WO2006085182A1 - Clip for attaching a wire to a post or the like - Google Patents

Clip for attaching a wire to a post or the like Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006085182A1
WO2006085182A1 PCT/IB2006/000212 IB2006000212W WO2006085182A1 WO 2006085182 A1 WO2006085182 A1 WO 2006085182A1 IB 2006000212 W IB2006000212 W IB 2006000212W WO 2006085182 A1 WO2006085182 A1 WO 2006085182A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
clip
post
foot
wire
base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2006/000212
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert James Waller Hamlin
Original Assignee
Robert James Waller Hamlin
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert James Waller Hamlin filed Critical Robert James Waller Hamlin
Publication of WO2006085182A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006085182A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/02—Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H17/00—Fencing, e.g. fences, enclosures, corrals
    • E04H17/02—Wire fencing, e.g. made of wire mesh
    • E04H17/10—Wire fencing, e.g. made of wire mesh characterised by the way of connecting wire to posts; Droppers
    • E04H17/124—Wire fencing, e.g. made of wire mesh characterised by the way of connecting wire to posts; Droppers connecting by one or more clamps, clips, screws, wedges or ties

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a clip (which term is intended to include any mechanical fastening means) for attaching, either directly or indirectly, a generally transverse wire to a supporting post or other upright (herein referred to simply as a post) therefor and to installations of such clips on cooperating posts. Still more particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a clip for attaching fence or trellis wires to supporting posts therefor as well as to the attachment of electrically conductive or operatively charged wires of an electric fence that need to be electrically insulated from a supporting post or the like.
  • Wooden posts are becoming increasingly expensive, prone to rotting and are sometimes in short supply. As a result, other materials of construction for use as fence and, in particular, trellis posts are gaining in popularity and cost
  • Metal posts that may be tubular in construction, but more typically assume the form of a rolled section, are of particular significance in this regard.
  • clips to be used to attach wire strands to the posts at the required positions up the height thereof. Numerous different clips have therefore been proposed for this purpose.
  • a clip made from a bent piece of wire so as to have two divergent feet from which protrude a pair of oppositely directed hook shaped portions located generally in a plane at right angles to the feet for cooperating with a wire.
  • the feet form an elongate composite attachment formation that passes through a vertically orientated elongate aperture in a post of angle iron in a generally vertical orientation and is held captive in this position by rotating it through 90 degrees so that the feet extend transverse to the elongate aperture.
  • the two hook formations form a composite eye having a generally horizontal axis for holding a transverse wire captive relative to the post.
  • a clip of this nature is difficult, and accordingly costly, to form, and the resultant clip is operatively in fairly loose association with the post.
  • the result is that movement and consequent abrasion may be occasioned by the wind, particularly in the case of trellis wires where wind resistance of the plant attached to the wires is significant.
  • the wire, post and clip generally all being made of different metals, the likelihood of electrolytic corrosion is considerable.
  • PQ399PCT 2006/02/06 arrangement is that the tolerances are crucial to the effective latching of the catch formations behind edges of the aperture with the attachment of the clip to the post being loose if the thickness of the metal post is rather thin relative to the location of the catch formation. On the other hand, if the thickness of the metal post is rather thick relative to the location of the catch formation, it will fail to properly clip behind the edge of the aperture. In any event, applicant believes that such a clip will have a tendency to pull out of the aperture under many different conditions.
  • an object of this invention to provide a clip that can be used effectively on a metal or like post to support a transverse strand of wire relative thereto. It is another object of the invention to provide a combination of a metal post and such clips.
  • a clip for attaching a wire to a post having elongate apertures formed through a wall thereof, the clip being injection moulded from a suitable plastics material and having one or more formations associated with it for holding, directly or indirectly, a wire extending transversely to a post, the clip being characterized in that it comprises a generally planar base and a generally planar foot attached to the base by an integral connecting neck, the planar base and foot being orientated in generally parallel planes and being configured such that the foot is elongate and shaped to pass through a cooperant elongate aperture in a post whereas the base is configured to engage an area surrounding such aperture with the neck being configured to enable the clip to be rotated through at least about 90 degrees after insertion of the foot through an aperture to cause the foot to extend across the
  • P0399PCT 2006/02/Q 6 elongate aperture and hold the clip captive by cooperation with a rear face of the post whilst the base cooperates with a front face of a post.
