ZA200908370B - Mounting means for wires of an electrified fence - Google Patents

Description

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I I Il I - ®2009/043,,

TITLE OF INVENTION: MOUNTING MEANS FOR WIRES OF AN ELECTRIFIED

FENCE

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a mounting means for wires of an electrified fence. More particularly, this invention relates to a mounting means for wires in an electrified fence such as an electrified fence having a dual or a multiple wire arrangement or an electrified fence having a single wire arrangement which is capable of being upgraded to at least a dual wire arrangement.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It has been recognized for many years that electrified fences provide an effective measure for discouraging or preventing unsolicited entry to a property. it should be noted that electrified fences can also be used for farming activities like controlling the area of movement of livestock.

Usually, electrified fences are installed as a wire fence around a perimeter or over an : area which is to be protected or covered. Typically this type of protection is mounted as a plurality of electrified wires.

It is quite common to arrange the electrified wires such that they cover the top part of a border boundary fence like a wall, palisade, fence or the like. Most electrified fences are arranged by means of a support structure that is attached to the top part of the boundary fence and is extending above the cusp of the boundary fence so as prevent climbing over it. The support structures can be a plurality of metal posts which are attached to the boundary fence.

The plurality of metal posts is aligned in a vertical direction, protrudes over the cusp of the boundary fence and is spaced apart in a horizontal direction. In order to facilitate spanning of wires, stand-off insulators are attached to the plurality of metal posts. The stand-off insulators can provide an eyelet for inserting the wires. Furthermore, the stand-off insulators can provide an electrical insulation between the respective metal post and the wire.

The inventor is aware of prior art mounting means being provided as a clip which can be attached to the support structures. Usually, these clips are fabricated as plastic pieces having two brackets on one end which are capable of engaging into the support structures. Furthermore, the other end of the clip is utilizing an eyelet for holding a wire.

Often these clips are, however, susceptible to movement in a direction which is transverse to the direction in which the wire is spanned. In addition, the prior art clip cannot be subjected to large forces, as this can cause the clip to become disconnected from the support structure. Accordingly, tensioning of the wire fence can become problematic, unless particularly robust components are employed or additional mounting means are provided. A suitable wire fence can therefore be expensive and difficult to maintain.

Furthermore, it is often desirable to modify the layout of a wire fence by adding additional wires or adding a second layer of wires so as to form a so-called dual fence.

By attaching a further set of wires, capabilities of a fence to protect a premise from unwanted entry can be enhanced. However, adding additional wires can be cumbersome. For example, this requires attaching additional prior art mounting means being provided as a clip, as described above. When operating the fence over an extended period of time, their lack of withstanding large forces can lead to reliability problems during operation of the fence which even result in shorts or false alarms.

Accordingly, maintenance of these prior art fences might be time consuming or cost expensive.

What is ideally required is a mounting means which not only offers an easier installation of an electrified fence, but also one which more reliable to operate. Furthermore, a mounting means is required which offers low maintenance.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting means, preferably a mounting means for an electrified fence having a dual or multiple wire arrangement or an electrified fence having a single wire arrangement which is capable of being upgraded to at least a dual wire arrangement, which overcomes, at least partly, the disadvantages associated with existing prior art mounting means. :

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mounting means which is both novel and involves an inventive step.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting means for wires of an electrified fence which includes a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, and at least one attaching member, the attaching member comprising second engagement means for engaging onto the first engagement means of the base member and a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

The attaching member may be capable of being clipped onto the base member with the first wire being installed. The attaching member may be formed as a clip having a centrepiece with the second eyelet and a plurality of stubs with the second engagement means.

The plurality of stubs may form a bracket capable of engaging into the base member.

The two stubs may be located on one side of the bracket and two stubs are located on the opposite side of the bracket. The two stubs on each side of the bracket may be located such that clearance is provided in-between in order to allow the attaching member of being clipped onto the base member with the first wire being installed.

The second engagement means may be formed as a protrusion capable of enclosing the first engagement means.

The first engagement means may be formed as an undercut. The first engagement means may be arranged as two longitudinal bars being arranged substantially in parallel on opposite sides of the base member. :

The two longitudinal bars may be arranged substantially in direction perpendicular to a spanning direction of a wire. The two longitudinal bars may be arranged at such a distance that the rigidity of the attaching member is low enough to allow being clipped onto the base member.

The base member may be formed from a non-conductive material. The non-conductive material may be plastic.

The attachment member may be formed from a non-conductive material. The non- conductive material may be plastic.

The base member may be provided with fastening means, the fastening means being capable of allowing the base member to be mounted to a perimeter to be protected.

The fastening means may comprise a drilled hole.

