WO2005099928A1

WO2005099928A1 - Fence straining apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005099928A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Newdick
Original assignee: Fairbrother Industries Limited
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2005-04-14
Publication date: 2005-10-27
Also published as: NZ532304A

Abstract

A method of straining net fencing (and apparatus adapted to that purpose) where there is an operator engaging behind a spreader strand of a plurality of members depending from an elongate member of the apparatus which is positioned from the operator's side. Thereafter, straining the fence occurs. The application of a rotational affect whereby the elongate member and the members engage the spreader strand(s) ensures sufficient deformation of the engaged web run strands to prevent any sliding tendency of the spreader strand(s).

Description

FENCE STRAINING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to fence straining and related apparatus, procedures, methods, assemblies and the like.

BACKGROUND A type of fencing frequently used is that of net fencing that is freqriently used to constrain animals such as deer to a significant height. With spxeader strands (usually at least two strands operating as a twisted pair or a single strand located by a separate twist tie) holding the fence-wise or web run strands apart (and frequently at varying spacings so as to concentrate web ran strands more closely together near ground level), there is a difficulty in straining the loosely positioned netting in the field. This arises from great lengths usually being chosen to be unreeled making it difficult for a fencer to move from one side to other. Thus there is a desire that whatever means is chosen for straining such a netting fence that the engagement be by manoeuvring fence engagement apparatus from only that side on which the fencer is positioned, and not over the top of the netting, and that there be provision for straining to take place reliant on that apparatus from that side only. With such net fencing however there is a prospect with some net fencing types for the spreader strand or strands ("strand(s)") to slide on the web run strands. The present invention sees a need therefore for apparatus to be provided whereby such fencing can be strained by any appropriate pulling apparatus without any substantial movement of spreader strand(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the invention is apparatus suitable for both engaging and to be used to strain net fencing from a single side only, the net fencing being of a kind with fence-wise strands ("web run strands") and spreader strands extending transverse to the web run direction, said apparatus comprising or including an elongate member a plurality of claws (singly or as pairs - preferably as pairs) spaced along the length of the elongate member so as to extend at least in part and/or substantially laterally of that axis, and attachments or attachment means ("attachments") by which the elongate member can be pulled transversely of its length, the arrangement being such that once the claws are placed through the net and behind a spreader strand(s), the elongate member can be rotated (whether under the tensioning direction pulling of the attachments or otherwise) to cause, under the interacting forces of the elongate member bearing against web run strands and the claws bearing on the spreader strand(s), a deformation of the web run strands sufficient to restrict sliding (if any) of the claws engaged spreader strand(s) on those deformed web run strands. Preferably the apparatus is provided with two sets of a plurality of claws each set being adapted without inversion of the elongate member of allowing tensioning towards one or other of the two fence- wise or web run directions. Preferably the plurality of claws of the single set or each set is such as to allow engagement of claw pairs one on either side of a web run strand. Preferably the claw pairs are spaced so as to accommodate a higher density of web run strands towards one end of the elongate member than the other. Preferably the attachments are adapted to provide a twisting moment and are in the form of islets, flanges with openings or the equivalent through which chains, cables or the like, whether forming part of the apparatus itself or separate thereto, can engage. Such attachments are preferably from the side of the elongate member opposite the claws. In some forms of the present invention there can be provision for a pull of the apparatus transversity of its length in either direction, each direction of which will provide the requisite rotation. In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an apparatus suitable for both engaging and to be used to strain net fencing from a side thereof

