Agricultural fencing

Abstract

A multi-purpose rural fence component is disclosed which takes the form of an elongate sleeve having a longitudinal axis. The sleeve has a generally C-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration with a shallow V-shaped back portion which has two flanks. The flanks each terminate in an acute V-shaped elbow having a free arm extending therefrom. The free arms extend towards each other and form a longitudinally extending open mouthed slot. The component can take the form of a coupling tube for joining two elongated tricuspid fence posts end to end, a fence post extender, a fence post, or a dropper. Also disclosed are tricuspid fence posts of Y-shaped configuration having a circular hole closely adjacent its ground engaging tip, V shaped or Y-shaped struts and an agricultural fencing clip.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A multifunction fence post component for use with elongated tricuspid fence posts, each of said fence posts having a generally Y-shaped or T-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape in which said Y comprises a stem and two V arms each of which has an outer edge and said T comprises a stem and crosspiece having two outer edges,
 said multifunction fence post component comprising an elongate sleeve having a longitudinal axis, said sleeve having a generally C-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration with a shallow V-shaped back portion having two flanks each of which terminates in an acute V-shaped elbow having a free arm extending therefrom, said free arms extending towards each other and forming a longitudinally extending open mouthed slot dimensioned to receive said fence post stem, and the distance between said elbows being dimensioned to receive said fence post outer edges.   
     
     
         2 . The component as claimed in  claim 1  and selected from the class consisting of a coupling tube for joining two elongated tricuspid fence posts end to end, a fence post extender, a fence post, and a dropper. 
     
     
         3 . The component as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said fence post(s) is/are symmetrical about said stem and said component has a first axis of symmetry extending between said flanks and a second axis of partial symmetry extending between said elbows. 
     
     
         4 . The component as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said shallow V between said flanks is obtuse. 
     
     
         5 . The component as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said shallow V between said flanks is in the range of from 110° to 150°. 
     
     
         6 . The component as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said shallow V between said flanks is approximately 120°. 
     
     
         7 . The component as claimed in  claim 2  wherein one of said acute V's is in the range of from 50° to 70°. 
     
     
         8 . The component as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said one acute V is approximately 60°. 
     
     
         9 . The component as claimed in  claim 1  and formed from rolled sheet steel. 
     
     
         10 . The component as claimed in for  claim 2  and comprising a coupling tube having a substantially centrally located protrusion extending into the tube interior. 
     
     
         11 . The component as claimed in  claim 10  and comprising an aligned pair of said coupling tubes of different sizes. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling tube as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said protrusion comprises a fastener selected from the class of rivets and screws. 
     
     
         13 . The component as claimed in  claim 2  and including a series of spaced apart through holes extending along said V-shaped back portion. 
     
     
         14 . A method of rolling the component as claimed in  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
 optionally stamping a length of strip sheet steel to create any desired apertures therein,   passing said strip through a first centrally located roller means to form said shallow V-shaped back portion,   simultaneously passing said strip through a pair of spaced apart roller means to simultaneously form both said free arms and said acute V-shaped elbows, and docking said strip to a desired length.   
     
     
         15 . A method of extending the height of a first, lower, tricuspid fence post having a generally Y or T-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration by co-axially locating a second, upper, like fence post thereabove, said method comprising the steps of:
 locating a lower portion of a coupling as claimed in  claim 10  on the upper end of said lower post,   retaining said coupling tube lower portion in position by abutment of a protrusion of said tube with the top of said lower post, and   locating said like post within the upper portion of said coupling tube.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said like fence posts have a Y-shaped transverse cross-section with a series of holes in the stem thereof, and said method comprises the steps of:
 inverting said upper post prior to locating same in said coupling tube to thereby position the upper ends of said posts abutting, and 
 tying a length of wire through the adjacent top apertures of each post to thereby prevent said upper post moving upwardly. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method of extending the height of a first, lower, tricuspid fence post having a generally Y-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration by coaxially locating a second upper, similar fence post thereabove, said second fence post being more slender than said first post, said method comprising the steps of:
 locating a lower portion of a first coupling tube as claimed in  claim 11  and dimensioned to mate with said first post, on the upper end of said first post,   retaining said first coupling tube lower portion in position by abutment of a protrusion of said first tube with the top of said lower post,   locating an upper portion of a second coupling tube as claimed in  claim 11  and dimensioned to mate with said second post, on one end of said second post, and   locating a lower portion of said second coupling tube in the upper end of said first coupling tube.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said upper and lower fence posts have a Y-shaped transverse cross-section with a series of holes in the stem thereof, and said method comprising the further steps of:
 inverting said upper post prior to locating same in the upper end of said second coupling tube to position the upper ends of said posts abutting, and 
 tying a length of wire through the adjacent top aperture of each post to thereby prevent said upper post moving upwardly. 
 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An internal strut used to support in cantilever fashion a fence component as claimed in  claim 1 , said strut comprising a substantially rectangular strip curved about its longitudinal axis into a generally C-shaped configuration and curved transversely into a substantially V-shaped configuration, the width of said strip being dimensioned to be received within an interior space of said sleeve. 
     
     
         21 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 20  and forming an internal friction fit with said fence post or dropper. 
     
     
         22 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 20  and mounted on an upright joiner so as to form a Y-shaped internal strut. 
     
     
         23 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said upright joiner is permanently connected to said V-shaped internal strut. 
     
     
         24 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said upright joiner is releasably connected to said V-shaped internal strut. 
     
     
         25 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said upright joiner is concave arcuate at one end and convex arcuate at the other end whereby said V-shaped internal strut can be mounted facing upright on one joiner end and inverted on the other joiner end. 
     
     
         26 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 25  wherein said upright joiner has a threaded protrusion at each end and said V-shaped internal strut has a substantially centrally located aperture sized to receive either one of said threaded protrusions. 
     
     
         27 . The internal strut as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said threaded protrusions are formed by a single threaded rod. 
     
     
         28 . A vertical strut to support a pair of cantilever arms having a V-shaped configuration, said strut being elongate and having a longitudinal axis, and being slit along said axis at its upper end to form two tabs which are bent or curved away from said axis. 
     
     
         29 . The vertical strut as claimed in  claim 28  wherein said cantilever arms extend upwardly to form together with said strut a generally Y-shaped configuration, or extend downwardly to form together with said strut a generally droopy T-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled)