Insulating fencing

Abstract

A post adapter for insulating fencing wire from a metal post of the type having a generally planar, forwardly facing vertical surface with vertically spaced nibs protruding forwardly from that surface. The adapter comprises a body of electrically insulating material having a rearwardly facing surface for confronting and engaging the forwardly facing surface of the metal post and an oppositely facing forward surface, the body having a recess formed in its rearward surface to receive one of said protruding nibs when the adapter is mounted on a fence post. The forward surface of the body is provided with a pair of vertically spaced forwardly protruding portions defining between them a forwardly open groove for receiving and supporting fencing wire. A length of insulated tie wire extends around the rear of the post and wraps about fencing wire on each side of the adapter to hold the fencing wire within the groove.

1 . A fence post adapter for insulating fencing wire from a metal post of the type having a forwardly facing vertical surface with vertically spaced nibs protruding forwardly from that surface, the adapter comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a rearwardly facing surface for confronting and engaging the forwardly facing surface of the metal post and an oppositely facing forward surface, the adapter having a recess formed in said rearward surface to receive one of said protruding nibs when the adapter is mounted on a fence post, and the forward surface of the body having a pair of vertically spaced forward protruding portions defining between them a forwardly open groove for receiving and supporting fencing wire.  
     
     
         2 . The post adapter of  claim 1  wherein one of said forwardly extending protrusions is formed by a portion of the forward surface of the body on the opposite side of said recess.  
     
     
         3 . The post adapter of  claim 1  wherein said body is formed with rearwardly extending side flanges for separating and insulating edges of a fence post from contact with a wire received in said groove.  
     
     
         4 . The post adapter of  claim 3  including a length of insulated, malleable tie wire for extending around the rear of a post and wrapping about fencing wire on each side of the adapter to hold the fencing wire within said groove.  
     
     
         5 . A metal fence post with attached post adapter for insulating fencing wire from the post, the post having a generally planar, forwardly facing vertical surface with vertically spaced, forwardly protruding nibs, and the adapter comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a rearwardly facing surface confronting the forward facing surface of the metal post and an oppositely facing forward surface, the body having a recess formed in said rearward surface within which is received one of said protruding nibs in a manner restraining sliding movement between the confronting surfaces of the post and adapter body, said forward surface of the body having a pair of vertically spaced forwardly protruding portions defining between them a forwardly open groove for receiving and supporting fencing wire.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5  wherein one of said forwardly extending protrusions is formed by a portion of the forward surface of the body on the opposite side from said recess.  
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 5  wherein said post has vertical side edges bounding said generally planar forward surface, said adapter body having rearwardly extending side flanges confronting the side edges of the post.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7  including fencing wire supported in said groove and further including a length of insulated tie wire extending around the rear of the post and wrapping about the fencing wire on each side of the adapter to hold the fencing wire within said groove.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 7  wherein said nib is closely received in said adapter recess and the edges of the post are closely received between said side flanges.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 6  wherein said rearwardly facing surface of the insulating body includes a second recess, and wherein the other of said forward extending protrusions is formed by a portion of the forward surface of the body on the opposite side from said second recess.