IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES AND THE POSTS OR PILLARS FOR THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE- ☐ MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF GATE POSTS OR POLES FOR TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES, OR FOR SIGNAL POSTS
Year: 1859

page_text: En the Matter of a Patent granted to FRANCIS MORTON, of James
Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES
AND THE POSTS OR PILLARS FOR THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
☐ MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF GATE POSTS OR
POLES FOR TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES, OR FOR SIGNAL POSTS," bearing.
date the Thirty-first day of March One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-nine.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said Francis Morton, as such Patentee as aforesaid,
pursuant to the Statutes in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS since the filing of the Specification to the said Letters Patent
doubts have been raised whether the first part of the said Invention was new,
as to the public use and exercise thereof, at the date of the said Letters Patent,
I for this reason wish to disclaim, and I do hereby disclaim all parts of the
said Specification which claim the first part of the said Invention, and I alter
the Specification by introducing the words, "I disclaim any right to the
winding apparatus.when considered separately and apart from the peculiar con-
stenotions of posts herein described and." I also alter the title of the said

page_text: "
Invention, by striking out the words "fences and," and also the words "the
same," and introducing, in place of the latter words, the word fences. And
in order that the effect of the Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
may be better understood, I annex a copy of the Specification as it will
appear when such Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration have been made,
as aforesaid :-
My Invention relates to a novel mode of constructing the posts, pillars,
"or supports of strained or other fences. Two kinds of posts or supports are
required for strained fences, viz., posts in which are mounted or supported
" the wires, cords, or rods which form the fence, and which pass through holes
"in the supporting posts."
66
"
"Second, a different construction of post is required to receive the winding
apparatus for tightening the wires or strands, and will be subsequently
66 described.
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.46
46
"The improvement in constructing the intermediate supporting posts
" consists in making these posts, pillars, or supports of thin sheet or plate iron
hollowed out or made concave. In carrying out this part of the Invention,
I press, stamp, or roll the pieces of sheet iron intended to be used in con-
structing the posts into a concave form, having flat edges or flanges. In
order to form a post, two of these concave or hollow pieces are brought s
together, the concave parts being placed opposite to each other so as to
"leave a hollow central space in the post. The two concave sides are then
" bolted or rivetted together by the flanges, between which I find it advan-
tageous to secure slips of wood or other material, and -at the lower part of
the posts studs are secured between the flanges, and to these studs flat, s
concave, or hollowed, vertical or diagonal plates are secured by bolts or
rivets, so that when surrounded by earth, tightly rammed down, the posts
I possess great stability, and enable them to resist considerable. lateral.
"strain or pressure. This object may be further assisted filling the hollow
space within the posts with earth, and ramming it tightly, down. The s
strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops, or bands, are either passed through
"holes made in the hollow posts or may be secured thereto in any con-
"venient manner."
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66
46
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46
will
"Another mode of constructing posts, pillars, or supports for fences,
"consists in bolting or otherwise securing together two thin plates of sheet s
"metal with a strip of wood of any convenient thickness between them.*
"To form the foot of the post, pillar, or support, the metal sides are bent
"back out of a vertical line so as to form a pyramidal, conical, or wedge-shaped.
"base, the lower edges of which are flanged and bolted, rivetted, or otherwise.

