T-POST BRACKET SYSTEM

Abstract

A bracket system for forming an end post for a T-post fence system. The bracket system includes at least two brackets each having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion. The vertical portion of the first bracket is dimensioned and configured for sliding down the end post and includes at least one pair of apertures for receiving a pin inserted through the pair of apertures between adjacent notches in the end post for positioning the first bracket at a desired height of the end post. The vertical portion of the second bracket is dimensioned and configured for sliding down an adjacent post for positioning the second bracket at a desired height of the adjacent post. The diagonal portions of the first and second brackets each have an opening for receiving different ends of a diagonal post for supporting the end post.

Claims

1. A bracket system for forming an end post for a T-post fence system, the bracket system comprising: a first bracket having a vertical portion and at least a first diagonal portion, the vertical portion dimensioned and configured for sliding down the end post and including at least one pair of apertures for receiving a pin inserted through the pair of apertures between adjacent notches in the end post for positioning the first bracket at a desired height of the end post, the first diagonal portion having an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a first end of a first diagonal support post; and a second bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion, the vertical portion dimensioned and configured for sliding down an adjacent post and positioning the second bracket at a desired height of the adjacent post, the diagonal portion having an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a second end of the first diagonal support post.

2. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the second bracket includes at least one pair of apertures for receiving a pin inserted through the pair of apertures between adjacent notches in the adjacent post.

3. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the first bracket includes at least two pairs of apertures such that a user can select which pair of apertures to insert the pin based on the desired height of the first bracket with respect to the end post.

4. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the vertical portion and the diagonal portion of the first and second bracket include a cross-shaped hollow interior portion that corresponds to a T-shape of the posts received by the vertical portions and the diagonal portions.

5. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the end post is a corner post and the first bracket further includes a second diagonal portion for receiving a first end of a second diagonal support post, the bracket system further comprising a third bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion, the vertical portion of the third bracket dimensioned and configured for sliding down a second adjacent post and positioning the third bracket at a desired height of the second adjacent post, the diagonal portion of the third bracket having an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a second end of the second diagonal support post.

6. The bracket system of claim 5 wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket extend from a first side of the first bracket and the at least one pair of apertures is disposed on a second side of the first bracket.

7. The bracket system of claim 5 wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket are disposed about 90 degrees apart from each other.

8. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the diagonal portions of the first and second brackets extend at an angle of about 45 degrees to about 55 degrees from the vertical portion.

9. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the diagonal portions of the first and second brackets extend at an angle of about 50 degrees from the vertical portion.

10. A method for forming an end post for a T-post fence system, the method comprising: positioning an end post in a first ground position; positioning a first bracket having a vertical portion and a first diagonal portion at a desired height on the end post such that the first diagonal portion is angled downward with respect to the vertical portion, the positioning of the first bracket step including: sliding the vertical portion down the end post to a desired height, and inserting a pin through a pair of apertures disposed in the vertical portion such that the pin is disposed between adjacent notches in the end post; positioning a second post in a second ground position; positioning a second bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion at a desired height on the second post such that the diagonal portion is angled upward with respect to the vertical portion, the positioning of the second bracket step including: sliding the vertical portion down the second post to a desired height, and inserting a pin through a pair of apertures disposed in the vertical portion such that the pin is disposed between adjacent notches in the second post; and inserting a first end of a first diagonal support post into an opening of the first diagonal portion of the first bracket and a second end of the first diagonal support post into an opening of the diagonal portion of the second bracket.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each include at least two pairs of apertures, the inserting steps further comprising selecting which pair of apertures to insert the pin based on the desired height of the first and second bracket.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the vertical portion and the diagonal portion of the first and second bracket include a cross-shaped hollow interior portion that corresponds to a T-shape of the posts received by the vertical portions and the diagonal portions.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the end post is a corner post and the first bracket further includes a second diagonal portion, the method further comprising: positioning a third post in a third ground position; positioning a third bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion at a desired height on the third post such that the diagonal portion is angled upward with respect to the vertical portion, the positioning of the third bracket step including: sliding the vertical portion down the third post to a desired height, and inserting a pin through a pair of apertures disposed in the vertical portion such that the pin is disposed between adjacent notches in the third post; and inserting a first end of a second diagonal support post into an opening of the second diagonal portion of the first bracket and a second end of the second diagonal support post into an opening of the diagonal portion of the third bracket.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket extend from a first side of the first bracket and the at least one pair of apertures is disposed on a second side of the first bracket.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket are disposed about ninety degrees apart from each other.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the first ground position and the second ground position are about five feet apart and the diagonal portions of the first and second brackets extend at an angle of about 50 degrees from the vertical portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not necessarily to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an end T-post being supported by a diagonal T-post connected between the end T-post and an adjacent T-post using first and second brackets according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged front view of the second bracket of FIG. 1 connecting the adjacent T-post to the diagonal T-post;

