Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1898
(A communication by Burtred GEORGE BRACEY, of Brazil, in the County of Clay
and State of Indiana, United States of America.)
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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:
This invention relates to improvements in fence posts and its object is to provide
such a construction of the same that it will be practically imperishable from the
effects of the elements and also non-combustible.
In carrying the invention into effect the base or that portion which is imbedded
in the ground is made of terra cotta, in a peculiar manner, while the exposed
portion to which the fence strands are connected is made of angle iron fitting into
a central opening in said base whereby it is securely held in place.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts here-
inafter fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing:-
-
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a metallic fence constructed with the
improved posts.
Figure 2 is a cross section through a post on the line 2-2 Fig. 3.
Figure 3 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the terra cotta base.
Figure 4 is an end view.
Figure 5 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the terra cotta base, showing a
modified construction.
Figure 6 is a cross section of same.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of another modification of the terra cotta base.
In the said drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates the base made of terra-
cotta and consisting of a cylinder formed with a central core 2 having a rectangular
opening 3 to receive the metallic fence post 4. The numeral 5 designates vertical
radial ribs made integral with the core and cylinder and formed at suitable intervals
with openings 6. The cylinder is also formed with openings 7.
The fence-post consists of a metallic plate bent at the centre at a right angle
forming an angle bar which fits in the opening in the core and is held securely
in place therein by the edges abutting against the sides of said opening. It will
be seen that the said bar can be inserted in said base so that either of its sides
may be brought into line with the plane of the fence.
In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base consists simply of the
core and radial ribs, and in Figure 7, the base and also the opening in the core is
nade triangular.

page_text: In practice when the base is set in the ground, cement or grouting is poured
around the core, and will pass through the openings in the ribs and cylinder which
cement when hardened will form a perfect binder, securely holding the base in
place.
After the base has thus been inserted in the ground and the cement or grouting
poured in, the angle bar or post is inserted in the opening therein, and the metallic
wires or strands secured therein making a practically indestructible and non-
combustible fence.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a fence-post, the combination with the cylinder of terra cotta formed with
radial ribs and with a central angular opening extending from end to end thereof,
of the angle post inserted in said opening and a filling of grouting or cement inter-
posed between said post and the sides of the opening, substantially as described.
2. In a fence-post, the combination with the terra cotta base consisting of the
central core having an angular opening therein and the radial ribs, of the angle
bar or post fitting in said opening, substantially as described.
3. In a fence-post, the combination with the terra cotta cylinder having openings,
in its sides, the central core having an angular opening, and the radial ribs with
openings therein, of the angle bar or post, fitting in the opening in the core,
substantially as described.
4. As an improved article a fence-post consisting of the terra cotta base com-
prising the core having an angular opening therein, the radial ribs and the angle
post inserted in the opening in the core substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of December 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.