NZ532542A - Fence batten with crimped on wire tying pigtails - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence batten (10) for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten (10) includes an elongate rod (13) having short lengths of wires (111, 112) crimped to the rod (12) at spaced intervals along the rods (13) length.

Description

Patents Form # 5 5325 I INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE I OF N.Z 1 1 8 APR 2005 RECEIVED NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL # : 532542 DATED : 26 April 2004 TITLE: Fence Batten We, 1) Neame, MacDonald 2) Neame, Travis Grant Address: Both at 136 Morgans Road, R D 3, Blenheim, New Zealand Nationality: A 1) New Zealand 2) New Zealand citizens do 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 and by the following statement: 00S539NZ_Cap_20()50418_1553_KH FEE CODE 1050 FENCE BATTEN This invention relates to a fence batten, typically a wire fence spacer, for use in connection of fences, typically wire fences. The fence batten is typically used for supporting and vertically spacing fence wires between posts or the like.

Background of Invention Generally there are many types of fence battens. The traditional type and still widely used is the wooden batten. Typically the wooden batten consists of treated timber and requires the hammering of staples over the wires and into the batten. Typically seven staples are required for the standard seven wire fence. However, the erecting of fences using wooden battens is a very awkward and difficult task and the cost of wooden battens can be expensive. Other problems with wooden battens encountered when fencing on hill country especially steep hill country is the task of getting the wooden battens to the fencing site.

Another type of widely used fence batten a dropper made from 4mm galvanised steel wire.

Although this type of fence dropper is relatively easy to install, it does have problems. Even though the top and bottom wires are firmly fixed to this type of fence dropper, the middle wires are free to slip and slide along the fence dropper. This can result in stock stretching the dropper, thus resulting in the fence failing and the loss of controlling the stock.

It has been known to produce a wire fence batten having short lengths of wire attached to the wire fence batten at intervals equal to the normal spacing of fencing wires. The short lengths of wire are attached to the wire fence batten by welding and brazing. However, the welding and brazing effects the integrity of the wire fence batten in that the welding and brazing can degrade the galvanising around the area of the weld or braze. As a consequence the wire fence batten in the region of the weld or braze is subject to oxidization/rust. Thus resulting in the life of the wire fence batten being shortened and/or the weld and braze failing thus allowing the short length wires separating from the wire fence batten. s539comp spec.180405.doc 1 Object of Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a fence batten that seeks to ameliorate the disadvantages or limitations of the prior art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Statement of Invention In a first aspect the invention resides in a fence batten, typically a wire fence spacer, for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten includes an elongate rod having short lengths of wires crimped to the rod at spaced intervals along the rods length.

Preferably, each short length of wire is crimped to the rod by a crimping means, typically made from aluminium.

In a second aspect the invention resides in a fence batten, typically a wire fence spacer, for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten includes: i) an elongate rod, ii) short length of wire for attaching the elongate rod to the fence wires, iii) crimping means for securing the short length of wire to the elongate rod at spaced intervals along the rods length.

Preferably, the crimping means is tubular in length and includes a hole extended longitudinally there through whereby the rod is able to inserted into the hole to allow the crimping means to be positioned in the desired place prior to crimping of the crimping means.

Preferably, the short length of wires extend into corresponding holes prior to crimping of the crimping means.

Preferably, there are two short length of wires per crimping means.

Preferably the fence batten is manufactured with the crimping means and short length of wires already crimped on the rod at spaced intervals along the rod length. s539comp spec.180405.doc 2 Preferably, the rod is a length of wire, typically a length of high tensile galvanized steel wire.

Preferably, the short length wires are resilient and/or flexible wherein the short length of wires are adapted to be wound and engaged with fence wire to enable the fence batten to be secured to the fence wire.

Preferably, the rod is coated with an insulating material such as a plastic coating.

Preferably, the rod and crimping means are insulated with an insulating material in the intermediate region where the crimping means is secured to the rod.

Preferably, the rod is made from an insulating material such as a synthetic plastic material.

Preferably, the short length of wires are made from bendable a material such as bendable metal wire or bendable plastic wire or any other suitable bendable material.

Preferably, the short length wires are wound or tied or crimped to the fence wire.

Preferably, the spacing of the crimping means and the short length of wires crimped to the rod corresponding to the conventional spacing between fencing wires.

