Fence tensioner

A tensioner device for applying tension to a flexible fence slat comprising:

• a bracket assembly having attachment webs for attachment to a fence post and a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally oriented flanges;
• a tensioning cylinder mounted for rotation within a pair of apertures provided, respectively, in said horizontally oriented flanges, said tensioning cylinder formed with a through-slot extending longitudinally between a pair of radial flanges, said through-slot having a length substantially equal to a width of the flexible fence slat and adapted to receive one end of said fence slat;
• a ratchet wheel at one end of said cylinder, between one of said radial flanges and one of said horizontally oriented flanges;
• a pawl lever pivotably mounted on said one of said horizontally oriented flanges for engagement with said ratchet wheel so as to permit rotation of said tensioning cylinder in a tensioning direction but to prevent rotation of said tensioning cylinder in an opposite direction;
• and a finger tab on said pawl for moving said pawl into or out of engagement with said ratchet;
• wherein said finger tab extends through an arcuate slot formed in said one of said horizontally oriented flanges.

A tensioner device for applying tension to a flexible fence slat comprising:

• a bracket assembly having attachment webs for attachment to a fence post and a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally oriented flanges;
• a tensioning cylinder mounted for rotation within a pair of apertures provided, respectively, in said horizontally oriented flanges, said tensioning cylinder formed with a through-slot extending longitudinally between a pair of radial flanges, said through-slot having a length substantially equal to a width of the flexible fence slat and adapted to receive one end of said fence slat;
• a ratchet wheel at one end of said cylinder, between one of said radial flanges and one of said horizontally oriented flanges;
• a pawl lever pivotably mounted on said one of said horizontally oriented flanges for engagement with said ratchet wheel so as to permit rotation of said tensioning cylinder in a tensioning direction but to prevent rotation of said tensioning cylinder in an opposite direction;
• and a finger tab on said pawl for moving said pawl into or out of engagement with said ratchet;
• wherein said tensioning cylinder is formed with grooves inside and adjacent said horizontally oriented radial flanges, said grooves adapted to receive ridges on said flexible fence slat.

A fence tensioner device for applying tension to a flexible fence slat comprising:

• a bracket assembly having a pair of vertically adjustable webs for attaching the device to a fence post and a first pair of vertically spaced, horizontally oriented flanges;
• a first tensioning cylinder mounted for rotation within a pair of apertures provided, respectively, in said horizontally oriented flanges, said tensioning cylinder formed with a through-slot extending longitudinally between a pair of radial flanges, said through-slot having a length substantially equal to a width of the flexible fence slat and adapted to receive one end of said fence slat;
• wherein said bracket assembly comprises two mirror image half sections, with one vertical web on one half section in back-to-back relationship with another vertical web on the other half section, each half section formed with a respective one of said pair of horizontally oriented flanges, the half sections being fixed to each other after said tensioning cylinder is mounted within said apertures;
• wherein said tensioning cylinder is formed with grooves inside and adjacent said horizontally oriented radial flanges, said grooves adapted to receive ridges on said flexible fence slat.

A fence tensioner device for applying tension to a flexible fence slat comprising:

• a bracket assembly having a pair of vertically adjustable webs for attaching the device to a fence post and a first pair of vertically spaced, horizontally oriented flanges;
• a first tensioning cylinder mounted for rotation within a pair of apertures provided, respectively, in said horizontally oriented flanges, said tensioning cylinder formed with a through-slot extending longitudinally between a pair of radial flanges, said through-slot having a length substantially equal to a width of the flexible fence slat and adapted to receive one end of said fence slat;
• wherein said bracket assembly comprises two mirror image half sections, with one vertical web on one half section in back-to-back relationship with another vertical web on the other half section, each half section formed with a respective one of said pair of horizontally oriented flanges, the half sections being fixed to each other after said tensioning cylinder is mounted within said apertures;
• wherein said half sections are permanently fixed to each other by rivets.

A fence tensioner device for applying tension to a flexible fence slat comprising:

• a bracket assembly having a pair of vertically adjustable webs for attaching the device to a fence post and a first pair of vertically spaced, horizontally oriented flanges;
• a first tensioning cylinder mounted for rotation within a pair of apertures provided, respectively, in said horizontally oriented flanges, said tensioning cylinder formed with a through-slot extending longitudinally between a pair of radial flanges, said through-slot having a length substantially equal to a width of the flexible fence slat and adapted to receive one end of said fence slat;
• wherein said bracket assembly comprises two mirror image half sections, with one vertical web on one half section in back-to-back relationship with another vertical web on the other half section, each half section formed with a respective one of said pair of horizontally oriented flanges, the half sections being fixed to each other after said tensioning cylinder is mounted within said apertures;
• wherein said bracket assembly is formed with a second pair of horizontally oriented flanges adapted to mount a second tensioning cylinder in parallel and laterally spaced relationship with said first tensioning cylinder.