AU2019215789B2 - A brace assembly for a fence - Google Patents
A brace assembly for a fence Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2019215789B2 AU2019215789B2 AU2019215789A AU2019215789A AU2019215789B2 AU 2019215789 B2 AU2019215789 B2 AU 2019215789B2 AU 2019215789 A AU2019215789 A AU 2019215789A AU 2019215789 A AU2019215789 A AU 2019215789A AU 2019215789 B2 AU2019215789 B2 AU 2019215789B2
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- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- brace assembly
- base plate
- tensile member
- connector plug
- post
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
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- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011213 glass-filled polymer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/20—Side-supporting means therefor, e.g. using guy ropes or struts
-
- 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
- E04H17/06—Parts for wire fences
- E04H17/08—Anchoring means therefor, e.g. specially-shaped parts entering the ground; Struts or the like
-
- 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
- E04H17/009—Footing elements for fence posts or fence sections
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Fencing (AREA)
Abstract
A brace assembly (79) for a post (22) in a line of fencing has a base plate (24), a tensile member (26) and a compression member (28). The base plate (24) is laid flat upon the ground, and the tensile member (26) is attached at one end to the base plate (24) and at the other end to near the bottom of the post (22). The compression member (28) is attached at one end to the base plate (24), and rises at an angle from the base plate (24) to be attached at the other end to near the top of the post (22). The tensile member line of force (30) and the compression member line of force (32) intersect at a common point (34) at a central position on the base plate (24) such that no bending moment is created in the base plate (24).
Description
A BRACE ASSEMBLY FOR A FENCE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a brace assembly for a fence post in a line of fencing. In particular, the present invention relates to an end brace assembly for wire fencing that is suitable for soft and yielding soils or non-flat terrain.
BACKGROUND ART
End and in-line brace assemblies are the foundation of a good wire fence. Any failure of the brace assembly will undermine the integrity of the fence and may result in the failure of a whole section of the fence. Particular attention must be given to details such as location in suitable soils, depth of post placement, connection of the rail to the posts and tying off of the wires.
A brace assembly is a made-on-site anchor structure that typically supports the end post in a line of fencing. A brace assembly must be able to withstand the entire pulling load that is applied to the fence post it is bracing from the fence wires. The brace assembly enables the post to support the tension in the fence wires.
A brace assembly must withstand the fence loads by transferring them to the earth. In prior art brace assemblies, this is achieved by designing specific brace assemblies that are effective for different soil types. However, such prior art brace assemblies can fail in one or more ways. One common way is due to soil sheer or soil yielding.
One type of prior art brace assembly is a single post, diagonal rail, brace assembly that has a compression member, a tensile member and a base plate.
The lines of force attributable to the compression member and the tensile
member are transmitted to the base plate which is located upon the ground surface.
Commonly, the base plate in single post, diagonal rail, brace assemblies are subjected to a bending moment that is created by the lines of force attributable to the tensile member and the
compression member. In many circumstances, such as in sandy or boggy/muddy soils, the bending moment is not properly resisted and, over time, one end of the base plate can begin to sink into the ground and the other end to lift off the ground.
Another shortcoming of prior art brace assemblies, such as those referred to as combination fence stay assemblies, arises from their use of a tensile member which has a“shepherd’s hook” shaped end that grips asymmetrically the lower inside surface of their hollow tube compression member (or stay pipe), and thereby exerts a unbalanced force on the compression member which causes it to bow or bend, whereby their base plate can also be subjected to asymmetric forces.
Furthermore, many prior art brace assemblies are not designed to be used on uneven or sloping ground, as they have little or no capacity to adjust the orientation of their base plate to suit the terrain and at the same time continue to enable the post being braced to
adequately support the tension in the fence wires.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a brace assembly for a fence post that ameliorates at least some of the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a brace assembly for a post in a line of fencing, the brace assembly
comprising a base plate, a tensile member, and a compression member, wherein the base plate is adapted to lay flat upon the
ground surface at a distance from the base of the post, in line with the line of fencing, and the tensile member is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the base plate, and extends substantially parallel to the ground surface between the base plate and a point on the post near the bottom of the post, to which the other end of the tensile member is attached, and the compression member is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the base plate, and rises at an angle from the base plate to a point on the post at or near the top of the post, to which the other end of the compression member is attached, and wherein the line of force attributable to the tensile member and the line of force attributable to the compression member intersect at a common point at a central position on the base plate, whereby no bending moment is created in the base plate.