The base member may be provided as a hollow structure, the hollow structure being formed along the longitudinal axis.

The hollow structure may be formed so as to allow the engagement of a support member for increasing the rigidity of the base member.

The support member may be provided as a pole, a profile, a bar or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrified fence arrangement which includes mounting means for wires having a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, and at least one attaching member, the attaching member comprising second engagement means for engaging onto the first engagement means of the base member and a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a attaching member in a mounting means for wires of an electrified fence the mounting means having a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, wherein the attaching member comprises second engagement means for engaging onto the first engagement means of the base member and a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting means for wires of an electrified fence which includes a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, and at least one attaching member, the attaching member comprising a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire,

wherein the attaching member is formed as an integral part of the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the following drawing in which:

Figure 1 | schematically shows a mounting means according to an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view;

Figure 2 schematically shows the mounting means according to the embodiment of

Figure 1 in a further side view;

Figure 3 schematically shows the mounting means according to the embodiment of

Figure 1 in a further side view;

Figure 4 schematically shows an attachment member according to an embodiment of the present invention in a side view;

Figure 5 schematically shows the attachment member according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 in a further side view;

Figure 6 schematically shows the attachment member according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 in a further side view;

Figure 7 schematically shows the attachment member according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 in a cross-sectional side view;

Figure 8 schematically shows the attachment member according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 in a further side view;

Figure 9 schematically shows the attachment member according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 in a further side view;

Figure 10 schematically shows a mounting means according to an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view;

Figure 11 schematically shows the mounting means according to the embodiment of

Figure 10 in a further side view;

Figure 12 schematically shows the mounting means according to the embodiment of

Figure 10 in a further side view;

Figure 13 schematically shows a base member according to an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view;

Figure 14 schematically shows the base member according to the embodiment of

Figure 13 in a further side view; and

Figure 15 schematically shows the base member according to the embodiment of

Figure 14 in a further side view.

Referring now to the drawings in particular the invention embodied therein comprises a mounting means generally designated with reference numeral 5. In the drawing like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise indicated

Making now reference to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the mounting means 5 is shown. Figure 1 schematically shows the mounting means 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view.

The mounting means 5 includes a base member 10. The base member 10 is provided as an elongated plastic profile, which can be fabricated using an extrusion process and then cut to the desired length. For example, the base member 10 can have a length between 1 m and 3 m, however, other sizes are not excluded.

On the base member 10 at least one attachment member 12 can be arranged. As depicted in Figure 1, there are four attachment members 12 shown for illustration purpose. The number of attachment members 12 being attached to the base member can be chosen so as to match the desired functionality. Consequently, the number of attachment members 12 can vary over a wide range depending on the application.

As depicted in Figure 1, the base member 10 is being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means 14. The attaching member 12 comprises a second engagement means 16 for engaging onto the first engagement means 14 of the base . member 10. Accordingly, the attaching member 12 is capable of being clipped onto the base member 10.

The base member 10 and the attachment member 12 are formed from a non-conductive material. Preferably, the non-conductive material is chosen to be plastic; however other materials can be employed as well.

It should be noted that in a slightly different embodiment of the present invention, the base member 10 and the attachment member 12 can be formed as an integral part as well.

Making now reference to Figure 2, a further side view of the mountings means 5 of the embodiment of Figure 1 is shown. In Figure 2, the mounting means 5 is shown from the side which will be attached to the perimeter of premises to be protected. In other words, the view of Figure 2 is facing a wall or the like.

As depicted in Figure 2, the base member 10 of the mounting means 5 is provided with fastening means 22. The fastening means 22 are capable of allowing the base member 10 to be mounted to a perimeter to be protected. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the

} fastening means 22 comprises a drilled hole, which can be used together with a screw or the like in order to fasten the base member 10. It should be noted that several means for fastening are known to the person skilled in the art. Accordingly, the fastening means 22 depicted in the embodiment of Figure 2 is merely illustrative and other concepts, including bolts, nails or the like can be employed as well.

Making now reference to Figure 3, attaching wires to either the base member 10 or the attaching member 12 is outlined in more detail.

In order to attach a wire to the base member 10, at least one first eyelet 18 is provided.

The first eyelet is capable of receiving a respective first wire 30. In order to attach a further wire to the attaching member 12, the attaching member 12 is provided with a second eyelet 20. The second eyelet 20 is capable of receiving-a second wire 32.

It should be noted that the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3 is merely illustrative and the remaining first eyelets 18 on the base member 10 and the second eyelets 20 of the other attaching members 12 can be equipped with wires as well. This allows to establish an electrified fence having a first layer of wires including first wire 30 being attached to the base member 10 and furthermore a second layer of wires including second wire 32 being attached to the attaching member 12.

