North Central Plastics

Jon A Berg

Ronald H Langlie

David F Buelow

Larry Emil Tiedemann

The invention relates to a retainer clip or latch attached to a fence post, such as a plastic fence post, for use in electric fences, that can be used with different types of fence strand members, and that is operated by hand to permit easy securement and removal of the fence strand members. The clip includes first and second portions which are hingedly attached together at one end and are releasably engageable with each other at the opposite end. The clip defines a loop at one end for holding an elongate fence strand member, such as wire, and an elongated area for holding a broader fence strand members, such as electric tape. The loop and elongated area are separated by a finger which extends from the second portion and into a notch in the first portion. The clips can be directly attached to a head portion of a T-shaped fence post at spaced locations along its length. In other embodiments, the clip is attached to an elongate bar which is detachably secured to the head portion of the fence post, or the clip is attached to an end cap which is detachably secured to an end of the fence post.

Fence strand retainer clip for fence posts

A plastic fence post for use in electric fences, which can be quickly and easily adjusted in height to permit changes in the height of the fence, and which can be used with different types of fence strands. The fence post includes an elongated, T-shaped plastic lower post member having one end adapted for insertion into the ground and an opposite end having a T-shaped slot formed therein. A plastic upper member, which can either be an upper fence post or a post cap, includes a T-shaped tongue extending therefrom that is secured within the T-shaped slot so as to secure the upper member to the lower post member. A pin extends through aligned holes in the end of the lower post member and the T-shaped tongue in order to fasten the upper and lower members together. The height of the fence can be increased by disposing the tongue of the upper fence post within the T-shaped slot, and using the pin to secure the posts together. When the height of the fence post assembly is not to be increased, the fence post cap is disposed within the T-shaped slot and secured by the pin. In each embodiment, the T-shaped slot, T-shaped tongue, and pin provide a fast and easy way to permit adjustments to the height of the fence.

Plastic, T-shaped fence post

Insulator for the backside of a T-post

An insulator for attachment to a chain link fence and that is configured so as to support fence strand members generally parallel to the ground. The insulator includes an elongate body portion having first and second ends, with a mounting structure, preferably a clip structure, at the first end of the body portion for attaching the insulator to the chain link fence. A fence strand retainer is disposed at the second end of the body portion for retaining the electric fence strand member. The fence strand retainer is oriented at an acute angle relative to the mounting structure, with the acute angle preferably being about 45 degrees due to the pattern of the mesh forming the chain link fence, such that when the insulator is mounted on the chain link fence and the electric fence strand member is held by the fence strand retainer, the fence strand member will be oriented substantially parallel to the ground. The insulator is preferably an integral, one-piece construction made of a non-conducting material, preferably molded plastic.

Insulator for chain link fence

Fence post cap insulator

Stock prod

Combined front panel and mount for an electric fence insulator

Electric fence insulator

Front panel for an electric fence insulator

The electric fence insulator of linear polyethylene plastic includes a body having a rear portion for attaching the body to a fence post. Forwardly of the body is a clip unit having an upper latch mechanism. More specifically, the clip unit includes a first panel integrally attached to the body and a second panel resiliently connected at its lower end to the lower end of the first panel through the agency of a bight portion. The latch mechanism includes an upwardly directed keeper portion having an angled edge thereon and a hook portion having an angled edge thereon, the angled edges being vertically overlapped with respect to each other so that a latching engagement can be effected by manipulating a tab with one's fingers, the tab projecting upwardly from the hook portion. The latch mechanism also includes a rib formed in the hook portion which fits in a channel formed in the keeper portion for preventing slideable movement between the overlapping edges of the hook portion and the keeper portion. When latched, the electric fence insulator securely holds a braided tape-type conductor, yet permitting the release of the conductor when the tab is again manipulated to unlatch the mechanism.

Electric fence insulator with latching capability

The electric fence insulator of linear polyethylene plastic includes a body having a rear portion thereon for attaching the body to a fence post. Forwardly of the body is a clip unit having an upper latch mechanism. More specifically, the clip unit includes a first panel integrally attached to the body and a second panel resiliently connected at its lower end to the lower end of the first panel through the agency of a bight portion. The latch mechanism includes an upwardly directed keeper portion having an angled edge thereon, the angled edges being vertically overlapped with respect to each other so that a latching engagement can be effected by manipulating a tab with one's fingers, the tab projecting upwardly from the hook portion. When latched, the electric fence insulator securely holds a braided tape-type conductor, yet permitting the release of the conductor when the tab is again manipulated to unlatch the mechanism.

The electric fence insulator is of linear polyethylene. The insulator includes a vertical panel having a first L-shaped clip thereon providing a downwardly directed prong. A pair of laterally spaced L-shaped clips provide a pair of upwardly directed prongs each having a rib extending therealong. The ribs render these last-mentioned prongs relatively rigid with respect to the downwardly extending prong. The downwardly extending prong has its lower end at an elevation beneath the elevation of the upper ends of the upwardly extending prongs to assure retention of an electric fence conductor by reason of the overlapping prongs.

Growing community of inventors

Ellendale, MN, United States of America

Jon A Berg