In a third aspect the invention resides in a fence batten, typically a wire fence spacer, for the support of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten includes: i) an elongate rod, ii) crimping means adapted to be secured to the rod and to a fence wire.

Preferably, the fence batten includes a plurality of crimping means secured to the rod at spaced apart intervals. s539comp spec. 180405.doc 3 Preferably, the crimping means is secured to the rod by crimping the crimping means to the rod.

Preferably, the crimping means is secured to a fence wire by crimping the crimping means to the wire.

Preferably, the crimping means has short lengths of wires wherein the short length of wires are adapted to be secured to fence wire.

Preferably, the short length wires are secured to the fence wire by winding or tying or crimping the short length of wires to the fence wire.

Preferably, the short lengths of wire are bendable.

Any other aspect hereinafter described.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of a fence batten in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the fence batten shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-section view of crimp region along line A-B as shown in figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of the fence batten as shown in figure 1 prior to being attached to the wires of a fence. s539compspec.180405.doc 4 Figure 5 fence. is a side view of the fence batten as shown in figure 1 attached to the wires of a v Description of the Drawings Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, numeral 8 refers to the fence batten comprising a rod 13, typically a high tensile galvanised steel wire, having short length of wires 11 attached to the rod 13 by way of a crimping means 12, typically a metal crimp, typically an aluminium crimp. Preferably, each fence batten has seven crimps 12 spaced at intervals along the length of the rod 13 to correspond with the seven wires of a conventional wire fence. The short length of wires 11 attached to the crimp 12 are adapted to be wound and engage with corresponding fencing wire to attach the fence batten 10 to the wire fence.

Turning to figure 2 shows a close-up of upper region the fence batten 10 in which the crimp 12 and short length of wires 11 are shown in more detail. The short length of wires 11 consist of two bendable wires 111, 112 attached to and extending into the crimp 12. The rod 13 also is attached to and extends into the crimp 12. The crimp 12 frictional holds and clamps the bendable wires 111, 112 and the rod 8 therein.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the crimp 12. In figure 3 the bendable wires 111, 112 and rod 13 are clearly shown extending and held in the crimp 12.

In one form, in an uncrimped state, the crimps are c-shaped or u-shaped or any other suitable shape such that the rod and portions of the bendable wires can be accommodated therein and wherein the crimped state the crimps are crimped by a crimping tool so that the rod and portions of the bendable wires are folly or substantially enclosed and firmly held within the crimps.

Alternatively, the crimps each have holes extending longitudinal therethrough and the holes are of a size to accommodate the rod in one hole and the bendable wires in the other holes such that prior to crimping the crimps are able to be slid to the desired positions on the rod and the bendable wires inserted in the relevant holes and once crimped the rod and portions of the bendable wires are fully s539comp spec.180405.doc or substantially enclosed and firmly held within the crimps.

In another form the crimps each have a hole extending longitudinal therethrough and the hole of each crimp is of a size to accommodate the rod and portions of the bendable wire such that prior to crimping each crimp is able to be slid to the desired positioned and the portions of the bendable wire inserted in the hole. Once crimped the rod and the portions of the bendable wires are fully or substantially enclosed and held within the crimps.

Turning to figures 4 and 5, there is shown the fence batten in use. In use the fence batten 10 is brought and positioned against the fence wires 20,21 of the fence as shown in figure 4. The bendable wires 111, 112 are positioned against a corresponding wire 20, 21 and each bendable wire • 111, 112 is wound to the corresponding wire 20, 21 shown in figure 5.

Another form of the invention (not shown) is a fence batten having an elongate rod and crimps, with or without short length of wires, wherein the crimps are crimped to the rod at spaced apart intervals along the rod and the crimps are adapted to be secured to the wires of a fence by either directly crimping the crimp to the fence wires or by tying or winding or crimping the short length of wires to the fence wire.

The crimps in this particular situation can be either a three or four way crimp depending upon the desired type of crimping action required for application to the rod and fence wire.

The fence batten according to the invention have the advantage that they are easy to use, lightweight, resilient, weather resistant, non-rusting and less labour intensive to use.

The fence batten can be sold as a kit consisting of the rod, crimps and bendable wires and/or a crimping tool.

However, it is envisaged that the fence batten would be sold as an assembled pre-crimped unit. s539comp spec.180405.doc 6 Another variation is for a pre-assembled fence (eg 100 metre lengths) consisting of the fence battens attached to the wire strands of the fence.