It is preferred that the tensile member is constructed from a suitably flexible material, such as fence wire, or from a combination of suitably flexible material and of suitably rigid material, such as an externally threaded rod, which are adjustably joined together end-to- end.
It is also preferred that the compression member is constructed from a suitably rigid material, such as hollow steel tubing, that is substantially inflexible and thereby resists bowing.
In a preferred form, the base plate includes a socket that is located at the top of the base plate, and the socket receives a connector plug which includes respective attachment means for the tensile member and for the compression member.
Preferably, the connector plug is rotatably received in the socket.
It is preferred that the connector plug has at least one rounded knuckle -like surface.
In a preferred form, the or each rounded knuckle-like surface is configured to sufficiently engage within a similarly rounded female
surface of the socket to enable the base plate to partially rotate relative to the connector plug.
The base plate may rotate about an angle of up to about 40°, more preferably of between about 10° and about 30°, and even more preferably of 22°.
It is also preferred that the attachment means for the compression member receives and retains a first end of the compression member against the connector plug.
In a further preferred form, the attachment means for the compression member includes a pair of outwardly rounded projections which are adapted to be inserted, at least part way, into the first end of the compression member which is a hollow tube.
Preferably, the post includes a connection means which is adapted to be inserted, at least part way, into an opposite second end of the compression member.
It is also preferred that the attachment means for the tensile member receives and retains one end of the tensile member against the connector plug.
In a further preferred form, the attachment means for the tensile member includes a hole which extends through the connector plug and is sized and positioned to receive a rigid end portion of the tensile member which passes through the hole.
The hole is preferably positioned between the pair of outwardly rounded projections.
The first end of the compression member preferably includes a longitudinally elongated slot which is sized and positioned to receive therethrough the rigid end portion of the tensile member. In another preferred form, the attachment means for the tensile member includes a rounded groove which extends partly around the connector plug and is sized and positioned to receive a flexible end portion of the tensile member which wraps around the groove.
Preferably, the rigid end portion of the tensile member passes through the hole in a direction which is collinear, or axially aligned, with a longitudinal axis of the tensile member. The rigid end portion is preferably a part of an externally threaded connector rod.
It is preferred that the externally threaded connector rod is retained in place, with respect to the connector plug, by a first nut that is screwably engaged to a portion of the externally threaded connector rod that extends part way out from the hole, so that the first nut urges against the connector plug.
In a preferred form, the flexible end portion of the tensile member is a first end of a continuous wire loop, wherein the first end of the continuous wire loop is wrapped around the groove in the connector plug, and an opposite second end of the continuous wire loop is wrapped around the post at a point near the bottom of the post.
In another preferred form, the flexible end portion of the tensile member is an assembly that includes a connector loop and a wire- to-rod interconnection arrangement, wherein a first end of the connector loop is wrapped around the groove in the connector plug, and an opposite second end of the connector loop is connected to the interconnection arrangement.
The interconnection arrangement preferably includes a threaded
rod and a pair of plates that are bolted together on opposite sides of the threaded rod by a pair of bolts, and wherein the second end of
the connector loop passes around the bolts.
The threaded rod is preferably configured to be slidable between
the pair of plates, and wherein a portion of the threaded rod extends part way out from the pair of plates, on the opposite side to the
post.
Preferably, the threaded rod is retained, relative to the pair of
plates, by a retaining nut that is screwably engaged onto the portion of the threaded rod that extends part way out from the pair of
plates.
In yet another preferred form, the externally threaded
connector rod is part of an assembly that also includes a
wire-to-rod interconnection arrangement and an
intermediate loop, wherein the interconnection arrangement
includes a block that has an eye loop that is adapted to
receive an end of the intermediate loop.