page_text: "
66
secured to a flat horizontal plate. The hollow pyramidal or conical space
." in the foot of the post is partly filled by a conical or wedge-shaped filling
picce of wood, which will support the side plates at the angles or bent
"parts; beneath this wooden filling piece earth is rammed in quite tight,
"so as to form as solid a foot as possible. The peculiar construction of
post or pillar which I propose to use for receiving or supporting the
"winding apparatus which is employed for tightening the cords, strands,
"wires or wire rods, of strained fences is a metal post, the foot of which is
"constructed with vertical flanges or ribs which will form a cross in horizontal
"section. Openings are made through the metal at convenient, parts, so as
"to admit the earth when rammed down to form a core at all those points,
"
and horizontal wings or plates are also adapted or cast between the ribs
or flanges, for the purpose of resisting any vertical or lateral strain. If
"desired the hollow posts above referred to may be used as straining posts
". for fences,, but I prefer to use the one last described."
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66
"It will be evident that the several constructions of posts above described
may.be equally applied for gate posts, telegraph poles, or signal posts, the
"principal object of the Invention being to construct a light and strong
support with a foot or lower part so constructed and arranged that it
"will resist a very considerable amount of lateral strain or pressure before
"it will yield, so as to be drawn out of a vertical line. In the accompanying
Drawings, I have shown various views of supporting posts constructed
"according to my improvements.".
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66
"
"
"Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, are front and side views of a straining pillar,
containing the apparatus for winding upon barrels, (which revolve vertically)
"the strands, cords, wires, wire rols, hoops, or bands, also shewing by the
"dotted line or ground line the part of the post or pillar which is below the
ground as seen at a*, a*. Figures 3 and 4, are front and side views of
"the upper part of the straining posts or pillar, shewn at Figures 1 and 2
"but drawn on an enlarged scale. The pillar is constructed of cast iron
as at a, a, and is provided with recesses to receive the winding barrels
"b, b, which are mounted in bearings in the side standards a, a, as seen at
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. In Figures 1 and 2, c, c, c, are vertical flanges or
"ribs and d, d, are horizontal wings or plates, which are cast on the lower
part of the straining pillar, so as to give firmness and support to the pillar
"below ground. Openings e, e, are made to admit of the earth, passing
"through the pillar and being well rammed in. The. barrels b, b, are
provided with holes for receiving the strands, cords, wires, wire. rods,
hoops or bands, and winding the same thereon. These barrels are provided
GE
66

page_text: at one end with a square axle or other contrivance, whereby they may be
"rotated, and a ratchet wheel f is placed at the other end; a pawl box ġ
"is placed above each of the ratchet wheels, and contains a pawl or click
." which drops into the ratchet teeth and holds the barrel in its position when
"the strain is on. In order to strengthen the pillar cross webs h, h, are cast
on the inside of the post, and holes for fixing hangers for gates, and for
"securing stays, or for other purposes, may be cast therein as shewn in
s Figure 2."
66
Figures 5 and 6, are front and side views of another straining pillar in
" which the straining barrels b, b, are mounted vertically, and therefore revolve
horizontally; the
part below the ground line is shewn as broken off, but is
"of the same construction as that shewn in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 7 is
"a partial side elevation of the same drawn upon an enlarged scale. The
"barrel bis mounted on a fixed vertical axle, provided with ratchet teeth f
"cast round the bottom and fixed or cast into the upright pillar. The barrel
"for attaching the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands, and
winding the same by revolving horizontally upon its spindle is provided
"with holes for a strand, cord, wire rod or band, for the required attachment.
The barrel is rotated by means of levers, the ends of which are inserted
into the holes i, i, made in the capstan head g which contains a pawl or
"click for dropping into the ratchet' teeth and holding the barrel in its
position when the strain is on."
66
Figure 8 is a front view of a straining pillar containing apparatus for
"winding upon a barrel revolving horizontally in such a manner that one or
"more lines of strand, cord, wire, wire rod, hoop or band may be tightened at
"the same time by the same motion, tho part below the ground line being
"shown as broken off, but it is to be constructed in the same manuer as in
Figures 1 and 2."
.66
"Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the post in elevation.
Figure 10 is a sectional plan view of the lower part of the post taken in the
"line 1, 2, of Figure 8. The vertical axle is provided at its lower end with
* ratchet teeth f, which are cast round the bottom and form a fixed part of the
upright pillar or vertical axle; b, b, is the barrel for attaching the strands, cords,
wires, wire rods, hoops, or bands, and is provided with holes for this purpose.
"The wires are tightened or wound up by causing the barrel to revolve horizon-
66
66
tally upon its fixed vertical shaft. The barrel b, passes through a journal
"in the top of the pillar, and a capstan or head j is fastened on to the top of
"the winding barrel 6, and is provided with sockets prepared to receive the
* ends of levers for turning the barrel. It will now be seen that upon causing

