NZ216481A - Spool-type wire strainer with disengageable ratchet - Google Patents

Description

Patents Form No. 5 grsm.iih SUBSTITUTION OF APPUCANt UNDER SECTION 24 All-^le-y |\| \ Complete After Provisional \ No. 216481 '•Filed 10 June 1986 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 12 OCT 1988 V™ EF 1 IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WIRESTRAINERS S WE, *DONftI®~p-RBSSES~irIM-ITED of Papawai Place, Masterton, New Zealand, a New Zealand company, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in the following statement: 2 216481 This invention relates to improvements in and relating to wirestrainers.

To the present various types of wirestrainers have been available which enable fence wire to be tensioned. Such wirestrainers have often utilised a ratchet and pawl principle and reference may be made to our New Zealand patent specification No. 131451 as an example of such types of wirestrainers.

Such wirestrainers are commonly known as permanent wirestrainers and these are built into a fence structure on its erection.

Various alternative means have been suggested in such previous wirestrainers in respect of the control of the ratchet. It is to be appreciated in this regard that as well as requiring a regulated rotation of the ratchet as the wire is tensioned it can also be necessary for the ratchet to be free-wheeling as wire is run out.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a wirestrainer which has an improved ratchet control means or which at least obviates disadvantages in such control means available in wirestrainers to the present time.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is thus provided a wirestrainer comprising a spool rotatably mounted relative to a body^ a ratchet 216481 3 means rotatable with said spool and a spring member pivotally mounted on said body said spring member having a transverse portion which in a first position of the spring member is engageable with said ratchet means to control the rotation thereof but in a second, pivoted position of the spring member is removed from such engagement to allow said spool and said ratchet means to free-wheel.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification wherein various possible embodiments of the present invention are shown, namely: Figure 1: shows diagrammatically a plan perspective view of a wirestrainer according to one possible imbodiment of the invention; Figure 2; shows an end view of the wirestrainer of Figure 1; Figure 3: shows an insulator spring connector according to one aspect of the invention as used in Figure 1; Figure 4: shows a handle according to another aspect of the invention and suitable for use with the wirestrainer of Figure 1; Figure 5: shows a wirestrainer according to another possible embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the 216481 -4- Followed by 4a drawings a wirestrainer according to one possible embodiment of the invention is referenced generally by arrow 1 and is shown having a spool 2 rotatably mounted within apertures 3 in respective arms 4 of a body portion 5.

The spool 2 is shown having a ratchet means rotatable therewith and in the example shown the ratchet means is in the form of a pair of spaced apart toothed flange members 6 having peripheral teeth 7. A spring means referenced generally by arrow 8, consists of a single length, of suitable material, which is of circular cross section, such as a length of wire. A free end 8B or the spring means is located in an aperture in one arm 4. The spring means extends from free end 8A along the arm 4 and is bent to pass over the edge of the arm 4 across body 5 as a transverse portion 8C over the edge of the other arm 4 to extend along the arm to an aperture whereupon it passes through the aperture and once more transversely across the body 5 to terminate with free end 8A in an aperture in the first mentioned arm 4. The spring means 8 is as a consequence of such construction and mounting by body 5 pivotally mounted with the body.

In the position shown in full lines the transverse portion 8C of the spring means 8 is engageable with the teeth 7 of the ratchet means 6 so that as the ratchet means 6 rotates in a direction indicated by arrow A the transverse member 8C will 22SEPW89T - 4a - 2 16 4 8 be lifted from one tooth 7 to engage with the next tooth 7 as the wire is tensioned. However, the transverse member 8C prevents any rotation of the ratchet means 6 in the opposite direction so that the tension on the wire is maintained.

In the pivoted position of the spring means 8 shown in outline, the transverse portion 8C is disengaged from the ratchet means 6 so that the ratchet means 6 is then free to free-wheel thus enabling wire to be run-out.

The spool 2 is shown having a squared-off projecting end 216481 -5- Followed by 5(a) handle, one possible embodiment of which is described hereinafter with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

The spool 2 is also shown provided with apertures 10 therein for the purpose of providing an anchorage for the free end of a fence wire connected to the spool 2 when the wirestrainer 1 is used as a permanent wirestrainer.

As shown particularly in Figure2 (see also Figure 5) one of the flanges 6 is shown provided with a projection 11 having a groove 12 therein. Adjacent this is a tapered projection 13 provided on the spool 2. Associated with the tapered projection 13 is a groove, recess or flat portion 14. Tapered projection 13 is of increasing width away from the flange 6 as it extends toward the groove, recess or flat portion 14.

