AU2021107345A4

AU2021107345A4 - Post Retainer

Info

Publication number: AU2021107345A4
Application number: AU2021107345A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bradley Taylor
Original assignee: Infrabuild Wire Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Infrabuild Wire Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

A retainer is suitable for retaining a component to a back of a Y- or T-post. The retainer comprises a back portion that is able to locate at the back of the Y- or T-post. The back portion is configured to define a loop at which 5 the component is retained. The retainer also comprises a first arm that is configured to extend from the back portion around a first side of the Y- or T-post. A distal end of the first arm is configured to secure to the Y- or T post. The retainer further comprises a second arm configured to extend from the back portion around a second opposite side of the Y- or T-post. A 10 distal end of the second arm is also configured to secure to the Y- or T post. 10 C C:)' 00 LO LO 0 4 04 c0 LO C c.' ( c LO LC) LO C: C: 04 ~ C 0 ((Y( Lo0 04 LO C4 (04 (0C

Description

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POST RETAINER TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a retainer for retaining a component (e.g. an electrical insulator) at the back of a Y- or T-post. The Y- or T-post may be used in e.g. agriculture or as part of a boundary fence, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

A Y- or T-post comprises a major flange (i.e. defining the stem of the Y or T profile). For Y-posts this major flange is also known as the 'stalk' of the post. A Y- or T-post comprises minor flanges (i.e. defining the arms of the Y profile or, collectively, defining the top of the T profile). Typically, the 'front' of the post can be ascribed to the major flange, with the 'back' of the post being ascribed to the back of the minor flanges (i.e. behind the wings).

It is known to retain/mount/secure fencing components to the major flange of a Y or T-post. Retainers for this purpose can be mounted to or incorporated as part of the major flange of the Y- or T-post.

However, it is less common to retain/mount/secure fencing components to the back of the post, especially in the case of Y-posts.

It is to be understood that reference to the prior art herein does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein is a retainer that is suitable for retaining a component (e.g. an electrical insulator) at the back of a Y- or T-post. As set forth above, the Y- or T post may be used in e.g. agriculture or as part of a boundary fence, etc. For example, when the retainer retains an electrical insulator at the back of a Y- or T 1

18004818_1(GHMatter)P117136.AU post, the post can support an electrified wire (or similar) as part of an electrified fence. The retainer as disclosed herein may be defined by a specially formed/shaped/bent length of metal wire or rod.

The retainer as disclosed herein can comprise a back portion that is able to locate at the back of the Y- or T-post (e.g. to loop or latch behind). The back portion can be configured to define a loop at which the component is retained.

The retainer can also comprise a first arm that is configured to extend from the back portion around a first side of the Y- or T-post. A distal end of the first arm can be configured to secure to the Y- or T-post.

The retainer can further comprise a second arm that is configured to extend from the back portion around a second opposite side of the Y- or T-post. A distal end of the second arm can also be configured to secure to the Y- or T-post.

The retainer as disclosed herein can provide a simple yet effective way of securing components (such as an electrical insulator) to the back of a Y- or T-post (especially a Y-post).

In some embodiments, a major flange of the Y- or T-post may comprise first and second spaced holes therethrough (e.g. circular holes or elongate slots). In such case, a distal end of the first arm may be configured to hook in the first hole to secure the first arm to the Y- or T-post. Further, a distal end of the second arm may be configured to hook in the second hole to secure the first arm to the Y- or T-post. Such configurations of the arm can provide simple yet effective ways of mounting the retainer to a Y- or T-post.

For example, the distal end of first arm may comprise a hook. The hook may be configured to extend through the first hole to locate behind the major flange and point generally upwards. Likewise, a distal end of second arm may also comprise a hook. The hook may be configured to extend through the second hole to locate behind the major flange and point generally downwards. Such configurations of

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18004818_1 (GHMatter) P117136.AU the first and second hooks can more effectively and securely mount the retainer to a Y- or T-post (e.g. to resist dislodgement such as by livestock, etc. in use).

