GB2487244A

GB2487244A - Fence wire tensioner clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2487244A
Application number: GB1100749.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Brewer; Stephen Graham Patrick Rawcliffe
Original assignee: QUICKFENCER Ltd
Current assignee: QUICKFENCER Ltd
Priority date: 2011-01-17
Filing date: 2011-01-17
Publication date: 2012-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-17
Also published as: GB201100749D0; GB2487244B

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and kit for damping and tensioning wire from a coil and method of using same. The apparatus comprises a frame (10) for attaching to a vehicle, a first vertical member (2) with one or more channels disposed therethrough; a first arm (la) and a second arm (lb) disposed one at either end of the first vertical member (2); a second vertical member (3) comprising one or more lugs disposed therealong for receipt in the channels of the first vertical member and wherein the lugs comprise one or more slots; and one or more locking members (4) for securing the first and second vertical members into a co-operating relationship when the lugs (5) on the second vertical member pass through the corresponding channels in the first vertical member. The locking members may be wedges.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CLAMPING AND TENSIONING WIRE.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for clamping and tensioning wire. More particularly the present invention is directed to the clamping and tensioning of wire used to border pasture or farmland and is particularly intended for use with rolls of wire to be used as sheep, horse or deer netting.

However, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be applied to the clamping and tensioning of alternative forms of wire including for example but not limited to for example barbed wire.

Even more specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus to facilitate the clamping and tensioning of various types of wire and netting which can be operated in normal use with for example a tractor or other suitable vehicle employed to assist in the fencing of livestock and pasture * ld * * The installation of fencing for retaining livestock such as for example deer and sheep is renowned for being manually intensive. More specifically, the installation of livestock fencing requires the positioning of a line of fencing * posts followed by the attachment of the free end of the netting or wire to one *ts*.s * of the fencing posts. The wire or netting is then unrolled and secured to each post in turn along a length of the field or around the entire perimeter of the field for retaining the livestock as required. Any reference to wire used hereinafter should also be interpreted to include netting unless the context specifically dictates otherwise.

A particular problem when installing netting or wire fencing however is ability to obtain sufficient tensioning of the netting or fencing, especially as the length of the netting or wire increases and more of the field or pasture is enclosed by the netting or wire. Tensioning of the netting or fencing has traditionally been achieved by attaching adjustable straining wires or cables to the netting or fencing and also to a post to apply tension to the netting and

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thereby ensure that a taught line of fencing is achieved which is able to withstand pressure exerted on wire or netting by animals grazing when in the field and also the weather, for extended periods of time.

This tensioning procedure is not only hard work but is also time consuming for the installer as the act of tensioning needs to be performed at every fence post or at sufficient post intervals to ensure adequate tensioning of the netting or fencing along the line of fence posts.

In US Patent No. 5,163,634 there is described an apparatus for assisting in relation to the installation of sheep netting which comprises a frame adapted to be mounted to the rear of a tractor and provided with means for holding a roll of sheep netting. The apparatus in US 5,163, 634 is also provided with a slidable means for gripping the wire against an abutment, and said slidable means is operated by a hydraulic ram. The provision of the hydraulic ram means that the apparatus is expensive to produce and can be costly to maintain.

In WO 2005/068751, the contents of which are incorporated herein by * reference, the applicants of the present invention described an apparatus for *e* te.

the dispensing and tensioning of wire which provided a cost effective alternative to the device in us 5,163,634 and which was more economical to manufacture and dispense wire without the need for a hydraulically operated ram.

In WO 2005/068751 there is described an apparatus for dispensing and tensioning wire from a coil, comprising a frame for attaching to a vehicle, means for mounting at least one coil of wire for rotation, a lever arm member pivotally mounted with respect to the frame and having a guide co-operable with the wire in use, and a play-out' path for the wire defined between an abutment of the frame and a second abutment carried by the lever arm member, the lever arm having a first operative position in which the respective abutments are spaced apart to allow play-out' of the wire around said guide, and the lever arm having a second operative position in which it is moveable pivotably about said pivot point to cause wire to be trapped between the respective abutments.

The inventors of the present invention have now developed a further improvement to the dispensioning and tensioning apparatus of WO 2005/068751 which addresses the additional problems of the even tensioning and clamping requirements of wire or netting or any other form of wire, to be installed at a range of heights on fence posts, and thereby enabling the correct height of fencing to be achieved for both traditional livestock and larger varieties of livestock such as horses and lamas.

