GB2143876A - Electric fencing - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric fencing device comprises a mounting device on which an electric fence wire can be mounted, said device incorporating a control energiser connectable to the electric fence wire and also connectable to a power source. The mounting device can be in the form of a plastic reel 10 and the control energiser 15, 16 is located within the confines of the reel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and/or relating to electric fencing This invention relates to electric fence equip ment and more particularly to a device for mounting of an electric fence wire.

Temporary or semi-permanent electric fences are a popular means of controlling stock movement for pasture management. The electric fence can comprise a single or plural ity of fence wires, each of which is mounted on a reel. The use of a reel enables the fence wire to be readily paid out when forming the fence line and wound in when the fence line is being removed. A popular form of tempo rary or semi-permanent electric fence is a three-wire fence and to this end three reels are mounted on a standard which can be either inserted into the ground or attached to a fixture or permanent fence line with the wires on the reels being paid out to be attached via insulators to a further standard, fence post or the like fixture thereby forming a three-wire fence.

It is usual practice to energise such temporary or semi-permanent electric fences with a dry cell or wet cell DC battery fence control unit which sends an electric shock along the wires at a predetermined rate such as approximately once per second. These fence control units are mounted in a suitable housing such as a plastics material box which is usually placed adjacent to the fence to be electrified.

A cable is then fixed between the control unit and the wires to be electrified whilst an earth connection is provided between the control unit and an earth peg driven into the ground.

Problems often arise with such an arrangement. For example wandering stock may come in contact with the control unit and this can either be damaged by coming into contact with the stock or the wires from the control unit can be pulled out or chewed. In addition, climatic conditions can have an adverse effect on the control units as wind and/or rain can tip the units over, further accentuating the possibility of damage by stock or the climatic conditions. In most of these situations serious damage to the internal electronics can result.

In addition, there is the factor of the control unit having to be transported when the fence line is being resited or removed. The farmer not only has to transport the already bulky and reasonably heavy standard with reels but also the control unit and the power pack. Still further, the farmer must make the necessary electrical connections between the controller, fence line, ground peg and power packs and this often be a fiddly and time-consuming operation especially when weather conditions are unfavourable.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electric fencing device which overcomes or goes some way to overcoming the aforementioned problems.

Broadly the invention consists of an electric fencing device comprising a mounting device on which an electric fence wire can be mounted, said device incorporating a control energiser connectable to the electric fence wire and to a power source.

In a preferred form of the invention the mounting device is in the form of a reel and the control energiser is located within the confines of the reel. Preferably the reel is formed of a plastics material and consists of a pair of opposed end flanges and a drum portion located therebetween, the control energiser being located within the confines of the drum.

In the following more detailed description of the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a conventional electric fence with the associated control energiser and power pack, Figure 2 is a schematic elevational view of a first form of device according to the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second form of device according to the present invention, and Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of a terminal block usable with the form of the device as shown in Figure 3.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a typical electric fence insulation where three reels R are mounted on a standard S which is inserted into the ground and is, for stability, attached via a chain C to a post P. Wires W extend from the reels R to be attached to insulators I which are mounted to a post P'.

A control energiser C is mounted on legs L which are inserted into the ground and this control energiser C is connected to a power source such as a battery B. A clamp G is attached to one of the wires W and is connected back to the controller C. Finally the controller C is connected to an earth peg E which is inserted into the ground.

The reels R can be of any suitable construction and in a preferred form are of the type described in New Zealand Patent Specification 180213/182145. Such a reel consists of a drum portion with end flanges, the reel being mounted on an axle journalled in a U-shaped bracket which is adapted for mounting to a standard, fence post, other suitable fixture or indeed the fence wire of a permanent fence line. Preferably the reel is constructed from a plastics material.

In the preferred form of the invention the mounting device for the fence wire is a reel which, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, consists of end flanges 11 and a drum portion 1 2 located therebetween. The reel 10 is mounted on a shaft 1 3 and this shaft can be coupled to the reel so that the reel can be rotated by the shaft 1 3 being turned by an attached handle arrangement 14. Alternatively the reel can be free-turning on the shaft and rotated by a handle attached to one or both of the end flanges 11. The reel 10 can be of a suitable metal costruction though preferably it is of a plastics construction.

