AU2001100385A4 - Enclosure system - Google Patents

Description

ENCLOSURE SYSTEM AND METHODS 1. This invention relates to a system of coordinated and integrated methods for the construction of enclosures.

2. In the past, enclosure systems of poles and cables have been erected as support for netting and other cladding, over orchard crops, rubbish tips, and the like. Although some users erect their own, professional firms that specialize in the art erect others.

The observation of the inventor has been that the user obviously has not enough experience in constructing his own, often resulting in failure of the system, and that enclosures erected by professional firms are often over-engineered, and very expensive. The intention of this invention is to supply all necessary equipment and information in kit form, so that users wishing to save on costs can erect their own, alternately they may hire fencing contractors to erect it.

3. This invention utilizes high tensile steel tube as posts, that may be galvanized inside and out for weather protection. This high tensile steel is much stronger per cross section than is mild steel, so that tubing as thin as one mm. wall thickness can be used for internal posts, and only 1.6 mm. wall for perimeter posts to over 6 metres in height. As such, weight is dramatically reduced from the much heavier wooden or steel posting currently used, with costs savings on materials and handling.

4. The invention uses a method of standing posts upon flat ground plates; so that no post needs to be entered into the ground, with consequent costs and timesavings. It uses a method of internally securing the posts to the plates, and the plates to the ground position, so that it cannot be seen externally. It also uses an applicator tool for the purpose. It uses arrangements of caps for the tops of the posts to prevent the abrasion of synthetic netting upon them, and a hook attachment method of locking the enclosure grid lines and cap to the post. It uses a bolt attachment system to secure all cables to posts in an innovative manner, and it uses synthetic, abrasion free monofilament line in a way that allows for the netting sheets to be attached to the structure without ever contacting steel cables or wires.

From here on in the descriptions, the word "cables" will also mean "wires", while the word "lines" will only mean the synthetic line.

6. In the drawings: a. Figure 1 shows an example of a posts and grid structure, with cables in one direction and lines in the crosswise direction.

c:\my documents\innovations patent app..doc b. Figure 2 shows a bolt assembly for perimeter (external) posts, in position in a post, not tightened up. All tensioning is done between nuts 4 and 11.

The bent chain link is loose at all times between the bolt head (12) and the post tube, and this prevents the post becoming distorted. Both chain links (1 9) may be bent to facilitate the insertion of cables, shackles or other attachments. It can be seen that when nut 11 is screwed tightly towards nut 4, it will cause the heavy-duty bent washer to tightly jam the cable against the post, thus preventing it from moving. This cable is the perimeter cable (fig. 1 Both chain links are used to attach guy line cables and grid cables and/or lines as the case may be.

7. It can be seen that if a guy cable was imparting force to link 1, that force is transmitted via the bolt to the cable or line attached to link 9 without any compressive force upon the post, which would inhibit the interference fit of the post cap (figure It can also be seen that the principle of the bent washer 7 can accept and lock different cable diameters. The bolt assembly is normally fitted near the top of each perimeter post, with corner posts having two units operating crosswise, one above the other.

8. Figure 3 shows a plastic insert cap for the perimeter posts. The caps are hollow through (as when made from tubing) with a mushroomed top that fits over the top of the post. It may have cutaway sections to fit over the bolt and nut.

9. Figure 4 shows a transparent drawing of a similar cap used with internal posts, but without any cutaway. It also shows an internally functioning hook which secures the grid cables and lines at their junction point, to the post, and at the same time secures the cap into position in the post by the downwards pressure on the grid. The hook may be made from high tensile (spring) wire, and is made to critical measurements. For example, the length of should be such that it causes the grid to be depressed into the cap a suitable distance to prevent slip when under tension.

This depressing of the grid also tends to shorten the overall length of the grid members, thus adding further tension if so desired. This length also has to suit the position of the post slot (figure which is only used in internal posts.

The length of should be approximately two thirds of the post internal diameter, so that when inserting the hook over the grid at the top, the bend naturally begins to exit the slot, when a hand operated pulling hook (or other means such as rope) can be engaged within it. The strength of the wire should be sufficient as to withstand the next pulling action upon(c) which is away from the post. This action then utilizes the angle of against the top of the slot as a strong advantage (lever) to depress the grid to the point when the bend then engages the slot as its permanent position. It can be seen that by simply pulling downwards on the bend can be released, and the post removed for any desired reason.

c:\mny documents\innovations patent app..doc 11. Figure 5 shows a slot cut in an internal post, at a suitable distance down from the top of the post, and of a suitable length and width to accept the hook to be used.