In utilising the wirestrainer 1 as an in-line wirestrainer for an existing fence wire, and without requiring the fence wire to be cut, the wire can be passed over the groove, recess or flat portion 14. By rotating the spool 10 the wire is caused to wrap around the projection 11 in a backward direction and thus lie within the groove 12 whereupon continued rotation of spool 10 causes the wire to extend about the spool 10. This rotation will ultimately result in the wire coming into contact with the projecting portion 13 the taper of which forces a transverse - 5(a)- 216461 displacement of the wire such that it does not once again pass over projection 11 but merely wraps around the spool 10. In this way the fence wire (not shown) can be secured to the wirestrainer 1 and strained without the need for the wire to be cut.

On the other hand, using the wirestrainer 1 as a permanent wirestrainer the body 5 (see Figure 1) is shown provided with apertures 15 therein to which may be connected one end of a fence wire which would normally be connected with a fence post or other anchorage, the fence wire to be tensioned then being connected as mentioned 216481 above with the spool 2 through one of the apertures 10 thereof.

In the use of the wirestrainer 1 with an electric fence arrangement, discrete electrical insulation may need to be provided. For this purpose, in Figure 1 an electrical insulator 16 is shown provided connected at the end of the body 5 by means of a clip 18 extending through the apertures 15 of the body 5. The insulator 16, suitably of porcelain or other electrically insulating material is shown having a pair of grooves 17, one of which can accommodate the side members of the clip 18 while the other of which can accommodate the wire or the like securing the tensioner 1 to a suitable anchorage such as a fence post.

In Figure 3 the insulator clip 18 is shown in greater detail and is shown comprising a loop of spring steel or the like the free ends of which 18A and 18B are formed so as to be spaced apart from one another and able to be engageable through respective apertures 15 of the body 5 as shown in Figure 1.

Alternatively, the tensioner either wholly or partly may be of an electrically insulating material so that discrete insulating components may not be required.

To operate the wirestrainer 1 of Figure 1 the squared-off end 9 may be engaged by any suitable tool. However, in Figure 4 an operating handle according to one possible embodiment of the invention is shown referenced 216481 generally by arrow 20. The handle 20 is shown having a first handle member 21, an end of which 22 is shown provided with a hook which in use can extend about and grip a wire being tensioned so as to hold the handle member 21 in a fixed position relative to that wire. The handle member 21 is also shown with a transverse portion 22 extending to a cylindrical bush portion 23.

A second handle member 24 is also shown provided with a transverse member 25 extending to a cylindrical bush portion 26. The handle 24 is adapted to be movable relative to the handle 21 in rotating the ratchet means 6 of the wirestrainer 1 shown in outline. For this purpose a suitable rotational mounting may be provided for the cylindrical portion 23 relative to the cylindrical portion 26 so that a ratchet-effect is obtained enabling the handle 24 to be moved upwardly (as in the view shown in Figure 4) to turn the ratchet means 6 but then being able to be returned downwardly without applying torque to a projecting portion 27 engaged with wirestrainer end 9. A suitable friction drive, clutch arrangement or pin or thrust type bearing may be provided to achieve the ratchet effect, various types of uni-directional drives suitable for this purpose being known to those skilled in the engineering arts. A cover plate 28 with securing pin 29 are shown removed from the end of a core 40 in Figure 4 in illustrating part of a possible uni-directional drive 216481 between the members 26 and 23. This is illustrated very diagrammatically as comprising the core 40 extending through the bushes 26 and 23 to the projecting portion 27 engageable with the end 9 of the wirestrainer, usually an in-line wirestrainer. The core 40 has a pair of opposed elongate recesses 30 along its length which can apply drive through pins 31 as the cylindrical portion 26 is rotated in one direction but not in the opposite direction.

Turning now to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings a further embodiment of the invention is shown comprising the spool/ratchet arrangement of Figure 1 but excluding the body portion 5 and the ratchet engaging spring means 8. In this embodiment of the invention a pair of apertures 10 provided in the spool 2 can be utilised in connecting a pair of wire ends together. Alternatively the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 previously mentioned, 11, 12, 13, 14 enables the wirestrainer of this embodiment shown in Figure 5 to be used as an in-line wirestrainer if required. A clip member 32 is shown provided which can engage with the teeth 7 of the ratchet means 6, the clip 32 being shown with hooked projections 33 which may be utilised in clipping about a wire after tensioning so that the ratchet means 6 are prevented from rotation and the tension on the wire is maintained.

VEP 216481 Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

$K>W AMENDED 210481

Claims (16)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A wirestrainer comprising a spool rotatably mounted relative to a body, a ratchet means rotatable with said spool and a spring member pivotally mounted on/said body said / spring member having a transverse portion which m a first position of the spring member is engagea&le with said ratchet means to control the rotation thereof but in a second, pivoted position of the spring member is removed from such engagement to allow said spool and said ratchet means to free-wheel. /

2. A wirestrainer according to Claim 1 wherein said / spring member is formed by a single elongate element having its free ends anchored by said body.