It is important to note that the attaching member 12 is provided with the second engagement means 16 for engaging onto the first engagement means 14 of the base member 10 such that no obstructing the first eyelet 18 of the base member 10 occurs. )

This is in particular useful as the attaching member 12 can be added to an electrified fence after the first layer of wires including first wire 30 being attached to the base member 10 has been established.

In other words, the attaching member 12 can be clipped on the base member 10 and thus allows an optional upgrade of the electrified fence. As the attaching member 12 is capable of being clipped onto the base member 10 with the first wire being already installed, no time consuming or expensive remounting of the first layer has to be performed. It should also be noted that the first wire 30 can serve as a support for mounting the attaching member 12, as the second engagement means 16 partially embraces the first wire 30.

Furthermore, the attaching member 12 can be provided with different length.

Accordingly, when being clipped on the base member 10, an optional upgrade of the electrified fence can result in forming a third layer of wires. generally, the attaching member can thus form multiple layers of wires of an electrified fence.

Making now reference to Figure 4, construction of the attaching member 12 is outlined in more detail. Figure 4 schematically shows an attachment member 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view.

As depicted in Figure 4, the attaching member 12 is formed as a clip having a centrepiece 40 with the second eyelet 20 and a plurality of stubs 42, 42’, 44, 44’ forming : the second engagement means 16. The stubs 42, 42’, 44 and 44’ form a bracket capable of engaging into the base member 10. Two stubs 42, 42’ are located on one side of the bracket and two stubs 44, 44’ are located on the opposite side of the bracket.

Making now reference to Figure 5, construction of the attaching member 12 is further outlined. Figure 5 schematically shows the attachment member 12 of Figure 4 when viewed from the centrepiece 40 with the second eyelet 20, i.e. from a side opposite of the plurality of stubs 42, 42’, 44, 44’ forming the second engagement means 16.

As depicted in Figure 5, the two stubs 42, 42’ and 44, 44’ on each side of the bracket are located such that clearance 46 is provided in-between the two stubs 42, 42’ and 44, 44’ in order to allow the attaching member 12 of being clipped onto the base member 10 with the first wire 30 being installed.

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In another embodiment and/or implementation, the attaching member 12 clip can hold one wire through eyelet 20, without another wire between the stubs. It is therefore possible to move the attaching member 12 which can be fixed with a pin, if required. It should be noted that although the drawings show the clip when positioned opposite another wire, the wires can also be spaced in between i.e. in the following sequence: the attaching member 12 with one wire, then wire through profile without the attaching member 12, and again the attaching member 12 with one wire etc.

Making now reference to Figure 6, the attaching member 12 of Figure 4 is schematically shown when viewed from underneath the plurality of stubs 42, 42’, 44, 44’,

Making now reference to Figures 7 to 9, construction of the attaching member 12 is further outlined.

Figure 7 schematically shows the attachment member 12 of Figure 4 when viewed as a cross-sectional view through the plane perpendicular to the line A-A’ as depicted in

Figure 6.

In Figure 8, the attaching member 12 of Figure 4 is schematically shown when viewed from the side.

In Figure 9, the attaching member 12 of Figure 4 is schematically shown when viewed from top, i.e. opposite the plurality of stubs 42, 42°, 44, 44’.

As depicted in Figure 7, the second engagement means 16 is formed as a protrusion capable of enclosing the first engagement means 14. This can be achieved by providing the plurality of stubs 42, 42°, 44, 44’ forming the second engagement means 16 as hooks which extend inwardly to the location of the first engagement means 14.

Making now reference to Figures 10 to 12, engaging between the first engagement means 14 of the base member 10 and the second engagement means 16 the attaching member 12 is described in more detail.

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the base member 10.

In Figure 11, the base member 10 of Figure 10 is schematically shown when viewed from a front side facing a wall on which the base member 10 can be mounted.

In Figure 12, the base member 10 of Figure 10 is schematically shown when viewed from a side perpendicular to the view of Figure 11.

The first engagement means 14 is arranged as two longitudinal bars 50, 52 being arranged substantially in parallel on opposite sides of the base member 10. The two longitudinal bars 50, 52 are arranged substantially in direction perpendicular to a spanning direction of a wire. The two longitudinal bars 50, 52 are arranged at such a distance that the rigidity of the attaching member 12 is low enough to allow being clipped onto the base member 10. As can be seen from Figure 10, the first engagement means 14 is formed as an undercut.

As further depicted in Figure 10, the base member 10 is provided as a hollow structure.

The hollow structure is formed along the longitudinal axis and allows the engagement of a support member (not explicitly shown in Figure 10) for increasing the rigidity of the base member 10. The support member can be provided as a pole, a profile, a bar or the like.