[e.g from a single side only], the net fencing being of a kind with fence wise strands ("web run strands") and spreader strands extending transverse to the web run direction, said apparatus comprising or including an elongate member having a general elongate axis, a plurality of claws (singly or as pairs - preferably as pairs) spaced along the length of the elongate member so as to extend laterally of the elongate axis and to depend from the elongate member in a first lateral direction, and attachments or attachment means ("attachments") by which the elongate member can be pulled transversely of its length, said attachment depending laterally of the elongate member in a direction substantially opposite the direction by which the plurality of claws depends from the elongate member, the an-angement being such that once the claws are placed through the net and behind a spreader strand(s), the elongate member can be rotated (whether under the tensioning direction pulling of the attachments or otherwise) to cause, under the interacting forces of the elongate member bearing against web run strands and the claws bearing on the spreader strand(s), a deformation of the web run strands sufficient to restrict sliding (if any) of the claws engaged spreader strand(s) on those deformed web run strands. Preferably the apparatus as aforesaid has its preferment any of the features hitherto mentioned and/or hereinafter described with reference to any one more of the accompany drawings. In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an apparatus for engaging net fencing, said apparatus being substantially hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of straining net fencing, said method comprising or including operator engaging behind a spreader strand a plurality of members (e.g. claws) depending from an elongate member which is positioned from an operator's side, and, thereafter, straining the fence with the application of a rotational affect whereby the elongate member and the members engaging the spreader strand(s) ensures sufficient deformation of the engaged web run strands to prevent any sliding tendency of the spreader strand(s). Preferably the method involves the operative use of apparatus of the present invention. In another aspect the invention is a fence strained by apparatus and/or a method of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a view of a device in accordance with the present invention showing two sets of four claw pairs, it being realised that in use the elongate member can be much longer and can include a great deal more claw members, Figure 2 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure 1 but showing a unidirectional claw set, (i.e. has no complementary claw set to operate in the opposite direction without end for end inversion of the elongate member, such elongate member only being invertible with netting where the web wise strands are of constant spacing which is not usually the case), Figure 3 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 2 in a different orientation and/or with different claw members, Figure 4 shows the initial engagement of apparatus as shown in Figures 2 or 3 to wire netting for straining purposes prior to rotation of the elongate member under the action of the pulling eyelets which are disposed oppositely from the elongate member to the claw set, Figure 5 shows the engagement in more detail as if an embodiment as in Figure 1, and Figures 6A and 6B shows in plan the actions of a single claw and the elongate member from the time of initial engagement through rotation of the elongate member under the pulling action to thereby deform the web wise member and prevent slippage along the wire of the spreader strand engagement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the preferred form of the present invention a wire net fencing material such as shown in Figure 4 preferably has web run wires 1 and spreader wires 2. The spreader wires 2 are preferably slidable on the wires 2 since they are ideally (not shown) wire twist engaged thereto by a short length of wire. With the elongate apparatus of the present invention however the elongate member 3 with its pulling eyelets 4 can have claw members 5 (preferably each arranged in pairs) engaged behind a spreader 2 whilst straddling a wire 1 such that pulling of the eyelet members 4 in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 4 will achieve the distortion of the web ran wires 1 as shown in Figures 6A and 6B thereby preventing slippage and allowing appropriate wire straining. As can be seen from Figure 4, lower strands 1 are preferably closer together and therefore end for end inversion of apparatus as in Figure 2 or 3 is not appropriate unless the claws are adapted as pairs. For this reason therefore sets each operating in a different direction can be provided such that the same eyelet or other pulling arrangement 4 can be used to pull in either the arrowed direction as shown in Figure 4 or (if the other claw set is utilised), in the opposite direction.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus suitable for both engaging and to be used to strain net fencing from a single side only, the net fencing being of a kind with fence-wise strands ("web run strands") and spreader strands extending transverse to the web ran

5 direction, said apparatus comprising or including an elongate member a plurality of claws (singly or as pairs) spaced along the length of the elongate member so as to extend at least in part and/or substantially laterally of that axis, and0 attachments or attachment means ("attachments") by which the elongate member can be pulled transversely of its length, the arrangement being such that once the claws are placed through the net and behind a spreader strand(s), the elongate member can be rotated (whether under the tensioning direction pulling of the attachments or otherwise) to cause,5 under the interacting forces of the elongate member bearing against web ran strands and the claws bearing on the spreader strand(s), a deformation of the web run strands sufficient to restrict sliding (if any) of the claws engaged spreader strand(s) on those deformed web run strands. 2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the claws are pairs of claws spaced along0 the length of the elongate member. 3. Apparatus of claim 1 or 2 provided with two sets of said plurality of claws, each set being adapted without inversion of the elongate member of allowing tensioning towards one or other of the two fence-wise or web ran directions.5 4. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of claws of the single set or each set is such as to allow engagement of claw pairs one on either side of a web run strand. 5. Apparatus of claim 2 or 4 wherein the claw pairs are spaced so as to accommodate a higher density of web run strands towards one end of theO elongate member than the other.

6. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims having the attachments adapted to provide a twisting moment, the attachments or adaptions being in the form of islets, flanges with openings or the equivalent through which chains, cables or the like, whether forming part of the apparatus itself or separate thereto, can engage.

7. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein said attachments are from the side of the elongate member opposite the claws.

8. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims having provision for a pull of the apparatus transversity of its length in either direction, each direction of which will provide the requisite rotation.

9. An apparatus suitable for both engaging and to be used to strain net fencing from a side of the net fencing, the net fencing being of a kind with fence wise strands ("web ran strands") and spreader strands extending transverse to the web ran direction, said apparatus comprising or including an elongate member having a general elongate axis, a plurality of claws (singly or as pairs) spaced along the length of the elongate member so as to extend laterally of the elongate axis and to depend from the elongate member in a first lateral direction, and attachments or attachment means ("attachments") by which the elongate member can be pulled transversely of its length, said attachment depending laterally of the elongate member in a direction substantially opposite the direction by which the plurality of claws depends from the elongate member, the arrangement being such that once the claws are placed through the net and behind a spreader strand(s), the elongate member can be rotated (whether under the tensioning direction pulling of the attachments or otherwise) to cause, under the interacting forces of the elongate member bearing against web run strands and the claws bearing on the spreader strand(s), a deformation of the web run strands sufficient to restrict sliding (if any) of the claws engaged spreader strand(s) on those deformed web ran strands. 10. Apparatus of claim 9 wherein the claws are in pairs.

11. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompany drawings.

12. An apparatus for engaging net fencing, said apparatus being substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of straining net fencing, said method comprising or including operator engaging behind a spreader strand a plurality of members depending from an elongate member which is positioned from an operator's side, and, thereafter, straining the fence with the application of a rotational affect whereby the elongate member and the members engaging the spreader strand(s) ensures sufficient deformation of the engaged web ran strands to prevent any sliding tendency of the spreader strand(s).

14. A method of claim 13 wherein said members are claws.

15. A method of claim 13 or 14 which involves the operative use of apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A fence strained by apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 and/or a method of any one of claims 13 to 15.