Fence Tightening Device

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/631,484, which was filed on Apr. 9, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to the field of fence tightening devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fence tightening tool that resembles a pitchfork. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in fence tightening devices. Generally, when installing fences on fence posts, tightening the fence material can be difficult without machinery. If the fence is not tightened properly, it can fall over and be rendered useless. However, machinery used to tighten fences can be expensive and difficult to transport. Further, tightening it by hand can be time consuming and put people at risk for injury.

Soil disturbances during construction can result in sediment washing into waterways and roadways during rain events, which can pose safety hazards for drivers and can clog storm drains. Silt fences are relatively inexpensive and can hold back sediment and water. A silt fence is composed of a permeable geotextile, such as woven, non-woven and mono-filament plastics, stretched between wooden or metal posts driven into the ground in regular intervals on the downhill side of the silt fence. The geotextile acts as a surface filter so the pores clog quickly to hold the rainwater back while the sediment settles out. The bottom of the geotextile is trenched to prevent rainwater from running underneath. A wire or chain-link fence, also held up by the posts, can be placed behind the geotextile to help reduce the stretching of the geotextile as has it holds back water and accumulated sedimentation. Furthermore, proper attachment of the geotextile to the posts is critical to combine the strength of the geotextile and posts into a unified structure. Silt fence failure, such as falling over and infiltration, caused by poor installation techniques is a major issue. Thus, the silt fence must be inspected routinely after runoff events.

Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved fence tightening device that allows users to adjust and tighten almost any type of fence, including silt fences. More particularly, there is a demand for a fence tightening device that offers a way to tighten fences without the need for machinery.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that provides users with a fence tightening tool that resembles a pitchfork. There is also a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that allows users to adjust and tighten almost any type of fence, including silt fences. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that enables users to place the fork tines through the fence to create tension around the posts and effectively tighten the fence. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that utilizes a chain that works in conjunction with the tines to maintain optimal tension. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that offers a way to tighten fences without the need for machinery. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that comprises three prongs.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fence tightening device. The device is a steel fork which can be used to tighten various types of fences, including but not limited to silt fences. The fence tightening device comprises a body component that is configured in a pitchfork shape with three prongs and a handle component. A chain is attached to the handle component, which allows the device to be secured to the fence and maintain optimal tension. The device functions by inserting the body component through the fence, enabling the device to create tension around the fence posts. The device provides an efficient way to tighten fences without the need for machinery.

In this manner, the fence tightening device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that allows users to adjust and tighten various fences. The device is a pitchfork-shaped tool. The device can be manufactured of a steel material.

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fence tightening device. The device is a steel fork which can be used to tighten various types of fences, including but not limited to silt fences. The fence tightening device comprises a body component that includes prongs and a handle component. A chain is attached to the handle component, which allows the device to be secured to the fence and maintain optimal tension. The device functions by inserting the body component through the fence, enabling the device to create tension around the fence posts. The device provides an efficient way to tighten fences without the need for machinery.

The presently disclosed invention of a fence tightening device can be utilized to adjust and tighten almost any type of fence, such as a chain-link fence, a wire fence, a chicken wire fence, or a silt fence. A silt fence is composed of a permeable geotextile, such as woven, non-woven and mono-filament plastics, stretched between wooden or metal posts driven into the ground in regular intervals. The geotextile acts as a surface filter so the pores clog quickly to hold the rainwater back while the sediment settles out. The bottom of the geotextile is trenched to prevent rainwater from running underneath. A wire or chain-link fence, also held up by the posts, can be placed behind the geotextile to help reduce the stretching of the geotextile as it holds back water and accumulated sedimentation. Furthermore, proper attachment of the geotextile to the posts is critical to combine the strength of the geotextile and posts into a unified structure. Silt fence failure, such as falling over and infiltration, caused by poor installation techniques is a major issue. Thus, the silt fence must be inspected routinely after runoff events.