3. A wirestrainer according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said ratchet means comprises one or more toothed flange members connected to said spool.

4. A wirestrainer according to Claim said spool has apertures therein adapted to for tensioning. 1, 2 or 3 wherein accommodate wires BOW AMENDED - 11 - 216481

5. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein at least one end of said spool is provided with means adapted to engage with a rotating means.

6. A wirestrainer according to Claim 5 wherein the means adapted to engage with said rotating means is a squared off end of said spool. /

7. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one flange member is provided with a projection having a groove therein and said spool is provided with a tapered recess to facilitate in-line wirestraining.

8. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims including insulating means attached to said wirestrainer to electrically insulate said wirestrainer.

9. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said wirestrainer is constructed entirely or partially of an insulating material. 10. A wirestrainer as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said body includes a pair of arms between which said spool is rotatably mounted, said transverse portion of the spring member extending across and in contact with said arms when in said first position and controlling rotation BOW AMENDEO - 12 - 216481 11. A wirestrainer as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the spring member has a portion which extends from each end of the transverse portion along the respective arms of the body the free end of one such portion being located in an aperture in one arm and the free end of the other such portion projecting through an aperture in the other arm to locate in a further aperture in said one arm. 12. A rotating means in combination with the wirestrainer as claimed in Claim 1 said rotating means comprising a first handle means and a second handle means connnected to a ratchet means, rotation of one of said handle means in one direction with respect to the other said handle means causing rotation of an end of said ratchet means whilst rotation of said handle means in the other direction with respect to said other/handle means does not. 13. The combination as claimed in Claim 12 wherein an / end of said ratchet means includes means to engage with a spool to be rotated. 14. The combination as claimed in Claims 12 or 13 wherein at least one of said handle means is provided with attachment means to allow attachment of said handle to a wire to be tensioned. 5^' n typ> ttow AMENDEO 13 216481 15. The combination as claimed in Claim 14 wherein said attachment means comprises a hook attached to one of said handles. 16. A wirestrainer substantially as herein described / with reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification. 17. In combination a rotating means and a wirestrainer substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification. / DONALD PRESSES LIMITED By their Attorney / Don Hopkins / Registered Patent Attorney / / / / AS AMENDED ILAIMS: 1. A wirestrainer comprising a body including a pair of arms, a spool rotatably mounted between said arms, a toothed ratchet means rotatable with said spool, and a spring member pivotally mounted on said body, said spring member being formed of a P F ° .i-ilW "" S single elongate element of .stiff wire and having a transverse centre portion which extends across the body of the wirestrainer and side portions which extend from each end of the transverse centre portion along the respective arms of the body and have their free ends anchored in apertures in said arms, said transverse portion in a first position of the spring member engaging with said ratchet means to control the rotation thereof so that the spool is prevented from rotating in one direction but can rotate in the other direction with said spring member overriding one tooth to engage the next tooth of the ratchet means as the spool rotates, but in a second, pivoted position of the spring member is removed from such engagement to allow said spool and said ratchet means to free-wheel. 2. A wirestrainer according to claim 1 wherein said ratchet means comprises one or more toothed flange members connected to said spool. 3. A wirestrainer according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said spool has apertures therein adapted to accommodate wires for tensioning. 4. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one end of said spool is provided with means adapted to engage with a rotating means. 5. A wirestrainer according to claim 4 wherein the means adapted to engage with said rotating means is a squared off end of said spool. 6. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one flange member is provided with a projection having a groove therein and said spool is provided with a tapered recess to facilitate in-line wirestraining. 7. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims including insulating means attached to said wirestrainer to electrically insulate said wirestrainer. 8. A wirestrainer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said wirestrainer is constructed entirely or partially of an insulating material. | IiV'^LLECtliAL PROPERTY OFFICE I OF HI. ] 2 8 MAR 2000 . AS AMENDED 2 A A wirestrainer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse portion of the spring member extends across and in contact with said arms when in said first position and controlling rotation of said spool.

10. A wirestrainer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the free end of one side portion of the spring member is located in an aperture in one arm and the free end of the other side portion projects through an aperture in the other arm to locate in a further aperture in said one arm.

11. A rotating means in combination with the wirestrainer as claimed in claim 1, said rotating means comprising a first handle means and a second handle means connected to a ratchet means, rotation of one of said handle means in one direction with respect to the other, said handle means causing rotation of an end of said ratchet means whilst rotation of said handle means in the other direction with respect to said other handle means does not.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein an end of said ratchet means includes means to engage with a spool to be rotated.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein at least one of said handle means is provided with attachment means to allow attachment of said handle to a wire to be tensioned.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein said attachment means comprises a hook attached to one of said handles.

15. A wirestrainer substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.

16. In combination a rotating means and a wirestrainer substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF M.Z. 2 8 MAR 2000 RECEIVED 164261 vl WGN *