IM- PROVEMENTS IN WIRE AND BAR FENCING, AND IN PART APPLICABLE FOR JOINING WIRE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Ramsay Main and James McLellan, both of
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN WIRE AND BAR FENCING, AND IN PART APPLICABLE FOR
JOINING WIRE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 10th June 1879, and dated the 12th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Ramsay Main and
James McLellan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th
December 1878.
ROBERT RAMSAY MAIN and JAMES MCLELLAN, both of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE AND BAR FENCING, AND IN
PART APPLICABLE FOR JOINING WIRE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of
wire and bar fencing, and it comprises a mode of joining wire, which is advan-
tageously applicable for other purposes besides that of forming fencing.
In carrying out the Invention the standards, posts, or pillars for the wire or bar
fencing have short lengths of angle-iron rivetted to their lower ends to form a
simple but efficient means of holding them firmly in the ground. In one modifica-
tion a pair of straight angle-iron pieces are rivetted or otherwise fixed to each
standard, and one on each side of it with the flanges reversed in position. The
angle-iron pieces project below the bottom of the standard, and may have their
bottom ends pointed. In another modification the angle-iron pieces are fixed to
the standard as in the first modification, but each piece is bent twice at a right
angle, so that the bottom projecting parts are at a distance apart, and a broad base
is thereby obtained. When the standards have to be set in concave ground, where
the tension of the wire may tend to raise those at the lower part of a concavity,
one or more elbow pieces are fixed at the part of the standard embedded in the
ground. Instead of two pieces of angle-iron being used for the hereinbefore
described modification of standard, post, or pillar, having the bottom points

page_text: separated, there may be a single piece of angle-iron bent twice at a right angle, and
having the standard, post, or pillar fixed at the centre of the middle part, and
passed through a slot in the flange of the angle-iron. In any of the modifications
iron of "channel" or other suitable section may be substituted for the angle-
iron.
For joining or fastening together two ends of the fencing wire according to this
Invention a small coupling or tie block and a wedge are employed. The block,
which may be conveniently made of malleable castiron, has two holes formed
through it at right angles to each other, and its centre is slightly hollowed. The
wire ends are inserted from opposite ends through one of the holes, and the wedge
is then driven in through the other hole, so as to pass between the wires and bend
them out into the hollowed part of the block. A very secure, although simple,
fastening is thus formed.
For fastening the wire to a standard or post a block like that hereinbefore
described is formed with a broad slotted part, through which the standard or post
passes, and which holds the block thereon, whilst the wedge, by bending into the
hollow of the block, the part of the wire passing through securely fastens the wire
to the block. When the fastener is to be applied to existing fencing it is still
further modified by one end of the slot for the standard or post being cut through,
and by the holes for the wire being cut through on one side, which side is by pre-
ference made the underside when the block is placed in position. Any weakness
caused by parts being cut through may if necessary be compensated for by making
the remaining parts stronger in proportion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Ramsay Main and James McLellan in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 11th June 1879.
ROBERT RAMSAY MAIN and JAMES MCLELLAN, both of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE AND BAR FENCING, AND IN
PART APPLICABLE FOR JOINING WIRE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Our said Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction
of wire and bar fencing, and it comprises a mode of joining wire, which is advan-
tageously applicable for other purposes besides that of forming fencing.
The nature of our said Invention and the manner of carrying the same into
practical effect will be most readily understood if we at once proceed to particularly
describe the same with the aid of the explanatory Drawings, of which we hereunto
append one Sheet. In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to
mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out our said Invention according to one modification, shown in
elevation in Figure 1, and in horizontal section in Figure 2 of the accompanying
Drawings, the standard, post, or pillar 1 for the wire or bar fencing has two short

