NZ216664A - Fence wire support with tensioning feature - Google Patents

Description

216664 i Priority Datefs): ....\.-.TtT$$r.

Complete Specification Filed: •5-S".':*iR Clasc: .^u.WjnJ^LO 79 APR1988 Publication Date: .... f.....

P.O. Journal, No: .

No.: Date: NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FENCING WIRE SUPPORTS lj*J 1 / **; COLIN JAMES BRANSTON, a British subject of Bourton Hill Farm, Bourton on the Water, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 2LF, England, hereby declare the invention for which I / xs*e pray that a patent may be granted to me/*», and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - (followed by page la) 216664 1A FENCING WIRE SUPPORTS This invention relates to fencing wire supports and more particularly, to fencing wire supports * provided with fencing wire tensioning means.

Fencing systems using supported strands of wire generally require some means of tensioning the wire strands particularly in the case of electric fences where it is important to prevent the wire strands contacting the ground. This invention is useable for supporting and tensioning the fencing wire strands in electric fences but is not restricted exclusively to such use as the supports may be used to support and tension non-electric fencing wire strands.

According to the present invention there is provided a fencing wire support having an upwardly extending support member, a ground engaging portion comprising at least one downwardly extending tine, a guard portion extending laterally from the support member and located adjacent to the lower end of the upwardly extending support member and which in use, contacts the ground, at least one laterally extending side projection located above the guard portion and carrying wire support means for supporting at least one fencing wire, and fencing wire tensioning means comprising resilient tensioning means engagable with the fencing wire and with either a further fencing wire or the upwardly extending support member.

Advantageously a fencing system incorporating the support members can be moved without the need to dismantle the fence. This is particularly useful if the fence is an electric fence being used to contain animals as the fence need not be de-energised before being moved.

Preferably the upwardly extending support member comprises a frame support member for supporting at least two spaced apart wire support means for engaging and supporting a fencing wire, the resilient tensioning means being engagable with a portion of the fencing wire extending between the two spaced apart wire support means.

/' Advantageously • two spaced apart wire support meai" 216664 2 are provided for engaging and supportinq a fencinq wire, the resilient tensioning means being engagable with a portion of the fencing wire extending between the two spaced apart wire support means.

Advantageously the two spaced apart wire support means are provided with electrical insulators and wire suDDort means may conveniently be used as handles for liftinq the fence supports when they are being moved.

Preferably there is provided a fencing wire support in which the wire v/ support means carries two wire supporting hooks or eyes.

The eyes or loops may be provided with an insulator or be formed of an electrically insulating material for supporting an electrically conducting wire.

Advantageously a fencing wire support is capable of suDportinq at least two fencing wires, each fencing wire being supported by a pair of wire support means attached to the frame support member, and each wire tensioned by resilient tensioning means engagable with a fencing wire and either with the frame support member or wire support means or a further fencing wire.

Advantageously the tensioning means may be conveniently engaged and disengaged with the fencing wire strands to thereby permit easy assembly and disassembly of a fencing system.

Preferably the guard portion is generally cruciform shaped and in use provides additional support for the upwardly extending support member.

Advantageously the guard portion assists in providing additional stability to the fencing wire support member and may conveniently also be used for assisting in pushing the ground engaging portion of the fencing support into the ground. A further advantage is that it enables the wire support elements of a plurality of fencing wire supports to all be maintained at substantially the same height above the ground. 3 216664 The wire tensioning means may be for example tension springs each provided with hooks for engaging the wires, or other known resilient tensioners.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fencing wire support member according to the present invention for supporting a single strand of wire; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fencing wire support member according to the present invention for supporting three strands of wire; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment; Figure 5a shows a perspective arrangement of the components of a further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5b shows a perspective view of the assembled components of the post of Figure 5a; The fencing wire support member shown in Figure 1 comprises a frame 10 formed of a metal bar bent into a substantially triangular shape. The frame 10 is supported on a base 11 which comprises two rectangular plates 12 and 13 disposed at right angles to each other and secured together. The bottom end portions of the limbs of the frame 10 extend through the plate 12 to form two downwardly extending tines 14. A longer downwardly extending tine 15 extends from the centre of the base 11. The tines 14, 15 serve to hold the base 11 firmly on the ground.