  • a further feature of the invention provide for the base to be provided with a slightly raised zone that operatively snaps into cooperation with the edges of the elongate slot when the foot extends transversely across the aperture to effectively provide a click stop in the operative position of the clip.
  • said one or more formations is a pair of retaining hooks directed inwardly towards each other and terminating short of each other to define an entrance slot between their spaced free edges.
  • each of the hooks is configured so that one of them is on each of two opposite sides of the foot, in plan view, and the free end of each is shaped such that a wire will snap past it into a cavity provided by that hook.
  • said one or more formations is a slot open at one end and passing through the clip at generally right angles to the planes of the base and foot for receiving a transverse cantilever wire support passing through the post for supporting transverse trellis wires at the free ends thereof that are operatively spaced outwards of the post itself.
  • the clip would, in use, generally be arranged opposite another clip on an opposite side of the post so that a single composite cantilever wire support operatively extends through two spaced clips and the entire cross- sectional dimension of the post to project outwards at each end and provide a pair of outwardly spaced support hooks for two trellis wires on opposite sides of the post.
  • said one or more formations is a pair of oppositely and inwardly directed hooks typically moulded integral with the base and that overlap each other in side view but are laterally spaced in elevation to enable a wire that is to be supported thereby to be introduced between them followed by rotation of the clip relative to the wire to locate
  • P0399PCT 2006/02/06 both hooks over the wire from opposite directions and hold it captive.
  • the hooks are preferably configured to snap firmly onto the wire to hold it relative to the clip.
  • This variation it is envisaged, when made of a suitably electrically conductive material, may be particularly useful in supporting electric fence wires of an electric fence.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric exploded view of a part of a vine trellis post with the web foremost showing clips of the first and second variations in exploded relationship relative thereto;
  • P0399PCT 2006/02/O 6 Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the first variation of clip according to the invention.
  • Figure 4 is a front perspective thereof
  • Figure 5 is an rear view thereof
  • Figure 6 is a side thereof
  • Figure 7 is a front view thereof
  • Figure 8 is a section taken along line VIII to VIII in Figure 6;
  • Figure 9 is an end view of the clip with respect to Figure 6;
  • Figure 10 is a section taken along line X to X in Figure 9;
  • Figure 11 is a front view of an embodiment of the third variation of the invention.
  • Figure 12 is a side view thereof (direction of arrow "A" in Figure 11);
  • Figure 13 is a plan view thereof (direction of arrow "B" in Figure 11);
  • Figure 14 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the second variation of the invention in its installed, operative orientation
  • Figure 15 is an elevation of a wire support for use in association with the embodiment of clip illustrated in Figure 14;
  • Figure 16 is a plan view thereof;
  • CT 2006/02/06 Figure 17 is an isometric view of a length of a section used to form a post; and,
  • Figure 18 is a cross-section taken through the section of the post.
  • a post generally indicated by numeral (1) has a web composed of a central flat section (2) interconnected by arcuate corner sections (3) that form part of, and connect each side of, the central flat web section with a flat section (4) of each flange.
  • the free edge of each flange is formed into an arcuate inwardly directed lip (5).
  • each flange is provided with a series of spaced longitudinally elongate apertures (6) for cooperation with clips for holding transverse wires relative to the post.
  • the flat section of the web could also be provided with elongate apertures for cooperation with clips of the type described below.
  • the spacing of the elongate apertures is selected for the particular application and, in this case, the spacing is appropriate to supporting grape vine trellis wires.
  • the clip generally indicated by numeral (7), comprises a plastics injection moulding of a plastic material selected to provide desirable durability and physical
  • the plastic material at present preferred is a suitable grade of nylon but plastics technology may well provide superior or more desirable alternatives, at least from one or other point of view.