page_text: "the capstan to be rotated by means of levers or otherwise, the barrel b will
"be turned, and the wires, cords or, strands, will be wound up, strained, or
"i tightened."
"
"
Figure 11 is an elevation of a straining pillar in which the apparatus for
"winding upon the barrels is made to revolve horizontally, but works' round
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66
the outside of the pillar itself, the part below the ground line being the
same as in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 11", is an enlarged view of the top of
." a pillar shewing one of the ratchets. a, a, is a plain pillar or shaft having
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6
66
a loose head or cap; a³ rings or circles of ratchet teeth f, are firmly, fastene:l
to the pillar or shaft a, at suitable distances apart. Immediately above,
these rings of ratchet teeth are barrels b, b, for attaching the strands, cords,
"wires, wire rods, hoops or bands, and winding the same: These barrels are
provided with sockets to receive the ends of levers for turning- the
"barrel b; a pawl box g, is also adopted for containing a pawl or click
"to work in the ratchet teeth and hold the barrel in its position when the
"fence has been strained."
"
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6
Figure 12, Sheet II., is a side elevation, and Figure 12, a front view of
"another form or construction of contrivance to be attached to any ordinary
post, pillar, or other fixture, so as to form a straining pillar. The Figures
represent a bracket drawn upon an enlarged scale; a, is the back plate,
"which is secured in any convenient manner to the post, pillar or fixture,
"and on this back plate are cast two brackets or cheeks with journals for
"the winding barrel 6 to rotate in. The barrel b, for straining or winding
"wires, hoops, strands, or cords is mounted horizontally, as in Figures 1
"and 2, and is provided with a ratchet wheel f, at one end, and a square or
"other contrivance at the other end, so that the barrel may be rotated by a
"handle. A pawl box g, is placed above the ratchet, and is provided with
66
a pawl or click which takes into the teeth of the ratchet to prevent the latter
"from flying back when the fence is being strained."
"The intermediate posts for supporting the fencing, or for telegraph poles
"and signal posts are constructed of flat or concave metal plates bolted
together in the manner shewn in Sheet II., at Figures 13 and 14, 15
and 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, 21, 22, and 23, which represent front and side
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6
66
"
views of posts or poles with cross section of same made to various sizes and
lengths. Some of these are provided with flat or concave plates below the
ground line, and in order to form strong and solid supports the metal sides
are extended by means of blocks or slips of wood placed between the side
plates as shewn in the Drawings."
"Having now described my several improvements, and having explained the

page_text: manner of carrying the same into effect, I disclaim any right to the winding
apparatus, when considered separately and apart from the peculiar con-
"structions of posts herein described, and I claim as the Invention secured to
*"me by Letters Patent the mode herein shewn and described of constructing
"the straining posts, and also the intermediate supporting posts which may
," also be employed for gate posts, telegraph poles, and signal posts."
In witness whereof, I, the 'said Francis Morton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Morton, of James Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES, AND. THE POSTS OR PILLARS FOR THE SAME,.
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF
GATE POSTS. OR POLES FOR TELEGRAPH PURPOSES, OR FOR SIGNAL POSTS.".
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Morton at the-
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the.
31st March 1859.
I, FRANCIS MORTON, of James Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster;
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES, AND THE POSTS OR PILLARS FOR. THE SAME,
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF
GATE POSTS, OR POLES FOR TELEGRAPH PURPOSES, OR FOR SIGNAL POSTS," to be as
follows:-
The first part of my Invention relates more particularly to the construction
of strained fences, and the object of this part of the Invention is to draw the
strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops, or bands of strained fences up to tension,
and to keep them tightly strained, and also to allow of them being slackened.
with facility when required; this I purpose to effect either by passing the

