AU2007200643B1 - A Wire Fence Clip - Google Patents

Description

V A Wire Fence Clip SField of the Invention.

This invention is directed to a small and inexpensive clip that can be used to attach Sfencing wire such as barbed wire, plain wire or electric wire to a fence post and particularly to a metal fence post often known, at least in Australia and New Zealand as a "star picket While the invention will be described with reference to a metal star picket, it is envisaged that there may be circumstances where the clip can be used on 10 other types of post such as wooden posts or plastic posts.

Background Art.

Star pickets are multipurpose metal stakes often used as upright posts to support barricading material fencing wire) for cordoned off areas. They can also be used as stakes to support growing trees and vines. These posts are extremely popular at least in Australia and New Zealand and are widely used in fencing.

The star picket typically comprises three connected metal flanges that extend radially outwardly from each other and are typically equally spaced apart such that the angle between any adjacent flange is about 1200. A cross-section of the picket is somewhat "star" shaped hence the name.

The metal flanges are usually substantially the same size as each other although it is also known to have a star picket where two flanges are the same size and the third flange is slightly wider.

These star pickets generally come in lengths of between 1-3 m, and each flange has a width typically of between 10-30 mm and a thickness of between 1-4 mm.

The star picket generally has a flat upper end to allow it to be hammered into the ground, and a pointed lower end, and it is typical for at least one flange to be formed with spaced apart openings to accommodate fencing wire etc. Sometimes, a notch or something similar is formed in the uppermost edge of one flange.

It is known to provide wire fencing comprising any number of star pickets spaced apart by a distance of between 1-4 m with plain wire extending through the openings.

Once the wire has been threaded through the openings, it can be tensioned by usual means.

It is also known to stretch fencing wire between the star pickets and to attach the wire to each picket using a short length of tie wire. The advantage of this arrangement is that it is not necessary to thread the wire through the openings in each star picket. A disadvantage with this arrangement is that it is generally not suitable or efficient for use with barbed wire as once the barbed wire has been attached to the star picket, it is difficult if not impossible to tension the barbed wire. Also, cutting and fitting tie wire is time-consuming as it has to be either pre-cut into approximately 20 cm pieces or the coil of wire is conveyed along the fence line and the pieces cut at each picket. A piece has then to be inserted through a hole in the picket and the end is twisted around the fence wire to attach each wire to the picket.

For this reason, the method currently used to attach barbed wire to pickets is to tension the barbed wire first before it is attached to the pickets using tie wire. It is difficult to attain the correct tension with this method because of undulating terrain and it is usually a case of trial and error, which is time-consuming and frustrating.

It is known to provide separate clips that can be attached to posts, pickets and the like 2 5 and to which fencing wire can be attached. In most cases these clips are used with plain wire but do not provide easy tensioning of barbed wire where the barbs in the wire will prevent the wire from moving relative to the clip (which happens during the tensioning process). Also, many of these clips are difficult to attach to the post. Other clips are designed for only one type of wire plain wire) and are not really suitable for use with different types of wire electric wire or barbed wire).

It is also known to provide some form of clip or other type of attachment means where the wire needs to be threaded through the clip after the clip has been installed on a post. This means that the wire cannot be easily removed from a particular post (for instance if the post requires replacement).

Other types of clips are relatively expensive in the manufacturing process and some types of clips are relatively difficult to attach to a post and particularly to a steel post such as a star picket.

Electric fencing is also widely used and typically comprises a conductive wire which needs to be attached to posts using an insulator. Thus, various types of insulators are well known but are usually purpose specific for use with electric fencing and are generally not useful when used for conventional non-electric fencing. In addition, most clip designs for ordinary fencing wire are not suitable for use with electric fencing.

Therefore, there would be an advantage to provide some form of attachment means to enable various different types of fencing wire to be attached to a post and including a conductive metal post such as a star picket and where the clip enables plain wire, and barbed wire to be used and where the clip can also be used with electric wire with minimal modification. Therefore, there would be an advantage to provide a "multiuse" type fence clip.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fence clip which may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a fence clip for attaching wire and including plain wire, electric wire and barbed wire to a post and particularly to a star picket, the clip comprising an elongate member which is configured to provide a ring portion through which the fencing wire can pass, and including a pair of leg portions having ends adapted to pass through an opening in the star picket or post, the leg portions naturally being together but able to be prised apart to allow the fencing wire to pass between the leg portions and into the ring portion of the clip.