The block and the externally threaded connector rod are
preferably connected together via a second nut, and wherein
tension in the tensile member is adjustable by tightening or
loosening of the first nut against the connector plug.
SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partial side elevation view of a prior art brace
assembly for a fence.
Figure 2 is a top isometric view of a base plate that is used in a brace assembly according to a preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the centre of the base plate shown in Figure 2
Figure 4 is a front isometric view of a connector plug that is used in a brace assembly according to a preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the connector plug shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a right side view of the connector plug shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a right side sectional view of the connector plug shown in Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a rear isometric view of the connector plug shown in Figure 4.
Figure 9 is a rear elevation view of the connector plug shown in Figure 4.
Figure 10 is a left side elevation view of the connector plug shown in Figure 4.
Figure 11 is a top isometric view of a brace assembly according to a preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 12 is an enlarged isometric view of part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a side elevation view of the part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a sectional side view of the part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a sectional side view similar to that of Figure 14, but also showing the intersecting lines of force attributable to the tensile member and the
compression member, and resulting in a vertical line of force through the centre of the base plate and into the ground.
Figure 16 is a top isometric view of a brace assembly according to another preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 17 is an enlarged isometric view of part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 16. Figure 18 is a side elevation view of the part of the brace assembly shown in
Figure 17.
Figure 19 is a sectional side view of the part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a sectional side view similar to that of Figure 19, but also showing the intersecting lines of force attributable to the tensile member and the compression member, and resulting in a vertical line of force through the centre of the base plate and into the ground.
Figure 21 is a side elevation view of the part of the brace
assembly shown in Figure 17, but also showing the base plate in
a partially rotated position relative to the connector plug by an
angle of 1 1 ° in a clockwise direction.
Figure 22 is a side elevation view similar to that of Figure 21 but
also showing the base plate in a partially rotated position relative
to the connector plug by an angle of 11° in an anti-clockwise
direction.
Figure 23 is a top isometric view of a brace assembly according to yet another preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 24 is an enlarged isometric view of part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 23.
Figure 25 is a side elevation view of the part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 24.
Figure 26 is a sectional side view of the part of the brace assembly shown in Figure 25.
Figure 27 is a sectional side view similar to that of Figure 26, but also showing the intersecting lines of force attributable to the tensile member and the compression member, and resulting in a vertical line of force through the centre of the base plate and into the ground.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The fence post brace assembly 10 of the prior art shown in Figure 1 has a base plate 13, and compression member 15, a tensile member 17 and a connector plate 19. The line of force attributable to the compression member 15 and the line of force attributable to the tensile member 17 each terminate at separate locations on the connector plate 19. This thereby creates a bending moment, otherwise known as a“flipping force” on the base plate 13 as indicated by the arrows A. This is particularly problematic on yielding ground, such as sand, or on soft muddy soil. The flipping force causes one end of the base plate 13 to sink into the ground and the other end to lift off the ground, and this adversely affects the integrity of the brace assembly.
The present invention at least mitigates this problem.
The present invention may be most broadly described as follows.
The embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 2 to 27 are of a brace assembly for a post 22 in a line of fencing. The brace assembly includes a base plate 24, a tensile member 26 and a
compression member 28. The base plate 24 is adapted to lay flat
upon the ground surface at a distance from the base of the post 22,
in line with the line of fencing. The tensile member 26 is adapted to
attach at one end thereof to the base plate 24, and extends substantially parallel to the ground surface between the base plate 24 and a point on the post 22 near the bottom of the post, to which the other end of the tensile member 26 is attached. The compression member 28 is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the base plate 24, and rises at an angle from the base plate 24 to a point on the post at or near the top of the post, to which the other end of the compression member 28 is attached. The line of force 30 attributable to the tensile member 26 and the line of force 32 attributable to the compression member 28 intersect at a common point 34 at a central position on the base plate 24. The common point 34 at which the lines of force 30, 32, attributable to both the tensile member 26 and the compression member 28, intersect is positioned so that no bending moment is created in the base plate 24.
