WO1999061743A1

WO1999061743A1 - Improvements in and relating to a hinge

Info

Publication number: WO1999061743A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1999/000066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith John Clare
Original assignee: Keith John Clare
Priority date: 1998-05-27
Filing date: 1999-05-27
Publication date: 1999-12-02
Also published as: AU754678B2; AU4296799A

Abstract

This invention relates to a hinge system for interconnecting and/or pivoting a variety of objects relative to a support and/or a support member of the hinge of the hinge system. The support member (3) of the hinge includes multiple apertures (5-7) to attach and/or position the support member (3) relative to a support, another support member or the object. Provision is also made on the support member for attaching engaging means (9, 10) to engage the object(s) to be hinged. Configuration of the hinge alone, or in conjunction with ancillary hinge attachments, provides a system for hanging/hinging a gate, erecting a section of fencing, or for correcting defects or deficiencies in the position of gate posts of farm fencing systems (including electric fence systems) of any height. The hinge system can also be used to interconnect and arrange sections of fencing/paneling to create permanent or temporary buildings/enclosures of varying sizes and shapes. However, the hinge can also be used in a variety of other applications including, but not limited to, supporting/hinging a vehicle tail-gate, a door or panel, or a vehicle ramp.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO A HINGE TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to a hinge.

In particular, it is envisaged the hinge will be used to secure and hinge at least one object relative to a support, whilst enabling the object to pivot through a range of positions up to, or more than, 360° relative to the position of the support. The extent of pivoting and range of positions achievable using the hinge will be dependent upon the configuration of the hinge itself and attached ancillary hinge attachments as a comprehensive hinge system, as well as the geometric plane the hinge is required to operate through. It is envisaged the hinge will be used predominantly in relation to farm fencing systems where the hinge is attached to a gate post or a base to improve the ease of hanging of a gate, or a section of fencing and so forth. The hinge can also be used to correct defects or deficiencies arising in the position of the gate post and/or the required height of the gate or fence sections.

However, the hinge can also be used in a variety of other ways. For example, it can be attached to a vehicle to support and hinge a tail-gate, a door or panel, or a vehicle ramp. Further, by attaching a hinge to either side of a vehicle and attaching interconnected sections of fencing to the hinge(s), a temporary enclosure for farm animals and so forth can be created.

The hinge can also be used to connect any number of sections of fencing and farm gates together to create temporary paddocks of varying sizes and shapes. The hinge is suitable for use with fencing of standard heights or extended heights as required for deer or ostrich farming, and can be modified to enable electric fence systems to be used in conjunction with the hinge system.

Accordingly, several hinges and/or hinge attachments may be used together in a variety of configurations to enable the hinge to be put to a variety of uses, to achieve a variety of structures and to thereby increase its versatility. Therefore, this invention may have applications outside the above mentioned fields.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of hinge systems are available in the prior art, and are used in a variety of situations. In relation to farm fencing and gate systems, and/or in relation to the use of such hinges on vehicle tail gates and so forth, there are a variety of systems currently in use. In relation to farm fencing and gate systems, the most commonly used method incorporates the use of posts (wooden, metal, concrete, and so forth) to which wire strainers are attached for fencing with battens appropriately positioned between the posts. Gates are typically attached to such posts via the use of gate gudgeons (having a variety of shapes and sizes).

In respect of vehicles, hinge systems are used on vehicle tail gates, hatch back doors, and so forth. They are used to facilitate the raising and lowering of portion(s) of a vehicle typically enclosing a flat deck area, such as a is found with a trailer, or an open-decked truck, or the tail gate of an enclosed vehicle (such as station wagons, hatch back vehicles, and so forth). However, there are a number of problems associated with the design of hinges currently used, and/or the design of fencing and gate hinge systems currently employed.

In a typical farming environment a fence is constructed and a gate is hung and swung from a suitably located gate post. CYCLONE™ style gates are but one example of a type of gate system available to farmers. Whilst others gate structures are also available the principle of hanging and swinging the gate relative to an associated gate post is substantially the same for most of the generally used systems.

At present, the normal method for hinging CYCLONE™ style gates, is to install onto or into a gate post, two separately mounted screw-in or bolt-through post gudgeon pins. The gudgeon pins require the drilling of precisely placed holes in the post to ensure the corresponding gate gudgeons are fitted appropriately to interact with the complementary portions of a gate, and to enable the gate to swing appropriately.

Problems can arise where the gate posts have deviated from true vertical over time. Accordingly, the gate hinged to the post is unable to work effectively. Often, spacers are attached to the sagging gate post or to the gate gudgeon to compensate for the lean. Or alternately, the gate post requires realigning.

Problems can also arise where either one or both previously existing gudgeons become loose (through misuse, overuse, post rot or post split), thereby rendering the gudgeons unusable and/or placing severe "turning" strain upon either, or both, gudgeon pin/eyelet sets. Wherever such problems arise, either the post requires immediate replacement and/or the post requires re-drilling to reposition the hinging point upon the post. Depending upon the fault development, the actual gudgeon pins and/or the gate eyelets may require repair and/or replacement.

Such procedures are time consuming and may not necessarily be effective at fully addressing the problem. Further, once the gate is fitted, there is generally no suitably easy, simple and quick method available to enable the height of the gate to be adjusted relative to the gate post. Sometimes washers or other items may be used to space or raise the position of gate eyes relative to the base of the pin of a gate gudgeon. Methods are limited by the suitability of the material used as spacing means, and/or the length of the gudgeon pin. Accordingly, only minor variations in the height and swing may be effected.

In addition, throughout the year, various environmental conditions may affect the ease with which a gate may be opened. For example, various clearances beneath the gate may be required in different seasons. During winter, snow deposits may require the gate be higher than normal to enable the gate to open over the snow. A similar situation occurs in summer when grass or hay is growing particularly high.

Alternately, in spring when the grass is eaten and is generally low cropped, or in autumn where drought conditions may stunt the growth of vegetation, it may be necessary to lower the gate to prevent animals escaping from the paddock under the gate (particularly lambs for example).

Many existing systems are also prone to other problems such as animals becoming trapped behind partially opened gates. The arc swing of most gates is typically determined by the physical size of the gate post and/or the position of the hinge upon that post. Damage to both posts and hinges can occur when gates are forced open beyond the limits of an available arc swing as a result of wind closure and so forth. Further, most fence and gate systems are permanent structures. Accordingly, should a farmer require a section of a paddock to be cut off from stock, or used for another purpose, the farmer is required to install a temporary system. Typically, electric fencing is used. However, if something more substantial than electric fence elements are required to deter stock movement, it can become expensive for the farmer to hire or build a system which may only be used for a short period of time. Cost is a particular concern especially when such a system is also only suitable for use in that particular location.

Throughout the farming year, a number of procedures are attended to, such as animal dagging, tailing or drenching. When this is required, it may be necessary for the farmer to move the animals to specific locations (where specialised machinery, platforms, tables or other equipment is located) in order to be able to attend to such procedures. It may be more advantageous for the farmer if the animals could be attended to as close as possible to the area where they are grazing. Accordingly, stock disturbance and time expended in the procedure could be minimised.

Current systems for building a small permanent yard are costly and time consuming. In addition, should the yard need to be relocated, it has to be completely dismantled and then reassembled, which in turn can also be a costly and time consuming exercise. Further, once a yard has been created, changes in the size of the yard or changes to enable the yard to be used for other purposes are not easily and cheaply achieved.

The use of previously available hinge systems on vehicles also has a number of inherent problems. In vehicles such as trailers which have tail gates, the hinge is typically designed to simply enable the tail gate to pivot out and down. However, the hinge arrangement may be such that the portion required to pivot can only pivot through a limited angle. Some vehicle tail gates may only be capable of pivoting 90° from a plane substantially vertical and perpendicular to the deck of a vehicle, to a position substantially horizontal and in a plane substantially in line with the deck (or roof) of the vehicle. In certain circumstances a pivot through a greater arc may be required. For example, on a vehicle used to transport animals to or from an enclosure, it may be preferable to have a tail gate capable of pivoting through at least a 180° arc. In this situation the tail gate can operate as a barrier to prevent the animals escaping under the vehicle whilst they are being unloaded from the vehicle in to the enclosure and vice versa. In vehicles lacking a tailgate, a temporary platform or panel could be used to perform the same function. However, it may be preferable for the panel to pivot through at least 270° from a position flat on the deck of the vehicle, to a position blocking off the area beneath the vehicle as discussed above.

In instances where it is possible to remove the tail gate as required to empty the contents of the vehicle, the removal of the tail gate may not be a simple operation. Further, once the tail gate is removed, the hinging system of the tail gate may not be capable of accommodating other structures- such as ramps, and so forth.

In vehicles having a rear hatchback door it may also be advantageous if the door could be folded onto the roof of the vehicle to obviate problems encountered where building structures to be accessed (such as doorways or verandahs) provide a limited clearance, and so forth.

Various attempts have been made to overcome problems experienced in the use of existing hinge systems. For example, New Zealand Patent Specification No. 243050 discloses a hinge mechanism for a farm gate where a substantially U-shaped hinge attachment includes two hinge eyes on one limb of the U-shape and a pair of hinge pins on the parallel limb. The hinge eyes are used to drop over the hinge pins (such as the gate gudgeons) on a support post, while the hinge pins are spaced to take a gate. The spacing between the two limbs of the U-shaped hinge attachment is designed to allow a gate to be swung open through a greater arc, to a position substantially parallel to the fence.

However, this invention merely operates as a spacer. There is no provision to enable the height of one of the limbs to be adjusted relative to the other, to ensure the gate is at a suitable height above the ground as may be required to improve opening and closing of the gate.

Yet another system disclosed in New Zealand Patent Specification No. 270975 includes a gudgeon having a collar capable of receiving a portion of an upright member of a gate. The gate gudgeon is mounted on a threaded bolt that is capable of being connected to a gate post. Whilst this system overcomes the problem of having to accurately position independent gate gudgeons to align with corresponding fixed hinge eyes on a gate, it does nothing to address problems of improving the pivotability of the gate with respect to the gate post. The problems associated with post-pull or lean may also not be fully addressed by this invention. In addition, it requires production of gates without incorporated hinge eyes (which otherwise could interfere with the operation of the gate gudgeon of that invention).

A further invention disclosed in New Zealand Patent Specification No. 92283 relates to a farm gate having top and bottom rails made of angle section material. The rails extend beyond the ends of the gate (to form projecting members) and incorporate holes capable of engaging with the hinge pins of typical gate gudgeons. The extensions obviate the need to have hinge eyes welded in an appropriate position on the upright frame of a gate. In addition, they provide spacing means between the gate post gudgeons and the gate to improve the movement of the gate.

However, there is no means by which the height of the gate can be adjusted either during or after the gudgeons are fitted, or at some future adjustment date. Rather, it again requires the gate gudgeons to be appropriately located in the gate post in a position capable of engaging with the holes in the extensions of the gate.

A further arrangement is described in New Zealand Patent Specification No. 188997. This invention includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel, tubular members connected by spacers. One tubular member is pivotally attached to a post by a conventional hinge pin/hinge eye arrangement. The second tubular member has suitably located flanges capable of engaging with a complementarily placed bracket welded to the gate.

The arrangement is designed to enable a gate to be swung open and positioned parallel to a fence extending from the gate post. Accordingly, while directed to overcoming problems when gates are forced opened beyond the limits of its available arc swing, the invention does not allow for easy adjustment of the height of the gate relative to the gate post and to the ground.

Typically, many attempts to overcoming problems relating to the arc swing of a gate, or other structure, relative to a hinge are directed more to operating as spacers alone. Typically, such spacers include hinge pins or hinge eyes in an arrangement similar to traditional systems. For example, the typical arrangement includes at least two gate gudgeon-type structures incorporating a hinge pin each. The gudgeon pins are designed to engage with appropriately located hinge eyes on the structure being hung on and hinged relative to the gate gudgeons.

Accordingly, the placement of the gate gudgeons becomes critical to ensure the gudgeon pins are able to receive the corresponding hinge eyes of the object to be hung and swung from the gudgeons.

Bearing in mind the inherent problems of existing hinges and hinge systems, it would be advantageous if a hinge system was capable of overcoming some if not all of these problems by: a) Simplifying the installation of the hinge/hinge system by minimising the time taken, necessary installation equipment used and/or effort expended; and b) Being able to be retro-fitted to existing structures such as gate posts, gate gudgeons, vehicles and so forth; and c) Including interchangeable arrangements and operations - such as having more than one gate operating off the same hinge, being able to remove a tail gate from a vehicle and replace it with loading ramps, and so forth; and d) Being able to adjust the height of a gate and so forth after installation of the hinge system without the need to reposition the original hinge and/or realign the gate post and so forth; and e) Being able to adjust the height of gates using the hinge system in a manner which is neither time consuming nor costly; and f) Being able to easily attach additional structures of the hinge system to each other to enable the hinge system to operate in a number of ways over and above the standard single gate hinge, or trailer gate operation; and g) Being able to use the hinge system in a multitude of ways, often simultaneously within the same structure, such as when creating temporary yards or pens; and h) enabling an object being hinged relative to the hinge to be swung through an arc of up to, or more than, 360°. Accordingly, enabling an object such as a gate, to be tied back parallel to a fence/structure with which the object would otherwise be in line with; and i) being able to improve hinge strength without the need to replace posts; and j) being able to operate portable systems for structures such as electric fences; and k) providing a more secure and lockable hinge system than is currently available; and

1) enabling the hinge to be re-aligned to vertical (after nuisance post pull/lean) without necessitating the total removal and/or replacement of the post and/or hinge position upon that post; and m) enabling the hinge to be sprung in such a manner as to be "self closing" and/or "self centering", and/or enabling strain relief of part, or all, of the swung weight of an object upon the gudgeon elements of the hinge either before and/or after installation of any swung object.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge system for hinging at least one object, said hinge system including at least one hinge, said hinge including at least one substantially elongate support member capable of being attached to a support, said support member including a) multiple apertures distributed along the length of the support member, said apertures configured to receive attachment means, and b) provision for attachment of engaging means capable of engaging with the object(s), and the hinge system characterised by the arrangement of the multiple apertures and the engaging means on the elongate support member enabling the hinge system to be configured to hinge a range of objects and/or additional elongate support members for either or both permanent and temporary situations. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge for hinging at least one object, said hinge including, at least one substantially elongate support member capable of being secured to a support, said support member including multiple apertures capable of receiving attachment means to effect attachment of the support member, said support member also including engaging means capable of engaging with the object(s).

