Trimmer Line Shield for Chain Link Fencing

Abstract

A trimmer line shield for preventing the line of a grass trimmer from striking and entangling, stressing, or breaking against wire mesh and other elements of chain link or similar fencing. The shield is comprised of elongated stiff plastic extrusions extending along the fence line, secured to elements of the fence frame and the bottom of the wire mesh to inhibits growth of vegetation into open spaces between the wire members of a wire mesh fencing.

Claims

1. A trimmer line shield for chain link fences, comprising: a vertical main body portion extending longitudinally into an elongated strip, the main body portion having a generally t-shaped traverse cross section comprised of: a tapered bottom end; a stop flange distinguishing the bottom end from a central section comprised of two flange members at a distance above the bottom end and extending laterally outward from each side of the main body portion; and a generally L-shaped top portion comprised of: the upper end of the main body portion; and an upper flange extending laterally outward from one side of the main body disposed a distance below the upper end of the main body portion.

2. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 1 wherein the elongated strip is extruded or molded from stiff plastic material.

3. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 1 wherein the elongated strip is constructed of a metallic material.

4. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 1 further comprising: one or more terminal mounts, the terminal mounts comprising: a body with a concaved side curved to substantially match the outer surface of a fence post; and one or more shield slots for receiving an end of the elongated strips, the outsides of the slots being tapered to the opening.

5. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 4 wherein a terminal mount further comprises one or more fastener channels extending through the terminal mount body oriented perpendicular to the curved side.

6. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 4 wherein at least one shield slot is oriented radially outward from the fence post axis.

7. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 4 wherein at least one shield slot is oriented tangentially to the curved surface.

8. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 1 further comprising: one or more anchor mounts, the anchor mounts comprising: a body with a concaved side curved to substantially match the outer surface of an intermediate fence post; a distal flat rectangular side with a height less than the central section of the main body portion.

9. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 8 wherein an anchor mount further comprises: one or more fastener channels extending through the anchor mount body oriented perpendicular to the curved side.

10. The trimmer line shield, as described in claim 1 wherein the L-shaped top portion further comprises one or more sets of paired holes, wherein a first hole extends through the upper end of the main body portion; and the second paired hole extends through the upper flange.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wire mesh fence labeling parts thereof for clarity of the teaching herein.

[0040] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate main body portions in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a partial view of the main body engaging the edge of a fence's wire mesh in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the innovation.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view, indicated on FIG. 3, of a fence clip (aka a Hog Ring) securing the fence's wire mesh to the top of the main body in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the innovation.

[0043] FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a perspective view from two different angles of an anchor mount in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation.

[0044] FIGS. 6A and 6B shows a perspective view from two different angles of a single-end terminal mount in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation.

[0045] FIGS. 7A and 7B shows a perspective view from two different angles of a corner terminal mount in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a trimmer line shield installation, showing placement of various mounts engaging with fence post in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation.

[0047] FIG. 9 shows a cross section through the main body portion of the installation of FIG. 8 looking down to illustrate engagement of the various components of the trimmer line shield with the fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The trimmer line shield disclosed herein is formed of an elongated strip of stiff plastic extrusion having a longitudinally extending vertical main body portion of generally t-shaped transverse cross section. The main body portion of the elongated strip has a tapered bottom end, a blade, for inserting into the ground beneath the wire mesh of a fence and a top end having a generally L-shaped traverse cross section for engaging the wire mesh of the fence. The main body tapered bottom end is distinguished from the main body's central portion by a pair of flat stop flange members disposed a distance above the bottom end extending laterally outward beyond each side of the main body portion.

[0049] The main body top end is distinguished from the central portion and comprised of a longitudinally extending upper flange extending laterally outward from one side of the main body, the front side, disposed a distance below the upper end of the main body portion and having a generally L-shaped travers cross section for engaging the wire mesh of the fence. The upper flange and the upper end of the main body may include grooves or holes passing therethrough for a tie, fastener, ring, or other means of securing the fence's wire mesh thereto.

[0050] The main body portion is secured to end and/or corner post by terminal mounts having a shield slot into which the central portion of the main body engages, and a curved face with optional fastener channels extending from the face through the mount for securing to an end and/or corner post.

[0051] The ends of the shield slot are tapered to provide a smooth transition with the main body's central portion. The curved face is also tapered to smoothly transition to the post. Generally, all parts, except for the lower tapered end, the blade, are tapered, or rounded to prevent sharp edges or corners which may be harmful to people or animals, and which may catch or strain a trimmer line during edging operations.

