US864218A - Base for fence-posts. - Google Patents

Description

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BASE FOR FENCE-POSTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 27, 1907.

Application tiled May 1,1907. Serial No. 871,313.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIS B. WOODRUFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cadiz, in the county of Trigg and State of Kentucky, have inventedl certain new and useful Improvements in Bases for Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to fence posts, more particularly to bases therefor, and has for its purpose to provide a device of that character whereby the ordinary wooden fence post may be firmly secured in the ground, and yet may be readily removed therefrom at will.

Another object is to construct the base of such material that it may withstand all possible conditions of the earth and thereby safely guard the base of the wooden post against rotting or other injury.

A still further purpose, and an essential one, is in providing the post-base with a means whereby the postsocket may be drained of any moisture accumulating therein and thus at all time be kept in a perfectly dry state and thereby retain its necessary rigidity.

With slight changes in its structure my fence post is particularly adapted for use in erecting temporary fences on soft ground or the like, whereby the base containing the post may be set into position simply by pressing it into the ground by hand.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, Figure l, illustrates one style of my post in applied position. Fig. 2, is a view showing the base in section. Fig. 3, shows the base in square form, and, Fig. 4, is a further modification, showing the base in the form of a wedge.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the different views shown. A is the fence post base made of a plaster composition or other plastic material, and which is substantially cylindrical in shape, and has at its upper end a recess C adapted to receive the ordinary post B, to which are secured the wires F that are threaded through the staples G fastened thereon. Said recess C is gradually reduced in diameter towards' its lower portion thus providing a wedge shaped opening or socket in order that the base end of the post B, which is likewise shaped to conform thereto, may fit more closely therein as it is forced downward by shrinkage. That portion of the base A which is adapted to be set in the earth has an enlarged recess L therein, thus making of that part ol the post-base a practical shell whose sides D are gradually tapered towards their lower edges as designated by K. By this construction the post-base is gradually lightened towards its lower portion, and its further provision is that the sides have their greatest thickness at the point where the lower cavity meets the post socket, and thus give a secure support for said post. At their upper ends the walls D of the recess L are abruptly turned inwardly or squared, as at M in Fig. 2.

As moisture and dampness will for various reasons accumulate within the socket C when the post B is set therein, and ultimately rot that part of the post, I have made the socket C and the recess L in one continuous opening through N, adjacent the shoulder M, whereby any moisture or dampness therein may readily drain through the opening N and into the recess L.

The base .I shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that disclosed in Fig. 2, excepting only that its external and internal designs are substantially rectangular.

The base H in Fig. 4 is formed in the shape of a two sided wedge for insertion in the ground. Its socket for holding the post B is exactly similar to that shown in Fig. 3. For draining said socket this wedge shaped base is provided with two openings I disposed on either side.

Within each post socket C, and at a point approximately half way ot their depth, are the staple openings E which are substantially elongated slots disposed lengthwise of the post, and adapted to provide play for the staples which are set therein to hold the lower fence wire. Thus when the fence is being erected the lower wire is secured thereto by a staple through the upper end ofl the slot so that in any subsequent settling of the post within the socket C as it shrinks the staple within the slot E will have unobstructed movement.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is :M

A post-base of the character' described comprising a body having a post socket and a recess therein, an elon gated opening within said socket, a staple secured to the post within said opening', said elongated opening adapted to permit unobstructed downward movement ot said staple when the post settles in said socket.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

IVILLIS B. YOODRUFFY Witnesses FELIX B. WILKINSON, ROBERT CImNsrLiW.

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