The present invention provides an apparatus or clamping system which facilitates the clamping of a number of different types of wire fencing or netting, and enables the fencing or netting to be sufficiently tensioned by to.

means of the forward or reverse motion of a tractor (or other suitable vehicle to which the apparatus is attached) when the apparatus is being used to fence land for retaining livestock. *ottt

* The apparatus or system according to the present invention is most usually attached to a suitable heavy duty vehicle capable of carrying the apparatus, such that when the apparatus is not in use, a roll of wire of netting carried by the vehicle may still be unwound or played out' as the vehicle moves along either in the forwards or reverse direction, and the apparatus of the present invention does not interfere with this process.

The apparatus comprises two arms which are able to swing in a horizontal direction with respect to a permanently fixed vertical member. The permanently fixed vertical member comprises a series of slots. The apparatus further comprises a non-permanently fixed vertical member which comprises a series of lugs slotted therein and a series of wedges to hold the two vertical members together and thereby firmly clamp the netting or wire when required. The horizontal swinging arms are pivotable and may be displaced to the side of the vehicle during the fencing operation so that the arms do not interfere with same, or alternatively, the arms may be located in a position which does not interfere with the movement of the vehicle on a road or highway when the apparatus is not in use.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the spacing and sizes of the component parts are determined by the height of the wire fencing or netting to be erected. The height of the wire fencing or netting is also used to determine the number of slots and the corresponding lugs to be employed for successful clamping and tensioning of the wire or netting.

The apparatus therefore has the advantage that it may be employed with any height of wire netting or fencing and is therefore particularly useful as only one apparatus as described in relation to the present invention is required to enable the fencing of different fields where multiple heights of netting or fencing are required. 0 *s

: Therefore according to a first aspect of the present invention there is ** is..

* provided an apparatus kit for clamping and tensioning wire from a coil, the apparatus comprising: a frame (10) for attaching to a vehicle, a first vertical member (2) with one or more channels disposed therethrough; a first arm (Ia) and a second arm (Ib) disposed one at either end of the first vertical member (2); a second vertical member (3) comprising one or more lugs disposed therealong and wherein the lugs comprise one or more slots; and one or more locking members (4) for securing the first and second verticaL members into a co-operating relationship when the lugs (5) on the second vertical member pass through the corresponding channels in the first vertical member.

The apparatus is preferably attachable to a wire mounting means. The apparatus is preferably attachable to a vehicle and/or wire mounting means by means of a three-point attachment link, although alternative attachment means may be used.

In the apparatus of the present invention the first and/or second arms may be detachably connected to the first vertical member. Alternatively, the first arm only may be detachably connected to the first vertical member.

Also in accordance with the present invention the arms are perpendicularly attached to the first vertical member.

In addition, the first vertical member comprises two or more channels disposed therethrough. The second vertical member comprises two or more lugs. 0 Sq

The locking means comprise a wedge. The wedge preferably comprises a first end and a second end wherein the second end is larger than the first end such that the second end is tapered towards the smaller first end and : wherein the first end is so sized to be able to pass through the slots in the * lugs on the second vertical member and by means of an interference fit, secure the first and second vertical members together.

Also in relation to the present invention the apparatus further comprises a bar attachable to the frame and wherein the apparatus is held in a first position by means of a second locking member engageable between the bar and the frame, and wherein disengagement of the second locking member enables the bar and frame to be held in a second position.

The lugs are perpendicularly disposed to the second vertical member.

The slots in the lugs for receiving the locking means may be vertically aligned with respect to the second vertical member or may be horizontally aligned with respect to the first and second arms.

In addition, the first and second vertical members are so shaped to enable a co-operative engagement of the first and second vertical members.

Furthermore, in the apparatus of the present invention the first and second vertical members are connected. Preferably the first and second vertical members are pivotally connected by means of a hinge.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing wire fencing using an apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: i) mounting the apparatus on a vehicle suitable for carrying wire or fencing, and threading the wire through a play-out path and around the first vertical * . ** *..: member, ii) securing the free end of the wire being secured to a post; iii) moving the vehicle in a desired direction and a desired distance causing * wire to play-out from the wire or fencing coil; and * 006 * iv) clamping the wire or fencing between the first vertical member and the second vertical member by engaging the first and second vertical members until lugs in the second vertical member engage with channels in the first vertical member; followed by v) locking the first and second members together by inserting locking means into slots present in the lugs; vi) moving the vehicle further in the chosen direction by a sufficient distance to actuate the clamp action of the first and second vertical members and thereafter continuing to move the vehicle to tension the length of wire to a sufficient degree; and vii) providing one or more securing posts for the wire and securing the wire to the one or more of the posts to maintain the tension therein.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the respective parts of the clamping apparatus kit according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the respective parts of the clamping apparatus kit according to the present invention positioned with respect to fencing wire to be clamped.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the clamping apparatus kit according to the present invention in operation and clamped relationship to fencing wire.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the clamping apparatus of Figure 3 as indicated by arrows A-A when the apparatus is in a clamped relationship to the fencing wire.