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the support to which the support member is capable of being secured includes at least any one of a gate post, a stand, a pole, a vehicle (either stationary or mobile), a building, and existing gate gudgeons. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein at least one second support member is attached to a first support member in an arrangement substantially parallel to the first support member. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein a second support member is attached to a first support member in an arrangement substantially in series with the first support member, such that the plane of the second support member is aligned with the plane of the first support member. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the multiple apertures are arranged along the length of the support member.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the multiple apertures are pre-drilled in a required configuration.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the multiple apertures are capable of receiving at least either or both attachment means to attach the support member(s) to the support, and adjustment means. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the engaging means on each support member includes at least one of a hinge pin and at least one of a hinge eye.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the engaging means are positioned along the length of the substantially elongate support member at locations suitable for engaging with appropriately configured means on the object(s) being hinged.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided substantially as described above a hinge system wherein suitable attachment means may include an ancillary engaging means (in the form of hinge pins or hinge eyes, or any aperture) whereby the position of such said attachment means may be altered in respect of the position upon the elongate hinge support member to which said attachment means may be attached.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the engaging means are located towards each end of the substantially elongate support member. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the object hinged by the hinge includes complementarily configured engaging means, capable of engaging with the engaging means of the support member.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the number of objects engaged with a support member is determined by the number and/or arrangement of engaging means included on the support member.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein engagement of at least one object with the support member is such that the object is capable of pivoting through up to, or more than, 360° relative to the support member and the support.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the object includes at least one of any of a gate, door, section of fencing, vehicle tail gate, hatch, a platform or ramp, a barrier device, panel, container, or any other object required to be hinged.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the position of at least one second support member attached in a substantially parallel arrangement to a first support member can be substantially raised or lowered with respect to the position of the first support member. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the change in position of the second support member with respect to the position of the first support member, is effected by adjustment means.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein the adjustment means includes incremental adjustment means, or variable tensioning means.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein an object may be secured to a support member via locking means.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein at least one object engaged with a support member may be transported from one site to another site via temporary attachment of at least one motive means, to either or both the support member(s) and the object.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge is designed to be a quick-to-fix simplified gate hinge unit. Accordingly, the hinge is preferably a one-piece, all-welded hinge unit. In addition, it is preferable that the hinge unit be a multiple-use system. Accordingly the hinge unit preferably is able to be easily retro-fitted into existing situations. This can be achieved by quickly fitting equivalent units together, or by fitting optional attachments to the hinge to accomplish a variety of non-standard situations that require the temporary or permanent siting of a swung gate, or any other object required to be hinged, or interconnected. The substantially elongate support member is therefore preferably an effective length of pipe. For the purpose of this specification an effective length of pipe shall mean a length of suitable material capable of being used as a support member and having the length required for the situation.

The effective length of the support member required to enable the hinge to be secured to an appropriate support, is in part determined by the function the hinge is required to perform. Accordingly, the effective length of the elongate support member may be different where the support member is attached to a vehicle to be used in conjunction with a tail gate, as opposed to using the elongate support member attached to a gate post to hinge a gate.

In preferred embodiments, the elongate support member is preferably a length of galvanised metal of any suitable configuration such as a rod, tube, or bar and having a constant or variable cross- section and so forth. A length of galvanised pipe is however preferred for ease of application.

However, the support member may be made from other suitable materials including plastics material (reinforced), fibreglass, and so forth. The cross-sectional configuration of the support member may vary depending on the strength required of the support member, and the use to which the hinge is put.

The multiple apertures in the support member are preferably pre-drilled holes arranged in specific groupings. The specific groupings of the apertures are designed to enable a variety of attachment means, adjustment means and so forth to be used with, and appropriately located relative to, the support member(s), the support and/or the object being hinged.

For example, in one preferred embodiment, the support member may include a total of at least 33 apertures being arranged in at least 16 pairs plus one separate aperture. The apertures are such that each hole of a pair of holes is substantially in line with each other on opposite sides of the support member. Fourteen pairs of apertures preferably operate as alternative attachment or access holes. A further two pairs are designed to be used with adjustment means or joining means, to enable the height or the swing of a gate or at least a second support member (joined to a first member) to be adjusted. The individual hole is preferably used as a ratchet or dowel locator hole.

The fourteen pairs of apertures operating as alternative attachment or access holes are aligned along the length of the support member. Twelve pairs of these fourteen pairs are arranged preferably in discrete groups of three pairs per group, whilst the other two pairs are preferably located towards one distal end of the elongate support member. Each group has equi-distant centers. The groups are also preferably spaced at an equal distance from each other group with a central group being centralised about the center point of the elongate support member. The remaining two pairs of apertures, designed to be used with adjustment means or joining means, are aligned in a different plane on the elongate support member than that of the apertures operating as alternative attachment or access holes.

In some embodiments of the present invention the elongate support member may be pre-drilled with a continuous line of equi-distant apertures along the entire length of the support member according to the particular application to which the present invention may be applied.

At least two pairs of holes are designated for the height or swing adjustment option. These are preferably located substantially at 90° from the other pairs of holes. Typically these pairs of holes are located towards each distal end of the support member.

But where more "sets" (at least one pair of holes per set) are required these may be located at any point about the elongate support member and at any distance along the elongate support member to effect the required function to which the present invention may be applied.

In preferred embodiments, the attachment means used to secure the support member to a support include coach screws capable of passing through a pair of the aligned access or attachment holes and into the support. However, any suitable attachment means may be employed with the invention.

For example, where a second support member is attached to a first support member in a substantially parallel arrangement, or two support members are attached together in series (configurations to be described later), the appropriate attachment means may include nuts and bolts, and so forth.

Preferably, there are at least two engaging means on each support member. For ease of reference the engaging means shall include and be referred to as hinge eyes and hinge pins. However, it should be appreciated that use of these terms is not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Typically, a hinge pin is preferably located towards one end of the support member. For example, in an embodiment where the support member is to be attached to a gate post, the support member will be positioned in a substantially vertical plane and substantially parallel to the gate post. In this arrangement the hinge pin engaging means is preferably located towards the bottom of the support member when the support member is attached to the gate post. The hinge eye is therefore preferably located towards the top end of the support member.

The arrangement of the hinge pin and hinge eye is designed to improve the ease of installation of an object (such as a gate) on the support member. In some embodiments, the support member may include any number of additional sets of hinge pins and/or hinge eyes depending on the situation in which the support member of the hinge is used. Further, clarification of such is provided in the discussions related to particular examples of vanous arrangements and uses of the hinge.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hinge pins and the hinge eyes are welded in position on the support member.

While welding is a preferred method of attaching the hinge eye(s) and the hinge pin(s) to the support member, any suitable method of attachment may be employed. For example, where the support member is produced as a single preformed unit, the hinge eye and the hinge pin may be incorporated into that single unit without the need to be later attached.

Preferably, the hinge eye (as one engaging means of the support member) is "vacant" to enable the insertion of a removable pin capable of passing through the hinge eye. The removable pin would not only pass through the hinge eye of the support member, but also through another hinge eye on the object to be hung and swung from the hinge. Accordingly the hinge eye of both the support member and the object would be held in line with each other via the inserted pin.

Provision of the removable pin contributes to simplifying installation of extremely heavy objects, such as large gates, by one person.

The "vacant" hinge eye can also facilitate attachment of a specialised rotating latch unit, clarification of which is provided in a later discussion about the vanous uses of the invention. The specialised rotating latch is an attachment for use with the hinge system in farming operations where one person is required to administer various treatments to penned animals in "one person" yarding operations.

Alternately, the "vacant" hinge eye can facilitate use of additional support members arranged either parallel to or in senes with a first support member, in a variety of configurations.

For example, the arrangement of an upper hmge eye and a lower hinge pm enables a second support member to be substantially inverted relative to a first support member. The arrangement is such that the hmge pm on the inverted support member is capable of being received in to the hinge eye on the first support member (for example, attached to a support such as a post). The hinge eye of the inverted support member is capable of engaging with the hinge p of the first support member.

Where a restricted arc swing is required, such as between a 200° to 250° arc swing, the above option may be employed. Accordingly, a single support member may be attached to a support such as a gate post with the further inclusion of spacing means placed between the support member and the support. The distance between the support member and the support (gate post) provided by the spacing means further improves the swing of an object (gate) through a greater arc than may be possible if the support member was directly in contact with the post (without the use of spacing means).

The spacing means may be any suitable structure, made of any suitable matenal and having any suitable configuration, and may include washers, sections of pipe and so forth capable of effecting and maintaining a gap between the support and the support member

For example, the spacing means may also include any form of gantry style support brackets to enable the position of the elongate support member to be installed at a greater than normal distance from the supporting post or other supporting structure. Accordingly, an "economy gate" may be utilised in preference to a more expensive and/or heavier "long" gate across overwidth entranceways

The configuration of the support member enables multiple support members to be attached together in a variety of arrangements enabling the h ge to be used and operated in a number of preferred ways For example, in one preferred option, a second support member may be inverted and attached to a third support member via attachment means, such as nuts and bolts (although any suitable form of attachment means may be used) The combined unit may then be hung on a first support member attached to a structure such as a gate post.

The arrangement of the paired support members is such that the inverted second support member is in a position to enable the hinge pin and the hinge eye to be received by the complementary hinge pin and hmge eye of the first support member.

Accordingly, the paired second and third support members can be swung relative to the first support member. In addition, a gate (or other object) ultimately hung on the engagement means of the third support member, can also be hinged and swung relative to both the paired support members and the first support member attached to the support

Accordingly, the option described above enables a semi-fixed height hinge system to be employed which is capable of swinging in a bi-fold manner. Such a system is inherently adapted to be used on small to medium sized diameter gate posts for example. This arrangement can also be used to improve the arc swing of an object through up to, or more than, 360° to enable a gate (for example) to be tied back against either side of a fence Ime to avoid problems associated with animals getting trapped behind the opened gate.

In this arrangement the uninverted third support member of the paired, joined unit is capable of being attached to the second support member in a manner such that the height of the third member relative to the second member can be raised (or lowered) and held in a fixed position. This option may be required to alter the height of any object such as a gate being hung from the paired, joined unit.

A preferred third option, where more than one support member is joined together to facilitate the required operation of a gate (for example) attached to the hmge, may be achieved by again attaching a first support member to a gate post. The first support member is substantially parallel to the gate post but may be separated therefrom via the use of spacing means.

A second support member is attached to the first support member such that the second support member is in an arrangement substantially parallel to the first support member. However, rather than being in direct contact with each other, the first support member and the second support member are joined via joining means.

In preferred embodiments, the joining means preferably include two pairs (for additional strength) of horizontal members which are attached towards each end of the support members via attachment means inserted through the two pairs of pre-dπlled side apertures in the support members. The attachment of a second support member to the first support member is preferably such that the horizontal members are capable of pivoting with respect to each of the support members. The pivoting action is such that the second support member is able to be raised and lowered relative to the position of the first support member.

The selected height of the second support member is then preferably maintained in position via retaining means The retaining means may simply include a chain connection between the first and second support members The chain may be attached to each support member through either one of the multiple apertures in the support members or via appropnately located receiving means (such as slots and so forth) along the length of the support member(s).

The length and/or positioning of the retaining means will typically be dictated by: a) either the length of the horizontal members (and thereby the spacing between the first and second support members), and/or b) the required height of the second support member with respect to the first support member, and so forth.

Although a chain is one preferred method of retaining the second support member in the appropnate position with respect to the first support member, any other suitable retaining means (including tensioning means) may be employed with the invention.

It can be appreciated that the configuration of the support members enables any number of support members to be attached to each other m a manner that enables more than one object to be hung and swung from the hinge, simultaneously. Accordingly, any number of arrangements may be possible as required to meet the specific needs of each situation.

Such arrangements are facilitated by the multiple fixing or access holes distributed along the length of the support members, the side holes which enable horizontal members to be attached to the support member(s), and the arrangement of the hinge pins and hinge eyes.

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention more than one hinge eye and hinge pin may be attached to the elongate support member. For example, up to three or more hinge eyes may be attached at the upper end of a single support member whilst up to three hinge pins and at least one hinge eye may be attached at the lower end of the elongate support member. Where four engaging means are attached at the same end of the support member, each hinge eye and/or hinge pin is preferably arranged at substantially 90° to an adjacent hinge eye or hinge pin. Where this option is employed, for example, up to three gates may be hung and swung from a single support member attached to a gate post. As can be appreciated, the number of engaging means at either end of the support member, along with their position relative to each other, can vary according to need.

The number of engaging means included at either end or along the length of the support member is ultimately dictated by: a) the size (diameter) of the support member (providing a sufficient surface area to accommodate the engaging means), and b) the strength of the support member (and the support) to hang and swing the associated objects engaging with the engaging means, and so forth.

In some situations the support member may be substantially free standing. For example, the support member may not be attached to a gate post or a vertical support means but is attached at its base to a horizontal support such as a foot plate. In this arrangement, up to four objects may be hung and swung from a single support member. This arrangement can be achieved by arranging four hinge pins and four hinge eyes around the elongate portion of the support member. Again, it is preferable that the hinge pins and hinge eyes are preferably at substantially 90° to each other around the elongate support member.

Where an elongate support member has been attached to a vertical support, the height of the support member relative to the support can be altered by unscrewing/unbolting the support member from the support, and be repositioned and reattached (via the alternative fixing or access apertures) at the preferred location.

