NZ519409A - Plastic electric fence standard with multiple longitudinal flanges and transverse ground engaging flange - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence post for supporting the multiple conductors of an electric fence includes an upper wire support part 1a with four or more flanges 2, 2a, 3, 3a coextending along the exterior of the post, and a lower tapered spike 1b to be inserted in the ground. The flanges have apertures or slots for supporting the wires strung between the posts. A transverse flange 5 projects around the post between the upper portion and the tapered portion. The post can be made of a high-density polyethylene.

Description

Patents Form # 5 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 4 JUN 2003 RECEIVED NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL # 519409 DATED : 7 June 2002 TITLE : Wire or Cable support We, ENZED ENTERPRISES LIMITED Address: 12 Peterkin St, Wingate, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Nationality: , A New Zealand company do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PF05.JWP FEE CODE 1050 Improved Wire or Cable Support Field of Invention This invention relates to wire or cable support for supporting wire or cable, preferably a plurality of strand wires or cables in spaced apart relationship e.g. as in strand wire fencing system.

Background of Invention Generally, there are many types of wire or cable supports already in the public domain. The traditional type in New Zealand is the seven wire fence with spaced apart wooden posts having wooden battens therebetween. However, this type of fencing is very labour intensive, expensive to erect and maintain, permanent and difficult to dismantle.

In recent times there has been the tendency to have fencing that is not so labour intensive, inexpensive, temporary and is easy to dismantle. This has come about because of the use of electric fencing, the needs of hobby farmers and better pasture management techniques. This type of fencing uses portable fencing supports known as standards. These come in varying types and of varying material. One common type of standard is that commonly known as the 'Warratah".

The 'Warratah' is a metal standard with holes for supporting wire. However, the 'Warrath' has its disadvantages in that it is metal, thus separate insulators are required to be used for an electric fence. Also metal standards are cumbersome and heavy when carrying a number of them.

NZ Patent 57312 relates to a steel fence post comprising a web member and two flange members, disposed, approximately equiangularly. This fence post has a tapered end and circular holes for passing strands of wire through. However, this steel post is electrically conductive, and cumbersome to carry. Also the wire is inserted through circular holes, thus it is not easy to dismantle a fence that is made using these types of posts.

INTELLECTUAL Ff'.Oi cRYY Of- CF N.Z. \ e " sl52cs.030603.doc RECEIVED NZ 106973 relates to a triangular post for wire netting fences having upward sloping slots. However, the depth the post extends into the ground is not limited.

NZ 140252 relates to a fencing standard having angular flanges with angled slots on each flange wherein the slots on one flange are of a different gauge of wire to the slots on the other flange. Also the standard has holes for securing to it a wire and a foot plate. However, there is no depth limitation and the slots are of different sizes to fit differing gauges of wire.

The disadvantages surrounding known fencing standards are that they are generally not lightweight, not easily portable, and some are electrically conductible. Nor do the known standards allow for semi permanent/temporary fencing that is easily erected, easily dismountable and easily relocatable. None of the prior art limit the depth the stake extends into the ground.

Objects of Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a wire or cable support that is easily erected, easily dismountable and easily relocatable.

Another object of the invention is to provide wire or cable support that is lightweight, portable and electrically non-conductible.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a depth limitation by which the standard extends into the ground.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a wire or cable support having the characteristics at least equivalent with, and preferably superior to known standards, but is relatively cheap to produce in quantities and which can be driven into the ground without damaging the top of the standard.

It is another further object of the invention to provide the public with a useful choice. sl52cs.030603.doc 2 5194s Statement of the Invention In one aspect the invention provides a wire or cable support for maintaining a plurality of wires or cables in a spaced apart relationship comprising an elongate member having an upper portion and a tapered lower portion, wherein the elongate member has four or more webs co-extending along the exterior of the elongate member and provided with wire or cable engaging means in at least one of the webs and the elongate member has a projecting flange intermediate the tapered lower portion and the upper portion.

Preferably, the elongate member has four webs and wherein the four webs, in cross-section, are preferably cross-shaped.

Preferably the upper portion, the lower portion and the projecting flange are integral.