  • the clip comprises a base (8) having a flat rear surface (9) that has a central elongate slightly raised relief zone (10).
  • the outer periphery of the relief zone conforms approximately to, but is somewhat smaller than, the peripheral shape of an elongate aperture through a flange of the post section. The function of this relief zone will be described below.
  • a squat integral connecting neck (11) connects the relief zone (10) with a transverse foot (12) that extends, in rear elevation (see Figure 5), at right angles to the relief zone.
  • the foot extends in a plane parallel to that of the base and the length of the base extends at right angles to the length of the foot.
  • the peripheral shape of the foot conforms generally to the shape of an elongate aperture through the post section whilst being somewhat smaller so as to enable it to pass through such aperture.
  • This arrangement is such that the foot can be passed through an elongate aperture in the post section and the clip may then be rotated through 90 degrees so that the foot extends transverse to the elongate aperture.
  • the relief zone comes into registration with the aperture to effectively provide a click stop in the final position of the clip.
  • the foot firmly clamps the base to the flange of the section.
  • the base has an integral pair of retaining hooks (13) directed outwards from each end of the base and inwardly towards each other.
  • the two hooks terminate short of each other to define an entrance slot (14) between their spaced free edges (15).
  • the free end of each hook is shaped, as indicated by numeral (16) in Figure 6, such that a wire indicated by numeral (17) will snap past it into a cavity (18) provided by that hook.
  • clips (7) as described above can be installed in a series of spaced apertures up the height of a post as described, and wires can be introduced into the clips to hold them captive and support them on the post. It is to be noted that this particular arrangement enables wires extending at an incline to be accommodated effectively as the wire can move between the two interconnected cavities.
  • the hooks (20) could be configured differently and could overlap each other in elevational view (see Figures 11 and 13) whilst being laterally spaced to enable a wire (21 ) to be introduced through a gap (22) between them.
  • a wire typically a trellis wire
  • the clip may be rotated relative to the wire firstly, to fix it to a supporting post as described above, and secondly to locate the hooks over the wire from opposite directions and hold it captive.
  • both hooks are configured to snap firmly onto the wire to hold it positively relative to the clip.
  • This variation may be particularly suitable in application to electrically conductive wires of an electric fence.
  • the post could be replaced by a support that is quite different.
  • Such a support could typically be a simple angle iron support mounted on top of a wall or fence post.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 An embodiment of the second variation of the invention that is particularly aimed at supporting trellis wires in laterally spaced positions relative to a supporting post is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and in more detail in Figures 14 to 16.
  • the clip (30) has a similar base (31) and foot (32) with a deep open ended slot (33) extending inwardly from one end of a body (34).
  • the slot thus extends at generally right angles to the planes of the base and foot and is configured to receive a transverse cantilever wire support (35) passing
  • P0399PCT 2Q06/02/Q 6 operatively through the post for supporting transverse trellis wires (36) at the free ends (37) thereof that are operatively spaced outwards of the post itself, as shown in Figure 2.
  • the outer ends of the cantilever wire support are bent to form an open helix so that wires can be introduced laterally into what are effectively eyes formed at the ends of the cantilever wire support. These helical formations are configured so that they can pass through an elongate aperture in the support post described above.
  • the clips are clearly associated with the cantilever wire only once it has been passed through the elongate apertures. This is achieved by introducing the cantilever wire into the inner end of the slot (33), in the case of each clip; installing the clip on a post by passing its foot through an elongate aperture; and rotating the body through 90 degrees as described above.
