AU2011201246A1

AU2011201246A1 - Cable and strand connector

Info

Publication number: AU2011201246A1
Application number: AU2011201246A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alexander Beichert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-22
Filing date: 2011-03-21
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: DE102010012249B3; CN102197788A; NZ591823A; EP2369681A2; EP2369681A3

Abstract

Abstract The cable and strand connector according to the invention basically comprises two joinable half-shells (1, 2) each with a groove (8, 9) to clamp the torn ends (10, 11) of a strand. Both half-shells (1, 2) are manufactured from hard-elastic plastic material and are pivotably joined with one another along one longitudinal edge (4) via so called integral hinges (3). On the opposite situated edge (5) of one of the half-shells (1) so called resilient detent hooks (6) are moulded on, which during the folding together of the half shells (1, 2) engage the corresponding recesses (7) on the exterior of the other half-shell (2). On the groove (8) of one half-shell (1) perpendicularly to the axis of the groove two yokes (13) are pivotably moulded on with their yoke ends (16). (see Fig. 1). The strand connector serves, in the first place, for the of repair agricultural fences, but also of goal nets or fishing nets, and has the great advantage that when the torn strand ends (10, 11) are joined the overall length of the strand (12) is retained. -L bI ii Fig3 Fig 4 34d4 2 F19. 6 Fig. 7 4' 43 49< 42S 4 215 82is 618

