Bracket for an offset fencepost

Abstract

An offset fencepost system including an offset bracket configured to enable an upper fencepost to be offset relative to a lower fencepost as the upper fencepost extends from the ground. In particular, the offset bracket may be configured such that a lower fencepost may be buried in the ground and terminate near the ground surface. An upper fencepost may extend upward from the ground surface and be supported by the lower fencepost offset from the upper fencepost. The upper fencepost may be positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the upper fencepost is offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the lower fencepost while the longitudinal axes remain generally parallel to each other.

1 . An offset fencepost bracket, comprising: 
 a first elongated plate having a first post receiver coupled to a first end of the first elongated plate and a second post receiver coupled to a second end of the first elongated plate opposite to the first end;    a second elongated plate having a first post receiver coupled to a first end of the second elongated plate and a second post receiver coupled to a second end of the second elongated plate opposite to the first end;    wherein the first and second elongated plates are positioned generally parallel to each other such that the first post receiver is capable of being attached to a first post extending in a first direction from the first and second plates and the second post receiver is capable of being attached to a second post extending in a second direction from the first and second plates that is generally opposite to the first direction; and    a mechanical connection device coupling the first elongated plate to the second elongated plate.    
   
   
       2 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first post receiver of the first elongated plate is curved out of a plane in which the first elongated plate resides.  
   
   
       3 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the first post receiver of the first elongated plate is semicircular.  
   
   
       4 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the second post receiver of the first elongated plate is curved out of a plane in which the first elongated plate resides.  
   
   
       5 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the second post receiver of the first elongated plate is semicircular.  
   
   
       6 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first post receiver of the second elongated plate is curved out of a plane in which the second elongated plate resides.  
   
   
       7 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the first post receiver of the second elongated plate is semicircular.  
   
   
       8 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the second post receiver of the second elongated plate is curved out of a plane in which the second elongated plate resides.  
   
   
       9 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 8 , wherein the second post receiver of the second elongated plate is semicircular.  
   
   
       10 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical connection device couples the first end of the first elongated plate to a first end of the second elongated plate.  
   
   
       11 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical connection device couples the second end of the first elongated plate to a second end of the second elongated plate.  
   
   
       12 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical connection device comprises at least one connector positioned proximate to the first receiver of the first plate.  
   
   
       13 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical connector comprises at least one connector on both sides of the first receiver of the first plate.  
   
   
       14 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical connection device comprises at least one connector positioned proximate to the first receiver of the second plate.  
   
   
       15 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 14 , wherein the mechanical connector comprises at least one connector on both sides of the first receiver of the second plate.  
   
   
       16 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical connection device is a releasable connector.  
   
   
       17 . An offset fencepost bracket, comprising: 
 a first elongated plate having a first post receiver coupled to a first end of the first elongated plate and a second post receiver coupled to a second end of the first elongated plate opposite to the first end;    a second elongated plate having a first post receiver coupled to a first end of the second elongated plate and a second post receiver coupled to a second end of the second elongated plate opposite to the first end;    wherein the first and second elongated plates are positioned generally parallel to each other such that the first post receiver is capable of being attached to a first post extending in a first direction from the first and second plates and the second post receiver is capable of being attached to a second post extending in a second direction from the first and second plates that is generally opposite to the first direction;    wherein the first and second post receivers of the first elongated plate are semicircular, and the first and second post receivers of the second elongated plate are semicircular such that the first and second plates may be used to be attached to cylindrical fenceposts; and    a mechanical connection device coupling the first elongated plate to the second elongated plate;    wherein the mechanical connection device comprises at least one connector in close proximity with the first post receivers of the first and second plates and at least one connector in close proximity with the second post receiver of the first and second plates.    
   
   
       18 . The offset fencepost bracket of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanical connection device comprises at least one connector positioned on both sides of the first receiver of the first elongated plate proximate to a first edge of the first plate and extending to contact the second elongated plate, at least one connector positioned on both sides of the second receiver of the first elongated plate proximate to a first edge of the first plate and extending to contact the second elongated plate, at least one connector positioned on both sides of the first receiver of the first elongated plate proximate to a second edge of the first plate and extending to contact the second elongated plate, and at least one connector positioned on both sides of the second receiver of the first elongated plate proximate to a second edge of the first plate and extending to contact the second elongated plate.  
   
   
       19 . A fencepost, comprising: 
 a lower fencepost;    an offset fencepost bracket attached proximate to an end of the first fencepost, the bracket comprising: 
 a first elongated plate having a first post receiver coupled to a first end of the first elongated plate and a second post receiver coupled to a second end of the first elongated plate opposite to the first end;  
 a second elongated plate having a first post receiver coupled to a first end of the second elongated plate and a second post receiver coupled to a second end of the second elongated plate opposite to the first end;  
 wherein the first and second elongated plates are positioned generally parallel to each other; and  
 a mechanical connection device coupling the first elongated plate to the second elongated plate;  
   wherein the first post receivers of the first and second elongated plates are attached to the lower fencepost such that the first post extends in a first direction from the first and second elongated plates; and    an upper fencepost offset from the lower fencepost such that the upper fencepost is attached to the second post receivers of the first and second elongated plates and extends in a second direction from the first and second elongated plates, wherein the second direction is generally opposite to the first direction.