  • one clip would, in use, be arranged opposite another clip on an opposite side of the post so that a single composite wire cantilever support operatively extends through two spaced clips and the entire cross- sectional dimension of the post to project outwards at each end.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Abstract

A clip (7, 30) for attaching a wire (17, 21, 36) to a post (2) having elongate apertures (6) formed through a wall (4) thereof is provided. The clip is injection moulded from a suitable plastics material and has one or more formations (13, 20, 33) associated with it for holding, directly or indirectly, a wire extending transversely to a post. The clip has a generally planar base (8, 31) and a generally planar elongate foot (12, 32) attached to the base by an integral connecting neck (11). The base and foot are orientated in generally parallel planes and are such that the foot is shaped to pass through a cooperant elongate aperture in a post whilst the base engages an area surrounding such aperture with the connecting neck passes through the aperture. The clip is rotated through at least about 90 degrees after the foot is passed through an aperture to cause the foot to extend transversely across the elongate aperture and hold the clip captive relative to the post.

Description

CLIP FOR ATTACHING A WIRE TO A POST OR THE LIKE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a clip (which term is intended to include any mechanical fastening means) for attaching, either directly or indirectly, a generally transverse wire to a supporting post or other upright (herein referred to simply as a post) therefor and to installations of such clips on cooperating posts. Still more particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a clip for attaching fence or trellis wires to supporting posts therefor as well as to the attachment of electrically conductive or operatively charged wires of an electric fence that need to be electrically insulated from a supporting post or the like.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Numerous different clips have been used for attaching wires to fence or trellis support posts, depending, to large extent, on the nature, and particularly the cross-sectional configuration, of the post.
In the case of traditional wooden posts, the most common form of clip is a simple arch shaped nail that is percussively driven into the wooden post with its two limbs straddling the wire. This arrangement is inexpensive and operates reasonably effectively. However, such nails tend to become loose over a period of time and thus ineffective, thereby leading to maintenance being necessary.
Wooden posts are becoming increasingly expensive, prone to rotting and are sometimes in short supply. As a result, other materials of construction for use as fence and, in particular, trellis posts are gaining in popularity and cost
P0399PCT 2006/02/Q6 effectiveness. Metal posts that may be tubular in construction, but more typically assume the form of a rolled section, are of particular significance in this regard. However, accompanying the use of such metal posts is the question of clips to be used to attach wire strands to the posts at the required positions up the height thereof. Numerous different clips have therefore been proposed for this purpose.
Most relevant to the present invention are the clips described in United States patents numbers 1 ,214,749 and 5,547,322.
In the case of the former US patent there is described a clip made from a bent piece of wire so as to have two divergent feet from which protrude a pair of oppositely directed hook shaped portions located generally in a plane at right angles to the feet for cooperating with a wire. The feet form an elongate composite attachment formation that passes through a vertically orientated elongate aperture in a post of angle iron in a generally vertical orientation and is held captive in this position by rotating it through 90 degrees so that the feet extend transverse to the elongate aperture. In the latter position the two hook formations form a composite eye having a generally horizontal axis for holding a transverse wire captive relative to the post.
A clip of this nature is difficult, and accordingly costly, to form, and the resultant clip is operatively in fairly loose association with the post. The result is that movement and consequent abrasion may be occasioned by the wind, particularly in the case of trellis wires where wind resistance of the plant attached to the wires is significant. Also, with the wire, post and clip generally all being made of different metals, the likelihood of electrolytic corrosion is considerable.
In the case of US patent 5,547,322, a plastics injection moulding is provided with two feet that have catch formations for engaging behind two opposite edges of an elongate aperture in a vertical post. The difficulty with this
PQ399PCT 2006/02/06 arrangement is that the tolerances are crucial to the effective latching of the catch formations behind edges of the aperture with the attachment of the clip to the post being loose if the thickness of the metal post is rather thin relative to the location of the catch formation. On the other hand, if the thickness of the metal post is rather thick relative to the location of the catch formation, it will fail to properly clip behind the edge of the aperture. In any event, applicant believes that such a clip will have a tendency to pull out of the aperture under many different conditions.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a clip that can be used effectively on a metal or like post to support a transverse strand of wire relative thereto. It is another object of the invention to provide a combination of a metal post and such clips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a clip for attaching a wire to a post having elongate apertures formed through a wall thereof, the clip being injection moulded from a suitable plastics material and having one or more formations associated with it for holding, directly or indirectly, a wire extending transversely to a post, the clip being characterized in that it comprises a generally planar base and a generally planar foot attached to the base by an integral connecting neck, the planar base and foot being orientated in generally parallel planes and being configured such that the foot is elongate and shaped to pass through a cooperant elongate aperture in a post whereas the base is configured to engage an area surrounding such aperture with the neck being configured to enable the clip to be rotated through at least about 90 degrees after insertion of the foot through an aperture to cause the foot to extend across the
P0399PCT 2006/02/Q6 elongate aperture and hold the clip captive by cooperation with a rear face of the post whilst the base cooperates with a front face of a post.
