GB2443696A

GB2443696A - Electric cable insulated mount.

Info

Publication number: GB2443696A
Application number: GB0622423A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor James Honor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-10
Filing date: 2006-11-10
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-10
Also published as: GB0622423D0; GB2443696B

Abstract

An insulating mounting assembly for an electric fence or the like comprises a first part 21 of electrically insulating material and including a second part or base 25 for mounting on a support, the second part 23 of electrically insulating material is connected to the first part 21. A buckle 11 of electrically conducting material is positioned between the first 21 and second 25 parts. The buckle 11 is used to electrically connect lengths of conducting fence wires to the mounting.

Description

INSULATING MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to an insulating mounting assembly which can be used with an electric fence or the like.

When an electric fence is provided around a field or the like it can be difficult to secure electric fencing tape to fence posts or the like in a manner which permits ready adjustment, while ensuring adequate electrical isolation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an insulating mounting assembly for an electric fence or the like which permits ready adjustment and facilitates adequate electrical isolation.

According to the present invention there is provided an insulating mounting assembly for an electric fence or the like, which assembly comprises a first part of electrically insulating material and including a base for mounting on a support, a second part of electrically insulating material co-operable with the first part, and a buckle of electrically conducting material positioned between the first and second parts, whereby the buckle is mounted in an eiectricaiiy isolated manner so as to allow the connection of electrically conducting material thereto.

The buckle may be made of rod material, such as of stainless steel, and may be substantially rectangular in configuration.

The first and second parts may include at least one aperture for the passage of a fastener. The first and second parts may be adapted to interconnect so as to restrict relative movement therebetween. One of the first and second parts may be provided with an annular protrusion about the or each aperture and the other may be provided with an annular recess about the or each aperture.

One of the first and second parts may be substantially planar and the other may be provided with protrusions so as to allow opposite sides of the buckle to pass between the first and second parts and to allow relative movement therebetween until the first and second parts are tightened together. The protrusions may include a central protrusion which is set back from one or both sides of the insulating mounting to allow an end of the buckle to be positioned within the insulating mounting. One of the first and second parts may be provided with an elongate rib along one or both side edges thereof for retaining the buckle within the insulating mounting between the central protrusion and the elongate rib. The elongate rib and the central protrusion may be provided on different ones of the first and second parts. The elongate extension of the rib may be substantially the same as the elongate extension of the central protrusion.

The assembly may include a locking pin for securing an electric fencing tape to the buckle. The locking pin may comprise two substantially parallel legs adapted to pass either side of the buckle. The legs may have a length greater than the corresponding dimension of the buckle.

Electric fencing tape may be attached to the buckle by passing a free end of the fencing tape through the centre of the buckle and between legs of the locking pin, around a leg of the locking pin and back through the centre of the buckle, around an end of the buckle and the leg of the locking pin, through the centre of the buckle again and around another leg of the locking pin such that the outgoing free end is adjacent to the incoming free end. A clip may be provided to secure the outgoing free end and the incoming free end together.

The buckle may be provided with a further portion adapted to co-operate with further electric fencing tape to secure a further tape to the buckle with a further locking pin.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a first part of an insulating mounting assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of a second part of the insulating mounting assembly; Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the first and second parts of the insulating mounting assembly of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of a buckle for use with the insulating mounting assembly of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a C clip for use with the present invention; Figure 6 is an elevational view of a locking pin for use with the present invention; Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating a connecting arrangement for use with the present invention and employing the buckle of Figure 4; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative form of buckle for use with the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show first and second parts 21 and 23 of an insulating mounting assembly for an electric fence which allows electric fencing tape to be arranged around a field or the like in an effective manner which permits ready alteration while ensuring adequate electrical isolation. Each of the first and second parts is moulded from an electrically insulating material.

The first part 21 includes a base 25 to space electrically conducting electric fencing tape or the like a suitable distance from the surface, such as a fence or gate post, to which the insulating mounting is secured, two end posts 27 which are upstanding from the base 25 and a central post 29 which is spaced from the end posts and from lateral edges of the base. The base 25 is generally hollow to minimise material costs and the end posts 27 are formed with apertures for the passage of fasteners, such as coach bolts (not shown). The apertures for the fasteners are formed with an annular recess 31, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

The second part 23 includes a plate 33 which is provided with apertures for the passage of the fasteners. On that side of the plate adapted to face the first part 21 an annular protrusion 35 is provided to fit into the annular recess of the first part 21 so as to hold the two parts 21 and 23 together more securely. Two ribs 37 are provided along lateral edges of the plate 33 and are adapted to extend towards the first part 21. The height of the ribs 37 is such that, when assembled, the ribs lie adjacent to the first part 21 and the length of the ribs corresponds to the length of the central post 29 of the first part. The height of the end posts 27 and the central post 29 are substantially the same as the height of the ribs 37.

Figure 4 shows a buckle 11 in the form of a generally rectangular arrangement.

The buckle is made of electrically conducting material which is resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel rod. The buckle has an upper arm 13, a lower arm 15, a left arm 17 and a right arm 19. it should be noted that the buckle may have other shapes, such as square or oval.

Consequently there is an aperture through the assembled mounting which is adapted to receive the rod material of the buckle 11 while allowing lateral movement thereof relative to the mounting until such time as a fastener is passed through the apertures and securely tightened so as to urge the first and second parts 21 and 23 towards each other and against the buckle 11 passing through the aperture between the parts 21 and 23. Further, the width of the ribs 37 of the second part 23 and of the central post 29 of the first part 21 is such that a spaced is provided between each side of the central post and the corresponding rib which is adapted to receive the rod material of the buckle II.

