Spring wire clip
The spring wire clip fastens fence wire to T-posts. The clip is constructed from hardened high carbon spring steel and has a geometry that allows the clip to be installed with no tools. The middle of the clip has a shape complementary to the T-post spine, typically a “V” shape, such that the clip wraps around the spine and the two ends extend laterally. Each end has a curl that can engage the fence wire on either side of the T-post. The clips can be installed five times faster than with standard twist-type clips and can be repositioned, or reused, as the attachment is not permanent.
1. A spring wire clip suitable for securing fencing wire to a T-post comprising:
a length of clip wire having a shear strength in a range of 125 Ksi to 600 Ksi,
said clip wire having a preformed shape comprising:
a first end with a preformed curl configured to engage fencing wire on one lateral side of the T-post,
a middle section having a preformed shape allowing the clip to fit around the T-post spine and
a second end with a preformed curl configured to engage fencing wire on the other lateral side of the T-post,
wherein the spring wire clip has bilateral symmetry and the first and second ends are configured to engage the fencing wire on opposite sides of the T-post.
2. The spring wire clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the fencing wire is selected from the group consisting of barbed wire, smooth wire, woven wire and high tensile wire.
3. The spring wire clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip wire has a diameter of 0.075 to 0.15 inches.
4. The spring wire clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip wire is high carbon steel spring wire having a shear strength of about 300 Ksi and a diameter of 0.099 to 0.105 inches.
5. The spring wire clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said middle section further comprises a V-shape.
6. The spring wire clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip wire is made from a synthetic polymer.
7. The spring wire clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip wire shear strength range further comprises 282 Ksi to 312 Ksi.
8. A method of secure attachment of fence wire to a T-post comprising:
a spring wire clip having a length of clip wire having a shear strength in the range of 125 Ksi to 600 Ksi,
said clip wire having a preformed shape comprising:
a first end with a preformed curl configured to engage fencing wire on one side of the T-post,
a middle section having a preformed shape allowing the clip to fit around the T-post spine and
a second end with a preformed curl configured to engage fencing wire on the other side of the T-post,
wherein the spring wire clip has bilateral symmetry and the first and second ends are configured to engage the fencing wire on opposite sides of the T-post,
said method comprises the steps of:
contacting fence wire to a front side of the T-post, containing studs, said fence wire extending out both lateral sides of the T-post,
engaging the fence wire on one lateral side of the T-post with the curl at the clip first end,
engaging the fence wire on the other lateral side of the T-post with the curl at the clip second end as the clip middle section contacts the back side of the T-post, containing the spine, and
wherein the two end curls of the spring wire clip hold the fence wire to the T-post to form a secure attachment of the fence wire to the T-post.
9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the fencing wire is selected from the group consisting of barbed wire, smooth wire, woven wire and high tensile wire.