Thus, the clip can be quickly attached to a star picket (for example) by pushing the leg portions through the opening in the star picket. The ring portion can accommodate the fencing wire and the ring portion is typically large enough to allow the fencing wire to be tensioned even if the fencing wire is barbed wire.

There is no need to thread the fencing wire through the ring portion. Instead, the legs can be prised apart and the wire can be pushed between the leg portions and along the leg portions until the wire is positioned in the ring portion. Figures 6-7 of the preferred embodiment illustrates this.

The elongate member will typically comprise a wire which can be bent to form the particular clip design. The wire may comprise a wire having a diameter of about 4 mm, and the wire will usually be a round wire as this is a fairly common product.

However, there may be circumstances where the elongate member or parts of the elongate member do not comprise a round wire and may comprise an oval wire or a wire having a rectangular cross-section or something else. There may be circumstances where the elongate member or parts of the elongate member comprises an elongate bar member, or an elongate tubular member and the like.

It is preferred that the clip is formed from a single length of elongate member and it is envisaged that, in most circumstances, this will be a single length of 4 mm circular wire. The length of the elongate member may vary but it is envisaged that the length of the elongate member (prior to being bent into the clip shape) will be between 10-20 Scm.

The elongate member will typically be formed from metal and a suitable metal will be steel. However, there may be circumstances where the elongate member is formed from other metal materials. There may be circumstances with the elongate member is formed from relatively stiff plastic or something similar and in this variation, the clip may be moulded or otherwise formed from plastic material as opposed to being bent from metal wire.

The clip may be treated or coated or otherwise contacted with corrosion resistant materials. Alternatively, the clip may be formed from relatively corrosion resistant material. It is envisaged that the clip will comprise a metal clip which may be coated or covered by a protective plastic layer which may comprise paint, a film, and the like.

The fence clip contains a ring portion through which the fencing wire can pass. The ring portion may comprise a loop. The ring portion will probably be substantially circular but may also be oval, polygonal or have irregular shapes. However it is preferred that the configuration of the ring portion is such that the wire can be tightened (tensioned). It is considered that a substantially circular ring portion would be quite convenient for plain wire, electric wire and particularly for barbed wire.

The "opening size" of the ring portion should be sufficient to allow wire to pass through the ring portion and to be tensioned. If the wire is barbed wire, the opening size of the ring portion should be sufficient to allow the barbs to pass through the ring portion during the tightening (tensioning) procedure. Therefore, it is envisaged that the opening size of the ring portion will typically be larger than the "width" of the barbs. As the barbs will typically have a width of between 15-30 mm, it is envisaged that the ring portion will have an opening size of slightly larger and therefore typically between 20-40 mm. The shape of the ring portion need not be circular but, whatever shape the ring portion has, it is preferred that it will allow barbed wire to be tensioned relatively easily.

There may be circumstances where the fence clip may contain more than one ring portion although it is considered that for reasons of cost, simplicity and versatility, a single ring portion will probably be suitable.

The ring portion may be formed such that, when the clip is attached to the star picket, the plane of the ring portion is somewhat at right angles to the line of the fence post.

That is, the ring portion extends outwardly from the fence portion such that fencing wire can be easily supported by the ring portion.

The fence clip of the preferred embodiment contains a pair of leg portions which are naturally together but which can be prised apart to allow the fencing wire to be worked into the ring portion of the clip. It is envisaged that the leg portions will be biased together and this can be achieved by using a suitable elongate member such as a relatively thick (typically about 4 mm) spring steel wire.

The leg portions will have free ends which can extend through an opening in the post and typically through the opening in the star picket side wall. As the opening in the star picket side wall is usually circular having a diameter of about 10 mm, the leg portions may have a combined diameter of about 8 mm and can therefore be pushed through the opening in the star picket side wall.

It is envisaged that the leg portions may have free ends which are able to pass through the opening in the post and may have other areas or zones which have a different width/thickness/diameter etc or even a different shape.

