AU2018200173A1 - Electric fence insulator - Google Patents

Abstract

R~km~laerwoen\R~onl\DC\KM \166621_1.oex9/01/2018 An electric fence insulator (1), adapted to be installed in a fence post (10) and house a fence wire (11) therein. The insulator (11) includes a substantially elongate body (2), formed at least partly of electrically insulative material, said body (2) adapted to be received in a passageway provided in said fence post (10), an enlarged portion (3) extending outwardly of said elongate body (2), said enlarged portion (3) adapted to abut said fence post (10) at least partly about said passageway so as to prevent further movement of said elongate body (2) therethrough, a bore (4) extending longitudinally between the ends of said elongate body (2), adapted to house said fence wire (11) therein, and, an elongate slit (7) depending from said bore (4) to an outer surface (8) of said body (2), adapted to install said fence wire (11) into said longitudinal bore (4) of said body (2). coc (00 ((0 (K F------ jj- ---- I V'j

Description

ELECTRIC FENCE INSULATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric fence insulator, and in particular, to an electric fence insulator which is adapted to be installed on or in a fence post, and, support an electrical fence wire.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0003] Electric fences are commonly known to be used in agricultural or other animal control situations as a barrier to deter animals from crossing a boundary, in security sensitive installations, and the like. Electric fences are designed to provide an electric shock to an animal or person, by creating an electric circuit when touched by the person or animal. A power energizer typically releases an electric pulse along a wire, whilst another terminal is connected to an earth rod. A person or animal touching both the wire and the earth during a pulse will complete an electrical circuit to thereby conduct the pulse, which has the effect of feeling an electric shock.

[0004] Fence posts are commonly formed of metal material, which of course is electrically conductive. As such, the electrified fence wire must be insulated from the fence post. Insulators are known to be used in such situations, and take a variety of forms. Typically, insulators are secured externally to the fence post and protrude therefrom. This causes havoc in many situations. They are prone to be easily bumped, knocked, or broken by animals, persons or trees falling.

[0005] When damage occurs to a fence, for example, if a single fence post is damaged or destroyed by an animal, fallen tree, or the like, the entire fence wire is often required to be restrung, particularly on electric fences, as replacement of a single post and the insulators associated therewith, is not practical. Such process is labour intensive and time consuming, and, typically results in wastage of fence wire due to the need for replacement thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide an electric fence insulator which is adapted to be installed in a fence post and house a fence wire therein which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] In one broad form, the present invention provides an electric fence insulator, adapted to be installed in a fence post and house a fence wire therein, said insulator including: a substantially elongate body, formed at least partly of electrically insulative material, said body adapted to be received in a passageway provided in said fence post; an enlarged portion extending outwardly of said elongate body, said enlarged portion adapted to abut said fence post at least partly about said passageway so as to prevent further movement of said elongate body therethrough; a bore extending longitudinally between the ends of said elongate body, adapted to house said fence wire therein; and, an elongate slit depending from said bore to an outer surface of said body, adapted to install said fence wire into said longitudinal bore of said body.

[0008] Preferably, said insulator body is formed of resilient material, such as rubber.

[0009] Also preferably, said insulator is of unitary construction.

[0010] Preferably, said elongate body is of either symmetrical or non-symmetrical shape in cross-section.

[0011] Also preferably, said enlarged portion of said body is in the form of an enlarged end on one end of said elongate body.

[0012] Preferably, said longitudinal bore extends substantially centrally in said elongate body.

[0013] Also preferably, said elongate slit is formed such that it has an opening along the outer surface of said body which is dimensioned so as to be adapted to readily receive a fence wire therein.

[0014] Preferably, said insulator is adapted to be partially compressed for insertion into said passageway of said fence post.

[0015] Also preferably, the electric fence insulator further includes a retainer, adapted to retain said insulator in a retained position in said passageways, such that said insulator is substantially locked into a retained position.

[0016] Preferably, said insulator is releasably or permanently locked into said retained position.

[0017] Also preferably, said retainer is formed as a shaped cutout adapted to engage with a correspondingly shaped locking member associated with said fence post.

[0018] Preferably, said retainer is formed as a shaped cutout adapted to engage with a locking rod associated with said fence post.

[0019] Also preferably, a first end of said elongate body is of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape, and, said enlarged portion is provided on a second end of said elongate body.

[0020] Preferably, said first end of said elongate body is of pointed shape.

[0021] In a further broad form, the present invention provides an electric fence assembly, including: a plurality of fence posts, each fence post including at least one passageway therethrough; at least one electric fence insulator as hereinbefore described installed in each passageway of each fence post; and a fence wire housed in each insulator.

[0022] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a fence post, adapted to receive the electric fence insulator as hereinbefore described.

[0023] In yet a further broad form, the present invention provides a method of installing an electric fence, including the steps of: installing a plurality of fence posts in spaced apart configuration in a substrate surface, each fence post including at least one passageway therethrough; inserting at least one insulator, as hereinbefore described, in each fence post passageway; and, inserting a fence wire between adjacently positioned insulators.

