AU2016228297B2

AU2016228297B2 - Prefabricated fence

Info

Publication number: AU2016228297B2
Application number: AU2016228297A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bradley Taylor
Original assignee: Infrabuild Wire Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Infrabuild Wire Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-01
Filing date: 2016-09-16
Publication date: 2021-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-16
Also published as: AU2016228297A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a prefabricated wire fence of the type that comprises longitudinal strands and regularly spaced transverse pickets. One or more pickets intermediate the ends of the wire fence are omitted. 0 8194694_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1 126 124 100 128 120b 110 120b 110 110 110 122 118 112 4 116b 116d 116a FIG 1 120a 114 120c 222 118 116c 220a 220b 220d 212 214 1 /FIG 2 21c 216a 26 \ \21c216d 320a 320b ""214 312 314 ee314 K ~ k L L .l»G L L L. . LJ.\" 316a 316b 316c 3 320c 314

Description

126 124 100 128 120b 110 120b 110 110 110 122 118

112 4

116b 116d 116a FIG 1 120a 114 120c 222 118 116c 220a 220b 220d 212 214 1

/FIG 2 21c 216a ~26 K k \ \21c216d 320a 320b ""214 312 314 ee314

L L .l»G . LL L. LJ.\"

316c 3 316a 316b 320c

PREFABRICATED FENCE TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fences of the type that are prefabricated, and further relates to the attachment of such fences to fence posts.

BACKGROUND ART

Fencing is used in a wide variety of applications; generally for the purpose of creating a boundary between two areas. Often fences are supported by way of attachment to a plurality of spaced fence posts.

In some fencing applications prefabricated fences may be used. Such fences may be formed of several spaced horizontal line wires that extend for the length of the fence, and regularly spaced vertical picket wires that extend between the lowermost and uppermost horizontal wires. The horizontal and vertical wires may be locked together by wire knots (i.e. that wrap around the wires where they intersect). Such fences may be referred to as 'mesh' or 'grid' fences/panels.

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

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a prefabricated wire fence of the type that comprises longitudinal strands and regularly spaced transverse pickets. In accordance with this disclosure, one or more pickets intermediate the ends of the wire fence can be omitted.

The omission of pickets provides gaps in the regular spacing of the pickets. This gap may be twice as large as the regular spacing of the pickets. For example, the

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17905201_1(GHMatters) P100658.AU.1 regular picket spacing may be approximately 15 cm, whilst the picket group spacing may be 30 cm.

One issue that can arise with prefabricated fences is that the vertical picket wires can interfere with the attachment of the fence to posts. Generally prefabricated fences are erected by first installing a plurality of posts along the intended boundary line. The fence is subsequently attached one-by-one to each post (e.g. by being tied to the post via a tie wire, clip or by receipt of the horizontal wires in recesses of the posts). This is a generally efficient method of installing a fence, but can make it difficult for an installer to control the positioning of the vertical picket wires relative to the fence posts. When a vertical picket wire is aligned precisely with (or is close to) the location at which fence is to be attached to a post, it may make it difficult to attach the fence to that post.

A further issue is that tensioning of a fence (once attached to a plurality of fence posts) can cause a vertical picket wire to be pulled up against a fence post. This can cause the fence post or prefabricated fence to be damaged, or the fence to be tensioned unevenly along its length (in that the vertical picket wire abuts the post thereby preventing further tensioning).

The provision of gaps (i.e. formed due to the omission of pickets), may facilitate attachment of the fence to pre-installed posts (i.e. posts installed prior to attachment of the fence). For example, the posts may be spaced so as to coincide with the gaps in the fence. As set forth above, attaching a prefabricated fence to posts that are already inserted into the ground can be problematic when the pickets of the fence align with the posts (i.e. so as to be adjacent to one another). The omission of some pickets increases the margin of error available to an installer in regards to acceptable post placement (i.e. such an omission reduces the chance that a post coincides with a vertical picket). This may provide an installer of such a fence with more flexibility in regards to fence post placement as well as time-savings. Such flexibility in placement may be advantageous, for example, where the terrain (into which the fence posts are being installed) does not allow

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1 accurate and regular post placement, or where post placement is performed without the assistance of an accurate measurement system.

This may also be advantageous when automated machinery is used to install fencing (e.g. including installation of posts and attachment of fencing). Such automated machinery may be limited in accuracy or tolerance, and the gaps formed by picket omissions may provide some allowance for this.

A further advantage that may be provided by the omission of pickets, is that the fence may be more easily rolled or folded. The portions of the fence where pickets have been omitted may have lower resistance to bending.

In one embodiment two or more consecutive pickets may be omitted between groups of regularly spaced transverse pickets. This may provide a larger gap in the regular spacing of the pickets.