The tensile member 26 is ideally constructed from a suitably flexible but load bearing (or high tension) material, such as single strand fence wire or multi-strand wire cable (known as wire rope), or from a combination of suitably flexible but load bearing material and of suitably rigid material, such as an externally threaded rod, which are joined together end-to-end by a wire-to-rod
interconnection arrangement.
The compression member 28 is ideally constructed from a suitably rigid material, such as hollow steel tubing, that is substantially inflexible and thereby resists bowing.
Turning now to the base plate 24 which is separately shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base plate 24 is, in this embodiment, constructed of concrete that has been formed into a suitably shaped block with a length of about 450mm, a breadth of about 360mm and a height of about 90mm, and with a weight of about l5kg. These dimensions and the aforementioned weight of the base plate 24 are provided by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. The base plate 24 is also stackable for ease of storage and transportation on a pallet.
The base plate 24 has a socket 36 that is located at the top of the base plate. The socket 36 is formed at a location where a pair of ridges 38, 40 meet at the centre of the base plate 24. The socket 36 receives a connector plug 42 which is separately shown in Figures 4 to 10. The connector plug 42, which is constructed of a suitable polymer material (such as UV stabilized glass filled polymer), has respective attachment means 44, 46 for the tensile member 26 and for the compression member 28.
The connector plug 42 is rotatably received in the socket 36 and has, in this embodiment, two rounded knuckle-like surfaces 48, 50, which are configured to sufficiently engage within a similarly rounded female surface 52 of the socket 36 to enable the base plate 24 to partially rotate relative to the connector plug 42.
Ideally, and as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the base plate 24 can rotate relative to the connector plug 42 about an angle of 22°, although greater angles of rotation, say, up to about 40°, can be provided by the present invention.
As will be described later in more detail with reference to
Figures 11 to 27, the attachment means 46 for the compression member 28 receives and retains a first end 54 of the compression member 28 against the connector plug 42.
As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the attachment means 46 for the compression member 28 includes a pair of outwardly rounded projections 56, 58 which are adapted to be inserted, at least part way, into the first end 54 of the compression member 28 which is a hollow tube (see the embodiments of brace assembly illustrated in Figures 11 to 27).
As shown in Figures 11, 16 and 23, the post 22, which may be made of steel pipe or timber, includes a connection means 60
which is adapted to be inserted, at least part way, into an opposite second end 62 of the compression member 28.
As will also be described in more detail with reference to Figures 11 to 27, the attachment means 44 for the tensile member 26 receives and retains a first end 64 of the tensile member 26 against the connector plug 42.
The connector plug 42 has two types of attachment means 44 for the tensile member 26 because there are two types of end portions of the tensile member 26 which are connected to the connector plug 42. A first type of attachment means 44 is suited to receive a rigid end portion of a tensile member, and a second type of attachment means 44 is suited to receive a flexible end portion of a tensile member. These two types of attachment means 44 will now be described in more detail.
As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the first type of attachment means 44 for the tensile member 26 has a hole 66 which extends through the connector plug 42 and is sized and positioned to receive a rigid end portion 68 of the tensile member 26 which passes through the hole 66 (see the embodiment of brace assembly illustrated in Figures 23 to 27). The hole 66 is positioned between the pair of outwardly rounded projections 56, 58.
The rigid end portion 68 of the tensile member 26 passes through the hole 66 in a direction which is collinear, or axially aligned, with a longitudinal axis of the tensile member 26.
The rigid end portion 68 is a part of an externally threaded connector rod 70 which is retained in place, with respect to the connector plug 42, by a first nut 72 that is screwably engaged to a portion of the externally threaded connector rod 70 that extends
part way out from the hole 66. The first nut 72 (and an accompanying washer) urges against the connector plug 42.
In the embodiment of brace assembly illustrated in Figures 23 to 27, the first end 54 of the compression member 28 is in the form of a slotted extension member 73 that has a longitudinally elongated slot 74 (see Figures 26 and 27) which is sized and positioned to receive therethrough the rigid end portion 68 of the tensile member 26.