Variation Throughout the description of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as defined in the herein appended claims.. s539comp spec.180405.doc 7 WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

Claims (32)

1. Claim 1: A fence batten for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten includes an elongate rod having short lengths of wires crimped to the rod at spaced intervals along the rods length.
2. Claim 2: The fence batten as claimed in claim 1, wherein each short length of wire is crimped to the rod by a crimping means.
3. Claim 3: The fence batten as claimed in claim 2, wherein the crimping means is typically made from aluminium.
4. Claim 4: A fence batten for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten includes: i) an elongate rod, ii) short length of wire for attaching the elongate rod to the fence wires, iii) crimping means for securing the short length of wire to the elongate rod at spaced intervals along the rods length.
5. Claim 5: The fence batten as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the crimping means is tubular in length and includes a hole extended longitudinally there through whereby the rod is able to inserted into the hole to allow the crimping means to be positioned in the desired place prior to crimping of the crimping means.
6. Claim 6: The fence batten as claimed in claim 5, wherein the short length of wires extend into corresponding holes in the crimping means prior to crimping of the crimping means.
7. Claim 7: The fence batten as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein there are two short length of wires per crimping means. s539comp spec.180405.doc 8
8. Claim 8: The fence batten as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the fence batten is manufactured with the crimping means and short length of wires already crimped on the rod at spaced intervals along the rod length.
9. Claim 9: The fence batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod is a length of wire.
10. Claim 10: The fence batten as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rod is a length of high tensile galvanized steel wire.
11. Claim 11: The fence batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the short length wires are resilient and/or flexible so that the short length of wires are adapted to be wound and engaged with fence wire to enable the fence batten to be secured to the fence wire.
12. Claim 12: The fence batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod is coated with an insulating material.
13. Claim 13: The fence batten as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the rod and crimping means are insulated with an insulating material.
14. Claim 14: The fence batten as claimed in claim 13, wherein the insulating material is situated in an intermediate region of both the rod and crimping means in the area where the crimping means is secured to the rod.
15. Claim 15: The fence batten as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the insulating material is a plastic coating.
16. Claim 16: The fence batten as claimed in any one of claims an insulating material. s539comp spec, 180405.doc 9 1 to 8, wherein the rod is made from "MltLLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE! OF N.Z. 0 * MAY 2005 RECEIVED
17. Claim 17: The fence batten as claimed in claim 16, wherein the insulating material is a synthetic plastic material.
18. Claim 18: The fence batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the short length of wires are made from bendable a material such as bendable metal wire or bendable plastic wire or any other suitable bendable material.
19. Claim 19: The fence batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the short length wires are tied or crimped to the fence wire.
20. Claim 20: The fence batten as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacing of the crimping means and the short length of wires crimped to the rod correspond to the conventional spacing between fencing wires.
21. Claim 21: A fence batten for the support of fence wires between posts, wherein the fence batten includes: i) an elongate rod, ii) crimping means adapted to be secured to the rod and to a fence wire.
22. Claim 22: The fence batten as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fence batten includes a plurality of crimping means secured to the rod at spaced apart intervals.
23. Claim 23: The fence batten as claimed in claim 22, wherein the crimping means is secured to the rod by crimping the crimping means to the rod.
24. Claim 24: The fence batten as claimed in claim 23, wherein the crimping means is secured to a fence wire by crimping the crimping means to the wire.
25. Claim 25: The fence batten as claimed in anyone of claims 21 to 23, wherein, the crimping means has short lengths of wires such that the short length of wires are adapted to be secured to s539comp spec. 180405.doc 10 INTELLLU I UAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 0 4 MAY 20Q5 fence wire.
26. Claim 26: The fence batten as claimed in claim 25, wherein the short length wires are secured to the fence wire by winding or tying or crimping the short length of wires to the fence wire.
27. Claim 27: The fence batten as claimed in claim 26, wherein the short lengths of wire are bendable.
28. Claim 28: The fence batten as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fence batten is a wire fence spacer.
29. Claim 29: A fence batten for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
30. Claim 30: A wire fence spacer for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
31. Claim 31: A method for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts using a fence batten as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29 as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
32. Claim 32: A method for the support and vertical spacing of fence wires between posts using a wire fence spacer as claimed in claim 30 as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attorneys for MacDonald Neame and Travis Grant Neame s539comp spec.180405.doc 11