IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL FENCING
Year: 1884

page_text: PROTIVNAL DIVIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM BAYLISS, of the firm of Bayliss Jones and Bayliss, of Victoria
Works, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, fencing manufacturers, do
bereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL FENCING,
to be as follows:-
This invention refers chiefly to barbed wire fencing, but is applicable also to
plain wire fencing, and in part also to metal fencing generally.
This invention relates firstly to the method of fixing metallic standards for
fencing generally. According to this part of the invention a plain flat earth plate
is employed having a rectangular opening cut through the middle thereof, and
a piece of flat metal bent into a V-shape, with exterior flanges at each end of the
V, is pushed through the hole in the plate from the back side thereof so that the
V'd part projects through the front face of the plate and the flanges bear against
the back face thereof. This earth plate is driven down edgeways into the ground.
The fencing standard is fixed between the V'd part and the plate. in addition
to being driven into the ground, and is thus held securely in position. The part
described as of a V-shape is not necessarily so,, but may be of any convenient shape
to suit the section of standard employed.
This invention relates, secondly, to a method of strengthening the standards and
droppers of barbed wire (or other wire) fencing which have openings cut in the
edge thereof for the reception of the wire, the method adopted acting also to
prevent the wires from getting sideways out of the standards and droppers. This
part of my invention is applicable also for strengthening any parts of metal fencing
generally which have notches cut in the edges thereof for the reception of wires,
bars, or rods, and for retaining in place such wires, bars, or rods.
For the purpose of this part of my invention a section of metal is employed for
an upright or dropper which has a bulbed or enlarged part rolled down the edge
into which the notches are cut. These holes are formed in such edge in any
convenient manner now usual, and for a sufficient distance as will be presently
understood, and, after the wires or bars have been placed within such holes, I pass a
hollow sheath around the bulbed or thickened part, aforesaid, so as to cover over the
openings formed through such bulbed or thickened part, thus securely preventing
the wires or bars from coming out of the holes sideways, and compensating in
any required degree (according to the strength of such sheath) for the reduction in

page_text: j
strength occasioned in the upright or other part, as aforesaid, by cutting in notches
from the edge thereof.
This sheath is formed to slide over the bulbed or thickened part, and the upper
or outer end of the sheath may be formed to a smaller internal section than the
remaining part thereof so that it will spring out and securely tighten itself along
the edge of the upright or other part as it is driven home thereon.
It will be seen that by this part of my invention standards may be employed for
barbed wire fencing which will allow of the wires being strained before their
insertion into the holes in the standards, and that the weakness incidental to the
ordinary employment of such standards, and to a corresponding description of
droppers, is obviated."
In the case of standards (or of horizontals as hereinafter described) for wire
fencing, a rib may be rolled on one or both sides of each standard so as to be in
position immediately at the back of the holes cut in from the edge thereof, and thus
obviate the initial tendency for the bar to tear open at the roots of the holes which
is otherwise experienced as the result of notching in such holes. Such rib or ribs
last-described may be formed upon a standard in addition to a flange along one
edge thereof, besides the bulbed or thickened edge before described, thus producing
a standard of greatly increased strength and stiffness.
A special application of the second part of my invention refers to the method of
carrying the vertical bars of vertical-bar fencing in one or more of the horizontals.
For this purpose I employ a horizontal having a bulbed or thickened part along
one edge, and cut in notches along its edge for the reception of the vertical bars.
The vertical bars have notches near their lower ends so that they may be slipped
into the notches in the horizontal bar and be prevented from rising or falling
therein. A sheath, as before described, is then passed along around the bulbed or
thickened edge of the horizontal so as to secure the vertical bars from coming out
sideways from such horizontal and so as to strengthen such horizontal in compensa-
tion, or partial compensation; for the weakness occasioned by cutting in notches
from the edge thereof. This modification is specially useful in the case of vertical-
bar fencing which is bundled for transport and put together in situ.
