Barbed wire fence brace and gate hanger and method therefor

[0002] Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/105,676, filed Oct. 26, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] Not applicable.

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] This invention pertains to fencing, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for bracing a barbed wire fence and hanging a gate.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] Barbed wire fences are used on ranches and farms for containing livestock. Fence posts are set in the ground, and strands of barbed wire are attached to the posts. The posts have typically been wooden, and at a corner or gate, bracing has been used to keep the posts upright. For example, where wooden posts have been used, a brace or rail has been installed diagonally from the top of the corner or gate post to an adjacent post near the ground. The posts have been typically notched and the rail has been nailed into the post at the notch.

[0008] Fences are also made with a combination of wooden posts and metal posts, where the metal posts are used at corners and gates. For example, metal pipes are used as a corner or gate post and as an adjacent post. A rail is welded in place between the corner or gate post and its respective adjacent post. Wooden posts are used between corners and between a corner and a gate post.

[0009] Although this provides a very satisfactory barbed wire fence, it is inconvenient to weld on location wherever it is required to install corner or gate posts. Connectors for gate hinges have been welded to gate posts, or gate hinges have been welded directly to gate posts. In either case, it has been difficult to get the gate hinges in a proper location for receiving and supporting a gate. The location of the gate hinges cannot be adjusted, except by bending the gate hinge. Consequently, the gate is not installed properly, or the position of the gate post shifts over time, either of which can result in dragging of the gate, which is inconvenient. Further, it is not always possible to get a welder to a remote site where a fence is being built, and sparks from welding are a hazard for starting a fire.

[0010] An apparatus is provided for bracing a barbed wire fence at a corner, a gate post, in a long stretch of wire or elsewhere where a brace is needed for supporting the tension and weight of the barbed wire. First and second metal fence posts are provided for upright installation in the ground, and a rail is positioned between and clamped to the fence posts. Clamping the rail to the fence posts aligns the fence posts in parallel and rigid alignment. The rail is preferably installed such that the posts are squared with respect to the rail, forming an H-shaped structure. The rail preferably has a pipe clamp attached to each end.

[0011] A gate post can be provided similarly, where one of the metal posts is the gate post. Gate hangers are clamped to the gate post and can be positioned where desired by rotating about or sliding up or down on the fence post prior to clamping the gate hanger onto the fence post. Each gate hanger preferably includes a pipe clamp, which can be loosened after clamping for repositioning, and a gate hinge, which can be moved in and out for further adjustment.

[0012] In another aspect, a method is provided for bracing a barbed wire fence. A metal post for a corner or gate is anchored in the ground, and an adjacent metal post is anchored in the ground in alignment with a desired location for the barbed wire fence. Prior to the anchoring, a rail is preferably fixed between the metal posts such that the two posts are rigidly connected and held in a parallel configuration. The rail has a pipe clamp attached to each of its ends, and preferably, a rigid H-shaped brace is formed by clamping the rail to the posts.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a barbed wire fence according to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an enlargement of a portion of the fence of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of a brace or rail according to the present invention.

[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of fence corners according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a fence brace according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a fence brace according to the present invention.

[0019] FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevation s of fence brace s according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a fence according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an enlargement of a portion of the fence of FIG. 10.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, a barbed wire fence 10 is illustrated according to the present invention. Barbed wire fence 10 has a fence brace 12, which includes fence posts 14 and 16. A brace or rail 18 is positioned between fence posts 14 and 16, holding the fence posts in rigid, parallel alignment. Rail 18 is clamped to posts 14 and 16 by pipe clamps 20aand 20b. Posts 14 and 16 are anchored in the ground 22, and strands of barbed wire 24a, 24b, 24cand 24dare attached to fence posts 14 and 16.

