Method and apparatus for repairing the rail of a split rail fence

Abstract

An apparatus for repairing the rail of a split-rail fence having a broken tapered end portion. The apparatus has elongate, hollow sleeve with a base portion and a tapered end portion. The base portion and end portion have a shape that compliments the shape of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, and have interior cross-sectional dimensions that are larger than the exterior cross-sectional dimensions of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively. The sleeve can slide over and encase the tapered end and at least a portion of the central base portion of the rail. The apparatus preferably includes means for fastening the base portion of the sleeve to the base portion of the rail.

1 . An apparatus for repairing a split-rail fence rail having a broken tapered end portion, comprising:
 a) an elongate, hollow sleeve having a base portion and a tapered end portion, said base portion and end portion having a shape that compliments the shape of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, and having interior cross-sectional dimensions that are larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, which enable the sleeve to slide over and encase the tapered end and at least a portion of the central base portion of the rail; and   b) means for fastening the base portion of the sleeve to the base portion of the rail.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tapered end of the sleeve is constructed and arranged to replace the broken tapered end portion of the rail and allow the rail to be re-installed on a split-rail fence post. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate sleeve has a uniform cross section along the central base portion and a cross-section that tapers in at least two dimensions along the length of the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3 , wherein the elongate sleeve has an open proximal and distal ends. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said fastening means comprises at least one aperture extending through the base portion of said sleeve and a fastener extending through said aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded aperture extending through the base portion of said sleeve, and a hand-tightenable, threaded fastener engaging said aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus recited in  claim 6 , wherein said threaded fastener comprises a thumb screw. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said fastening means comprises an aperture extending through the base portion of said sleeve, a threaded anchor coaxial with said aperture, and a threaded fastener engaging said anchor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus recited in  claim 8 , wherein said anchor is fixed in said aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus recited in  claim 9 , wherein said anchor is fixed adjacent to said aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus recited in  claim 8 , wherein said threaded fastener has an enlarged head at one end for hand tightening the fastener and a foot at the other end having a cross section larger than the cross section of the shank of the fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of shims. 
     
     
         13 . A method of repairing a split-rail fence rail having a first end and a second broken tapered end portion on a fence having immovable posts, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an elongate, hollow repair sleeve having a base portion and a tapered end portion, said base portion and end portion having a shape that compliments the shape of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, and having interior cross-sectional dimensions that are larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, which enable the sleeve to slide over and encase the tapered end and at least a portion of the central base portion of the rail;   b) removing the broken tapered end portion from the rail;   c) axially sliding the repair sleeve over the broken end of the rail toward the center of the rail until the end of the rail abuts the interior of the tapered end portion of the sleeve;   d) inserting the first end of the rail into an aperture of a first post;   e) locating the second end of the rail bearing the repair sleeve adjacent an aperture in a second post;   f) axially sliding the repair sleeve away from the center of the rail until the tapered end engages the post aperture; and   g) fixing the base portion of the repair sleeve to the central portion of the rail.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for repairing a split-rail fence rail having a broken tapered end portion, comprising and an elongate, hollow sleeve having a base portion and a tapered end portion, said base portion and end portion having a shape that compliments the shape of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, and having interior cross-sectional dimensions that are larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the central base portion and tapered end portion of the rail, respectively, which enable the sleeve to slide over and encase the tapered end and at least a portion of the central base portion of the rail.