AU2019100904A4

AU2019100904A4 - Fence Strainer Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2019100904A4
Application number: AU2019100904A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jerry Trevor Sivewright
Original assignee: SOUTHERN WIRE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SOUTHERN WIRE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-15
Filing date: 2019-08-15
Publication date: 2019-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-15

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fence strainer assembly, the fence strainer assembly comprising: a strainer post comprising at least one recess; and a strut having a head that adapted to engage with the strainer post, wherein the head comprises a projection that is adapted to be locatable in the recess a a,

Description

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fence strainer assembly, the fence strainer assembly comprising: a strainer post comprising at least one recess; and a strut having a head that adapted to engage with the strainer post, wherein the head comprises a projection that is adapted to be locatable in the recess /4

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Figure 1

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Fence Strainer Assembly

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a fence strainer assembly. More specifically, the fence strainer assembly of the present invention is adapted to allow for expedient set up.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Fencing systems typically comprise a series offence posts with fence wire strung up under tension between them. This tension in the fence wire exerts a lateral force on the fence posts, particularly those at the end of a line of posts. To prevent any sagging of the posts, a fence strainer is installed at each end or corner of a line of posts. In their most simple form, fence strainers comprise a large diameter post that is driven into the ground to support the weight of the fence and resist lateral forces. To provide additional support, a strut may be installed between the post and the ground to provide further support to the upright. The lower end of the strut is then driven into the ground.

[0004] Fence strainers are typically constructed from wooden posts. A notch is the upright post is chiseled out and the tapered end of the strut is wedged in. The preparation of the notch is typically completed by hand and is very time consuming. The upright post and the strut may alternatively be contrasted from metal. Where the upright post and strut are constructed from metal, a bracket is usually fastened to the upright post. The strut is then inserted into the bracket and is fastened in place with a bolt. Whilst this process is quicker than that of cutting out notches, it still requires the fastening of the bracket and struts. The necessity for brackets and bolts also means additional components are needed for the installation process.

2019100904 15 Aug 2019 [0005] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fence strainer assembly, the fence strainer assembly comprising:

a strainer post comprising at least one recess; and a strut having a head that adapted to engage with the strainer post, wherein the head comprises a projection that is adapted to be locatable in the recess.

[0007] Preferably, the location of the projection in the recess will fasten the strut to the strainer post. More preferably, the projection and the recess are fastened by a twist lock mechanism.

[0008] In one form of the present invention, the projection is only locatable in the recess when the strut is in an engagement orientation. Preferably, the strut may be rotated to a locking orientation once the projection has been received by the recess. More preferably, the projection is unable to be removed from the recess when the strut is in the locking orientation.

[0009] In one form of the present invention, the projection comprises a stem and a crosspiece. Preferably, the crosspiece is located at the distal end of the projection. More preferably, the crosspiece has a larger diameter than the stem.

[0010] In a preferred form of the present invention, the projection is substantially Tshaped.

[0011] In one form of the present invention, the recess is elongate. Preferably, the recess is elongate in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the strainer post.

2019100904 15 Aug 2019 [0012] Where the projection comprises a stem and a cross piece, the elongate length of the recess is larger than the diameter of the crosspiece. Preferably, the width of the recess is larger than the diameter of the stem and smaller than the diameter of the crosspiece. In this manner, the strut may be orientated to align the crosspiece with the recess, allowing for both the crosspiece and stem to be locatable in the recess. The strut may then be rotated to an orientation where the crosspiece and elongate axis of the recess are not aligned, preventing removal of the projection from the recess.

[0013] In one form of the present invention, the strut has a base end. In one form of the present invention, the base end is anchored to the ground.

[0014] In one form of the present invention, the fence strainer assembly further comprises a ground pad that engages with the base end of the strut. Preferably, the ground pad comprises a base plate. More preferably, the ground pad comprises a protrusion that engages with the base end of the strut.

[0015] In one form of the present invention, the base plate is provided with one or more securement apertures. Preferably, the securement apertures are adapted to receive pins to fix the position of the ground pad to the ground. In one form of the present invention, the securement apertures are substantially Ύ-shaped”. The inventor shave found that the Ύ-shaped” securement apertures permit the use of standard stakes as the pins.

[0016] In one form of the present invention, the fence strainer assembly further comprises a connector that fastens the ground pad to the strainer post. Preferably, the connector is provided in the form of a rod. More preferably, the rod is secured to the upright post at its lower end. Still preferably, the rod is secured to the protrusion of the ground pad.

[0017] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for the erection of the fence strainer assembly described above, the method comprising the steps of:

installing the strainer post in the ground;

2019100904 15 Aug 2019 inserting the projection into the recess; and rotating the strut into a locking orientation.

