GB2516471A

GB2516471A - Clamping Wire Fence Material

Info

Publication number: GB2516471A
Application number: GB1313145.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Allan Froggatt
Original assignee: PROFENCER Ltd
Current assignee: PROFENCER Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-23
Filing date: 2013-07-23
Publication date: 2015-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-23
Also published as: GB201313145D0; GB2516471B

Abstract

Apparatus for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence. The apparatus comprises a main assembly 102 comprising a first jaw 103 and driving mechanism 104 and a second jaw (107, fig 2) which is detachable from the main assembly. The driving mechanism is preferably a hydraulic ram and has a first part 105 which is fixed to the first jaw and a second moveable part 106. Multiple driving mechanisms may be provided. Both jaws may have a hole for each driving mechanism through which the second part of the driving mechanism extends. A resilient member may oppose closing of the jaws. Engagement means 151 lock the second jaw in place. The main assembly may be coupled to a vehicle, eg tractor by a three point linkage. Also claimed is a method of clamping wire by extending and extendable member relative to the first jaw, providing a coupling between the extendible member and the second jaw and retracting the extendible member to cause the second jaw to move toward the first and clamp the wire. In use, wire fencing material is preferably fed via a guide roller from a spool and turntable (904) held on the tractor, to tension the fence the wire is clamped whilst the tractor moves to provide tension.

Description

TITLE

Clamping Wire Fence Material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to clamping wire fence material.

In particular, they relate to an apparatus and method for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Apparatuses are known for dispensing wire fencing material and tensioning material as part of an installation process for constructing a wire fence. One such apparatus is known in which the apparatus includes a clamping mechanism which is used to grip the fencing material when it is being tensioned. To enable the apparatus to be freed from the fencing material after its installation, the clamping mechanism has a removable jaw. The clamping mechanism also has a non-removable jaw that is mounted to be removable by hydraulic rams. During clamping, this moveable jaw is hydraulically pushed towards the removable jaw to trap the fencing material.

The clamping forces required to ensure that the fencing material does not slip during tensioning are relatively high and consequently the jaws must be made sufficiently strong. As a result, the removable jaw, which must be manually removed, is heavy and in some cases cannot be handled by one person alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

This provides the advantage that the detachable jaw may be formed with a lighter construction.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method as claimed in claim 19.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of an apparatus 101 for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence, with a second jaw 107 of the apparatus separated from the main assembly 102; Figure 2 shows a side view of an apparatus 101 for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence, with a second jaw 107 of the apparatus separated from the main assembly 102; Figure 3 shows a plan view of an apparatus 101 for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence, with a second jaw 107 of the apparatus separated from the main assembly 102; Figure 4 shows a front view of the main assembly 102 of Figure 1, without the second jaw 107; Figures 5A and 5B show respectively front and side views of the second jaw 107 by itself; Figure 6 shows the apparatus 101 with the second jaw 107 supported by the main assembly 102; Figures 7 and 8 show front and side views of the apparatus 101 with the drive mechanisms 104A, 104B, 104C engaged with the second jaw 107; Figure 9 shows apparatus 901 including apparatus 101; and Figure 10 shows a flow chart outlining a method of clamping wire fence material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

The Figures illustrate apparatus 101 for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence, comprising: a main assembly 102 comprising a first jaw 103 and a first driving mechanism 1 04A having a first part 105 fixed relative to the first jaw 103 and a second part 106 moveable with respect to the first part 105; a second jaw 107 detachable from the main assembly 102; and engagement means 151 for providing mechanical engagement to enable the second jaw 17 to be moveable towards the first jaw 103 by movement of the second part 106 of the driving mechanism 104A.

In various embodiments, the engagement means are configured to enable releasable coupling of the second jaw 107 to the second part 106 of the driving mechanism 104A for enabling the second jaw 107 to be forced by the first driving mechanism 104A towards the first jaw 103 by movement of the second part 106 of the driving mechanism.

One embodiment of an apparatus 101 for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6 to 8.

The driving mechanism 104A may comprise a hydraulic ram, as shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 3. The hydraulic ram may be of a type known as a hydraulic pull cylinder. In alternative embodiments, an alternative driving mechanism may be used, such as an electric motor or a pneumatic ram.

Where a hydraulic ram is used, the first part 105 may comprise the hydraulic cylinder and the second part 106 may comprise an extendible member attached to the piston of the ram. The extendible member 152 may have a cylindrical shape.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures 1 and 3 the first driving mechanism 104A is one of three such mechanisms, the apparatus 101 including further driving mechanisms 104B and 104C. Each of the further driving mechanisms 104B, 104C may have the same construction as the first driving mechanism 1 04A. Thus, for example, each of the three driving mechanisms may comprise a hydraulic ram.

The illustrated embodiment with three driving mechanisms 104A, 104B and 104C is suitable for clamping wire fence material having a width of two metres. In this case, the first and second jaw (103, 107) each have a length of slightly longer than 2 metres to clamp the wire fence material across its full width. In other embodiments, used for different widths of fence material, the jaws are of correspondingly different lengths. For example in one embodiment the jaws are slightly longer than 1.2 metres in length and are used to clamp wire fence material having a width of 1.2 metres. In this embodiment the apparatus may have just two driving mechanisms, such as driving mechanism 104A. In a further alternative embodiment the jaws are approximately 2.4 metres long and four driving mechanisms may be employed.

