Improvements in Metal Posts.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metal Posts.
I, THOMAS JONES THORP of 1748 Diversey Street, Chicago, Illinois, United
States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the invention is to provide a metallic post suitable for fences and
for other purposes; and it consists in the construction hereinafter described, and
pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2, a rear elevation. Figure 3 is a section
on line of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a partial section of a modification. Figures 5
and 6 are details. Figure 7 is a sectional view of an ornamental finial or cap
piece.
A denotes an incomplete tube open upon one side thereof longitudinally and
having preferably a gradually-decreasing diameter toward one end, which one will
be the upper end, or directed toward the upper end of the post. This tube is
made of metal, and preferably of sheet-steel, galvanized or otherwise protected
from rust.
B B denote rings of different sizes adapted to slip over the top and down upon
the body of the post. The location of the ring can be determined by its size, the
open tube permitting some slight degree of compression, so that the exact location
of any particular ring can be varied to some extent by compressing the tube more
or less by driving the rings down thereon. It may be fastened to the tube by a
screw or other means. The ring is cast or otherwise formed with a re-entrant
angler of about ninety degrees, having angular depressions at pp, in which the
edges of the tube are forced when the ring is driven down upon it. Claw-hooks o o
are cast or otherwise secured in the angular portion r and shaped like hammer-
claws, or substantially as indicated in the drawings, for the attachment of barbed
or other fence-wire. Such wire can be secured to these hooks by a half-hitch, and
will then be very securely held. The wire leading from the preceding post having
been suitably stretched, is laid lengthwise between the two claws of the first pair
at or near the outside thereof, and is passed partially around one of the other pair
of claws, and thence around their common stem or shank and under the first
pair, but over the wire between the two members thereof. This crossing of the
wire over itself at right angles and under a pair of claws avoids the sharp bend
required by a single hook or cleat of usual form, and the wire is more securely
held from slipping off the shank or stem if one or more (less than all) of the
claws be broken.
C denotes a plug, preferably made in skeleton form. It is provided with claws oo,
similar to the claws on rings B B, and with a screw-stem 1, which may be cast solid
with the plug.

page_text: D is an ornamental finial provided in its bottom with a screw-socket adapted to
receive the threaded stem of the plug C.
E is a heavy cap that may be placed temporarily upon the post and secured
thereon by screwing into a suitable socket therein the stem of the plug C. It is
intended to receive the impact of sledge-blows when the post is driven into the
ground in suitable locations. Under many circumstances the tube driven into the
ground will be sufficiently anchored; but when necessary or when special firmness
and security is desired additional devices of any known character may be employed
for giving greater stability. In situations where the lower sections cannot be
driven into the ground it will be entirely practicable to secure the lower end
thereof over and upon short posts attached to a horizontal frame or otherwise
made stable, and other mechanical changes can be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the invention.
Having now described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters
Patent is
1-The post-section consisting of a partial tube having a longitudinal opening
and provided with rings secured thereto having a re-entrant angular portion fitting
said opening, substantially as set forth.
2 The post-section consisting of a partial tube having a longitudinal opening
and provided with rings secured thereto having a re-entrant angular portion fitting
said opening and provided with external claw-hooks supported in said angular
portion, substantially as set forth.
3-In a post, in combination with a tube having a diameter diminishing toward
its top, a ring of a diameter to fit the tube at a point between its ends, said ring
being provided with a wire-fastening device having oppositely-arranged cleft hooks
constituting two pairs, arranged back to back upon one stem or shank and adapted
to receive a wire between the members of one pair of hooks and around one of the
other pair, thence around the stem under the first-named pair, and over the wire
between the hooks of said pair, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 14th day of February 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.