A further feature of the invention provide for the base to be provided with a slightly raised zone that operatively snaps into cooperation with the edges of the elongate slot when the foot extends transversely across the aperture to effectively provide a click stop in the operative position of the clip.
In a first variation of the invention said one or more formations is a pair of retaining hooks directed inwardly towards each other and terminating short of each other to define an entrance slot between their spaced free edges. Preferably each of the hooks is configured so that one of them is on each of two opposite sides of the foot, in plan view, and the free end of each is shaped such that a wire will snap past it into a cavity provided by that hook.
In a second variation of the invention said one or more formations is a slot open at one end and passing through the clip at generally right angles to the planes of the base and foot for receiving a transverse cantilever wire support passing through the post for supporting transverse trellis wires at the free ends thereof that are operatively spaced outwards of the post itself. In this variation the clip would, in use, generally be arranged opposite another clip on an opposite side of the post so that a single composite cantilever wire support operatively extends through two spaced clips and the entire cross- sectional dimension of the post to project outwards at each end and provide a pair of outwardly spaced support hooks for two trellis wires on opposite sides of the post.
In a third variation of the invention said one or more formations is a pair of oppositely and inwardly directed hooks typically moulded integral with the base and that overlap each other in side view but are laterally spaced in elevation to enable a wire that is to be supported thereby to be introduced between them followed by rotation of the clip relative to the wire to locate
P0399PCT 2006/02/06 both hooks over the wire from opposite directions and hold it captive. In this instance the hooks are preferably configured to snap firmly onto the wire to hold it relative to the clip. This variation, it is envisaged, when made of a suitably electrically conductive material, may be particularly useful in supporting electric fence wires of an electric fence.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of a plurality of clips as defined above and a fence or trellis post formed of a rolled or otherwise formed metal section that has a generally channel shape in cross-section with a pair of opposite flanges interconnected by a web of the channel and wherein the web of the channel and each flange is interconnected by arcuate corner sections and the free edge of each flange is formed into an arcuate inwardly directed lip, and wherein further, each of the flanges has a flat section between its arcuate section connecting it to the web and its associated arcuate inwardly directed lip with a series of spaced apertures therethrough for cooperating with clips for holding transverse wires relative to the post.
In order that the above and other features of the invention may be more fully understood various embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is an isometric exploded view of a part of a vine trellis post with the web foremost showing clips of the first and second variations in exploded relationship relative thereto;
Figure 2 is an isometric view similar to Figure 1 with the web rearmost and the clips in the assembled positions;
P0399PCT 2006/02/O6 Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the first variation of clip according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a front perspective thereof;
Figure 5 is an rear view thereof;
Figure 6 is a side thereof;
Figure 7 is a front view thereof;
Figure 8 is a section taken along line VIII to VIII in Figure 6;
Figure 9 is an end view of the clip with respect to Figure 6;
Figure 10 is a section taken along line X to X in Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a front view of an embodiment of the third variation of the invention;
Figure 12 is a side view thereof (direction of arrow "A" in Figure 11);
Figure 13 is a plan view thereof (direction of arrow "B" in Figure 11);
Figure 14 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the second variation of the invention in its installed, operative orientation;
Figure 15 is an elevation of a wire support for use in association with the embodiment of clip illustrated in Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a plan view thereof; CT 2006/02/06 Figure 17 is an isometric view of a length of a section used to form a post; and,
Figure 18 is a cross-section taken through the section of the post.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
In order that the various features of the clips and other components provided by the invention may be more fully understood applicant considers it appropriate to briefly describe a preferred form of post in relation to which the clips and other components of the invention are to be employed.