Preferably, the elongate member can be formed from a lightweight material, preferably rigid, such as strong weather resistant and ultra violet stabilised plastics material.

Preferably the plastics material is a high strength high density polyethylene or other suitable plastics material.

Preferably the elongate member can be made from any lightweight material.

Preferably the elongate member is injection moulded.

Preferably the projecting flange is annular such as an annular collar.

Preferably the projecting flange extends substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Preferably the projecting flange is arranged to engage the grounds upper surface to limit penetration, to provide added stability and to allow the support assembly to be driven into the ground. sl52cs.030603.doc 3 Preferably, the projecting flange assists and aids the erecting and placement of the elongate member into the ground.

Preferably the wire or cable engaging means are slots, preferably transverse slots, and are preferably located longitudinally in an angled spaced apart relationship and are preferably located on at least one of the webs.

Preferably the slots are adapted to be tapered, so as to provide a snug fit, but still allow for the wire or cable placed therein to be easily withdrawn.

Preferably the slots are sloped upward or downward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Preferably the slots are located longitudinally in a spaced apart relationship on two of the webs, preferably the two webs in the same longitudinal plane.

Preferably the slots are adapted to releasably retain wire or cable therein.

Preferably the webs of the upper portion of the elongate members provide stability and rigidity to the elongate member to preventing unnecessary bending or flexing.

Preferably two of webs that extending in the same diametrical plane have the wire engaging means and preferably the other webs are adapted to provide stability and rigidity to the elongate member.

Preferably all or some of the webs, preferably those having wire engaging means, are adapted and arranged to receive a corresponding shaped locking member so that in use the locking member assists in retaining wire or cable in the wire engaging means to prevent unwarranted removal of the wire or cable.

Preferably the locking member slidingly fits onto a web.

Preferably the locking member clips on to a web, preferably in a snap fit action. sl52cs.030603.doc 4 In a second aspect the invention provide a wire or cable support assembly consisting of a plurality of the wire or cable supports as described in the first aspect and an applicator, wherein the applicator is arranged and adapted to strike only an upper part of the projecting flange on the elongate member when the support member is being inserted into the ground.

Preferably the applicator is a hollow tubular member having dimensions so as to be placed over and enclose the upper portion of the elongate member, whereby the internal upper portion of the hollow tubular member does not come into contact with the top of the elongate member and a lower portion of the applicator contacts the upper part of the projecting flange so that in use the applicator is moved up and down so that during the downward stroke, the applicator only contacts the upper part of the projecting flange, thus driving wire or cable the support assembly into the ground.

Other aspects of the invention are described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figures 1 to 3 illustrates an elongate member without the wire engaging slots shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the elongate member of figures 1 to 3 with the wire engaging slots shown.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate an elongate member in accordance to a second embodiment of invention.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an elongate member in accordance to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 illustrates examples of differing wire engaging slots to be used with accordance of the invention.

Figure 12 illustrates a method of erecting an elongate member in accordance to the invention.

Figure 13 illustrates a fence using the elongate members in accordance to the invention. sl52cs.030603.doc Figure 14 illustrates a further five embodiments showing the different configuration types for the webs of the upper portion of the elongate members in accordance to the invention.

Description of Invention Referring firstly to figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, whilst the elongate member 1 can be formed of any lightweight material, it is preferably formed from a strong rigid weather resistant and ultra violet stabilised plastics material (eg a high strength, high density polyethylene or suitable plastics material) so as to be durable, weather resistant and light in weight (facilitating handling and carrying large bundles of the elongate member).

In the 'fence standard' form, the elongate member 1 has a length A.O + B.O (Figs 5) sufficient to span the number of wires required and to be self supporting when inserted into the ground. The number of wire engaging means 9, 10,11,12 are provided at such spaced apart intervals along the length of a web or webs of the upper portion of the elongate member. Preferably there are at least seven wire engaging means (however only five are shown in Figs. 4, 5 & 13) that are spaced apart at intervals corresponding to the spacing for a traditional seven wire fence. However, there may be more or less wire engaging means 9,10,11,12 depending on the desired fencing or barrier use.

