ZA200908829B - Fencing device - Google Patents

Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION :

[0001] This invention relates to a fencing device which is suited for securing } a stay to a post particularly in an electric fencing arrangement. . [0002] An electric fence usually includes a plurality of conductive strands which are spanned between posts and which are supported at intermediate locations, between the posts, by suitable uprights. In many instances an Co electric fence is erected over, or attached to, existing structure such as a wall, a roof, a non-electric fence or the like.

[0003] In order for an electric fence to give effective coverage the: electric Sl conductors should span all vulnerable areas. What this means in practice is : that it is commonplace for an electric fence to change direction, for the Co conductors to be made higher or lower, for the conductors to negotiate a corner or the like. | Co

[0004] The conductors are relatively slender and hence do not have significant mass. They are however installed in a tensioned state to ensure ~~. that they function effectively and to minimize false alarm conditions. It is important therefore that the posts which provide the primary support function a : should be sturdy and properly braced. To achieve this objective use is often made of stays to stabilize the posts.

[0005] When a stay is engaged with a post a remote end of the stay must be BN anchored to appropriate support structure such as an existing wall, a roof or the like. The existing structure is not always optimally positioned relative to

P22205/sb the post and in order to make an effective installation it may be required to vary the position of the stay relative to the post without compromising the function of the stay. This type of adjustment is not always easily effected.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for securinga ~~ stay to a post which, at least to some extent, addresses the aforementioned Co adjustment problem. | Co :

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The invention provides a device for securing a stay to a post which includes a body with a tubular member which receives an end of the stay and Co an attachment member, projecting from the tubular member, which is flexible. ~~~

[0008] The tubular member, on an inner surface, may have at least one: oo formation which is frictionally engageable with the end of the stay. The oo formation may be of any appropriate kind but preferably is in the form of an elongate raised rib which extends in a longitudinal direction of the tubular . member. Co SE

[0009] The attachment member may have at least two opposing sections E oo which are inclined to each other at an acute angle. These two sections may form a substantially V-shaped portion. However in a variation of the invention the sections form a substantially U-shaped portion. oo

[0010] The attachment member, at an end which is remote from the tubular member, may have a terminal portion through which is formed a hole. The a.

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) terminal portion may project from the tubular member in. a longitudinal direction of the tubular member.

[0011] The invention also provides a device for securing a stay to a post which includes a body comprising an integrally formed tubular member and an © 5 attachment member, wherein the tubular member has a mouth, a tubular bore which extends in a longitudinal direction, and a blind end which opposes the mouth, and the attachment member projects from the blind end in a direction . which is away from the mouth and includes at least one flexible portion which is movable, at least to a limited extent, at least in the longitudinal direction, 3 and a terminal portion which has a fixing formation.

[0012] The flexible portion may be movable, at least to a limited extent, transversely relative to the longitudinal direction. : oe Co Co

[0013] The invention also provides a securing device which includes a ~~ moulded plastics body comprising a tubular member with a mouth,.a bore and a blind end, and an attachment member which projects from the blind end, oo away from the mouth, with a flexible portion and a terminal portion through which is formed a hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a device for securing a stay to a post in accordance with the invention, :

Figures 2 and 3 are side and plan views respectively of the device; : :

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Figure 4 is an end view of the device with an insert drawing showing a retention formation:

Figure 5 is a side view, in cross section, of the device; : Figure 6 illustrates the device shown, in use; and : ) Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 but illustrating a different device according to the invention. :

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT | -

[0015] Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a device 10 according to the invention for securing a stay to a post in an electric fence system. | oo . . oo

[0016] The device includes a body 12 which is integrally moulded from an appropriate electrically-insulating plastics material which is resistant to the effects of weather. The body has a tubular member 16 and an attachment | ER member 18. oo oo

[0017] The tubular member 16 has an open mouth 20, a tubular bore 22 Co which is aligned with a longitudinal axis 24 of the body, and a blind end 26 which opposes the mouth 20. The attachment member 18 projects from the blind end, generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis away from the . mouth. The attachment member has a zigzag shape and includes three sections 30A, 30B and 30C respectively. Adjacent pairs of the sections are’ inclined to each other at an acute angle and form a substantially V-shaped : portion. The attachment member terminates in a terminal portion 34 through _ which is formed a hole 36.

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[0018] Small raised ribs 28 extend in the longitudinal direction 24 on an inner surface of the tubular bore.