Figures 5a and 5b are views of the apparatus attached to a transport vehicle.

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* Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is view of the apparatus of the present invention in operation. St *

: Referring to Figures 1 to 7, an example of the clamping system or apparatus S.....

* forming a kit according to the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus is designed for attaching to for example a three-point linkage of a tractor or other suitable vehicle which is of sufficient size to enable the apparatus to transport for instance one or more rolls of wire of netting to be used to fence

for example a field or park.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2 the apparatus or system 10 comprises a first frame 11 which comprises upper and lower arms la and lb respectively which are positioned horizontally to a fixed vertical member 2. The distance between the upper and lower arms la and lb may be altered according to the height of the wire fencing or netting to be installed. Consequently in one embodiment of the present invention the upper and lower arms may be fixed permanently in position and in a second embodiment one or both of the arms may be adjustable along the length of the fixed vertical member 2 as required by means of a suitable connection means in order that the apparatus of the present invention may be used with multiple sizes of wire fencing.

The apparatus of the present invention is preferably used in combination with the dispensing and tensioning wire device available under the tradename Quickfencer' and as described in WO 2005/068751, and, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, if required, the apparatus of the present invention may be employed in isolation or with any other device suitable for supporting rolls of wire roll or netting. Consequently, in use, the frame and arms of the apparatus according to the present invention are either attached directly to a transport means such as a tractor or vehicle by means of a three-point attachment mechanism as is commonly employed in heavy machinery or, alternatively, SOs the apparatus of the present invention is secured by suitable means to the dispensing and tensioning wire device as described in WO 2005/068751 or other suitable apparatus for transporting rolls or netting or wire which is in turn attached to a transportation means. * .

As can be seen in Figures 5a and Sb, when the apparatus of the present invention is in use, the arms la, lb are extended into a position away from the transportation means 50 using for example a pivotal attachment mechanism, to enable the wire or netting 60 to be unwound or payed out' and tensioned accordingly. However, when the task of for example fencing a field is complete, and the apparatus of the present invention is not in use, the arms Ia, lb maybe pivotally returned to a closed position and secured in place to ensure that the arms do not interfere with the movement of the transportation vehicle when travelling on a road or highway.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the system or apparatus of the present invention comprises a vertical member 2, located between two horizontal arms la, lb. The distance between the arms Ia, lb may be adjusted as required according to the height of the wire fence to be tensioned, but once a required distance between the arms has been selected in order to accommodate the fencing or netting to be fenced, the vertical member 2 is fixed into the required position between the upper and lower horizontal arms la and lb using a suitable alteration means. The vertical member 2 further comprises a series of pairs of slots or orifices 2a, located along the length of the vertical member. Whilst any pattern of paired slots may be applied along the length of the vertical member, it is preferred that the pairs of slots or orifices are located along the length of the second vertical member and that the pairs of slots are aligned with respect to one another thereby providing a channel between the slots forming a pair.

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* 5*5 Si * In order to use the clamping apparatus kit of the present invention, wire St..

fencing in unwound or payed out' by an amount sufficient to ensure flexible working of the wire fencing as the vehicle carrying the fencing is driven forwards or backwards. As the vehicle is moved in the forwards or reverse *F * direction the wire is unwound and passed freely around the vertical member * * 2ofthe apparatus.

In order to tension the wire, a second vertical member 3 forming a gripping tube with a u' shaped arrangement or gripping channel suitable for engagement with the first vertical member 2 is required. The second vertical member 3 comprises a series of lugs 5, affixed along the length of the second vertical member and extending horizontally therefrom.

Consequently when the second vertical member 2 is brought into cooperating arrangement with the first vertical member 2, the lugs extending from the second vertical member pass through corresponding channels 2a in the first vertical member and thereby align the first and second vertical members in an intergaging relationship.