As also shown in Figures 6 to 10, the second type of attachment means 44 for the tensile member 26 has a rounded groove 76 which extends partly around the connector plug 42 and is sized and positioned to receive a flexible end portion 78 of the tensile member 26 which wraps around the groove 76 (see the embodiments of brace assembly illustrated in Figures 1 1 to 22).
As shown in Figures 4, 5, 12, 17 and 24, the connector plug 42 can be orientated in two different ways when it is received in the socket 36 of the base plate 24.
In one orientation, the word WIRE, which is moulded into the rounded knuckle-like surface 48, is uppermost when the connector plug 42 is in use (see Figures 12 and 17), and this signals to the user that the connector plug 42 is correctly orientated (i.e. the rounded groove 76 is above the hole 66) to receive a flexible end portion 78 of the tensile member 26 around the groove 76.
In the other orientation, the word TF1READ, which is moulded into the other rounded knuckle-like surface 50, is uppermost when the connector plug 42 is in use (see Figure 24), and this signals to the user that the connector plug 42 is correctly orientated (i.e. the hole 66 is above the rounded groove 76) to receive a rigid end portion 68 of the tensile member 26 through the hole 66.
Referring specifically to the embodiment of brace assembly 79 illustrated in Figures 11 to 15, the flexible end portion 78 of the tensile member 26 is a first end of a flexible continuous wire loop 80. The first end of the continuous wire loop 80 is wrapped around the groove 76 in the connector plug 42, and an opposite second end 82 of the continuous wire loop 80 is wrapped around the post 22 at a point near the bottom of the post.
Referring specifically to the embodiment of brace assembly 83 illustrated in Figures 16 to 22, the flexible end portion 78 of the tensile member 26 is an assembly that includes a flexible wire connector loop 84 and a wire-to-rod interconnection arrangement 86. A first end of the connector loop 84 is wrapped around the groove 76 in the connector plug 42, and an opposite second end 88 of the connector loop 84 is connected to the interconnection arrangement 86.
The interconnection arrangement 86 includes a threaded rod portion 90 and a pair of plates 92 that are bolted together at opposite sides of the threaded rod portion 90 by a pair of bolts 94. The second end 88 of the connector loop 84 passes around the bolts 94.
The threaded rod portion 90 is configured to be slidable (such as by a screwing motion) between the pair of plates 92. An end 96 of the threaded rod portion 90 extends part way out from the pair of plates 92.
The threaded rod portion 90 is retained, relative to the pair of plates 92, by a retaining nut 97 that is screwably engaged onto the end 96 of the threaded rod portion 90 that extends part way out from the pair of plates 92.
The threaded rod portion 90 is at one end of a rigid rod part 98 of the tensile member 26. At the opposite end of the rigid rod part 98 of the tensile member 26 is another threaded rod portion 99 which passes through a hole in the post 22 at a point near the bottom of
the post. An adjusting nut (and an accompanying washer) is screwably engaged to the end of the threaded rod portion 99 that extends part way out from the hole in the post 22, and the adjusting nut urges against the post 22.
Tension in the tensile member 26 of the brace assembly 83 is adjustable by tightening or loosening of the adjusting nut against the outside of the post 22.
Referring specifically to the embodiment of brace assembly 100 illustrated in Figures 23 to 27, the externally threaded connector rod 70 is part of an assembly that also includes a wire-to-rod interconnection arrangement 101 and a flexible wire intermediate loop 102. The intermediate loop 102 is formed by crimping an end portion of the flexible wire part 103 of the tensile member 26. The interconnection
arrangement 101 includes a block 104 that has an attached eyelet 106 that is adapted to receive an end of the
intermediate loop 102 therethrough.
The block 104 and the externally threaded connector rod 70 are connected together via a second nut 110.
Tension in the tensile member 26 of the brace assembly 100 is adjustable by tightening or loosening of the first nut 72 against the connector plug 42.
At the opposite end of the flexible wire part 103 of the tensile member 26 is a flexible wire end loop 112 which is wrapped (by crimping) around the post 22 at a point near the bottom of the post.