It is envisaged that the elongate member 1 is injection moulded and that preferably the wire engaging means 9,10,11,12 are formed during the injection moulded process. However the elongate member may be injection moulded without wire engaging means 9,10,11,12 and a suitable heated cutter or former forms the wire engaging means later, perhaps to the dimensions as specified by a purchaser.

The elongate member 1 shown in figures 1 to 3 is a form of the invention without the wire engaging means shown and has an upper portion la and a lower portion lb. The lower portion lb has a tapering portion 8 tapering to a point 7 to assist the elongate member 1 being inserted into the ground. sl52cs.030603.doc 6 The upper and lower portions la, lb are delimited from each other by a projecting flange 5, preferably an annular collar. The projecting flange 5 extends substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

The elongate portion 1 consists of four webs 2,2a, 3, 3a that extend from the top of the upper portion la right down to the tapered portion 8 of the lower portion lb. Each web has a core section 4 that extends outward from the centre of the elongate member.

Briefly turning to figure 5, the lower portion lb is of sufficient length B.O to provide stability and support when the elongate member 1 is erected. The projecting flanges 5 lower surface acts as a depth limiter, thus the position of the projecting flange on the elongate member 1 determines the depth the elongate member 1 extends into the ground. It is envisaged that elongate members could be produced having the projecting flange 5 positioned so that the length of the lower portion lb is shorter for hard ground surface applications and/or could be produced having the projecting flange 5 positioned so that the length of the lower portion lb is longer for soft ground surface applications. It is preferred that three types of elongate members may be produced, one with a long lower portion lb for soft ground applications, another with a medium length lower portion lb for medium ground application and a short lower portion lb for hard ground application.

Referring now to figures 4, 5 and 11 where the wire or cable engaging means 9, 10, 11,12,25 to 30 are shown. The wire or cable engaging means are preferably slots and are positioned on at least one of the webs 2 of the upper portion la. However, the slots could be on all of the webs of the upper portion la depending upon the desired application, for example (not shown) by having slots in two adjacent webs could allow an elongate member to be used to support two fences running at approximately 90° to one another.

Turning to figure 4, the upper portion of the elongate member is shown having slots 9 and 10 in webs 2 and 2a. The slots 9 and 10 are directly opposite each other, however sl52cs.030603.doc 7 as shown in figure 5, the slots 11 in one web maybe offset with respect to the slots 12 in the other web.

The slots 9 and 10 of figure 4 and slots 11 and 12 of figure 5 are tapered and extend upwards with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member when upright. Equally, the slots could also extend downward (not shown) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member when upright. The tapered slots 9,10,11 and 12 are adapted so that toward tapering end of the slot, the width is slightly less than that of the wire or cable to retain the wire or cable in a snug fit, but still allow the wire or cable to be easily withdrawn therefrom. Elongate members with the slot arrangement as shown in figure 4 or 5 could be used in the viticulture industry as part of an espalier system whereby vine is trained to grow between and supported on the spaced apart wire or cable retained in slots in both webs.

Other slot arrangements are shown in figure 11. The tapered 25 and non tapered 29 slots extend transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. Also shown are tapered 27 and non tapered 30 slots that extend upwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of elongate member when upright. Slots 25, 27,29, 30 are of sufficient width so as to accommodate a wire or cable in a snug fit therein, but still allow for the wire or cable to be easily withdrawn from the slot.

Figure 11 also shows T-shaped slots 26 and 28. The slots 26 and 28 have wire receiving portions 26(a) and 28(a) and a wire holding portions 26(b) and 28(b). The wire receiving portion 26(a) of slot 26 extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The wire receiving portion 28(a) of slot 28 extends upwardly with respect to longitudinal axis of the elongate member when upright. The wire holding portions 26(b) and 28(b) are open to the respective wire receiving portions 26(a) and 28(a) and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The wire holding portions 26(b) and 28(b) releasably retain a wire or cable therein. The slots 26 and 28 may be of sufficient width to accommodate a wire in a snug fit therein, but still allow for easy withdrawal therefrom.

