Improvements in Fence-posts, Telegraph Posts, or the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fence-posts, Telegraph Posts, or the like.
A communication from abroad by FREDRICK PETER ROSBACK, of Chicago,
in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, and HENRY FREDERICK
BAND, of San Francisco, in the County of San Francisco and State of
California, United States of America.
I, GEORGE CECIL DYMOND M. Inst. M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6 Lord Street Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster & 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, 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 a construction of sheet metal post adapted for service as
a fence-post, telegraph pole and the like, and formed by rolling a sheet metal
blank, preferably of sheet steel, into tubular form.
The objects, advantages and practical application of the invention, are best
explained by the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings in which :-
Figure 1 represents the tubular sheet metal post rivetted along a portion of its
length of seam.
Figure 2 is a section taken centrally and longitudinally through said post with
its lower end portion somewhat expanded.
Figure 3 is a section on line a-x in Figure 1.
Fi
Figure 4 shows a portion of the post with a line wire engaging two rivet-heads.
Figure 5 shows one of the rivets in side and end view.
Fi
Fi
Figure 6 is a section on line y-y in Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a section on line 2-2 in Figure 2.
Figure 8 represents in elevation a board and wire fence with the boards and
wires supported by posts and holding devices in accordance with the invention.
Figure 9 represents one of the wire-holding devices of Figure 8.
Figure 10 illustrates one of the board-holding devices, with its two component
parts separated.
Figure 11 is a cross section through the post and shows in plan one of the board
holding devices.
Figure 12 shows a portion of the post and illustrates the arrangement of slots
for the board holding devices.
The
The post A is formed by rolling a sheet metal blank into tubular form.
ongitudinal edges of the rolled blank overlap one another as in Figure 6 and are
held together by fastening devices.
In the first five figures of the drawing, the fastening devices consist of rivets B
arranged for example either as in Figure 1 or in Figure 4, and each having its
head preferably provided with an annular groove 6 Figure 5, and a notch b¹. The
ence or telegraph wire can be arranged to engage in the grooves 6 of rivets
elatively disposed as in Figure 4, or the wire particularly where it comprises a
lurality of strands with barbs, can be arranged to engage in the notch b₁ of a
ivet and tied in place by a short length of wire carried around the rivet in its
roove b.
In Figure 8 the wires are held by fastenings C, and the boards are held by
astenings D.
The fastening C consists of small bars provided with shoulders or hooks c at
heir ends. These bars are inserted through slots in the post which is fastened
long its overlapping portions when the wires are applied as shown. Each bar is

page_text: also formed with a shoulder c¹ so that when introduced through the post it will be
stopped in proper place by the abutment of its shoulder against the post.
Where boards are desired in the construction of a fence, fastenings D are
supplied. Each fastening D comprises two component elements, each consisting
of an oblong metal plate d having at one end a lateral extension which is bent into
angular forin so as to provide the sides d', d². When said parts or elements of a
fastener are in place with the ends of the boards between them, as in Figures 8
and 11, they are secured by rivets d³ which also pass through the boards E.
The fastenings D are to be inserted through slots d' in the post, and are provided
with shoulders d which abut against the post at opposite sides thereof and thus
lock in the fastenings and secure the post along its scam. It will be observed that
the slots which are understood to be formed through the post, are arranged
alternately at opposite sides of a line along the post and that in applying the
fastenings D, the portion d of one member thereof is thrust through a slot at one
side of said line, while the portion d of the other member is thrust through the
succeeding slot at the opposite side of the said line, and hence space for the ends of
the boards is provided between the two portions d and d.
In securing together the two members of a fastening D, the end of the portion d
of each member is secured to the end of a portion of the other member.
It will be seen that each and all of the foregoing construction of fastening
devices serves to hold together the overlapping edge portions of the metal sheet
rolled into tubular form, and that while two of said constructions provide holders
for wires, the third provides a holder for fence boards. Also that in using the
fastenings C and D, the operation of heading up the inner ends of a set of rivets is
avoided, although when desired the rivets B can be used and secured in place by
such operation.
As a matter of further improvement the post is secured by the aforesaid means
or by any other suitable devices along a portion of the length of its seam, leaving
it free to expand along its lower end portion, and to ensure a certain extent of
expansion on the part of the portion of the post below the surface of the ground or
ground line F-F, the post is so rolled as to gradually enlarge in diameter toward
its lower end.
This enlargement may be gradual from end to end of the post, or from a point on
or about on line F-F to its lower end. When therefore the post is driven into
the ground, its lower end portion will expand as in Figures 2 and 7, and thus give
it an enlarged base and a firmer hold in the ground. The posts and fastening
devices can be economically made, and will be found to be durable and extremely
serviceable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The hereindescribed tubular sheet metal post formed by a sheet metal blank
rolled into tubular form and having its overlapping edges secured along a portion
of the length of the post, so as to leave the remaining portion of the same free to
expand when driven into the ground.
2. A tubular sheet metal post provided with devices substantially as set forth for
holding fence or other wires.
3. A tubular sheet metal post provided with devices substantially as set forth for
holding fence boards.
1001
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.