[0023] Fence brace 12 provides a rigid H-shaped structure, which supports one or more strands of barbed wire 24 (suffixes omitted). Fence brace 12 is particularly advantageous because pipe clamps 20aand 20brigidly connect rail 18 to fence posts 14 and 16, forming 90 degree angles between each fence post and the rail.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an enlargement of a portion of fence post 14 and rail 18, showing pipe clamp 20ain greater detail. Pipe clamp 20aincludes a fixed, U-shaped clamp 20c, which is welded to an end 18aof rail 18. A free, U-shaped clamp 20dis a mirror image of fixed U-shaped clamp 20c. Bolts 20eand 20ffasten free clamp 20dto fixed clamp 20c. Fence post 14 has a cap 14afor keeping rain water from filling and rusting the inside of post 14, which is preferably a hollow pipe.

[0025] Fence posts 14 and 16 and rail 18 are preferably, but not necessarily, metal, cylindrical pipes. Fence posts 14 and 16 are preferably schedule 80 pipe, and scrap drill stem may be used to make the posts. Rail 18 is preferably schedule 40 pipe, and rail 18 and fence posts 14 and 16 preferably have a outsider diameter of 2⅞ ths inches. Rail 18 is preferably about 8 feet long.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 3, a top view of a brace or rail 30 is illustrated. Rail 30 has ends 30aand 30b, which have a saddle cut for fixed U-shaped clamps 32 and 34. Clamps 32 and 34 are preferably welded to rail 30, but alternatively, clamps 32 and 34 can have a threaded connection, and rail 30 can have a threaded connection for threaded engagement between rail 30 and clamps 32 and 34.

[0027] A free, U-shaped clamp 32ais fastened to fixed, U-shaped clamp 32 using bolts 32band 32c. Bolts 32band 32cinclude a head, bolt shank and nut, as well as a lock washer, which is not shown. A free, U-shaped clamp 34ais similarly fastened to fixed, U-shaped clamp 34. Bolts 34band 34cfasten free clamp 34ato fixed clamp 34.

[0028] Rail 30 has a longitudinal axis 30c, and fixed clamps 32 and 34 have semicylindrical surfaces 32dand 34d, respectively. Fixed clamp 32 and free clamp 32aand fixed clamp 34 and free clamp 34ahave a longitudinal axis 32eand 34e. Pipe clamps 32′ and 34′ comprise the combination of fixed and free clamps 32 and 32aand 34 and 34a, respectively. Pipe clamps 32′ and 34′ each have a lateral axis 32fand 34f, respectively. Longitudinal axes 32eand 34eintersect lateral axes 32fand 34fat centerpoints 32gand 34g, respectively. Longitudinal axis 30cof rail 30 preferably intersects centerpoints 32gand 34g.

[0029] Longitudinal axes 32eand 34eare co-linear with longitudinal axis 30cof rail 30. Lateral axes 32fand 34fof pipe clamps 32′ and 34′, respectively, are perpendicular to longitudinal axis 30cof rail 30. Vertical planes passing through longitudinal axis 30cof rail 30 and lateral axes 32fand 34fof pipe clamps 32′ and 34′ are at right angles to each other or perpendicular.

[0030] Fixed U-shaped clamps 32 and 34 are preferably centrally mounted on the ends of rail 30. Semi-cylindrical surfaces 32dand 34dpresent concave surfaces on ends 30aand 30b, respectively, of rail 30. Each semi-cylindrical surface 32dand 34dpreferably forms a Y-shape with longitudinal axis 30cof rail 30 such that each end of rail 30 has the shape of a Y, where longitudinal axis 30cforms the stem of the Y, and the U shape of the fixed clamp 32 or 34 forms the fork of the Y.

[0031] With this configuration, rail 30 and clamps 32′ and 34′ can be used to square fence posts with respect to rail 30. Pipe clamps 32′ and 34′ are sized to have an inside diameter that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of posts on which it will be placed so that gaps 32hand 34hare formed. Gaps 32hand 34hare preferably about {fraction (3/32)} inch in width. Clamps 32′ and 34′ have sufficient rigidity so that gaps 32hand 34hdo not close when clamps 32′ and 34′ are clamped to fence posts.

[0032] Turning now to FIG. 4, a fence corner 40 is illustrated. Fence corner 40 has three upright posts 42a, 42band 42c. A rail 44ais connected between posts 42aand 42b, and a rail 44bis connected between posts 42band 42c. Rail 44ais clamped to posts 42aand 42bby clamps 46aand 46b. Rail 44bis clamped between posts 42band 42cby clamps 48aand 48b.

