US1621649A - Supporting structure - Google Patents

Description

Mal ch c S.

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 21. 192:5

Patented Man 22, 1927.

uNrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.

Application filed November 21, 1925. Serial No. 70,722.

This invention relates to a metallic supporting structure, particularly to one which is adapted for use as afence post, and among the objects of my invention is to provide a 6 structure of this character, which is simple.

in form, easily and economically manufactured, strong and durable in use, and one which, when used as a fence post, is particularly adapted to withstand the lateral stresses 10 to which said posts are. subjected. A further object is to provide a fence post, comprising an anchor and upright U-shaped metal member, which member is provided along its edges with laterally and outwardly extending flanges, which flanges not only greatly strengthen the member against lateral stresses, but also furnish a convenient means for attachment of the wire 't'abric thereto.

Other advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. l is a front elevation of the portion of the fence embodying my invention.

Fig. 52 is an enlarged detailed rear elevation of the portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating the manner in which the fence wire is connected with the fence post, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 3-3, of Fig. 1.

T he fence post consists of an upright member 12 driven into the ground, and to which is secured the fence wire 11. The upright. 12 is of general U-shape in the cross section, having, however, laterally and outwardly projecting flanges 13 extending along the edges at the open end of the U, and at rightangles to the flat portions of the U.

The horizontal strands of the fence wire 11 are secured to the upright members 12, by wire clips 16, which, as shown in Fig. 3, are bent over one of the flanges 13 and thence extend across the open side of the U, thence around the curved portion of the U and around the horizontal strand of the fence wire, thence again across U and finally bent flanges 13.

the open side of the around the other of the secure the greatc it parallel side portions connected by The upright- 12 is formed of steel and is of a shape that may readily be formed by re rolling from old rail stock. While this memher 12 may be formed in various sizes, a member of the size shown in Fig. 3 is very satisfactory for a fence post. Inthis figure,

the lower curve of the outer surface of the member 12 is of approximately radius, the curve of this same. surface at. the junctine ot' the arms of the U with the flanges 13, is

approximately radius, and the thickness of the metal is I find, by tests, that to strength to withstand the lateral stresses to which the post is subjected, for a given weightof metal per foot, the width of the flanges should be, approximately, the width of the flat portions of the U. "his form of post is considerably stronger than a pipe or a simple U-shaped member would be. l urthcrmore, the flanges 13 in addition to increasing the strength ot the member, provide a means for the ready attachment of the wire retaining clip 16. and

the lower portions of the flanges, which are.

in the ground, act as an anchor to hold the postv firmly in place.

\Vhile I have described the member 12 as a fence post upright, it is obvious that this member is adapted to other uses, where it is desired to employ a supporting or bracing member which will withstand lateral stresses of considerable magnitude.

1 claim A structural member consisting of a rolled steel strip adapted to he formed by re-rolling, from old rail stock and comprising a central portion of U-shape having substantially a curved portion formed on a radius which in transverse section is less than the width of said side portions in said section, and outwardly extendingflanges each of which has a width sulr-tantially equal to one. quarter of the width of said side portions and connected to said side portions by curred portions having radii in transverse section greater than the thickness of said stri material.

CARLETON S HWAB WAGNER.

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