AU2006252139A1 - Fencing post and system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "FENCING POST AND SYSTEM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: \O 1

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a "FENCING POST AND SYSTEM" FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with an improved post for wire t 5 fences and a method for installation of wire fences.

n The invention is concerned particularly, although not

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exclusively, with adaptations to steel picket-type posts and a method of installation of a wire fence incorporating such posts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hot rolled steel posts having a generally Y-shaped crosssection are known as "star" pickets and are widely used in the erection of wire fences to form boundaries around paddocks and otherwise to limit the movement of animals. These pickets have fencing wire attachment apertures spaced along one of the three longitudinal flanges forming the Y-shaped cross-section.

Typically, a timber strainer post is partially buried in the ground with one or more inclined props extending in the intended direction of the fence. Steel star pickets are then driven into the ground at predetermined intervals along the desired fence line extending between opposed strainer posts. A number of fencing wires, including at least one barbed wire strand, are then strung out along the fence line at the base of the pickets prior to attachment to the strainer posts.

The fencing wires, typically with the barbed wire strand as the upper strand, are then tensioned by ratchet tensioners or the like between I2 Sthe strainer posts at predetermined vertical spacings of about 200mm 250mm corresponding to the attachment apertures in the pickets. The Sfencing wire strands are then individually attached to respective aligned attachment apertures in each post by a pre-cut length of soft wire which 5 loops through the attachment aperture in a picket, around the other flanges trn of the picket and then, each free end of the attachment wire is twisted by

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hand about the fencing wire strand on opposite sides of the picket.

In an endeavour to reduce fencing costs, it is common practice to increase the spacing between the pickets and then, to avoid sagging or easy separation between adjacent strands, to utilize "droppers" spaced along the length of the wire strands between the pickets to maintain a relatively constant separation between adjacent strands.

While generally effective for its intended purpose, this method of erecting wire fences suffers a number of practical disadvantages. The erection process is extremely labour intensive because of the need to manually attach each wire strand to a respective attachment aperture in each post. Moreover, the free ends of the twitched loop of attachment wire pose a significant threat of physical harm to animals, ranging from superficial skin damage to more serious eye damage. Where short lengths of attachment wire are discarded, these can pose additional risks to the environment, stock or even vehicle tyres.

A further disadvantage arises when bush fires threaten stock as typical wire fence constructions can become a barrier to escape of the animals as fire threatens. While it maybe possible to drop the fencing wire N 3 Sstrands by untying or cutting the attachment wires, there may be insufficient

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Stime for this in an emergency thus necessitating cutting the fencing wire strands with a subsequent expensive repair process.

Where one or more strands of electrified wire are required in such a fence construction, this necessitates the purchase of expensive Sconnector brackets having an electrically insulated grommet or wire mounting Imember secured in a free end of the bracket.

There have been many attempts over the last century or so to provide improvements in fencing posts, standards or pickets for multi-strand tensioned wire fences having plain or barbed wire strands or combinations thereof. Similarly, there have been proposed a plethora of fence dropper structures to obtain improved functionality and/or reduced costs in manufacture and/or installation.

British Patent Application 2,051,921A, United States Patent 4,462,572, Australian Patent Applications 82027/87 and 23237/95 and International Publication W02005/108718 Al, all disclose fence droppers, battens or spacers wherein a permanent or semi-permanent tight frictional engagement between the wire strands and the dropper is required to avoid displacement between the wire strands and the dropper. While generally suited for their intended purposes, these prior art droppers require custom fabrication, complex or difficult to use wedging mechanisms to frictionally engage the wire strands and generally invoke a labour intensive installation process.

United States Patent 732,242, British Patent 101848 and IO 4 c International Publication W096/29490 describe respectively a cast concrete Spost with a notched metal insert, a hollow pear-shaped tube with spaced notches in a narrowed cross-sectional region and a roll formed thin sheet (-i metal divergently tapered channel section with upturned flanges along opposed free edges. With the exception of the tubular member of British (-i n Patent 101848, the other two prior art fence posts are not considered (-i IDsufficiently robust and durable whereas the hollow tubular member of British C" Patent 101848 is prone to premature failure from internal corrosion.

British Patent 377652 and British Patent Application 2,252,991A both describe V-shaped angle iron posts with notches extending through the apex of the angled webs. In the former document, the notches incline rearwardly and downwardly to retain the wire strands under the influence of gravity and an elongate keeper is located on the inner apex to prevent disengagement between the wire strands and the posts. The latter document describes a similar structure with horizontal notches and a rod-like keeper with a hook to retain engagement. V-shaped fence pickets, unless constructed with thick heavy webs, are prone to bending under loads applied by animals and the like.

Australian Patent Application 48654/90 describes a slotted tubular member for tensioning mesh wire fences between supporting fence posts.

United States Patents 3,908,964 and 4,803,819 respectively describe insulating structures to support electrified fence wires and electrical current bearing utility cables such as electric power poles, telephone poles IND and the like.