Referring firstly to Figures 1 , 2, 18 and 19, a post, generally indicated by numeral (1) has a web composed of a central flat section (2) interconnected by arcuate corner sections (3) that form part of, and connect each side of, the central flat web section with a flat section (4) of each flange. The free edge of each flange is formed into an arcuate inwardly directed lip (5).
The flat section (4) of each flange is provided with a series of spaced longitudinally elongate apertures (6) for cooperation with clips for holding transverse wires relative to the post. Of course, the flat section of the web could also be provided with elongate apertures for cooperation with clips of the type described below.
Clearly the spacing of the elongate apertures is selected for the particular application and, in this case, the spacing is appropriate to supporting grape vine trellis wires.
An embodiment of the first variation of clip according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 10 of the drawings. The clip, generally indicated by numeral (7), comprises a plastics injection moulding of a plastic material selected to provide desirable durability and physical
P0399PCT 2006/02/06 properties. The plastic material at present preferred is a suitable grade of nylon but plastics technology may well provide superior or more desirable alternatives, at least from one or other point of view.
The clip comprises a base (8) having a flat rear surface (9) that has a central elongate slightly raised relief zone (10). The outer periphery of the relief zone conforms approximately to, but is somewhat smaller than, the peripheral shape of an elongate aperture through a flange of the post section. The function of this relief zone will be described below.
A squat integral connecting neck (11) connects the relief zone (10) with a transverse foot (12) that extends, in rear elevation (see Figure 5), at right angles to the relief zone. The foot extends in a plane parallel to that of the base and the length of the base extends at right angles to the length of the foot. The peripheral shape of the foot conforms generally to the shape of an elongate aperture through the post section whilst being somewhat smaller so as to enable it to pass through such aperture.
This arrangement is such that the foot can be passed through an elongate aperture in the post section and the clip may then be rotated through 90 degrees so that the foot extends transverse to the elongate aperture. In the final orientation the relief zone comes into registration with the aperture to effectively provide a click stop in the final position of the clip. In this final position the foot firmly clamps the base to the flange of the section.
In this variation of the invention the base has an integral pair of retaining hooks (13) directed outwards from each end of the base and inwardly towards each other. The two hooks terminate short of each other to define an entrance slot (14) between their spaced free edges (15). The free end of each hook is shaped, as indicated by numeral (16) in Figure 6, such that a wire indicated by numeral (17) will snap past it into a cavity (18) provided by that hook.
P0399PCT 2006/02/O6 It will be quite apparent that, in use, clips (7) as described above can be installed in a series of spaced apertures up the height of a post as described, and wires can be introduced into the clips to hold them captive and support them on the post. It is to be noted that this particular arrangement enables wires extending at an incline to be accommodated effectively as the wire can move between the two interconnected cavities.
Turning now to an embodiment of the third variation of the invention that is illustrated in Figures 11 to 13, the hooks (20) could be configured differently and could overlap each other in elevational view (see Figures 11 and 13) whilst being laterally spaced to enable a wire (21 ) to be introduced through a gap (22) between them. After introduction of a wire, typically a trellis wire, the clip may be rotated relative to the wire firstly, to fix it to a supporting post as described above, and secondly to locate the hooks over the wire from opposite directions and hold it captive.
In this variation both hooks are configured to snap firmly onto the wire to hold it positively relative to the clip. This variation, it is envisaged, may be particularly suitable in application to electrically conductive wires of an electric fence. In such an application, of course, the post could be replaced by a support that is quite different. Such a support could typically be a simple angle iron support mounted on top of a wall or fence post.
An embodiment of the second variation of the invention that is particularly aimed at supporting trellis wires in laterally spaced positions relative to a supporting post is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and in more detail in Figures 14 to 16.