Making now reference to Figures 13 to 15, mounting of the mounting means 5 to a wall 60 is described in more detail.

Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the mounting means 5.

In Figure 13, the mounting means 5 is schematically shown when viewed from a front side facing the wall 60 on which the base member 10 can be mounted.

In Figure 14, the mounting means 5 of Figure 13 is schematically shown when viewed from a side perpendicular to the view of Figure 13.

As depicted in Figures 13 to 15, the mounting means 5 can be used in an electrified fence arrangement for wires 30 and/or 32.

Using the mounting means 5 enables arranging the electrified wires 30 and/or 32 such that they cover the top part of the wall. Furthermore, the electrified wires 30 and/or 32 can extend above the cusp of the wall 60 so as prevent climbing over it. The mounting means 5 can be arranged as a plurality of posts which are attached to the wall.

The attaching means 12 provide stability in a direction which is transverse to the direction in which the wire 32 is spanned. Accordingly, tensioning of the wire fence is readily achievable.

Furthermore, the layout of the wire fence can be modified by adding additional wires or adding a second layer of wires using the attaching means 12. By attaching a further set of wires, capabilities of a fence to protect a premise from unwanted entry can be enhanced.

It has been found by the inventor that the mounting means described above has various advantages over existing ones including better mounting characteristics, improved security and lower maintenance costs.

Although certain embodiments only of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence forming part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified.

This invention having been described in its preferred embodiment, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

Claims (27)

1. A mounting means for wires of an electrified fence which includes a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, and at least one attaching member, the attaching member comprising second engagement means for engaging onto the first engagement means of the base member and a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

2. The mounting means according to claim 1, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member with the first wire being installed.

3. The mounting means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attaching member is formed as a clip having a centrepiece with the second eyelet and a plurality of stubs with the second engagement means.

4. The mounting means according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of stubs form a bracket capable of engaging into the base member.

5. The mounting means according to claim 4, wherein two stubs are located on one side of the bracket and two stubs are located on the opposite side of the bracket.

6. The mounting means according to claim 5, wherein the two stubs on each side of the bracket are located such that clearance is provided in-between in order to allow the attaching member of being clipped onto the base member with the first wire being installed.

7. The mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second engagement means is formed as a protrusion capable of enclosing the first engagement means.

8. The mounting means according to claim 7, wherein the first engagement means is formed as an undercut.

9. The mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first engagement means is arranged as two longitudinal bars being arranged substantially in parallel on opposite sides of the base member.

10. The mounting means according to claim 9, wherein two longitudinal bars are arranged substantially in direction perpendicular to a spanning direction of a wire.

11. The mounting means according to claim 10, wherein two longitudinal bars are arranged at such a distance that the rigidity of the attaching member is low enough to allow being clipped onto the base member.

12. The mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the base member is formed from a non-conductive material.

13. The mounting means according to claim 12, wherein the non-conductive material is plastic.

14. The mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the attachment member is formed from a non-conductive material.

15. The mounting means according to claim 14, wherein the non-conductive material is plastic.

16. The mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the base member is provided with fastening means, the fastening means being capable of allowing the base member to be mounted to a perimeter to be protected.

17. The mounting means according to claim 16, wherein the fastening means comprises a drilled hole.

18. The mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the base member is provided as a hollow structure, the hollow structure being formed along the longitudinal axis.

19. The mounting means according to claim 18, wherein the hollow structure is formed so as to allow the engagement of a support member for increasing the rigidity of the base member.

20. The mounting means according to claim 19, wherein the support member is provided as a pole, a profile, a bar or the like.

21. An electrified fence arrangement which includes mounting means for wires having a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, and at least one attaching member, the attaching member comprising second engagement means for engaging onto the first engagement means of the base member and a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

22. Use of a attaching member in a mounting means for wires of an electrified fence the mounting means having a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile with first engagement means and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, wherein the attaching member comprises second engagement means for engaging onto the first engagement means of the base member and a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is capable of being clipped onto the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

23. A mounting means for wires of an electrified fence which includes a base member, the base member being formed as a longitudinal profile and comprising at least one first eyelet capable of receiving a respective first wire, and at least one attaching member, the attaching member comprising a second eyelet capable of receiving a second wire, wherein the attaching member is formed as an integral part of the base member without obstructing the first eyelet of the base member.

24. A new mounting means substantially as described herein.

25. A mounting means substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A new electrified fence arrangement substantially as described herein.

27. A electrified fence arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED AT PRETORIA THIS 26™ DAY OF NOVEMBER 20089. : g PEIJPER INC. APPLICANT'S ATTORNEYS