When the first and second vertical members have been aligned such that the horizontal lugs 5 on the second vertical member pass through the corresponding channels formed by the pairs of slots 2a in the first vertical member, and engage in a co-operating relationship, the co-operation of the two vertical members traps the wire to be tensioned between the first and second vertical members.

As mentioned above, the second vertical member preferably comprises a first side 12, and a second side 14 attached to a central section, 13, thereby forming a u' shaped structure or gripping channel for passing around the first vertical member 2.

The horizontally extending lugs 5 extend away from the central section and protrude therefrom. S. S * S.

The horizontal lugs further comprise one or more slots 6 which preferably pass completely through the lugs. Consequently, as can be seen in Figure *sS* 3, when the fencing wire has been clamped between the first and second vertical members and the lugs 5 have passed through the slots in the first ** ** vertical member, the lugs are of such a length that the slots are free and * S * * . visible and at the same time the first and second members are in close *fl..S mating relationship.

Once the wire fencing is held in this way, the tension in the wire fencing may be increased by inserting wedges 4 through the slots 6 in the horizontal lugs and in so doing, cause the first and second vertical members to be held more firmly as the wedges 4 are pushed further and further into the slots 5 in the second vertical member The wedges preferably comprise a first end 20 and a second end 22 with the first end being narrower than the second end such that the first end of a first wedge 4a fits easily into the slot 6a on a lug 5a but as the length of the wedge is inserted further into the slot Ba the wedge becomes more tightly :io held in the slot and furthermore, the wire is also then held much more tightly between the first and second vertical members.

Once the first and second vertical members are held in place by means of the locking wedges, the required tension of the fencing wire may then be achieved by either the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle to which the clamping apparatus of the present invention is attached. Once the required tension has been obtained, additional fencing wire can then be unwound from the non-tensioned, loose side of the fencing wire and fixed to an appropriate fence post.

Once the fencing wire has been fixed in place to a fence post, the locking wedges 4 may be removed from the slots in the horizontal lugs and the second vertical member manually removed. The vehicle is then free to move away from the tensioned section of the fence and repeat the operation again until the required length of fencing has been installed.

As can be seen in Figure 5b, in the clamping apparatus kit of the present invention the arms I a, I b forming the frame 10 are attached at one end to ��SSsS * the first vertical member 2 (arm la visible only). At the other end the arms I a, I b are attached to a vertical bar 50 at a hinge or pivot point 51 which defines a pivotal axis for the clamping apparatus and which allows the apparatus frame to be pivotally extended away from or towards the transportation vehicle or other frame such as the Quickfencer frame, 60 as required.

In a preferred embodiment the vertical bar 50 is releasably connected to the transportation device 45 and/or the Quickfencer', 60 so that the clamping apparatus may be stored when not in use. Ti

Also illustrated in Figure Sb by the dotted pathway is the position of the frame 10 and arms Ia, lb when the apparatus of the present invention is being transported.

The vertical bar 50 is in turn secured to a mounting plate 72 which is for example secured to the Quickfencer' device or other transportation means for carrying and dispensing wire.

A spring bolt or other suitable securing means 74 is used to retain the frame of the clamping apparatus according to the present invention in position when the apparatus is in use.

As is also in evidence in Figure Sb, there is illustrated a further locking means by virtue of a hole 76 which is able to receive the spring bolt 74 and thereby hold the arm Ia in position for transportation when the apparatus is not is use.

Therefore when for example the spring bolt which passes through aligned holes 74 and 76 in the mounting plate and upper arms la is removed, the frame 10 can be moved into and out of a storage position and working position respectively.

In the cross-sectional view illustrated in Figure 6, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which the frame 10 is secured to two mounting plates 72a and 72b which are in turn secured to opposing ends of vertical bar 50, by means of hinge pin 51. To secure the arms la, lb into position a spring bolt 74a, 74b is provided at each end of the hinge pin securing arm I a and 1 b respectively.

In this preferred embodiment the hinge pin 51 passes through aligned holes in the upper and lower arms la, lb of the frame and the spring bolts 74a and

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74b prevent the upper and lower arms Ia, lb from moving either in transportation or once positioned for use.

Also illustrated in Figure 6 is an attachment means 80 which is attached at one end by means of a hinge mechanism 82 to the vertical member 2 and at the other end by a suitable attachment means to the gripping tube 3, thereby preventing separation and loss of the gripping tube 3 from the vertical member. The attachment means 80 may be in the form of a strengthened wire or flexible web and is of a sufficient strength to be used with and withstand the wear of the metal frame and gripping tube 3 forming the component parts of the device of the present invention.

