Abstract A one-piece spring fastener is provided for mounting fencing wire or the like to a channel shaped support. In one embodiment the wire is mounted generally perpendicularly to the support and is free to move along its axis relative to the support. The fastener is of a generally "U" shape in cross-section comprising two generally parallel, spaced apart, generally "T" shaped members joined along substantially the entire tops thereof by a bight or interconnecting bridge portion. The top portions of the "T" shaped members in combination with the bight portion form a trough for receipt of the wire and the base portions of the "T" shaped members are generally dart shaped for nonrotational, forced receipt inbetween and retention by the inturned flanges of the channel shaped support. Projections on opposite ends of the top portions are designed to engage opposite, parallel, exterior surfaces of the support when the dart shaped base portions are retainingly engaged between the inturned flanges to prevent rotation of the fastener relative to the support.
A method for assembling a fence comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one end support for each end of the fence; b. fixing said end supports at each end of the planned fence; c. providing a plurality of cross-sectionally channel shaped fence posts, said posts comprising a pair of generally parallel side walls, a rear wall extending perpendicularly inbetween said side walls and a pair of inturned flanges extending from the front edges of said side walls; d. fixing said fence posts at approximately equally intervals inbetween said supports; e. providing at least one strand of fencing wire of sufficient length to extend the length of the fence, said fencing wire strand being of a predetermined maximum diameter; f. fixing at least one end of the fence wire strand to at least one of the end supports with the remainder of the wire extending along the line of fence posts; g. lying the wire across the forward edges of the inturned flanges of the post at the desired axial location of the post; h. providing a plurality of one-piece fasteners for mounting the wire generally perpendicularly to the posts, said fasteners adapted for mounting said strand for movement along the axis of the strand relative to the posts, sad fasteners being of generally "U" shaped cross-section comprising a pair of substantially flat, generally parallel, generally "T" shaped members joined along substantially the entire tops thereof by a bight portion, said "T" shaped members comprising a top portion which in combination with the bight portion forms a trough of larger dimension than said maximum diameter for receipt of the strand and a dart shaped base portion adapted for forceful insertion inbetween and permanent retention by said inturned flanges; and i. installing said fasteners to said posts by placing said dart shaped bases at the opening between the inturned flanges, with the strand received between the "T" shaped members, and then sharply striking the bight portion to force said dart shaped base portion between said inturned flanges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
337 words
A method for assembling a fence comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one end support for each end of the fence; b. fixing said end supports at each end of the planned fence; c. providing a plurality of cross-sectionally channel shaped fence posts, said posts comprising a pair of generally parallel side walls, a rear wall extending perpendicularly inbetween said side walls and a pair of inturned flanges extending from the front edges of said side walls; d. fixing said fence posts at approximately equally intervals inbetween said supports; e. providing at least one strand of fencing wire of sufficient length to extend the length of the fence, said fencing wire strand being of a predetermined maximum diameter; f. fixing at least one end of the fence wire strand to at least one of the end supports with the remainder of the wire extending along the line of fence posts; g. lying the wire across the forward edges of the inturned flanges of the post at the desired axial location of the post; h. providing a plurality of one-piece fasteners for mounting the wire generally perpendicularly to the posts, said fasteners adapted for mounting said strand for movement along the axis of the strand relative to the posts, sad fasteners being of generally "U" shaped cross-section comprising a pair of substantially flat, generally parallel, generally "T" shaped members joined along substantially the entire tops thereof by a bight portion, said "T" shaped members comprising a top portion which in combination with the bight portion forms a trough of larger dimension than said maximum diameter for receipt of the strand and a dart shaped base portion adapted for forceful insertion inbetween and permanent retention by said inturned flanges; and i. installing said fasteners to said posts by placing said dart shaped bases at the opening between the inturned flanges, with the strand received between the "T" shaped members, and then sharply striking the bight portion to force said dart shaped base portion between said inturned flanges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of: j. drawing the free end of the strand to a predetermined tension and then fixing the free end to a support.