Other embodiments of the invention are shown in figures 6 to 10. sl52cs.030603.doc 8 51 Figures 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the invention with an elongate member 19 with projecting flange 16 and the upper portion of the elongate member has five webs 14, 15. The web portions 15 are shown with slots 15a for receiving therein wire or cable. The lower portion 17 of the elongate member 19 has corresponding webs tapering to a point 18.

Figures 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the invention where the elongate member 20 has an upper portion with six webs 24, some of which have slots 21 for receiving therein wire or cable.

Turning now to figure 12 where there is shown an elongate member 1 and a rammer 31 for inserting the elongate member 1 into the ground. The rammer 31 has handles 32 to be griped by a user. In use an elongate member 1 is initially pushed into the ground by hand and then the rammer is positioned to enclose the upper portion of the elongate member 1 and the mouth of the rammer 31 rests on the projecting flange 5.

The user grips the handles 32 and moves the rammer 31 up and down. The rammer 31 is dimensioned so that only the mouth of the rammer comes into contact with projecting flange 5 during the downward stroke of the rammer. The top of the rammer does not come into contact with the top of the elongate member 1.

Turning to figure 13, an erected five wire fence utilising the elongate members 1 the invention is shown. The fence is erected using the rammer of figure 11 or something similar. The elongate members 1 are preferably spaced apart at the traditional spacing for the traditional fence consisting of wooden fence posts. The wires 34 are inserted into respective slots of each erected elongate member 1.

Battens 35 are then attached to the fence. Preferably the battens used are of the battens disclosed in the applicant's earlier NZ Patents 214153 and 260861. The projecting flange 5 may be formed with a hole (not shown) so that when a foot is required the footcould be fastened to the hole in the projecting flange 5.

Figure 14 illustrates different configuration types for the webs of the upper portion of the elongate members 41, 42, 43, 44 & 45. The webs of the elongate members 41, 42, s 152cs.03 0603 .doc 9 43,44 & 45 are not only for accommodating the wire engaging means (not shown), but they also provide stability and rigidity to the elongate member, thus preventing unnecessary bending and flexing. The webs maybe flanged (41,43) or unflanged (42, 44, 45). Those that are flanged may have any cross-sectional shape, however circular or T-shaped cross-sectional shapes are most preferred. The web structure of the webs for the elongate member 43 is shown in more detail in figure 2. The particular web structure has two webs 3, 3a (fig 2) extend in the same diametrical plane and has two other webs 2, 2a (fig 2) with circular shaped ends, in cross-section, and that extending in the same diametrical plane at substantially right angle to the plane of the webs 3, 3a. Preferably webs 2, 2a have the wire engaging means and webs 3, 3a are adapted to provide the stability and rigidity to the elongate member. The circular shaped ends are adapted and arranged so that a corresponding shaped locking member (not shown) may be fitted, either in a sliding arrangement or a clip arrangement (i.e. snap fit) so as to assist in retaining wire or cable in the wire engaging means, thus preventing unwarranted removal of the wire or cable from the engaging means when the elongate member is in use. Elongate member 41 (fig 14) illustrates a variation on the webs of elongate member 43 (fig 14). The elongate member 41 has T-shaped, in cross-section, webs i.e. with a square/rectangular flanged ends that extend at right angles with respect to the core part of each web. The T-shaped webs are adapted and arranged so that a corresponding shaped locking member (not shown) may be fitted, either in a sliding arrangement or a clip arrangement (i.e. snap fit) so as to assist in retaining wire or cable in the wire engaging means, thus preventing unwarranted removal of the wire or cable from the engaging mean when the elongate member is in use. The insert member 7 disclosed in the applicants earlier NZ Patent 260861 or the clip 3 disclosed in the applicants earlier NZ Patent 239872 could easily be adapted and used as the sliding or clip arrangement discussed above.

The present invention provides a wire or cable support for maintaining a plurality of wires or cables which is lightweight, portable, dual purpose for use in electric or nonelectric fencing, easily erected and dismountable.