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged front view of the first bracket of FIG. 1 connecting the end T-post to the diagonal T-post;

[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a first perspective view of a first or second bracket with an overhead view of the vertical portion of the bracket being secured to portion of a T-post and the diagonal portion angled downwards according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a second perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4 with an underneath view of the vertical portion of the bracket being secured to a portion of a T-post and the diagonal portion angled upwards according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 6 depicts a third perspective view of the bracket of FIGS. 4-5 secured to a portion of a T-post according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0025] FIG. 7 depicts a front perspective view of a corner T-post being supported by two diagonal T-posts using a corner bracket according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present disclosure is directed to a cost-effective and easy to install bracket system for forming an end post for a T-post fence system by using a T-post driven into the ground as the end post. In this regard, referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, a diagonal post 10 is used to support an end post 20 by connecting the end post 20 to an adjacent fence post 50. Each of the diagonal post 10, end post 20, and adjacent fence post 50 are preferably T-posts with corresponding notches 12, 22, and 52 disposed on the spine of their respective posts as known in the art. The bracket system for connecting the diagonal post 10 to the end post 20 and adjacent fence post 50 includes a first bracket 30, a second bracket 60, and one or more pins 80.

[0027] As explained in more detail below, the first bracket 30 generally includes a vertical portion 32 having a hollow interior that is dimensioned and configured for sliding down the end post 20 to a proper height and at least one diagonal portion 42 having an opening 43 extending at an angle with respect to the vertical portion 32 for receiving a top end of the diagonal post 10. To hold the first bracket 30 in a proper height with respect to the end post 20, the first bracket 30 includes one or more apertures 38 (shown best in FIG. 6) in the vertical portion 32 for inserting a pin 80 through the vertical portion 32 between two adjacent notches 22 of the end post 20. Thus, the pin 80 prevents the first bracket 30 from sliding down the end post 20 during installation based on the pin 80 contacting the lower of the two notches 22 between which the pin 80 was inserted.

[0028] The second bracket 60 likewise includes a vertical portion 62 having a hollow interior that is dimensioned and configured for sliding down the adjacent fence post 50 and a diagonal portion 72 having an opening 73 extending at an upward angle with respect to the vertical portion 62 for receiving a lower end of the diagonal post 10. To hold the second bracket 60 in a proper height with respect to the fence post 50, the second bracket 60 may also include one or more apertures in the vertical portion 62 for inserting a pin 80 through the vertical portion 62 between two adjacent notches 52 of the fence post 50. Alternatively, the second bracket 60 may be slid all the way down the fence post 50 until the ground prevents any further movement of the second bracket 60. Together, the first bracket 30, second bracket 60, and diagonal post 10 inserted into openings 43, 73 of respective diagonal portions 42, 72 of the brackets provides proper support for end post 20 after wire (not shown) is stretched along the fencing system.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, an exemplary first bracket 30 is depicted in various views according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. However, in preferred embodiments, and as exemplified in the present FIGS. 1-6, the first bracket 30 and the second bracket 60 are configured to be interchangeable. For purposes of the present disclosure, interchangeable refers to the ability to use the first bracket 30 also as the second bracket 60 and vice versa by simply orientating the diagonal portion 42, 72 of the brackets 30, 60 in the proper angle (upward or downward) when sliding the bracket 30, 60 down the desired post 20, 50. Thus, while FIGS. 4-6 identifies the bracket as a first bracket 30, it should be understood that the same bracket could also be used as second bracket 60 by orientating the opening 43 of the diagonal portion 42 to extend upwards when installed on post 50 instead of extending downward when installed on end post 20.

[0030] With initial reference specifically to FIG. 6, the vertical portion 32 of bracket 30 includes a hollow interior 33 in the shape of a cross for sliding over the uppercase T shaped end post 20. In this regard, the T-post 20 includes a stem portion 24 and a spine portion 26. As known in the art, the plurality of notches 22 extend from spine portion 26 along the length of the post 20 (the notches 22 being hidden within the vertical portion 32 of the end post 20 in the view of FIG. 6). Thus, the vertical portion 32 includes a corresponding stem portion 34 and spine portion 36 having a hollow interior for sliding over the stem portion 24 and spine portion 26 of end post 20. The stem portion 34 of vertical portion 32 further includes an upper portion 35 that extends past the spine portion 36 to enable the vertical portion 32 to slide past the notches 22 extending from the spine portion 26 of end post 20, thus forming a cross-shaped interior 33 for the vertical portion 32. Finally, the upper portion 35 of vertical portion 32 includes at least one pair of apertures 38 extending through opposite sides of the upper portion 35. In operation, one of the pins 80 is dimensioned and configured to be inserted through a pair of apertures 38 such that the pin 80 extends through the upper region of the cross-shaped interior 33 between two adjacent notches 22 of end post 20.