Alternately, in accordance with another preferred embodiment, adjustment of the height of a single support member relative to the height of the support may be achieved via appropriate height adjustment means.

A preferred optional height adjustment means for use with pre-attached support members having slotted apertures, is a vertical ratchet-type system. Preferably, one portion of the ratchet system is positioned adjacent to and/or is attached to the gate post. A second portion of the ratchet system is positioned adjacent to and/or is attached to the support member, and interacts with the first portion of the ratchet system. The position of the support member relative to the support is therefore adjusted by movement of each portion of the ratchet-type adjustment means relative to the other.

Prior to the adjustment, the attachment means within the slotted apertures are first loosened. After the new position is determined, the attachment means are then re-tightened. To maintain the ratchet-type adjustment means in position between the support and the support member, the attachment means used to affix the support member to the support can be used. Accordingly, the ratchet-type adjustment means may also operate as fixed spacing means between the support member and the support.

As can be appreciated the ability to adapt the hinge to a variety of situations accordingly makes the hinge extremely versatile. Further, the configuration of the support members contributes to the ease with which the hinge may be attached to a support, and in turn, contributes to the corresponding ease with which an object may be hung from the hinge.

For example, in a situation where a gate is required to be hung, one support member may be bolted or screwed to one gate post on one side of the gateway, whilst a second support member may be attached to the opposite gate post.

The attachment of the support member(s) on the gate posts in a pre-determined position offers a ready "alternative" for seasonal height adjustments to the gate. This option may be employed where a paddock has been closed-up as a hay paddock. Prior to harvest time the gate may need to swing above the "crop". However, after harvesting the crop, a lowered gate position may be required. Further, it is not always possible to ensure a hinge system for a gate or similar object is able to operate relative to a truly horizontal surface. This is particularly the case with hill country farms. In such situations there are inherent terrain contour problems. To address this problem alternative horizontal plate members may be used with the hinge system to effect lifting of the gate to a required position to enable the gate to operate on sloping terrain. These alternative plate members are suitably configured bracket-like apparata that can include an extension. The extension may or may not be substantially curved. In use, a portion of the plate member preferably lies substantially adjacent to the planar face of the gate. Apertures are included in the plate member and the framework of the gate (or in an additional plate member attached to the gate). Attachment of the gate to the plate members) at the preferred position along the plate member(s) enables the gate or object to be in the required position to correspond to the contour of the land and thereby be able to operate effectively on a slope, for but one example. At least two such plate members will be used with one gate.

The arrangement of the gate in this latter example is such that once open, the gate is prevented from accidentally closing as a portion of the gate is likely to rest on the ground in the gate-open position.

In other embodiments, especially where vertical movement of the gate is required, a slip-fit arrangement of one of the plate members can enable the gate to follow the undulating terrain. A wheel may be installed on the gate to facilitate gate closure, especially where vertical movement is allowed via the slip-fit arrangement of the plate members), to enable the gate to follow the terrain.

One of the features of this invention is the ease with which a single person can install any gate. Installation is achieved by lifting the lower gate eye on to the fixed lower hinge pin of one of the support members. The upper gate eye is then, and only then, aligned with the upper hinge eye. A removable gudgeon pin (having been already partially inserted in the upper gate eye) is allowed to pass through the aligned upper gate eye and the upper hinge eye (via gravity) to secure the gate in place. Preferably, the removable gudgeon pin is substantially T-shaped (as per a standard clevis pin configuration). It includes a head portion substantially perpendicular to a shaft portion. The shaft portion of the gudgeon pin also preferably includes an aperture located towards the end furthest from the head portion of the gudgeon pin. The aperture is preferably configured to receive locking means capable of preventing unwanted removal of the gate off the hinge. The height of the gate may then be either simply adjusted relative to the ground level via use of: a) the vertical ratchet-type adjustment means of each elongate support member, or b) by hanging and swinging the gate from a second support member.

These arrangements accommodate seasonal changes that may affect the operation of a fixed (non- adjustable) gate. Also as mentioned previously, the vertical ratchet-type adjustment means may operate as fixed spacers between the support member and the gate post.

An additional support member may be directly attached to the opposite gate post via attachment means, or may be spaced away from the latch post by appropriate spacing means (such as washers, lugs and so forth), to compensate for deficiencies in the width of the gate or gateway. The spacing means used may include gantry-style support brackets to further assist in compensating for such deficiencies in gate width.

A hook, clasp or similar means may be attached to the additional support member by appropriate attachment means through one of the many apertures in the support member. Accordingly, when the gate is closed the hook may engage with a portion of the gate to maintain the gate in a closed position. Just as the removable gudgeon pin can receive locking means, so too can the lower hinge pin of the support member. For example, an aperture may be located at the end of the pin furthest from the main body of the hinge pin and may be configured to receive locking means to ensure a gate (or other object) attached to the hinge cannot readily be removed.

In some embodiments, it may be preferable for the hinge system to operate as a substantially free- standing unit, insofar as it is not attached to a building, gate post, or vehicle.

Such an arrangement may be desirable where temporary yards, pens, paddocks or similar enclosures are required. In such situations, a single support member may be attached to a base support.

The base may be portable, and as such may simply sit on top of the ground. Alternatively, the base may be semi-permanently or permanently fitted into the ground. In some embodiments the base may be used interchangeably as a temporary or as a permanent base support.

For example, where the base is to be used in a temporary arrangement it may simply sit on top of the ground. However, the configuration of the base may be such that when the base is inverted, a portion of the base can be inserted into the ground in a permanent or semi-permanent arrangement. The base may also include a blind, or through, central aperture/access hole in its configuration to facilitate attachment of the support member to the base.

Whilst the base may take any shape, it is preferably configured to ensure stability of the support member attached thereto.

Preferably, a portion of a support member is capable of engaging with a portion of the base. Accordingly, the support member may: a) fit into a suitably configured cavity or indentation within the base itself; or b) be attached to a separate structure capable of fitting into or onto a complementarily configured portion of the base; or c) fit over or into a projection extending from the top surface of the base.

However, any other suitable means of engaging the support member with the base may be employed, provided portions of the base structure are complementarily configured to receive the elongate support member. Securing the support member to the base may be achieved via suitable attachment means such as nuts and bolts capable of passing through the apertures in the support member, and complementary configured apertures in a portion of the base. However, other means of attaching the support member to the base may be employed. For example, a snap-lock system may be employed where protrusions extending from a portion of the base are designed to locate into one or more of the apertures in the elongate support member inserted into the cavity of the base. A bayonet-type of attachment arrangement may also be employed.

The length of one embodiment of the support member is typically designed for use with a standard height gate and fence line. However, in some situations it may be necessary to have longer support members to enable the hinge to be used in conjunction with higher fences and/or higher gates and other objects.

For example, higher fences and related structures are preferred when deer are farmed, to prevent the deer escaping from paddocks and so forth.

Where existing deer fencing and taller gate posts are in place, the support member may preferably be complementarily configured to be of a height equating to the height of the gate post. Alternately, two or more shorter support members may be joined in series to effect the required height.

Where two support members are attached to each other in series, suitable joining means are required. For example, the support members may be joined via insertion of strengthening apparatus such as a solid rod or similar structure, through the center of substantially hollow support members.

Additional joining means may be required, such as a rod or other suitable inserts for interconnecting the in-series support members. It is preferable that such joining means include appropriately located apertures capable of aligning with the apertures in the support members to enable the joining means to be securely affixed (via attachment means) to the support members in the appropriate position. Separate strengthening apparatus may also be employed, and may also rely on suitably positioned affixing apertures capable of aligning with corresponding apertures on the support member. In other embodiments, an external sleeve may be used to join the support members to achieve the same desired outcome. These typically shorter external sleeves may also be used as an extension piece for slightly extending the length of the support members. Suitable joining means may be employed to connect the extension pieces to each other or to other support members). They may also be used where the gate includes different hinge eyehinge pin configurations. Accordingly, these extension pieces can include either a hinge eye or hinge pin arrangement.

Alternately, any other suitable form of attachment and/or combination of more than one joining means may be employed to join one support member to another support member, as required to increase the length of the support members in a plane such that the support members are substantially in line.

Where fences of a standard height are required to be extended to enable deer or other such animals to be enclosed in a paddock, it is possible to use a longer support member in conjunction with the standard height gate post. In this latter situation either the longer support member may be affixed to the gate post directly, or alternately, a standard sized support member may first be attached to the gate post, and then the longer support member may be hinged from it. Where longer support members are not available, two support members of standard length may be joined together in series to effect the required length, as previously described.

To create the higher fence line required to contain animals such as deer within a paddock, the height of the existing fence also preferably requires extending. This may be achieved via attachment of electric fence standards to existing fence posts/standards along the length of the fence. Appropriate electric fence elements can then be attached to those electric fence standards. The ends of the electric fence elements can in turn be connected to the section of the longer or lengthened support member extending over and above the height of the existing fence line.

To prevent the support member becoming live (electrically) via connection to the electric fence elements, standard electric fence insulators are preferably attached to the upper section of the support member to which the electric fence elements are then attached. A similar arrangement of support member(s) may be employed on the latch post side of the gateway to enable the gates to be closed, and to enable the electric fence elements to be continued around the rest of the paddock.

Where a higher gate is required a full height gate can also be installed on the extended support member(s). Alternately, by bracing two standard gates together, two gates may be hung from the extended support member(s). To avoid the cost of purchasing a larger gate, or an additional gate to extend the height of the gate for such deer/ostrich paddocks and so forth, another option may be employed. This option includes the addition of two or more electric fence standards that are inserted into appropriately located holes along the top frame of the existing gate. A shorter section of electric wire fencing is then attached to the electric fence elements, and can be electrified by connection to the adjacent electrified fencing.

To maintain the flow of electricity across the gateway, a jumper lead is preferably attached to one or more of the electric fence elements on either side of the gate. The jumper lead is then run underground through a shielded system to enable access through the gate to be achieved without farm animals or people passing through the gateway being electrocuted. An effective earth of electricity through the existing fence may be achieved by multiple earth-to- ground returns and the use of lower resistance bonded electric fence elements. Accordingly, the standard existing fence becomes a common earth for the upper electrified section of the deer fence (which complies with existing legislation and regulations relating to same). The applicant has found the system described above enables electrification of fencing over greater distances, which is independent of ground resistance when compared with the normally used common earth return paths. Accordingly, it is possible to retain higher fence voltage at distant points.

Where a longer support member is hinged on a standard sized support member (which in turn is attached to a standard sized gate post), the extended support member preferably includes at least one hinge pin and one hinge eye. The hinge pin and hinge eye are appropriately located on one side of the support member to receive the appropriately positioned gate eyes.

A further hinge pin and hinge eye, in an inverted arrangement to that of a standard support member, are positioned on the opposite side of the longer support member. These latter engaging means are positioned to engage with the upper hinge eye and lower hinge pin of the (shorter) support member attached to the gate post.

Preferably, this latter arrangement is used only when a full-sized single gate having the required height (approximately 8 feet for a deer gate) is required to have a swing-arc of up to, or more than, 360°. In this instance it is also preferable that any upper "electrified section" of fencing is attached through the use of suitable insulators, to a further elongate support member which has been coupled directly above the original support member (attached to the support post). Thus the electrified wire "tension" may be maintained irrespective of the operation of the hinge/gate.

As can be appreciated from this discussion, a support member of any length may be used to accommodate the height (or length) of an object being hung and swung from it. This however is dependent on the strength and stability of the support member and the support to which it is attached, and on the size and weight of the object to be hung and swung from the hinge.

As can be seen the variations available in the configuration and use of the hinge provide for low cost adaptations from standard height fencing and gates to deer-type fencing and so forth, without significant cost overruns often associated with the erection of specialised fencing. The original fence remains as is, while there is provision to incorporate an electrified upper section capable of retaining stock control for the effective cost of a gate adapter only.

Yet in further embodiments of the present invention the support member may be used in the creation of temporary paddocks and so forth by attaching the support member to intermediary fence posts or fence standards. Alternately, the support member may be inverted and used in the erection of a temporary fencing system. The temporary fencing system may be achieved by hooking the hinge pin over the top wire strand of a fence line, and using the removable hinge pin to similarly secure the hinge eye of the inverted support member in place over the bottom wire of the fence.

This temporary system may also be used in conjunction with standard electric fencing equipment. Accordingly, multiple electric fence reels may be attached to the inverted support member via attachment means through appropriately located apertures in the support member. The electric fencing may then be run off from the existing fence line (for example, at an angle substantially perpendicular to the existing fence line) to create the required temporary paddock. If further support is required, the support member may also be used in conjunction with a base support as previously described.

Accordingly, as can be seen from the above description any number and arrangement of temporary paddocks may be created via variations in the application of the hinge system as previously discussed. The hinge system may also be used to hinge temporary gates to enable access to the temporary paddocks created.

The configuration of the present invention also enables support members to be retrofitted on existing gate gudgeons.

In the latter situation, the support member preferably incorporates any suitable arrangement of required engaging means to complement the arrangement of the existing gate gudgeons. For example, two hinge eyes may be incorporated on the support member to enable those said hinge eyes to receive existing gudgeon pins fixed onto or into a gate post. For example, standard Cyclone™ gate hinge centers are approximately 778mm to 780mm apart.

The positioning of the two hinge eyes on the support member is generally determined by the need to ensure a gate is hung at the required height when the support member is engaged with the existing gate gudgeons. However, the ability to adjust the height of the gate as previously described can further simplify the positioning of the two hinge eyes. The standard hinge pin and hinge eye arrangement is also included on the support member to enable the gate (or other object) to be hung and swung from the support member.

Accordingly, the arrangement of the gudgeon pin receiving hinge eyes may be offset relative to the gate receiving hinge pins and hinge eyes.

Whilst most of the previous discussion has related to the use of the hinge with wooden fence posts, it is also possible to use the hinge to support, hang and swing objects from concrete posts. However, the attachment means may vary. Accordingly, the attachment means may include a bolt of suitable length capable of passing through both the appropriate apertures in the support member and the concrete post. To one end of the bolt may be attached receiving means suitably shaped to receive the support member.

