in Fence and other
Year: 1888

page_text: I, GEORGE SILAS LONG, residing at Big Rock, in the County of Kane and State
of Illinois, one of the United States of America, Farmer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to improvements in Fence and other posts, and in the method
of manufacturing the same.
The object of my invention is to provide a cheap and durable fence-post, having a
base firmly secured thereto, said base being composed of materials which are practi-
cally unaffected by thermal changes and which will not disintegrate under the
influences of water or moisture. My invention consists in the method of securing an
asphaltic concrete base to metallic posts for fences and other purposes, which consists
in heating the lower end of the metallic rod or bar and while in such heated condition
pressing the asphaltic concrete on to the same, the concrete being also heated to
about the same temperature as the lower end of the post bar or rod, whereby a perfect
bond between the metallic bar or post and base is secured and all joints and seams for
the admission of water are obviated.
My invention consists further of a fence or other post having secured thereto a
base or anchor of asphaltic concrete as a new article of manufacture.
Referring to the Drawings:-
Figure 1, is a side view of my improved fence post and base.
Figure 2, is also a side view, showing a hollow base.
Figures 3, and 4, are sectional views of the base and posts.
Figure 5, is a view in perspective of the lower end of the post showing slits formed
therein.
A, indicates the main body of the post, which is by preference made of angle iron
and of the form shown, but may be made of any suitable material or of any desired
shape. The flange or wings on the lower end of the post are provided with slits, B,
the portions between the slits being bent out of line with the main body of the post,
so as to form teeth or projections which will bold the asphaltic concrete base more
securely thereon. Instead of the slits, I may simply form holes of any suitable shape
through the angles or wings of the post into which the concrete is forced, which will
also serve as a permanent bond to hold the post in the base.

page_text: C, indicates the base or anchor of the post, and is composed of an asphaltic concrete,
said concrete being formed by the admixture of crushed and pulverized stone, or other
similar or suitable material, with natural asphaltum, either Trinadad, Cuban or other
pure natural bitumen, said asphaltum being reduced to a liquid form by heat; and
while the same is in a liquid and heated condition the crushed and pulverized stone
is added in suitable proportions, the stone being also heated so as to absorb the
asphaltum and form a perfect bond of union between the materials. The asphaltic
concrete thus formed, and while in the heated condition above stated, is firmly pressed
on to the lower end of the post or bar, said post or bar being previously heated to
about the same or a little higher temperature as the asphaltic concrete; the asphaltum
adheres to the heated iron and thus forms a perfectly tight joint between the two as
they will both contract in about the same ratio in cooling, thus avoiding any seams or
cracks between the iron and asphaltic concrete for the admission of water or moisture,
which would otherwise enter and the expansive power of water in freezing would
crack the base and ultimately destroy it, as is sure to be the case with the clay and
concrete bases heretofore made; and furthermore the admission of water or moisture
will oxidize the bottom of the post or har.
The base, C, is by preference cylindrical in form, but may be of any desired shape
and size to form a rigid and substantial support for the post and the fence which is
secured thereto.
As before intimated the asphaltic concrete base is not affected by the heat and cold
of ordinary latitudes, and being impervions to moisture will not disintegrate or become
worthless from the dampness and moisture of the earth, and furthermore, owing to
the peculiar affinity of the asphaltum for the iron, the lower end of the post which is
enclosed in the base will not become oxidized and injured, as is the case with hydraulic
cement or clay bases.
While I have shown and described my invention as applicable to the bases of fence
posts, I do not limit myself to such a use, as it is obvious that the invention can be
used to advantage for the bases of telegraph, telephone and awning posts; and in
cases where tubular posts are used the lower ends may be perforated to allow the
concrete to pass into the same, thus forming keys for holding the posts securely to
the bases.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method herein described of forming a base or support of asphaltic concrete
on a metallic bar or rod, which consists in heating one end of said bar or rod, and
while the same is in a heated condition, pressing thereon a body or base of heated
asphaltic concrete, as set forth.
2. As a new article of manufacture, a fence post having a base of heated asphaltic
concrete pressed thereon and made part thereof, as set forth.