In this instance, the clip (30) has a similar base (31) and foot (32) with a deep open ended slot (33) extending inwardly from one end of a body (34). The slot thus extends at generally right angles to the planes of the base and foot and is configured to receive a transverse cantilever wire support (35) passing
P0399PCT 2Q06/02/Q6 operatively through the post for supporting transverse trellis wires (36) at the free ends (37) thereof that are operatively spaced outwards of the post itself, as shown in Figure 2.
The outer ends of the cantilever wire support are bent to form an open helix so that wires can be introduced laterally into what are effectively eyes formed at the ends of the cantilever wire support. These helical formations are configured so that they can pass through an elongate aperture in the support post described above. The clips are clearly associated with the cantilever wire only once it has been passed through the elongate apertures. This is achieved by introducing the cantilever wire into the inner end of the slot (33), in the case of each clip; installing the clip on a post by passing its foot through an elongate aperture; and rotating the body through 90 degrees as described above. Thus, one clip would, in use, be arranged opposite another clip on an opposite side of the post so that a single composite wire cantilever support operatively extends through two spaced clips and the entire cross- sectional dimension of the post to project outwards at each end.
Of course, the latter embodiment of the invention can be varied in many different ways and, in particular, it may be found to be more suitable to have the slot entering the side of the body and base rather than at the end of the foot.
Numerous other variations are possible within the scope of this invention without departing from the scope hereof.
P0399PCT 2006/02/06

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A clip (7, 30) for attaching a wire (17, 21 , 36) to a post (2) having elongate apertures (6) formed through a wall (4) thereof, the clip being injection moulded from a suitable plastics material and having one or more formations (13, 20, 33) associated with it for holding, directly or indirectly, a wire extending transversely to a post, the clip being characterized in that it comprises a generally planar base (8, 31) and a generally planar foot (12, 32) attached to the base by an integral connecting neck (11), the planar base and foot being orientated in generally parallel planes and being configured such that the foot is elongate and shaped to pass through a cooperant elongate aperture in a post whereas the base is configured to engage an area surrounding such aperture with the neck being configured to enable the clip to be rotated through at least about 90 degrees after insertion of the foot through an aperture to cause the foot to extend across the elongate aperture and hold the clip captive by cooperation with a rear face of the post whilst the base cooperates with a front face of a post.
2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the base is provided with a slightly raised zone (10) that operatively snaps into cooperation with the edges of the elongate slot when the foot extends transversely across the aperture to effectively provide a click stop in the operative position of the clip.
3. A clip as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 in which said one or more formations is a pair of retaining hooks (13) directed inwardly towards each other and terminating short of each other to define an entrance slot (14) between their spaced free edges (15).
4. A clip as claimed in claim 3 in which the hooks are configured so that one of them is on each of two opposite sides of the foot, in plan view,
PQ399PCT 2006/02/06 and the free end (16) of each is shaped such that a wire will snap past it into a cavity (18) provided by that hook.
5. A clip as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 in which said one or more formations is a slot (33) open at one end and passing through the clip at generally right angles to the planes of the base and foot for receiving a transverse cantilever wire support (35) passing through the post for supporting transverse trellis wires at the free ends thereof that are operatively spaced outwards of the post itself.
6. A clip as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 in which said one or more formations is a pair of oppositely and inwardly directed hooks (20) moulded integral with the base and that overlap each other in side view but are laterally spaced (22) in elevation to enable a wire that is to be supported thereby to be introduced between them followed by rotation of the clip relative to the wire to locate both hooks over the wire from opposite directions and hold it captive.
7. A clip as claimed in claim 6 in which the hooks are configured to snap firmly onto the wire to hold it relative to the clip.
8. A combination of a plurality of clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 and a fence or trellis post (2) formed of a metal section that has a generally channel shape in cross-section with a pair of opposite flanges interconnected by a web of the channel and wherein the web of the channel and each flange is interconnected by arcuate corner sections (3) and the free edge of each flange is formed into an arcuate inwardly directed lip (5), and wherein further, each of the flanges has a flat section (4) between its arcuate section connecting it to the web and its associated arcuate inwardly directed lip with a series of spaced apertures (6) therethrough for cooperating with said clips for holding transverse wires (17, 36) relative to the post.