[0018] In one form of the present invention, the method further comprises the steps of positioning a ground pad on the ground and fastening the base end of the strut to ground pad. Preferably, ground pad is secured to the ground by inserting pins into the securing apertures.

[0019] In one form of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of fastening the ground pad to the strainer post by way of the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a fence strainer assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as installed;

Figure 2 is a detailed view of the upper end of the strut of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of strainer post of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the ground pad of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the engagement of the strut and strainer post when the strut is an engagement orientation; and

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the engagement of the strut and strainer post when the strut is in a locking orientation.

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DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0021] In Figures 1-6, there is shown a fence strainer assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fence strainer assembly 10 of the present invention broadly comprises a strainer post 12 which is supported by a strut 14. The strainer post 12 is installed into the ground 16 in an upright position. An upper end 18 of the strut 14 engages with the strainer post 12. The fence strainer assembly 10 further comprises a ground pad 20 which is disposed on top of the ground 16. A lower end 22 of the strut 14 engages with the ground pad 20. A connector, for example a tensioning rod 24 is used to secure the ground pad 20 to the strainer post 12.

[0022] The fence strainer assembly 10 of the present invention is intended for use as an end assembly in fence. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, end assemblies are used to take the tension of the wire and to resist any fence movement. The fence wire may be directly wound around the strainer post 12 or the strainer post 12 may be disposed directly next to and fixed to a fence post to provide additional support. The fence wire will impart a lateral force onto the strainer post 12. This lateral movement is resisted by the strut 14, which will brace the strainer post 12. Whilst the lower end 22 of the strut 14 may be driven directly into the ground, the fence strainer assembly 10 shown the figures utilises a ground pad 20 to support the lower end 22 of the strut 14 on top of the ground 18. The strut 14 will translate the lateral forces from the strainer post 12, through the ground pad 20 (if installed) and to ground 18.

[0023] The strut 14 is preferably an elongate member that may be, for example, cylindrical, square or rectangular. It is preferred that the strut 14 is hollow to reduce weight and cost. The strut 14 is constructed from any rigid material that is suited to support the force exerted on it by the strainer post 12, such as mild steel or aluminium. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the strut 14 is constructed from a hollow cylindrical tube. The upper end 18 of the strut 14 terminates at a head 26 which is adapted to engage with the strainer post 12 to fasten the strut 14 to the strainer post 12. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the head 26 is defined by the squashing of the upper end 18 of the hollow strut 14. A projection 28 is formed at the distal end of the head 26 at a substantially central location. The strainer post 12 is provided with one or more recesses 30 that are adapted to receive the projection 28. The location of the projection 28 in any one of these recesses 30 will fasten the strut 14 to the strainer post

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12. It is envisaged that a number of recesses 30 may be pre-formed on the strainer post 12 to provide multiple locations at which a strut 14 may be fastened to the strainer post 12.

[0024] To simplify and expedite the fastening of the strut 14 to the strainer post 12 a twist lock arrangement is preferably employed. Such an arrangement will preferably only enable the projection 28 to be located into the recess 30 when the strut 14 is positioned in a particular engagement orientation. Once located within the recess 30, the orientation of the strut 14 may be rotated to a locking orientation whereby the projection 28 cannot be removed from the recess 30. If the strut 14 needs to be unfastened from the strainer post 12, then the projection 28 will again need to be rotated to a particular orientation which permits the removal of the projection 28 from the recess 30. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the twist lock arrangement is provided by the shape of projection 28 and the recess 30. As best seen in Figure 3, the recesses 30 are elongate about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strainer post 12. The recess 30 extends a length denoted by L and has a width denoted by W. As best seen in Figure 2, the projection 28 comprises a stem 32 and a crosspiece 34, with the crosspiece 34 being provided at the distal end of the projection 28. In order to enable to twist lock assembly to function, the width of the crosspiece 34 needs to be smaller than length L but larger than width W. The width of the stem 32 needs to be smaller than width W. As shown in Figure 5, the strut 14 may be orientated to substantially align the crosspiece 34 with the elongate axis of the recess 30, allowing for both the crosspiece 34 and stem 32 to be received by the recess 30. As shown in Figure 6, the strut 14 may then be rotated approximately 90° to a locking orientation where the crosspiece 34 is not aligned with the elongate axis of the recess 30, preventing removal of the projection 28 from the recess 30. The inventors have found that the provision of the twist lock arrangement allows for the strut 14 to be fastened to the strainer post 12 without the need of additional brackets supported on the strainer posts 12. Furthermore, no external fasteners, such as bolt or pins, are required to fasten the strut 14 to the strainer post 12. This has been found to expedite and simplify the fastening of the strut 14 to the strainer post 12.