There are other embodiments of brace assembly that are within the scope of the present invention. In one such embodiment, the orientation (but not the structure) of the tensile member 26 of the brace assembly 100 shown in Figures 23 to 27 is reversed, so that it is the end loop 1 12 which wraps around the groove 76 in the
connector plug 42 and it is the externally threaded connector rod 70 which is at the opposite end of the reversed tensile member 26. The externally threaded connector rod 70 passes through a hole in the post 22 at a point near the bottom of the post. The nut 72 (and an accompanying washer) is screwably engaged to the portion of the externally threaded connector rod 70 that extends part way out from the hole, and the nut 72 urges against the post 22. Tension in such a reversed tensile member 26 of a brace assembly is adjustable by tightening or loosening of the nut 72 against the outside of the post 22.
Figures 15, 20 and 27 illustrate, for each of the brace
assemblies 79, 83 and 100, respectively, the tensile member line of force 30 and the compression member line of force 32 and how they intersect at a common point 34 at a central position on the base plate 24. It is an advantageous feature of the present invention that the magnitude and direction of these intersecting lines of force 30, 32 combine to produce a line of force 35 that is directed vertically down through the centre of the base plate 24. In this arrangement, no bending moment is created in the base plate 24.
The lines of force 30, 32 are also directed symmetrically through the tensile member 26 and the compression member 28, respectively. It is another advantageous feature of the present invention that the resulting absence of any unbalanced forces on these members, particularly on the compression member 28, avoids any tendency for the compression member 28 to bow or bend, and prevents the base plate 24 being subjected to asymmetric forces.
It is yet another advantageous feature of the present invention that the base plate 24 of the brace assemblies 79, 83 and 100 can be laid on uneven or sloping ground, given that the angular orientation of the base plate 24 relative to the connector plug 42 can be adjusted over a significant range to suit most terrain and at the same time can continue to enable the post being braced to adequately support the tension in the fence wires.
It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art of brace assemblies for fences that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the brace assemblies described herein without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.
Claims (20)
1. A brace assembly for a post in a line of fencing, the brace assembly comprising a base plate, a tensile member, and a compression member, wherein the base plate is adapted to lay flat upon the ground surface at a distance from the base of the post, in line with the line of fencing, and the tensile member is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the base plate, and extends substantially parallel to the ground surface between the base plate and a point on the post near the bottom of the post, to which the other end of the tensile member is attached, and the compression member is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the base plate, and rises at an angle from the base plate to a point on the post at or near the top of the post, to which the other end of the compression member is attached, and wherein the line of force attributable to the tensile member and the line of force attributable to the compression member intersect at a common point at a central position on the base plate, whereby no bending moment is created in the base plate.
2. The brace assembly of claim 1 wherein the base plate includes a socket that is located at the top of the base plate, and the socket receives a connector plug which includes respective attachment means for the tensile member and for the compression member.
3. The brace assembly of claim 2 wherein the connector plug is rotatably received in the socket.
4. The brace assembly of claim 2 wherein the connector plug has at least one rounded knuckle-like surface.
5. The brace assembly of claim 4 wherein the or each rounded knuckle-like surface is configured to sufficiently engage within a similarly rounded female surface of the socket to enable the base plate to partially rotate relative to the connector plug.
6. The brace assembly of claim 2 wherein the base plate is adapted to rotate relative to the connector plug about an angle of 22°.
7. The brace assembly of claim 2 wherein the attachment means for the compression member receives and retains a first end of the compression member against the connector plug.
8. The brace assembly of claim 7 wherein the attachment means for the compression member includes a pair of outwardly rounded projections which are adapted to be inserted, at least part way, into the
first end of the compression member which is a hollow tube.
9. The brace assembly of claim 8 wherein the attachment means for the tensile member receives and retains one end of the tensile member against the connector plug.
10. The brace assembly of claim 9 wherein the attachment means for the tensile member includes a hole which extends through the connector plug and is sized and positioned to receive a rigid end portion of the tensile member which passes through the hole.
