AU2020101654A4

AU2020101654A4 - A fence post

Info

Publication number: AU2020101654A4
Application number: AU2020101654A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Lawson
Original assignee: Concrete Posts And Pickets Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Concrete Posts And Pickets Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-26
Filing date: 2020-08-04
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-04

Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a fence post including a body having a triangular cross-sectional shape. Advantageously, the triangular cross sectional shape provides for strength of the fence post. The body may include concrete having a greater lifespan than star pickets or wooden posts, typically up to 100 years, and being largely resistant to burning in bushfires, corrosion in sulphate soils, rotting in wet climates or rusting in coastal regions. The fence post may be of comparable initial cost to star picket and wooden equivalents, but prove to be far more economical over time owing to the increased lifespan. Il4 0( L..L 0 0 I- C-4 cu /C OU m OM DI 0 0C

Description

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AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990

INNOVATION SPECIFICATION A FENCE POST

The following statement is a full description of this invention:

A FENCE POST TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a fence post and a method for manufacturing a fence post.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] A star picket is a type of pointed metal fence post, consisting of three strips of metal at angles to each other. Wooden fence posts are also known. Although initially cost effective, these types of posts have a limited life-spans of typically 7 to 10 years owing to corrosion and rot.

[0004] The preferred embodiment provides a fence post with an improved lifespan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence post including: a body having a triangular cross-sectional shape.

[0006] Advantageously, the triangular cross-sectional shape may provide for strength of the fence post.

[0007] The body may include concrete having a greater lifespan than star pickets or wooden posts, typically up to 100 years, and being largely resistant to burning in bushfires, corrosion in sulphate soils, rotting in wet climates or rusting in coastal regions. The fence post may be of comparable initial cost to star picket and wooden equivalents, but prove to be far more economical over time owing to the increased lifespan.

[0008] The body may be molded or extruded. The concrete may include Glassfibre reinforced concrete (GFRC). The concrete may include any one of S class cement, N class cement or fly ash.

[0009] The body may be solid. The body may have an endless and uniform wall thickness. The body may define one or more notches for receiving wire. The notches may be along a corner of the body. The notches may be spaced equidistant, or arranged in sets of equidistant spacing. The notches may be located between 70mm and 150mm apart.

[00010] The fence post may further include one or more internal reinforcements. The reinforcements may include rebar. The reinforcements may include wire stressing cables, preferably of between 2.5mm to 8mm diameter. The wire stressing cables may include a singe cable in the centre of the body. The wire stressing cables may include a cable in each corner of the body.

[00011] The triangular-shape may be an equilateral triangular-shape. The body may have three panels, each preferably 50mm, 75mm, 100mm or 125mm wide. The body may be between six foot and nine foot long, preferably between 6'4" and 8'6".

[00012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a fence post, the method involving: forming a body having a triangular cross-sectional shape.

[00013] Prior to forming, the method may involves fabricating a mould from either steel or plastic. The method may further involve applying either water based or oil based deboning agent to the mould. The method may further involve running one or more reinforcement/stressing cables through the mould.

[00014] The step of forming may involve filling the mould with concrete. The step of forming may involve using concrete of strength 30 to 50 MPa, and preferably 32, 40 or MPa. The step of forming may involve may involve compacting the concrete. The step of forming may involve finishing exposed concrete. The step of forming may involve allowing the concrete to cure.

[00015] The method may involve creating notches in the body, either during forming using intents in a mold or post forming after extrusion (e.g. using a trailing roller).

[00016] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00017] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00018] Figure 1a is a side view of a fence post in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00019] Figure 1b is a side view of a fence post in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00020] Figure 1c is a plan view of the fence post of Fig. 1a;

[00021] Figure 1d is a plan view of the fence post of Fig. 1c with a single cable reinforcement;

[00022] Figure 1e is a plan view of the fence post of Fig. 1c with triple cable reinforcement; and

[00023] Figure 1f is a perspective view of the fence post of Fig. 1a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a fence post 100 as shown in Figure 1. As can best be seen in Fig. 1c, the post 100 includes a solid body 102 having a triangular cross-sectional shape. Advantageously, the triangular cross-sectional shape provides for strength of the fence post 100.

[00025] The body 102 includes concrete having a greater lifespan than star pickets or wooden posts, and typically up to 100 years. The concrete is largely resistant to burning in bushfires, corrosion in sulphate soils, rotting in wet climates or rusting in coastal regions. The fence post 100 is of comparable initial cost to star picket and wooden equivalents, but proves to be far more economical over time owing to the increased lifespan. The solid body 102 has an endless and uniform wall thickness, and can be molded or extruded as explained in detail below. The concrete can include Glassfibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), S class cement, N class cement or fly ash (high or low content).

[00026] The body 102 also defines notches 104 for receiving barbed wire. The notches 104 are spaced along a corner of the body 102. The notches 104 can be spaced equidistant along the body as shown in Fig. 1b, or arranged in sets of equidistant spacing and shown in Fig. 1a. The notches 104 are spaced between 70mm and 150mm apart.

[00027] As shown in Fig. 1c, the triangular-shape is an equilateral triangular-shape. The body 102 has three flat panels, each preferably 50mm, 75mm, 100mm or 125mm wide. The body 102 be between six foot and nine foot long, preferably between 6'4" and 8'6" as shown in Figs. 1a and 1b respectively.

[00028] As shown in Figures 1d and 1e, the fence post 100 further includes one or more internal reinforcements 106. The reinforcements 106 include wire stressing cables, preferably of between 2.5mm to 8mm diameter, or rebar. The reinforcements 106 can include a singe cable in the centre of the body 102 (Fig. 1d) or a cable in each corner of the body 102 (Fig. 1e).