Preferably, the receiving means includes a substantially U-shaped portion with the arms of the said U-shaped portion preferably including apertures capable of being aligned with a pair of the side apertures on the support member. Accordingly, the receiving means may be attached to the support member via an appropriate attachment means such as a bolt through the arms of the substantially U-shaped portion of the receiving means and through the side apertures of the support member.

The receiving means in turn is preferably securely attached to the bolt portion of the attachment means either via welding, having being cast in that appropriate shape, or by other permanent attachment means. Alternately, any suitable attachment means including temporary attachment means (such as nuts and bolts and so forth) may be used to attach the receiving means to the bolt section of the attachment means for the concrete post. The length of the bolt portion of the attachment means for the concrete post option is preferably designed to enable adjustments of the support member to true vertical. Such adjustment may be required in situations where the concrete post has developed a lean away from true vertical, although in a plane substantially in line with the fence and the gate.

Adjustment means may be used also in situations where the fence post may have moved away from true vertical but is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the preferred line of the fence and the preferred line of the gate. In this scenario, the adjustment means preferably comprises one or more horizontal members (although, any suitable adjustment means may be employed).

Preferably, the horizontal members include multiple apertures along their length to enable the horizontal member(s) to be attached to the concrete post at one point whilst also being attached to the support member at another point. This arrangement enables the support member to be aligned in a substantially vertical plane and to correct the sideways lean of the concrete post.

In other embodiments, single or multiple elongate apertures may be used to enable the attachment means to be positioned at any point within those elongate apertures thereby improving the ease with which the lean of the concrete post may be compensated by the appropriate positioning of the support member. The attachment means may even be utilised as a surround clamp attachment means in cases where there is no existing aperture in the concrete post.

An alternate means of attaching a support member to a concrete post may incorporate the use of a length of chain capable of being wrapped around the concrete post. The length of chain may be fixed to receiving means located on the face of the concrete post (against which a support member is aligned). To prevent damage to the support member and/or the concrete post, the receiving means may be made of various materials such as hard rubber, plastics materials and so forth.

The hinge may also be used in a variety of other situations. Such situations include the hinging of a vehicle tail gate, and the temporary replacement of the vehicle tail gate with ramps (also capable of engaging with the hinge) to facilitate loading or unloading of the vehicle. Attachment of the hinge on the side of a vehicle or a building may enable the vehicle or building to serve as the support for erecting temporary or permanent enclosures, pens or yards as may be required.

In addition, structures such as platforms and so forth could also be attached temporarily or permanently to the edge of a trailer or truck deck via the hinge. The hinge can be used to swing the platform through an arc of up to, and including, 360° to enable the platform to be stored flat against the trailer or truck deck or be used as an extended work or storage surface and so forth. Alternatively, the arrangement of the hinge enables the platform to also be used as a tail gate, or be used to close off a potential escape route beneath the vehicle when the vehicle acts as the support for a temporary enclosure for stock. The hinge may also be attached horizontally to the underside of a stock yard or fence. In this anangement it can operate as an attachment means for any variety of "stock-crush" or work platform, safety barrier or other system, to facilitate any animal husbandry operation, or for any other purpose. The hinge may also be utilised for attachment and/or hinging operations of any footplate or shoe- piece of a conveyor belt system or of a vehicle tracking/transport system.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hinge substantially as described above wherein a specialised vehicle (such as a trailer) may be assembled utilising "kit-set" elements such as a special floor/base, to which are attached several hinge support members to all four sides (as well as elsewhere upon/underneath the general floor/pan area for various items including quick-to-fit transport wheel assemblies or as machinery attachment points), and special comer mountable brackets for attaching (vertical) hinge support members.

The (vertical corner-mounted) support members may have removable "gull-wing style" hinge support members attached to the corner support members (via brackets/apertures). The "gull-wing style" hinge support members being provided for the attachment of various specialised combined "gull-wing style" roof/work bench/wall panels and/or for overhead machinery attachment points (such as mobile shearing plants or similar machinery).

The base/floor may also be coupled (via complimentarily configured means) to an "A-frame" tow bar assembly for attachment to any suitable towing vehicle to enable the complete "specialised vehicle" to be towed to and from various sites over extended distances. Removable "street-legal" requirements such as lights, registration plates or display units, and so forth may also be suitably configured to enable quick attachment and removal.

There may also be a military usage for such a specialised vehicle, or trailer. For example, it may be used for operations requiring an easily transportable, kit-set, continuous mat, Bailey bridge, helicopter pad, building base or roading unit for access across or upon any swamp, sand or other such difficult tenain for use by, or in support of, any military action. The mat, Bailey bridge, helicopter pad, roading units and so forth may incorporate variously configured arrangements of the hinge to facilitate quick and easy construction and interconnection of the component parts.

The specialised vehicles incorporating the hinge may also be configured for use in various "search and rescue" operations, or in "civil defence emergencies". In fact, there may be any number of situations requiring kit-set, easily transportable units, and/or easily assembled units (capable of being assembled by non-skilled volunteers) which may be towed, carried or flown (via helicopter) anywhere that requires such a structure as mentioned above.

Accordingly, as can be seen from the previous discussion, the present invention has a number of advantages in that the hinge: a) is capable of being easily installed, b) is capable of being retro-fitted to existing structures, c) includes a range of options relating to the use and installation of the hinge, d) enables objects hung and swung from the hinge to be height adjusted, e) can be used with temporary, permanent or portable arrangements, f) can be secured to an object by locking means, and so forth.

Further, the above can be achieved in a safe-handling, cost effective and time efficient way.

The hinge is preferably made of metal. Metal is strong, durable and can be readily welded and so forth. However, any suitable material may be used to produce the hinge. As the hinge may be used in a range of mediums, including fluids (both liquid and gas), the material used will be dependent in part on the environmental conditions to which the hinge will be subjected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of, and one method of using the hinge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure l a is a diagrammatic front view of a support member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and Figures lb-c are diagrammatic side views of adjustment means for adjusting the position of the support member with respect to the position of the support as shown in Figure 1, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a front view of the hinge with a gate attached in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2a is a diagrammatic top plan view showing the arc swing of a gate attached to the hinge in accordance with one embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 2, and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of a modified version of the hinge showing at least two support members in an arrangement substantially parallel to each other and wherein the position of a second support member is altered with respect to the position of the first support member via adjustment means in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 3a is a diagrammatic top plan view showing the arc swing of the hinge and gate arrangement as shown in Figure 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic front view, showing three support members attached in an arrangement substantially parallel to each other and wherein the position of the third support member is altered with respect to the position of the second support member via adjustment means in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4a is a diagrammatic top plane view showing the arc swing through 360° of the gate in conjunction with the hinge as illustrated in Figure 4 in accordance with that embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4b is a diagrammatic front view of Figure 4 illustrating the means by which the height of the third support member (and thereby the gate) may be raised and/or lowered independently of the height of the first hinge support member in accordance with that embodiment of the present invention, and includes an illustration of one embodiment of a tool used to assist in the alteration of the height adjustable chain option settings, and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic front view of the hinge wherein a second and a third support member is attached to a first support member in a substantially parallel arrangement to effect adjustment of the height of the gate, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 5a is a diagrammatic top plan view of the arc swing through up to, or more than, 360° of the gate as shown in Figure 5, in accordance with that further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figures 6-8 are diagrammatic top plan views of further arrangements whereby a second or third support member is attached to a first support member in an arrangement substantially parallel to the first support member, to effect independent arc-swing and height adjustable hinging of more than one object at the same time, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, and

Figures 9.9a are diagrammatic top plan views of the hinge wherein additional support members are attached to a first support member in an arrangement substantially parallel to the first support member, and in a manner enabling three gates to hinge with respect to said support members in such a way as to create four separate closed-off areas, as well as enabling all three gates to be tied back to the standard fence elements, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 10 is a diagrammatic front view of the hinge wherein a second support member is attached to a first support member in an arrangement substantially in series with the first support member such that a second gate may be hung above a first gate, and additional fencing means may be attached to the second support member thereby extending the height of the fenced area, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 10a is a diagrammatic front view showing two support members of different effective lengths, wherein the second support member is attached to the first support member in an arrangement substantially parallel to the first support member, but in a manner such that the second support member can receive a larger gate and additional fencing means to effect a greater fencing height (suitable for animals such as deer), in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 1 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a hinge wherein the support member is capable of receiving electric fencing attachments, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11a is a side view of the arrangement as shown in Figure 11 in accordance with that further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the hinge as a free standing unit secured to a ground support, wherein the hinge is engaged with temporary fencing panels and electric fencing systems to create temporary paddocks and/or yards and/or enclosures in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the hinge including multiple engaging means in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 13a is a diagrammatic perspective view of the hinge of Figure 13 operating as a stand alone unit secured to a ground support, and wherein the hinge is capable of receiving and hinging three separate objects in a manner capable of creating up to three separate enclosures, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 13b-c are diagrammatic top plan views illustrating a support member including multiple engaging means arranged to hinge at least two objects independently in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, and

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic front view of the attachment of a support member to a ground support means to effect a free standing hinge system in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 14a is a cross sectional view of Figure 14 in accordance with that embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the arrangement of transport means capable of being used in conjunction with the support member of the hinge to enable an object engaged with the support member to be transported from one site to another site in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view showing the hinge system capable of transporting an object (such as fencing panels) to engage with a support member to be transported from one site to another via temporary attachment of motive means, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figures 17.18 are diagrammatic front views of the hinge showing two different adjustment methods to compensate for post-pull in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view showing the hinge used in conjunction with the tail gate of a vehicle, and possible replacement of the tail gate with vehicle ramps, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a further use of the hinge in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 21 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the hinge used in conjunction with a vehicle such that the hinge is permanently attached to the vehicle and capable of pivoting to enable temporary fencing systems to be erected around the vehicle, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 22 is a diagrammatic front view showing an alternate method of attaching the support member of the hinge to a support, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic top plan view of Figure 22 in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 24 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a temporary method of attachment of the hinge to a concrete post in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figures 25a-d are diagrammatic perspective views of a preferred "latch" and pivotal options in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, and

Figure 25e is a diagrammatic front view showing one operating characteristic of Figures 25a, b, c, and d, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, and

Figure 26 is a diagrammatic front view of extension support brackets in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 27 is an exploded perspective view of the use of the hinge in the construction of a "kit- set" special-purpose vehicle in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 28 is an exploded perspective view of a "vertical" ratchet-type adjuster for use with slotted apertures in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 29b is a diagrammatic top view of a "self-centering" optional "sprung" accessory in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 29a is a diagrammatic front view of Figure 29b in accordance with that embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 30a-c are diagrammatic side views of joining means and/or support member extension pieces in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 31 is a diagrammatic front view of adjustment means to facilitate use of the hinge system for objects required to be hung and swung across sloping terrain, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the diagrams by way of example only there is provided a hinge generally indicated by arrow 1 for hinging an object generally indicated by arrow 2 as shown in Figure 1.

The hinge 1 is preferably a one-piece, all-welded hinge unit, as shown in Figure la. The hinge 1 operates as a multiple-use system, with the ability to be easily retro-fitted onto existing support systems 4 (not shown) or existing gate gudgeon fittings 4b (not shown). Alternately, various configurations of the hinge/hinge system 1 enable the hinge 1 to be used in a variety of non- standard situations (either temporary or permanent) where an object 2 is required to be supported and/or hinged relative to a support 4 (refer Figures 1, 10, 11, 12, 16, 19, 20, 21 and 31 for examples).

A variety of objects 2 may be supported and hinged via the hinge 1. Such objects 2 include gates, doors, sections of fencing, a vehicle tail gate, a hatch, a platform or ramp, a container or pallet base, a barrier device or panel, or any other object 2 required to be hinged. The hinge 1 includes at least one substantially elongate support member 3 capable of being secured to a support 4. As shown in Figure la the elongate support member 3 is, in preferred embodiments, a length of pipe 3. Preferably galvanised pipe 3 is used. However, support member 3 may take any suitable configuration, such as being substantially solid, being a hollow tube, having a substantially angled or cross-shaped cross-section and so forth. While the figures illustrate embodiments of the support member 3 having a circular cross-section, box-section may also be used.

The elongate support member 3 can also be manufactured from any suitable material having the requisite strength as required to fit the situation in which it is used. Accordingly, the support member 3 may be made of any metal, plastics materials (reinforced or otherwise), fibreglass and so forth.

The effective length of the support member 3 is generally determined by either the length of the support 4 to which the support member 3 is to be secured, and/or the dimensions of the object 2 used with the hinge 1.

In addition, the function the hinge 1 is required to perform may also be a determining factor in the effective length of the support member 3.

For example, the effective length of the elongate support member 3 may be different where the support member 3 is attached to a vehicle 2 - such as when it is used in conjunction with a vehicle tail gate (refer Figure 19), as opposed to when the elongate support member 3 is attached to a gate post 4 to be used to hinge a standard sized gate 2 (refer Figure 1), or where the gate is higher (such as required to enclose deer as in Figure 10).

The elongate support member 3 includes multiple aperture holes 5 and 7 (capable of receiving attachment means and/or receiving joining means and/or receiving adjustment means), and an aperture hole 6 (capable of operating either as a dowel locator-hole or as an access hole for securing base support units 35/36 or base inserts 38). Slotted apertures 5 may also be used as with vertical ratchet-style adjusters, or with joining means (as shown in Figure 30a).

The multiple apertures 5, 6 and 7 of the support member are arranged substantially along the length of the support member 3. The multiple apertures 5, 6 and 7 are generally pre-drilled in a required configuration, for example as shown in the embodiment of Figure la.