[0031] In preferred embodiments, the vertical portion 32 of bracket 30 preferably includes at least two pairs of apertures 38 as depicted in the present figures. This allows for greater flexibility when installing the bracket 30 to its post 20. For example, in certain circumstances, the needed height of the bracket 30 may result in one pair of apertures 38 being at least partially aligned with one of the notches 22 of the post, which would obstruct the pin 80 from being inserted through the particular pair of apertures 38. The second pair of apertures 38 could then ensure that at least one of the pairs of apertures 38 would be unobstructed by a notch by providing a distance between pairs of apertures 38 that is different than the distance between two notches 22. For example, notches on T-posts are typically about 1 inches apart. Thus, spacing the pairs of apertures 38 along the upper portion 35 about one inch apart would prevent at least one pair of apertures 38 from being obstructed by a notch 22 of post 20. In preferred embodiments, the upper portion 35 of vertical portion 32 further includes recesses 39 aligned with each pair of apertures 38 such that a cotter pin 80 may be used for a stronger connection between the bracket 30 and post 20 and/or to better hold the bracket 30 in place during installation.

[0032] Similar to the hollow interior 33 of vertical portion 32, and with reference specifically to FIG. 4, opening 43 of diagonal portion 42 is also in the shape of a cross in order to receive the appropriate end of diagonal post 10 (diagonal post 10 being omitted in FIGS. 4-6). In this regard, diagonal portion 42 also includes a stem portion 44 dimensioned and configured to receive the stem portion of a diagonal post and a spine portion 46 dimensioned and configured to receive the spine portion of a diagonal post. The stem portion 44 further includes an upper portion 45 that extends past the spine portion 46 to enable the notches of a diagonal post to slide within opening 43. The stem portion 44, spine portion 46, and upper portion 45 of stem portion 44 extending past spine portion 46 forms the cross-shaped opening 43 for the diagonal portion 42. In preferred embodiments, the cross-shaped opening 43 includes a depth ranging from about 1 inches to about 5 inches, and most preferably about 2-3 inches, such that diagonal portion 42 sufficiently supports an end of diagonal post 10 following installation of the system while also allowing ease of assembly.

[0033] During assembly, and with reference back to FIG. 1, end post 20 and post 50 are driven into the ground typically about 5 feet apart (based on a typical T-post length of 6 feet). The first bracket 30 is then installed to post 20 (see also the enlarged view of FIG. 3) while the second bracket 50 is installed to post 50 (see also the enlarged view of FIG. 2). The first bracket 30 is installed to post 20 by (a) sliding the vertical portion 32 down post 20 to a desired height near the top of post 20 with the diagonal portion 42 angled downward; and (b) inserting pin 80 through the appropriate pair of apertures in vertical portion 32 between adjacent notches 22 of post 20. Similarly, the second bracket 60 is installed to post 50 by sliding the vertical portion 62 down post 50 to a desired height near the ground with the diagonal portion 72 facing upward; and (b) inserting pin 80 through the appropriate pair of apertures in vertical portion 62 between adjacent notches 52 of post 50. According to this embodiment (T-post length of 6 feet and the posts 20, 50 being positioned about 5 feet apart), the diagonal portions 42, 72 of first and second brackets 30, 60 include an angle of about fifty degrees with respect to the vertical portions 32, 62. However, it should be understood that other angles are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure depending on the desired setup (e.g., the distance between post 20 and post 50) and the dimensions of the posts used (e.g., the diagonal post 10 may include a length different than the standard six feet of most T-posts). Typically, the angle will be between about 30 to 60 degrees regardless of the particular setup used.

