AU2021107184A4 - Fence post sleeve assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence post sleeve assembly for a fence post or a star picket, the fence post sleeve assembly including a sleeve configured to receive a star picket therein, a cap configured to receive an end of the elongate sleeve member and cap the sleeve, and a first centring device configured to receive a fence post through a passage and engage with the fence post via a securing assembly. 1/5 10 104 118 116 100a 102 100 1 00b FIGURE 1 106 114 112a FIGURE 2

Description

1/5

10 104

118 116 100a

102

100

1 00b

FIGURE 1

106

114

112a

FIGURE 2

FENCEPOSTSLEEVEASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD

[1] The present invention relates to a fence post sleeve assembly and system

and, in particular but not limited to, a fence post sleeve assembly and system for a

covering star picket.

BACKGROUND

[2] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to

be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of

the common general knowledge.

[3] Fence posts and pickets are widely used to in construction, to set up

temporary barricades and to support or erect fencing.

[4] Star pickets are a type of steel fence post with a three-pointed star-like end

and a flat top. A star picket also has a tapered, pointed end which makes it easy to

drive into the ground. The flat top of the star picket makes it easy to hammer the top

of the star picket to drive the star picket into the ground, if the ground is not soft or is

unyielding.

[5] These fence posts, and star pickets in particular, are unsightly and can

present a safety hazard due to their rigid nature and pointed ends, which can

puncture or wound a person if a person falls on the post.

[6] It is an aim of this invention to provide a fence post sleeve which overcomes

or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or

which at least provides a useful commercial alternative.

[7] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from

the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[8] In an aspect, the invention provides a fence post sleeve assembly for a fence

post or star picket. The fence post sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve configured

to receive a star picket therein, and a cap configured to receive an end of the sleeve

and cap the sleeve. The fence post sleeve assembly further comprises a first

centring device configured to receive a fence post through a passage and engage

with the fence post via a securing assembly.

[9] Preferably, the passage is a reciprocally shaped passage configured to

receive an end of a fence post therethrough. Preferably, the passage is a

substantially Y-shaped passage shaped to receive an end of a star picket

therethrough. Preferably, the first centring device is configured to receive the fence

post through the passage along a first axis. Preferably, the securing assembly

comprises a pair of aligned apertures formed in a wall of the first centring device and

a locking pin adapted to be received within the pair of aligned apertures. Preferably,

the pair of aligned apertures define a passage therebetween. Preferably, the first

centring device is configured to receive the locking pin along a second axis, wherein

the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. Preferably, the second axis extends

between the pair of aligned apertures of the securing assembly.

[10] Preferably, the fence post sleeve assembly further comprises a second

centring device. Preferably, the second centring device is the same as the first

centring device. In use, the second centring device fits over the fence post and sits adjacent a ground-engaging end of the fence post. Preferably, in use, the first centring device is secured at or adjacent a top end of the fence post.

[11] Preferably, the sleeve and the cap each comprise an aperture formed in a

respective wall. Preferably, the sleeve and the cap each comprises two aligned

apertures formed in a respective wall. Preferably, the apertures are axially aligned.

Preferably, each aperture aligns with an aperture of the pair of aligned apertures of

the first centring device. Preferably, the locking pin is received through the aligned

apertures of the sleeve, the cap and the first centring device to secure the sleeve,

the cap and the first centring device together.

[12] Preferably, the fence post sleeve assembly further comprises a fence post.

Preferably, the fence post comprises a star picket.

[13] Preferably, the sleeve comprises plastic. Preferably, the first and centring

device comprise plastic. Preferably, the cap comprises plastic. Preferably, the

locking pin comprises plastic.