page_text: strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops, or bands through rollers, barrels,
or pullies provided with any convenient contrivance, whereby rotary motion
may be communicated to them, or the ends of the strands, cords, wires, wire
rods, hoops, or bands may be secured in or upon the rollers or barrels,
and by causing the said rollers or barrels to rotate, I am enabled to strain or
slacken the metallic or other strands as may be required.
To retain these rollers or barrels in position when they have been rotated for
the purpose of straining the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands,
clicks or other mechanical contrivances must be provided to take into ratchet
teeth cast upon the rollers or attached to their axles. The clicks may have
an elongated end or lever, to permit of them being readily thrown out of con-
tact with their respective ratchets when the wires are required to be slackened.
In order to tighten up the metallic or other strands, cords, wires, wire rods,
hoops or bands, which extend from one straining post to another, it will merely
be necessary to apply a key or other instrument to the prepared ends of the
axles of the rollers or barrels, and thereby give these rollers or barrels an axial
motion, and cause the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands to be
wound thereon. By applying the key or other instrument from time to time
as the wire becomes slack, a labourer will be enabled with facility to keep the
fence properly strained. In some cases I find it convenient in straining. the
wires, cords, or strands, to carry the ends thereof over studs or rollers fixed
in the straining posts, and to pass such end to a winding barrel situated at
some point either above or below such studs or rollers. For instance, for
the topmost wire or strand, the end may be passed down to a winding barrel
mounted in the post even with the lowermost strand, the end of which, in
its turn, is passed up to a winding barrel level with the topmost strand.
The second strand, cord, or. wire is passed down to the second winding
barrel from the bottom, while the second strand or wire from the bottom
is passed up to the second winding barrel from the top, and so on ac-
cording to the number of strands or wires of which the fence is com-
posed. This arrangement of course admits of variation, according to
circumstances.
The winding apparatus for tightening the cords or wires may be adapted to
any ordinary posts, but I prefer to use for this purpose posts constructed
according to the next part of my Invention, which relates to a novel mode of
constructing the posts, pillars, or supports of strained or other fences. Two
kinds of posts or supports are required for strained fences, viz., posts in which
are mounted or supported the wires, cords, or rods which form the fence, and
which pass through holes in the supporting posts, a different construction

page_text: of post is required to receive the winding apparatus above mentioned for
tightening the wires or strands, and will be subsequently described. The
improvement in constructing the intermediate supporting posts, cousists in
making these posts, pillars, or supports of thin sheet or plate iron hollowed out
or made-concave. In carrying out this part of the Invention, I press, stamp,
or roll the pieces of sheet iron intended to be used in constructing the posts
into a concave form, having flat edges or flanges. In order to form a post,
two of these concave or hollow pieces are brought together, the concave
parts. being placed opposite to each other, so as to leave a hollow central space
in the post.. The two concave sides are then bolted or rivetted together by
the flanges, between which I find it advantageous to secure slips of wood or
other material, and at the lower part of the posts, studs are secured between
the flanges, and to these studs, flat or hollowed vertical plates are secured by
bolts or rivets, so that when surrounded by earth, tightly rammed down, the
posts will possess. great stability, and enable them to. resist considerable lateral
strain or pressure.. This object may be further assisted by filling the hollow,
space within the posts with earth and ramming it tightly down. The strands,.
cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands are either passed through holes made
in the hollow posts, or may be secured thereto in any convenient nunnuer..
Another mode of constructing posts, pillars, or supports for fences. consists
in bolting or otherwise securing together two thin flat plates. of sheet metal,
with a strip of wood of any convenient thickness between them. To form the
foot of the post, pillar, or support, the metal sides are bent back out of a
vertical line, so as to form a pyramidal or wedge-shaped base, the lower edges.
of which are flanged and bolted, rivetted, or otherwise secured to a flat
horizontal plate.
Thé hollow pyramidal space in the foot of the post is partly filled by a
wedge-shaped filling piece of wood, which will support the side plates at the
angles or bent parts, beneath this wooden filling picce earth is rammed in
quite tight, so as to form as solid a foot as possible.
The peculiar construction of post or pilllar which I propose to use for
receiving or supporting the winding apparatus which is employed for tightening
the cords, strands, wires, or wire rods of strained fences according to the first part
of the present Invention, is a solid metal post, the foot of which is constructed
with vertical flanges or ribs, which will form a cross in horizontal section.
Openings are made through the metal at couvenient parts, so as to admit the
earth, when rammed down, to form a core at all those points, and horizontal
wings or plates are also adapted or cast between the ribs or flanges, for the
purpose of resisting any vertical or lateral strain. If desired, the hollow posts