It envisaged that the invention is to be used not solely for agriculture purposes, but in any other purpose where there is a need to fence or to provide a barrier, for example for horticulture purposes or by gardeners to provide support for their crops or as part sl52cs.030603.doc of a wind break assembly or shade cloth assembly to protect crops from the elements. Or the invention could be used at entertainment events for crowd control or defining a path or walkway. Also envisaged is for the invention to be used as a means of dividing specific areas into manageable lots such as car parking in a field.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components known equivalents, then such equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Throughout the description of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and therefore that numerous variations and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims. sl52cs.030603.doc 11

Claims (29)

Claims:
1. Claim 1: A wire or cable support for maintaining a plurality of wires or cables in a spaced apart relationship, wherein said support comprises an elongate member having an upper portion and a tapered lower portion, wherein the elongate member has four or more webs webs co-extending along the exterior of the elongate member and provided with wire or cable engaging means in at least one of the webs and the elongate member has a projecting flange intermediate the tapered lower portion and the upper portion.
2. Claim 2: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member has four webs and the four webs, in cross-section, are cross-shaped.
3. Claim 3: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the upper portion, the lower portion and the projecting flange are integrally moulded.
4. Claim 4: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member can be formed from a lightweight material.
5. Claim 5: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lightweight material is rigid.
6. Claim 6: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the lightweight material is weather resistant.
7. Claim 7: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claim 4 to 6, wherein the lightweight material is made from ultra violet stabilised plastics material.
8. Claim 8: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plastics material is a high strength high density polyethylene or other suitable plastics material. sl52cs.030603.doc 12 !i 51<
9. Claim 9: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member can be injection moulded.
10. Claim 10: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projecting flange is annular such as an annular collar.
11. Claim 11: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projecting flange extends substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
12. Claim 12: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the projecting flange is adapted to engage the grounds upper surface to limit penetration, to provide added stability and to allow said support to be driven into the ground.
13. Claim 13: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wire or cable engaging means are slots.
14. Claim 14: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slots are transverse slots.
15. Claim 15: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the slots are located longitudinally in an angled spaced apart relationship and are located on at least one of the webs.
16. Claim 16: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the slots are tapered, so as to provide a snug fit, but still allow for the wire or cable placed therein to be easily withdrawn.
17. Claim 17: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the slots are sloped upward or downward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. sl52cs.030603.doc 13 51
18. Claim 18: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the slots are located longitudinally in a spaced apart relationship on two of the webs.
19. Claim 19: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of claims 13 and 18, wherein the slots are adapted to releasably retain wire or cable therein.
20. Claim 20: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webs of the upper portion of the elongate members are adapted to provide stability and rigidity to the elongate member so as to prevent unnecessary bending or flexing.
21. Claim 21: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein two of webs that extending in the same diametrical plane have the wire engaging means and the other webs are adapted to provide stability and rigidity to the elongate member.
22. Claim 22: The wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein all the webs having wire engaging means, are adapted and arranged to receive a corresponding shaped locking member so that in use the locking member assists in retaining wire or cable in the wire engaging means to prevent unwarranted removal of the wire or cable.
23. Claim 23: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 22, wherein each locking member slidingly fits onto a web.
24. Claim 24: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 22, wherein each locking member clips on to a web, preferably in a snap fit action.
25. Claim 25: A wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claim s in combination with an applicator, wherein the applicator is adapted to strike only an upper part of the projecting flange on the elongate member when the support member is being inserted into the ground. sl52cs.030603.doc 14 51
26. Claim 26: The wire or cable support as claimed in claim 25, wherein the applicator is a hollow tubular member having dimensions so as to be placed over and enclose the upper portion of the elongate member, whereby the internal upper portion of the hollow tubular member does not come into contact with the top of the elongate member and a lower portion of the applicator contacts the upper part of the projecting flange so that in use the applicator is moved up and down so that during the downward stroke, the applicator only contacts the upper part of the projecting flange, thus driving wire or cable the support assembly into the ground.
27. Claim 27: A wire or cable support as substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.
28. Claim 28: A wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with an applicator as substantially as herein before described with reference to figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.
29. Claim 29: A fence assembled with the wire or cable support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims as herein before described with reference to figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying drawings. Attorney for Applicant s 152cs.030603 .doc 15