12. Figure 6 shows that the top bend of the hook is placed diagonally across the two grid sections.

13. Figures 7-12 show how the post ground- plates and screw anchors are worked.

Figure 7 shows a plate with a hole through its center or thereabouts, through which a peg, or a screw anchor can be placed. In the case of a peg, it should enter the ground for a suitable distance, depending on the soil type, leaving perhaps 75 mm protruding up through the plate, over which a post is placed. This secures the plate and post to that position against sideways movement, which force is normally only small.

14. Figure 8 shows a typical screw anchor, but with a particularly shaped top bend.

This bend may be inserted up through the hole in the plate preparatory to entering it into the ground. The top bend (or head) of the anchor is critically proportioned to the internal diameter of the post (see figures 11 and 12) insofar as its outer diameter is fractionally greater but, when the post is at an angle as in the diameter of the bend is proportionally less. This allows an angled post to be placed freely over the bend but, when the post is then pushed to vertical in the direction of the point and rear curve of the bend are forced into a position that gives a strong frictional grip against the post wall. This grip prevents the internal posts from being lifted by the wind effect on the netting causing a wave-like action, with possible subsequent damage to the crop as they ascend and descend repeatedly. The gripping action is bettered where the point of the bend is sharply cut, so as to tend to gouge into the material of the tube slightly, or alternately, takes the load onto a very small area of the point. Provided the bend has sufficient flex, the post may be rammed downwards over the bend to produce the same effect. The end result is that the post is centered over the hole in the plate, and cannot shift in any direction.

However, the post can simply be removed by angling it as described above, because the back of the bend provides little grip compared to the point.

Figure 9 shows an applicator for the screw anchor. It shows a straight vertical drive shaft for entering into an electric drill, the top of which may be adapted to take a cross bar for hand operation if needed. Welded to the lower end of this shaft is a section that receives the bend of the anchor as in the transparent drawing figure 10. Attached to that, is a spiral, or pigtail that entwines the shaft of the anchor to hold it in alignment with the applicator. Once engaged, the anchor can be rotated into or out of the ground, depending on the rotated direction.

A further advantage of the applicator is, that as the end of the spiral touches the post plate, the anchor automatically disengages from the receiver section, so that all anchors are of a fixed distance above the plate and consequently in the post. This enables all added-security pin- holes (if desired) to be pre-drilled through the posts at a common distance. The pins go also through the anchor bend.

c:'my documents\innovations patent app..doc 16. A further advantage of comparatively lightweight perimeter posts is that once the perimeter cable is loosely attached to its two corner posts, yet still at ground level, the entire intermediate perimeter posts of that section can be affixed to their premarked positions on the cable. As the cable is tightened, it begins to lift the top ends of the posts until they can be manually pushed up to a more vertical angle to act as props until the cable is finally drawn to its desired tension. This would be impractical with heavier posts. The posts in this description of the invention are, respectively, only 60- mm. diameter for the perimeter, and 50- mm. diameter for the internal ones.

17. The system uses synthetic monofilament line to prevent the synthetic netting from chafing on steel cables. This line is threaded through every edge mesh of the netting sheets. The line is then connected to the steel cables using clips, ties, or other suitable method, but in no case does the netting touch the cables. It is also used as support lines of the grid for the netting, by fixing it to the perimeter posts and running it on top of the steel cables at crossways angles, and suitably tensioned.

18. The use of some or all of this integrated system and methods are claimed to be my invention as a whole, without detracting from the inventiveness of the individual components.

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Claims (4)

1. Anti- abrasion posts caps, post slot, and hook attachment to secure grid members and caps to the posts.

2. A method of using a bolt assembly for the purposes of fixing various cables and lines to posts.

3. A method of preventing posts from being lifted in strong winds, and an applicator tool for the purpose.

4. The method of using synthetic lines to prevent the abrasion of synthetic netting against steel cables. The whole method of construction including the use of lightweight poles. c:\my documents\innovations patent app..doc