The sheath for a standard, dropper, or other part, as aforesaid, is preferably put
on in one piece so as to be in a continuous length, and in the case of standards the
lower end of this sheath may pass down somewhat below the ground line so as to
strengthen the standard at that part. A sheath may however, if desired, be put on
in separate lengths.
The part or parts of the sheath passing over one or more of the holes may
be pressed or nicked into such hole or holes to prevent it moving endways; or the
upper or end corners or edge of such sheath may be driven into a hole formed
specially therefor near the top or end of the standard, dropper, or other part as
aforesaid.
This invention relates, thirdly, to a method of fixing the wires of barbed wire
(and other wire) fencing to the standards and droppers without cutting deep
'notches in the edges thereof. According to this part of my invention, openings of
any suitable shape are punched through the web of the standard or dropper at the
parts where the wires are to be connected thereto. Small metallic fasteners are
employed to hook or be fastened into the openings thus formed and also to hook
or bend round the wires which pass across the edge of the standard or dropper.
These metallic fasteners and their method of fixture may be modified in a variety
of ways, but for the purpose of this provisional specification it will be sufficient to
describe one or two modifications thereof. According to one modification the
fastener is formed of a piece of metal of a hook shape at the back so as to hook
within a slotted hole through the standard or dropper; when this end of the
'fastener has been hooked into the opening through the standard or dropper it is
temporarily wedged forward towards the front of the hole, and the front end of
the metal of which it is formed is clenched or bent round the front edge or bulb of

page_text: the standard or dropper. The front edge of the standerd or dropper may be some-
what recessed so as to receive the wire and prevent it from rising. out of place, and
recesses may be formed in the upper edge of the fastener so as to receive the wire
between themselves and the upper end of the recess in the edge of the standard or
dropper and thus prevent the wire from getting out of place sideways; or a pro-
jection or projections may be formed at the front end of the fastener so as to stand
up in front of the wire when the front end of the fastener is clenched round, in .
which case the recesses in the fastener may be dispensed with; or such projection
or projections may be clenched right over the wire if desired, in which case both
the recess in the edge of the standard or dropper and the recesses in the fastener
also may be dispensed with. If two projections, as described, are employed at the
front end of the fastener they may be clenched down on either side of the standard
or dropper. Instead of wedging forward the booked end within the hole in the
standard or dropper, such end may be formed split or bifurcated, and, after the
same is hooked within the hole and drawn forwards, the split or bifurcated parts
may be wedged apart so as to take into top and bottom notches in the hole and.
thus securely prevent the hooked end from moving backwards and becoming
unhooked.
The fastener may, if desired, be shaped at the front, or partially. so, before being
placed in position, and may then be put on from the front, and the back end
thereof passed into the hole through the standard or dropper, in which case such
end may be at right angles for insertion in the hole and be simplynched round
after being pushed through the hole; or such part at right ngles may be
bifurcated and be provided with top and bottom notches that when the
bifurcations are wedged apart they take into the top and bottom edges of the hole
and thus securely prevent the fastener from getting out of such hole.
This invention relates, fourthly, to a simple method of connecting barbed and
other wires to standards and droppers, according to which it is not necessary to form
any holes through the standards or droppers or to materially weaken the same by
notches or indentations in the edge..
For the purpose of this part of my invention standards and droppers are
employed which present a bulbed or thickened edge towards the wires, or, in the.
case of droppers, the same may be formed as cylindrical or other conveniently
shaped rods; but, in each case, it is preferred to form a thin projecting web down
the front of such standard or dropper. A' recess or notch is formed into such web,
or slightly into the metal of the bulb or rod, at each point where the wire is to
be connected. A fastener formed of a short piece of metal is slid down around the
bulb or dropper. An open ended slot is formed upwards from the bottom of the
fastener on each side thereof so that as the fastener is slid down the slots pass over
the wire so as to keep it in position in the recess.
