NZ585522A - Post, stay, bracket and fastener for supporting wire fence with post and bracket having plural apertures for selective releasable fastening - Google Patents

Abstract

Post 11 has plural apertures 111, 112, 114 and 115 along an upper portion and has a lower portion to extend below ground. Stay 12 is adapted to abut and engage post 11 at an upper end and to be inserted below ground at a lower end. Bracket 13 has a plurality of apertures and is typically inverted U-shaped and releasably couples the stay 12 to the post 13. Fastener, typically a bolt, 16 is used to selectively fasten bracket 13 to post 11.

Description

Patents Form # 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL 585522 #- DATED: 21 May 2010 TITLE: Post Assembly with a Stay 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: 401645NZ_FF#05_20110322J 453_TGR.doc FEE CODE-1050 Post Assembly with a Stay Field of Invention The invention relates to a post assembly with a stay, typically for use in supporting a wire 5 fence.

Background of Invention The installation and maintaining the integrity of a post can be tedious and time consuming, typically where the post is under tension and/or stress from horizontal and/or vertical forces 10 such as that experienced by posts used in and for wire fences. Post used in wire fences can experience horizontal and vertical forces from tensioned and strained wires, especially the end and corner posts and posts situated on uneven ground.

To alleviate and increase the integrity of a fence the posts which are under tension either 15 directly or indirectly can be braced by a stay and have a footer attached or combination of both.

A stay is generally used to brace a post where the post is either an end post or a corner post and the stay is used to brace the post to prevent it from moving in the direction to which 20 tension is being applied, typically from strained wires.

The stay is generally positioned at one end to abut within a notch/hole in an above ground portion of the post and the other end of the stay inserted into the ground such that the stay is angled relative to the post. The end of the stay that is inserted into the ground generally is 25 attached to footer. The purpose of the stay is to assist maintaining the post in a vertical position and to prevent any lateral movement of post when the post is under tension.

There are many and varied methods for installing and supporting a post with a stay. However most these methods are either cumbersome to install and/or are not suitable to 30 allow for situations where the angle of the stay relative to the post or where the abutment position of the stay relative to the post needs to be varied or adjusted in order to achieve the optimum bracing action of the post and stay arrangement.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a post assembly with a stay, typically for use in supporting a wire fence, 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 as a post assembly with a stay, typically for use in supporting a wire fence, the post assembly includes: i) a post having an upper portion adapted to extend above the ground and a lower portion adapted to extend below the ground, the upper portion having a plurality of spaced apart apertures along the length of the upper portion; ii) a stay having an elongate member with a post engaging end portion and a ground engaging end portion, the post engaging end portion is adapted to abut and engage with the upper portion of the post and the ground engaging end portion is adapted to be inserted and retained in the ground such that the elongate stay is extends at an angle outwardly from the post so that the stay, when inserted in to the ground, braces and supports and prevents the post from moving laterally; iii) a bracket adapted to releasably couple and retain the stay to the post, the bracket having a plurality of spaced apart post coupling apertures; and iv) fastening means adapted to fasten the bracket to the upper portion of the post wherein the fastening means is capable of being inserted and through one of the brackets post coupling apertures and in to one of the apertures on the upper portion of the post so as to releasably couple the stay, via the bracket, to the post at a desired postion along the length of the upper portion of the post and at a desired angle extending outwardly from the upper portion of the post.

Preferably, the stay extends outwardly from the post in a downwardly direction at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the post.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc Preferably, the stay extends outwardly from the post in a downwardly direction at an angle of 65° relative to longitudinal axis of the post.

Preferably, the lower portion of the post has a footer attached to it so as to assist to retain the 5 post in the ground and to prevent vertical movement of the post relative to the ground.

Preferably, the ground engaging end portion of the stay has a footer attached to it so as to assist to retain the ground engaging end portion in the ground and to prevent movement of the stay relative to the ground.

Preferably, the footer is a ground engaging washer.

Preferably, the post is hollow and tubular.

Preferably, the post is made from metal or metal alloy or wood or plastic material.