Therefore can be seen from Figure 7, in use of the apparatus of the present invention, a roll of wire netting (not shown) is played out and the upper and lower arms la, lb are moved into position. The pivotally mounted gripping channel 3 is displaced away from the vertical member 2 (as shown by the oh.

dotted lines) so that the netting may be positioned. With the netting or wire in place, the gripping channel may be aligned with the vertical member 2 by means of the hinged connection 80, thereby trapping the wire in position, and allowing insertion of the lugs.

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With the wire passed around vertical member 2 and trapped by the gripping channel 2, and assuming forward motion, the free end of the wire is attached to a post and the vehicle driven forwardly along the intended line of the fence. The vehicle can be driven a convenient distance, say for example 30 metres or more. Then the second vertical member is introduced and the wire netting or fencing is trapped between the vertical members and the wedges forced through the slots in the second vertical members once they have emerged through the channels in the first vertical member. Continued movement of the tractor results in the played-out length of wire netting being tensioned. Stopping the tractor retains the tension in the wire whilst it is secured to posts positioned along the line of the netting. Thus play-out of the wire and tensioning thereof is achieved in a very simple and efficient manner. One the wire has been attached to the fence posts the wedges may be removed and the operation repeated. 0 I * I * * *I

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Claims

claims 1. An apparatus kit for clamping and tensioning wire from a coil, the apparatus comprising: a frame (10) for attaching to a vehicle, a first vertical member (2) with one or more channels disposed therethrough; a first arm (1 a) and a second arm (1 b) disposed one at either end of the first vertical member (2); a second vertical member (3) comprising one or more Jugs disposed therealong and wherein the lugs comprise one or more slots; and one or more locking members (4) for securing the first and second vertical members into a co-operating relationship when the lugs (5) on the second vertical member pass through the corresponding channels in the first vertical member. * It
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is attachable to a wire mounting means.II II * S *

::..:;
3. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus is attachable to a vehicle and/or wire mounting means by a three-point attachment link.
4. An apparatus according to claim I wherein the first and/or second arms are detachably connected to the first vertical member.
5. An apparatus according to claim I wherein the first arm is detachably connected to the first vertical member.
6. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the arms are perpendicularly attached to the first vertical member.
7. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first vertical member comprises 2 or more channels disposed therethrough.
8. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the second vertical member comprises two or more lugs.
9. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the locking means comprise a wedge.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the wedge comprises a first end and a second end wherein the second end is larger than the first end such that the second end is tapered towards the smaller first end and wherein the first end is so sized to be able to pass through the slots in the lugs on the second vertical member and by means of an interference fit, secure the first and second vertical members together. fl*e12. An apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises a bar attachable to the frame and wherein the apparatus is held in a first position by means of a second locking member engageable between the bar and the frame, and wherein disengagement of the second locking member enables the bar and frame to be held in a second position.13. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tugs are perpendicularly disposed to the second vertical member.14. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the slots in the lugs for receiving the locking means may be vertically aligned with respect to the second vertical member or may be horizontally aligned with respect to the first and second arms.15. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first and second vertical members are so shaped to enable a co-operative engagement of the first and second vertical members.16. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first and second vertical members are connected.17. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first and second vertical members are pivotally connected by means of a hinge.18. A method of installing wire fencing using an apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: i) mounting the apparatus on a vehicle suitable for carrying wire or fencing, and threading the wire through a play-out path and around the first vertical *.member, ii) securing the free end of the wire being secured to a post; iii) moving the vehicle in a desired direction and a desired distance causing wire to play-out from the wire or fencing coil; and * S. *5.* iv) clamping the wire or fencing between the first vertical member and the second vertical member by engaging the first and second vertical members until lugs in the second vertical member engage with channels in the first vertical member; followed by v) locking the first and second members together by inserting locking means into slots present in the lugs; vi) moving the vehicle further in the chosen direction by a sufficient distance to actuate the clamp action of the first and second vertical members and thereafter continuing to move the vehicle to tension the length of wire to a sufficient degree; and vii) providing one or more securing posts for the wire and securing the wire to the one or more of the posts to maintain the tension therein.19. An apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. a* a * a S a *sS* S. *SS * S *.* sass SS 55 * a a * SS S *