NZ577942A - Hollow tubular post with a protruding region to prevent the post from moving vertically in the ground - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a post having an elongate tubular hollow member with an open upper end and an open lower end. The elongate member has an upper portion and a lower ground engaging portion joined to one another. The upper portion is adapted to predominately extend above the ground and the lower ground engaging portion is adapted to be fully inserted into the ground. The lower ground engaging portion has a protruding region immediately adjacent to where the upper portion and lower ground engaging portion join together. The diameter of the protruding region is greater than the diameter of the upper portion such that the protruding region defines a lipped section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post. The lipped section is adapted to prevent the post from moving vertically when the ground engaging portion of the post is fully inserted into and enclosed within the ground.

Description

Patents Form # 5 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL 577942 t- DATED: 25 June 2009 TITLE: Post We, NEW ZEALAND TUBE MILLS LIMITED Address: 2-14 Port Road, Seaview, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, 5010 Nationality: New Zealand 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: 401396NZ_PF#05 20100527J 114_TGR.doc FEECODE-1050 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 2 Post The invention relates to a post, typically a fence post for use as part of a vine trellis system.

Background of Invention Post and post clips for attaching and holding wire to the posts are varied and widely used in all areas of agriculture and horticulture sectors either to fence in livestock or as trellises for holding vines.

However a post once inserted into the ground may pull out of or push into the ground when tensioned from above, below or combination of both. Some posts are treated with poisonous substances which are difficult to dispose of and may leach into the host materials. Posts may break when machinery makes accidental contact due to flexibility and strength issues of alternative wooden posts.

In some applications, clips are attached to the post to assist in holding wire or the like, however the attaching of clips usually involves staples, nails or screws which can be time consuming and can be executed incorrectly. Replacing and repairing clips is also a time consuming process.

It is known for the insertion of a second device or post adjacent to the post base or a welded section on the base of the post to assit in restraining angular or vertical movement of the post when in the ground. This can be doen at time of being placed in the ground or done as retrofit once vertical movement of the post occurs. However this an expensive and time 25 consuming exercise.

Known posts can also bend as a result of the tension being applied and or can snap and break, thus placing the whole integrity of the fence or trellis at risk.

Current posts can be difficult to place in the ground, especially when it comes to driving posts into the ground.

I:\4013M\401396N2\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 H22 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 3 Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a post that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention In a first aspect the invention resides in a post typically a post for use as part of a vine trellis system, the post includes an elongate tubular hollow member having an open upper end and an open lower end, the elongate member has an upper portion and a lower ground engaging portion joined to one another, wherein the upper portion is adapted to predominately extend 10 above the ground and the lower ground engaging portion is adapted to be fully inserted into the ground, the lower ground engaging portion has an protruding region immediately adjacent to where the upper portion and lower ground engaging portion join together, the diameter of the protruding region is greater than the diameter of the upper portion such that the protruding region defines a lipped section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of 15 the post, the lipped section is adapted to prevent the post from moving vertically when the lower ground engaging portion of the post is fully inserted into and enclosed within the ground.

Preferably, the diameter of the upper portion is greater than the diameter of the distal end of 20 the ground engaging portion.

Preferably, the lipped section forms an edge between the upper portion and lower ground engaging portion.

Preferably, the edge slopes from the ground engaging portion toward the upper portion.

Preferably, the diameter of the lipped section is greater than the diameter of the upper region to the extent to prevent the post from moving vertically once the post is inserted in to the ground.

Preferably, the upper and lower ground engaging portion are integrally joined.

I:\401300\401396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 4 Preferably, the lipped section is formed by swaging the lower ground engaging portion until the diameter of the lower ground engaging portion in the area immediately adjacent the upper portion is greater than the diameter of the upper portion.

Preferably, the post is made from a suitable rigid and durable material for supporting wire and/or vine trellis.

Preferably, the post is made steel, typically galvanised steel.

Preferably, the post can be made from metal, plastic, wood, fibre glass, or any suitable combination or composite thereof.

Preferably, the post has a plurality of spaced apart apertures for supporting elongate strand members such as wire retaining clips or wires, cables or the like.

Preferably, the elongate strand member supporting apertures extend and spaced along the length of the upper portion.

Preferably, the apertures extend and are equally spaced circumferentially around the upper 20 portion.

Preferably the lower ground engaging portion has a least one aperture such that the elongate strand member supporting aperture can accommodate attachment means for attaching to a footer.

Preferably, the apertures are elongate.

Preferably, the apertures are slots.