O While each of the abovementioned prior art systems is suitable to a greater or lesser degree for its intended purpose, only few have functional application as fence posts for contemporary wire strand fencing 5 structures and of those suited as fence posts, they are of limited robustness and durability and/or cannot compete commercially because of Imanufacturing and/or installation costs.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the shortcomings of prior art wire fence construction methods and otherwise to provide an alternative wire fence picket configuration which assists or facilitates avoidance or alleviation of at least some of the prior art shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a picket for wire fences, said picket comprising:an elongate member having at least one web member extending radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of said picket, said at least one web member having a longitudinally extending channel formation having a generally convex cross-sectional outer surface and a generally concave cross-sectional inner surface and longitudinally spaced slotted apertures in said channel formation, said apertures extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of said channel formation between said outer surface and said inner surface, said apertures, in use, being adapted to releasably locate respective fencing wire strands therein with a space between said fencing IND 6 Swire strands and said inner surface to accommodate a releasable retaining member.

Suitably, said picket is formed from a hot rolled steel Y-section.

Suitably, said channel formation comprises an open wall configuration.

SThe cross-sectional shape of said open wall configuration may IDcomprise an arcuate shape or a faceted shape.

SSuitably, in use, wire strands are slidably retained in respective said apertures.

If required, a separate retaining member may be employed to releasably retain each fencing wire strand.

Preferably, a retaining member, in use, releasably retains a plurality of fencing wire strands in said picket.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a temporary opening in a wire strand fence utilizing fence pickets according to a first embodiment of the invention, said method including the steps of:releasing said fencing wire strands from a plurality of respective fence pickets by removal of respective retaining members and allowing said fencing wire strands to rest on a ground surface under the influence of gravity and thereafter retainably relocating said fencing wire strands in respective apertures in said pickets.

If required, a separate retaining member may be employed to retain each fencing wire strand in a respective slotted aperture.

N7 Preferably, an elongate retaining member may be employed to retain a plurality of fencing wire strands in respective slotted apertures of Osaid fence picket.

Suitably, said fence is constructed by driving said fence pickets into a ground surface along a desired fence line before extending fencing wire strands between strainer posts at opposite ends of said fence line.

(Ni Preferably, said fence is constructed by driving said fence pickets into a ground surface along a desired fence line after extending fencing wire strands between strainer posts at opposite ends of said fence line.

Suitably, spaced fence droppers are located between adjacent pickets to retain said fencing wire strands in a spaced relationship when released from respective apertures.

The fencing wire strands may be tensioned between said strainer posts either before or after engagement in respective slotted apertures of said fence pickets.

Alternatively, the fencing wire strands may be tensioned between said strainer posts after engagement in respective slotted apertures of said fence pickets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the various aspects of the invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 shows schematically, a front elevational view of a steel INO 8 N fence picket releasably locating a plurality of fencing wire strands; a FIG. 2 shows schematically, a side elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows schematically, a cross-sectional view through A-A t' 5 in FIG. 1; n FIG. 4 shows schematically, an alternative cross-sectional view Nof a fence picket according to the invention; SFIGS. 5-10 show further alternative cross-sectional views of a fence picket according to the invention; FIGS. 11 and 12 show a still further embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 13 shows an insulator suitable for use with fence pickets according to the invention.

For the sake of simplicity, like reference numerals are employed for like features in the drawings where appropriate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, fence picket 1 comprises an elongate member 2 having stiffening ribs or flanges 3a, 3b, 3c extending radially from a longitudinal axis 4 and each spaced at about 1200 from an adjacent rib or flange 3.

Rib or flange 3b is radially deeper than ribs or flanges 3b, 3c and is shaped to form an open channel formation 5 extending longitudinally of rib or flange 3b. Spaced along longitudinal axis 4 are slotted apertures 6 extending transversely of channel formation 5 to receivably locate a plain IO 9 N fencing wire strand 7, a barbed wire strand 8, an electric wire strand 9 or any a combination thereof depending upon the functional requirements of the fence. Electric wire strand 8 is located within a respective slotted aperture 6 in an insulator 10 shown in more detail in FIG. 13.

After a selected array of fencing wire strands 7, 8 or 9 are n located in respective slotted apertures 6, a rod-like keeper or retaining

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member 11 is inserted in the interior of channel formation 5 between an inner concave surface 5a and fencing wire strands 7, 8 9 as shown more clearly in FIG. 2 to removably secure the wire strands therein. Retaining member 11 is releasably engageable with channel formation 5 and is located under the influence of gravity by engagement between a hooked upper end 12 of retaining member 11 and the upper edge 13 of channel formation As readily will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the picket and fencing system according to the invention are readily installed in an automated or semi-automated manner wherein a mobile vehicle equipped with a plurality of reels of fencing wire and a hydraulic or pneumatic ram system is able to first drive a fence picket into an earth surface, then guide the fencing wire strands into respective slotted apertures and then insert the retainer to locate the wire strands in respective slotted apertures. The wire strands may be tensioned as the vehicle progresses along a fence line or alternatively, the wire strands may be tensioned after the fence is installed.

