AU2006100292A6 - Fencing System - Google Patents

Description

IP Australia 2 5 MAR 2008 INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION In the name of Peter Wayne Barrett Entitled Fencing System Amendments Prepared by Peter Barrett PO Box 301 Wandiligong Vic 3744 Australia Tel 03 5755 1334 Fax 035755 1389 00 FENCING SYSTEM c The present invention relates to the erection of an endpost, in particular to the bracing of an endpost.

5 Endposts in a fencing run are generally erected so as to resist movement.

C Endposts are often located either side of a gate, at a corner or at the end of a fence such as may be used as a trellis or the like. The movement of an endpost can result in a gate failing to operate, the loss of tension in a wire fence. Generally the failure of an endpost will require a great deal of effort to restore the endpost of its original position S3 and to re-hang a gate, re-tension a wire fence, or replace or restore a run of fencing.

Endposts have been positioned to resist movement by employing heavy timber posts that are set deeply into the ground or set using large quantities of cement. The use of such methods is labour intensive and expensive in that large, deep holes need to be excavated in order for the endpost to be securely set in the ground. Props or stays have been employed to assist in the bracing of an endpost so as to reduce the requirement that the endpost be securely set within the ground.

One simple bracing technique is to affix a stay to the endpost and to also set the remote end of the stay within the ground, typically along the line of the fence. In one bracing method, the stay is set within a concrete pad. In order for the concrete pad to 0 be formed, it is necessary to firstly excavate a hole for the pad and then to mix and pour concrete to set about the positioned stay. Typically such a method would involve the use of 20 to 40 kilograms of cement and be labour intensive.

Methods have been proposed that employ a preformed pad to support a fencing stay. Australian Patent Number 707685 describes the use of such a pad with a tensioning member. Australian Patent Number 707685 describes a rigid tensioning member in the form of a rod or pipe that can be tensioned using nuts or bolts to draw the distal or remote end of the stay towards the endpost One of the disadvantages associated with such a combination is the need to maintain an extensive inventory of components in order to construct a fence as well as to maintain the tools necessary to position and tension the rigid rods.

We have now found a support for a fencing stay which provides for a method for erecting an endpost of a fence in a manner which permits the use of the tools and components already carried by a fencing contractor to strain the endpost and the stay.

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00 In a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a support for a fencing stay comprising a base member, a land or fastener for locating a stay and a guide for a flexible straining member.

The support of the first embodiment of the present invention may be used in the erection of an endpost of a fence and accordingly, in a second embodiment of the present invention there is provided A method for erecting an endpost of a fence N comprising the steps of: 0 Setting the endpost; D b) Bracing the endpost with a stay by attaching a proximal end of the stay to an 0 elevated section of the endpost and engaging a distal end of the stay on a N support wherein the support comprises a base member, a land or fastener for locating the distal end of the stay and a guide for a flexible straining member; and c) Straining the endpost by looping a flexible straining member from the endpost to the guide of the support, tensioning the flexible straining member and fastening the flexible straining member to retain it in tension.

The support for use in the present invention comprises a base member, a land or fastener for locating a stay and a guide for a flexible straining member.

The support may be preferable constructed in unitary form such as by casting .0 moulding or fabricating from a block or sheet. The support may be constructed from cement, plastic, metal or a composite. In one form of the present invention, the support may be formed from cement set in a mould that forms the base member, land and guide as a single member. Advantageously, producing the support within a mould from concrete enables a contractor to either purchase preformed supports or to manufacture supports in situ.

The support may also be injection moulded from a plastics material.

Advantageously, by injection moulding the support from plastics material, the support may be light weight and resilient. Preferably plastics used to produce such a support will be filled with UV stabilisers and other components that will allow the support to withstand the weathering in an outdoor application.

The support may also be formed from a cast metal within a mould.

Advantageously, using a cast metal, a strong and weather resistant support may be provided with minimal fabrication requirements on the part of the manufacturer.

Alternatively, the support may be fabricated from a sheet of metal.

In an alternative construction the support may be fabricated from separate elements that may be assembled to provide a support for use in the present invention.

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It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that whilst it may be convenient to produce a unitary support, in certain application where specific performance requirements are necessary a complex support may be preferred. Describing this more complex support N is the purpose of the amendments to this innovation patent. An example of specific performance requirements would be to make a light weight product for ease of use and transportation.