For example, one embodiment of the support member 3 may include a total of sixteen pairs of apertures 5 and 7 Fourteen pairs of those apertures 5 operate as alternative fixing or access holes 5 for attachment of the support member 3 to a support 4, to adjustment means, or to other support members 3, for example

A further aperture 6 may operate as a ratchet or dowel locator hole 6. The latter two pairs of apertures 7 are positioned to receive adjustment means for example, to enable adjustment of the height of the hmge 1 , as may be necessary to ensure the object 2 is optimally hung and swung from the hinge system 1 An example of such an adjustment system is illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 4b, and

31

Essentially, the apertures are drilled through from one side of the elongate support member 3 through to the other side of the member 3 to be substantially in line with each other. Fourteen pairs of the apertures 5 are located along the length of the support member 3 in discrete groups of three, each group having an equi-distant center.

Two further pairs of holes 7, designated for the height or swing adjustment option, are preferably located in a position substantially 90° to pairs of access holes 5 (although any apertures may be utilised for any, or all, of the above uses). The ratchet or dowel locator hole 6 is a single hole located towards the bottom of the elongate support member 3, but substantially in line with the access holes 5

A variety of attachment means 8 may be used to attach the support member 3 to a support 4. Typically, where the support member 3 is secured against a gate post 4, and the hinge unit 1 is used to hmge a farm gate 2, the attachment means 8 will preferably be coach screws. The coach screws 8 are capable of passing through a pair of the aligned holes 5 at the bottom of the support member 3 and through a pair of the aligned holes 5 at the top of the support member 3, to secure the support member 3 to the gate post 4

However, a variety of attachment means may be employed with this invention depending upon the arrangement of the support member(s) 3 and the situation m which the hmge system 1 is generally employed Further discussion in relation to the types of attachment means 8 employed will be provided as various alternative arrangements are discussed below.

The support member 3 also includes engaging means 9 and 10 capable of engaging with at least one object 2 Typically the hmge pin 9 and hinge eye 10 are preferably located towards opposite ends of the support member 3 Where the support member 3 is directly attached to a gate post 4 as in Figure 1, the hinge pin 9 will generally be located towards the bottom of the support member 3. Accordingly, the hmge eye 10 is therefore generally located towards the top end of the support member 3

The hmge pins 9 and hinge eyes 10 are generally welded in position on the support member 3 However, any suitable method of attaching the engaging means and 10 to the support member 3 may be used with this invention

As the engaging means 9 and 10 compπse hinge pins 9 and hinge eyes 10, the object 2 to be supported by and hinged by the h ge 1 includes complementary configured engaging means 11, capable of engaging with the engaging means 9 and 10 of the support member 3. However, objects 2 having an alternative arrangement of hinge eyes and hinge pins may be accommodated by using the smaller support member units 3a (as shown in Figure 30b), joined together by joining means 27b (as shown in Figures 30a-30c).

Where the object 2 is a gate 2, as shown in Figure 1, the engaging means 11 of the gate 2 includes two appropriately positioned gate eyes. Accordingly, one of the gate eyes 11 (located at the bottom) is capable of engaging with the hinge pin 9 of the support member 3. The top gate eye 11 is then aligned with the hinge eye 10. A removable gudgeon pin 18 is then inserted through both upper eyes 10 and 11 to maintain the gate 2 in position on the hinge 1.

Pin 18 may be inserted (at the precise instant of hinging gate 2 upon the lower hinge pin 9) by an assisting person. However, in preferred embodiments of this invention the removable gudgeon pin 18 is initially partially inserted into the upper gate eye 11. It is effectively held in such partial position via means, such as a length of bailing twine, prior to gate 2 being presented to and positioned upon the lower hinge pin 9.

Accordingly, after the gate 2 has been positioned upon the lower hinge pin 9, and with a major portion of the weight of the gate 2 being supported by the lower hinge pin 9, the upper gate eye 11 and the upper hinge eye 10 may then be significantly aligned at that time and the bailing twin or other such means removed from the partially inserted removable gudgeon pin 18. The gudgeon pin 18 is therefore released, and is allowed to drop (via gravity action) through the aligned upper eyes 10 and 11, into the correct position within upper eyes 10 and 11, to maintain gate 2 in position on hinge 1.

As a direct result of this hinging operation, the risk of muscular strain and/or physical injury to a person who singularly undertakes the installation of very heavy (or, for that matter, any) object 2, required to be hinged is, to a very great extent, removed.

Examples of the support 4 to which the hinge 1 may be secured, include a gate post, a stand, a vehicle, a building, existing gate gudgeons, and so forth.

As a result of the configuration of the support member 3, the hinge system 1 may be used in a variety of situations to support and hinge a variety of objects 2.

To address a particular need, it may be necessary to use more than one support member 3. For example, a second support member 3a and 3b may be attached to the first support member 3 in an arrangement whereby the second and third support members 3a and 3b are substantially parallel to the first support member 3 (see Figures 3, 4 and 5).

This arrangement may be employed in situations where the object 2 being hinged is required to swing freely through a substantial arc, for example up to, or more than, 360°. The additional support members (3a, 3b and so forth) may be required to provide an effective distance between the support 4 (to which the hinge 1 is attached), and the object 2 which in turn is attached to the hinge 1. This effective distance is preferred to enable an arc-swing of up to, or more than, 360° arc-swing to be achieved (see Figures 4, 4a, 5 and 5a).

Alternately, a second support member 3a may be attached to a first support member 3 in an arrangement such that the second support member 3a is substantially in series with the first support member 3, as shown in Figure 10. This arrangement may be employed where the length of the support member 3 needs to be extended to enable a larger object 2 (such as a 1.8 meter high deer gate as shown in Figure 10a, or two standard farm gates joined together vertically to form a 1.8 meter high gate) to be hung and swung from the hinge 1. Alternately, a single support member 3 of the required length may be used. The use of larger or multiples of object 2 with the appropriately configured support member 3 is shown in Figures 10 and 10a. In yet other situations the length of the support member 3 may be increased slightly by the addition of a shorter support member 3A (as shown in Figures 30a-c) together or to the original support member 3.

The configuration of the hinge 1 also enables an object 2 attached to the hinge 1 to be substantially adjusted in height relative to the ground level, and/or the support 4 to which the hinge 1 is attached.

Such adjustment may be achieved by repositioning the support member relative to the support. Alternatively, adjustment may be effected by adjusting the height of at least one support member 3 (with respect to the position of the support 4) via use of horizontal members 27 (see Figures 3, 4, 4b and 5), or via height adjustment means 12 or 19 (as shown in Figures lb, 28 and 29a). Alternatively, use of horizontal member 27a as shown in Figure 31, enables an object to be hung and swung across sloping or uneven terrain.

In addition, an object 2 may be realigned to a true vertical or true horizontal position again via adjustment of the support member 3 relative to the position of the support 4. This may occur for example, where a gate post 4 develops a lean either away from, or towards, the object 2 being supported and hinged (such that there is a deviation from true vertical of the support 4). Alternately, the fence post 4 may develop a lean away from the line of the fence (again such that there is a deviation from true vertical of the support 4). Figures 17 and 18 illustrate such situations.

In order for the gate 2 to operate effectively, the standard procedure for most prior art systems is to dig out the gate post 4 and reposition it in a true vertical position. This procedure can be time consuming.

However, by adjusting the position of the support member 3 of the hinge 1, it is possible to operate a gate 2 effectively irrespective of the lean of the gate post 4.

Such adjustment in the position of the support member 3 relative to a support is effected by the use of appropriate adjustment means 13, 14, 48, 49 - depending on the type of adjustment means required to effect the required adjustment. Alternately, in the case of post lean peφendicular to the fence line, the required position of the support member 3 may be effected simply by re-pendulum action, whereby the support member 3 is allowed to pendulum to the true vertical and it is then secured in place.

Provision is made in the configuration of the hinge 1 to enable an object 2 supported and hinged by the elongate support member 3, to be secured to the support member 3 via locking means 15 and using aperture 16. The locking means may be a padlock or other keyed system. The locking means may also be an agricultural type or tractor type spring clip, or clevis pin or simply be a piece of wire, string or other material operating to prevent removal of the object 2 from the hinge 1, as may be required. Figure 1 illustrates an example of such locking means 15, and its location when in use. When used to secure an object onto a support member 3, the locking means 15 may be used in conjunction with a pre-drilled hole 16 in the shaft 17 of the removable gudgeon pin 18. The removable gudgeon pin 18 being typically used to engage the top gate eye 11 of a gate 2 for example, with the top hinge eye 10 of the support member 3. Alternately, the locking means 15 may be inserted through, or interact with, a pre-drilled hole in the shaft of the hinge pin 9, or other hinge system attachment, such as with adjustment means 27a illustrated in Figure 31.

In a further embodiment, the hinge 1 can be used in the transportation of object(s) 2 engaged with one or more support member(s) 3 of the hinge 1, from one site to another site. Transportation is achieved via temporary attachment of at least one transporting means 20 to either one or more of the support member(s) 3 used to support the object(s) 2, and/or the object 2 itself, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. The transporting means 20 is suitably configured to enable it to be attached to the support member 3. Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the motive means 20 that includes a wheel 39.

Further, towing means 40, that is effectively a vehicle trailer coupling attachment 40 may also be used in conjunction with the transporting means 20. The towing means 40 is also suitably configured to enable it to be attached to a support member 3 so that an object 2 can be towed by a vehicle 42 (not shown).

A further embodiment of this present invention enables the hinge system 1, to be permanently attached to the side, or sides, of suitable vehicles in such a manner and position that the elongate support member 3 can be rotated about a fixed point and to be secured in a variety of positional aspects. Accordingly, when swiveled down and secured into the normal vertical position the support member 3 can act as the hinge unit for an object 2 (such as a gate, or barrier). When unlocked, swivel-rotated (up into a substantially "inverted vertical" position) and re-secured into this higher position, the hinge 1, complete with a "secured" hinged object 2, can be used to swing- arc the hinged object 2 into a substantially parallel position against the side(s) of the vehicle. When the object is secured in to position against the side(s) of the vehicle, then the object 2 may be safely transported long distances by road from site to site. Said vehicles may include "stock" trucks or mobile dipping plants or other such vehicles (an example of such a vehicle in use is shown in Figure 21). In other embodiments, the hinge 1 may be used to hang and swing a vehicle tail gate (Figure 19), support temporary vehicle ramps (Figure 19), or be used to establish temporary or permanent enclosures, pens or yards (as shown in Figures 11, 12 and 21).

The following examples describe how the hinge 1 can be used in a variety of situations, and the method of installing the hinge 1 for use. Example 1

One of the uses of hinge 1 is in relation to the supporting and hinging of a gate 2 relative to a wooden gate post 4. a) A post 4 to which the hinge 1 is to be attached is selected. b) The height of the hinge 1 (and therefore the height of the gate 2) is selected. If this is a once-only "temporary position", then consideration for alternative attachment means (such as means 48 (as shown in Figure 23), being non-drilled, adjustable spiked retainers) would be advised. However, if a "more permanent" type of fixing is required, then: c) The support member 3 is located against the gate post 4 at the selected height. A drill (not shown) with a long reach drill bit is used to drill a top pilot/fixing hole through the most suitable (although preferably the central aperture of the group of) access/fixing holes 5 located towards the top of the support member 3 (or mid-slot in the slotted aperture versions). The length of the drill bit and the size of the drill bit is dependent upon the diameter of either the actual size of bolt or threaded rod to be used, or the required pilot hole diameter in the case of coach screws. d) A carriage screw (coach screw), bolt or similar attachment means 8 is then inserted through the selected access/fixing hole 5 on the support member 3. Figure 1 illustrates the use of a coach screw, whilst Figures 22 and 23 illustrate the use of alternative attachment means 48, especially designed for use with wire, chain, bailing twine or other material for attaching the hinge 1 to wooden posts 4. e) Adjustment means (such as the horizontal ratchet adjustment means 12 shown in Figure lb, or the vertical ratchet adjustment means 19 shown in Figure lc), or various spacing means 22 may then be threaded onto attachment means 8 as appropriate. f) The attachment means 8, along with support member 3 and ratchet adjustment means 12 and/or 19 and/or spacing means 22, may then be inserted (threaded in the case of pilot hole access for coach screw) into the drilled hole in the gate post 4, and partially tightened. g) The elongate support member 3 is allowed to freely pendulum to a true vertical position (via gravity). h) When in a true vertical position, a lower pilot/access hole may be drilled in the gate post 4, using a (similarly positions) lower aperture located towards the bottom of the support member 3, as a locator and a guide. i) Again, adjustment means (such as the ratchet adjustment means 12 and/or 19) and/or spacing means 22 may be located between the elongate support member 3 and the gate post 4, in conjunction with the selected attachment means 8. j) A lower coach screw, bolt or similar attachment means 8 may then be screwed through the elongate support member 3, through the ratchet adjustment means or spacing means (if used) and into or through the drilled lower pilot/access hole in the gate post 4. k) All of the attachment means 8 can then be fully tightened. 1) A gate can now be positioned (hung) on the elongate support member 3, by engaging the lower gate eye 11 on the lower hinge pin 9 of the support member 3, and aligning the top gate eye 11 with the hinge eye 10 of the elongate support member 3. A removable gudgeon pin 18 is then either now inserted, or (if previously partially inserted) is released and allowed to drop into position (via gravity) through both the top gate eye 11 and the top hinge eye 10 to maintain the gate 2 in position on the hinge 1.

Both gate eyes are not required to be exactly aligned at the same time when the gate 2 is being installed on the hinge 1, thereby easing the physical burden normally associated with hinging (hanging) of gate by one person. m) To ensure the gate 2 is secured in place, locking means 15 may be employed with the removable gudgeon pin 18. In some embodiments, the locking means 15 may be a clevis pm capable of passing through a pre-drilled hole 16 in the shaft 17 of the removable gudgeon pin 18. Alternative locking means 15 can include agricultural type or tractor type spring clip, a padlock or other keyed system, or simply a length of No. 8 fencing wire capable of passing through the pre-drilled hole 16.

Alternately, a hole 16 may be pre-drilled in the upper end of the shaft of the hinge pm 9 (at a position furtherest away from the lug portion of the hinge pin 9) in preferred options, for receiving locking means 15.