In some embodiments, the first arm may comprise an intermediate kink that is configured to receive therein (e.g. to partially 'wrap' around) a first minor flange of the Y- or T-post when the first arm is secured to the Y- or T-post. Likewise, the second arm may also comprise an intermediate kink that is configured to receive therein (e.g. to partially 'wrap' around) a second minor flange of the Y- or T-post when the second arm is secured to the Y- or T-post. Again, such kink configurations assist in effectively and securely mounting the retainer to a Y- or T-post (e.g. to resist dislodgement such as by livestock, etc. in use).

In some embodiments, the component to be retained to the back of the Y- or T post may comprise an electrical insulator. For example, the electrical insulator may be of a type that has a circular profile with an intermediately formed circumferential groove therein. The retainer as disclosed herein may be configured for such an electrical insulator. For example, the loop of the back portion of the retainer may be provided with a semi-circular profile that is configured to locate in the circumferential groove. When located in the groove the retainer can thereby retain the electrical insulator to the back of the Y- or T-post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a retainer according to the disclosure, the retainer being mounted to the back of a Y-post.

Figs. 2 - 4 are, respectively, front, plan and side views of the retainer mounted to the Y-post of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the retainer of Fig. 1, separate from the Y-post.

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Figs. 6 & 7 are, respectively, front and side views of the retainer of Fig. 5.

Figs. 8 - 10 are sectional views of the retainer of Fig. 5, the sectional views taken on the lines Z-Z, Y-Y and X-X of Fig. 6 respectively.

Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view of the retainer, taken on the circled portion of Fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

In the following description, and in the drawings, the retainer as disclosed herein can take the form of a retention clip 10 is suitable for retaining a component, such as an electrical insulator 100, at the back of a Y- or T-post. The retention clip can readily be reconfigured to retain other components, such as wire holders, reflectors, etc.

The retention clip 10 as shown in the drawings can be defined by a specially formed/shaped/bent length of metal wire or rod. The retention clip 10 can provide a simple yet effective way of securing such components to the back of a Y- or T post, especially a Y-post. Hereafter, the retention clip 10 will be described with reference to its use on a Y-post 50. However, it should be understood that the retention clip 10 can readily be reconfigured for use on a T-post.

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As set forth above, the Y- or T-post may be used in e.g. agriculture or as part of a boundary fence, etc. For example, when the retention clip 10 retains an electrical insulator 100 at the back of a Y- or T-post, the post is then able to support an electrified wire W (or similar) as part of an electrified fence.

In the following description, and in the drawings (Figs. 1 to 4), a short section 50 of a Y-post is shown. The Y-post 50 comprises a major flange in the form of a stalk 52 (i.e. the stem of the Y). Further, the Y-post 50 comprises minor flanges in the form of a first wing 54 and a second wing 56 (i.e. the wings are defined by the arms of the Y). The retention clip 10 is configured for being secured around the wings 54, 56 of the Y-post 50 and to latch onto the stalk 52 (as explained below).

The retention clip 10 comprises a back portion 12 that is able to locate at the back of the Y- or T-post (e.g. to loop behind the wings 54, 56 of the Y-post 50). The back portion 12 is further configured to define a loop 14 at which the electrical insulator 100 is retained (see e.g. Fig. 1). The retention clip 10 provides a simple yet effective way of securing the electrical insulator 100 to the back of the Y-post 50.

The retention clip 10 also comprises a first arm 16. The first arm 16 is configured to extend from the back portion 12 around the first wing 54 and adjacent to a first side of the Y-post 50. A distal end 18 of the first arm 16 is configured with a hook 20 to secure to a first elongate slot 58 defined in the stalk 52 of the Y-post 50.

The retention clip 10 further comprises a second arm 22. The second arm 22 is configured to extend from the back portion 12 around the second wing 56 and adjacent to a second opposite side of the Y-post 50. A distal end 24 of the second arm 22 is configured with a hook 26 to secure to a second upwardly-spaced elongate slot 60 defined in the stalk 52 of the Y-post 50. The slots 58, 60 can instead be circular holes. As explained below, the retention clip 10 is designed to make effective use of the slots 58, 60 in a simple yet effective way of mounting and retaining the retention clip 10 to the Y-post 50.

