T-post extension

• US 7,500,653 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2005
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galen Hartman, Kellie Hartman
• Original Assignee: Galen Hartman, Kellie Hartman
• Inventors: Hartman, Kellie, Hartman, Galen
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola; Daniel P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amiri; Nahid
• Application Number:
  US11/135,839
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 256/1, 256 10- 19, 256/22, 256/DIG.5, 294/61
• US Class Current: 256/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/24 Connections for attaching additional wire to frames, posts or railings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 256/05 Metal post

Abstract

A T-post extension is disclosed for extending the effective length of an existing T-post to increase the height of a fence. The T-post extension has a plurality of engagement members that slidably engage a top portion of a T-post at opposing surfaces of the T-post to provide steadfast coupling of the T-post extension with the existing T-post. The T-post extension includes a body section generally matching the cross section of the T-post and a plurality of tines extending outward from an end of the body section. The tines are configured to slide over and engage an end of the T-post to extend the length of the T-post. The tines may be configured to engage one or more internal corners of the T-post so that existing wire running at the top of the T-post is uninterrupted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for extending the length of a T-post used for fencing, the T-post having generally a T-shaped cross section defined by a leg and a pair of arms extending from the leg, the apparatus comprising:

a section of T-post fencing material having an elongated body section and generally a T-shaped transverse cross section defined by a leg and a pair of arms extending from the leg; and

at least three elongated, separate, spaced-apart and generally longitudinally parallel engagement members, said engagement members having first ends joined to an end of the body section and having second ends extending outward from said end of the body section;

wherein the outward extending ends of the engagement members are configured to slide over an end of the T-post and provide rigid engagement by straddling and abutting at least a portion of the leg and arms of the T-post.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement members are configured to engage one or more internal corners of the T-post.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1:

wherein the body section has a length, an engagement axis and a substantially T-shaped cross section along its length generally perpendicular to the engagement axis; and

wherein the engagement members extend parallel to the engagement axis.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the tines have surface protrusions.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the tines have a roughened external surface.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement members comprise cylindrical tines.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement members comprise four tines.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement members are welded to the body section.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement members and body section are integral.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1:

wherein the engagement members are configured to engage the top end of the T-post without interrupting fencing wire connected to the T-post.

11. An apparatus for extending the length of a T-post used for fencing, the T-post having generally a T-shaped cross section defined by a leg and a pair of arms extending from the leg, the apparatus comprising:

a T-post extension member formed as a section of T-post fencing material having an elongated body section and generally a T-shaped transverse cross section defined by a leg and a pair of arms extending from the leg; and

three elongated, separate, spaced-apart and generally parallel engagement members, said engagement members having first ends joined to an end of the T-post extension member, said engagement members having second ends spaced-part and extending outward from said end of the T-post extension member;

wherein the outward extending ends of the engagement members are configured to slide over an end of the T-post and provide rigid engagement between the T-post and the T-post extension member by straddling and abutting at least a portion of the leg and arms of the T-post.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said engagement members are configured to engage one or more internal corners of the T-post.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12:

wherein the engagement members are configured to engage the top end of the T-post without interrupting fencing wire connected to the T-post.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the engagement members are configured to leave at least a portion of the perimeter of the T-post exposed.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11:

wherein the T-post extension member has an engagement axis generally perpendicular to the T-shaped cross section; and

wherein the engagement members are configured to slidably engage parallel to the engagement axis.

16. An apparatus for extending the length of a T-post used for fencing, the T-post having generally a T-shaped cross section defined by a leg and a pair of arms extending from the leg, the apparatus comprising:

a T-post extension member formed as a section of T-post fencing material having an elongated body section and generally a T-shaped transverse cross section defined by a leg and a pair of arms extending from the leg; and

four elongated, separate, spaced-apart and generally longitudinally parallel tines, said tines having first ends joined to an end of the extension member, said tines having second spaced-part ends extending outward from said end of the extension member;

wherein the outward extending ends of the tines are positioned in a square formation and configured to slide over and engage an end of the T-post; and

wherein two of the tines straddle and abut said leg, and two of said tines straddle and abut each of said arms, thereby providing rigid engagement between said extension member and said T-post.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the tines have generally a circular cross section and have surface protrusions.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the tines have generally a circular cross section and have roughened external surfaces.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the tines are welded to the extension member.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the extension member and tines are integrally formed.