This preferred option is utilised whenever two or more elongate support members are directly connected to each other, thus obviating the need for the removable gudgeon pin 18.

This example, utilising a single support member 3 (as shown in Figure 1), is most suitable for gates 2 requiring a maximum arc-swing of 200° to 250°. It is also the basic unit to which various other alternative attachments of other embodiments are attached to, or swung from, n) A further support member 3 may similarly be attached to the gate post 4 against or to which the gate 2 is typically latched. To enable the gate 2 to be maintained in a closed position, a latch, hook or clasp may be welded to or removably attached to the support member 3 via attachment means such as a bolt. This latch post may double as an alternative height hinge, through the appropriate higher/lower position of the (normally latching) support member 3.

Accordingly, when the gate is closed, the latch, hook or clasp is suitably engaged with the gate 2 to hold the gate 2 in position. The above description is relevant to either a farming situation where one or more farm gates are to be installed, or to a domestic, commercial and/or industrial situation where any combination of doors, gates, barriers, panels, containers, platforms and so forth are similarly required to be hinged, hung, swung (or otherwise attached) from a support or structure. The position of the engaging means 9 (hinge pm) and 10 (hinge eye) on the elongate support member 3 is generally fixed. Accordingly, the engaging means are typically welded in position on to the elongate support member 3. However, in situations where the object 2 to be hung from hinge 1 has engaging means 11 varyingly spaced apart, the corresponding engaging means 9 and 10 of the support member 3 may be similarly positioned, or may be capable of adjustment to the required position along the elongate supporting member 3.

(Alternatively, separate smaller support members 3A may be joined together to effect the required configuration and overall length of the support member.)

Positioning of adjustable engaging means 9 and 10 may be achieved via the incoφoration of additional apertures appropriately located along the length of the elongate support member 3 to enable the engaging means 9 and 10 to be attached to the support member in the preferred position.

Such additional apertures may be located at a position substantially 90° to the fixing/access holes pre-drilled into the elongate support member 3 (used to attach the elongate support member 3 to the support 4). Alternately, the existing pre-drilled fixing/access holes may also be used depending upon the configuration of the engaging means 9 and 10. o) The height of the gate 2 and the swing-arc of the gate 2 are both then checked. p) If either the gate 2 height is unsatisfactory, or the swing-arc impeded, the elongate support member 3 can simply be raised or lowered by repositioning and re-attaching the elongate support member 3 on the gate post 4, via alternative aperture(s) 5.

Alternately, minor adjustments in height may be achieved via use of adjustment means (such as adjustment means 12 or 19 in Figures 1-lc and 29a or horizontal members 27a in Figure 31) and/or by the addition of removal of spacing means 22. In the present example, the adjustment means 12 operates as a ratchet-type system enabling incremental adjustments of the latch end of the gate 2 with respect to the hinge end of the gate. The adjustment means 19 operates as a ratchet-type system enabling incremental adjustments in the height of the elongate support member 3 relative to the gate post 4. The adjustment means 27a facilitates the hanging and swinging of a gate over uneven or sloping terrain. However, any suitable adjustment means may be used. q) When satisfactory operation of the gate 2 with respect to the hinge 1, is achieved, the gate is effectively hung. r) If at some future stage, post-pull is experienced such that the correct swing-arc function is affected, the deviation may be coπected via further adjustment of the adjustment means

(such as adjustment means 12 or 19) by the addition or removal of spacing means 22.

Should the post pull be severe, the attachment means 8 may be replaced by "through-post" extended attachment means 13, 14, 49 complete with swivel brackets 23 for attachment to either apertures 5 or 7 of the elongate support member 3. Either one, or both, of the attachment means 8 may be replaced in this manner, depending upon the severity of the post pull.

Should the post lean away from true vertical in a plane substantially peφendicular to the plane of the gate 2, further adjustment means 13, 14, 49, and 23 (as shown in complementary usage in Figures 17 and 18) may be used in place of either one, or both, of the attachment means 8, to enable a true vertical positioning of the elongate support member

3 independent of the actual lean angle of the support post 4.

The adjustment means 12 and 19 are specially made, tapered (or plain - as in the case of 19), ratcheted, and captivated adjusters. They are designed to allow incremental adjustment to be made to either the toe height of the gate 2 (via adjustment means 12) or to the height of the hinge support members 3, and thus the whole gate 2 (via adjustment means 19). The incremental adjustment may be effected at any time either during initial installation of the hinge 1, or at some future stage. In the latter situation, quick adjustments can be made using the adjustment means 12 or 19 without the need to remove the attachment means 8. The relevant attachment means 8 may merely be loosened, the setting of the adjustment means 12 or 19 may be altered, and the attachment means 8 can then be re-tightened.

If the adjustment means 12 is installed with the tapered ratchet nearing the maximum thickness, any future adjustments will ensure the attachment means 8 will be screwed a little further into the gate post 4, thereby ensuring a renewed, and therefore tighter grip after each successive adjustment.

Alternately, where post-pull is evidenced at some stage after or at the time of initial installation, the use of spacing means 22 in addition to (or instead of) the adjustment means 12 would be advisable. In preferred embodiments, a standard coach-screw bolt is the preferred attachment means 8, to attach the elongate support member 3 to a tanalised gate post 4.

Where the elongate support member 3 of the hinge 1 is one and a quarter inch galvanised pipe, the appropriate sized attachment means 8 would be 12mm by 150mm galvanised coach-screw bolts with a hexagonal head, requiring the use of a 19mm spanner or socket. Of course it is acknowledged that some coach-screw/bolts of those dimensions have an 18mm head.

In normal use, only two coach-screw bolts 8 will need to be used on standard tanalised gate posts 4. However, if the gate post 4 is split, partially rotten, or the gate 2 being hung and swung from hinge 1 is particularly heavy, a third or further coach-screw/bolts may be fitted through the centrally located fixing holes 5 provided along the length of the elongate support member 3. Alternately, the coach-screws/bolts 8 may be replaced with alternative attachment/adjustment means 13, 14, 49 and 23 to maintain the necessary hinge strength.

In other embodiments, the coach-screw 8 may be replaced with a length of 12mm threaded rod, or a high tensile engineering bolt when the hinge 1 is required to be attached to another object, such as a shed, building or other structure. When the hinge 1 is required to be attached to a concrete post 4, or to a similar non-drillable support, then the use of appropriate attachment means 13, 14, 49 and pivoting attachment means 23 (or similar) is recommended (for example, refer to Figure 24 and Figures 17 and 18).

The very nature of a concrete post 4 requires different attachment means be considered. Attachment means 13 and 14 include a selection of pre-drilled bars and brackets 23 with appropriate threaded rods 49, to enable the hinge 1 to be readily fitted to any shape or size of concrete post 4, whether or not the post is in a true vertical position, or is leaning as a result of post-pull.

Example 2

The standard single support member 3 can be used as a basic unit for most variations required to enable the hinge 1 to be used in a range of situations. For example, in a situation where the height of an object 2 hung and swung from hinge 1 is required to be adjusted, a number of options are available.

Option 1

Two or more elongate support members 3 may be utilised. The support members 3 may be attached to each other in an arrangement substantially parallel to each other. Either, two elongate support members 3 may be joined together directly via attachment means 8 (including nuts and bolts or other suitable attachment means) as shown in Figure 5, or may be joined together via horizontal joining means 27. Joining means 27 comprises at least one horizontal plate 27 attached to either or both the upper and lower height adjustment apertures 7 in the elongate support member 3, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In the option illustrated in Figure 5, three support members 3, 3a and 3b are shown. Two of the elongate support members 3a and 3b are directly joined together in a side-by-side arrangement, but elongate support member 3a is inverted relative to support members 3 and 3b.

Support members 3a and 3b are joined together directly via the use of nuts and bolts. Support member 3 is attached to the gate post 4. The overall arrangement is such that the engaging means 9 and 10 of the inverted support member 3a is capable of engaging with the complementarily configured engaging means of the support member 3 attached to the gate post 4.

Figure 5 also illustrates how the positioning of the support member 3b relative to the inverted support member 3a enables an independent fixed height adjustment of the height of the gate 2 relative to the ground level when the gate is hung and swung from the hinge 1. In some situations as illustrated in Figures 29a and 31 , additional plates 59 may be attached to the object to facilitate the preferred operation of a height adjustable object relative to the support member or the support itself. In Figures 29a and 31 , these additional attachment plates 59 are fixed to the gate itself.

The double unit, including an inverted support member 3a directly attached to support member 3b, may be suitable for use with small to medium fencing posts/gate posts where up to or more than a 360° arc-swing may be required. Accordingly, a gate hung and swung from the hinge 1 can therefore be swung back in either direction around the gate post 4, to be aligned substantially parallel with and be tied to the fence line 25 with which the gate 2 is associated.

At any future date the independent fixed height may be altered by simply re-coupling 3a to 3b at a different height via the pre-drilled apertures 5, or by replacing the "direct coupling means" with the joining means 27, as next described in option 2. Option 2

The above example demonstrates one fixed height option. A further fixed and/or adjustable height option may be achieved via the joining of two (or more) support members 3 and 3a as in Figure 3, and members 3a and 3b as in Figure 4, together via joining means 27. Again, the support members 3 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. In addition to the use of joining means 27 which are illustrated as two pairs of horizontal members attached to each side of the support members, an adjustment means in the form of a chain 24 is also used, as shown in Figure 4. Here, one end of the chain 24 is attached to a portion of one support member (or 3a), whilst the other end is attached to support member 3b in a substantially diagonal arrangement. In preferred embodiments, the chain 24 is attached to a bolt-head (by welding) and the bolt complete with nut, is attached through a suitable aperture 5 near the bottom of the support member 3b. A hook, (being attached to a similar bolt-head, by welding) is attached (by bolt and nut) through a suitable aperture 5 near the top of the support member 3a. By adjusting the length of the chain 24, the height of the second support member 3b may be maintained in a raised or lowered position with respect to the height of support member 3a.

Various other adjustable means, such as a chain-slot near the ends of support members, or by way of a turn-buckle, or adjustable spring tensioning or any other suitable means, may also be employed for height adjustable embodiments. Suitable attachment means are used to attach the horizontal members 27 to support members 3a and 3b in a manner which enables support member 3b to be moved to effect the required height of support member 3b. The degree of movement (pivoting) achieved may be dictated by the tightness with which the horizontal members are attached to each support member 3a and 3b.

To facilitate adjustment of the third support member 3b relative to the support member 3a, a removable adjustment tool 28 (as shown in Figure 4b) may be used. The adjustment tool 28 is designed to engage with a horizontal member. The tool 28 operates as a lever by which the horizontal member may be pivoted up or down to effect the required height of support member 3b, thereby facilitating the ease with which the chain 24 or other tensioning means may be adjusted.

Figure 4 shows the horizontal members 27 attached to support members 3a and 3b. However, the horizontal members 27 may also be used to attach, and height alter, a support member 3a to an existing support member 3, which in rum is directly attached to support post 4 (as shown in Figure 3). A further option is that horizontal members 27a, attached to the support member 3 and an object 2 as shown in Figure 31, may be used to height alter the object 2 relative to the support member 3, or to uneven terrain. The options illustrated by Figure 3 describe a second support member 3a being joined to a first support member 3 in an arrangement substantially in line with the support 4. In situations where the support members are joined in series, the appropriately configured joining 27b may be inserted into the support member, or be a sleeve that surrounds a portion of the support member.

However, it is also possible for the second (and even a third) support member to be joined to and/or capable of hinging from a first support member 3 in a position substantially perpendicular to the support 4 with which the hinge 1 is used (as illustrated in Figures 4a, 5a, 7 and 8).

As can be seen, these latter substantially peφendicular arrangements increase the versatility of the hinge 1 , as illustrated in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive.

In addition to the arrangement of 3a and 3b (coupled together with horizontal members 27 and hinged upon the first support member 3), it is also possible for an additional support member 3c to be attached in a position substantially peφendicular to the fence line 25 (to the right-hand-side) via the use of other horizontal members 27. An extra additional support member 3d may then be similarly attached in position to the first support member 3 (e.g. to the left-hand-side) again via the use of other horizontal members 27. Accordingly, one (suitably strong) post support 4 may originally have a first support member 3 attached directly to it, yet the variations possible with the present invention enable up to three objects 2 (such as three gates) or more, to be independently hung, swung and height adjusted about the support post 4. In addition, the two side-fitted options may be either fixed or height adjustable options utilising (for example) the chain adjustment as previously described, whilst the central, in-line option may be either a fixed-height or an adjustable height arrangement. In addition (as can be seen by viewing figure 9a) all three objects (such as three gates) 2 may be tied-back to the fence line 25 (two on one side and one on the other side) for unimpeded vehicular or animal access to all four paddocks "simultaneously".

Accordingly, as shown in Figure 9, essentially four separate paddocks can be created via this arrangement, yet only "one" actual gate post 4 is required, and only "one" actual hinge support member 3 is required to be directly attached to that said supporting gate post 4. The other "latch" posts may be standard intermediate posts and therefore considerable cost savings are achievable.

Option 3

A third option which is a variation on the above mentioned options may be achieved via the incoφoration on a first support member 3 of multiple engaging means 9 and 10.

Accordingly, where the first support member 3 is attached directly on to a gate post 4, up to three upper hinge eyes 10 may be attached to the support member 3 in a suitable arrangement (such as substantially at right angles to each other).

Similarly, up to three lower hinge pins 9 may be arranged on the support member 3. Again, this arrangement is able to effectively support and hinge three gates 2 from one gate post 4 via the use of one support member 3. However, all objects hinged upon this unit are restricted by the fixed height (with respect to each other) and by a reduced arc-swing of each hinged object. This "cheap" option is only suitable where the above described restrictions are of little, or otherwise negligible, importance.

Where the support member 3 is retro-fitted to existing gate gudgeons, two hinge eyes 10 would be included on the support member 3 to engage with the gate gudgeon pins. Additional hinge eyes 10 and hinge pins 9 could then be arranged around the support member 3 to support multiple objects 2 (refer to Figure 13). Figure 30c illustrates an arrangement whereby an independent engagement means such as a hinge eye, can be affixed to a support member, as required.