In one embodiment the omitted pickets may be selected so as to form picket gaps along the fence according to a desired post spacing.

In one embodiment the fence may be formed by an automated prefabricated fence machine comprising an electrical drive for the delivery of the picket wires. The automated machine may be programed with a desired omitted picket pattern. The use of an electrical drive, rather than a mechanical system (e.g. using cams) may allow more flexibility in the provision or omission of pickets.

In one embodiment the fence may further comprise a longitudinal barbed wire comprising regularly spaced barbs. One or more barbs intermediate the ends of the longitudinal wire may be omitted. The locations of the omitted barbs may be aligned with the locations of the omitted pickets. Barbs may present a similar issue to pickets when attached to pre-installed posts. That is, the barbs may coincide with installed posts and can interfere with attachment of the barbed wire to an aligned post. Further, when the barbed wire is tensioned, barbs can be pulled up against the post and result in inconsistent tensioning, and/or can result in damage to the post and/or barbed wire. The omission of barbs may provide gaps

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1 that allow more freedom in post placement and can reduce the chance that a barb is aligned with a post upon attachment of the barbed wire to the posts.

Also disclosed herein is a prefabricated wire fence comprising spaced longitudinal strands and picket groups spaced from one another. Each picket group comprises a plurality of regularly spaced transverse pickets. In accordance with this disclosure, the picket group spacing can be larger than the regular picket spacing.

Again, the provision of larger spacing between the picket groups may provide more flexibility in regards to post placement, and may reduce the possibility that, when attaching the fence to a plurality of spaced pre-installed posts, a picket is aligned with one of the posts. Further, the provision of larger picket group spacing may allow easier folding or rolling of the fence. The portions of the fence where pickets have been omitted may have lower resistance to bending.

The use of automated machinery to install fencing may require such flexibility, because it may be limited in accuracy or tolerance (and may not have the capability to adjust for pickets being aligned with posts).

In one embodiment the picket group spacing may be approximately twice as large as the regular picket spacing. For example the regular picket spacing may be about 15 cm, and the picket group spacing may be about 30 cm.

In one embodiment each picket group spacing may be formed by the omission of one or more pickets in a row of regularly spaced pickets. This may result in picket group spacings that are three, four, five, etc. times as large as the regular picket spacing. Each picket group spacing may alternatively be formed by the omission of a single picket.

In one embodiment the picket group spacings may be positioned at predetermined locations along the fence according to a desired post spacing. In this way, the fence may be designed for certain applications, where specific post spacing is required. Users (e.g. installers) of the fence may be instructed in regards to fence post spacing in order to align the picket group spacings with installed fence posts. 4

17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

Also disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a prefabricated wire fence. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of spaced longitudinal strands, and attaching regularly spaced transverse pickets to the longitudinal strands. In accordance with this disclosure, the step of attaching the pickets can comprise omitting one or more pickets. The omitted pickets are selected so as to form picket gaps along the fence according to a desired post spacing when the prefabricated wire fence is in use.

The omission of pickets may be performed in a number of ways. For example, the omitted picket may not be provided to the fence at all, or may be provided, but not attached to the fence (i.e. to be removed in a subsequent step).

In one embodiment of the method a plurality of pickets may be omitted so as to form a plurality of gaps in the regular spacing of the pickets. The gaps provide more flexibility in post placement when installing a fence produced by the method. That, is the gaps reduce the chances that a picket will coincide with a fence post and cause issues in regards to attachment of the fence to the post or damage to the fence or post when tensioning the fence.

In one embodiment of the method two or more consecutive pickets may be omitted between groups of regularly spaced pickets. This may result in larger gaps in the regular spacing of the pickets.

In one embodiment of the method the gaps may be spaced so as to follow a repeating pattern along the length of the fence. So, for example, a portion of the pattern may comprise a first picket group, which may contain three pickets, followed by two omitted pickets, followed by four pickets, followed by a single omitted picket. This patterned portion may then be continuously repeated along the length of the fence. It should be understood that other patterns of pickets and omitted pickets may be used. The determination of a pattern may be based on the types and spacing of posts.

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

In one embodiment of the method the gaps may be evenly spaced along the fence. This may be most suitable for attachment posts that are also spaced evenly (and having a spacing that is the same or similar to the spacing of the gaps).

In one embodiment of the method the step of attaching the pickets to the longitudinal strands may comprise securing knots at the junctions of the pickets and the longitudinal strands. A variety of knots may be used, such as ring locks, hinged joints, stiff stays, grip knots, etc.

