Fence Post With Segmented Hooks For Flexible Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fence posts are unreliable in holding flexible mesh fences in place, often requiring multiple workers and can lead to injuries during installation, as the ties used to secure the fences can be time-consuming and prone to failure, and the impact-driven installation method poses a risk of hand injury.

Innovation Solution

An improved fence post design featuring an elongated shaft with curved end cap for safe impact driving, and downward and upward-facing hooks to securely engage the mesh fence at the bottom, top, and middle, ensuring reliable fence positioning, along with a barrier tape retaining enclosure and wire pass-through holes for additional stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic ties are used to connect the fence to construction posts, then the fence can be secured in place, but the ties are time-consuming to install and unreliable as they slide down the posts over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefence securityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fence engagement function is segmented into multiple discrete hooks positioned at different heights (upper, middle, lower) on the post, allowing the fence to be secured at multiple points simultaneously, improving reliability while maintaining efficient installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hooks are designed to automatically engage with the fence material as it is positioned around the post, eliminating the need for separate tying operations and allowing the installation process to serve its own securing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If a hammer is used to drive the post into the ground, then the post can be installed efficiently, but there is a high risk of hand injury when holding the top of the post

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A curved end cap is introduced as an intermediary element at the top of the post that receives the impact force from the hammer, preventing direct contact between the tool and the worker's hand while still allowing efficient driving of the post into the ground

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved end cap serves as a pre-installed protective cushioning element that absorbs and distributes the impact force before it can reach the worker's hand, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the efficiency of the driving operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If multiple construction posts are used to secure the fence, then the fence can be held in place, but more workers are required to construct the barrier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefence stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each construction post is designed with multiple hooks that can engage the fence at different heights, allowing a single post to perform multiple securing functions that would traditionally require multiple posts or multiple workers, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3642431B1Fence post for a flexible fence
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 BILLINGS ANDREW W
  • EP3642431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3642431B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3642431B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed is a fence post to be coupled to a flexible fence to hold the fence above the ground. The fence post has a shaft to be driven into the ground. A downturned lower fence engaging hook extends from the bottom of the shaft to engage the bottom of the fence. The lower fence engaging hook is embedded in the ground along with the shaft of the fence post in order to hold the bottom of the fence against the ground. The fence post also has an upturned upper fence engaging hook extending from the top of the shaft to engage the top of the fence and hold the top of the fence up and above the ground. An upturned intermediate fence engaging hook extends from the shaft of the fence post between the lower and upper fence engaging hooks to engage the middle of the fence and hold the middle up and above the ground.