[0052] The main body portion is braced to intermediate post by an anchor mount comprising a curved face for engaging the post and tapering outward laterally in either direction to mate with a side of the main body's central portion. The anchor mount may be secured by hardware screwed through the main body's central portion, extending through optional holes or channels, and into the intermediate post.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment a glue or double-sided tape may secure the mounts to the post and to the main body's central portion. This embodiment provides for filling of any gaps or voids with adhesives which prevents vegetation encroachment, but lacks the easy removability functions of screws, ties, or other fasteners. In other embodiments, the fasteners may pass through elongated holes allowing movement in the longitudinal direction for accommodating thermal expansion.

[0054] The preferred embodiment uses a stiff plastic construction material which may vary in rigidity due to thickness based on specific application. In other embodiments differing materials may be molded or extruded for the purpose depending on such factors as cost, durability, safety, etc.

[0055] By its positioning along a fence line under the fencing's mesh material and through securing to the mesh and the fence's supporting post, the trimmer line shield deflects vegetation from growing upward through the spaces of the mesh and provides a crisp edged look to a fence which is easier to maintain than unshielded fences.

[0056] To install, elongated strips of the shield are driven into the ground extending between the vertical end and corner post. The shield should pass beside intermediate post on the same side as the fence mesh. Terminal mounts are attached to the strip ends and secured to the post. Anchor mounts are then placed at intermediate post and the shield is secured thereto.

[0057] The trimmer line shield may include a plurality of holes or a channel for securing a plurality of fasteners configured to extend through the holes of the shield and through the open spaces adjacent to the bottom portion of the chain link fence. This secures the bottom portion of the chain link fence to the trimmer line shield at selected locations.

[0058] The fasteners securing the wire mesh to the top of the shield strip are referred to as fence ties, or fence clips, but are also known to those skilled in the arts as hog rings, C-clips, D-rings, fence ties, pull ties, cable ties, etcetera all of which serve a similar function in the innovation presented.

[0059] Though it is desired to have single elongated strips of the shield's main body portion extend the length of a fence line, it may not be possible without intermediate joints. Joining two lengths may be accomplished by using terminal mounts at a close intermediate post. An alternative to the anchor mount may incorporate shield slots at each of the tapered ends distal the post's curved side.

[0060] Ideally, the trimmer line shield is installed along with the fence. This allows the trimmer line shield to be driven into the ground to extend between vertical fence posts and the chain link fence is then installed between the posts such that its bottom end engages the flat top portion of the shield to prevent the line of a grass trimmer from striking and becoming entangled in the open spaces adjacent to the bottom portion of the chain link fence.

[0061] This prevents the need for varying heights of the trimmer shield to maintain spacing between the ground surface and the bottom of the fence while still inhibiting the undesirable growth of vegetation into the open spaces between the wire members along the bottom of the fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wire mesh fence labeling parts thereof for clarity of the teaching herein. A chain link or wire mesh fence 100 has a fence mesh 140 tensioned between corner or end post 110 which are secured against movement by firm embedding into the ground 50, and further secured against tension by a top rail 120.

[0063] For longer runs of fence it may be necessary to break-up the run into segments with intermediate post 130. The intermediate post 130 supports the top rail 120 and prevent side to side deflection or bowing from the fence line. In addition to preventing bowing intermediate post 130 add additional support to the top rail 120 for support the weight of the wire mesh 140.

[0064] Depending on the security requirements or other environmental issues, the bottom of a chain link fence 100 may be tensioned against bowing by a tension wire 160 or a tension bar 160′. Once there is a secure frame extending along the fence line, tension bars 150 are used to evenly apply tension across the mesh 140 with minimal tension bands 155.

[0065] Finally the wire mesh 140 is secured to the fence's 100 frame components, the top rail 120 and intermediate posts 130 with fence ties 170. If one or more tension bars 160′ are used at the bottom, or mid-line of the fence, then fence ties 170 are also needed to secure the wire mesh 140 thereto. If tension wires 160 are used rather than tension bars 160′, the tension wire 160 may be woven through the fence mesh 140 as an alternative to fence ties 170.

[0066] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate main body portions in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation. The main body portion 210 of the trimmer line shield has a generally t-shaped transverse cross section which is longitudinally extended to form an elongated strip extrusion.