page_text: straight lengths 2, 3, of angle iron rivetted to its lower end, one being fixed on each
side of it with the flanges reversed in position. The angle iron pieces 2, 3, project
below the bottom of the standard 1, and are by preference pointed at their bottom
ends.
Instead of two ordinary angle-iron pieces (2, 3,) being used, a single piece 4
with two reversed angles or flanges may be fixed to the standard 1, as shown in
elevation in Figure 3, and in section in Figure 4. In this example the standard 1
is shown as projecting below the piece 4, but if preferred the latter may be made
to project.
Similarly, when two pieces 2, 3, are used, as in Figures 1 and 2, the standard 1
may be made to project below them.
In a third modification, shown in elevation in Figure 5, and in section in Figure 6,
two angle-iron pieces 5, 6, are fixed to the standard 1, as in the first modification,
but each piece is bent twice at a right angle, so that the bottom projecting parts
are at a distance apart, and a broad base is thereby obtained.
When the standards have to be set in concave ground, where the tension of the
wire may tend to raise those at the lower part of a concavity, one or more angle-
iron elbow pieces 7, 8, are fixed at the part of the standard embedded in the
ground, as shown in elevation in Figure 7, and in section in Figure 8.
In a modification shown in elevation in Figure 9, and in section in Figure 10, a
single piece of angle-iron 9 bent twice at a right angle is fixed to the bottom of
the standard 1. at the middle part, the standard being passed through a slot in the
horizontal flange of the angle iron 9, and rivetted or otherwise fixed to the vertical
flange thereof.
In any of the hereinbefore described modifications iron of "channel" or other
suitable angle section may be substituted for the angle iron.
For joining or fastening together two ends of the fencing wire according to our
said Invention a small coupling or tie block 10 and a wedge or key 11 are employed.
One modification of this tie block is shown in side and end view in Figures 11 and
12, and in section in Figure 13. The block 10, which may be conveniently made
of malleable castiron, has two holes formed through it at right angles to each other,
and its centre is hollowed. The wire ends 12, 13, are inserted from opposite ends
through what may be termed the longitudinal hole, and the wedge 11 is then
driven in through the other hole, so as to pass between the wires and bend them
out into the hollowed part of the block. It is important to have the block and its
longitudinal hole and internal concavities proportioned and shaped to suit the par-
ticular size of wire for which it is intended, it being desirable that when they are
bended out by the insertion of the wedge or key 11 they should fit the hollow as
closely as possible. A very secure, although simple, fastening is thus formed. When
applying the block to steel wire we prefer to modify it as shown in Figures 14, 15,
16, the square wedge or key 11 and the hole for it being placed diagonally. In the
case of steel wire we also prefer to first drive in a hardened steel wedge in order
to bend out the wire properly, and then substitute a wrought iron or malleable
castiron key to remain permanently. The hardened steel wedge may of course be
used if preferred with any wire, and an inexpensive permanent key be afterwards
inserted.
For fastening a wire 12 to a standard or post 1 a modification of the tie block is
used, which is shown in section in Figure 17, and which is formed with a broad
slotted part, through which the standard or post 1 passes, and which holds the
block 10 thereon, whilst the wedge 11, by bending into the hollow of the block,
the part of the wire passing through securely fastens the wire to the block.
When the fastener is to be applied to existing fencing it is still further modified,
as shown in section in Figure 18, by some of the part, which in the modification,
Figure 17, encloses the standard or post 1, being as it were cut away. The part 14
may be first made as indicated by the dotted lines, and be haminered over when in
position.

page_text: Figures 19, and 20 are sections of modifications shaped to suit different forms of
standard or post 1.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we have to state that what we believe to be novel and original,
and claim as the Invention secured to us by and in terms of the herein before in
part recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The constructing of standards, posts, or pillars for wire or bar fencing with
bottom parts as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying Drawings.
2. The constructing of standards, posts, or pillars for wire or bar fencing with
bottom parts, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the
accompanying Drawings.
3. The constructing of standards, posts, or pillars for wire or bar fencing with
bottom parts, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the
accompanying Drawings.
4. The constructing of standards, posts, or pillars for wire or bar fencing with
bottom parts, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the
accompanying Drawings.
5. The constructing of standards, posts, or pillars for wire or bar fencing with
bottom parts, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the
accompanying Drawings.
6. The fastener for joining ends of wire, shown in Figures 11 to 16 of the accom-
panying Drawings, and hereinbefore described.
7. The fasteners for securing wires to standards or posts, shown in Figures 17 to
20 of the accompanying Drawings, and hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Robert Ramsay Main and James McLellan,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Tenth day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
R. R. MAIN.
{L.D.)
JAMES MCLELLAN. (L.S.)