This arrangement has an advantage over prior art systems where separate gate gudgeons on each side of the gate post 4 would otherwise be needed to hang and swing the gates from. Option 4

Where the elongate support member 3 is used as a free standing hinge 1 via attachment to a base support plate 35 and/or 36, multiple objects 2 may be hung and swung from hinge 1 (as shown in Figure 13a). This is achieved via inclusion of multiple upper hinge eyes 10 and multiple lower hinge pins 9, suitably arranged (such as at substantially 90° to the adjacent hinge eyes or hinge pins).

This Option 4 arrangement enables separate enclosures to be created, whilst also enabling full access to such enclosures either through the above hinged arrangement, or via appropriately located gates 2 similarly hung and swung from another appropriately located hinge unit 1. This option 4 arrangement is most suitable for use in conjunction with electrified fencing, said electrified fencing no longer being required to be "dropped" (with resultant undesired stock movements across said "dropped" fencing) for vehicular access through electrified areas.

Example 3 A further variation in the arrangement of the hinge 1 can be achieved by attachment of a second support member 3a to a first support member 3 in an arrangement whereby the second support member 3a is substantially in series with the first support member 3.

Whilst two support members 3a and 3 may be joined together to effect the required hinge height, alternately, a single support member 3 of the required length may be used. Alternatively, any combination of elongate support members 3 and/or shorter support members 3A may be employed, using joining means 27 and/or 27b as required. Two separate support members 3 and 3a may be joined together via use of an insert 27a capable of being inserted into a cavity in the central core of each support member, or via an outer sleeve (not shown) capable of receiving and supporting both support members in series. If the object being supported by the joined support members 3a and 3 is likely to be heavy, the means of joining the support members 3 and 3a is required to be correspondingly strong.

This variation can be employed where the hinge 1 is required to hinge a larger object 2 than could be effectively hung and swung from a standard length (or shorter) support member 3, or from a standard height fencing post 4. For example, this variation can be used to convert standard stock fencing and gateways (suitable for cattle and sheep) to an enclosure suitable for enclosing deer, ostrich and so forth (as shown in Figures 10 and 10a).

Where deer are required to be grazed for example, in paddocks surrounded by conventional height fencing 25, the farmer is faced with replacing the existing fencing with fencing of a suitable height, or with adding sections of fencing on top of that already existing to prevent the deer escaping. Traditional fencing materials are expensive and the process of converting a standard paddock to a deer paddock can be extremely time consuming. Typically, such conversions can become relatively permanent and thus extremely expensive for situations such as temporary grazing leases.

The use of the above hinge system 1 enables not only a taller gate 2 to be hung and swung from a standard sized fence post 4, but also enables additional fencing in the form of electric fencing elements 29 to be added over and above the height of the existing fence 25.

To prevent the support member 3 becoming electrified, the fencing elements 29 are capable of being attached to the extended support member 3 via insulating means 30 attached with appropriate attachment means 8 through the access/fixing holes 5 in the support member 3. Three electric fence elements 29 (for example) may then be run from the support member 3 above the existing fence line 25 and around the paddock. The electric fence elements 29 can be further supported at each fence post 4 via plastic electric fence standards 33 which can be attached to a number of the posts 4 of the existing standard fence 25. Where the farmer does not have a deer gate 2, two standard gates may be joined together one above the other via suitable bracing or clamping means 26. The joined gate unit 2, may then be hung and swung from the extended support member 3. Alternatively, addition of two or more electric fence standards 33 inserted into appropriately located holes along the top frame of the existing gate 2 enables a shorter section of electric wire fencing 29 to be attached to the electric fence standards above the gate. The electric fence elements 29 above the gate can then be electrified by connection to the adjacent electrified fencing.

To enable the electric fence elements 29 to remain live whilst also enabling access to the paddock without risk of electrocution, a jumper lead 32 may be connected from one side of a gateway to the other and passed underground in the vicinity of the gateway. Said jumper lead 32 being of course appropriately shielded to prevent electrocution.

In addition, the existing fence line 25 may operate as the earth means for the electric fence unit. Accordingly, multiple earth returns 31 may be located around the existing fence line 25 (which may be a standard Cyclone™ fence). Accordingly, the existing fence 25 operates as an earth common element for the upper electrified section 29 of the deer fence.

The arrangement as described above enables an extended distance run of electrification, which is independent of ground resistance and therefore effects higher fence voltage at distant points.

Where standard-sized elongate support members 3 are joined, four separate independent support members 3 (comprising two joined support members 3 on each side of a gateway) will be required. This arrangement enables the gate 2 to be hung, swung and latched appropriately, and to also support the electric fence elements 29 around the perimeter of the paddock. Where support members 3 of the appropriate height are used only two such support members 3 would be required.

However, in some situations, it may be necessary to attach at least one standard-sized support member 3 to the standard sized gate post 4. This arrangement may be employed where an adjustable gate swing or gate height is required. In addition, may be most suitable where paddocks are only temporarily or seasonally required to house deer. Accordingly, the extended support members 3 can be attached to, and removed from, existing hinge systems 1 (used in conjunction with standard height fence and gates), as required with minimal expenditure of time, effort and money. Similarly, the electric fencing elements may be attached, removed and or re-used elsewhere as standard electric fencing, as need dictates.

The low cost of converting standard height fencing to fencing suitable to accommodate deer, is of great benefit to farmers. Accordingly, significant cost overruns inherent when erecting specialised fencing is avoided. The original fence is able to remain and an electrified upper section can be installed. The arrangement is sufficient to retain or control stock as required. Example 4

The elongate support member 3 of the hinge 1 may also be used as a temporary means of supporting and erecting an electric standard fence. This variation is illustrated in Figures 11 and 11a.

Accordingly, an inverted elongate support member 3 may be fitted with electric fence reels 34. The support member 3 may then be attached to any section of fence 25 by effectively using the hinge pin 9 and the hinge eye 10 in conjunction with the removable gudgeon pin 18 to hold the support member 3 in position along the fence 25. Alternately, the support member 3 may be appropriately attached where required, to any fence post 4 or fence standard 4, along the fence 25. Example 5

Use of a base support plate 35/36 (as exampled in Figures 14 and 14a), or any variation thereof, increases the versatility of uses of the hinge system 1.

The base support plate may be a combined 35 and 36 unit, which is inverted between uses.

Accordingly, a single support member 3 may be supported by a support base 35 or 36, or a combined 35/36 unit, and utilised in a variety of ways. For example, this arrangement may be used for a semi-portable yard system, or for re-positioning electric fence systems and so forth, as illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 21.

The base support may be a portable support 35 having the configuration suitable to support the support member 3 yet enabling the support 35 to be easily moved around. Alternately, the base support 36 may be cemented or positioned in situ to provide a permanent site for semi-permanent yard systems, for example.

Whilst Figures 14 and 14a show preferred examples of portable base supports 35 and a permanent base support 36, any suitably configured base supports may be used with this invention. For example, alternately configured base supports may include spikes that may be pressed into the ground as a means of temporarily anchoring the base support in place, and so forth.

As can be seen in Figures 14 and 14a relating to the base supports 35 and 36, provision is made to enable the support member 3 to be inserted into or around a portion of the base support. Appropriately positioned apertures 5 in the portion of the base support 35 and 36 are capable of being aligned with the access/fixing holes 5 of the support member 3. Accordingly, the support member 3 may be secured to the base support 35 and 36 by appropriate attachment means 8, including, coach screws, pins, nuts and bolts and so forth.

In the embodiment where the base support 36 is permanently in position, an inner portion or insert 38 capable of receiving the support member 3 is attached to the bottom end of the support member 3. The insert 38 is then inserted into a cavity 46 in the base support 36. When the base support 36 is not in use, the inner portion 38 may be replaced by a protector cap (not shown). The protector cap is designed to prevent the cavity 46 of the base support 36 from accumulating debris, or presenting a hazard to stock (by having open holes which could cause stock animals to trip and result in damage to hooves and so forth). In some situations (generally short term/temporary situations), the support member 3 may simply be inserted into the ground - the ground itself acting as the support for the support member. Suitable anchoring pins (hooked on to or in to the apertures of the support member) may also be used, to further secure the support member in position.

A single support member 3 may be used with the base support 4. However, various arrangements of engaging means, and the ability to add-on other support members in a variety of ways enables any number of temporary or permanent yard/pens, enclosures or electric fence options, and so forth to be created.

Depending upon the number of engaging means (in the form of hinge eyes 10 and hinge pins 9) attached to the support member 3, up to four gates 4, temporary panels, electric fencing elements 29, or fencing sections 37 and so forth, may be in use at any one time (as illustrated in Figures 12, 13, 13a, 13b and 13c).

Where this arrangement is used in conjunction with additional support members such as 3a, 3b (as previously discussed, and illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 for example) attached to the main support member 3, other variations in arrangements are possible. Depending upon the physical diameter of the elongate support member and of the application to which the unit is to be put, significantly more engaging means 9 and 10 may be attached directly to the elongate support member 3. Additional engaging means may be preferable where more than four areas are involved (such as for ostrich and emu run lanes which fan-out from a sheltering pen area). Additional engaging means may include separately configured engaging means that can be added at any position along the length of the support member, or even the object, as previously described.

Example 6

The hinge 1 of the present invention may also be retro-fitted to improve the ease of hanging gates or other objects 2 from existing attachment means incoφorated into supports 4.

Accordingly, the support member 3 may include two hinge eyes 10 (as shown in Figure 13) along one face to enable those hinge eyes 10 to engage with existing gudgeons attached to a gate post 4.

The number of additional engaging means 9 and 10 (in the form of hinge eyes 10 and hinge pins 9) will then determine how many objects 2 may then be supported by the hinge 1.

Example 7

Because of the highly versatile hinge system 1 and its adaptability, further hinge-fixing options are available. Such options include mobile pens or yards, for emergency or convenient stock husbandry operations.

Alternately, permanent pens/yards may be created as required. The hinge system 1 enables the pens/yards/enclosures to be quickly erected in any suitable location.

Figure 21, illustrates one such example. Hinge 1 is attached in a substantially inverted vertical position to the side of a truck deck. The hinge 1 is also capable of pivoting through substantially 180° to a position substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to the ground level.

When in the lower vertical position, the support member 3 may be used to hinge a temporary fencing unit 37 or other objects 2 (such as a gate). Further support members 3 supported by a base support 35 or 36 may be distributed around the back of the track to support further fencing panels to create a temporary or mobile enclosure. Such enclosures may be required for emergency penning or stock husbandry procedures.

Figures 25a to 25e (inclusive) further illustrate different examples wherein the hinge 1 may also be further used with a rotatable flop-latch bracket system, of suitable configuration. This arrangement is designed to enable the positioning of a hinged object 2 (such as a gate 2) at precise locations within that object's arc-swmg to assist one-person operations involving stock extractions/additions to or from any yard to a penned area, without the risk of "mob release" associated with "freely swinging" objects 2 (such as gates 2) becoming fully opened duπng said extractions/insertions, as indicated m the attached drawings.

This flop-latch system is also of use, where difficult gates 2 are installed, to ease the alignment of the upper hinge eyes 10 and 11.

Example 8 In order to transport temporary fencing and/or gates to an area to be erected, one or more support members 3 may be attached to one or both ends of the fencing gates or other objects 2 to be transported.

The support members 3 may then be fitted to transport means 20, including for example wheels 39 and coupling means 40, as shown in Figures 15 and 16 The transport means 20 is preferably "dual" configured to include appropπate means for receiving a portion of at least one elongate support member 3 as well as being suitably configured for "direct attachment" to objects (such as gates). The transport means 20 will also preferably be configured to receive appropπate attachment means 8 to ensure that the transport means 20 remains securely attached to either the elongate support members 3 and/or to the objects (such as gates) dunng their transportation

A further support member 3 may then be attached to the opposite ends of the objects to enable attachment of a standard vehicle/trailer ball-jomt coupler 40. Preferably the coupler is also suitably configured to attach, via suitable attachment means 8 (such as bolts/nuts and so forth), to the apertures 5 or 7 of the support member 3. Accordingly, the whole unit effectively becomes a mobile trailer and as such is able to be towed to any required location by simple attachment to any suitable towing vehicle 42 such as a tractor, a car, a truck or utility vehicle, and even by a farm bike.

Example 9

The hinge 1 may also be used on vehicles 42, to hmge a vehicle tail gate 43 or loading ramp 44, and so forth, as shown in Figures 19, 20 and 21.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the support member 3 of hinge 1 may be used to hang and swing a removable trailer tailgate 43.

The ability to remove the trailer tailgate 43 from the hinge 1 also enables the tailgate 43 to be temporarily replaced by, for example, loading ramps 44 capable of being fitted to the support member 3 operating as the hinge 1 for the tailgate 43.

Figure 19 shows the removal of the tailgate 43 and the possibility of temporarily attaching loading ramps 44. Provision is made beneath the trailer deck 42 to enable the loading ramps 44 to be carried around with the trailer 42 so they are available as required.

Figure 20 illustrates the use of the hinge 1 : a) to attach a removable stock crate 47 to a trailer 42, b) to provide a hinge 1 for lowering the back panel of the stock crate 47, and c) for the back panel to also operate as a loading ramp 44, and d) a further hinge 1 is used as a gate 2 hinge 1 on the crate 47 itself.

In addition, if a platform or table area is also required a hinge (capable of being attached to a foldable deck or platform) may be attached to either the sides or to the rear of the vehicle 42 in a substantially horizontal position to the vehicle deck. The hinge 1 in such a position would enable the foldable deck or platform to be lowered to close off a potential escape route for animals underneath the vehicle 42 (as exampled in Figure 21).