Extending from each limb of the frame 10 near its upper end are two spaced apart transverse bars 16, which at their outer end are bent into a loop 17. Provided on each bar 16 is a hand grip 18, which may be formed of rubber or plastics material. T Provided on one end of the plate 13 is an eye 19, and formed in 216664 0 other end of the plate 13 is an aperture 20. An elasticated cord 21 having a hook 22 at each end is engaged with the eye 19. A staple (not shown) can be driven through the aperture 20 into the ground and engaged with the plate 13.

In use of the support member a length of fencing wire 23 extends through the loops 17 and the portion of the wire which extends between the loops 17 is engaged by the other hook 22 of the elasticated cord 21 which thus applies a resilient force to tension the wire 23. The loops 17 may be provided with electrical insulators where the wire 23 is supplied with electrical energy to form an electric fence.

The tine 15 may be engaged in a socket (not shown) driven into the ground to enable the frame 10 to swivel. If it becomes necessary to move the support member in order to re-locate the fence then this can be easily carried out by gripping the grips 18 and lifting the support member to disengage the tines 14, 15 from the ground. If the fence is electrified the support member can be re-positioned without having to switch-off the electric current.

Figure 2 shows a support member for supporting three strands of wire. Parts which are identical to the parts shown in Figure 1 are identified by similar reference numerals. In addition to the bars 16 there are provided spaced apart transverse bars 24 and 25 terminating in respective loops 26 and 27. The bars 24 are shorter than the bars 16 but longer than the bars 25. Extending through the loops 26 is a fencing wire 28 and extending through the loops 27 is a fencing wire 29. The wires 28 and 29 are tensioned by an elasticated cord 30 having a hook 31 engaged with the bottom wire 29 and a hook 32 engaged with the wire 28. The cord 30 passes through an eye 33 connected to the frame 10.

In this embodiment the bars 16 are longer than in the embodiment of Figure 1 and the plate 13 is longer than in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the frame 10 comprises of three "A"-shaped horizontal members 35 interconnected by vertical posts 36. One of the end members 35 forms a base for supporting the frame 10.

The front vertical posts 36 are provided with bars 37 terminating in loops ( 38. An elasticated cord 39 engages the wire strand 40 to tension it^VYhis // ^ support member can support one or a plurality of wires. j; It will be appreciated that the cords 21, 30 and 39 could be 216664 by coil springs.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a support member comprises an upright stake 41 of approximately 1.06 metres length (3 feet, 6 inches) with a point 42 at its lower end. A laterally extending member 43 in the form of an insulator is provided at the upper end of the stake, the insulator mounting a loop 44 which can support an electrified fence wire. Approximately 150 mm (6 inches) above the point 42 a guard portion 45 formed by cross members is formed, the guard portion 45 engaging the upper surface of the ground in use, that is to say the pointed end 42 of the stake 41 is inserted into the ground until the guard portion 45 rests on the upper surface of the ground. The guard portion 45 could take other forms, for example it could be in the form of a disc. A further 150 mm (6 inches) above the guard portion 45 is a laterally extending member 46, preferably as shown extending in the opposite lateral direction to the member 43, which laterally extending member 46 can be engaged by the foot of the user to lift the stake 41 out of the ground, the user also grasping the insulator 43, so that the stake can readily be moved in position without de-energising the wire supported by the loop 44.

The support member may include a still further laterally extending member 47, preferably approximately 355 mm (14 inches) above the laterally extending member 46 and extending in the same direction and parallel thereto, to be grasped by one hand of the user when removing the stake 41 from the ground, repositioning it and inserting it into the ground again.