The leg portions are preferably shaped to pass over a flange of the star picket and through the opening on an adjacent flange of the same star picket. This arrangement enables the clip to be easily attached to the star picket. This arrangement also prevents the clip from "drooping" or "sagging" as the flange of the star picket will support the clip.

The ring portion can be configured to support an insulating sleeve such that an electric wire can be supported by the clip. The insulating sleeve may comprise a tubular plastic PVC) member which can be pushed through the ring portion. It is envisaged that the configuration of the sleeve and the configuration of the ring portion will be such that the sleeve can be held by the ring portion using a friction fit.

However, it is also envisaged that some form of attachment of the insulating sleeve (such as a clip or something else) may be provided to hold the insulating sleeve in .position. The size of the ring portion can be adjusted to increase the clamping action of the ring for instance on the sleeve.

Thus, the clip can be used for plain wire and for barbed wire and the wire can be attached to the clip by prising the leg portions apart to enable the wire to be pushed O into the ring portion. With a slight modification insertion of the insulating sleeve), the same clip can be used for electric fencing.

S 10 It is envisaged once the clip has been attached to the star picket, the free ends of the clip can be pushed apart or "swaged" to lock the clip in position. A small tool (not illustrated) can be used to bend the free ends apart once the clip is in position to prevent the clip from being pulled away from the star picket.

The tool can be drilled off centre and at a slight angle to the vertical line. Grinding back the thin side produced by the off centre drilling provides a thin edge and a wedge effect allowing the tool to more easily separate the clip ends, so that the tool can be pushed hard against the side of the picket permitting the bend to take place close to the side as possible thus keeping the clip tightly in position.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:.

Figure 1. Illustrates a fence clip according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2. Illustrates the same fence clip attached to a star picket.

Figure 3. Is a plan view of the fence clip attached to the star picket.

Figure 4. Illustrates the view from the other side of the fence clip attached to a star picket.

Figure 5. Illustrates the fence clip supporting a length of barbed wire.

Figure 6. Illustrates the initial step of prising the leg portions apart to enable the barbed wire to be pushed towards the ring portion of the clip.

Figure 7. Illustrates the barbed wire of figure 6 having been pushed into the ring 8 O portion of the clip.

Figure 8. Illustrates the same fence clip fitted with an insulating sleeve to allow Sthe clip to be used with electric fence wire.

Best Mode.

Referring initially to figure 1, there is illustrated a fence clip 10 which comprises a Slength of 4 mm "Longlife TM)" tie wire which is bent in such a manner that it forms a ring portion 11 and a pair of leg portions 12, 13 which have free ends 14. Of course, the invention should not be limited only to a particular brand of tie wire and any type of flexible long life plain fence wire may be used.

The leg portions 12, 13 are bent into a particular configuration which is quite clearly illustrated in figure 2, figure 3 and figure 6, and therefore forms a "kink" section This section extends over and about the edge of a flange 16 of a star picket 17. The star picket 17 contains a round opening 18 which is about 10 mm in diameter and the ends 14 of leg portions 12, 13 extends through opening 18 this being best illustrated in figure 4.

The ring portion 11 extends outwardly from the star picket and substantially at right angles and functions to accommodate fencing wire (see for instance figure The clip 10 is held in this extending position and is prevented from "drooping" or "sagging" by virtue of the kink section 15 extending about flange 16 and which holds the clip in the correct position.

The clip can be very easily attached to the star picket at any position providing that the free ends can pass through an opening (a star picket will usually contain at least halfa dozen or more such openings).

Prior to doing so, the leg portions 12, 13 are slightly prised apart and a wire 20 (see figure 6) can be pushed between the leg portions 12, 13 and pushed along and into the ring portion 11, this final position being illustrated in figure 7. The clip can then be 7- 9 attached to the star picket and will adopt a position illustrated in figure 5 where the clip now supports the barbed wire The size of ring portion 11 (see figure 5) is sufficient to allow the barbed wire to be tightened (tensioned) with the barbs being able to pass through the ring portion and not being prevented from doing so.

