T-post bracket system

Abstract

A bracket system for forming an end post for a T-post fence system. The bracket system includes at least two brackets each having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion. The vertical portion of the first bracket is dimensioned and configured for sliding down the end post and includes at least one pair of apertures for receiving a pin inserted through the pair of apertures between adjacent notches in the end post for positioning the first bracket at a desired height of the end post. The vertical portion of the second bracket is dimensioned and configured for sliding down an adjacent post for positioning the second bracket at a desired height of the adjacent post. The diagonal portions of the first and second brackets each have an opening for receiving different ends of a diagonal post for supporting the end post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bracket system for forming an end post for a T-post fence system, the bracket system comprising:
 a first bracket having a vertical portion and at least a first diagonal portion, the vertical portion dimensioned and configured for sliding down the end post and including at least one pair of apertures for receiving a pin inserted through the pair of apertures between adjacent notches in the end post for positioning the first bracket at a desired height of the end post, the first diagonal portion having an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a first end of a first diagonal support post; and   a second bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion, the vertical portion dimensioned and configured for sliding down an adjacent post and positioning the second bracket at a desired height of the adjacent post, the diagonal portion having an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a second end of the first diagonal support post.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket system of  claim 1  wherein the second bracket includes at least one pair of apertures for receiving a pin inserted through the pair of apertures between adjacent notches in the adjacent post. 
     
     
         3 . The bracket system of  claim 1  wherein the first bracket includes at least two pairs of apertures such that a user can select which pair of apertures to insert the pin based on the desired height of the first bracket with respect to the end post. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket system of  claim 1  wherein the vertical portion and the diagonal portion of the first and second bracket include a cross-shaped hollow interior portion that corresponds to a T-shape of the posts received by the vertical portions and the diagonal portions. 
     
     
         5 . The bracket system of  claim 1  wherein the end post is a corner post and the first bracket further includes a second diagonal portion for receiving a first end of a second diagonal support post, the bracket system further comprising a third bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion, the vertical portion of the third bracket dimensioned and configured for sliding down a second adjacent post and positioning the third bracket at a desired height of the second adjacent post, the diagonal portion of the third bracket having an opening dimensioned and configured to receive a second end of the second diagonal support post. 
     
     
         6 . The bracket system of  claim 5  wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket extend from a first side of the first bracket and the at least one pair of apertures is disposed on a second side of the first bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The bracket system of  claim 5  wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket are disposed about 90 degrees apart from each other. 
     
     
         8 . The bracket system of  claim 1  wherein the diagonal portions of the first and second brackets extend at an angle of about 45 degrees to about 55 degrees from the vertical portion. 
     
     
         9 . The bracket system of  claim 1  wherein the diagonal portions of the first and second brackets extend at an angle of about 50 degrees from the vertical portion. 
     
     
         10 . A method for forming an end post for a T-post fence system, the method comprising:
 positioning an end post in a first ground position;   positioning a first bracket having a vertical portion and a first diagonal portion at a desired height on the end post such that the first diagonal portion is angled downward with respect to the vertical portion, the positioning of the first bracket step including:
 sliding the vertical portion down the end post to a desired height, and 
 inserting a pin through a pair of apertures disposed in the vertical portion such that the pin is disposed between adjacent notches in the end post; 
   positioning a second post in a second ground position;   positioning a second bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion at a desired height on the second post such that the diagonal portion is angled upward with respect to the vertical portion, the positioning of the second bracket step including:
 sliding the vertical portion down the second post to a desired height, and 
 inserting a pin through a pair of apertures disposed in the vertical portion such that the pin is disposed between adjacent notches in the second post; and 
   inserting a first end of a first diagonal support post into an opening of the first diagonal portion of the first bracket and a second end of the first diagonal support post into an opening of the diagonal portion of the second bracket.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each include at least two pairs of apertures, the inserting steps further comprising selecting which pair of apertures to insert the pin based on the desired height of the first and second bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vertical portion and the diagonal portion of the first and second bracket include a cross-shaped hollow interior portion that corresponds to a T-shape of the posts received by the vertical portions and the diagonal portions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the end post is a corner post and the first bracket further includes a second diagonal portion, the method further comprising:
 positioning a third post in a third ground position; 
 positioning a third bracket having a vertical portion and a diagonal portion at a desired height on the third post such that the diagonal portion is angled upward with respect to the vertical portion, the positioning of the third bracket step including:
 sliding the vertical portion down the third post to a desired height, and 
 inserting a pin through a pair of apertures disposed in the vertical portion such that the pin is disposed between adjacent notches in the third post; and 
 
 inserting a first end of a second diagonal support post into an opening of the second diagonal portion of the first bracket and a second end of the second diagonal support post into an opening of the diagonal portion of the third bracket. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket extend from a first side of the first bracket and the at least one pair of apertures is disposed on a second side of the first bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first and second diagonal portions of the first bracket are disposed about ninety degrees apart from each other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first ground position and the second ground position are about five feet apart and the diagonal portions of the first and second brackets extend at an angle of about 50 degrees from the vertical portion.