Description

- 1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant/s: Alexander Beichert Actual Inventor/s: Alexander Beichert Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: CABLE AND STRAND CONNECTOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: File: 69747AUP00 -2 CABLE AND STRAND CONNECTOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a cable and strand connector for the repair of 5 agricultural fences, comprising two joinable half-shells with grooves to clamp the torn strand ends. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be 10 considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. In the case of connectors of this kind used in practice the half-shells are provided with grooves extending parallel with one another, into which the ends of the strands are laid in opposite directions next to one another and both half-shells are then screwed 15 together. In this case inward protruding transverse ribs are provided in the grooves, said ribs, when the half-shells are joined dig into the strands and by virtue of this increase the tensile strength of the joint. At the same time the transverse ribs contact the cables conducting the current enclosed in the strands, due to which the two ends of the strand will be also electrically connected. 20 These strand connectors have the basic disadvantage, that by passing the strand ends next to one another the overall length of the strands is shortened. In addition, this connector has to be made from metal for the electrical connection of the strand ends, a fact that together with the screwed joint greatly increases the manufacturing expenses of the connector. 25 It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the present invention provides a cable and strand connector to repair 30 agricultural fences, comprising two joinable half-shells with grooves to clamp the torn strand ends, wherein both half-shells are formed from a hard elastic plastic material and are pivotably joined with one another along one longitudinal edge via so called integral hinges, while so called resilient detent hooks are moulded on the opposite situated edge of one half-shell, said detent hooks engaging the corresponding recesses on the outside -3 of the other half-shell during the folding together of the half-shells and that each half shell has only one groove, while on the groove of one half-shell two yokes are pivotably moulded on with both their yoke ends perpendicularly to the axis of the groove. Advantageously, in at least a preferred embodiment, the invention enables the 5 joining of the end pieces such that the overall length of the torn strand will remain, and at the same time the manufacturing expenses of the connector are reduced. Both half-shells are manufactured from a hard elastic plastic material and pivotably join them along one longitudinal edge via so called integral hinges and mould so called detent hooks on the opposite situated edge of one half-shell, said detent hooks 10 engaging the corresponding recesses of the other half-shell during the folding together of the half-shells, and that each half-shell has only one groove, while on the groove of one half-shell at a distance of a quarter of the length of the shell two yokes are pivotably moulded on with their ends perpendicularly to the axis of the groove. With this connector the torn ends of a strand can be simply joined as follows: the 15 strand ends are guided to the outside from the centre of the groove below the yokes up to the face of the half-shell. The yokes are then folded downward toward the face, due to which the strands are bent outward away from one another. Afterwards the free half shell is pivoted downward on the half-shell containing the strands until the detent lugs engage the associated recesses. In this manner the strand ends can be joined with one 20 another resisting tension without shortening the overall length. According to a further feature of the invention, to simplify the manipulation during the introduction and bending of the strand ends it is appropriate for the longitudinal edges of the yokes to be engaged by the detent hooks when they are folded downward, said detent hooks standing up vertically close to the ends of the holding 25 grooves and elastically outwardly pivotably moulded on with their detent lugs facing the axis of the groove. To connect also electrically the strand ends, it is further appropriate when an oblong steel plate is laid into the groove opposite the yokes, said steel plates causing a forced contact with the current cable incorporated in the strands when the strand ends are 30 pressed downward. By virtue of this not only can the torn strand ends be joined with one another resisting tension but the low voltage necessary to scare off the animals can flow again unhindered. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an -4 inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 - the strand connector according to the invention in perspective illustration, Fig.2 - front view of an open connector, Fig.3 - top view of the same connector, 10 Fig.4 - lateral view of the same connector, Fig.5 - section through the connector along the line V-V, Fig.6 - section through the connector along the line VI-VI, Fig.7 - section through the connector along the line VII-VII, and Figs.8 a-f - sequence of operations during laying the strand ends in six stages. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The strand connector illustrated in the figures serves, in the first place, for the repair of agricultural fences, that can be torn by jerky movements of the fenced-in 20 animals; the connector can, however, be also used for repairing goal nets or fishing nets. The tying together of the torn ends is in all cases only a poor makeshift solution, because it leads to the shortening of the length of the strand. In addition, in the case of electric fences the flow of the current is not assured and there is the danger that the strands will get torn again at the knots. 25 The strand connector basically comprises two elongated half-shells 1 and 2, which according to the invention are manufactured from hard-elastic plastic material and are joined with one another along one longitudinal edge 4 via so called integral hinges 3. On the opposite situated longitudinal edge 5 of one of the half-shells 1 so called resilient detent hooks 6 are moulded on, which during the folding together of the two half-shells 30 1 and 2 engage the corresponding recesses 7 on the exterior of the other half-shell 2. Both half-shells I and 2 have a groove 8 or 9, respectively, into which the ends 10 or 11, respectively, of a torn strand 12 can be laid. On the groove 8 of one half-shell 1 perpendicularly to the axis of the groove two yokes 13 are pivotably moulded on with their yoke ends 16. These yokes 13 have a -5 passing-through opening 14 to thread through the torn strand ends 10 and 11, while the passing-through opening 14 converges V-shaped upward and terminates in a key-hole like hole wall 15 that corresponds to the diameter of the strand. With their ends 16 the yokes 13 are joined with the edge 18 of the groove at a 5 distance "a" from the face 17 of the half-shell 1, while this distance "a" corresponds to one quarter of the length "L" of the half-shell 1. In this region small, pyramid-shaped tips 25 are moulded on the bottom surface to ensure a better retaining force for the ends 10 and 11 of the strands. Close to the face 17 of the holding groove 8 detent hooks 19 stand vertically 10 upwards, that are pivotably moulded on the edge 18 of the groove with their detent lugs 20 facing the axis of the groove. By this it will be achieved, that after threading in the ends 10 and 11 of the strands the yokes 13 will lock with their longitudinal edges 21 under the detent lugs 20. Furthermore, the detent hooks 19 on their outside have an additional detent lug 15 23, that during the folding together of the half-shells 1 and 2 engage the correspondingly constructed holding edges 24 on the opposite situated half-shell 2, that face the axis of the groove. By virtue of this additional reliability is ensured for the case when the integral hinge 3 fatigues and tears. The detent hooks 6 are appropriately bent on their outside corresponding to the 20 curvature of the casing of the half-shell 2, while the casing surface of the opposite situated half-shell 1 has an annular depression 22 corresponding to the width "b" of the detent hook 6 extending up to the recess 7. The modus operandi of the strand connector according to the invention is illustrated in Fig.8, in which the sequence of operations during the joining of two torn 25 strand ends is shown in six successive pictures and described in detail in the following. 1 ' step: The torn ends 10 and 11 of the strand 12 are twirled between the wet thumb and index finger to prepare them for threading in (picture a). 2" step: The end 11 is threaded to the outside from the centre of the groove through the opening of the yoke 13 up to the face 17 of the half-shell I 30 (picture b). 3r step: The yoke 13 is folded down outwards (picture c) until the longitudinal edges 21 of the yoke 13 are locked under the detent lugs 20 of the detent hooks 19.