In a second aspect the invention resides in a post clip for retaining an elongate strand member to a post, the post clip has a body portion with a base adapted to contour and abut with a post, the body portion includes at least one engaging means for capturing, retaining and supporting a part of the elongate strand member therein, the body portion has extending l:\401300\4Q1396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 outwardly and downwardly from the base an aperture engaging means such that aperture engaging means is dimensioned and configured to fit within an aperture in the post and to retain the post clip to the post.

Preferably, the elongate stand member is wire or cable or the like.

Preferably, the post clip has at least two engaging means for engaging with elongate strand members.

Preferably, the engaging means are equally spaced apart.

Preferably, the base has an outwardly facing portion that is contoured such that when the post clip is attached to a post the base contours and abuts evenly against the post.

Preferably, the aperture engaging means has a shaft attached at one end to the base and has a locking member attached at its other end such that the locking member is spaced a distance from the the base.

Preferably, the shaft has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the aperture in the post.

Preferably the shaft has a length just slightly greater than the thickness of the hollow post so as to allow the clip to be rotated and to abut and snugly attach to the post when the clip is in a post aperture.

Preferably, the locking member has a portion with a width greater than the diameter of the posts aperture, the locking member has another portion having a width that is less than the diameter of the post aperture such that when in one orientation the locking member is able to be inserted into the aperture and in another orientation where the clip rotated 90° the locking member is not able to be removed from the post aperture, thus locking the clip to the post.

Preferably, the portion of the locking member having the width of least extent extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the clip.

I:\4O13O0\40l396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 6 Preferably, the portion of the locking member having the width of greatest extent extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip, Preferably, the locking member is elongate where the longitudinal axis of the locking 5 member is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of the clip.

Preferably the elongation of the locking member is dimensioned and configured to fit within a corresponding elongated aperture in the post such that locking member of the clip is adapted to be inserted into the aperture and then rotated 90° in order to lock and retain the 10 clip to the post.

Preferably, the clip is made from any lightweight, durable material.

Preferably, the clip is made from plastic, typically a polyamide resin (e.g. Nylon™ 66) with 15 a carbon black stabiliser.

Preferably, the clip is injection moulded.

In a third aspect the invention resides in a post as defined in the first aspect having the post 20 clips as defined in the second aspect.

In other aspects herein described Brief Description The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a post in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 30 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the post shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front end view of the post as shown in figure 1.

I:\401300\401396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 7 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a post in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side view of a post in accordance with a preferred third embodiment of the 5 invention.

Figure 6 is a front end view perspective view of the post shown in figure 5.

Figure 7 is perspective view of a post shown in figure 5 with addition of post engaging slots 10 therein!.

Figure 8 is a side view of a post clip in accordance to fourth embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 is an end view of the post clip as shown in figure 8.

Figure 10 is a cut-away end view of a post shown in figure 7 with a post clip as shown in figure 8.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the post with a post clip as shown in figure 10 Description of Drawings The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a post and post clip. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible 25 variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the invention of a post 10 consissting of a hollow elongate tubular pipe. The post 10 has an open upper end that can be closed with a cap. The 30 post has a closed or partially closed lower end 19. The post has an upper portion 11 and a lower ground engaging portion 12 joined to one another. The upper portion 11 is adapted to predominately extend above the ground and the lower ground engaging portion 12 is adapted to be fully inserted into the ground. The lower ground engaging portion 12 has an protruding I:\401300\401396NZW01396NZ Amended CampSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 8 region 13 immediately adjacent to where the upper portion 11 and lower ground engaging portion 12 join together. The diameter Y of the protruding region 13 is greater than the diameter Z of the upper portion 11 such that the protruding region 13 defines a lipped section 13 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post 10. The lipped section 13 is 5 adapted to prevent the post from moving vertically when the lower ground engaging portion 12 of the post 10 is fully inserted into and enclosed within the ground. The ground engaging portion is tapered forming the closed or partially closed end 19 of the post 10.

The diameter Z of the upper portion 11 is greater than the diameter X of the distal end 19 of the ground engaging portion 12. The lower ground engaging portion 12 is crimped to form a 10 tapering end and the closing or partial closing 18 of the lower end 19 of the post 10. The lower ground engaging portion can be crimped to form a tapering end having a two, three, four or more sided geometrical shape when viewed in cross-section such as a cross-shape or star shape when viewed in cross-section having four tapering edges 14, 15, 16, 17..

The diameter Z of the upper portion 11 is greater than the diameter X of the distal end 19 of the ground engaging portion 12.

The lipped section 13 forms an edge between the upper portion 11 and lower ground engaging portion 12 where the edge slopes from the ground engaging portion 11 toward the 20 upper portion 12. The diameter Y of the lipped section 13 is greater than the diameter Z of the upper region 11 to the extent to prevent the post 10 from moving vertically once the post is inserted in to the ground. The lipped section 13 is formed by swaging the lower ground engaging portion 12 until the diameter Y of the lower ground engaging portion 12 in the area immediately adjacent the upper portion 11 is greater than the diameter Z of the upper portion 25 12.