N The support of the present invention comprises a base member. Generally the base member will have a generally flat foot print for engaging the ground.

N The land for locating the stay may be of any convenient configuration whereby C) the support is held in abutment against the stay. For example, the land may be in the form of an end wall of a recess into which the stay is received. Alternatively, the land may be in the form of a projection extending from the base member and against which the stay may rest. Alternately in the case of a more complex support such as a light weight metal or composite support, the land could be replaced with a fastener comprising multiple parts that interlink.

The guide for the flexible straining member may be positioned in a variety of positions on the support so as to enable the flexible straining member to be looped from the endpost to the guide of the support. In a preferred configuration, the position of the guide is behind the land for engaging the stay such that the looped straining 0 member is looped around both the endpost and the land. The guide may be in the form of a projection from the base and can be formed integrally with the land. The guide may be in the form of a flat arcuate surface or an arcuate channel that is configured to enable the flexible straining member to slide around the guide during tensioning. Whilst it is preferred that the guide be integrally formed with the base member, it is conceivable that the guide be in the form of a pulley or other suitable mechanism. Alternately in the case of a more complex support the guide is formed by one of the interlinking components.

In the second embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for erecting an endpost of a fence which comprises setting the endpost. Preferably the endpost may be set by locating the endpost within a hole bored or excavated into the ground or by mechanically ramming the endpost into the ground. The setting of the endpost is not narrowly critical to the present invention, but it is desirable that the endpost be set with sufficient rigidity to prevent lateral movement of the endpost relative to the ground. The method of the present invention permits the endpost to be set in a manner which permits a degree of rocking movement of the endpost although it is preferred that this is eliminated. The endpost may be set into the ground by packing the hole into which it is set with earth or by filling the hole with concrete.

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The method also includes bracing the endpost with a stay. A stay has a proximal end which is engaged to the endpost at an elevated section or position and extends to engage the support. The stay can be attached to the endpost by any convenient means as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The stay has a distal end which engages the support and rests against the land or engages with the fastener. The endpost and stay are strained by looping a flexible straining member from the endpost to the guide of the support. In a preferred configuration, the flexible straining member C may be looped around the endpost and around the guide of the support positioned on the remote side of the land. In the case of the more complex support the flexible D straining member may be looped around the endpost and around the guide where it is 0 held in place by a slot.

SThe flexible straining member may preferably be fencing wire which the fencing contractor will carry for the construction of the fence. By using fencing wire to strain the endpost and the stay, a reduced inventory of equipment is required. In a preferred configuration, the fencing wire may be looped a number o f times around the endpost and the guide and tensioned using the straining tool employed by the fencing contractor in the construction of the fence. The fencing wire can then be fastened to retain it in tension in the usual manner.

It will be apparent that other flexible straining members such as wire rope, cord, 0 strapping tape or the like may also be used dependent upon the application.

Advantageously, the present invention enables a fencing contractor to construct a fence having a braced endpost using the inventory of materials used for forming the fun of the fence. In addition, the labour involved in the erection of the fence may also be reduced.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings that are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an endpost assembly constructed using a support block as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the support block of Figure 1 in use in the endpost assembly shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a support according to another embodiment of the present invention.

00 Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a more complex support according to a another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an endpost assembly constructed using a support as shown in Figure Figure 7 shows a close up view of the more complex support of Figure 5 as in use in the endpost assembly shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows the individual components of the more complex support according to one embodiment of the present invention

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SFigure 9 shows the fastener components during interlinking according to one D0 embodiment of the present invention Figure 10 shows the fastener components of the more complex support according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 illustrates interlinking of fastener components according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 employ a support 1 that is cast from concrete. The support 1 is cast in a mould (not shown) and may be manufactured on site or at a dedicated plant. The support 1 includes a base 2 adapted to engage the ground. The support includes a protrusion 20 that extends upwardly from the base 2. The Protrusion 20 has a land 3 against which a stay 7 can rest. The protrusion 20 also includes a pair of locating 0 supports 5 that assist in positioning and retaining the stay 7 during construction. Guides 4 on the protrusion 20 are provided to assist in the location of the fencing wire 8.