page_text: above referred to may be used as straining posts for fences, but I prefer to use
the one last described. It will be evident that the several constructions of
posts above described may be equally applied for gate posts, telegraph poles,
or signal posts, the principal object of the Invention being to construct a light
and strong support, with a foot or lower part so constructed and arranged that
it will resist a very considerable amount of lateral strain or pressure before it
will yield, so as to be drawn out of a vertical line.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Francis Morton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th September 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANCIS
MORTON, of James Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
send greeting.
second
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twe
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successo
ve and
grant unto me, the said Francis Morton, Her special licen at I, the
said Francis Morton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Francis Morton, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES, AND THE POSTS
OR PILLARS FOR THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF GATE POSTS, OR POLES FOR TELEGRAPH PURPOSES, OR
SIGNAL POSTS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Francis
Morton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Francis Morton, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-

page_text: lowing statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed and
to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The first part of my Invention relates more particularly to the construction
of strained fences, and the object of this part of the Invention is to draw the
strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands of strained fences up to
tension, and to keep them tightly strained, and also to allow of them being
slackened with facility when required. This I purpose to effect either by
passing the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands through rollers,'
barrels or pullies, provided with any convenient contrivance, whereby rotary
motion may be communicated to them; or the ends of the strands, cords, wires,
wire rods, hoops or bands may be secured in or upon the rollers or barrels,
and by causing the said rollers or barrels to rotate, I am enabled to strain or
slacken the metallic or other strands, as may be required.
To retain these rollers or barrels in position when they have been rotated
for the purpose of straining the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands,
clicks or other mechanical contrivances must be provided, to take into ratelict
teeth cast upon the rollers or attached to their axles. The clicks may, if
desired, have an elongated end or lever, to permit of them being readily'
thrown out of contact with their respective ratchets when the wires are
required to be slackened. In order to tighten up the metallic or other strands,
cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands, which extend from one straining post
to another, it will merely be necessary to apply a key or other instrument to
the prepared ends of the axles of the rollers or barrels, and thereby give these
rollers or barrels an axial motion, and cause the strands, cords, wires, wire
rods, hoops or bands to be wound thereon. By applying the key or other
instrument from time to time as the wire becomes slack, a labourer will be
enabled with facility to keep the fence properly strained. In some cases I
find it convenient in straining the wires, cords, or strands to carry the cuds
thereof over studs or rollers fixed in the straining posts, and to pass such ends
to a winding barrel situated at some point either above or below such studs or
rollers. For instance, for the topmost wire or strand, the end may be passed
down to a winding barrel mounted in the post even with the lowermost strand,
the end of which in its turn is passed up to a winding barrel level with the
topmost strand. The second strand, cord, or wire is passed down to the
second winding barrel from the bottom, while the second strand or wire from
the bottom is passed up to the second winding barrel from the top, and so on
according to the number of strands or wires of which the fence is composed.
The winding apparatus for tightening the cords or wires, may be adapted to
any ordinary posts, but I prefer to use for this purpose posts constructed