11. The brace assembly of claim 10 wherein the hole is positioned between the pair of outwardly rounded projections.
12. The brace assembly of claim 10 wherein the first end of the compression member includes a longitudinally elongated slot which is sized and positioned to receive therethrough the rigid end portion of the tensile member.
13. The brace assembly of claim 9 wherein the attachment means for the tensile member includes a rounded groove which extends partly around the connector plug and is sized and positioned to receive a flexible end portion of the tensile member which wraps around the groove.
14. The brace assembly of claim 10 wherein the rigid end portion of the tensile member passes through the hole in a direction which is collinear, or axially aligned, with a longitudinal axis of the tensile member.
15. The brace assembly of claim 10 wherein the rigid end portion of the tensile member is a part of an externally threaded connector rod.
16. The brace assembly of claim 15 wherein the externally threaded connector rod is retained in place, with respect to the connector plug, by a first nut that is screwably engaged to a portion of the externally threaded connector rod that extends part way out from the hole, so that the first nut urges against the connector plug, and wherein tension in the tensile member is adjustable by tightening or loosening of the first nut against the connector plug.
17. The brace assembly of claim 13 wherein the flexible end portion of the tensile member is a first end of a continuous wire loop, wherein the first end of the continuous wire loop is wrapped around the
rounded groove in the connector plug, and an opposite second end of the continuous wire loop is wrapped around the post at a point near the bottom of the post.
18. The brace assembly of claim 13 wherein the flexible end portion of the tensile member is an assembly that includes a connector loop and a wire-to-rod interconnection arrangement, wherein a first end of the connector loop is wrapped around the groove in the connector plug, and an opposite second end of the connector loop is connected to the interconnection arrangement.
19. The brace assembly of claim 15 wherein the externally threaded connector rod is part of an assembly that also includes a wire-to-rod interconnection arrangement and an intermediate loop, wherein the interconnection arrangement includes a block that has an eye loop that is adapted to receive an end of the
intermediate loop.
20. The brace assembly of claim 18 wherein the
interconnection arrangement includes a threaded rod and a pair of plates that are bolted together at opposite sides of the threaded rod, and wherein the second end of the connector loop passes around the bolts, and wherein the threaded rod is retained, relative to the pair of plates, by a retaining nut that is screwably engaged onto a portion of the threaded rod that extends part way out from the pair of plates.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2018900296A AU2018900296A0 (en) | 2018-01-31 | A Brace | |
| AU2018900296 | 2018-01-31 | ||
| PCT/AU2019/000011 WO2019148234A1 (en) | 2018-01-31 | 2019-01-31 | A brace assembly for a fence |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2019215789A1 AU2019215789A1 (en) | 2020-09-10 |
| AU2019215789B2 true AU2019215789B2 (en) | 2024-04-04 |
Family
ID=67477811
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2019215789A Active AU2019215789B2 (en) | 2018-01-31 | 2019-01-31 | A brace assembly for a fence |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2019215789B2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2019148234A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA3174214A1 (en) | 2020-05-08 | 2021-11-11 | Eric SPURGEON | Folding support assembly for fence systems |
| CN111853473B (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2023-07-25 | 南京艾安电气有限公司 | Novel self-vibration-resistant bracket |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US781537A (en) * | 1904-04-09 | 1905-01-31 | Henry C Lower | Fence-post. |
| US2841367A (en) * | 1954-05-14 | 1958-07-01 | Carl E Funk | Fence brace |
| AU727461B2 (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 2000-12-14 | James Matthew Telford | Support for upright member |
| WO2011096828A1 (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-08-11 | Gallagher Group Limited | Locking mechanism for straining post assemblies |
-
2019
- 2019-01-31 AU AU2019215789A patent/AU2019215789B2/en active Active
- 2019-01-31 WO PCT/AU2019/000011 patent/WO2019148234A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2019148234A1 (en) | 2019-08-08 |
| AU2019215789A1 (en) | 2020-09-10 |
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| NB | Applications allowed - extensions of time section 223(2) |
Free format text: THE TIME IN WHICH TO REQUEST EXAMINATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 08 FEB 2023 |