An endpost 6 is set in the ground and a stay 7 is attached to the end post 6 at an elevated position. The remote or distal end of the stay 7 is positioned on to the support and rests on the supporting surfaces 5 and against the land 3. Fencing wire is looped around the endpost 6 and the guide 4 and then strained so as to tension the fencing wire and maintain the stay 7 in tension. In this way the endpost is braced against movement towards the support when the fence is constructed. The dotted lines shown in figure 2 represent the fencing wire used to form the run of the fence.

Figure 4 shows a support that could be manufactured from an injection moulded plastics or fabricated from metal. The support 11 includes a base plate 12 and a projection 30. The base plate 12 includes a rim 31 provided to strengthen the base plate 12 and resist twisting or deforming. Projection 30 extends from the base plate 12 and includes land 13 against which a stay may rest. A support 15 extends into the base plate 12 in order to support and position the stay. A guide 14 extends around the rear 00 of the projection 30. Ribs 19 provided in the base plate 12 so as to provide additional strengthening.

Figures 5 to 11 employ a more complex support 35 that is fabricated from sheet metal.

C 5 Figure 5 shows the support 35 which includes a base 70, adapted to engage with the ground, and fastener 80 for supporting the stay and positioning the wire.

Figure 10 shows Fastener 80, consisting of assembled components 40, 50, and IDFigure 6 shows an endpost assembly constructed using a support as shown in Figure An endpost 6 is set in the ground and a metal pipe stay 9 is attached to the end post 6 at an elevated position. A more complex support 35, consisting of assembled component s 40, 50, 60 and 70, is positioned at the distal end of the stay 9. Fencing wire is looped around the endpost 6 and wire guide 60 and then strained so as to tension the fencing wire and maintain the stay 9 in tension.

Figure 11 illustrates interlinking of fastener components according to one embodiment of the present invention. Arrows indicate direction of movement during the interlinking process. Refer also to Figure 8.

To interlink components 60 and 40: Wire guide 60 is positioned into locating slot 42 of component 40 so it is centred. Wire guide 60 assists in the location of the 0 flexible member such as fencing wire 8.

Figure 9 shows interlinking component 40 and component 50 together by sliding slot 55 into slot Bend wire guide 60 around shaping surfaces 52 of component 50. Refer to Figure for final shape.

To connect the fastener to the distal end of pipe stay 9 position locating surfaces 47 and 57 inside metal pipe stay 9. The distal end of metal pipe stay 9 rests against Ledges 46, and 56. Ledges 46 and 56 determine the depth that the fastener can slide into metal pipe stay 9.

The base 70 includes a locating slot 71 which interlinks with a protrusion 41 on component 40. When the fastener 80 is inserted into the distal end of the stay and protrusion 41 is located into slot 71 the stay is secured in position on base The base plate 70 includes a rim 72 provided to strengthen the base plate and resist twisting or deforming.

00 Fencing wire is looped around the endpost 6 and wire guide 60 and then Sstrained so as to tension the fencing wire and maintain the stay 9 in tension.

Fencing wire 8 can be looped once or multiple times around the endpost 6 and C wire guide The fencing wire 8 is retained in the correct position by ledge 43 in component Cl 40 and rests against wire guide 60. Wire guide 60 has protrusions 61 that assist in CN positioning the fencing wire 8 relatively parallel to the ground and avoiding O rotation of fastener 80 when positioned in base plate IND In this way the endpost is braced against movement towards the support when S3 the fence is constructed. The dotted lines shown in figure 6 represent the fencing Cwire used to form the run of the fence.

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Claims (1)

1. 3. A support according to claim 1 wherein the support is formed from plastics or metal. S4. A method for erecting an endpost of a fence comprising the steps of: ND a) Setting the endpost; ~D b) Bracing the endpost with a stay by attaching a proximal end of the stay to an elevated section of the endpost and engaging a distal end of the stay on a support wherein the support comprises a base member, a land for locating the distal end of the stay or a fastener for locating the distal end of the stay and a guide for a flexible straining member; and c) Straining the endpost by looping a flexible straining member from the endpost to the guide of the support, tensioning the flexible straining member and fastening the flexible straining member to retain it in tension. 0 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the flexible straining member is fencing wire.