The lower end of the metal on
the outer side of such slots may be then hammered in so as to securely prevent the
fastener from being lifted and as an additional security against the wire being
wrenched down. The upper end of these slots may be enlarged somewhat out-
wards at their upper ends so that as the metal of the fastener is hammered up as
described an increased bearing may be given underneath the wire. A second
recess or notch may be formed in the projecting web or in the bulb or rod slightly
below the one carrying the wire, and the lower end of the metal of the fastener
may be driven into this latter recess, if desired.
A separate fastener is of course required for each wire connection.
This invention relates, fiftbly, to a combination of methods described under the
second and third divisions of this specification, and is for a method of fixing
barbed wire (and other wire) to the standards or droppers, the means adopted
acting also to strengthen such standards or droppers.
According to this part of my invention, fasteners are employed to fasten to the
standard or dropper and also to hook or fasten around the wire passing across the
edge thereof. A sheath, similar to that already described, is then passed around

page_text: the bulbed. or thickened edge of the standard or dropper so as to fill in the space
between the wire, or inner edge of the part of the fastener carrying the wire, and
the edge of the standard or dropper, and thus the wire is securely prevented from
moving inwards so as to disengage itself from the hook; and if the back end of
the fastener is hooked within the standard or dropper and drawn forwards such
end is prevented from moving backwards to become unhooked. Two hooks, or a
, single hook, may be used for each connection, as desired, and the inner end or
ends: may be riveted to the standard or dropper, or connected in any convenient
manner.
This invention relates, sixthly, to a method of constructing wire fencing in which
the wires are vertical.
According to this part of my invention vertical bars are employed in conjunction
with the vertical wires. These vertical bars, or some of them, are used as straining
pieces to tighten the wires by providing collars upon the bars to bear underneath
the top horizontal and nuts upon the bars to screw down against the bottom hori-
zontal. The fence may be made unclimable by carrying up pointed ends of the
vertical bars above the top horizontal.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM BAYLISS, of the firm of Bayliss Jones and Bayliss, of Victoria
Works, Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, fencing manufacturers, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL FENCING,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon:-
This invention refers chiefly to barbed wire fencing, but is applicable also to
plain wire fencing and in part also to metal fencing generally.
This invention relates, firstly, to the fixing of fencing standards, and has for its
object the improvement of that class of earth plates which are fixed vertically
within the ground so as to give a strong lateral support to the fencing standards.
This part of my invention is illustrated by figures 1, 2 and 3, which are,
respectively, a front elevation shewing a fencing standard and earth plate, a side
elevation thereof, and a sectional plan taken on line x x of figure 1. In figures 1
and 2 the standard is shewn broken in its length for convenience of illustration.
A is, a flat vertical plate of metal, and B. a band or loop formed (preferably) of
flat metal and has it two outer or back ends flanged as shewn at CC. A rectangular
hole is formed through the plate A, and through this hole the part B is pushed
forwards from the back side of the plate A till the flanges CC bear against the
plate. D is a metal standard, which may be of any convenient section. The
standard D is preferably driven first into the ground, through the loop B, and the
plate A is afterwards driven into the ground; the standard is thus held securely in
position.
Instead of forming a hole through the centre of the plate A; two slits a u may
be formed in the lower edge of the plate A, as shewn at figure 4, or a rectangular
piece may be cut or formed out of the plate A, as shewn by the outer lines of the
slits a a and the dotted line b, so that, in either case, the loop B, figures 1, 2 and 3,
may be first placed around the standard and then the vertical plate A be placed
down thereover and thus driven down with the slits a a, or a wider opening in the
edge thereof as described, over the outer ends of the loop B, and with the flanges
of such loop bearing against the outside of the plate A. as before.
The arrangement illustrated by figure 4 allows of an earth-plate of this
description being fixed at any time, if desired, after the fencing standard has been
fixed in position and the wires or other horizontal parts connected thereto.
