Apparatus and method for attaching fencing material

Abstract

A tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple. The tool includes a base plate; first and second handles; first and second crimping arms, and a cam operatively engaged with the first handle. A slide is operatively engaged with the cam. The first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms are pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post. A method for attaching the staple to a fence post is also described and claimed. An inventive staple is also disclosed.

1 . A tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple, comprising: 
 a base plate;    first and second handles;    first and second crimping arms;    a cam operatively engaged with the first handle;    a slide operatively engaged with the cam;    the first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post.    
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1  further comprising a top plate connected to the base plate, the top plate having a first wire positioning member for engaging and positioning the fencing material proximate the post, the first member having a top and a bottom.  
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein the base plate includes a second wire positioning member for engaging and positioning the fencing material proximate the post, the second member having a top and a bottom.  
   
   
       4 . The tool of  claim 3  wherein the fencing material is positioned on the top of the first member and on the bottom of the second member.  
   
   
       5 . The tool of  claim 3  wherein the fencing material is positioned on the bottom of the first member and on the top of the second member.  
   
   
       6 . The tool of  claim 1  further comprising a staple delivery apparatus, the staple delivery apparatus comprising: 
 the slide having a staple receiving end, and a recess for receiving the staple, the slide engaging a staple and advancing the staple into the recess as the cam linearly advances the slide;    a top plate connected to the base plate, the top plate having an aperture proximate the staple receiving end of the slide;    a chute constructed and arranged to receive at least one staple, the chute connected to the top plate and having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having a chute aperture, the chute aperture generally aligned with the top plate aperture, wherein when the first and second handles are in an open position the staple is positioned onto the slide plate.    
   
   
       7 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the top portion of the chute includes a staple clip receiving opening for receiving a clip of staples.  
   
   
       8 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the staple delivery apparatus further comprises: 
 a shuttle configured and arranged to slide within the chute, the shuttle having a forward and a rear end, wherein the forward end of the shuttle engages the staple;    a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the chute and the second end connected to the shuttle, for applying a force to the staple to hold it in position.    
   
   
       9 . The tool of  claim 8  wherein the handles are rotated through a plurality of positions, from the open position to a fully open position, from the fully open position to a crimping position, from a crimping position to a closed position; 
 when the handles are in the fully open position, the slide is retracted behind the staple, the spring forcing the staple downward to the base plate;    when the handles are in the crimping position, the slide having advanced the staple into the recess, and    when the handles are in the closed position, the crimping arms have crimped the staple to the post.    
   
   
       10 . The tool of  claim 9  further comprising a shuttle handle connected to the shuttle.  
   
   
       11 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first handle having a first set of gear teeth;    the second handle having a second set of gear teeth, the gear teeth of the first handle being cooperatively engaged with the gear teeth of the second handle;    the cam being mounted to the first handle and having a slot for engaging and linearly advancing the slide as the handle is pivotally rotated from an open position to a crimping position;    the slide having a slot engaging end having a pin received by the slot, the slide also having a staple receiving end, and a recess for receiving the staple, the slide engaging a staple and advancing the staple into the recess as the cam linearly advances the slide;    the first crimp arm having a third set of gear teeth, which cooperatively engage with the first gear teeth of the first handle, the first crimp arm being constructed and arranged for crimping a first side of the staple;    the second crimp arm having a fourth set of gear teeth, which cooperatively engage with the second gear teeth of the second handle, the second crimp arm being constructed and arranged for crimping a second side of the staple.    
   
   
       12 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first handle having a first set of gear teeth;    the second handle having a second set of gear teeth, the gear teeth of the first handle being cooperatively engaged with the gear teeth of the second handle;    the cam being mounted to the first handle;    the slide plate operatively engaged with the cam for linearly advancing the slide plate as the first handle is pivotally rotated from an open position to a crimping position;    the slide plate having a staple receiving end, and a recess for receiving the staple, the slide plate engaging a staple and advancing the staple into the recess as the cam linearly advances the slide;    the first crimp arm having a third set of gear teeth, which cooperatively engage with the first gear teeth of the first handle, the first crimp arm being constructed and arranged for crimping a first side of the staple;    the second crimp arm having a fourth set of gear teeth, which cooperatively engage with the second gear teeth of the second handle, the second crimp arm being constructed and arranged for crimping a second side of the staple.    
   
   
       13 . A method for attaching fencing material to a post, the method comprising: 
 providing a tool having: 
 a base plate;  
 first and second handles;  
 first and second crimping arms;  
 a cam operatively engaged with the first handle;  
 a slide operatively engaged with the cam;  
 the first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post;  
   providing first and second wire engaging prongs;    engaging the wire so that the wire extends over a top surface of the first prong and extends under a bottom surface of the second prong;    advancing the tool so that the wire is in contact with the fence post;    crimping the staple to the fence post by moving the handles towards one another to attach the wire to the fence post.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of moving the handles from an open position to a fully open position, so that the slide is retracted behind the staple, and the staple is positioned on the base plate.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of moving the handles from the fully open position to a crimping position, so that the slide advances the staple into a recess.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further including the step of moving the handles from the crimping position to a closed position, so that the staple is crimped by the crimping arms to the post.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the post is a T-post defining two side portions and wherein the staple includes two legs, each leg of the staple being crimped around one of the two side portions, to secure the fencing material to the T-post.  
   
   
       18 . A staple for use with a tool for fastening fencing material to a post, comprising: 
 a v-shaped base portion, the v providing a space for a wire of the fencing material, and    first and second legs connected to the v-shaped base portion.    
   
   
       19 . The staple of  claim 18 , wherein the post is a T-post defining two side portions and wherein each leg of the staple is crimped around one of the two side portions, to secure the fencing material to the T-post.  
   
   
       20 . The staple of  claim 19 , wherein the staple secures the fencing material to the T-post, while permitting the fencing material to move laterally between the staple and the T-post, to provide flexibility to the fencing.