
as many different forms may be used..
Having now particularly described. and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed; I' declare and
claim the following,
CLAIM.
1st. A metallic fence having picket-holding ornaments provided with picket-
encircling eyes and ornamental arms or webs, to extend out in opposite directions
from said eyes, entirely around. the front and rear side of the rail, said arms having
projecting lugs to bear upon the upper and under side of the rail, substantially in
a line central with relation to the centre of the picket, thus forming axial-bearings
for the rail and permitting it to be adjusted to different inclinations to adapt the
fence to grades and at the same time rendering the appearance of the ornament and
fence similar when viewed from either side, substantially as shown and described.
2rid: A metallic fence comprising the punched rail C; the picket D extending
therethrough, and the ornament E, having the two picket-encircling eyes h, h',,
1.

page_text: which engage the picket above the rail and the two eyes h, h¹, which engage the
picket below the rail, the upper set of eyes being connected together by ornamental
webs extending out in opposite directions and in the direction of the length of the
rail, and the lower set of eyes being connected together in a like manner, the two
eyes nearest the rail being connected together by ornamental arms h" h², extending
out in opposite directions, in the direction of the width of the rail and entirely
encircling the rail at its front and rear sides, the said rail-encircling arms being
provided with lugs to bear upon the rail near its both edges at its upper and under
side in a line with the centre of the picket, all constructed and arranged substan-
tially as shown and described and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In a metallic-fence the post A provided with the base a having the square
top-plate el the upwardly-curved bottom or foot-plate e² and the flanged connecting
legs e substantially as described.
4th. In a metallic fence, the fence post A, comprised of the base-cap b, having
upwardly projecting bosses with the bearings formed therein; the vertical standards
seated in said bearings, the top pieces d, ; the brace f; the bands or spiders g,
having openings through which the standards extend, and intermediate openings
through which pickets are extended; pickets D and picket-holding ornaments E,
all constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described.
5th. In a metallic fence, the adjustable connection B, to connect the fence rails
to the post, consisting of the two-part clutch B1, having fingers at one end to grasp
the post-standard and ears at the opposite end having spherically concaved inner
faces to form a ball-socket, and a two-part rail-engaging sleeve, having a ball at
one end to enter and be held by the ball-socket of the clutch, substantially as shown
and for the purpose described.
6th. The adjustable connection for the post A, and rail C, of the fence, consisting
of the two-part clutch B₁, and the two-part rail-engaging sleeve B2, the clutch being
comprised of two members and being divided vertically and longitudinally, each
member having fingers of such shape that when joined, a square space is left
between them, the two fingers of one member having upwardly projecting lugs and
the two fingers of the other member having projections to engage said fingers as
described, the opposite end of the clutch having a ball socket, formed therein, the
two members being clamped together by a bolt as set forth; and the rail-engaging
sleeve being comprised of the lower plate c², to enter between the flanges of the
channel-rail and having the ball c¹, formed integral there with, and the open cap c³,
to overlap the rail and lower plate, the whole being secured by the bolt ct, all as
and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In a fence, the connection for the rails, consisting of the plate, shaped to
correspond to the interior contour of the rail C, having a raised central box-like.
portion ³, with a picket-opening through its upper web and a boss upon its inner
side to receive a set-screw as described, and the box-like caps ke k¹, to cover the
said lower or main plate k, all constructed and arranged substantially as shown and
described, whereby the rails may be secured together without tipping them or
sliding them forward, as set forth.