[00029] Methods for manufacturing a fence post 100 include a standard process, GFRC process and Extrusion process as indicated below:

[00030] Standard Process

[00031] The standard process involves fabricating a mould from either steel or plastic, and setting up a frame suitable strong enough to withstand the pressure of multiple cable pre-tensioning.

[00032] Next, the method further involves applying either water based or oil based deboning agent to the mould, either manually or with a sprayer.

[00033] Next, the method involves running one or more pre-stress reinforcement wire cables 106 through the mould, and tensioning to within the wire manufacturers specification.

[00034] Next, the body 102 having a triangular cross-sectional shape is formed, with internal mould protrusions forming the notches 104. The step of forming involves filling the mould with concrete. The concrete strength will be around 30 to 50 MPa, and preferably 32, 40 or 50MPa which is suitable for either S or N class cement and high or low content fly ash. The concrete is manually or mechanically compacted to form a flushed finish of the exposed concrete.

[00035] Next, the concrete is allowed to cure. After curing the post 100 is removed from the mould and dressed or any remedial works completed. The date of batch is recorded, and the posts 100 are packed and stored ready for shipping.

[00036] GFRC Process

[00037] The GFRC process involves fabricating a mould from either steel or plastic, and setting up a frame suitable strong enough to withstand the pressure of multiple cable pre-tensioning. Next, the method further involves applying either water based or oil based deboning agent to the mould, either manually or with a sprayer.

[00038] Next, the method involves running one or more pre-stress reinforcement wire cables 106 through the mould, and tensioning to within the wire manufacturers specification. In some cases, there is no need for any reinforcing 106, whether rebar or stressing wire.

[00039]

[00040] Next, the body 102 having a triangular cross-sectional shape is formed, with internal mould protrusions forming the notches 104. The step of forming involves filling the mould with glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC).

[00041] Next, the GFRC is allowed to cure. After curing the post 100 is removed from the mould and dressed or any remedial works completed. The date of batch is recorded, and the posts 100 are packed and stored ready for shipping.

[00042] Extrusion Process

[00043] The extrusion process involves fabricating an extrusion mould.

[00044] Next, the method further involves applying either water based or oil based deboning agent to the mould, either manually or with a sprayer.

[00045] Next, the method involves continuously running one or more pre-stress reinforcement wire cables 106 through the mould, and tensioning to within the wire manufacturers specification.

[00046] Next, the body 102 having a triangular cross-sectional shape is formed. The step of forming involves extruding concrete through the mould. The concrete strength may be around 30 to 50 MPa, and preferably 32, 40 or 50MPa which is suitable for either S or N class cement and high or low content fly ash.

[00047] The method may involve creating the notches 104 in the body 102 after extrusion using a trailing roller.

[00048] Next, the concrete is allowed to cure.

[00049] The concrete post 100 has many advantages.

[00050] Product advantages include durability, environmental friendliness, cost effectiveness and lighter than timber posts. The environmental advantages are concrete fence posts 100 replace the need for the use of a traditional hard wood fence post thus minimising the requirement for logging our already depleted hard wood forests. Concrete uses by/recycled products and is a "green" construction method.

[00051] The economic advantage is simple, the concrete post 100 can be purchased for around the same price as steel star picket or cheaper than a traditional hard wood post. But the advantage is in the life span, in the worst of conditions the concrete post

100 will be durable for up to 100 years where as steel will last as little as 7 years and timber 10 years. The concrete post 100 does not burn in bush fires, corrode in acid sulphate soils, rot in wet climates or rust in costal regions.

[00052] The safety advantages are many. The concrete post 100 is largely manufactured undercover in a controlled environment, and largely not exposed the elements thus drastically reducing the risk of skin cancer. There is no risk of falling limbs and other associated risks of falling trees in an otherwise uncontrolled environment agriculture. Forestry accounts for about 24% of work related fatalities and manufacturing (controlled environment) accounts for 3% in Australia.

[00053] Post 100 can be used in many different applications: 1. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural cattle fencing with barbed or plain wire 2. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural sheep fencing with pig, barbed or plain wire 3. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural goat fencing with pig, barbed or plain wire 4. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural goat fencing with pig, barbed or plain wire 5. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural goat fencing with pig, barbed or plain wire 6. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural emu or ostrich fencing with pig, barbed or plain wire 7. Intermediate posts in large and small scale rural rabbit and dog control fencing with pig, barbed or plain wire 8. Intermediate or main posts in the vineyard industry when introducing the use of timber, GFRC or concrete cross bars 9. Dune care rejuvenation projects 10. Long and short term silt control on environmental and construction projects

[00054] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00055] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00056] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A fence post including: a body having a triangular cross-sectional shape.

2. A fence post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body includes concrete and is molded or extruded; the concrete preferably including Glassfibre reinforced concrete (GFRC); the concrete preferably including any one of S class cement, N class cement or fly ash.

3. A fence post as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body defines one or more notches for receiving wire, the notches being along a corner of the body, the notches preferably being spaced equidistant or arranged in sets of equidistant spacing.

4. A fence post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including one or more internal reinforcements, preferably including rebar or one or more wire stressing cables.

5. A method for manufacturing a fence post, the method involving: forming a body having a triangular cross-sectional shape.

100' 100 100 100 102

Figure 1c 104 102 106 1/1

102 Figure 1d 100 106 104 102

Figure 1e Figure 1f

Figure 1a Figure 1b