[14] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of covering a fence post

including the steps of:

providing a fence post;

locating a first centring device over the fence post;

securing the first centring device to the fence post via a securing assembly;

locating a sleeve over the fence post, wherein the first centring device is

located between the fence post and the sleeve; and

placing a cap on the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[15] 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:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a fence post sleeve assembly according to

an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the centring device used in the fence post sleeve

assembly;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the centring device used in combination with the

locking pin of the securing assembly of the fence post sleeve assembly;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the centring device without the locking pin;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the centring device with the locking pin in place;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the centring device;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the locking pin; and

Figure 8(a)-(h) illustrates the fence post sleeve assembly being used to cover a star

picket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[16] Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a fence post sleeve assembly 10 for a fence post (in

the form of a star picket 100). The fence post sleeve assembly 10 includes a sleeve

102 configured to receive a star picket 100 therein, and a cap 104 configured to

receive an end of the sleeve 102 and cap the sleeve 102.

[17] The fence post sleeve assembly 10 also includes a first centring device 106

configured to receive the star picket 100 through a passage 108 and engage with the

star picket 100 via a securing assembly, which is described in more detail below.

[18] The sleeve 102 is an elongate cylindrical member with a passage extending

longitudinally through the member. The cap 104 is a cylindrical member adapted to

fit over an end of the elongate cylindrical member of the sleeve 102 to thereby cap

the end.

[19] The first centring device 106 is a cylindrical device made from plastic. In a

preferable embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first centring device 106 is formed

from two components which clip together.

[20] The passage 108 of the first centring device 106 extends through the centre

of the first centring device 106 and is a reciprocally shaped passage configured to

receive an end of a fence post therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the

passage 108 is a substantially Y-shaped passage shaped to receive a top end 100a

of the star picket 100 therethrough.

[21] The first centring device 106 receive the star picket 100 through the passage

108 along a first axis 110 which extends along a length of the star picket 100.

[22] Turning now to the securing assembly, the securing assembly comprises a

pair of aligned apertures 112a, 112b formed in a wall 114 of the first centring device

106 and a locking pin 116 adapted to be received within the pair of aligned apertures

112a, 112b. The pair of aligned apertures 112a, 112b can be though to define a

passage therebetween.

[23] The locking pin 116 has an elongate body 116a and two spaced apart

projections 116b, 116c which allow the locking pin 116 to be inserted through the

pair of aligned apertures 112a, 112b and secured within. As can be seen in Figure 5,

once the locking pin 116 is in place, the spaced apart projections 116b, 116c abut

parallel walls of the passage 108.

[24] The first centring device 106 receives the locking pin 116 through both of the

pair of aligned apertures 112a, 112b such that the locking pin 116 is received along

a second axis 118 which extends between the pair of aligned apertures 112a, 112b

of the securing assembly. The second axis 118 is perpendicular to the first axis 110.

[25] In use, the locking pin 116 extends through an aperture formed in the star

picket 100, such as one of the apertures 101c shown in Figures 8(a)-(h) thereby

securing the first centring device 106 to the star picket 100.

[26] Once the first centring device 106 is secured to the star picket 100, the sleeve

102 (which is shaped and sized to fit over the star picket 100 and the first centring

device 106) is placed over the star picket 100. As such, the sleeve 102 must have a

diameter sufficient to receive the star picket 100 with the first centring device 106

secured thereto, within. Suitably, in order to prevent the sleeve 102 from moving

when placed about the star picket 100, an inner wall of the sleeve 102 abuts the

outer wall of the first centring device 106. This keeps the star picket 100 from

contacting the inner wall of the sleeve 102 and thereby prevents damage to the

sleeve 102.

[27] The cap 104 is then placed over the end of the sleeve 102 to cap the sleeve

102.

[28] In a final step, a screw (not shown) or similar fastening device is screwed

through the wall of the cap 104, the sleeve 102 and the first centring device 106 to secure the sleeve 102, the cap 104 and the first centring device 106 together to prevent the cap 104 and sleeve 102 from being removed from around the star picket

100. This is a common problem caused by livestock which often stick their heads

through rungs of a fence and bump the rungs which can lift and dislodge the post.