The upper and lower ground engaging portions 11, 12 are integrally joined. The post 10 is made from a suitable rigid and durable materia! for supporting wire and/or vine trellis. Preferably, the post 10 is made steel, typically galvanised steel, however it is envisaged that 30 the post 10 can made from metal, plastic, wood, fibre glass, or any suitable combination or composite thereof.

I:\401300\401396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGRdoc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 9 Turning to figure 4 the post 10 can have a plurality of spaced apart apertures 20, 21, 22, 22' for supporting elongate strand members such as wire retaining clips or wires, cables or the like. The apertures 20, 21, 22, 22', 23 can extend and be spaced along the length of the post 10. Also the apertures can extend and be equally spaced circumferentially around the post 5 10.

The lower ground engaging portion has a least one aperture 22, 22 ' such that this aperture can accommodate attachment means for attaching to a footer to the post 10. Preferably, the apertures are elongate and/or slot like.

PREFERED EMBODIMENT Figures 5 to 7 show third and most preferred embodiment of the invention of a post 100 consisting of a hollow elongate tubular pipe. The post 100 has an open upper end. The post 15 has an open lower end 119. The post 100 has an upper portion 111 and a lower ground engaging portion 112 joined to one another. The upper portion 111 is adapted to predominately extend above the ground and the lower ground engaging portion 112 is adapted to be fully inserted into the ground. The lower ground engaging portion 112 has an protruding region 113 immediately adjacent to where the upper portion 111 and lower 20 ground engaging portion 112 join together. The diameter Y of the protruding region 113 is greater than the diameter Z of the upper portion 111 such that the protruding region 113 defines a lipped section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post 100. The lipped section 113 is adapted to prevent the post from moving vertically when the lower ground engaging portion 112 of the post 100 is fully inserted into and enclosed within the 25 ground.

The diameter Z of the upper portion 111 is greater than or equal to the diameter X of the distal end 19 of the ground engaging portion 112, preferably equal to.

The lipped section 113 forms an edge between the upper portion 111 and lower ground engaging portion 112 where the edge slopes from the ground engaging portion 111 toward the upper portion 112. The diameter Y of the lipped section 113 is greater than the diameter Z of the upper region 111 to the extent to prevent the post 100 from moving vertically once l:\401300\401396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 the post is inserted in to the ground. The lipped section 113 can be formed by swaging the lower ground engaging portion 112 until the diameter Y of the lower ground engaging portion 112 in the area immediately adjacent the upper portion 111 is greater than the diameter Z of the upper portion 111.

The upper and lower ground engaging portions 111, 112 are integrally joined. The post 100 is made from a suitable rigid and durable material for supporting wire and/or vine trellis. Preferably, the post 100 is made steel, typically galvanised steel, however it is envisaged that the post 100 can made from metal, plastic, wood, fibre glass, or any suitable combination or 10 composite thereof.

Turning to figure 7 the post 100 can have a plurality of spaced apart apertures 121, 122, 123, 124 for supporting elongate strand members such as wire retaining clips or wires, cables or the like. The apertures 121,122,123,124 can extend and be spaced along the length of 15 the post 100. Also the apertures can extend and be equally spaced circumferentially around the post 100. Preferably, the apertures 121, 122, 123, 124 are elongate and/or slot like The lower ground engaging portion 112 has a least one aperture 123, 124 such that this aperture can accommodate attachment means for attaching to a footer to the post 100, .

Turning to figures 8 to 11 which pertain to the the post clip 30. The post clip 30 is adapted for retaining an elongate strand member such as a wire to a post 10. The post clip 30 has a body portion 31 with a base 36. The base is adapted to contour and abut with an outside surface of a post 10. The body portion 31 includes at least one engaging means 32, 33 for 25 capturing, retaining and supporting a part of the elongate strand member in an opening 34, 25 therein. The body portion 31 has extending outwardly and downwardly from the base 36 an aperture engaging means 38, 39 such that aperture engaging means 38, 39 is dimensioned and configured to fit within an aperture 21 in the post 10 and to retain the post clip 30 to the post 10.

Preferably, the post clip has at least two engaging means 32 & 33 for engaging with elongate strand members where the engaging means 32, 33 are equally spaced apart. l:\40130Q\401396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 11 The base 36 has an outwardly facing portion 37 that is contoured such that when the post clip 30 is attached to a post the base 36 contours and abuts evenly against the post.