In use of the present invention, an assembly of a first part 21, a second part 23 and a buckle 11 is secured to a support, such as a fence post, using two coach bolts (not shown). Until the coach bolts are fully tightened, the buckle 11 is able to move transversely relative to the first and second parts 21 and 23.

At this stage, electric fencing tape, for example having a width of substantially mm can be secured to the side arms 17 and 19 of the buckle 11 while taking advantage of the ability of the buckle to move relative to the first and second parts 21 and 23. According to an aspect of the present invention, this can be achieved in a quick and efficient manner with the aid of a C clip 39, for example of plastics material, and a locking pin 41, for example of stainless steel material.

The C clip is shown in Figure 5 and the locking pin is shown in Figure 6. In more detail, the C clip 39 comprises a substantially straight portion 43 having a length a little greater than the width of the fencing tape and a return portion 45 at each end of the straight portion 43, the return portions being spaced from the straight portion so as to fit over two thicknesses (at least) of the fencing tape. The C clip 39 may be resilient to allow it to be positioned over and removed from the fencing tape, but alternatively the fencing tape has a degree of flexibility which allows it to be manoeuvred into the end regions of the C clip if the C clip should be relatively inflexible.

The locking pin 41 comprises two parallel legs 47 which are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the rod material forming the rectangular shapes 5 and 13 and the buckle. The length of the legs 47 is a little greater than the corresponding dimension (i.e., side arm 17 or 19) of the buckle 11 so that, when positioned either side of a buckle with a head of the locking pin substantially adjacent to a side of the buckle, the free ends of the legs protrude a short distance beyond the opposite side (i.e., the lower arm 15) of the buckle so as to pass either side of the rod material forming the opposite side.

As shown in Figure 7 a suitable length of the fencing tape is attached at one end to a buckle 49 by passing a free end (portion 51) of the tape through the centre of the buckle and between the legs 47 of the locking pin 41 from the direction of the adjacent end of the buckle (it is useful to space the locking pin 41 from the end of the buckle 49 at this stage). The free end (portion 53) is then passed around the locking pin leg and back through the centre opening of the buckle.

The free end (portion 55) of the tape is then passed around the rod forming the end of the buckle, back around the leg of the locking pin, through the centre opening of the buckle, and around the other leg of the locking pin until the outgoing free end (portion 57) is adjacent to the incoming free end (portion 59).

The tape can then be pulled tight to move the locking pin towards the end of the buckle and the incoming and outgoing free end portions 59 and 57 are secured together with a C clip 39.

As noted above, it can be helpful if the fasteners for the insulating mounting are not fully tightened until the tape has been attached to the buckle 49 to allow for lateral movement and adjustment of the buckle or the like relative to the insulating mounting.

Removal of the fencing tape from the buckle is more straightforward and only requires the C clip and the locking pin to be removed in order for the tape to become free.

The other side of the buckle 11 can then also be attached to electric fencing tape running around the field or the like in such a manner that the tape runs entirely around the area to be protected, as many mounting assemblies or other connections being used as may be required in the circumstances. Any excess tape may be cut off as desired.

Figure 8 shows an alternative form of buckle showing that a further arm can be added to the buckle so as to accommodate the free end of a further length of electric fencing tape. The additional arm may be formed by folding a length of rod of suitable electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel, or by other methods such as welding. If desired, additional further arms could be provided to facilitate the provision of more complex elecfrlc fencing configurations.

ltshould be noted thatthe first and second parts of the Insulating mounting may be used alone with the fencing tape sandwiched between the first and second parts.

Claims

1. An insulating mounting assembly for an electric fence or the like, which assembly comprises a first part of electrically insulating material and including a base for mounting on a support, a second part of electrically insulating material co-operable with the first part, and a buckle of electrically conducting material positioned between the first and second parts, whereby the buckle is mounted in an electrically isolated manner so as to allow the connection of electrically conducting material thereto.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buckle is made of rod material.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buckle is made of stainless steel.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the buckle is substantially rectangular in configuration.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts include at least one aperture for the passage of a fastener.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second parts are adapted to interconnect so as to restrict relative movement therebetween. -11 -

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein one of the first and second parts is provided with an annular protrusion about the or each aperture and the other is provided with an annular recess about the or each aperture.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second parts is substantially planar and the other is provided with protrusions so as to allow opposite sides of the buckle to pass between the first and second parts and to allow relative movement therebetween until the first and second parts are tightened together.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the protrusions include a central protrusion which is set back from one or both sides of the insulating mounting to allow an end of the buckle to be positioned within the insulating mounting.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the first and second parts is provided with an elongate rib along one or both side edges thereof for retaining the buckle within the insulating mounting between the central protrusion and the elongate rib.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elongate rib and the central protrusion are provided on different ones of the first and second parts.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the elongate extension of the rib is substantially the same as the elongate extension of the central protrusion.

13. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim and including a locking pin for securing an electric fencing tape to the buckle.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the locking pin comprises two substantial!y parallel legs adapted to pass either side of the buckle.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the legs have a length greater than the corresponding dimension of the buckle.

16. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein electric fencing tape is attached to the buckle by passing a free end of the fencing tape through the centre of the buckle and between legs of the locking pin, around a leg of the locking pin and back through the centre of the buckle, around an end of the buckle and the leg of the locking pin, through the centre of the buckle again and around another leg of the locking pin such that the outgoing free end is adjacent to the incoming free end.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein a clip is provided to secure the outgoing free end and the incoming free end together.

18. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the buckle is provided with a further portion adapted to co-operate with further electric fencing tape to secure a further tape to the buckle with a further locking pin.

19. An insulating mounting assembly for an electric fence or the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.