Tensioning device for a fence

Abstract

A tensioning device attachable to a fence post to tension or adjust fencing material such as barbed wire spanning between fence posts. The tensioning device includes guides to support the fencing material, a curved member to grasp the fencing material between the guides, a base member, and a tensioning member that cooperates with the curved member to pull the fencing material into a channel formed between the guides. One use of the tensioning device is to tension fencing material that has become slack or has sagged after installation. The tensioning device can be installed on a fence post and operated with conventional tools. In one embodiment, the tensioning device includes a rear channel to allow the device to be slid and positioned over the studs of a conventional “tee” fence post. In another embodiment, the tensioning device includes a flat back surface to accommodate other types of fence posts.

1 . A device attachable to a fence post to tension fencing material spanning between fence posts, the device comprising:
 guide members spaced apart from one another to form a channel therebetween, the guide members having upper guide surfaces and fence attachment openings, the guide surfaces configured to support portions of the fencing material, the fence attachment openings sized to receive a fastening device for coupling the guide members to the fence post;   a base member positioned below the guide members, the base member having an opening extending therethrough; and   a fence material grasping member having an elongated body with a curved portion, at least a portion of the elongated body positioned in the channel between the guide members, the curved portion configured to engage a portion of the fence material that spans between the guide members, wherein the elongated body is moveable through the opening in the base member to pull the portion of the fence material that spans between the guide members toward the base member using the curved portion and thus tighten a larger span of the fencing material.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear body portion coupled to the guide members, the rear body portion having a mounting surface to contact the fence post.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a rear channel formed in the rear body portion, the rear channel having a depth to receive a stud of the fence post while permitting a surface of the rear body portion to be in contact with the fence post.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base member opening is substantially aligned with the channel formed between the guide members. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the curved portion of the fence material grasping member is a hook. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the guide surfaces extend at least partially into the channel between the guide members. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , the fence material grasping member includes an engagement portion distally located from the curved portion. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the engagement portion of the fence material includes machine threads. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the engagement portion of the fence material grasping member includes a plurality of extensions configured to cooperate with the base member to maintain the fence material grasping member in a set position relative to the base member. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the fence material grasping member is a push-in rivet and the curved portion is a hook coupled to the push-in rivet. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tensioning member having an opening to complementarily receive an engagement portion of the fence material grasping member, the tensioning member moveable relative to the fence material grasping member to urge the portion of the fence material that spans between the guide members into the channel toward the base member.   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the tensioning member is a threaded nut. 
   
   
       13 . A method of tensioning fencing material that spans between fence posts, the method comprising:
 attaching a tensioning device to a fence post, the tensioning device comprising guide members and a base member, the guide members spaced apart from one another to form a channel, the guide members having guide surfaces over which a first portion of the fencing material is supported, the base member positioned below and in structural cooperation with the guide members;   engaging a curved portion of a fence material grasping member with a portion of the fencing material that spans between the guide members; and   moving an elongated portion of the fence material grasping member through an opening in the base member to urge the portion of the fencing material that spans between the guide member toward the base member.   
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein attaching a tensioning device to a fence post includes tying the tensioning device to the fence post with straps. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13  wherein attaching the tensioning device to the fence post includes placing a rear channel over a t-post stud extending from the fence post. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein engaging the curved portion of the fence material grasping member with the portion of the fencing material that spans between the guide members includes hooking the portion of the fencing material that spans between the guide members with the curved portion. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 13  wherein moving the elongated portion of the fence material grasping member through the opening in the base member includes rotating a nut relative to a threaded region of the elongated portion. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 13  wherein moving the elongated portion of the fence material grasping member through the opening in the base member includes tensioning a span of fencing material located between at least two fence posts.