The aperture engaging means 38, 39 has a shaft 38 attached at one end to the base 36 and has 5 a locking member 39 attached at its other end such that the locking member 39 is spaced a distance from the base 36. The shaft has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the apertures 121, 123 of the post 100. The shaft 38 also has a length just slightly greater than the thickness of the hollow post 100 so as to allow the clip 30 to be rotated and to abut and snugly attach to the post 10 when the clip 30 is in a post aperture ( see figs 11 & 12), The locking member 39 has a portion with a width wg greater than the diameter of the posts aperture. The locking member 39 has another portion having a width wl that is less than the diameter of the post aperture. The locking member 39 when in one orientation is able to be inserted into the aperture and in another orientation where the clip 30 rotated 90° the locking 15 member 39 is not able to be removed from the post aperture, thus locking the clip 30 to the post 100. The portion of the locking member 39 having the width wg of least extent extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the clip 30 and the portion of the locking member 39 having the width wl of greatest extent extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip 30. Preferably, the locking member 39 is elongate where the 20 longitudinal axis of the locking member 39 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 31 of the clip 30. The elongation of the locking member is dimensioned and configured to fit within a corresponding elongated aperture in the post 100 such that locking member 39 of the clip 30 is able to be inserted into the aperture and then rotated 90° in order to lock and retain the clip to the post 100.

The clip 30 is made from any lightweight, durable material, preferably, the clip is made from plastic, typically a polyamide resin (e.g. Nylon™ 66) with a carbon black stabiliser. The clip can be injection moulded.

Advantages a) Provides resistance against vertical movement of a post b) No post treatment is required c) Patterned holes allow for the insertion of a modular clipping system at any time I:\401300\401396NZ\4Q1396NZ Amended CompSFEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 12 d) The steel post is less likely to be broken in it service life less breakage and less time and capital spent on repair/replacement e) The modular clip system is faster to apply and user friendly f) No nails or fasteners to contaminate the product if used in a harvesting situation Variations Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", 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 is herein defined in the appended claims.

I:\401300\401396NZVHM396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 13 What We Claim is:

Claims (17)

1. Claim 1: A post having an elongate tubular hollow member with an open upper end and an open lower end, the elongate member has an upper portion and a lower ground 5 engaging portion joined to one another, wherein the upper portion is adapted to predominately extend above the ground and the lower ground engaging portion is adapted to be fully inserted into the ground, the lower ground engaging portion has a protruding region immediately adjacent to where the upper portion and lower ground engaging portion join together, the diameter of the protruding region is greater than the diameter of the upper 10 portion such that the protruding region defines a lipped section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post, the lipped section is adapted to prevent the post from moving vertically when the ground engaging portion of the post is fully inserted into and enclosed within the ground. 15
2. Claim 2: The post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the upper portion is greater than the diameter of the distal end of the ground engaging portion.
3. Claim 3: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lipped section forms an edge between the upper portion and lower ground engaging portion. 20
4. Claim 4: The post as claimed in claim 3, wherein the edge slopes from the ground engaging portion toward the upper portion.
5. Claim 5: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter 25 of the lipped section is greater than the diameter of the upper region to the extent to prevent the post from moving vertically once the post is inserted in to the ground.
6. Claim 6: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper and lower ground engaging portion are integrally joined. 30
7. Claim 7: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lipped section is formed by swaging the lower ground engaging portion until the diameter of the I :V401300\401396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 14 lower ground engaging portion in the area immediately adjacent the upper portion is greater than the diameter of the upper portion.
8. Claim 8: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post is 5 made from a suitable rigid and durable material for supporting wire and/or vine trellis.
9. Claim 9: The post as claimed in claim 8, wherein the post is made from galvanised steel.
10. 10 Claim 10: The post as claimed in acclaim 8, wherein the post is made from metal, plastic, wood, fibre glass, or any combination or composite thereof.
11. Claim 11: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post has a plurality of spaced apart apertures for supporting elongate strand members or wire retaining 15 clips.
12. Claim 12; The post as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elongate strand member supporting apertures extend and are spaced along the length of the upper portion. 20
13. Claim 13: The post as claimed in claim 12, wherein the apertures extend and are equally spaced circumferentially around the upper portion.
14. Claim 14: The post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower ground engaging portion has a least one aperture to allow a footer to be attached to the post. 25
15. Claim 15: The post as claimed in claim 14, wherein the apertures in the lower portion are elongate.
16. Claim 16: The post as claimed in claim 15, wherein the apertures are slots. 30 I:\401300\40I396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc 577942 Received at IPONZ on 23 June 2010 15
17. Claim 17: A post as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings PIPERS 5 Attorneys for the Applicant I:\40l300\40i396NZ\401396NZ Amended CompSPEC 20100527 1122 TGR.doc