GB2051921A - Batten for Wire Fencing - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence batten 10 includes a relatively elongate body formed of an angled strip of substantially rigid material. A ridge 13 extends along the body with a plurality of slots 11 through said ridge 13 being spaced apart at convenient centres to accommodate a variety of wire spacings. A holding means 16 consisting of a separate wedge such as a nail or fastener with a relatively large head is also provided. The batten 10 is pushed onto the wires which fit into the apertures at desired spacings. The wedges are forced between the wire and the inside apex of the batten 10 to position the wires securely in the slots 11. Various alternative embodiments of batten are described with two embodiments of integrally formed holding means 35, 53 which are crimped to force the wires into the slots. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Fencing This invention relates to fencing and has particular application to battens or wire spacers.

It has been proposed to use angled members having apertures therethrough for battens or wire spacers. See for example New Zealand patent specifications No's 140800123141; 65 532.

However, none of these have proved to be entirely satisfactory for fencing as they require special fasteners or require the fencing wire to be kinked to hold it in place. This is difficult to achieve with barbed wire and is very difficult if not impossible to achieve with tensioned high tensile steel wires used in fencing at the present time.

It is an object of this invention to go some way to over-coming the abovementioned disadvantages in providing an improved batten or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Whilst this invention will be described with reference to battens, it will be appreciated that it has application to standards and other types of wire connection posts and the term "batten" will be used herein to encompass standards and other wire connection posts.

In one aspect, the invention provides a batten having a relatively elongate body, a ridge extending along said body, a plurality of slots through said ridge, and means for holding fencing wire securely within said slots and abutting against the ends of the slots.

In another aspect, the invention provides an angled batten having a plurality of slots positioned in an apex of said batten; with each said slot being deep enough to accommodate a fencing wire so that in use the fencing wire can be formed against the ends of a said slot.

Other aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a partial front elevation and plan view of a first batten.

Figure 2 illustrates a partial front elevation and plan view of a second batten.

Figure 3 illustrates a partial front elevation and plan view of a third batten.

Figure 4 illustrates a front elevation of a sheet prior to forming into a batten.

Figure 5 illustrates a partial front elevation and plan view of a batten formed from the sheet of Figure 4.

Turning now to Figure 1, there is illustrated a first batten 10 formed of an angled strip of substantially rigid material having a plurality of apertures 11 therethrough. Apertures 11 are preferably spaced apart at convenient centres to accommodate a variety of wire spacings. The apertures 11 are formed along the centre line of the batten, and hence extended through the ridge or apex 13 of the batten. The slots or apertures are so formed that they will accommodate a fencing wire 1 5 and a holding means 1 6 such that the wire 15 will be forced against the edges 17 and 18 of the slot 11.

The holding means 1 6 consists of a separate wedge and may conveniently take the form of a headed fastener such as a nail having a relatively large head to give an increased wedging action.

To attach a batten 10 to fencing wire, the batten is preferably pushed onto the wires with the wires fitting within suitable apertures 11 at desired wire spacings, and then holding wedges 16 are then forced between the wire 1 5 and the inside of the apex 1 3 of the batten. The wedging action of wedging means 1 6 forces the wires into tight engagement with the edges 17 and 18 of the slot 11 thereby holding it securely in place.

If the wire is a barbed wire, this can also be held in place by a wedge such as nail 16. If it is not possible to force the wedge behind the barbed wire, it will be possible to force the wedge between strands of the barbed wire to thereby lock it in place.

An angled batten 10 is preferably-of a V-section with a relatively sharp apex 13. It may be provided with additional reinforcements by holding the edges thereof or providing additional flanges.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a batten 20 which is similar to a "W" in section.

This has a V-shaped centre portion 21 having an apex 22 and is provided with side flanges 23 and 24. It is also provided with a plurality of apertures 25 passing through the apex 22 of the V-shaped portion.

It will be appreciated that the batten of Figure 2 is substantially similar to that of Figure 1 with the exception that the V-shaped portion is provided with side flanges 23 and 24 for further reinforcement. Side flanges 23 and 24 are of such dimensions that they contact a wire 26 to provide additional holding power. Thus, when a wire 26 is inserted within an aperture 25, and held in place by a wedge 27, the wire 26 in being forced against the edges of slot 25 will also be engaged by the side flanges 23 and-24which may be bent over as shown to avoid cutting into the wire.