In one embodiment of the method the fence may be formed using a fence forming machine comprising an electrical drive for delivery of the picket wires, delivery of the knot wires and/or movement of tooling to form knots. In one embodiment the method may further comprise the step of programming the machine to omit pickets in a predetermined pattern according to the desired post spacing. A plurality of patterns may be programmed into the machine such that a user may select from one of the patterns when producing a fence. The programmed patterns may be used to produce fences for various applications.

In one embodiment the method may further comprise the step of forming a longitudinal barbed wire by attaching regularly spaced barbs to a longitudinal strand. The step may further comprise omitting one or more barbs. The omission of barbs may result in gaps in the regular spacing of the barbs, such that a user is provided with flexibility in regards to post placement when attaching a fence produced by the method to pre-installed posts. The forming of the barbed wire may be in conjunction with the remainder of the fence, or may be a separate process (e.g. with a separate machine) to the remainder of the fence. The pickets may or may not be connected to the barbed wire.

In one embodiment of the method, omitted barbs may be selected such that the gaps formed in the regular spacing of barbs by the omitted barbs align with gaps formed by the omitted pickets in the regular spacing of pickets.

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

Also disclosed herein is a fence assembly comprising a plurality of spaced posts and a fence, as set forth above, that can be attached to the posts in use.

In one embodiment the picket group spacings or omitted pickets may be aligned with the fence posts.

In one assembly embodiment the posts may be of the type that comprises recesses in a flange thereof for receipt of longitudinal wires of the fence. A device may be used to retain the longitudinal wires in the recesses.

Also disclosed herein is a longitudinal barbed wire comprising groups of (optionally, regularly spaced) barbs spaced from one or more other groups of barbs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a fence assembly;

Figure 2 is a front view of a first embodiment of a fence; and

Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1 wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

In Figure 1, the prefabricated wire fence assembly 100 comprises a plurality of spaced posts 110 and a prefabricated wire fence 112. The posts are of the type that comprises an elongate stalk and two elongate flanges that project from the stalk (to form a Y-shaped profile). The stalks comprise recesses that allow attachment of the fence 112 to the posts 110.

The prefabricated wire fence 112 comprises four spaced longitudinal strands, in the form of wires 114 (e.g. of 2-3.15 mm) that run generally horizontally along the length of the fence 112. The fence 112 further comprises four wire picket groups 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d spaced from one another. Each of the four picket groups 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d comprises a plurality of regularly spaced transverse picket wires 118 (e.g. of 2-3.15 mm)that extend generally vertically from the lowermost longitudinal wire 114 to the uppermost longitudinal wire 114. Although not apparent from the figure, the horizontal wires 114 and vertical picket wires 118 are secured to one another at their junctions by way of wire knots (i.e. wrapped around the horizontal wires 114 and vertical picket wires 118 at their intersections).

The spacing between the picket groups 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d is larger than the regular spacing between the pickets 118 within the picket groups 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d. This arrangement essentially provides gaps 120a, 120b, 120c (i.e. the picket group spacings) in the regular spacing 122 of the vertical picket wires 118. In particular these gaps 120a, 120b, 120c are formed in the fence 112 where a vertical picket wire 118 has been omitted (i.e. so as to disrupt the regular spacing 122 of the picket wires 118). As a result, the gaps 120a, 120b, 120c are approximately twice as large as the regular spacing 122 between the pickets 118. For example, the regular picket spacing 122 may be approximately 15 cm, whilst the gaps 120a, 120b, 120c may be 30 cm.

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

As is apparent from the figure, the provision of gaps 120a, 120b, 120c (i.e. the spaces between the picket groups), facilitates attachment of the fence 112 to the posts 112. The posts 110 are spaced so as to coincide with two of the gaps 120a, 120c in the fence 112 (and a further gap 120b is positioned generally centrally between the posts 110). The provision of gaps 120a, 120b, 120c increases the margin of error in regards to acceptable post 110 placement (i.e. ensuring that a post 110 does not coincide with a vertical picket 118). That is an installer of the fence assembly 100 is provided with more flexibility in regards to fence post 110 placement. This may be advantageous, for example, where the terrain (into which the fence posts are being installed) does not allow for accurate and/or regular post placement.

The fence 110 further comprises a longitudinal barbed wire 124. The barbed wire 124 comprises barb groups 126 spaced from one another and each barb group 126 comprises a plurality of regularly spaced barbs 128. The barb group 126 arrangement is formed from the omission of barbs within the series of regularly spaced barbs 128. The locations of the omitted barbs (i.e. where gaps are formed in the barb 128 spacing), are aligned with the picket gaps 120a, 120b, 120c. Thus, the barbs 128 do not interfere with attachment of the barbed wire 124 to the posts 110 and do not come into contact with the posts 110 (which could cause damage to the posts 110 or barbed wire 124) upon tensioning of the barbed wire 124.