[0019] Figure 6 illustrates a vertically-extending post 40, erected at an oC appropriate location, which carries a number of insulators 42 of known design. oo

Electrical conductors 44 are engaged with the insulators and extend horizontally at intervals which are regularly spaced from each other in a : vertical direction. A stay 50 which is formed from a length of round bar is used to brace the post. A device 10A, of the kind shown in Figure 1, is : engaged with an upper end of the stay. Similarly, but optionally, a device 10B, Co identical to the device 10A, is engaged with a lower end of the stay. ~~ co

[0020] The cross-sectional dimension of the tubular bore is sized so that an end of the stay can be inserted into the bore with a tight fit. Frictional Co interengagement between the bore and the stay is enhanced by the inwardly protruding ribs 28 which are slightly deformed as the stay is pushed home: Co

The blind end 26 determines the extent to which the stay can be pushed: into Co the bore.

[0021] A fastener 54 such as a bolt is passed through the hole 36 and ~~ engaged with a corresponding hole (not shown) in the post which is in register Co with the hole 36.

[0022] At the lower end of the stay the device 10B is engaged with the stay CL in a manner similar to what has been described. The terminal portion of the device 10B is fixed to suitable support structure 56.

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[0023] The shape and dimensions of the attachment member 18 allow the various sections of the attachment member to be moved relative to one another at least to a limited extent. This type of movement, which is indicated : by means of arrows 60 in Figures 2 and 5, allows the orientation of the stay relative to the post to be adjusted to some extent. Each of the devices 10A and 10B exhibits a similar capability for adjustment. In practice it has been : found that this feature facilitates the erection of the post and the provision of So suitable bracing for the post. :

[0024] Figure 7 is similar to Figure 5 and illustrates a modified device 10X which has a tubular member 16X and an attachment member 18X. Features of the device 10X which are the same as features of the device 10 are not g described. An essential difference is that the V-shaped formations in the attachment member 18 are replaced by U-shaped formations 64 in the device oo 10X. These formations also provide a fair degree of flexibility and hence allow | oo for limited adjustment of the orientation of the stay relatively to the post. oo

Claims (11)

. HIN Page 8 Sa ° Co CLAIMS

1. A device for securing a stay to a post which includes a body with a tubular member which receives an end of the stay and an attachment member, : projecting from the tubular member, which is flexible.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the tubular member, on an inner surface, has at least one formation which is. frictionally engageable with oo the end of the stay.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the formation is an elongate raised . rib which extends in a longitudinal direction of the tubular member. oo

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the attachment member has at least two opposing sections which are inclined to each ~~ other at an acute angle.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the attachment = ~~ member has sections which form a substantially V-shaped, or U-shaped, k Lo EX portion.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the attachment member, at an end which is remote from the tubular member, has a terminal portion through which is formed a hole. -

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the terminal portion projects from : the tubular member in a longitudinal direction of the tubular member.

8. A device for securing a stay to a post which includes a body comprising an integrally formed tubular member, wherein the tubular member has a P22205/sb

: : mouth, a tubular bore which extends in a longitudinal direction, and a blind end which opposes the mouth, and the attachment member projects from the blind end in a direction which is away from the mouth and includes at Co . least one flexible portion which is movable, at least to a limited extent, at least in the longitudinal direction, and a terminal portion which has a fixing formation.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the flexible portion is movable, at least to a limited extent, transversely relative to the longitudinal direction.

10. A device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the terminal portion extends, in the longitudinal direction, from the flexible portion. :

11.A securing device which includes a moulded plastics body comprising a SE tubular member with a mouth, a bore and a blind end, and an attachment EE member which projects from the blind end, away from the mouth, with a E flexible portion and a terminal portion through which is formed a hole. Ce P22205/sb .

) mouth, a tubular bore which extends in a longitudinal direction, and a blind end which opposes the mouth, and the attachment member projects from the blind end in a direction which is away from the mouth and includes at . least one flexible portion which is movable, at least to a limited extent, at least in the longitudinal direction, and a terminal portion which has a fixing formation.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the flexible portion is movable, at least to a limited extent, transversely relative to the longitudinal direction.

10. A device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the terminal portion extends, in the longitudinal direction, from the flexible portion.

11.A securing device which includes a moulded plastics body comprising a tubuiar member with a mouth, a bore and a blind end, and an attachment member which projects from the blind end, away from the mouth, with a flexible portion and a terminal portion through which is formed a hole. DATED this 11" day of DECEMBER 2009 —¥ RADEMEYER & FREIMOND Patent Agent for the Applicant P22205/sb