page_text: according to the next part of my Invention, which relates to a novel mode of
constructing the posts, pillars, or supports of strained or other fences. Two.
kinds of posts or supports are required for strained fences, viz., posts in which
are mounted or supported the wires, cords, or rods which form the fence, and
which pass through holes in the supporting posts.
Second, a different construction of post is required to receive the winding
apparatus above mentioned for tightening the wires or strands, and will be
subsequently described.
The improvement in constructing the intermediate supporting posts consists
in making these posts, pillars, or supports of thin sheet or plate irou hollowed
out or made concave. In carrying out this part of the Invention I press,
stamp, or roll the pieces of sheet iron intended to be used in constructing the:
posts into a concave form, having flat edges or flanges. In order to form a
post, two. of these concave or hollow pieces are brought together; the concave
parts being placed opposite to each other so as to leave a hollow central space
in the post. The two concave sides are then bolted or rivetted together by
the flanges, between which I find it advantageous to secure slips of wood or
other material, and at the lower part of the posts, studs are secured between,
the flanges, and to these studs flat concave or hollowed vertical or diagonal
plates are secured by bolts, or rivets, so that when surrounded by carth tightly
rammed down, the posts will possess great stability and enable them to resist
considerable lateral strain or pressure. This object may be further assisted;
by filling the hollow space within the posts with carth, and ramming it tightly.
down. The strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands are either passed
through holes made in the hollow posts, or may be secured thereto in any
convenient manner.
It will be evident that these hollow, vertical, or diagonal earth plates may.
be advantageously adapted to standards or posts of the ordinary construction,
as well as to my improved hollow standards.
Another mode of constructing posts, pillars, or supports for fences consists
in bolting or otherwise sccuring together two thin plates of sheet metal with
a strip of wood of any convenient thickness between them. To form the foot
of the post, pillar, or support, the metal sides are bent back out of a vertical
line so as to form a pyramidal, conical, or wedged-shaped base, the lower edges
of which are flanged and bolted, rivetted, or otherwise secured to a flat
horizontal plate. The hollow pyramidal or conical space in the foot of the
post is partly filled by a conical or wedge-shaped filling piece of wood which.
will support the side plates at the angles or bent parts; beneath this wooden
filling piece earth is rammed in quite tight, so as to form as solid a foot as

page_text: possible. The peculiar construction of post, or pillar, which I propose to use
for receiving or supporting the winding apparatus which is employed for
tightening the cords, strands, wires, or wire rods of strained fences, according
to the first part of the present Invention is a metal post, the foot of which is
constructed with vertical flanges or ribs, which will form a cross in horizontal
section. Openings are made through the metal at convenient parts, so as to
admit the earth when rammed down to form a core at all those points, and
horizontal wings or plates are also adapted or cast between the ribs or flanges,
for the purpose of resisting any vertical or lateral strain. If desired the hollow
posts above referred to may be used as straining posts for fences, but I prefer
to use the one last described.
It will be evident that the several constructions of posts above described
may be equally applied for gate posts, telegraph poles, or signal posts, the
principal object of the Invention being to construct a light and strong support
with a foot or lower part so constructed and arranged that it will resist a very
considerable amount of lateral strain or pressure before it will yield, so as to
be drawn out of a vertical line.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn various views of supporting:
posts constructed according to my improvements.
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I., are front and side views of a straining pillar,
containing the apparatus for winding upon barrels (which revolve vertically),
the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands, also shewing by the dotted
line or ground line the part of the post or pillar which is below the ground,
as seen at a, a*.
Figures 3 and 4 are front and side views of the upper part of the straining
post or pillar, shewn at Figures 1 and 2, but drawn on an enlarged scale. The
pillar is constructed of cast iron, as at a, a, and is provided with recesses to
receive the winding barrels b, b, which are mounted in bearings in the side
standards a, a, as seen at Figures 1, 2, 3; and 4. In Figures 1 and 2, c, c, c,
are vertical flanges or ribs, and d, d, are horizontal wings or plates, which are
cast on the lower part of the straining pillar, so as to give firmness and support
to the pillar below ground. Openings e, e, are made to admit of the earth
passing through the pillar and being well rammed in. The harrels b, b, are
provided with holes for receiving the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops,
or bands, and winding the same thereon. These barrels are provided at one
end with a square axle or other contrivance, whereby they may be rotated,
and a ratchet wheel is placed at the other end; a pawl box is placed above
each of the ratchet wheels, and contains a pawl or click, which drops into the
I