P0399PCT 2QQ6/02/Q6
9. A combination as claimed in claim 8 in which the clips are as claimed in claim 5 and a clip is, in use, arranged opposite another clip on an opposite side of the post so that a single composite cantilever wire support (35) operatively extends through two spaced clips and the entire cross-sectional dimension of the post to project outwards at each end and provide a pair of outwardly spaced support hooks (37) for two trellis wires on opposite sides of the post.
P0399PCT 2006/02/06
PCT/IB2006/000212 2005-02-09 2006-02-06 Clip for attaching a wire to a post or the like WO2006085182A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200501153 2005-02-09
ZA2005/01153 2005-02-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006085182A1 true WO2006085182A1 (en) 2006-08-17

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ID=36218603

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2006/000212 WO2006085182A1 (en) 2005-02-09 2006-02-06 Clip for attaching a wire to a post or the like

Country Status (2)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2006085182A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200707060B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2333201A1 (en) * 2009-12-07 2011-06-15 Dani Alu Device for provisional attachment of a safety net on a guardrail upright
EP3444486A1 (en) * 2017-08-14 2019-02-20 GAH Alberts GmbH & Co. KG Fixing unit for fence parts, in particular for fence gates
AU2017204440B2 (en) * 2009-05-25 2019-02-21 Nz Tube Mills Limited A Post Clip
WO2021003522A1 (en) * 2019-07-05 2021-01-14 Boyle Terrence Patrick A holder for retaining wire
WO2021042157A1 (en) * 2019-09-05 2021-03-11 Indefatigable Holdings Pty Ltd Mesh restraint

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1214749A (en) * 1916-05-06 1917-02-06 Anton Bruflat Wire-securing clip.
FR2516144A1 (en) * 1981-11-12 1983-05-13 Verpillat Andre Fence post for supporting length of wire - has staples held in post orifices by lugs to form wire retaining eyelets
US5547322A (en) * 1992-03-27 1996-08-20 Lilja; Lars Fastening member for fastening an object such as a net, a steel wire, cable or the like to a carrier such as a post
US6554232B1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2003-04-29 International Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C. Tube clip

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1214749A (en) * 1916-05-06 1917-02-06 Anton Bruflat Wire-securing clip.
FR2516144A1 (en) * 1981-11-12 1983-05-13 Verpillat Andre Fence post for supporting length of wire - has staples held in post orifices by lugs to form wire retaining eyelets
US5547322A (en) * 1992-03-27 1996-08-20 Lilja; Lars Fastening member for fastening an object such as a net, a steel wire, cable or the like to a carrier such as a post
US6554232B1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2003-04-29 International Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C. Tube clip

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2017204440B2 (en) * 2009-05-25 2019-02-21 Nz Tube Mills Limited A Post Clip
EP2333201A1 (en) * 2009-12-07 2011-06-15 Dani Alu Device for provisional attachment of a safety net on a guardrail upright
EP3444486A1 (en) * 2017-08-14 2019-02-20 GAH Alberts GmbH & Co. KG Fixing unit for fence parts, in particular for fence gates
WO2021003522A1 (en) * 2019-07-05 2021-01-14 Boyle Terrence Patrick A holder for retaining wire
WO2021042157A1 (en) * 2019-09-05 2021-03-11 Indefatigable Holdings Pty Ltd Mesh restraint
GB2602758A (en) * 2019-09-05 2022-07-13 Indefatigable Holdings Pty Ltd Mesh restraint
AU2020341253B2 (en) * 2019-09-05 2022-11-24 Indefatigable Holdings Pty Ltd Mesh restraint
GB2602758B (en) * 2019-09-05 2023-09-27 Indefatigable Holdings Pty Ltd Mesh restraint

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