[0024] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electric fence insulator, the method including any one or more of: moulding the insulator; and, 3D printing the insulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0026] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the electric fence insulator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0027] Fig. 2 illustrates an alternative perspective view looking from the underside of the insulator; [0028] Fig. 3 illustrates yet a further perspective view from the opposed side of the insulator; [0029] Fig. 4 shows a side elevational view of the insulator device of Figs. 1, 2 and 3; [0030] Fig. 5 shows a top or bottom view of the insulator device of Figs. 1, 2 and 3; [0031] Fig. 6 shows the opposed side view to that of Fig. 4 of the insulator device; [0032] Fig. 7 illustrates how the insulator device of Figs. 1 to 6 may be installed in a fence post, Fig. 7 shown in isometric view thereof; [0033] Fig. 8 shows a top view of the insulator device installed in a fence post; [0034] Fig. 9 shows a fence post having a pair of insulators and fence wires therein; [0035] Fig. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the fence post of Fig. 9; and [0036] Fig. 11 shows an enlarged view of detail C of Fig. 10, being the top of the fence post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to identify like features, except where expressly otherwise indicated.

[0038] As shown in the drawings, an electric fence insulator, generally designated by the numeral 1, is adapted to be installed in a fence post 10 and house a fence wire 11 therein.

[0039] The insulator, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, preferably has a substantially elongate body 2. The body 2 may be at least partly formed of electrically insulative material. This facilitates electrically isolating the fence post 10 from the electrified wire 11.

[0040] The elongate body 2 preferably has an enlarged portion 3 on one end thereof. This enlarged portion 3 may be in the form of one or more protrusions extending part way or completely about the elongate body 2, or, as shown in the drawings, may be formed such that the entire end of the body 2 is of enlarged cross-sectional area relative to the remainder of the body 2. This shape allows the smaller dimensioned portion of the body 2 to be inserted in a passageway 12 provided within a fence post 10.

[0041] The enlarged portion 3 extends outwardly of the elongate body 2 so that, as the insulator is installed in a passageway of a fence post, the enlarged portion 3 abuts the fence post 10 at least partly around the periphery of the passageway 12 formed in the fence post 10, so as to thereafter prevent further movement of the elongate body 2 through the passageway 12.

[0042] The insulator 1 includes a bore 4 extending longitudinally between the ends 5 and 6 of the elongate body 2. The bore 4 or passageway is adapted to house a fence wire 11 therein.

[0043] The body 2 further includes an elongate slit 7 which extends outwards from the bore 4 to the outer surface 8 of the insulator 1, as perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The slit 7 is adapted to receive a fence wire 11 therein, such that it can be fed therethrough into its desired position, housed within the bore 4 of the insulator. The slit 7 is shown to be shaped such that its opening is wide enough for a fence wire to be easily inserted therein.

[0044] The electric fence insulator 1 is preferably formed of resilient material, such as rubber or plastics, and, is preferably of unitary construction. It will however be appreciated that the entire insulator 1 need not be formed of such material to provide appropriate insulative properties between the fence wire 11 and the fence post 10. For example, just the inner portion of the body 2, surrounding the bore 4, could be formed of electrically insulative material, such as rubber, and, the remainder of the body 2 could be formed of a metal or other non-insulative material.

[0045] By making the insulator 1 of resilient material, such as rubber, and, having a wedged-shaped slit 7 as shown in the drawings, the insulator may be compressed when being inserted into the passageway 12 of the fence post 10. After insertion, the insulator "expands" to its usual size, further assisting in its retention in the passageway 12.

[0046] The illustrated embodiment shows the insulator 1 of a particular shape which is non-symmetrical in cross-section. It will however be understood by persons skilled in the art that a variety of shapes may be embodied. As would be appreciated, a non-symmetrical shape would provide an advantage that the body would not move/rotate when installed, however, this may be not be problematic in some situations, and therefore a symmetrically shaped body, for example a body of substantially cylindrical shape, could be alternatively utilized.

[0047] The longitudinal bore 4 is shown in the illustrated embodiment to be substantially centrally provided in the body 2. It will however be appreciated that this is also not strictly necessary. That is, the bore 4 could alternatively be provided at any position within the elongate body and still function appropriately, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art.

[0048] Figs. 7 to 11 show the electric fence insulator 1 installed within a fence post 10. As perhaps best illustrated in Fig. 11, each fence post 10 incorporates at least one, but preferably, a plurality of passageways 12 therethrough, provided spaced apart near the top of the fence post 10. The illustrated embodiment, shown in Figs. 7 and 8 provides passageways 12 extending angularly adjacent one corner 13 of the fence post 11. That is, the fence post as shown in Fig. 8 is formed to be of substantially square cross-section having sides 14 and having rounded corners 13 therebetween. The passageway 12 is formed adjacent one corner of the post, as perhaps best shown in Fig. 8, by cutting an orifice in each side wall of the post. Passageways can, of course, be provided at any desired position or angle in a fence post.

[0049] As will be understood, the insulator 1 may be installed into position during assembly or construction of a fence. However, in the event that a fence post is required to be replaced or repaired, for example if it is broken by an animal, a fallen tree, or the like, the fence post may be readily replaced without re-wiring. That is, the insulator of the present invention enables a fence post in a fence to be replaced, the wire 11 to be inserted into the slit 7 and moved into position in the bore 4, and then, the insulator device slid into position through the passageway 12 formed in the fence post 10.