page_text: ratchet teeth and holds the barrel in its position when the strain is on. In
order to strengthen the pillar, cross webs h, h, are cast on the inside of the
post, and holes for fixing hangers for gates, and for securing stays, or for other
purposes, may be cast therein, as shown in Fig. 2.
Figures 5 and 6 are front and side views of another straining pillar, in
which the straining barrels b, b, are mounted vertically, and therefore revolve
horizontally; the part below the ground line is shown as broken off, but is of
the same construction as that shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Fig. 7 is a partial side elevation of the same; drawn upon an enlarged
scale. The barrel is mounted on a fixed vertical axle, provided with ratchet
teeth, cast round the bottom and fixed or cast into the upright pillar. The
barrel for attaching the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops, or bands, and
winding the same by revolving horizontally upon its spindle, is provided with-
holes for a strand, cord, wire rod, or band for the required attachment. The
barrel is rotated by means of levers, the ends of which are inserted into the
holes i, i, made in the capstan head g, which contains a pawl or click for
dropping into the ratchet teeth and holding the barrel in its position when the
strain is on.
Fig. 8 is a front view of a straining pillar containing apparatus for winding
upon a barrel revolving horizontally in such a manner that one or more lines
of strand, cord, wire, wire rod, hoop, or band may be tightened at the same
time by the same motion, the part below the ground line being shewn as
broken off, but it is to be constructed in the same manner as in Figures 1
and 2.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the post in elevation.
Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of the lower part of the post, taken in the
line 1, 2, of Fig. 8. The vertical axle is provided at its lower end with ratchet
teeth, which are cast round the bottom and form a fixed part of the upright.
pillar or vertical axle; b, b, is the barrel for attaching the strands, cords, wires,
wire rods, hoops, or bands, and is provided with holes for this purpose. The wires a
are tightened or wound up by causing the barrel to revolve horizontally upon
its fixed vertical shaft. The barrel b passes through a journal in the top of the
pillar, and a capstan or head j is fastened on to the top of the winding barrel b
and is provided with sockets prepared to receive the ends of levers for turning
the barrel. It will now be seen that upon causing the capstan to be rotated by 3
means of levers or otherwise, the barrel b will be turned, and the wires, cords,
or strands will be wound up, strained, or tightened.
Fig. 11 is an elevation of a straining pillar, in which the apparatus for

page_text: winding upon the barrels is made to revolve horizontally, but works round the
outside of the pillar itself, the part below the ground line being the same as
in Figures 1 and 2. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the top of a pillar;
shewing one of the ratchets. a, a, is a plain pillar or shaft, having a loose
head or cap a; rings or circles of ratchet teeth fare firmly fastened to
the pillar or shaft a at suitable distances apart. Immediately above these
rings of ratchet teeth are barrels b, b, for attaching the strands, cords, wires,
wire rods, hoops or bands, and winding the same. These barrels are pro-
vided with sockets to receive the ends of levers for turning the barrel b; a
pawl box g is also adopted for containing a pawl or click to work in the ratchet
teeth and hold the barrel in its position when the fence has been strained.
Fig. 12, Sheet II., is a side elevation, and Fig. 12ª a front view of another
form or construction of contrivance, to be attached to any ordinary post, pillar,
or other fixture, so as to form a straining pillar. The Figures represent a
bracket drawn upon an enlarged scale; a is the back plate, which is secured
in any convenient manner to the post, pillar, or fixture, and on this back plate
are cast two brackets or checks, with journals for the winding barrel b to rotate
in. The barrel for straining or winding wires, hoops, strands, or cords, is
mounted horizontally, as in Figures 1 and 2, and is provided with a ratchet
wheelfat one end and a square or other contrivance at the other end, so that
the barrel may be rotated by a handle. A pawl box g is placed above the
ratchet, and is provided with a pawl or click which takes into the teeth of
the ratchet to prevent the latter from flying back when the fence is being
strained.
The intermediate posts for supporting the fencing or for telegraph poles and
signal posts, are constructed of flat or concave metal plates, bolted together in
the manner shewn in Sheet Il. at Figures 13 and 14, 15 and 16, 17, 18, 19,
and 20, 21, 22, and 23, which represent front and side views of posts or poles
with cross section of same made to various sizes and lengths. Some of these
are provided with flat or concave plates below the ground line; and in order
to form strong and solid supports, the metal sides are extended by means of
blocks or slips of wood placed between the side plates, as shewn in the
Drawings.
Having now described my several improvements, and having explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to
me by Letters Patent, the mode herein shewn and described of straining or
tightening the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops, or bands, of which
strained fences are usually composed.

page_text: And I also claim the mode herein shewn and described of constructing the
straining posts, and also the intermediate supporting posts, which may also, be
employed for gate posts, telegraph poles, and signal posts.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Morton, have hereunto. set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
F. MORTON. (L.S.),