Figure 2 shows a portion of a prefabricated wire fence 312, in which the fence 312 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and described above.

The prefabricated wire fence 212 comprises five spaced longitudinal strands, in the form of wires 214 that run generally horizontally along the length of the fence 212. The fence 212 further comprises four wire picket groups 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d spaced from one another. Each of the four picket groups 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d comprises five regularly spaced transverse picket wires 218 that extend generally vertically from the lowermost longitudinal wire 214 to the uppermost longitudinal wire 214.

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

The illustrated embodiment comprises four gaps 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d (i.e. picket group spacings) formed between the picket groups 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d. Each of these gaps 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d is twice as large as the regular spacings 222 between the pickets 218.

This arrangement may be formed, for example, using a fence forming machine comprising an electrical drive for delivery of the picket wires 218, delivery of the knot wires (to secure the picket wires 218 to the longitudinal wires 214) and/or movement of tooling to form knots.

The machine may be programmed to produce the pattern as shown in the figure. That is, the machine may be programmed to omit every sixth picket 218. To form the pattern of picket groups 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d and gaps 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d shown.

A further pattern of picket groups 316a, 316b, 316c, 316d and gaps 320a, 320b, 320c is shown in Figure 3. This portion of fence 312 comprises two different types of gap 320a, 320b, 320c. The first type of gap 320a, 320c is formed of two consecutive omitted pickets. The second type of gap 320b is formed of a single omitted picket.

Thus, moving from left to right, the portion of fence 312 comprises a first picket group 316a of two picket 318, a first gap 320a of two omitted pickets, a second picket group 316b of eight pickets 318, a second gap 320b of a single omitted picket, a third picket group 320b of eight pickets 318, a third gap 320c of two omitted pickets, and a fourth picket group 316d of four pickets.

This pattern of picket groups 316a, 316b, 316c, 316d and gaps 320a, 320b, 320c may be repeated continuously for the length of the fence (i.e. of which the fence portion 312 forms part of). The formation of such a pattern may be facilitated by a programmed automated fencing machine.

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17905201_1 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

For example various patterns of omitted pickets or picket groups may be used depending on the requirements of the fence. This may be determined, for example, by post spacing or the gauge of the wire used to form the fence.

Although one method of attaching a wire fence to a post is to locate the longitudinal wires in recesses of the post, other method may be used. For example, clip or tie devices may be used to attach the fence to a post.

The barbs may have a different pattern of omitted barbs and barb groups to the pickets.

The pickets do not need to be vertical and straight. For example, the pickets may have a zigzag type shape, or may be curved.

The pickets may not be wire pickets. The pickets could be plastic e.g. for insulation purposes.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the prefabricated wire fence and its method of manufacture, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

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17905201_1(GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a prefabricated wire fence, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of spaced longitudinal strands; and

attaching regularly spaced transverse pickets to the longitudinal strands,

wherein the step of attaching the pickets comprises omitting one or more pickets, the omitted pickets selected so as to form picket gaps along the fence according to a desired post spacing when the prefabricated wire fence is in use.

2. A method as claimed in claim wherein a plurality of pickets are omitted so as to form a plurality of gaps in the regular spacing of the pickets.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein two or more consecutive pickets are omitted between groups of regularly spaced pickets.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the gaps are spaced so as to follow a repeating pattern along the length of the fence.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the gaps are evenly spaced along the fence.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the step of attaching the pickets to the longitudinal strands comprises securing knots at the junctions of the pickets and the longitudinal strands.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fence is formed using a fence forming machine comprising an electrical drive for delivery of the picket wires, delivery of the knot wires and/or movement of tooling to form knots.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of programming the machine to omit pickets in a predetermined pattern according to the desired post spacing.

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179052011 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims I to 8 further comprising the step of forming a longitudinal barbed wire by attaching regularly spaced barbs to a longitudinal strand, wherein the step comprises omitting one or more barbs.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein omitted barbs are selected such that the gaps formed in the regular spacing of barbs, by the omitted barbs, align with gaps formed by the omitted pickets in the regular spacing of pickets.

11. A prefabricated wire fence of the type that comprises longitudinal strands and regularly spaced transverse pickets, the prefabricated wire fence being manufactured according to a method as defined in any one of claims I to 10.

12. A fence assembly comprising a plurality of spaced posts and a fence as defined claim 11 to be attached to the posts.

13. A fence assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the omitted pickets are aligned with the fence posts.

14. A fence assembly as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the posts are of the type that comprise recesses in a flange thereof for receipt of longitudinal wires of the fence.

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179052011 (GHMatters) P100658.AU.1