[29] In another embodiment, the sleeve 102 and the cap 104 each comprise an

aperture formed in a respective wall. In some further embodiments, the sleeve 102

and the cap 104 each comprises two axially aligned apertures formed in a respective

wall. In both of the above embodiment, each aperture aligns with at least one

aperture of the pair of aligned apertures of the first centring device 106. Usefully, this

allows the locking pin the be inserted and received through the aligned apertures of

the sleeve 102, the cap 104 and the first centring device 106 to secure the sleeve

102, the cap 104 and the first centring device 106 together.

[30] In some embodiments, the fence post sleeve assembly 10 also includes a

second centring device 120, shown in Figure, which is the same as the first centring

device 106. In use, the second centring device 120 fits over the star picket 100 and

sits adjacent a ground-engaging end 100b of the star picket 100. As can be seen in

the figures, in use, the first centring device 106 is secured at or adjacent a top end

100a of the star picket 100.

[31] In a preferable embodiment, each of the cap, the sleeve, the locking pin and

the centring devices are formed from plastic.

[32] In a preferable embodiment, the sleeve has a 100mm diameter, 1350mm

length and a 15mm inner wall thickness.

[33] Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide a long life product

that, when made from plastic, is resistant to rot, termites and water damage. In addition, the surface of the sleeve will not be damaged from being chewed by livestock.

[34] Embodiments of the invention can also be used with electric fence

installations.

[35] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and

bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from

another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such

relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a

component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of

that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer,

component, or step, etc.

[36] The above detailed description of various embodiments of the present

invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related

art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed

embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the

present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching.

Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically,

other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of

ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives,

modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed

herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above

described invention.

[37] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including',

or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

[38] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context

requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be

limited to the specific value or range qualified by the terms.

Claims (21)

1. A fence post sleeve assembly for a fence post or a star picket, the fence post

sleeve assembly comprising:

a sleeve configured to receive a star picket therein;

a cap configured to receive an end of the elongate sleeve member and cap

the sleeve; and

a first centring device configured to receive a fence post through a passage

and engage with the fence post via a securing assembly.

2. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 1, wherein the passage is a reciprocally

shaped passage configured to receive an end of a fence post therethrough.

3. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the passage is a

substantially Y-shaped passage shaped to receive an end of a star picket

therethrough.

4. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first

centring device is configured to receive the fence post through the passage along a

first axis.

5. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the securing

assembly comprises a pair of aligned apertures formed in a wall of the first centring

device and a locking pin adapted to be received within the pair of aligned apertures.

6. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 5, wherein the pair of aligned apertures

define a passage therebetween.

7. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the first centring

device is configured to receive the locking pin along a second axis, wherein the

second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

8. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein the second axis extends

between the pair of aligned apertures of the securing assembly.

9. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

fence post sleeve assembly further comprises a second centring device, wherein in

use, the second centring device fits over the fence post and sits adjacent a ground

engaging end of the fence post and the first centring device is secured at or adjacent

a top end of the fence post.

10. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

fence post sleeve assembly further comprises a fence post.

11. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 10, wherein the fence post comprises a

star picket.

12. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

sleeve comprises plastic.

13. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

first and centring device comprise plastic.

14. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

cap comprises plastic.

15. The fence post sleeve assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

locking pin comprises plastic.

16. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 5, wherein the sleeve and the cap each

comprise an aperture formed in a respective wall.

17. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 5, wherein the sleeve comprises two

aligned apertures formed in a wall of the sleeve and the cap comprises two aligned

apertures formed in a wall of the cap.

18. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 17, wherein the two apertures of the

sleeve are axially aligned and the two apertures of the cap are axially aligned.

19. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 5, wherein each aperture of the cap the

sleeve aligns with an aperture of the pair of aligned apertures of the first centring

device.

20. The fence post sleeve assembly of claim 19, wherein the locking pin is received

through the aligned apertures of the sleeve, the cap and the first centring device to

secure the sleeve, the cap and the first centring device together.

21. A method of covering a fence post including the steps of:

providing a fence post;

locating a first centring device over the fence post;

securing the first centring device to the fence post via a securing assembly;

locating a sleeve over the fence post, wherein the first centring device is

located between the fence post and the sleeve; and

placing a cap on the sleeve.