This invention relates, secondly, to a method of strengthening standards and
droppers of barbed wire (or other wire) fencing which have openings cut in the
edge thereof for the reception of the wire, the method adopted acting also to
prevent the wires from getting sideways out of the standards and droppers. This
part of my invention is applicable also for strengthening any parts of metal
fencing generally which have notches cut in the edges thereof for the reception of
wires bars or rods and for retaining in place such wires bars or rods, and is

page_text: applicable also for the strengthening of rolled, fencing standards and uprights,
generally, which have a, bulbed or thickened part at or near the edge or edges
thereof.
According to this part of my invention, a sheath is formed to slide over a bulb
or thickened part at or near the edge of a standard dropper or other part as
aforesaid.
This part of my invention is illustrated, as applied to a wire fence, by figures
1, 2, 5 and 6, of which figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a short length of
fencing standard illustrated by figures 1 and 2, and figure 6 is a transverse section
on line y y of figure 5. In figure 5 one wire connection with a standard only is
shewn, for convenience of illustration. c is a bulbed or enlarged part rolled along
or near to the edge of the standard into which notches & are cut to receive the
wire f. After the wires are inserted within the holes-the hollow sheath g is passed
down around the front edge of the standard and the bulbed part c so as to cover
over the openings formed through such edge and bulbed part, thus securely
preventing the wires from coming out of the holes sideways, and also compensating
in any required degree (according to the strength of such sheath) for the reduction
in strength occasioned in the standard by cutting in notches from the edge
thereof.
This sheath is formed to slide over the bulb or thickened part, as shewn, and the
upper or outer end of the sheath may be formed or pinched up to a smaller internal
section than the remaining part thereof so that it will spring out and securely
tighten itself along the edge of the standard as it is driven home thereon.
It will be seen that, by this part. of my invention, standards may be employed
for barbed wire fencing which will allow of the wires being strained before their
insertion into the holes in the standards, and that the weakness incidental to the
ordinary employment of standards used for this purpose, and to the corresponding
description of droppers, is obviated.
This part of my invention is illustrated as applied to vertical-bar fencing by
figures 7 and 8, of which figure 7 is a plan, and figure 8 a section on line ¹ x¹ of
figure 7, shewing a short length of horizontal bar with a vertical-bar connection
therewith. h is a horizontal bar and i.a vertical bar. j is a bulb along or near
the front edge of the bar h, corresponding to the bulb c figure 6, and k is a sheath
therearound corresponding to the sheath g figure 6. The bar i is notched on each
side to admit of its being pushed sideways into the opening (shewn by dotted
lines only figure 7) in the bar h, such opening being narrower, as shewn, than the
full section of the bar i. This notching of the bar i prevents it from rising or
falling in the bar h. After the bar is placed in position within the bar the
sheath is passed along around the front edge of the bar h and the bulb j.thereon,
in the manner before described, and thus prevents the bar i from moving sideways
out of the bar h, and also compensates in any required degree for the weakening
effect of the hole l.
This last described modification is specially useful in the case of vertical-bar
fencing which is bundled for transport and put together in situ.
According to either modification in which a sheath is employed, a part or parts
of such sheath passing over one or more of the holes may be pressed or nicked into
a hole or holes to securely prevent it moving endways; or the upper or end corners
or edge of such sheath may be driven into a hole formed specially therefor near
the top or edge of the standard, dropper, or other part as aforesaid; or the sheath
may be fixed at each end, if desired, by means of a rivet or other convenient means
so as to give additional strength to the standard.
When a sheath is employed simply to strengthen an upright, and not for the
purpose of retaining wires or bars therein, it will usually be sufficient to pass such
sheath down simply over the lower part of the standard, as rolled standards; being
parallel throughout, are weaker at their lower ends than at their upper. Such a
sheath adds very materially to the strength of the standard by increasing the bulk
1.

page_text: of metal at the edge. If desired, for the sake of appearance, the sheath may of
course extend to the top of the standard. Both edges of a standard may of course
be strengthened in the manner described.