In one embodiment, the fence tightening device comprises a body component that is configured in a pitchfork shape with multiple prongs and a handle component. The handle component has a first end and a second end with a first end being secured to the body component. The second end typically includes a handle or textured grip area for ease in use. Specifically, the handle or textured grip area may be firmly grasped and gripped by a user when the device is in use. The length of the handle component can vary but can be approximately 2-4 feet in length depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. Further, the body component includes a base with multiple tines extending out from it. The base is a horizontal component that measures approximately 1-2 feet in length. Typically, there are three tines but any suitable number of tines can be utilized as is known in the art. The tines are secured to the base via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as welding, pins, screws, etc. The tines each measure approximately 6-12 inches in length.

In operation, the tines of the body component are inserted through the fence needing to be tightened. The body component via the handle component can then be moved downwardly, pivoted, twisted and/or turned to tighten the fence, as needed. This creates tension around the fence posts and effectively tightens the fence, stretching the woven or wired fence sections positioned between the fence posts in a desired position. Specifically, the fence tightening device is applied to the fence that needs tightening, by inserting the multiple tines through the fence and pushing down on the handle component to engage the fence post and secure the woven or wired fence sections in a taunt position. Thereafter, both hands are free to staple or tighten the staples on the post, as needed.

In one embodiment, the handle component comprises a chain. The chain can be any suitable length as is known in the art. The chain is secured to the handle component via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as welding, screws, pins, etc. In operation, the chain is secured to the fence, preferably secured to the fence posts to maintain the tension created to tighten the fence. Further, the body component is inserted into the fence woven/wire at opposite sides of the post and then the handle component is swung downwardly, tensioning the woven/wire sections and wrapping the same slightly about the fence post, away from the stapled portions, in both directions. The chain is then used to secure the tension created at the sides of the post. The user's hands are free to secure the woven/wire sections in this taunt position, since the device is locked in the position via the chain. The device is then removed with the slack of the fence woven/wire sections taken up. Thus, the fence is tightened without the need for machinery.

In one embodiment, the fence tightening device is manufactured of a metal, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc., or any other suitable durable material as is known in the art.

In yet another embodiment, the fence tightening device comprises a plurality of indicia.

In yet another embodiment, a method of tightening a fence without the need for machinery is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a fence tightening device comprising a body component configured in a pitchfork shape with three prongs and a handle component. The method also comprises inserting the body component through a fence to create tension around the fence posts. Further, the method comprises securing a chain attached to the handle component to the fence to maintain the tension created. Finally, the method comprises tightening the fence without the need for machinery.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that provides users with a fence tightening tool that resembles a pitchfork. There is also a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that allows users to adjust and tighten almost any type of fence, including silt fences. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that enables users to place the fork tines through the fence to create tension around the posts and effectively tighten the fence. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that utilizes a chain that works in conjunction with the tines to maintain optimal tension. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that offers a way to tighten fences without the need for machinery. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a fence tightening device that comprises three prongs.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel fence tightening device. The device is a steel fork which can be used to tighten various types of fences, including but not limited to silt fences. The fence tightening device comprises a body component that is configured in a pitchfork shape with three prongs and a handle component. A chain is attached to the handle component, which allows the device to be secured to the fence and maintain optimal tension. The device functions by inserting the body component through the fence, enabling the device to create tension around the fence posts. The device provides an efficient way to tighten fences without the need for machinery. The present invention also includes a novel method of tightening a fence without the need for machinery. The method includes the steps of providing a fence tightening device comprising a body component configured in a pitchfork shape with three prongs and a handle component. The method also comprises inserting the body component through a fence to create tension around the fence posts. Further, the method comprises securing a chain attached to the handle component to the fence to maintain the tension created. Finally, the method comprises tightening the fence without the need for machinery.

Referring initially to the drawings,illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the fence tightening deviceof the present invention. In the present embodiment, the fence tightening deviceis an improved fence tightening devicethat provides a user with a steel fork used to tighten various types of fences. Specifically, the fence tightening devicecomprises a body componentthat includes prongs/tinesand a handle component. A chainis attached to the handle component, which allows the deviceto be secured to the fenceand maintain optimal tension. The devicefunctions by inserting the body componentthrough the fence, enabling the deviceto create tension around the fence posts. The deviceprovides an efficient way to tighten fenceswithout the need for machinery.