[0033] Any angle can be obtained in a corner such as illustrated by fence corner 40. Corners are typically at 90 degrees so that rail 44ais at a 90 degree angle with respect to rail 44b, but any angle can be obtained because clamps 46 and 48 (suffixes omitted) can rotate about post 42b. Thus, if posts 42aand 42bare in a desired position, but a different position is desired for post 42c, then post 42ccan be placed where desired, and clamp 48acan be placed on post 42bat any desired angle or elevation. Posts 42a, 42band 42care preferably smooth-walled metal pipes, and clamps 46a, 46b, 48a, and 48bare preferably pipe clamps such as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, so a clamp can be positioned at any desired location on its post.

[0034] The rail and clamps can slide up or down on the post, before fastening, or can rotate about the post. However, after bolts are tightened on the clamps, a rigid structure is formed, which cannot rotate, lean, slide or pivot. In FIG. 4, rail 44aclamps to posts 42aand 42bto form a rigid H-shaped structure. Additional rigidity is obtained from the combination assembly of the posts 42a, 42band 42cand the rails 44aand 44b. Similarly, rail 44bclamps to posts 42band 42cto form a rigid H-shaped structure. A fence stretcher can be placed on post 42b, and strands of barbed wire, or any other desired wire, can be stretched and fastened to post 42b. The wire is then fastened to either post 42aor 42c, depending on the direction of the wire. Posts 42a, 42band 42care anchored in the ground, providing an anchored structure for fence corner 40.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates additional bracing for a fence corner 50. Fence corner 50 has fence posts 52a, 52b, 52cand 52d. Rail 54 has clamps 54aand 54b, which clamp rail 54 between posts 52aand 52b, forming a rigid H-shaped structure. Rail 56 has clamps 56aand 56b, which clamp rail 56 between posts 52band 52c. Rail 58 has clamps 58aand 58b, which clamp rail 58 between posts 52band 52d, forming a rigid H-shaped structure.

[0036] Fence corner 50 is particularly useful where the soil is sandy, which does not anchor the fence posts firmly in the ground. By adding additional fence post 52dand rail 58, corner post 52bis additionally supported. One advantage of a fence corner according to the present invention is that the rails can be repositioned after complete assembly. This can be desirable where it is found that a rail interferes with the position of a strand of wire. In this case, the bolts fastening the clamp on the rail can be loosened while the posts are anchored in the ground and the rail can be slid up or down to reposition the rail so that it does not interfere with a strand of wire. This can be done even if wire has already been attached to the fence posts, because the rail is under a force and continues to provide a reactive force that holds its two posts apart in a rigid, parallel configuration. After the rail is repositioned, the bolts on the clamps can be re-tightened to form a rigid H-shaped structure.

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a fence brace 60 having fence posts 62aand 62band a rail 64. Rail 64 has clamps 64aand 64b. Rail 64 is clamped to posts 62aand 62busing clamps 64aand 64b, which holds posts 62aand 62bin a rigid, parallel configuration. Fence brace 60 does not have an H-shaped structure because rail 64 is not square with respect to posts 62aand 62b. Rail 64 runs from a lower end of post 62ato an upper end of post 62b.

[0038] Wooden fences have typically been built with a fence brace having the appearance of fence brace 60. However, in the case of a wooden fence with a wooden rail, the points where the rail connects to the fence posts tend to be pivot points so that over time the fence leans.