A further modification of my sheath arrangement is shewn by figure 9, in
which m is a short sheath passing over the bulb n of a standard, dropper, or other
part of fencing by which a wire or wires are to be carried, one of such short sheaths
being used for each wire connection. o is the wire which is inserted in a, hole
formed as in the case of the arrangement illustrated by figure 5. The sheath may
have a nose p which is clenched into a supplementary notch in the standard,
dropper, or other part as aforesaid, to retain the sheath in position vertically; or in
lieu of a nose, the sheath may be made plain and the lower edge thereof be forced
into the supplementary notch. This modification is applicable also in the case
of bar fencing..
In the case of standards or other parts of wire fencing in which holes are notched
in from one edge thereof for the reception of the wires, a rib q, figures 5 and 6, may
be rolled on one or both sides of each standard (or other part) so as to be in position
immediately at the back of the holes cut in from the edge thereof, and thus obviate
the initial tendency for the bar to tear open at the roots of the holes which is
otherwise experienced as the result of notching in holes for the reception of fencing
wires. Such rib or ribs may be formed upon a standard (or other part) in addition
to a flanger along one edge thereof, in which case a standard of great strength and
stiffness is produced.
This invention relates, thirdly, to a method of fixing the wires of barbed wire
and other wire fencing to the standards and droppers without cutting deep notches
in the edges thereof. This part of my invention is illustrated by figures 10, 11
and 12, of which figure 10 is a side elevation, figure 11 a plan, and figure 12 a
section on line y¹ y¹ of figure 10, representing a short length of standard and
one wire connection therewith. is the standard, and 8 the wire which rests,
preferably, in the shallow notch in the front edge of the bulb t. u is a slot or
hole formed through the web of the standard in the position shewn. is a clip
fastener which clips around both the wires and part of the standard. w ware
two straps upon the clip v; these straps are sufficiently open for the ends thereof
to be passed around the bulb t, and after they are so passed, the ends are forced
inwards so as to enter through the slot u. The part of each strap w which enters
the slot is notched or recessed as shewn at v v', and after the ends have been
inserted within the slot u they are forced outwards from one another in a vertical
direction causing the notches v v¹ to pass around the top and bottom edges of the
slot, as shewn by figure 12, so as to securely prevent the straps from slipping out
of place. ww are shorter straps and are simply curved round the back of the
bulb t. This fastening is made preferably of sheet metal or malleable cast iron.
This invention relates, fourthly, to a simple method of connecting barbed and
other fencing wires to standards and droppers, according to which it is not
necessary to form any holes through the standards and droppers, or to materially
weaken the same by notches or openings in the edge; and this part of my
invention is applicable also to any parts to which fencing wires are to be held.
This part of my invention is illustrated by figures 13, 14, 15 and 16, of which
figure 13 is a front elevation of a fencing standard, figure 14 à side elevation
thereof, figure 15 an enlarged side elevation of a short length of standard, sufficient
to shew one wire connection therewith, and figure 16 a section taken on line 22
of figure 15 looking from the underside thereof. In figures 13 and 14 the standard
is shewn broken in its length for convenience of illustration. A¹ is the standard
having a bulb b¹ with a fin of metal h¹ rolled at its outer edge. a¹ a¹ are clips
formed to slide down around the bulb b' and front edge (or thin metal fin) of the
standard, as shewn. c¹ c' are the fencing wires passing through holes notched
into the edge or fin of the standard. Each clip a¹ has a part d¹ (see figure 15)
which passes down in front of the wire, as shewn, so as to securely retain it in its
notch, and has also a corresponding part on each side opposite to the part d

page_text: and taking around the back of the bulb, as shewn so as to give a better hold
around the bulb than if such part were not employed. e¹ is a nose at the bottom
of the part d, and this nose may be clenched into a supplementary notch.f¹ formed
therefor in the edge of the standard. When it is thought probable that the fencing
may be only temporarily required, in any position in which it may be placed, the
nose e¹ is not clenched at all, but simply projects downwards in front of the
standard. The clip may be fixed by passing it down from the end of the standard
and, when the wire is placed in position in its notch, passing such clip into the
position shewn by figure 15 so as to retain the wire within the notch, after which
the nose e¹ is clenched in for additional security, if desired; or (and this I usually
prefer owing to the frazing on the end of a bar forming an obstruction to threading
the clip over the end) the clip may be formed open, as shewn by figure 17 so as
to be passed over or around the bulb 61, and be afterwards hammered or pinched
up to fit around the bulb so that it may be capable of sliding thereon.