[0025] As discussed above, the ground pad 20 is used to support the lower end 22 of the strut 14 on the ground. As best seen in Figure 4, the ground pad 20 comprises a rectangular base plate 36 which is has a generally flat underside that is adapted to rest

2019100904 15 Aug 2019 on the ground 16. The base plate 36 of the ground pad 20 is widened to optimise the transfer of weight from the lower end 22 of the strut 14 to the ground 16. In a preferred embodiment, feet 38 are provided on the underside of the base plate 36. The feet 38 position the ground pad 20 on the ground and dig into the ground to help hold the ground pad 20 in position.

[0026] An engagement means 40 is provide on the ground pad 20 to engage with the strut 14. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the engagement means 40 comprises a protrusion 42 that is provided at an approximate center of the base plate 36. The protrusion 42 is preferably integrally formed with the base plate 36. The protrusion 42 is adapted to support the lower end 22 of the strut 14. The engagement of the lower end 22 of the strut 14 and the protrusion 42 will largely depend on the strut 14 used. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the strut 14 is hollow and so the protrusion 42 is shaped so as to locate within the hollow strut 14. In a highly preferred form of the present invention, only a portion 44 of the protrusion 42 is locatable within the strut 14. As best seen in Figure 4, this portion 44 is narrower than the remainder of the protrusion 42, thereby providing shoulders 46 on which the strut 14 may rest. This has been found to provide a better translation of force between the strut 14 and the ground pad 20. The portion 44 extends out of the base plate 36 at an angle that is substantially parallel to the strut 14. This assists the engagement of the strut 14 and the protrusion 42. It is envisaged that the strut 14 and the protrusion 42 could alternatively be fastened together with a bolt or pin. In this embodiment, the protrusion 42 would likely take the form of a bracket that received the strut 14. The bolt or pin may then be passed through both the strut 14 and the protrusion 42.

[0027] A connector is used to secure the ground pad 20 to the strainer post 12. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the connector is provided in the form of a threaded tension rod 24 that may be secures to both the ground pad 20 and the strainer post 12 using nuts. The tension rod 24 will pass through the lower end 22 of the strainer post 12. The protrusion 42 of the ground pad 20 is preferably provided with an attachment aperture through which the tension rod 24 may be passed and secured with a nut 48. As the tension rod 24 is threaded, the distance between the ground pad 20 and the strainer post 12 can be varied by simply tightening the nut 48. One the connector has been tightened, the strainer post 12, strut 14 and ground pad 20 are all secured and fastened to one another. It is envisaged that the tension rod 24 need not be threaded

2019100904 15 Aug 2019 along its entire length. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the connector may be fastened to the ground pad 20 at alternative locations [0028] The base plate 36 may also be provided with one or more securement apertures 50. The securement apertures 50 provide a location through which pin (not shown) may be passed through the base plate 36 and into the ground 16 to secure the ground pad 20 in place. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the securement apertures 50 have a generally “Y-shaped” profile. This has been found to be particularly advantageous as common star pickets can be used as the pins.

[0029] The ground pad 20 is preferably constructed from a single piece of steel sheet. The protrusion 42 and the securement apertures 50 are preferably then punched out of the steel sheet. It is envisaged that the ground pad 20 may also be molded from plastic or other suitable materials.

[0030] In use, the strainer post 12 is initially driven into the ground 16. The strut 14 may then be fastened to the strainer post 12 by positioning the strut 14 in an orientation where crosspiece 34 is aligned with the elongate axis of the recess 30, allowing for both the crosspiece 34 and stem 32 to be received by the recess 30. The strut 14 is then rotated approximately 90° to an orientation where the crosspiece 34 not aligned with the elongate axis of the recess 30, locking the projection 28 within the recess 30. The ground pad 20 is then positioned beneath the strut 14 and the protrusion 42 is located within the lower end 22 of the strut 14. The connector is then passed through the ground pad 20 and the lower end 22 of the strainer post 12 and secured with nuts. The nuts are tightened to secure the fence strainer assembly 10 together. If required, pins can be passed through the securement apertures 50 of the ground pad 20 to secure the ground pad 20 in place.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, formulations and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

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Claims

1. A fence strainer assembly, the fence strainer assembly comprising:

2. A fence strainer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projection and the recess are fastened by a twist lock mechanism.

3. A fence strainer assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection comprises a stem and a crosspiece.

4. A fence strainer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fence strainer assembly further comprises a ground pad that engages with the base end of the strut, the ground pad comprising one or more securement apertures

5. A fence strainer assembly according to claim 4, wherein the one or more securement apertures have a substantially Ύ-shaped” profile.

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Figure 1

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Figure 3

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Figure 4