[0039] With the present invention, on the other hand, the fence brace cannot lean because the rail and its clamps hold the fence posts in rigid, parallel alignment. The clamps have a sufficient length and are bolted to the fence post sufficiently tightly so that the connection between a rail and a fence post according to the present invention cannot be a pivot or hinge point.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 6, clamps 64aand 64bare preferably pipe clamps having an inside cylindrical surface that matingly engages the outside cylindrical surface of posts 62aand 62brespectively. Clamps 64aand 64bhave a longitudinal axis as does rail 64. The longitudinal axis of rail 64 is not at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axes of clamps 64aand 64b. Clamps 64aand 64bare welded to rail 64, and rail 64 holds posts 62aand 62bin parallel, preferably a vertical position, although rail 64 is not at a right angle with respect to post 62aor 62b, and rail 64 is preferably non-horizontal.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, brace 64 of FIG. 6 has ends that are cut at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of rail 64. A flat plate having flanges and a hole in each flange is welded to the angled ends of rail 64. A free, U-shaped pipe clamp is bolted to the flat bar around the fence post. One of the free, U-shaped clamps, such as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 or 3, can be used or a deeper clamp can be used to reduce the gap between the flat bar and the U-shaped clamp.

[0042] Turning now to FIG. 7, a fence brace 70 is illustrated and includes upright metal fence posts 72aand 72b. A rail 74 has clamps 74aand 74bfor fastening rail 74 to fence posts 72aand 72b. Fence brace 70 can be installed by digging holes 76aand 76bin soil 78. In one method of installing fence brace 70, fence posts 72aand 72bare laid horizontally on soil 78 adjacent to holes 76aand 76b, respectively. Rail 74 is fastened to posts 72aand 72busing clamps 74aand 74b. Clamps 74aand 74bare of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and thus have bolts which are not shown in FIG. 7.

[0043] Upon fastening clamps 74aand 74b, which have a fixed end welded or otherwise attached to rail 74 and a free end that is bolted to the fixed portion of the clamp, a rigid H-shaped structure is formed. This structure can then be lifted and placed in holes 76aand 76bsuch that posts 72aand 72bare in a vertical position, and rail 74 is in a horizontal position. Posts 72aand 72bare cemented into a rigid position by adding concrete 76cand 76d, which anchors posts 72aand 72bfirmly in the ground 78.

[0044] Alternatively, fence brace 70 can be made by digging holes 76aand 76band standing posts 72aand 72bupright in the holes prior to clamping rail 74 to posts 72aand 72b. Concrete 76ccan be added around post 72ain hole 76a, and concrete 76dcan be added around post 72bin hole 76b. Prior to setting, concrete 76cand 76dis sufficiently viscous to hold posts 72aand 72bupright. Posts 72aand 72bcan be positioned to a desired elevation and in a vertical position. Rail 74 can then be clamped to posts 72aand 72bby bolting clamp 74atogether around post 72aand bolting clamp 74btogether around post 72b. This is done before the concrete sets, and as clamps 74aand 74bare tightened, posts 72aand 72bare squared with respect to rail 74. Rail 74 and clamps 74aand 74bhold posts 72aand 72bin rigid, parallel alignment at a 90 degree angle with respect to rail 74. Concrete 76cand 76dthen cures and sets, anchoring posts 72aand 72bfirmly in the ground.

[0045] In another embodiment, metal fence posts are driven in the ground for anchoring the posts. A pile driver can be used, or a similar device can be used to drive the posts into the ground. A rail can then be clamped between the posts to align the posts in parallel and to maintain them that way.

[0046] In the prior art, metal posts have been anchored in the ground, and a welder has brought a welding machine to the location. A rail was then cut and welded between the posts. Although the resulting structure was satisfactory, the installation was inconvenient and expensive. On the other hand, a fence brace can be installed according to the present invention simply and easily, without need for a welder. With reference to FIG. 3, the fixed U-shaped clamp 32 is welded to rail 30 in a shop, where it is much easier to weld than in a field location.

[0047] Consequently, the quality of weld is better than typically achieved at a field location, and the alignment of fixed, U-shaped clamp 32 with rail 30 can be as desired within a close tolerance. Rail 30 has a saddle cut on end 30a, which receives an outside surface of fixed clamp 32, which is then welded to rail 30. Semi-cylindrical surface 32dis square with respect to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis 30cof rail 30. Thus, when free clamp 32ais bolted to fixed clamp 32 so as to encompass a post, the post is squared with respect to the rail.