-6 4 th step: Exactly the same is carried out with the strand end 10, while this end 10 can be pulled through the key-hole 15 before the locking of the yoke 13 under the detent lug 20 until the joined strand 12 is tightened (picture d). 5 1h step: The other half-shell 2 is pivoted and pressed down against the half-shell 5 1 until the detent hooks 6 engage the associated recesses 7 (picture e). 6 th step: The ends 10 and 11 of the strand are now so joined with one another that the original length of the strand 12 is retained picturesf). The kind of joining according to the invention is not only cost-effective but can be also carried out with a few movements. It can be used both for repairing agricultural 10 fences and, as this can be seen from picturef also for repairing goal nets or fishing nets. To ensure also the flow of current in the repaired agricultural fences, as it can be seen from Fig. 1, an oblong steel plate 26 can be placed in the groove 9 of the other half shell 2, by which during the folding together of the half-shells 1 and 2 the contact between the two cables enclosed in the strand 12 is restored. 15 The connector according to the invention can be also used for repairing torn knots 27 in nets. For this purpose the half-shells I and 2 need to be merely assembled with a T- or cross-shape, depending on whether the knots 27 are on the edge or in the middle of the net. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it 20 will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

-7 List of reference numerals I Half-shell 2 Half-shell 3 Integral hinge 4 Longitudinal edge 5 Longitudinal edge 6 Detent hook 7 Recess 8 Groove 9 Groove 10 Strand end 11 Strand end 12 Strand 13 Yoke 14 Passing-through opening 15 Arched wall 16 Yoke ends 17 Face 18 Groove edge 19 Detent hook 20 Detent lug (internal) 21 Yoke longitudinal edges 22 Annular depression 23 Detent lug (external) 24 Holding edges 25 Pyramid-shaped tips 26 Steel plate 27 Knots

Claims

1. A cable and strand connector to repair agricultural fences, comprising two joinable half-shells with grooves to clamp the torn strand ends, wherein both half-shells are 5 formed from a hard elastic plastic material and are pivotably joined with one another along one longitudinal edge via so called integral hinges, while so called resilient detent hooks are moulded on the opposite situated edge of one half-shell, said detent hooks engaging the corresponding recesses on the outside of the other half-shell during the folding together of the half-shells and that each half-shell has only one groove, while on 10 the groove of one half-shell two yokes are pivotably moulded on with both their yoke ends perpendicularly to the axis of the groove.

2. The cable and strand connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein with their ends the yokes are joined with the edge of the groove at a distance "a" from the face of the half 15 shell, while this distance "a" corresponds approximately to one quarter of the length "L" of the half-shell.

3. The cable and strand connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the passing through opening of the yoke converges V-shaped upward and terminates in a key-hole 20 like hole wall that corresponds to the diameter of the strand.

4. The cable and strand connector as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, characterised in that when folded downward the longitudinal edges of the yokes are engaged by the detent hooks, said detent hooks standing up vertically close to the end of 25 the holding groove and outwardly pivotably moulded on the groove edge with their detent lugs facing the axis of the groove.

5. The cable and strand connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein on their outside the detent hooks have an additional detent lug, which during the folding together of the half 30 shells engage correspondingly constructed holding edges on the opposite situated half shell which face the axis of the groove. -9

6. The cable and strand connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the region between the yoke ends and the face small pyramid-shaped tips are moulded on the bottom surface of the groove. 5

7. The cable and strand connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein on their outside the detent hooks are bent according to the curvature of the casing of the half-shell and in the casing surface of the opposite situated half-shell an annular depression is moulded in corresponding to the width "b" of the detent hook and extending up to the recess. 10

8. A cable and strand connector to repair agricultural fences substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.