GB2435668A

GB2435668A - Slat wiring apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2435668A
Application number: GB0703940A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Guy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-01
Filing date: 2007-03-01
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-01
Also published as: GB0703940D0; GB2435668B; NZ545625A; AU2006246471B2; AU2006246471A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a slat wiring apparatus for wiring together slats 1 to form a fence and comprises a support means (2 figure 1), a series of plungers (5 figure 1), and a drive means. The apparatus supports a series of slats in spaced parallel relationship such that a first length of wire 3 is arranged transverse the slats. The plungers are then driven to contact and twist the wire, one after the other, to create a series of turns in the wire between each slat. A second wire 7 is driven across the slats by a drive means (8 figure 1) so that it feeds through the turns, and the plungers are then withdrawn. The slats are then securely held between the two lengths of wire. Each plunger may have a pair of spaced pins (9 figure 4) such that when the plunger contacts the first length of wire, the pins are positioned either side of the wire, forcing the wire into one of the turns as the plunger twists. A later embodiment relates to a method of wiring said slats together.

Description

1 2435668 Slat Wiring Apiaratus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to slat wiring apparatus. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to machine for wiring wooden slats to one another.

BACKGROUND

It is known to join a series of timber slats by way of wire to provide retaining barriers for gardens or other uses. It is an object of at least one form of the present invention to go some way towards enabling the joining of such slats.

The term "comprising", "comprises", or derivatives thereof, if and when used herein, should be interpreted non-exclusively -ie to convey "consisting of or including".

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided slat wiring apparatus comprising support means, a series of plungers, and drive means; the apparatus formed such that when it is in use a senes of slats can be supported in spaced parallel relationship on the support means and a first length of wire arranged transverse the slats, the plungers driven to contact (eg press against) the wire and twisted, one after the other, to create a series of turns in the wire substantially between the slats, and a second wire dnven across the slats by the drive means so that it feeds through the turns, and the plungers withdrawn, with the result that the slats are securely held between the two lengths of wire.

Preferably each plunger has a pair of spaced pins which, when the apparatus is in use and the plunger contacts the first length of wire, are positioned either side of that wire and, as the plunger twists, it forces the wire into one of the turns Preferably each plunger has a longitudinal groove between the pins and, when the plunger twists, the groove assumes a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the slats Preferably when the plungers have twisted, each plunger groove is aligned with a longitudinal groove in the support means, and the drive means can drive the second length of wire within a space defined by the grooves in the support means and the plunger According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of wiring slats together, comprising the steps of: i) arranging a series of slats in spaced parallel relationship on a supporting bed, ii) arranging a first length of wire adjacent upper faces of the slats, iii) moving a series of plungers onto the first length of wire and twisting the plungers, one after the other, to create a series of turns in the wire substantially between the slats, and iv) feeding a second length of wire beneath the slats so that it passes through each turn in the first length of wire with the result that the slats are held between the two lengths of wire.

Preferably the slats are wired together using slat wiring apparatus as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying images, of which: Figure 1: is a schematic side view of a slat winng machine, Figure 2: is a perspective view showing slats when they have been wired together by the machine, Figure 3: is a perspective view of the head part of a plunger forming part of the machine, Figure 4: shows the head part from beneath, and Figure 5: is a schematic view showing part of the machine in vanous stages of operation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refemng to figure 1, a senes of timber slats I are laid out on a bed 2 in spaced parallel relationship. The bed is of a frame type such that there are spaces between lower parts of the bed and the bottom of the slats The bed thus has a base 2a and a series of spaced elongate runners 2b thereon. As shown, the slats I sit on the runners 2b A first length of wire 3 is run from a coil 4 across the top of the slats 1 A series of plungers 5 move down onto the wire 3 to hold it in a primed position on the top of the slats but without causing significant tension on the wire. Each plunger 5 then, one after the other, mechanically (eg pneumatically or hydraulically) pushes down on the wire between respective slats and twists through 45 degrees to create tensioned turns in the wire between the slats (see figure 2). More particularly, the left most plunger shown in figure 1 engages the wire and creates a turn before the next plunger, and so on, until the plungers have all, one after the other, created a turn between the respective slats.