[0048] All that is needed to install fence brace 70 in FIG. 7 is a level to ensure that posts 72aand 72bare upright or plumb and to ensure rail 74 is level. The holes of course need to be dug, but only a wrench for tightening the bolts and a level for positioning the posts and rail are needed as far as hand tools. No welder or welding machine is required, which eliminates that cost and inconvenience as well as eliminating the risk of fire caused by sparks from welding.

[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates a fence brace 80 having four metal pipe fence posts 82a, 82b, 82cand 82d. A rail 84 is clamped between posts 82aand 82b, and rail 84 has fixed, U-shaped clamps 84aand 84b. A free, U-shaped clamp 84cis bolted to fixed clamp 84bfor fastening rail 84 to post 82a. A rail 86 is fastened between posts 82cand 82d, and rail 86 has fixed, U-shaped clamps 86aand 86b. A free, U-shaped clamp 86cis bolted to fixed clamp 86bfor fastening rail 86 to post 82d. A rail 88 is fastened between posts 82band 82, and rail 88 has fixed, U-shaped clamps 88aand 88b. Fixed clamp 88ais a mirror image of fixed clamp 84aof rail 84 so that fixed clamp 84abolts directly to fixed clamp 88aof rail 88 encompassing post 82b.

[0050] Similarly, fixed clamp 88bis a mirror image of fixed clamp 86aof rail 86 so that fixed clamp 88bbolts directly to fixed clamp 86afor fastening rails 88 and 86 to post 82c. In this manner, additional posts can be used for additional support where needed such as for a long stretch of wire.

[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates a fence brace 90 according to the present invention. Fence brace 90 illustrates one of the advantages of a fence brace according to the present invention in which a fence must be installed over uneven terrain having hills, valleys, ravines, mounds and the like. Fence posts 92a, 92band 92care anchored in a sloped soil 94. A rail 96 having clamps 96aand 96bis installed between posts 92aand 92b. A rail 98 having clamps 98aand 98bis clamped between posts 92band 92c.

[0052] Slope 94 is easily accommodated by installing rail 96 at an upper end of post 92awhile installing it in a middle portion of post 92bso that rail 96 is horizontal. Clamping rail 96 to post 92aand 92bsquares the posts with respect to the rail, maintaining posts 92aand 92bin parallel alignment. Since there is no designated portion of the outside surface of the fence post that must receive a clamp, the clamp can be positioned wherever desired. Further, a rail can be rotated with respect to a post, which adds a great deal of flexibility in its installation.

[0053] Turning now to FIG. 10, a fence 100 is illustrated according to the present invention. A gate post 102 is anchored in soil 104. A brace post 106 is anchored in soil 104, and a rail 108 is clamped to posts 102 and 106. Rail 108 has clamps 108aand 108bfor clamping rail 108 to fence posts 102 and 106, respectively, as described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0054] A pair of gate hangers 110 and 112 support a gate 114, which is shown in phantom lines. Gate hangers 110 and 112 are clamped to gate post 102 and have L-shaped gate hinges or pins 110aand 112a, respectively, on which gate 114 is hinged. Gate hanger 110 is shown enlarged in FIG. 11. Gate hanger 110 is identical to gate hanger 112 except gate pin 112ais pointed downward while gate pin 110ais pointed upward, so that gate 114 cannot be lifted off of its hinges.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 11, gate hanger 110 includes a pair of U-shaped clamps 110band 110c. Clamp 110bhas flanges 110dand 110e, and clamp 110chas flanges 110fand 110g. Bolts 110hand 110ifasten clamps 110band 110ctogether at the flanges. This tightly clamps gate hanger 110 to post 102.

[0056] Preferably, a U-shaped component 110jreceives gate hinge or gate pin 110a. U-shaped component 110j,has a hole for receiving gate hinge 110aand a nut is welded to the inside of component 110j, which is not shown. U-shaped component 110jcan be made from flat plat by drilling the hole, welding the nut about the hole, bending the flat plate to form the U shape, and welding it to clamp 110c. Gate hinge 110ahas a shank portion 110k, which is threaded for threaded engagement with the nut located on the inside surface of U-shaped component 110j. A lock nut 110mis threadedly engaged with shank 11 Ok for tightening gate pin 110ato component 110j. Thus, gate hinge 11 Oa can be moved in and out by threading and unthreading shank portion 110kin component 110j, which provides adjustment for gate 114, such as for leveling gate 114.

