GB2511544A

GB2511544A - Clip

Info

Publication number: GB2511544A
Application number: GB1304080.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Sherwood; Elaine Sherwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-07
Filing date: 2013-03-07
Publication date: 2014-09-10
Also published as: GB201304080D0

Abstract

A clip 10 for securing a strand or mesh (50, Fig 3) to a fence post comprises a jaw portion 12 for clasping around at least a part of the fence post (40, Fig 3), a hook portion 16 for receiving the strand or mesh from one side of the fence post, and a connecting portion 14 joining the hook portion 16 to the jaw portion 12, the jaw portion 12 and the hook portion 16 opposing each other. The jaw portion may include a resilient jaw member 17, teeth (34, Fig 2) for embedding into a soft material and an aperture (32, Fig 2) for receiving a fastening. A method of using the clip is also disclosed.

Description

CLIP

The present invention relates to a clip, and particularly but not exclusively to a clip for attaching wire or trellis to fence posts.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to attach trellis, wire or string to a gaixlcn fence, to provide support for climbing plants.

Generally, such trellis is attached using screws, staples or nails. However, attaching trellis in this manner can be difficult, and may damage the fence. The fastenings can be difficult to remove, and removal may cause further damage to the fence.

Trellis may also be attached to fence posts. This has the advantage that, for certain arrangements of fence, the trellis may sit proud of the main surface of the fence.

However, fence posts are often made from concrete even when the fence panels themselves are wooden. It is extremely difficult to install any kind of fixing in a concrete post, and attempting to do so may well result in large chunks of the post breaking away.

A further disadvantage of known methods of attaching trellis, wire and string to fences is that the trellis, wire or string is not quickly and easily removable, If, for example, the fence needs to be painted, it can be an onerous task to remove a trellis from the fence, paint the fence, and then re-affix the trellis.

It is an object of the invention to reduce or substantially obviate the above mentioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for securing a strand or mesh to a fence post, comprising a jaw portion having a mouth for receiving at least a part of the fence post, a hook portion having a throat for

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receiving the strand or mesh from one side of the fence post, and a connecting portion joining the hook portion to the jaw portion, the mouth of the jaw portion and the throat of the hook portion facing in substantially opposing directions.

The strand or mesh may be, for example, a string, wire, or trellis. To attach a strand of string or wire to a fence, two clips may be used on adjacent fence posts, loops being provided at either end of the string or wire for engaging with the hook portions of the clips, and the string or wire being stretched between the clips. Alternatively, the string or wire may be attached at one end to a clip, and at the other end to any other fixing means. Where a trellis is to bc attached, multiple clips may be used on both of two adjacent fence posts, to provide a plurality of anchor points on either side of the trellis, ensuring a secure fit.

The mouth of the jaw portion and the throat of the hook portion oppose each other. If a strand or mesh which is engaged in the hook portion is pulled away from the clip, the force will push the jaw portion further over the fence post. Tension in the strand or mesh between two clips on adjacent posts therefore serves to keep the clips fixed to the fence posts.

The clip is advantageous since it allows easy fitting of trellis, string, wire or any similar support to a fence post, without causing any damage to the post. The clip can be removed when the trellis, string or wire is no longer required, leaving the fence post undamaged. The clip is suitable for attaching to concrete fence posts, which due to the hardness of the concrete are generally unsuitable for use with many conventional fixing means.

Typically, a concrete fence post is substantially rectangular in profile, including two sides, a front and a back, with a groove down the centre of either side. Wooden fence panels are received in the side grooves, and sit between two adjacent concrete posts.

The jaw portion of the clip can be fitted around part of a side of the fence post, clasping around the inside of the groove, a surface of the corresponding side of the fence post, and a surface of the front or rear of the fence post.

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The jaw portion and the hook portion may extend from opposing sides of the connecting portion. In usc, the connecting portion may rest against a front or rear surface of a fence post. The hook portion may extend from the side of the connecting portion which faces away fix,m the post, and the jaw portion may extend from the side of the connecting portion which faces towards the post The jaw portion may therefore attach to the post, and the connecting portion rest flat against the front or rear surface.

The jaw portion of the clip may include resiliently deforniable jaw members. The jaw portion may bc fonncd substantially as thrcc sidcs of a rcctanglc, a first sidc bcing integral with the connecting portion, a second side extending perpendicularly fit,m the connecting portion, and a third side angled a small amount less than 90° from the second side, the third side being deformable outwardly to bring it substantially parallel with the first side.