When alt of the plungers 5 have completed their twisting stroke they remain down on the first length of wire 3 so as to hold it under tension. The tension may be to the extent that the wire Cuts into the longitudinal edges 6 of the slats (see figure 2). A second length of wire 7 is then driven under the slats by a mechanical wire feeder 8 so that it passes through each of the turns in the first length of wire 3. The result is that the slats are held tight between the two lengths of wire as shown in figure 2 The ends of the two lengths of wire are fastened and the plungers are then lifted up off the slats. The process is repeated at other locations along the slats until they are securely wired to one another, each at multiple points.

Figures 3 and 4 show detail of a head part 5a of one of the plungers 5. Each plunger has a pair of diagonally spaced pins 9 and a groove 10 therebetween. When the plunger engages the first length of wire 3, and twists, it is the pins 9 which cause that wire to turn. The lowest part of the turn is slightly below the bottom of the neighboring slats. When the head part 5a has twisted through 45 degrees the groove 10 runs perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the slats and is also slightly below the bottom face of the slats. In this position the groove 10 faces downwards and is immediately above and in contact with a corresponding upwards facing longitudinal groove (not shown) in the bed 2. The two groves together provide a channel through which the second length of wire 7 passes as it is driven below the slats 1 and through the turns between them.

Figure 5 shows a plunger 5 in a raised position and then in a lower position in contact with the first length of wire 3.

It should be understood that references to a plunger twisting include twisting of all of the plunger or only part of the plunger. It should also be understood that references to the creation of wire turns between slats includes a situation where the turns are directly between the slats, or generally between them but slightly below or slightly above the slats.

Preferably the first wire 3 is a soft wire, for example 16 mm regular steel, and the second wire 7 is a hard wire, for example 2.0 -2.5 mm high tensile steel.

In some embodiments of the invention the slats may be other than wooden, for example they may be of a plastic or metallic material.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Slat winng apparatus comprising support means, a series of plungers, and drive means; the apparatus formed such that when it is in use a series of slats can be supported in spaced parallel relationship on the support means and a first length of wire arranged transverse the slats, the plungers driven to contact the wire and twisted, one after the other, to create a series of turns in the wire substantially between the slats, and a second wire driven across the slats by the drive means so that it feeds through the turns, and the plungers withdrawn, with the result that the slats are securely held between the two lengths of wire.

2. Slat wiring apparatus according to daim I, wherein each plunger has a pair of spaced pins which, when the apparatus is in use and the plunger contacts the first length of wire, are positioned either side of that wire and, as the plunger twists, it forces the wire into one of the turns.

3. Slat wiring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each plunger has a longitudinal groove between the pins and, when the plunger twists, the groove assumes a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the slats.

4. Slat wiring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the plungers have twisted, each plunger groove is aligned with a longitudinal groove in the support means, and the drive means can drive the second length of wire within a space defined by the grooves in the support means and the plunger.

5. Slat wiring apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A method of wiring slats together, comprising the steps of: I) arranging a series of slats in spaced parallel relationship on a supporting bed, ii) arranging a first length of wire adjacent upper faces of the slats, iii) moving a series of plungers onto the first length of wire and twisting the plungers one after the other, to create a series of turns in the wire substantially between the slats, and iv) feeding a second length of wire beneath the slats so that it passes through eath turn in the first length of wire with the result that the slats to are held between the two lengths of wire.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the slats are wired together using slat wiring apparatus according to any one of daims 1-5.

8. A method of winng slats together substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A plurality of slats wired together in accordance with the method of claim 6, 7 or8.

10. A plurality of slats wired by way of slat wiring apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5.