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

Preferably, the post engaging end portion of the stay is angled relative to the longitudinal 20 axis of the stay so as to provide a substantial contact surface area to abut against the post.

Preferably, the post engaging end portion of the stay has two surfaces whereby the second surface is angled relative to the first surface such that the second surface abuts and is in direct contact with the post.

Preferably, the stay is a hollow and tubular.

Preferably, the stay is made from metal or metal alloy or wood or plastic material. 30 Preferably, the stay is made from steel, typically galvanised steel.

Preferably, the bracket has a stay holding portion and a post coupling portion.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc Preferably, the post coupling portion has at least two post coupling apertures, typically three post engaging apertures such that the bracket is adapted to allow the strainer post angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane.

Preferably, the stay holding portion of the bracket is adapted to retain and hold the stay in abutment with the post.

Preferably, the stay holding portion is adapted to be attached to the stay, typically by a suitable fastening means, such as a screw, nail, bolt or the like.

Preferably, the bracket has two post coupling portions joined to one another by a stay holding portion such that the bracket is U-shaped whereby the legs of the U are the post engaging end portions and the curved portion of the U is the stays holding portions.

Preferably, the two post coupling portions are spaced apart a distance substantially slightly greater than the width of the post and the curved stay holding portion has a radius slightly greater than the width of the stay.

Preferably, each post coupling portion has at least two post coupling apertures, typically 20 three post engaging apertures, such that the bracket is adapted to allow the strainer post angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane.

Preferably, the bracket is made from a rigid material.

Preferably, the bracket is made from a flexible material.

Preferably, the bracket is made from metal or metal alloy or leather or plastic material.

Preferably, the bracket is made from steel, typically galvanised steel.

Preferably, the fastening means is a screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener, wherein the screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener releasably couples and retains the bracket to the post by a portion of the screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener extending through a I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc selected post engaging aperture on the bracket and in to a selected aperture on the upper portion of the post.

Preferably, the post has a plurality of wire engaging means to allow wires to be attached to 5 the post.

In a second aspect the invention resides as a bracket for releasably attaching and retaining a stay to a post, the bracket includes: i) a plurality of spaced apart post coupling apertures; and 10 ii) fastening means adapted to fasten the bracket to an upper portion of the post wherein the fastening means is capable of being inserted and through one of the brackets post coupling apertures and in to one of a plurality of apertures on the upper portion of the post so as to releasably couple the stay, via the bracket, to the post at a desired position along the length of the upper 15 portion of the post and at a desired angle extending outwardly from the upper portion of the post.

Preferably, the bracket has a stay holding portion and a post coupling portion.

Preferably, the post coupling portion has at least two post coupling apertures, typically three post engaging apertures such that the bracket is adapted to allow the strainer post angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane.

Preferably, the stay holding portion of the bracket is adapted to retain and hold the stay in 25 abutment with the post.

Preferably, the stay holding portion is adapted to be attached to the stay, typically by a suitable fastening means, such as a screw, nail, bolt or the like.

Preferably, the bracket has two post coupling portions joined to one another by a stay holding portion such that the bracket is U-shaped whereby the legs of the U are the post engaging end portions and the curved portion of the U is the stays holding portions.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc Preferably, the two post coupling portions are spaced apart a distance substantially slightly greater than the width of the post and the curved stay holding portion has a radius slightly greater than the width of the stay.

Preferably, each post coupling portion has at least two post coupling apertures, typically three post engaging apertures, such that the bracket is adapted to allow the strainer post angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane.

Preferably, the bracket is made from a rigid material.

Preferably, the bracket is made from a flexible material.

Preferably, the bracket is made from metal or metal alloy or leather or plastic material.

Preferably, the bracket is made from steel, typically galvanised steel.

Preferably, the fastening means is a screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener, wherein the screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener releasably couples and retains the bracket to the post by a portion of the screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener extending through a 20 selected post engaging aperture on the bracket and in to a selected aperture on the upper portion of the post.