A resilient jaw allows the clip to grasp onto a -of the fence post, and ensures a reasonably secure fit with no other external fixing means. Although the tension in the strand or mesh provides that the jaw is held against the fence post, the resilient jaw is particularly advantageous when the clip is being fitted, allowing the clip to be placed in position before the strand or mesh is attached. This allows the clips and strand or mesh to be installed easily by one person.

A lip may extend from the end of the third side of the jaw, and extend outwardly of the jaw portion. The lip creates a wide portion at the mouth of the jaw, allowing the jaw to deform outwardly as it is pushed over a part of a fence post.

The jaw portion may include teeth for embedding into a soft material. Wooden fence posts do not always include grooves similar to the concrete fence posts described above, so there may not be a part of the fence post around which the jaw portion can grasp. The jaw portion may therefore clasp around a surface of the front or rear of the fence post and a surface of a side of the fence post, with the teeth embedded in a side of the fence post When the clips are installed, a hammer may be used to embed the teeth into the wooden fence post.

Although hammering in the teeth will cause slight damage to the side of the fence post, this damage is slight compared with the holes which must inevitably be drilled where known types of fixing means are used. In addition, the damage in the side of the fence post is unlikely to be easily visible, as damage to the front or rear of a fence post would be. Furthermore, if the clip is removed and then reinstalled, then the clip may be reintroduced in the same position. Due to the effect of the tension of the strand or mesh, as described above, re-installing the clip in the same place will not have a significant impact on the security of the fixing.

The jaw portion may include an aperture for receiving a fastening, for example a screw. Screws may be used in a similar manner to the teeth described above, as well as or instead of the teeth. Again, the screw fastenings are not relied upon to secure the clip to the fence post once a tensioned strand or mesh is attached, and therefore holes already made in the fence post may be safely re-used.

The hook portion may include a slot extending laterally into the bend of the hook, for retaining a length of wire or similar. Two opposing slots may be provided. Slots in the hook portion are particularly advantageous where the clip is used to secure a mesh, for example a trellis. A strand forming part of the mesh which is substantially parallel with the fence post may be received into the hook. A cross-strand, perpendicular to the fence post and forming part of the same mesh, may then sit within the slot. This increases the sturdiness of the fixing, and in particular makes it less likely that the mesh will be pulled away from the fence, since it is supported by two perpendicular strands of the mesh.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fixing a strand or trellis to a fence post using a clip with a resiliently deformable jaw and a hook, and comprising the steps of: a. deforming the jaw of the clip to increase the width of a mouth of the jaw; b. introducing the mouth of the jaw around a part of the fence post; c. allowing the resiliently deformable jaw to grip around the part of the fence post, retaining the clip to the fence post; d. hooking a loop in a strand or mesh into the hook of the clip; e. tensioning the strand or mesh, providing a force away from the clip.

The mouth of the jaw may be introduced instep (b) around a first surfkce of a fence post, a second surface of a fence post which is substantially perpendicular with the first surface, and a third surface of a fence post which is substantially parallel with the first surface and is interior of a groove in the second surface of thc fence post.

The hook may include a bend dcfining a throat, a slot bcing providcd extending laterally into the bend of the hook and a mesh being used in step (d), and further comprising the step of: £ introducing a cross-member of the mesh into the slot in the bend of the hook.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspectivc view of a first embodiment of a clip according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a clip according to the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the clip of Figure 1, in use securing a trellis to a fence post.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a clip is generally indicated at 10.

The clip comprises a jaw portion 12, an elongate connecting portion 14, and a hook portion 16.

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The clip 10 is formed as a single part, folded from a sheet having two sides. The material may be, for example, galvanised steel, coated steel, stainless steel, aluminium, or any other suitable weather-resistant material.

The jaw portion 12 includes three sides 13, 15, 17 defining a mouth. The sides 13, 15, 17 are in the shape of three sides of a rectangle, but with side 17 extending inwardly at a small angle. Side 13 is integral with the connecting portion 14, side 15 is perpendicular to side 13, and side 17 is angled at just under 90° from side 15, nearly parallel with side 13. The jaw portion is resilient, the angled side 17 being outwardly deformable so that it is substantially parallel with side 13 and the connecting portion 14. In use, the jaw 12 may be deformed outwardly and introduced around apart of a fence post. The resilient jaw 12 grasps around part of the fence post, securing the clip in position.

A lip 114 is provided on the distal end of side 17 of the jaw portion 12, angled outwardly from the inwardly-extending side of the jaw portion 12. The lip 18 facilitates easy installation, by providing a wider receiving end of the jaw portion 12.

The clip 10 may be pushed onto a suitable part of a fence post, and as it is pushed over the post the jaw 12 will deform. The lip 18 obviates the need to manually deform the jaw I2beforeplacing it over thepost.

