fence post repair stakes and methods
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/207, 624 filed May 26, 2000 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/221, 237 filed Jul. 27, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods and hardware for reinforcing and repairing deteriorated fence posts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wood fence posts tend to deteriorate even when they are imbedded in concrete footings. Replacement of deteriorated fence posts is very difficult, time consuming and expensive. Removing and replacing fence posts along a section of fence can also disrupt and damage landscaping. Although a fence post that has deteriorated at and below ground level can no longer support a section of fence, in most cases, the remaining portions of the post are in good condition and can still support a section of fence. Fence hardware is available for installing posts without the wooden post penetrating the surface of the ground. Such hardware is expensive and can be difficult to install. It is also questionable as to whether or not such hardware will last any longer than a conventional wooden post. What is needed is a method for reinforcing and repairing fence posts of a fence that are deteriorated at and below ground level that requires a minimum of effort, that will not disrupt landscaping and that will restore the structural integrity of the fence.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONFirst Embodiment
The first embodiment of the fence post reinforcing hardware and method of the present invention satisfies this need by providing hardware and a method for installing that hardware which will substantially restore the structural integrity of a deteriorated fence post. The hardware of the present invention includes an angle iron stake and a stake driver for driving the angle iron stake down the corner of a fence post. The stake has a pointed lower end. The stake driver includes a body, handles, a first sliding surface for sliding along the corner of the fence post, a hammer surface for hammering the flat upper surface of the stake and a second surface extending below the hammer surface that is offset from the from the first sliding surface for retaining the stake against the fence post as the stake is being driven down the corner of the post.