According to the invention the control energiser is mounted within the confines of the drum 1 2 of the reel 10. As shown schematically in Figure 2 the circuit board 1 5 and transformer 1 6 which form the main components of the control energiser are mounted by suitable mountings located within the drum 1 2. For example, as shown these mountings can be attached to or form part of the inner surface within the drum 1 2 of one end flange 11.

The earth lead of the control energiser is, in the form illustrated, connected to a suitable connection which is in contact with the shaft 1 3. As the mounting bracket 1 9 and standard (not shown) of the reel device 10 are usually of metal construction there is thus provided an earth connection to the control energiser once the standard has been inserted into the ground.

An electrical connection between a connector shown generally at 20 on the outer surface of the drum 12 is electrically connected to the control energiser within the drum and this enables the fence wire to be connected to the connector 20 thereby forming a connection between the control energiser and the fence wire. This connection is of course made when the wire is wound onto the drum.

The control energiser can be connected to a power pack in any appropriate manner. For example, as illustrated in Figure 2 the leads from the control energiser pass to a pair of concentric but spaced apart contact surfaces mounted on an end plate 21 attached to the projecting hub portion 22 of the reel. A cooperating disc 23 with brushes is mounted by the mounting bracket and this provides an electrical connection with a connector box shown generally at 24 which is also mounted by the mounting bracket. This mounting box 24 is adapted to be connected to a power pack and in the preferred form the power pack shown in dotted detail at 25 is connected directly into the connector box.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a second and preferred form of the device according to the invention. Elements which are common to both forms of the invention have the same reference numerals.

In the form shown in Figure 3 an insert or hub 30 is fitted within the hollow interior 31 of the drum 1 2. This insert is preferably in the form of a housing comprising first and second body portions 32 and 33 which are of cylindrical shape with one end closed. The open ends of the body portions interfit with one another (being sealed by suitable sealing means 34) and are locked together by a locking ball bearing 35 which when pushed inwardly enables release of the body portions to take place.Preferably the body portions 32 and 33 are of plastics construction with the larger body portion 32 being formed with elongate projecting ribs 36 which interfit between pairs of projecting flanges 37 on the internal wall of the drum 1 2. The hub 30 can thereby be slid into the interior 31 of the drum 1 2 and either be locked by suitable locking means or be retained by virtue of a snug fit between the ribs 36 and flanges 37.

Located within the hub 30 is the electrical componentry of the control energiser with, for example, the circuit board 1 5 being shown in dotted detail as being formed within the body portion 33. In the illustrated form of the invention a plurality of dry cell batteries 8 are located within the body portion 32 and are a snug fit around a transformer coil (not shown) encapsulated in the centre of the body portion 32. Suitable connections for the batteries B are provided in the normal manner. Also provided in a conventional manner are suitable connections whereby the circuit board 1 5 is connectable with the transformer and power source when the two body portions 32 and 33 are fitted together.

A high voltage output 38 which is conveniently formed as part of one of the ribs 36 is connected to the control energiser within the hub 30 and this is connectable with a suitable connection on the drum 1 2 for coupling to the electric fence wire. Earthing is once again conveniently effected by a steel insert forming shaft 1 3 on the body portion 33 being connected to an earth terminal inside the hub 30 so that earthing is derived via the shaft 13, monting bracket 1 9 and the standard.

Preferably the hub 30 is formed so as to enable the power source to be self-contained dry cell batteries B as previously described or an external power supply. Accordingly in the preferred form the body portion 33 is formed with a projecting annular skirt 40 to which is fitted an end cap 41 which preferably is of steel construction having the shaft 1 3 formed integrally or attached therewith. Extending about the periphery of the skirt 40 are two slip rings 41 which are connected internally to the circuit board 1 5. These slip rings 41 enable an external power source to be coupled to the control energiser and this can be carried out by way of example by the insulated terminal block 42 (see Figure 4) attached to one arm of the mounting bracket 19. Extending from the terminal block 42 is a pair of spring contacts 43 which engage with the slip rings 41. The terminal block 42 has external power supply input terminals 44 whereby a power source can be coupled to the terminal block and then to the control energiser via the spring contacts 43 and slip rings 41.

Further features of the device according to the invention are the incorporation of solar cells 46 on one or more of the flanges 11 of the reel device 10. The solar cells can be used to charge rechargable cells within the hub 31 or can be used as the power source for the control energiser itself.

