C-Shaped Fence Post Coupler for Height Extension and Wire Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural fences, particularly those intended to exclude wild animals, require costly and difficult installation of additional posts to achieve sufficient height, and existing solutions often result in gaps or difficulties in wire attachment.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional fence post component, including a coupling tube and dropper, allows for the coaxial connection of fence posts, enabling easy height extension and secure wire attachment without specialized equipment, using a C-shaped sleeve with V-shaped elbows to fit various post types and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If additional lengthy steel posts are installed to increase fence height for excluding wild animals, then the fence height is increased to prevent jumping, but the installation becomes costly and difficult requiring specialised equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The fence post system is segmented into existing posts and additional extendable posts that can be installed separately. The coupling tube divides the connection function into two parts: one interface for the existing post and another for the additional post, allowing independent installation without requiring removal or relocation of original posts.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling tube acts as a nested connector that receives portions of both the existing fence post and the additional fence post within its structure. This nesting arrangement allows the additional post to be installed inside the coupling tube without requiring external specialized equipment or complex installation procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing fence posts are used with extensions to increase height, then installation is easier, but gaps or difficulties in wire attachment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling tube incorporates locally optimized features: V-shaped elbows positioned to receive specific portions of the posts, an open mouthed slot for accommodating post variations, and strategically positioned holes for wire attachment. These local quality enhancements ensure both installation ease and wire attachment integrity without compromising overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling tube serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects existing and additional posts, provides structural support, enables wire attachment through integrated holes, and accommodates variations in post dimensions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, ensuring both ease of installation and reliability of wire attachment.
3Strength
If bolts are used to join posts together, then connection strength is improved, but the uppermost and lowermost holes are occupied making wire attachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling tube employs an asymmetric hole distribution pattern with multiple holes positioned at different locations and orientations. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that wire attachment holes are strategically placed away from bolt connection zones, allowing both strong mechanical joining and easy wire attachment without interference between the two functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-purpose rural fence component is disclosed which takes the form of an elongate sleeve having a longitudinal axis. The sleeve has a generally C-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration with a shallow V-shaped back portion which has two flanks. The flanks each terminate in an acute V-shaped elbow having a free arm extending therefrom. The free arms extend towards each other and form a longitudinally extending open mouthed slot. The component can take the form of a coupling tube for joining two elongated tricuspid fence posts end to end, a fence post extender, a fence post, or a dropper. Also disclosed are tricuspid fence posts of Y-shaped configuration having a circular hole closely adjacent its ground engaging tip, V shaped or Y-shaped struts and an agricultural fencing clip.