[0050] The insulator 1 may be retained in position in the passageway 12 by insertion of a locking member, such as, but not limited to, a retainer 15 which then holds the insulator 1 in position in the passageway of the post 10. This retainer 15 may be in the form of a retaining rod 15 installed from the top open end of the fence post 10 to extend substantially downwards between the corner 13 of the fence post 10 and the insulator 1, fitting within the shaped cutout 16 of the insulator, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Alternate forms of retaining means will be readily appreciated to effectively "lock" the insulator 1 in the passageway.

[0051] An electric fence assembly may therefore be formed by firstly installing a plurality of fence posts 10 in spaced apart position in a substrate surface. Each fence post 10 includes at least one passageway 12 already formed therein. The fence wire 11 may then be strung between the spaced-apart fence posts 10 and then, insulators 1 are positioned on/around the fence wire by inserting the fence wire via the slit 7 and into the bore 4. Then, the insulator body 2 is slid along the fence wire 11, and inserted through a passageway 12 of the fence post 10 until the enlarged portion 3 abuts the portion of the post about the periphery or edge of the passageway to prevent further ingress/movement of the elongate body 2 through the passageway 12. The insulator 1 may then be locked in position by inserting the retaining rod from the upper portion of the open end of the fence post 10 and feeding it through the various cutouts 16.

[0052] As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the insulators 1 are prevented from thereafter falling out or be removed, unless the retaining rod 15 is firstly removed. Therefore, the insulators 1 are effectively locked into position.

[0053] It will be appreciated that if one fence post in a fence is destroyed by an animal or fallen tree, then a new fence post may be installed without having to completely rewire the fence. The replacement fence post is simply installed in the substrate surface at the desired location, and then the insulator is retrofitted over the already strung fence wire and inserted into the new fence post.

[0054] The electric fence insulator of the present invention may be manufactured in a variety of forms, including, but not limited to either moulding the insulator such as from resilient material, and/or, 3D printing the insulator from plastics, rubber or like material. It will be appreciated that other forms of manufacturing the insulator will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

[0055] The present invention has been hereinbefore described with reference to a particular embodiment. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of modifications may be envisaged to the insulator device of the present invention. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as broadly hereinbefore described.

Claims (18)

1. The claims defining the present invention are as follows:

   1. An electric fence insulator, adapted to be installed in a fence post and house a fence wire therein, said insulator including: a substantially elongate body, formed at least partly of electrically insulative material, said body adapted to be received in a passageway provided in said fence post; an enlarged portion extending outwardly of said elongate body, said enlarged portion adapted to abut said fence post at least partly about said passageway so as to prevent further movement of said elongate body therethrough; a bore extending longitudinally between the ends of said elongate body, adapted to house said fence wire therein; and, an elongate slit depending from said bore to an outer surface of said body, adapted to install said fence wire into said longitudinal bore of said body.
2. 2. An electric fence insulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulator body is formed of resilient material, such as rubber.
3. 3. An electric fence insulator as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said insulator is of unitary construction.
4. 4. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said elongate body is of either symmetrical or non-symmetrical shape in cross-section.
5. 5. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said enlarged portion of said body is in the form of an enlarged end on one end of said elongate body.
6. 6. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said longitudinal bore extends substantially centrally in said elongate body.
7. 7. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said elongate slit is formed such that it has an opening along the outer surface of said body which is dimensioned so as to be adapted to readily receive a fence wire therein.
8. 8. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said insulator is adapted to be partially compressed for insertion into said passageway of said fence post.
9. 9. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, further including a retainer, adapted to retain said insulator in a retained position in said passageway, such that said insulator is substantially locked into a retained position.
10. 10. An electric fence insulator as claimed in claim 9, wherein said insulator is releasably or permanently locked into said retained position.
11. 11. An electric fence insulator as claimed in claims 9 or 10, wherein said retainer is formed as a shaped cutout adapted to engage with a correspondingly shaped locking member associated with said fence post.
12. 12. An electric fence insulator as claimed in claim 11, wherein said retainer is formed as a shaped cutout adapted to engage with a locking rod associated with said fence post.
13. 13. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a first end of said elongate body is of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape, and, said enlarged portion is provided on a second end of said elongate body.
14. 14. An electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said first end of said elongate body is of pointed shape.
15. 15. An electric fence assembly, including: a plurality of fence posts, each fence post including at least one passageway therethrough; at least one electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 installed in each passageway of each fence post; and a fence wire housed in each insulator.
16. 16. A fence post, adapted to receive the electric fence insulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.
17. 17. A method of installing an electric fence, including the steps of: installing a plurality of fence posts in spaced apart configuration in a substrate surface, each fence post including at least one passageway therethrough; inserting at least one insulator, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, in each fence post passageway; and, inserting a fence wire between adjacently positioned insulators.
18. 18. A method of manufacturing the electric fence insulator, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, the method including any one or more of: moulding the insulator; and, 3D printing the insulator.