The device can be provided with a switch which in one form can consist of a magnetic switch (not shown) formed as part of the body portion 33 and operable externally by a permanent magnet. The body portion 33 can also be provided with external power supply input terminals (not shown) whereby an external power source can be connected directly to the hub 30. In this form of the device, however, the reel cannot be rotated when the external power source is coupled thereto.

One advantage of the form of the invention shown in Figure 3 is that the hub can be removed and used separately as a control energiser. The hub can then be replaced with a simple hub which provides an axle 1 3 to enable the reel to be mounted in the mounting bracket 1 9 and used as a conventional reel. It is therefore envisaged that an end user can purchase a reel with both a hub having a control energiser incorporated therewith and a mounting hub so that the end user thus has a versatile arrangement whereby he can use the reel as a conventional reel or use it with the control energiser incorporated therewith.

The present invention provides an electric fence device which is in effect a combination of a fence reel and a control energiser. Thus in the arrangement shown in Figure 1 the say middle reel R would be of the type according to the present invention thereby obviating the need for the separate controller C, power source P and earth peg E with the consequential electric connections between these units and one of the wires of the fence line. With the arrangement according to the present invention the earth connection is made immediately the standard S is inserted into the ground and one of the wires W is permanently connected through to the control energiser within the reel.

The control energiser, by being mounted within the reel, is protected from stock and all normal weather elements including the buildup of rain water near the ground. A substantial manufacturing advantage is achieved in view of the fact that there is no need for a separate housing for the control energiser and the support legs for the housing nor the earth and fence legs and clips. When the power pack is also incorporated in the reel as is the case with the Figure 3 form it is not placed in a position where it is prone to being damaged or knocked over by stock. A further substantial advantage is that when the farmer is moving the fence line he does not have to separately move the controller, power source and earth peg.

A still further advantage is that a solar panel or panels can be directly mounted to the top of the steel standard and plugged in at the side of the reel. Once again a very compact arrangement is achieved and the solar panel is mounted in a position where it is not open to damage by stock and can be moved as part of the standard/reel array.

The control energiser mounted within the reel can be of conventional design, having an output pulse repetition rate of approximately one per second and an output voltage typically between 4 and 1 OkV. The actual voltage used being dependent on factors such as any applicable safety standards, allowable battery consumption, typical fence lengths, loading factors and the shock effectiveness required.

Two worthwile variations are: 1. A means of automatically slowing the output pulse repetition rate during darkness.

2. A means of automatically increasing the available output voltage periodically. This may be achieved through activating the additional circuitry required to increase the output voltage, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed or alternatively by counting the number of output pulses, and when a predetermined number is reached, activating the required high voltage circuitry.

The idea being to provide a higher voltage pulse occasionally while the majority of output pulses are at a lower voltage level. Both variations allow battery consumption to be minimized while maintaining high overall system effectiveness.

The power source to the control energiser can be in forms other than a power pack attached directly to the mounting bracket or internally located cells. For example a 1 2 volt wet battery could be connected as previously described via a plug and socket arrangement at the side of the reel. For areas with reliable wind conditions the solar panel could be replaced with a small wind-powered generator.

Claims (12)

1. An electric fencing device comprising a mounting device on which an electric fence wire can be mounted, said device incorporating a control energiser connectable to the electric fence wire and to a power source.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting device is in the form of a reel.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the control energiser is located within the confines of the reel.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the reel is formed of a plastics material and consists of a pair of opposed end flanges anda drum portion located therebetween, the control energiser being located within the confines of the drum.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the control energiser is located within a hous ing which is removably located within the drum.

6. The device according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein a power source is located within said reel and is connected to said control energiser.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the power source is a plurality of cells.

8. The device according to any one of preceding claims 3 to 7 further including means for connecting an external power source to the control energiser.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said connecting means is a terminal block having contacts engaged with slip rings mounted with said reel and connected to said control energiser.

10. The device according to any one of preceding claims 2 to 9 wherein a plurality of solar cells are disposed on said reel and are connected to said control energiser.

11. The device according to any one of preceding claims 2 to 10 wherein said reel is mounted for rotation in a mounting frame, said control energiser being connectable to earth through said mounting frame when the frame is mounted to a metal post, standard or the like.

12. An electric fencing device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.