Any 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 perspective view of the post assembly in accordance with a preferred 30 embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of a part of the post assembly as shown in figure 1.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bracket shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of the abutting end portion of the stay as shown in figure 1. 5 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the abutting end portion as shown in figure 4.

Description of Drawings The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a post assembly with a stay, typically for use in supporting a wire 10 fence. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

A post assembly 10 with a stay 12 is shown in figures 1 and 2. The post assembly 10 is 15 typically for use in supporting a wire fence and such that the post 11 is maintained in a correct and desired position when the post is under tension and strain. The post assembly 10 is adapted to allow for adjustment of the angle of the stay 12 relative to the post 11 and ground and also to allow for the angle of the post 11 relative to the horizontal plane to be adjusted in order to maintain the integrity and reliability of the post 11 when under tension 20 and strain.

The post assembly 10 includes a post 11 having an upper portion adapted to extend above the ground and a lower portion adapted to extend below the ground. The upper portion of the post 11 has a plurality of spaced apart apertures 111, 112, 114,115 along the length of the 25 upper portion of the post 11 so as to allow for the positioning of the stay 12 to the post 11 to be varied and adjusted to suit and compensate for the contour of the ground to which the post assembly 10 is erected. The post 11 can have a ground engaging washer 14 or other type of footer attached to the lower end of the post such that the washer 14 or footer assist to maintain the post in position and to prevent vertical movement of the post 11. The post 11 is 30 preferably made from galvanised steel, however it can also be made from other metals or metal alloys or wood or plastic material. The post is typically hollow and tubular, however it is envisaged that the post could be solid and of any other suitable shape.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc The stay 12 has an elongate member 121, a post engaging end portion 122 and a ground engaging end portion 123. The post engaging end portion 122 abuts and engages with the upper portion of the post 11. The ground engaging end portion 123 is adapted to be inserted and retained in the ground such that the stay 12 extends at an angle outwardly from the post 5 11 so that the stay 12, when inserted in to the ground, braces and supports and prevents the post 11 from moving laterally. The stay 12 extends outwardly from the post 10 in a downwardly direction at an acute angle, typically 65°, relative to the longitudinal axis of the post 11. The ground engaging end portion 123 of the stay 12 has a ground engaging washer 15 or footer attached to it so as to assist to retain the ground engaging end portion 123 in the 10 ground and to prevent movement of the stay 12 relative to the ground. The post engaging end portion 122 of the stay is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the stay 12 so as to provide an increased and substantial contact surface area to abut against the post 11. As shown in figures 4 and 5 the post engaging end portion 122 of the stay 12 has two surfaces 1221, 1222. One of the surfaces 1222 surface is angled relative to the other surface 1221 15 such that the surface 1222 abuts with and is in direct contact with the post 11. The stay 12 can be hollow and is tubular, however the stay 12 could be solid and of any other suitable shape. The stay can be made from galvanised steel, however it is envisaged that it can be made from any other metal or metal allow, wood or plastic material.