[0057] Gate post 102, brace post 106 and rail 108 of FIG. 10 are installed as described above with reference to FIG. 7. Gate hanger 110 is clamped to gate post 102 by bolting clamps 110band 110ctogether. (FIG. 11) With reference to FIG. 10, gate 114 is placed on gate hinge or gate pin 110a. With gate 114 in a desired position, gate hanger 112 is installed by bolting U-shaped clamps 110band 110ctogether as described above. Gate hangers 110 and 112 can be slid up and down on gate post 102 or rotated with respect to gate post 102, as well as with respect to each other.

[0058] Sliding the hangers up and down allows adjustment of the gate from the ground for clearance and spacing. Rotating one hanger with respect to the other allows one to adjust the gate to fall within a vertical plane. Gate hinges 110aand 112acan be threaded in or out for horizontal adjustment of gate 14, where a top edge of the gate is leveled. These various points of adjustment provide a great deal of flexibility in hanging gate 114.

[0059] In the prior art, gate hangers or gate hinges were installed in a fixed position with little flexibility for adjustment. Consequently, a gate would often drag the ground or otherwise operate somewhat improperly. For example, the upper gate pin may not fully engage the hinge on the gate. With a gate post and gate hangers according to the present invention on the other hand, the gate hangers can be positioned where desired and can be repositioned if necessary.

[0060] In summary, a fence according to the present invention has fence braces, corners and/or gate posts, which are fast and easy to assemble, yet strong and rigid. The fence brace is capable of withstanding a great deal of force from tension on wire and from the weight of the wire as well as from the weight of a gate suspended from a gate post. These fence braces are more economical than building metal fence braces in place using a welder and field-cut rails. Assembly is simple, requiring only a wrench and a level plus anchoring of the posts in the ground. Installation of a rail between posts pulls the posts to a 90 degree angle with respect to the rail. The posts are heavy-duty, metal posts, which last much longer than wooden posts.

[0061] Caps can be placed on the top of posts to prevent accumulation of water or moisture inside the post, and rails or braces can be placed at any desired height for both function and appearance. For example, multiple rails can be used at an entrance for an aesthetic appearance. Metal corners and pull posts are strong enough to last a lifetime or more, yet simple to construct. Welding is conducted in the controlled environment of a shop, and field assembly is as simple as bolting the U-shaped clamps together. A clamped post cannot pivot or rotate because the rail is firmly clamped to the post. The height of the clamp is typically, but not necessarily, greater than the diameter of the rail, providing a large surface area for engagement between the inside of the clamp and the outside of the post. Consequently, the posts cannot lean over, provided they are firmly anchored in the ground.

[0062] The metal posts may be anchored using concrete or driven into the ground using a pile driver or a suitable tool. Extra uprights and braces can be added for longer stretches, and extra braces or rails can be added for making a fence, such as a stock pen. In this manner, temporary fences can be constructed. Corners can be made having any desired angle, and side bracing can be added for extra strength and stability. For example, extra bracing can help support heavy gates or stabilize posts in sandy soils, which tend to allow the post to lean. Bracing can be provided on sloped surfaces, and extra bracing can be used to prevent movement of the posts on oddangled corners.

[0063] A gate post with gate hangers according to the present invention provides flexibility for proper placement of a gate. The gate hangers can be moved up or down or can be rotated to any desired position. The gate hinges can be moved in or out. Thus, the gate can be positioned a desired distance from the ground; it can be moved into preferably a vertical plane; and the gate can be preferably moved so that the top and/or bottom edge is level.

[0064] A U-shaped clamp has been illustrated as one embodiment of the present invention, but other clamps may be used that square the post with respect to the rail or brace. A U-shaped clamp has been described as attached to the center of the end of the rail, but the clamp could be attached to the side of the end of the rail. The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are thus merely illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and construction and method of operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.