Generally, the presently disclosed invention of a fence tightening devicecan be utilized to adjust and tighten almost any type of fence, such as a chain-link fence, a wire fence, a chicken wire fence, or a silt fence. A silt fenceis composed of a permeable geotextile, such as woven, non-woven and mono-filament plastics, stretched between wooden or metal postsdriven into the ground in regular intervals. The geotextileacts as a surface filter so the pores clog quickly to hold the rainwater back while the sediment settles out. The bottom of the geotextileis trenched to prevent rainwater from running underneath. A wire or chain-link fence, also held up by the posts, can be placed behind the geotextileto help reduce the stretching of the geotextileas it holds back water and accumulated sedimentation. Furthermore, proper attachment of the geotextileto the postsis critical to combine the strength of the geotextileand posts into a unified structure. Silt fencefailure, such as falling over and infiltration, caused by poor installation techniques is a major issue. Thus, the silt fencemust be inspected routinely after runoff events.

As shown in, the fence tightening devicecomprises a body componentthat is configured in a pitchfork shape with multiple prongs/tinesand a handle component. The handle componenthas a first endand a second endwith a first endbeing secured to the body component. The second endtypically includes a handleor textured grip areafor ease in use. Specifically, the handleor textured grip areamay be firmly grasped and gripped by a user when the deviceis in use. The length of the handle componentcan vary but can be approximately 2-4 feet in length depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. Further, the body componentincludes a basewith multiple tinesextending out from it. The baseis a horizontal component that measures approximately 1-2 feet in length. Typically, there are three tinesbut any suitable number of tinescan be utilized as is known in the art. The tinesare secured to the basevia any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as welding, pins, screws, etc. The tineseach measure approximately 6-12 inches in length.

In operation, the tinesof the body componentare inserted through the fenceneeding to be tightened. The body componentvia the handle componentcan then be moved downwardly, pivoted, twisted and/or turned to tighten the fence, as needed. This creates tension around the fence postsand effectively tightens the fence, stretching the woven or wired fence sectionspositioned between the fence postsin a desired position. Specifically, the fence tightening deviceis applied to the fencethat needs tightening, by inserting the multiple tinesthrough the fenceand pushing down on the handle componentto engage the fence postand secure the woven or wired fence sectionsin a taunt position. Thereafter, both hands are free to staple or tighten the staples on the post, as needed.

In yet another embodiment, the fence tightening devicecomprises a plurality of indicia. The body componentof the devicemay include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component, or any other indiciaas is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indiciaas is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be fence post, silt fence, or brand related.

As shown in, the handle componentcomprises a chain. The chaincan be any suitable length as is known in the art. The chainis secured to the handle componentvia any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as welding, screws, pins, etc. In operation, the chainis secured to the fence, preferably secured to the fence poststo maintain the tension created to tighten the fence. Further, the body componentis inserted into the fence woven/wireat opposite sides of the postand then the handle componentis swung downwardly, tensioning the woven/wire sectionsand wrapping the same slightly about the fence post, away from the stapled portions, in both directions. The chainis then used to secure the tension created at the sides of the post. The user's hands are free to secure the woven/wire sectionsin this taunt position, since the deviceis locked in the position via the chain. The deviceis then removed with the slack of the fence woven/wire sectionstaken up. Thus, the fenceis tightened without the need for machinery.

Furthermore, the fence tightening deviceis manufactured of a metal, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc., or any other suitable durable material as is known in the art.

illustrates a flowchart of the method of tightening a fence without the need for machinery. The method includes the steps of at, providing a fence tightening device comprising a body component configured in a pitchfork shape with three prongs and a handle component. The method also comprises at, inserting the body component through a fence to create tension around the fence posts. Further, the method comprises at, securing a chain attached to the handle component to the fence to maintain the tension created. Finally, the method comprises at, tightening the fence without the need for machinery.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “fence tightening device”, “fence device”, “tightening device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the fence tightening deviceof the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the fence tightening deviceof the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the fence tightening deviceas shown inis for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the fence tightening deviceare well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the fence tightening deviceare important design parameters for user convenience, the fence tightening devicemay be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.