The support member of Figure 4 is particularly useful as an intermediate stake between two support members of the kinds shown in Figures 1 to 3, which support members could for example be 91 metres (100 yards) apart with the stake 41 located midway therebetween. The support members of Figure 4 are however usable on their own, that is to say a plurality of them could entirely support a wire fence to form an enclosure without use of support members of the kind shown in Figures 1 to 3. In this case the stake 41 is provided with an additional eye or loop means (not shown) located on the stake at a distance from the laterally extending member 43 to enable the wire (not shown) to be tensioned by use ' of resilient tensioning means as described in the embodiment of Figura^l or 2. 6 216664 Another embodiment is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment the fence wire support member is of modular construction. An upwardly extending support member 50 is of generally rectangular shape in side elevation having a base portion 51, and a secondary leg 52, engagable with the base portion 51, to form a generally cruciform guard portion. A downwardly extending ground engaging tine (not shown) may be passed through holes in the base portion 51 and secondary leg 52 to securely anchor these two portions together and to anchor the support member 50 to the ground. The fencing wire may be supported by an arm 53, having two spaced apart wire support means in the form of eyes 54. The wire support means may be eyes, as shown, or hooks, or other known wire support means. The arm 53 has projecting from it, in the opposite direction to the wire support means, frame engaging brackets 55, engagable with the vertical sides of the upwardly extending support member 50. The arm may be secured to the support member 50 by locking pins (not shown) which extend through holes in the engaging brackets 55 and corresponding holes 56 in the support member.50. The provision of a plurality of holes 56 allows the number and position of wire support arms 53 to be easily altered. The support frame 50 is provided with a loop 57 which is used to engage the wire tensioning means. Wire tensioning means as shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3, can thus be used wi th the loop 57.

Optionally, a second loop 58, may be secured to the secondary leg 52 in order to provide a greater number of possible variations for engaging the wire tensioning means. An assembled fencing wire support member is shown in Figure 5b. Also shown is the ground engaging tine 59, extending downwardly from the base portion 51.

Claims (13)

V-'.'-MT Taw ■-< <~ V...MI w_, , Jj; m 216664

1. A fencing wire support having an upwardly extending support member, a ground engaging portion comprising at least one downwardly extending tine, a guard portion extending laterally from the upwardly extending support member and located adjacent the lower end of the upwardly extending support member and which in use contacts the ground, at least one laterally extending side projection located above the guard portion, and carrying wire support means for supporting at least one fencing wire,and fencing wire C tensioning means comprising resilient tensioning means engagable with the fencing wire and with either a further fencing wire or the upwardly extending support member.

2. A fencing wire support according to claim 1 in which the upwardly extending support member comprises a frame support member for supporting at least two spaced apart wire support means for engaging and supporting a fencing wire, the resilient tensioning means being engagable with a portion of the fencing wire extending between the two spaced apart wire support means.

3. A fencing wire support according to claim 2, in which the frame support member is of modular construction, the wire support means are also of modular construction and at least one of the wire support means is attachable to the frame support member.

4. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim in which the wire support means carries two wire supporting hooks or eyes.

5. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, capable of supporting at least two fencing wires, a pair of wire support means for supporting each fencing wire attached to the upwardly extending support member, and a resilient tensioning means for each wire engagable fencing wire ""i -.-eft*#8 216664 and with one of the upwardly extending support members, the wire support means or another of the fencing wires.

6. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the fencing wire tensioning means is engagable with at least two fencing wires and the frame support member thereby to tension the wires.

7. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the guard portion is generally cruciform shaped and in use provides additional support for the upwardly extending support member.

0. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the guard portion is disc shaped.

9. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the resilient tensioning means is an elasticated cord.

10. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the resilient tensioning means is a tension spring.

11. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the upwardly extending support member is substantially rectangular in elevation.

12. A fencing wire support according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the upwardly extending support member is substantially triangular in elevation.

13. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the upwardly extending support member is, in plan view, generally. A__ shaped,