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In this regard, the distal hook 20 of the first arm 16 is configured to extend through the first slot 58 so as to locate behind the stalk 52 and point generally upwards (see Fig. 2). Likewise, the distal hook 26 of the second arm 22 is configured to extend through the second slot 60 to locate behind the stalk 52 and point generally upwards. Such configurations of the first and second distal hooks 20, 26 are such as to more effectively and securely mount the retention clip 10 to the Y-post 50 (e.g. to resist dislodgement such as by livestock, etc. in use).

As best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 11, thefirst arm 16 comprises an intermediate kink 30 that is configured to receive therein (e.g. to partially 'wrap' around) the first wing 54 of the Y-post 50 (i.e. when the first arm 16 hooks to the Y-post 50). Likewise, the second arm 22 comprises an intermediate kink 32 that is configured to receive therein (e.g. to partially 'wrap' around) the second wing 56 of the Y post 50 (i.e. when the second arm 22 hooks to the Y-post 50). Again, these kink configurations 30, 32 assist the retention clip 10 with its secure mounting to the Y-post 50 (i.e. to resist dislodgement in use).

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the electrical insulator 100 has a circular profile with an intermediately formed circumferential groove 102 therein. The loop 14 of back portion 12 has a semi-circular profile that is configured to locate in the circumferential groove 102 and thereby retain the electrical insulator 100 to the back of the Y-post 50 (i.e. adjacent to the rear sides of the wings 54, 56).

Further, it should be noted that the loop 14 is oriented to generally locate in a vertical plane and to protrude rearwards from the Y-post 50 in use by providing two further kinks 40, 42 in the back portion 12. The loop 14 extends out from these kinks 40, 42.

To securely mount the retention clip 10 to the Y-post 50, the arms 16, 22 are urged (prised) apart (i.e. against their inherent bias to the central position as shown in Fig. 7). Typically, the second hook 26 is hooked into its respective slot 60, and then the clip 10 is bent around so as to position the first hook 20 in its respective slot 58. Once this urging apart of the arms is released, the inherent bias 6

18004818_1 (GHMatter) P117136.AU in the arms 16, 22 back towards the central position serves to hold the clip 10 in place on the Y-post 50.

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

For example, as set forth above, the loop 14 (and kinks 40, 42) can be modified such that the retention clip 10 can retain other components (e.g. reflectors, wire holders, etc.) at the back of the Y-post 50.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the retainer.

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Claims

1. A retainer suitable for retaining a component to a back of a Y- or T-post, the retainer comprising:

- a back portion that is able to locate at the back of the Y- or T-post, the back portion configured to define a loop at which the component is retained,

- a first arm configured to extend from the back portion around a first side of the Y- or T-post, a distal end of the first arm being configured to secure to the Y- or T-post,

- a second arm configured to extend from the back portion around a second opposite side of the Y- or T-post, a distal end of the second arm also being configured to secure to the Y- or T-post.

2. A retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein a major flange of the Y- or T post comprises first and second spaced holes therethrough, and wherein a distal end of the first arm is configured to hook in the first hole to secure the first arm to the Y- or T-post, and a distal end of the second arm is configured to hook in the second hole to secure the first arm to the Y- or T-post.

3. A retainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the distal end of first arm comprises a hook that is configured to extend through the first hole to locate behind the major flange and point generally upwards, and wherein the distal end of second arm also comprises a hook that is configured to extend through the second hole to locate behind the major flange and point generally downwards.

4. A retainer as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm comprises an intermediate kink that is configured to receive therein a first minor flange of the Y- or T-post when the first arm is secured to the Y- or

T-post, and wherein the second arm also comprises an intermediate kink that is configured to receive therein a second minor flange of the Y- or T post when the second arm is secured to the Y- or T-post.

5. A retainer as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the component to be retained to the back of the Y- or T-post comprises an electrical insulator having a circular profile with an intermediately formed circumferential groove therein, and wherein the loop of the back portion of the retainer has a semi-circular profile that is configured to locate in the circumferential groove to thereby retain the electrical insulator to the back of the Y- or T-post.

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