[0067] The main body portion 210 of the elongated strip has a tapered bottom end 220, a blade and a top end 240 having a generally L-shaped traverse cross section, joined by a variable length central section 250. The main body's 210 tapered bottom end 220 is distinguished from the central section 250 by a pair of flat stop flange members 230 extending laterally outward beyond each side of the main body portion 210.

[0068] The main body top end 240 comprises a longitudinally extending upper flange 245 extending laterally outward from one side of the main body 210 disposed a distance below the upper end 243 of the main body portion 210 and having a generally L-shaped travers cross section for engaging the wire mesh of the fence.

[0069] The main body top end 240 may be rounded (as illustrated in FIG. 2A) creating a channel for securing edges of fastening clips 170. In an alternative embodiment (as illustrated in FIG. 2B) the main body top end 240 may have one or more holes 247 for accepting ends of C-Clip fence ties 170′ illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a partial view of the main body engaging the edge of a fence's wire mesh in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the innovation. The main body portion 210 is shown with the tapered bottom end 220, the blade, driven into the ground to the stop flange members 230.

[0071] The central section 250 varies in height to position the top end 240 such that it engages the lower edge of the fence's wire mesh 140, which is secured thereto with a C-Clip 170′ passing through a space S between wires W of the wire mesh 140. A cross section 4 is shown in FIG. 4.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view, indicated on FIG. 3, of a fence clip (aka a Hog Ring) securing the fence's wire mesh to the top of the main body in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the innovation. The fence clip 170′ passes through over wire W of the mesh 140 to engage holes 247 in the upper end 243 and upper flange 245 of the L-shaped top end 240.

[0073] FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a perspective view from two different angles of an anchor mount in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation. An anchor mount 340 secures the main body portion 210 of the trimmer line shield 200 to intermediate post 130.

[0074] The curved post side 320 is adjacent to the post 130. The flat shield side 325 is adjacent to the central section 250 of the main body portion 210 and tapers 335 forming a wedge in both directions perpendicular to the intermediate post 130.

[0075] The anchor mount 340 may be secured by hardware 350, not illustrated through the main body's 210 central section 250, extending through optional holes or channels 310, and into the intermediate post 130.

[0076] FIGS. 6A and 6B shows a perspective view from two different angles of a single-end terminal mount in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation. A terminal mount 300A secures an end of the main body portion 210 of the trimmer line shield 200 to an end post 110.

[0077] The terminal mount 300A has a convex curved post side 320 and a shield slot 330 extending outward from the mount's 300A distal side. In one embodiment the shield slot 330 is radially aligned with the end post's 110 central axis. In another embodiment the shield slot 330 is tangentially aligned with the end post's 110 exterior surface.

[0078] In one embodiment, the terminal mount 300A may be secured by hardware 350, not illustrated extending through optional holes or channels 310, and into the end post 110. In another embodiment an adhesive may be used to secure a mount 300 to the post 110.

[0079] FIGS. 7A and 7B shows a perspective view from two different angles of a corner terminal mount in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation. A corner terminal mount 300B secures ends of multiple main body portions 210 of trimmer line shield 200 to a corner/end post 110.

[0080] The terminal mount 300B has a convex curved post side 320 and a plurality of shield slots 330 extending outward from other sides of the mount 300B. In one embodiment the shield slots 330 are radially aligned with the corner post's 110 central axis. In another embodiment the shield slots 330 are tangentially aligned with the corner post's 110 exterior surface.

[0081] In one embodiment, the terminal mount 300B may be secured by hardware 350, not illustrated extending through optional holes or channels 310, and into the corner post 110. In another embodiment an adhesive may be used to secure a mount 300 to the post 110.

[0082] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a trimmer line shield installation, showing placement of various mounts engaging with fence post in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the innovation. FIG. 9 shows a cross section through the main body portion of the installation of FIG. 8 looking down to illustrate engagement of the various components of the trimmer line shield with the fence.

[0083] The trimmer line shield's 200 main body extrusions 210 extend between the corner/end post 110 and pass beside intermediate post 130. Terminal mounts 300A & 300B secured to the post are slotted onto the ends of elongated strips 210. Anchor mounts brace the central section 250, not indicated of elongated strips 210 to intermediate post 130 where adjacently located.

[0084] The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present innovation are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the innovation. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the innovation to the proportions illustrated.

[0085] Additionally, some elements illustrated in the singularity may be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could vary in detail.

[0086] Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the innovation.

[0087] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present innovation. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.