Fencing installation

Abstract

Fencing tools and associated use of those tools are taught for the construction of wooden fences. The tools may have elongated bodies that hang from an already installed fence post that may be a winged post. The tools may have multiple cleat ledges useful in the installation of rail boards to the post and a spring-loaded step may be used to disengage the cleats from the installed rail boards.

1 . A fencing tool comprising:
 a. an elongate body;   b. a spring connecting the elongate body to a hanger;   c. a first cleat ledge connected to the elongate body;   d. a second cleat ledge connected to the elongate body;   e. a third cleat ledge connected to the elongate body;   f. a fourth cleat ledge connected to the elongate body;   g. a step connected to the elongate body;   h. a grip connected to the elongate body;   i. a mechanical stop limiting the contraction between the elongate body and the hanger;   j. wherein the elongate body is arranged and configured to hang from a post by the hanger; and   k. wherein the first cleat ledge, the second cleat ledge, the third cleat ledge, and the fourth cleat ledge are each arranged and configured to extend away from the hanger when sufficient force is applied to the step.   
     
     
         2 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleat ledge is vertically separated from the third cleat ledge when the elongate body is vertically oriented. 
     
     
         3 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the grip protrudes from the elongate body on the same side that the step protrudes from the elongate body. 
     
     
         4 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are both horizontally oriented when the elongate body is vertically oriented. 
     
     
         5 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleat ledge is on a different side of the elongate body than the second cleat ledge and wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge both extend at least 3 inches past the elongate body. 
     
     
         7 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body, the hanger, and the spring are arranged and configured such that the elongate body may remain in a contracted position relative to the hanger when a first rail board is placed on the first cleat ledge and a second rail board is placed on the second cleat ledge. 
     
     
         8 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the step is arranged and configured such that a downward force applied to the step disengages the third cleat ledge from an installed rail board attached to the fence post when the elongate body hangs from the fence post by the hanger. 
     
     
         9 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are separated by a distance greater than a width of the post. 
     
     
         10 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleat ledge is at least 1.5 inches long. 
     
     
         11 . The fencing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the third cleat ledge is arranged and configured to attach to the elongate body at more than one position along the elongate body. 
     
     
         12 . A fencing tool comprising:
 a. an elongate body;   b. a spring connecting the elongate body to a hanger;   c. a first cleat ledge connected to the elongate body;   d. a second cleat ledge connected to the elongate body;   e. a step connected to the elongate body;   f. a mechanical stop limiting the contraction between the elongate body and the hanger;   g. wherein the elongate body is arranged and configured to hang from a winged post by the hanger such that a portion of the elongate body is within the winged post; and   h. wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are both arranged and configured to extend away from the hanger when sufficient force is applied to the step when the elongate body hangs from the winged post.   
     
     
         13 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are both horizontally oriented when the elongate body is vertically oriented. 
     
     
         14 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first cleat ledge is on a different side of the elongate body than the second cleat ledge and wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge both extend at least  3  inches past the elongate body. 
     
     
         16 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the elongate body, the hanger, and the spring are arranged and configured such that the elongate body may remain in a contracted position relative to the hanger when a first rail board is placed on the first cleat ledge and a second rail board is placed on the second cleat ledge. 
     
     
         17 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the step is arranged and configured such that a downward force applied to the step disengages the first cleat ledge from an installed first rail board attached to a fence post when the elongate body hangs from the fence post by the hanger. 
     
     
         18 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first cleat ledge and the second cleat ledge are separated by a distance greater than a width of the post. 
     
     
         19 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first cleat ledge is at least 1.5 inches long. 
     
     
         20 . The fencing tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first cleat ledge is arranged and configured to attach to the elongate body at more than one position along the elongate body.