AU2016247034A1 - A fence post - Google Patents

Abstract

A roll formed fence post rolled from flat steel into a 'Y' shape in section with a circular rib for strength that runs the entire length at the base of the "Y".

Description

A FENCE POST Technical Field

The invention relates to a fence post and particularly to a fence post adapted to support longitudinal fence wires and to be used in a variety of situations similar to those in which current fence post waratah’s are used including the need for replacing or introducing steel posts for existing or new fences with a variety of spacings as required according to the required application.

Background Art

At present in the fencing industry a wide variety of fence posts are available such as the fence post known as a Waratah™ which is a “Y” section metal post. The existing posts typically have at intervals along their length holes through which fence wires are fed or to which fence wires are tied by tying wire. For fences requiring a large number or wires such as those for sheep or smaller animals it is a time consuming and therefore a costly exercise to install or create such a fence.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert and the applicant reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia, New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term ‘comprise’ shall have an inclusive meaning, ie that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term “comprised” or “comprising” is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

An object of the invention is to provide a fence post which in use is easily installed, saves time and reduces costs with increased life. A further object of the invention is to overcome the above identified problems and which at least offers consumers a useful alternative choice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a roll formed fence post rolled from flat steel into a Ύ’ shape in section with a circular rib for strength that runs the entire length at the base of the Ύ”.

The Ύ” shape can include inwardly or outwardly directed wings for added strength.

The flat steel is preferably galvanised and can have at any required and desired intervals along its length a plurality of slots cut through the circular rib into which slots fence wires can be retained by a vertical retaining wire inserted from above into the circular rib.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching fence wires to a roll formed Ύ” in cross section fence post the base of the “Y” section of which has a circular rib with slots at intervals along the length thereof, the method including the steps of; placing the fence post in an upright position either in the ground or alongside an existing wire fence; inserting a fence wire or wires in the slot or slots, inserting a vertical retaining wire into the circular rib to thereby retain the fence wire(s) to the fence post in the slots.

Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Description of the Drawings

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example offence post according to a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a section offence constructed from two fence posts of the type shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the fence post shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the fence post shown in Figures 1 and 3; Figure 5 is a top view or section through the fence post shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4;

Figure 6 is a top view or section through a second example offence post according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a top view or section through a third example of fence post according to the invention; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure 1 and showing an alternative method of fixing an upper end of a retaining wire to the top of a post.

Description of the Examples

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to a fence post manufactured as an economic galvanised fence post/batten/frame to supporting longitudinal wires for many farming purposes including for fruit growers. The fence post enabling customers to replace or introduce a steel post into existing fences or new fencing with different wire spacings according to the application. It is also envisaged that the fence post and the method of attachment can be used with fence netting.

In the examples in the different Figures of the drawings similar parts will be identified by the same numerals.

The first example of fence post generally indicated by arrow 1 is of rigid construction and is roll formed from flat galvanized steel coil into a Ύ’ shape in section as shown in Figure 2. The roll forming creates a circular rib 2 which provides strength that runs the entire length of the post. An advantage of this unique shape is that it creates the circular rib 2 to contain a vertical retaining wire 3 (Figure 1) that retains all longitudinal fence wires 4 within suitably spaced slots 5 formed in the circular rib 2. The shape in section also gives the centre section 6 a double thickness for added rigidity. A further advantage of the unit is that the customer can order the fence post with whatever spacing of slot 5 they require for an existing fence or new fence as required.

An electrical isolators can also be fitted to the post for controlling stock.

In use the Ύ shape (double thickness centre section 6) is cut with an arrow point 8 which displaces most small hard obstacles when being installed into the ground while still remaining vertical to the desired depth. This rigidity is assisted by the uniform wings 7 at either side of the centre rib 2. The uniform wings may be at an angle of 30 degrees.

The second example of post 1 shown in Figure 6 includes inwardly directed, in plan, wings 9 formed at the ends of the uniform wings 7. The provision of the wings 9 provides added rigidity to the post 1.

The third example of post 1 shown in Figure 7 includes outwardly directed, in plan, wings 10 formed at the ends of the uniform wings 7. The provision of the wings 10 also provide added rigidity to the post 1.

The second and third examples shown in Figures 6 and 7 are used in the same way as the first example and as shown in Figure 3 except that an alternative fixing means for the top of retaining wire 3 is shown. A further advantage is that during installation the post 1 can be driven into the ground in the final desired position and attached to an existing fence without cutting any of the longitudinal wiring or using clips that may fall off over time.

In use the existing wires are then retained with the vertical retaining wire 3 that runs vertically the full length inside the centre rib 2 of the post 1 as shown in Figure 1. An upper end of the retaining wire 3 can be held in position by a top wire fastener 11 tied off and engaged with a top hole 13 in the centre section 6.

An alternative method of fixing the retaining wire 3 to a post is shown in Figure 8. In this example the upper end of the central section 6 is provided with an angled cut away section 12 as shown. The provision of the cutaway allows the top end of the retaining wire 3 to be drawn down into the section 12 and twisted around upper wire 14 to form a pigtail shaped connection which hold the top of the retaining wire to the post as shown.

Furthermore a lighter gauge steel can be used in the manufacture, using the same profile and system, for fence battens/ garden stringers/fruit growers which do not need to be driven into the ground.

Where in the foregoing description particular mechanical integers are described it is envisaged that their mechanical equivalents can be substituted as if they were described herein.

Thus by this invention there is provided a fence post and its method of manufacture and use for a wide variety of farming or other uses.

Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims (6)

1. Claims

   1. A fence post roll formed from flat steel into a member Ύ’ shaped in section with a circular rib for strength that runs the entire length of the member at the base of the Ύ”.
2. 2. A fence post as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Ύ” shape of the member can include inwardly or outwardly directed wings for added strength.
3. 3. A fence post as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flat steel is galvanised and has at required and desired intervals along its length a plurality of slots cut through the circular rib into which slots a fence wire or wires can be retained by a vertical retaining wire inserted from above into the circular rib.
4. 4. A fence post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. 5. A method of attaching fence wires to a roll formed “Y” in cross section fence post as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base of the Ύ” section of has the circular rib with slots at intervals along the length thereof, the method including the steps of; a. placing the fence post in an upright position either in the ground or alongside an existing wire fence; b. inserting a fence wire or wires in the slot or slots, c. inserting a vertical retaining wire into the circular rib to thereby retain the fence wire(s) to the fence post in the slots.
6. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.