Where the foldable deck, platform or tailgate 43 includes two joined pieces (as shown in Figure 21), the two pieces may be joined by a further hinge 1 and additional support members may be also included along the sides of the platform. Accordingly, the hinge system 1 is multifunctional, and has a number of advantages. Some of the advantages include: a) the method of installation, b) the ability to retro-fit the system to existing structures, c) the interchangability of various options, d) the adjustability after installation, e) the ability to add further hinging systems to itself, or to other systems, f) the portability for temporarily yards or pens, g) the ability to adjust the height of gates to compensate for post-pull, and/or the effects of seasonal variations on the ability to open and close the gates and so forth, h) the ability to hang gates having a preferred arc-swing of up to, or more than, 360°, i) the addition of a portable hinge option for use with electric fences or temporary pens, j) the ability to improve hinge strength without the need to replace existing posts, and k) the provision of a secure and lockable hinge system.

The ability to use any combination and number of support members 3 joined together to effect the required position and arc-swing of an object 2 being hung and swung from hinge 1, and/or the ability of the present invention to meet the requirements of a number of various situations inherently improves the versatility, and cost effectiveness of the hinge system 1. The ease of installation and use of the hinge system 1 also contribute to the effectiveness of the invention.

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention will find application in a vast array of hither-to un- thought-of situations. Such situations include its use with marine vessel access hatchways and bulkhead panels, aeroplane "hinged wing" systems (to enable quick and easy replacement of war- damaged wings), and container access or wall panels. It may also have uses in the construction of temporary or permanent buildings or shelters. Such constructions may use pre-cast wall/roof panels, or any alternative roofing, cladding or interior paneling. The hinge system may also be used in the attachment of windows and/or doors in such buildings, where all features may be joined using various combinations of the hinge system of the present invention.

Further uses may include railway wagon access doors and ramps, electronic componentry, and may even include "satellite and space-station" fixtures (such as solar panels and kit-set building components). Therefore, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention shall not be limited only to the previously described options, diagrams and examples. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT T CLAIM IS:

1 . A hinge system for hinging at least one object, said hinge system including at least one hinge, said hinge including at least one substantially elongate support member capable of being attached to a support, said support member including a) multiple apertures distributed along the length of the support member, said apertures configured to receive attachment means, and b) provision for attachment of engaging means capable of engaging with the object(s), and the hinge system characterised by the arrangement of the multiple apertures and the engaging means on the elongate support member enabling the hinge system to be configured to hinge a range of objects and/or additional elongate support members for either or both permanent and temporary situations.

2. A hinge system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate support member can be attached to a support either specifically configured to receive the elongate support member, or a support adapted to receive the elongate support member.

3. A hinge system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the support includes any vertical or horizontal surface including at least one of a gate post, a stand, a base plate, the ground, a pole, a vehicle (either stationary or mobile), a building, a platform and existing gate gudgeons.

4. A hinge system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hinge system can operate independently of a support configured or adapted to receive the elongate support member of the hinge.

5. A hinge system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substantially elongate support member can take any length as required to complement the configuration of either or both the support and the object(s) with which the hinge system is used.

6. A hinge system as claimed in claim 5 wherein one elongate support member can be attached via joining means and/or attachment means to at least one other elongate support member in an arrangement substantially in series, to effect the required length.

7. A hinge system as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least one elongate support member can be attached in series to an elongate object to effect the overall length required.

8. A hinge system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the elongate support member can be attached in series to a fencing standard, including electric fence standards, to facilitate an increase in the length of the elongate support member for receiving fencing elements required to increase the height of a fence and/or gate with which the hinge system is used.

9. A hinge system as claimed in claim 5 wherein one elongate support member can also be directly attached to at least one other elongate support member in a substantially parallel arrangement.

10. A hinge system as claimed in claim 9 wherein one elongate support member can be directly attached to at least one other elongate support member in a substantially parallel arrangement via attachment means.

11. A hinge system as claimed in claim 9 wherein an elongate support member can be attached directly to at least one other elongate support member in a substantially parallel arrangement by inverting one support member relative to the orientation of the other support members) to enable engagement of the engaging means of the inverted support member with the engagement means of the uninverted support member.

12. A hinge system as claimed in claim 9 wherein an elongate support member can be attached in a substantially parallel arrangement to at least one other elongate support member via joining means.

13. A hinge system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the position of at least one support member attached in a substantially parallel arrangement via joining means to at least one other support member can be substantially raised or lowered with respect to the position of the other support member(s).

14. A hinge system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the changed position of an elongate support member with respect to the position of other support member(s) is effected by adjustment means.

15. A hinge system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the adjustment means includes incremental adjustment means, or variable tensioning means.

16. A hinge system as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims wherein the multiple apertures of the substantially elongate support member(s) are pre-drilled in a configuration to receive attachment means to effect use of the hinge system in a variety of applications.

17. A hinge system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the apertures are not all aligned in the same plane.

18. A hinge system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the multiple apertures of the support member in conjunction with attachment means facilitate attachment of any combination of: a) at least one support member to a support; b) at least two support member(s) to each other directly or via joining means; c) adjustment means between at least one support member and an adjacent support, between at least two adjacent support members, and between an object and an adjacent support member; and d) additional engaging means to either or both a support member and an object.

19. A hinge system as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 18 wherein provision for attachment of engaging means on the elongate support member enables at least one engaging means in the form of a hinge pin or a hinge eye, to be attached on the elongate support member, as required.

20. A hinge system as claimed in claim 19 wherein multiple engaging means on each support member can include at least one pair of either or both hinge pins or hinge eyes.

21 . A hinge system as claimed in claims 19 and 20 wherein the engaging means can be positioned along the length of the substantially elongate support member(s) at location(s) suitable for engaging with appropriately configured engaging means on any one of, the object(s) being hinged, the support, and other support member(s).

22. A hinge system as claimed in claim 20 wherein multiple engaging means can be positioned around the substantially elongate support member(s) at locations suitable for engaging with appropriately configured engaging means on any one of, the object(s) being hinged, the support, and other support member(s).

23. A hinge system as claimed in claim 20 wherein a pair of engaging means preferably includes one hinge pin and one hinge eye, each of which is positioned towards opposite ends of the substantially elongate support member and substantially in alignment with each other, such that when the elongate support member is oriented in a substantially vertical plane, the hinge pin is positioned towards the bottom of the elongate support member.

24. A hinge system as claimed in claims 21 and 22 wherein repositioning of the engaging means along and/or around the elongate support member is achieved via use of adjustable engaging means that can be positioned to engage with varyingly positioned engaging means on a support, on an adjacent support member and on an object to be hinged.

25. A hinge system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the adjustable engaging means can also be attached to an object lacking complementarily configured engaging means capable of engaging with the engaging means of the support member, to facilitate hinging of the object on the support member.

26. A hinge system as claimed in any one of claims 20 through 25 wherein arrangement of more than one pair of engaging means on a single support member attached to a support enables either or both multiple objects and additional support members to be hinged from the support member.

27. A hinge system as claimed in claim 26 wherein arrangement of the engaging means on a single support member attached to a support, enables an object and/or another support member to pivot through up to 270° relative to the support member and the support.

28. A hinge system as claimed in claim 26 wherein arrangement of engaging means on a second support member, attached to a support via a first support member, enables an object and/or another support member hinged on the second support member, to pivot through up to, or more than, 360° relative to the support and the first support member attached thereto.

29. A hinge system as claimed in claims 27 and 28 wherein the object being pivoted relative to a support member can include at least one of a gate, door, section of fencing, vehicle tailgate or hatch, a platform or ramp, a barrier device, a panel, a container, or any other object required to be pivoted/hinged.

30. A hinge system as claimed in claims 27 and 28 wherein pivoting of the object relative to the support member and the support can be facilitated via addition of transporting means to either or both the support member and the object.

31 . A hinge system as claimed in claim 30 wherein attachment of transporting means to either or both an object and a support member where the support is a vehicle, enables transportation of the object from one site to another.

32. A hinge system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the transporting means includes a wheel.

33. A hinge system as claimed in any one of claims 29 through 32 wherein an object being pivoted relative to a support member with which it is engaged, can be substantially raised or lowered relative to one or all of the support member, the support and the surface over which the object is required to pivot, via the operation of either or both joining means and adjustment means

34. A hinge system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an object being hinged relative to a support member can be secured to the support member via locking means to prevent removal of the object from the support member.

35. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support using a hinge system as claimed in claims 1 through 34, said method including the steps of: a) effecting the required configuration of elongate support member(s) via attachment means and/or joining means to complement the configuration of the object; and b) securing the elongate support members to the required support and at a preferred position via attachment means; and c) ensuring the engaging means on the elongate support member(s) and the object are complementarily configured and aligned; and d) engaging the engaging means of the object with the engaging means of the elongate support member(s) to enable the object to pivot up to 270° relative to at least the support.

36. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support using a hinge system as claimed in claims 1 through 34, said method including the steps of: a) effecting the required configuration of elongate support member(s) via attachment means and/or joining means to complement the configuration of the object; and b) securing the elongate support members to the required support and at a preferred position via attachment means; and c) inverting a second elongate support member relative to the elongate support member attached to the support; and d) engaging the engaging means on the inverted elongate support member(s) with the engaging means of the elongate support member attached to the support; and e) ensuring additional engaging means on the inverted elongate support member and the object are complementarily configured and aligned; and f) engaging the engaging means of the object with the engaging means of the inverted elongate support member to enable the object to pivot up to, or more than 360° relative the support and the elongate support member attached thereto.

37. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in either claim 35 or claim 36 wherein engagement of the engaging means of the elongate support member with the engaging means of the object is facilitated by use of a removable gudgeon pin capable of being inserted through aligned upper engagement means of the support member and the object.

38. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in claim 37 wherein a removable gudgeon pin is not required when the object engaged with the elongate support member (attached to the support) is an inverted elongate support member.

39. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in claim 37 wherein the lower engaging means of the object is first aligned and engaged with the lower engaging means of the elongate support member prior to aligning the upper engaging means of the elongate support member and the object.

40. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in claim 39 wherein the lower engaging means of the elongate support member is preferably configured as a hinge pin and lower engaging means of the object is preferably configured as a gate eye.

41 . A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in claim 39 wherein the upper engaging means of the elongate support member and the object are preferably configured as a hinge eye and gate eye respectively.

42. A method of hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in claim 35 or claim 36 wherein the method optionally includes insertion of height adjusting means in between at least one of the support and the support member(s), adjacent support members, or the object and the support member(s) A method ot hinging at least one object relative to a support as claimed in claim 42 wherein the inclusion of height adjusting means enables the height of either or both the support member(s) and the object to be adjusted as required to facilitate unimpeded pivoting of the object A method ot assembling, extending, repamng or transporting temporary or permanent structures using at least one hinge to interconnect and/or hmge the objects required, m combination with the attachment means, joining means, additional supports, height adjustment means, motive means and towing means of the hinge system as claimed m claims 1 through 34 A method ot assembling a hinge system on a support, said hmge system including a hinge, said hinge including at least one substantially elongate support member capable of being secured to a support, said support including both multiple apertures capable of receiving attachment means, and provision for attachment of engaging means capable of engaging with the object(s), said method including the steps of a) selecting the support to which the hmge is to be attached, and b) selecting the preferred position of the hmge on the support, and c) drilling a hole in the support through one of the apertures located towards the top of the elongate support member and used for facilitating attachment of the support member to the support and d) loosely attaching the support member to the support via attachment means through the selected aperture, and e) pivoting the support member to a preferred position for attachment of the support member to the support, and once in position f) drilling a hole in the support through one of the apertures located towards the bottom of the elongate support member and used for facilitating attachment of the support member to the support and g) securing the support member to the support via tightening all of the attachment means inserted through the selected apertures A method ot assembling a hinge system on a vertical support, said hinge system including a hinge, said hinge including at least one substantially elongate support member capable of being secured to a support, said support including both multiple apertures capable of receiving attachment means, and provision for attachment of engaging means capable of engaging with the object(s), said method including the steps of h) selecting the support to which the hmge is to be attached, and

I) selecting the preferred position of the hinge on the support, and j) drilling a hole in the support through one of the apertures located towards the top of the elongate support member and used for facilitating attachment of the support member to the support, and k) loosely attaching the support member to the support via attachment means through the selected aperture, and 1) allowing the support member to pendulum via gravity to a true vertical position for attachment of the support member to the vertical support, and once in position m) drilling a hole in the support through one of the apertures located towards the bottom of the elongate support member and used for facilitating attachment of the support member to the support; and n) securing the support member to the support via tightening of attachment means inserted through the selected apertures.

47. A method of assembling a hinge system as claimed in claims 45 and 46 wherein the attachment means can effect either temporary or permanent fixing of the hinge to the support.

48. A method of assembling a hinge as claimed in claim 45 wherein the elongate support member can be attached at any preferred angle on a support.

49. A method of assembling a hinge as claimed in any one of claims 45 through 48 wherein the preferred position of the elongate support member relative to the support can be further effected by using either or both adjustment means and spacing means.

50. A method of transporting at least one object using a hinge system as claimed in claims 1 through 34, said method including the steps of: a) attaching at least one elongate support member to a vehicle as the support; and b) hinging the object(s) relative to the elongate support member(s); and c) attaching transporting means including at least one wheel to either or both the elongate support(s) and the object(s); and d) optionally securing either or both the object(s) to the elongate support member(s) and the transporting means to the object(s) via locking means; and e) towing the object(s) hinged to the vehicle via the hinging system to the required destination; and f) unloading the object(s) at the required destination.

51 . A method of transporting at least one object using a hinge system as claimed in claim 50 wherein the elongate support member can be alternatively attached to towing means, including a vehicle trailer coupling, for connection with a vehicle's tow ball, rather than to the vehicle itself.

52. An elongate support member having multiple apertures, for use with the hinge system as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 34.

53. An elongate support member having multiple apertures for use with the hinge system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and contained examples.

54. A hinge system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and contained examples.

55. A hinge for use with a hinge system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and contained examples.

56. A method of using a hinge system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and contained examples.

57. A method of assembling a hinge for use with a hinge system as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and contained examples.

58. A method of hinging an object using a hinge system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying diagrams and contained examples.