Turning to figure 3 where the bracket 13 is shown in detail. The purpose of the bracket 13 is to hold the stay 12 to the post 11 so that the correct and desired angle of the stay 12 to the post 11 can be obtained and also to allow for stay 12 to be positioned along the length of the post 11 when required and as well to allow for the angle of the post relative to the horizontal plane to be adjusted. The bracket releasably couples and retains the stay 12 to the post 11. 25 The bracket 13 as shown in figure 3 is U shaped, however it is envisaged that bracket could be any other suitable shape, such as an elongate planar member or J shaped where the hook part of the J hooks over the stay and the leg part of the J is attached to the post. The U-shaped bracket 13 has the legs of the U as the post engaging portions 131, 132 and the curved portion of the U is the stay holding portion 133. The two post coupling portions 131, 30 132 are spaced apart a distance substantially slightly greater than the width of the post 11 and the curved stay holding portion 133 has a radius slightly greater than the width of the stay 12. Each post coupling portion has an upper portion 1310,1320 and a lower portion 1311, 1321. Each lower portion 1311,1321 has three post coupling apertures 1312, 1313, 1314, 1322, I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc 1323, 1324. It is envisaged that any number of post coupling apertures could be provided. In use the post coupling apertures 1312, 1313, 1314, 1322, 1323, 1324 are used to align with a corresponding aperture 111, 112, 114, 115 on the post 11 in order to attach the bracket 13 to the post 11 at a desired location on the post. The post coupling apertures 1312, 1313, 5 1314, 1322, 1323,1324 to allow the post 11 angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane. By positioning a bolt 16 through the centre apertures 1313, 1323 in the bracket 13 would typically align the post 11 at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane. By moving the bolt 16 to the first hole 1314, 1324 in the bracket 13 the stay 12 would move in an upward direction on the post 11, allowing the post angle to increase above 90 degrees relative to the 10 horizontal plane. By moving the bolt 16 to the third aperture 1312, 1322 in the braclcetl3 the stay 12 would move in a downward direction on the post, allowing the post angle to decrease below 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. The bolt 16 releasably fastens the bracket 13 to the upper portion of the post 11 by being inserted and through one of the brackets post coupling apertures 1312,1313, 1314,1322, 1323, 1324andinto one of the apertures 111, 15 112, 114, 115 on the upper portion of the post 11 so as to releasably couple the stay 12, via the bracket 13, to the post 11 at a desired position along the length of the upper portion of the post 11 and at a desired angle extending outwardly from the upper portion of the post 11. The bracket is made from a rigid material, however it is envisaged that it could also be made from a non rigid or flexible material. The bracket 13 can be made from metal or metal alloy 20 (typically galvanised steel) or leather or plastic material. The bolt could be replaced with any other suitable fastener such as a screw, bolt or nail. The stay holding portion 133 can be attached to the stay by a suitable fastener such as a screw, nail, bolt or the like.

In use the post assembly 10 is assembled on site where the post is to be erected. Once the 25 hole is dug for the post 11 the post is inserted into the ground. The post hole can then be filled in fully or partially in order that the post is in a substantially vertical position. Then the stay 12 is aligned and positioned such that it abuts an upper portion of the post at one end 122 and is inserted in the ground at the other end 123 and the stay 12 is at an angle of 65° wits the longitudinal axis of the post 11. The stay is then secured to the post via the bracket 30 13 whereby a bolts 16 passes through initially the centre post coupling apertures 1313, 1323. The dug holes for the post and the stay are then back filled and rammed. If the angle of the post relative to the horizontal plane needs to be adjusted then the bolts 16 can be undone and reinserted in the corresponding post coupling aperture required for the angle adjustment.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc Also the post can be hand or machine rammed into the ground if a ground retaining washer is not to be used, it doesn't necessarily have to be dug into place. Advantage, no digging of holes.

The post assembly 10 allows for a post 11 to be braced by a stay 12 whereby the angle of the post relative to the horizontal plane can be adjusted and also to allow the stay 12 to positioned along the length of the post 11 to take into account contour variations and for ground movement of a period of time- Advantages a) Allows for adjustment to take into account differing contours b) Allows for adjustment of the angle of the post relative to the horizontal plane c) Easy to assemble to use d) Allows for adjustment at time of erection and for adjustment during the life of the post. e) No digging of holes Variations Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that 20 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 25 be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is substantially hereinafter defined in the appended claims.

I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc What We Claim is:

Claims (29)