When access to a paddock is required by heavy machinery having a width greater than a gateway opening or in the event of a bushfire or otherwise where it is required to release stock from a paddock quickly, the N

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fencing wire tensioners may be disconnected at one end of a fence and the Sretaining members removed from each fence post to release the fencing wire Ostrands. Subsequently, the fence may be reinstated by relocating the wire strands in respective slotted apertures, inserting respective retaining members and then re-tensioning the wire strands. Alternatively, the fencing wire tensioners may be left in situ and the fencing wire strands may be Ireleased from a plurality of pickets and the wire strands may be allowed to rest on the ground surface under the influence of gravity. Preferably, fence droppers are employed to maintain the spaced relationship between the fencing wires which assists in re-engaging the fencing wire strands in respective picket apertures and otherwise resists tangling of the wire strands.

In lieu of a single retaining member for each post, separate retaining members may be employed for each fencing wire strand or for groups of fencing wire strands.

Although the various aspects of the invention have been exemplified with a modified "star" picket, is readily will be apparent to a skilled addressee that many modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

For example, FIGS. 4-10 show schematically cross-sectional views of alternative picket configurations 2, each with a channel formation and a plurality of slotted apertures 6 to receivably locate a fencing wire strand 7 therein for releasable retention in a respective slotted aperture 6 by a retaining member 11.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show yet further embodiments of the invention IND 11 in the form of adaptations to a conventional star picket 1.

a In both embodiments, a channel formation 5 having one or more slotted apertures 6 therein is adapted to receivably locate a fencing (-i wire strand 7 for retention by a retaining member 11. Channel-like C 5 formations 5 may be in the form of clips 20 as shown, each clip having a projection 21 engageable in a respective aperture 20 in one flange la of the picket 1. Alternatively, the channel-like formations 5 may be in the form of elongate slotted tubular members having spaced slotted apertures therein.

The elongate tubular members may be secured by one or more projections engaging respective apertures in a flange la of a picket 1 or the tubular members may be clipped to the pickets 1 by resilient clip members (not shown) which engage about picket 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the free end of flange 1 a of picket 1 may be formed with an enlarged spine 22 to retain a slotted tubular member 20 by frictional engagement between an upright slot 23 of tubular member 20 and spine 22. Alternatively, as shown in phantom, the tubular member 20 may be secured to picket 1 by bolt, split pin or like removable fastener extending through aligned apertures in parallel webs 25 extending along the longitudinal slotted aperture in tubular member FIG. 13 shows an insulator 30 suitable for an electrified fence according to the invention.

Insulator 30 comprises an injection moulded insulating polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane or the like having a tubular cylindrical body 31 with radially extending end flanges 32,33 which N0 12 (N locate on either side of a channel formation 5. Insulator 30 includes a Sdiagonal or helical slit 34 to permit the insulator to be fastened over a fencing wire strand.

Claims (17)

1. A picket for wire fences, said picket comprising:- an elongate member having at least one web member extending radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of said picket, said at q 5 least one web member having a longitudinally extending channel formation n having a generally convex cross-sectional outer surface and a generally Iconcave cross-sectional inner surface and longitudinally spaced slotted apertures in said channel formation, said apertures extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of said channel formation between said outer surface and said inner surface, said apertures, in use, being adapted to releasably locate respective fencing wire strands therein with a space between said fencing wire strands and said inner surface to accommodate a releasable retaining member.

2. A picket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said picket is formed from a hot rolled steel Y-section.

3. A picket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said channel formation comprises an open wall configuration.

4. A picket as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cross-sectional shape of said open wall configuration comprises an arcuate shape or a faceted shape.

A picket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, in use, wire strands are slidably retained in respective said apertures.

6. A picket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a separate retaining member is employed to releasably retain each fencing wire strand. S14 O N

7. A picket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a U retaining member, in use, releasably retains a plurality of fencing wire Ostrands in said picket.

8. A method of forming a temporary opening in a wire strand fence utilizing fence pickets according to any preceding claim, said method including the steps of:- Ireleasing said fencing wire strands from a plurality of respective fence pickets by removal of respective retaining members and allowing said fencing wire strands to rest on a ground surface under the influence of gravity and thereafter retainably relocating said fencing wire strands in respective apertures in said pickets.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein a separate retaining member is employed to retain each fencing wire strand in a respective slotted aperture.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein an elongate retaining member is employed to retain a plurality of fencing wire strands in respective slotted apertures of said fence picket.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said fence is constructed by driving said fence pickets into a ground surface along a desired fence line before extending fencing wire strands between strainer posts at opposite ends of said fence line.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said fence is constructed by driving said fence pickets into a ground surface along a desired fence line after extending fencing wire strands between strainer posts at opposite ends of said fence line.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein spaced fence droppers are located between adjacent pickets to retain said fencing wire strands in a spaced relationship when released from respective apertures.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the fencing wire strands are tensioned between said strainer posts either before or after engagement in respective slotted apertures of said fence pickets.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the fencing wire strands are tensioned between said strainer posts after engagement in respective slotted apertures of said fence pickets.

16. A fence picket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of FIGS. 1 to 5 or 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A method for forming a temporary opening in a wire strand fence substantially as hereinbefore described. DATED this Twentieth day of December 2006. ROSS NEVILLE SMITH PEGGY LOU SMITH By their Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY