FARM GATE line across the bevel,
right,
and saw along
this Une.
at the other end.
Repeat
The
115
principle of this brace
is
one that
is
so
commonly
used on the farm, that it will be described at length. The entire weight of the gate is supported from one
This causes the free
end.
end to Fig.
sag,
as
The
98.
shown
in
sag of the
gate will increase the dis-
tance between a and h and decrease the distance be-
tween gate
and
c
is
When
the
held level, the dis- ^^^
tance ah tance
d.
cd.
is
Sagging of a Gate Due to Lack of Bracing.
-
equal to the dis-
To keep
the gate level, some means of keep-
must be devised. If a board were nailed on between points a and h, it would hold the gate level, but a strong steel wire would do just as This proves that the tendwell, and perhaps better. ing the distances equal
ency to sag exerts a pull force, or, as it is called, a Likewise anything that will keep the points tension. c and d from coming together will keep the gate level. Evidently a wire connecting these points will not keep them the proper distance apart. A board nailed connecting points c and d will have the same tendency to keep the gate level as would a wire connecting points If both are used, a double effect is secured. a and h.
Another fact to remember in bracing gates is that the more nearly perpendicular the compression or terision If a gate were divided into brace is, the stronger it is. three parts and each section braced, as in Fig. 99, it would be stronger than if it had only one brace, because