The hook portion 16 is provided extending from the opposite end of the connecting portion 14 to the jaw portion 12. The hook portion 16 also extends from the opposing side of the connecting portion 14 to the jaw portion 12.

The hook portion 16 is formed of a section of the connecting portion 14 which is curved back on itself. The hook portion 16 includes two opposing slots 20, extending laterally into a curved bend 19 of the hook portion 16. The slots may receive cross-members forming part of a mesh. Alternatively, where a strand -for example, a wire or string -is attached to the hook 16, a loop may be formed at the end of the strand and the loop placed over the hook 16. When the strand is tightened it passes through both slots 20. The slots help to ensure a secure fit for the mesh or strand.

Referring now to Figure 2, a second embodiment of a clip is shown generally at 30.

The clip is similar in many respects to thc clip 10, and like parts are labelled with like numbers on the drawing. Clip 30 differs in that the jaw portion 12 includes teeth 34 in place of the inwardly angled resilient side 17 of clip 10. The teeth extend from the side 15 of the jaw portion, substantially parallel to side 13. The teeth 34 may be hammered into a soft material, for example a wooden fence post.

In addition, clip 30 includes an aperture 32 in the side 15 of the jaw portion 12 which is peipendicular to the connecting portion 14. In use, the aperture may receive a fhstcning, fbr example, a screw, to secure the clip to a fencc post.

In use and as seen in Figure 3, the connecting portion 14 may be disposed adjacent to a first surthce 42 of a fence post 40. Thejaw portion 12 extends from one end of the connecting portion 14, passing adjacent to a second surface 44 of the fence post, and the hook portion 16 extends from the other end of the connecting portion 14, away from the first surface 42 of the fence post. A trellis 50 is stretched between two fence posts having a similar arrangement of clips 10. The tension in the trellis 50 keeps the jaw portion 12 of the clips 10 engaged with the fence post 40.

The clip is easy to fit, and easily removable. Trellis, wire, or string can be fixed to a fence by one person. The clip is suitable fbr use on concrete or wooden fence posts, and in some cases may be fixed without causing any damage to the fcncc post. Where it is required to embed the clip into the &nce post, or use screws, the position of the fastening is hidden on a side of the post. Since the clip is held in place by the tension of the trellis, wire or string, any grooves or holes made in the fence may be safely re-used without a detrimcntal impact on the security of installed clips.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A clip for securing a strand or mesh to a fence post, comprising ajaw portion having a mouth for receiving at least a part of the fence post, a hook portion having a bend and a throat for receiving the strand or mesh from one side of the fence post, and a connecting portion joining the hook portion to the jaw portion, the mouth of the jaw portion and the throat of the hook portion facing in substantially opposing directions.
2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, in which thc jaw portion and thc hook portion extend from opposing sides of the connecting portion.
3. A clip as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the jaw portion includes a resilient jaw member.
4. A clip as claimed in claim 3, in which the jaw portion is fonned substantially asthreesidesofarectangle,aflrstsidebeingintegralwiththeconnecting portion, a second side extending substantially peipendicularly from the connecting portion, and a third side angled just less than 90° from the second side, the third side being deformable outwardly to bring it substantially parallel with the first side.
5. A clip as claimed in claim 4, in which a lip extends outwardly of the jaw portion, from a distal end of the third side, defining a wide end section of the mouth of the jaw portion.
6. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the jaw portion includes teeth for embedding into a soft material.
7. A clip as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the jaw portion includes an aperture for receiving a fastening.
8. A clip as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the hook portion includes a slot extending laterally into thc bend of the hook.
9. A clip as claimed in claim 8, in which two slots are provided, each extending laterally into the bend of the hook from opposing sides.
10. A method of fixing a strand or trellis to a fence post using a clip with a resiliently deformable jaw and a hook, and comprising the steps of: a. deforming the jaw of the clip to increase the width of a mouth of the jaw; b. introducing the mouth of the jaw around a part of the fence post; c. allowing thc resiliently dcformablc jaw to grip around thc part of thc fence post, retaining the clip to the fence post; d. hooking a loop in a strand or mesh into the hook of the clip; e. tensioning the strand or mesh, providing a force away from the clip.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, in which the mouth ofthe jaw is introduced in step (b) around a first surface ofa fence post, a second surface ofa fence post which is substantially perpendicular with the first surface, and a third surfitce of a fence post which is substantially parallel with the first surface and is interior of a groove in the second surface of the fence post.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or II, in which the hook includes a bend dcflning a throat, a slot bcing provided cxtcnding laterally into thc bend of thc hook and a mesh being used in step (d), and further comprising the step of: introducing a cross-member of the mesh into the slot in the bend of the hook.
13. A clip substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.