1. Claim 1: A post assembly for use in supporting a wire fence, the post assembly includes: 5 i) a post having an upper portion adapted to extend above the ground and a lower portion adapted to extend below the ground, the upper portion having a plurality of spaced apart apertures along the length of the upper portion; ii) a stay having an elongate member with a post engaging end portion and a ground engaging end portion, the post engaging end portion is adapted to 10 abut and engage with the upper portion of the post and the ground engaging end portion is adapted to be inserted and retained in the ground such that the elongate stay extends at an angle outwardly from the post so that the stay, when inserted in to the ground, braces and supports and prevents the post from moving laterally; 15 iii) a bracket adapted to releasably couple and retain the stay to the post, the bracket having a plurality of spaced apart post coupling apertures; and iv) fastening means adapted to fasten the bracket to the upper portion of the post wherein the fastening means is capable of being inserted and through one of the brackets post coupling apertures and in to one of the apertures on 20 the upper portion of the post so as to releasably couple the stay, via the bracket, to the post at a desired position along the length of the upper portion of the post and at a desired angle extending outwardly from the upper portion of the post. 25
2. Claim 2: The post assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stay extends outwardly from the post in a downwardly direction at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the post.
3. Claim 3: The post assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stay extends outwardly 30 from the post in a downwardly direction at an angle of 65° relative to longitudinal axis of the post. I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc -13-
4. Claim 4: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the lower portion of the post has a footer attached so as to assist to retain the post in the ground and to prevent vertical movement of the post relative to the ground.
5. 5 Claim 5 The post assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ground engaging end portion of the stay has a footer attached so as to assist to retain the ground engaging end portion in the ground and to prevent movement of the stay relative to the ground. 10
6. Claim 6: The post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the footer is a ground engaging washer.
7. Claim 7: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the post is hollow and tubular. 15
8. Claim 8: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the post is made from metal or metal alloy or wood or plastic material.
9. Claim 9: The post assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the post is made from 20 galvanised steel.
10. Claim 10: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the post engaging end portion of the stay is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the stay so as to provide a substantial contact surface area to abut against the post. 25
11. Claim 11: The post assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the post engaging end portion of the stay has two surfaces whereby the second surface is angled relative to the first surface such that the second surface abuts and is in direct contact with the post. 30 Claim 12: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the stay is a hollow and tubular.
12. I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc -14-
13. Claim 13: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the stay is made from metal or metal alloy or wood or plastic material.
14. Claim 14: The post assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stay is made from 5 steel, typically galvanised steel.
15. Claim 15: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket has a stay holding portion and a post coupling portion. 10
16. Claim 16: The post assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the post coupling portion has at least two post coupling apertures, at least three post engaging apertures such that the bracket is adapted to allow the post angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane.
17. Claim 17: The post assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the stay holding portion of 15 the bracket is adapted to retain and hold the stay in abutment with the post.
18. Claim 18: The post assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the stay holding portion is adapted to be attached to the stay by a suitable fastening means. 20
19. Claim 19: The post assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fastening means is a screw, nail or bolt.
20. Claim 20: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bracket has two post coupling portions joined to one another by a stay holding portion such 25 that the bracket is U-shaped whereby the legs of the U are the post engaging end portions and the curved portion of the U is the stays holding portions.
21. Claim 21: The post assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the two post coupling portions are spaced apart a distance substantially slightly greater than the width of the post 30 and the curved stay holding portion has a radius slightly greater than the width of the stay.
22. Claim 22: The post assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein each post coupling portion has at least two post coupling apertures, at least three post engaging apertures, such that the I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc -15- bracket is adapted to allow the strainer post angle to be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane.
23. Claim 23: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the 5 bracket is made from a rigid material.
24. Claim 24: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 22, wherein the bracket is made from a flexible material. 10
25. Claim 25: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket is made from metal or metal alloy or leather or plastic material.
26. Claim 26: The post assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the bracket is made from galvanised steel. 15
27. Claim 27: The post assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener, wherein the screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener releasably couples and retains the bracket to the post by a portion of the screw, bolt, nail or similar suitable fastener extending through a selected post engaging aperture on the 20 bracket and in to a selected aperture on the upper portion of the post.
28. Claim 28: The post assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the post has a plurality of wire engaging means to allow wires to be attached to the post. 25
29. Claim 29: A post assembly for use in supporting a wire fence as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 30 PIPERS Attorneys for the Applicant I:\401600\401645NZ\401645NZ CompSPEC 20110412 1031 TGR.doc