FENCE CORNER SUPPORT

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for fence posts, particularly T-post fence corner supports. Typically, when a fence post needs support, there is no choice but to use a wooden or other durable post with a cement plug, that is, drill a wide post hole, place the fence post in the middle and fill the hole with cement. Additional posts along with horizontal bracing that extend into the direction in which the fence post needs support is commonly used. These materials are costly and require additional time to install.

[0002] Other fence post corner supports are less permanent. In a common configuration, fence post support systems contain two angled support posts that prop up the fence post. The support posts typically engage the fence post near the top and extend into the direction for which the fence post needs support. The support posts typically angle downward and contact the ground or mount to the base of the next post in the fence row. These corner supports suffer certain disadvantages. In particular, these prior art supports have certain connectors mounted on the fence post that fail to properly engage the support posts. When the support posts are installed so that they contact the ground, the ends of the support post contact the fence post connectors at a skewed angle that suggests a relatively mild force will cause the support posts to fail. The supports are also time consuming to construct and have little or no mechanism by which one can make fine adjustments after installation.

[0003] The current system has and improved cylinder and socket joint at the fence post as well as specialized structures at the foot which greatly increase the stability of the support system and are much easier to install. The current invention also features fence post connectors that “ratchet” up and down, thus raising and lowering the height of the point in which the support posts engage the fence post. This ratchet mechanism allows one to marginally increase or decrease the angle of the support posts and thus adjust the supports as needed to tighten and optimize the system to provide maximum support possible for the specific geometry of the fence post needing support.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the device will support the corner of a T-post fence line. This is illustrated FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, installed at the top of the corner T-post is a cylindrically shaped main ratchet 500 which engages a rachet socket 400 and a barrel mount 300 which is attached to the device legs 210.

[0017] Thus, the ratchet mount is made up of three basic parts, the barrel mount, the rachet socket and the main ratchet, illustrated in exploded view over FIGS. 3-5. The barrel mount left side 310, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is designed to fit over a support leg. Typically, the support leg is the same T-post that makes up the fence line. The right side of the barrel mount 320 is cylindrically shaped and designed to fit in, and pivot with, the cylindrically shaped socket of the ratchet socket, see FIG. 4.

[0018] The ratchet socket can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A shows the socket 610 into which fits the cylindrically shaped end of the barrel mount 320, 810. These cylindrically shaped sockets are preferred, because they provide lateral stability. But any conventional connection, such as a “ball and socket” combination, can be used in circumstances were a greater range of motion and less lateral stability is desired.

[0019] The other side of the ratchet socket is illustrated in FIG. 6B showing a concave outer surface containing multiple ridges 620. This surface is specifically designed to engage with the complementary convex outer surface of the main ratchet 720 and in multiple vertical positions. Other geometric shapes for the ridges will also function. A smaller ridge, for example, could be used to offer a finer adjustment per step where as a larger ridge would increase overall strength.

[0020] Thus, when assembling the corner support system, the user can “ratchet” vertically up or down the ratchet socket relative to the main ratchet depending on the users needs. If there is too much slack in the system, the user can “ratchet” the socket down one or more ridges and thus tighten the fit between the corner post and the support leg(s). If, on the other hand, the user needs to place the foot of support leg(s) closer to the corner post, the user can “ratchet” the ratchet socket up relative to the main ratchet. This will provide additional slack and allow the user to move the foot of the support leg(s) closer Alternatively, the user can reposition the main ratchet further down the post providing additional adjustment capability.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a close up perspective view of the main ratchet. Preferably, it is generally cylindrically shaped and has an inner surface designed to snugly engage the top of the corner post. Other geometric shapes will also function. A cylindrical shape, however, is preferred because it offers a greater range of use. The support legs can be deployed at any angle. Note, the inventor has found that a preferable deployment is to place two support legs each flush with the two lines of fence extending out from the corner. This deployment is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0022] The fence support will function perfectly well if the legs are driven into the ground. In this case there is no need for any foot mount assembly. The inventor has found, however, that the foot mount assembly to be preferred in many circumstances because the foot mounts are reliably stable and easier to install than driving the legs into the ground and can be more readily adjusted.

[0023] The foot mount assembly is shown in FIGS. 8C and 9. FIG. 8C illustrates one component of the foot mount, the connector. Note, in this preferred embodiment the connector is identical with the barrel mount. The connector has a cylindrical portion 810 that engages with, and pivots on, the socket 910 of the foot mount.

[0024] The foot mount assembly will operate acceptably without additional components. However, for extra stability a key hole 920 is present through which the user can drive a stake. The foot can also be braced, for example, by driving a stake or a T-post into the ground at the perimeter of the ground “foot” socket for additional insurance against slipping as illustrated in FIG. 1.