It will be seen that the wire c¹ is not necessarily wedged into its notch by the
clip, but is or may be quite free in such notch.
In order to avoid the clips becoming lost when sent out with the standards for
fixture, a sufficient number may be placed on each standard, and the upper and
lower ends of the standard be suitably kincked (as shewn at g' figures 13 and 14),
or otherwise treated so as to form an obstruction and prevent the clips from
slipping off.
When the clips are made to pass down from the end of a standard, it is preferred
that they should be a fairly good fit so as to require some force to move them along
the standard, in order that they may not be readily raised by an animal when the
noses of the clips are not clenched into the notches of the standards.
These clips are made preferably of malleable cast iron..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. An earth-plate for a fencing standard consisting of a vertical plate with a
loop-piece inserted therethrough, substantially as and for the purpose herein
described and shewn by figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In an earth-plate for a fencing standard in which a loop-piece, substantially as
described, is employed, slits or an aperture formed in the lower edge of the plate,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and shewn by figure 4.
3. In a fencing standard, dropper, or other part of fencing in which openings
are notched in one edge thereof for the purpose of receiving and retaining in place
wires, bars, or rods, the combination of sheath with à bulbed or flanged part
rolled at or near the edge of such standard, dropper or other part as aforesaid,
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by figures 1, 2, 5,
'6, 7 and 8.
4. The modification of my sheath arrangement described and illustrated with
reference to figure 9.
5. Strengthening rolled fencing standards or uprights, having a bulbed or
thickened part rolled at or near one or both of the edges thereof, by passing a
sheath or sheaths around the edge or edges of the lower part of each standard or
upright, or around the entire length of such edge or edges, substantially as herein
described.
6. In a fencing standard or other part of fencing in which holes are notched in
from one edge thereof for the reception of the wires, a rib q in position near the
inner edge of such holes, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
shewn by figures 5 and 6.
7. The fastening described with reference to figures 10, 11 and 12, constructed
and fixed substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
8. In à clip formed to take or hold around the bulb or thickened part at or
near the front edge of the web or corresponding member of a fencing standard
'dropper or other part to which fencing wires are to be held, a downwardly. (or

page_text: correspondingly) projecting horn d" on each side of such standard, or dropper, or
other part, opposite to a front horn d¹ which passes across the front of the wire,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and shewn by figures 14 and
15 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination of a clip a¹, with a bulb b' and fin h' rolled at the edge of
a standard or dropper for wire fencing or other part to which fencing wires are to
be held, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and shewn by
figures 13 to 16 inclusive.
10. The combination of the clip a¹ with notches in the edge of a fencing
standard, dropper, or other part to which fencing wires are to be held, of such
depth in the edge that the wires are not (necessarily) wedged by means of the
clips but are free within the holes, substantially as herein described and shewn by
figure 15.
11. A supplementary notch f¹ into which the nose e¹ of a clip a¹ (figure 15) or
21 (figure 9) is or may be clenched, substantially as and for the purpose herein
described.
12. Kincking or correspondingly treating fencing standards, droppers and other
parts to which fencing wires are to be held, for the purpose of preventing clips
from slipping off therefrom, substantially as herein described and shewn by
figure 13.
13. A clip formed to be passed from the edge of a fencing standard, dropper or
other part to which fencing wires are to be held, over a bulb or thickened part at
or near the edge of the web or corresponding member of such standard, dropper or
other part, and be pinched or hammered up to fit around such bulb or thickened
part and be capable of sliding therealong, substantially as and for the purpose
herein described and shewn by figure 17.
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