[0034] To complete the assembly opposing ends of diagonal post 10 are inserted into the respective openings 43, 73 of diagonal portions 42, 72. In certain embodiments, pairs of apertures may also be provided in the diagonal portions 42, 72 for further securing the diagonal portions to the diagonal post 10. To assist in assembly, it may be desirable in certain embodiments to insert the ends of the diagonal post 10 into a corresponding diagonal portion 42, 72 of a bracket before sliding bracket 30 and/or 60 into its desired position. Once the posts 10, 20, and 50 are installed using brackets 30, 60, wire is stretched between posts 20 and 50 (as well as the remainder of the fence line), the diagonal post 10 will support end post 20 from leaning towards post 50. Further, while bracket 30 will want to slide up post 20 under the tension of the wire, pin 80 contacting the notch 22 above it will prevent bracket 30 from losing its proper positioning along the height of the post 20. Similarly, pin 80 contacting the notch 52 below it (or contacting the ground in embodiments in which pins are not used for the second bracket 60) will prevent bracket 60 from losing its proper positioning towards the bottom of post 50.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 7, the first bracket described above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be more specifically a corner bracket 130 when the end post is more specifically a corner post 120. According to this embodiment, corner bracket 130 includes a vertical portion 132 that similarly includes a cross-shaped hollow interior dimensioned and configured to slide down the corner post 120 to a desired height. However, in contrast to first bracket 30 of FIG. 1, corner bracket 130 includes both a first diagonal portion 142a and a second diagonal portion 142b that are angled with respect to the vertical portion 132 such that the first diagonal portion 142a is configured to receive a top end of a first diagonal post 110a and the second diagonal portion 142b is configured to receive a top end of a second diagonal post 110b. In preferred embodiments, the first diagonal portion 142a and the second diagonal portion 142b are 90 degrees apart from each other to form a right angle between the diagonal portions. The bottom ends of diagonal posts 110a and 110b are then secured to adjacent posts 150a and 150b using second brackets 160a and 160b generally as described above with respect to FIG. 1 to form a corner post 120 with two fence lines extending from the corner post 120 at a right angle.

[0036] Another difference between the corner bracket 130 of FIG. 7 and the first bracket 30 as depicted in FIG. 1 is that the diagonal portions 142a and 142b extend from a first side of the vertical portion 132 (front side of FIG. 7) while the second side of the vertical portion 132 includes the pin apertures (as represented by pin 180 of FIG. 7 being on the rear side of vertical portion 132 as compared to the diagonal portions 142a and 142b extending downward from the front side of vertical portion 132). Thus, according to this embodiment, the corner post 120 is rotated during assembly such that the notches would be extending from the spine of the corner post 120 in an opposite direction of the extension of the diagonal portions 142a and 142b from the vertical portion 132.

[0037] According to another aspect of the disclosure, it should be understood that the orientation of the diagonal portion(s) of the brackets with respect to the vertical portion may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, it should also be understood that the orientation of the diagonal post(s) during assembly are dictated by the particular orientation of the diagonal portions of the brackets. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the diagonal portion 42 of first bracket 30 and diagonal portion 72 of second bracket 60 extend directly from the side of the vertical portions 32 and 62 with their notch receiving portions positioned at the front of the bracket. Thus, the orientation of the diagonal post 10 during assembly is such that the notches 12 are shown in the front view of FIG. 1. In contrast, FIG. 7 depicts the diagonal portions 172a and 172b of second brackets 160a and 160b in different orientations with respect to their corresponding vertical portions 162a and 162b, resulting in a different orientation of the diagonal posts 110a and 110b as compared to diagonal post 10 of FIG. 1. However, in preferred embodiments, second brackets 162a and 162b are the same as second bracket 60 such that the same brackets can be used for end posts having only one diagonal supporting post (e.g., FIG. 1) or end posts having two diagonal supporting posts (e.g., the corner post of FIG. 7).

[0038] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a bracket system as substantially described above may be provided as a kit and/or as individual components. When provided as a kit for forming an end post with one diagonal supporting post, the kit could include a plurality of brackets as shown and described above with respect to FIG. 1 such that the kit would include at least a first bracket 30 and a second bracket 60 for forming an end post using three separately sold T-posts. When the kit is intended to form a corner post with two diagonal supporting posts (or at least include all necessary components to form a corner post if desired), the kit would include at least a corner bracket 130 with two diagonal portions and two brackets with one diagonal portion (such as bracket 160a, 160b, 30, or 60) for forming the corner post using four separately sold T-posts as exemplified in FIG. 7. Finally, each kit would include a plurality of pins 80 for securing the brackets to appropriate positions on the posts.

[0039] According to another aspect of the disclosure, each bracket of the present disclosure is preferably molded from a single plastic piece. The plastic is semi-rigid in that a little flexibility is provided to ease the installation process, particularly the insertion of diagonal posts in the openings of the diagonal portions of the brackets.

[0040] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.