If an electric wire is to be used, a simple insulating sleeve 21 (see figure 8) can be pushed into ring portion 11. The insulating sleeve can have a longitudinal split (not illustrated) to allow the electric wire to be initially pushed between the leg portions 12, 13 and then through the longitudinal split in the insulating sleeve to ultimately be positioned within the insulating sleeve. To minimise the wire inadvertently passing back out of the split, the split may be spiral. Alternatively, the wire can be pushed through a non-split sleeve prior to attachment to the post. To explain, the required number of insulating sleeves (according to the number of posts in the line of fence) can be threaded onto the electric wire and kept forward of the wire and attached where required. The clip can then be attached to the star picket (or other type of posts) in the manner described previously. The sleeve may be linear or bent e.g at right angles.

Once the clip is attached to the star picket, the free ends can be opened or bent away to lock the clip to the picket. Vertical movement of the clip is restricted by having the clip about the flange 16 of the picket.

An advantage of the present invention is that any number of barbed wires can be attached to each picket at the correct height above ground in the fence line, before moving to the next picket. When the barbed wires are tightened to the correct tension, all of them remain at the correct height above the ground regardless of the undulation of the terrain over which the fence is to be tension erected.

3 0 The invention may also be used for electric wire, and electric tape, electric cord and the like.

A typical "one-man" fencing procedure will be described below: 1. Erect the fence strainer posts and distribute the star pickets at approximate positions along the line of the fence.

2. Select the strainer post to which the wire is to be tensioned, place the bottom wire around the other post at the desired height above the ground and tighten it.

3. Run the bottom wire to the strainer post and at the correct height, strain it until straight; leave the straining tool attached.

4. From this post, step out the position of the star pickets, and bang them into the ground so that the side with holes is away from the fence line and the thin edges of the other two sides are parallel to and just touching the bottom wire. All pickets should be driven in vertically the same distance into the ground.

Connect the remaining wires to this post and run them out to the strainer, leave them loose. Slacken off the bottom wire so that it is loose to allow for undulation of the ground.

6. From the post where the wires are connected, insert the clip onto the bottom wire so that the wire passes through the ring portion of the clip and then attach the clip to the first star picket at the desired height above ground. The clips should be attached, so that any pressure placed on the clip by the barbs of the wire when the wire is being strained, is transmitted to the area where the clip is bent around the picket 2 0 side. The other wires can now be attached to this picket at their respective heights relative to the bottom wire in like manner, and so on down the line.

7. When all the wires have been attached to all the pickets they can be tightened and tied around the post, starting with the bottom wire and working up.

8. To keep wires from snagging and possibly snagging on the lower wire, at every third or fourth picket pull the wire firmly by hand to take up any slack and slip a plastic clothes peg over the wire between the clip and the next barb. The pegs can be removed after the wire is tightened when the fence has been checked. They are reusable.

9. The PVC electric fence insulators can be placed on the plain wire before tying the wire to an insulate attached to the post and can then be pushed into the clip after the clip is inserted over the plain wire and attached to the star picket.

Alternatively, the insulators may have a slit to allow the wire to be pushed into the insulator.

11 The clip according to the present invention allows the fence line to be erected more easily and more conveniently and a combination of the electric and barbed wire fencing can be done with the single "dual purpose" clip.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A fence clip for attaching wire to a star picket, the clip comprising an elongate member which is configured to provide a ring portion through which the fencing wire can pass, and including a pair of leg portions having ends adapted to pass through an opening in the star picket or post, the leg portions naturally being together but able to be prised apart to allow the fencing wire to pass between the leg portions and into the ring portion of the clip.

2. The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a single length of wire.

3. The clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wire has a diameter of approximately 4 mm.

4. The clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring portion is substantially circular and has a opening size sufficient to allow barbed wire to pass through the opening.

5. The clip as claimed in claim 4, wherein the opening size is between mm.

6. The clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg portions curved to pass about a flange of the star picket.

7. The clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring portion extends outwardly from the star picket and the plane of the ring portion is substantially vertical when the clip is attached to the star picket.

8. The clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the free ends of the leg portions are bent after the clip is attached to the star picket to lock the clip to the star picket.

9. The clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims containing an insulating sleeve extending through the ring portion.

The clip as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insulating sleeve is clamped against undesirable movement by the ring portion.

11. A fence comprising at least one clip as described in any one of the preceding claims.

12. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying illustrations.