Turning now to Figure 3, there is illustrated a yet further embodiment. This batten 30 is in the form of a W-section member having a central Vshaped portion 31 and side flanges 32 and 33. It is provided with a plurality of substantially Ushaped apertures 34. These U-shaped apertures 34 define a central tab 35. Each aperture has a central slot 36 and substantially vertical slots 37 and 38 integral therewith. The upper ends of slots 37 and 38 may be rounded or provided with a lip to hold wire in place.

A fencing wire 39 can be attached to the batten by inserting the wire into the lower passage 36 and passing the wire upwardly into passages 37 and 38 thereby passing the wire between tab 35 and the V-shaped body portion 31. With the wire towards the top of the Ushaped slot 34, the tab 35 can then be crimped by forcing the edges 41 and 42 together thereby pushing the wire 39 towards the sides of the U shaped slot 34 and into tight engagement with the side flanges 32 and 33. The tab is shown in the crimped position in the plan view and at the upper aperture of the front elevation, whereas the tab shown in the lower aperture of the front elevation is uncrirFped.

Turning now to Figure 4, there is illustrated a flat sheet of material suitable for forming into a batten such as shown in Figure 5. This sheet material 50 is preferably provided with a plurality of pairs of apertures 51 and 52, on either side of the centre line of the sheet. The portion of material between the apertures is preferably sheared along line 55 to form a tab 53 which can be bent back as shown in Figure 2. Conveniently, the tab 53 may be left in the same plane as sheet 50 during forming, The sheet can then be roll formed into the shallow "W" or seagull shape shown in Figure 5.

A fencing wire 54 can then be attached to the seagull shaped batten 50a by bending back tab 53 to enable the wire to be pushed into the slot formed by the apertures 51 and 52 and then forcing the tab 53 back against the wire by bending and crimping to hold it in place.

Conveniently, the battens of this invention can be formed from a metal sheet, for example galvanised iron, by preforming the apertures and shaping the battens by roll forming. However, other materials or fabrication techniques can be used.

It will be appreciated that by using a batten in accordance with this invention, it is possible to simply and conveniently attach a fencing wire, for example a high tensile fencing wire to a batten or wire spacer. By utilising a batten as shown in Figures 1 or 2, it is possible to drive a wedge between the wire and batten to securely hold the wire in place. In the case of the batten shown in Figures 3 and 5, it is possible to attach the wire to the batten and to hold it in place without the need for a separate wedge.

It will be appreciated that although the above description refers to battens, similar connection means could be used on standards or the like.

Finally, it will be appreciated, that various alterations or modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this invention, as exemplified in the following

Claims (10)

claims. Claims

1. A batten having an elongate body, a ridge extending along said body, a plurality of slots through said ridge, and means for holding fencing wire securely within said slots and abutting against the ends of said slots.

2. A batten as claimed in claim 1 wherein said batten includes an angled portion, the apex of which constitutes the ridge extending along said body.

3. A batten as claimed in claim 2 wherein the holding means is integral with said body.

4. A batten as claimed in claim 2 wherein said holding means includes a separate wedge capable of being inserted on the inside of the apex to force a fencing wire against the ends of a said slot.

5. An angled batten having a plurality of slots positioned in an apex of said batten, with each said slot being deep enough to accommodate a fencing wire , so that in use, the fencing wire can be forced against the ends of a said slot.

6. A batten as claimed in claim 5 and further including one or more wedges, the or each wedge being capable of insertion on the inside of the apex to force a respective fencing wire into engagement with the ends of a respective slot.

7. A batten as claimed in claim 4 or claim 6 wherein said wedge is a headed fastener.

8. A batten as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein the batten has a substantially W-section, the outer flanges of which being capable of being contacted by a fencing wire attached to said batten.

9. A batten as claimed in claim 8, wherein the edges of the outer flanges are turned over.

10. A batten substantially as hereindescribed with reference to Figure 1, or Figure 2, or Figure 3, or Figures 4 and 5, of the accompanying drawings.