The jaws 103 and 107 may be fabricated from mild steel, and may be provided with one or more holes 108 and 159 respectively for allowing the extendible member 152 of the second part 106 of the, or each, driving mechanism 104A, 104B, 104C to extend through. The holes 108 and 159 are best seen in Figures 4 and 5A. Figure 4 shows a front view of the main assembly 102 while Figure 5A shows a front view of the second jaw 107.

In alternative embodiments, instead of extending through holes formed in the jaws, the second part 106 of the driving mechanism extends past an outside edge of the jaws, or through a slot provided along the outside edge of the jaws, rather than through a hole.

The main assembly 102 may also include lower and upper support members 109A, 109B mounted on or near to respective ends 110 and 111 of the first jaw 103 for supporting the second jaw 107. The support members 109A and 109B may be configured to allow movement of the second jaw towards and away from the first jaw, for example by allowing the second jaw to slide.

Alternatively the support members themselves may be mounted to enable such a movement. Each of the support members 109A and 109B may be configured to receive a part of the second jaw within a slot, but alternatively the second jaw may be provided with a hole or slot through within which a support member is locatable.

As is the case in the embodiment of Figure 1, each of the support members 109A and 109B may be formed of sheet metal and provided with slots 112.

The second jaw 107 may be provided with upper posts 113A and lower posts 113B configured to fit within the slots 112. The posts 1 13A, 113B may extend in directions parallel to the clamping face 114 of the second jaw 107, extending from the ends 115 and 116 of the second jaw 107.

The distance from the upper end 116 of the second jaw to the free ends 117 of the lower posts 113B may be arranged to be shorter than the distance separating the support members 109A and 109B, so that the second jaw 107 may be mounted on the main assembly 102 by tilting the upper end 116 of the second jaw 107 forwards and locating the upper posts 113A within the slots 112 of the upper support member 1 09B before swinging the lower end 115 of the second jaw 107 down and locating the lower posts 113B within the slots 112 of the lower support member 1 09A. The lower end of the second jaw 107 may then be lowered onto the lower support member 109A. The second jaw may be detached from the main assembly by reversing this process.

When attached in this way, the second jaw 107 is able to slide away from, or towards, the first jaw 103. However, the apparatus 101 may also comprise a resilient member configured to resist movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw. In the embodiment shown in the figures, a resilient member is provided in the form of a respective sprung loaded member 118 located adjacent to each of the support members 109A and 109B, and configured to act upon the posts 113A and 113B. The resilient members 118 are provided for assisting the separation of the first jaw 107 from the second jaw 103 during use.

The engagement means 151 of the apparatus 101 are configured to releasably attach the second jaw 107 to the second part 106 of the driving mechanism 104A. The engagement means may comprises an engagement member 151 moveable between a first configuration, in which the second jaw 107 is detachable from the first jaw 103, and a second configuration in which the second jaw is operatively connected to the driving mechanism (such as 104A). In alternative embodiments, the engagement member may be fixed relative the second part of the driving mechanism, or fixed relative to the second jaw, and the mechanical engagement may be produced by positioning of the second jaw. For example, the engagement means may comprise a hooking member formed on the second part 106 of the driving mechanism 1 04A and a hole or a slot, etc. of the second jaw may be positioned over the hooking member to provide mechanical engagement.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the engagement means provide direct coupling between the second part 106 of the driving mechanism 1 04A and the second jaw. In alternative embodiments the engagement means provide mechanical engagement between other components that are themselves coupled to the second part 106 and/or the second jaw 107 so that the second part 106 and second jaw 107 are indirectly coupled.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the extendible members 152 of the second part 106 of the driving mechanisms are each provided with a hole 153 extending along a line parallel to a plane defined by the clamping face 154 of the first jaw 103. Each of the engagement members 151 has a first portion configured to be locatable within the hole 153 in the second configuration and a second portion that is configured to extend away from the second part of the driving member when the first portion is within the hole. An engagement member 151 may be provided in the form of a straight rod. The engagement member may be attached at one end to the second jaw 107 by a chain (not shown) to avoid loss of the engagement member when not in use. The chain may be anchored to the second jaw just above a respective hole 109 and have a length chosen such that the chain holds the engagement member in the correct position during use (for example, in the positions shown in Figures 7and8).

In use, the engagement member 151 applies a force to the second jaw 107 to cause the movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw 103. Thus, the engagement means enables the second jaw 107 to be forced by the one or more driving mechanisms, such as the first driving mechanism 104A, towards the first jaw 103 by movement of the second part 106 of the driving mechanism.

In alternative embodiments, the engagement means may be formed separately from the second jaw 107 and main assembly 102, or may form a part of either of the second jaw or main assembly. For example, the engagement means 151 may comprise a latching mechanism within the second part 106 of the of the driving mechanism configured to engage the second jaw or a latching mechanism formed within the second jaw configured to engage the second part 106.

The apparatus may further comprise a means for moving the jaws 103 and 107 (when fitted) vertically along their length. Thus, the main assembly 102 may further comprise a bearing beam 120 that is fixedly attached to, and parallel to, the second jaw 103. The bearing beam 120 may be located within a plurality of linear bearings 121 that are fixedly attached to a reference beam 122. A driving device 124 may then be provided to provide forces to move the bearing beam 120 relative to the reference beam 122. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the driving device is a hydraulic ram 124 having a first part attached to the bearing beam 120 and a second part attached to the reference beam 120 via one of the linear bearings 121.

As best seen in Figures 5A and 5B, the second jaw 107 is provided with two handles 501 which are fixed to opposing sides of the second jaw. The handles are provided to ease manual attaching and detaching of the second jaw from the main assembly.

The clamping face 114 of the second jaw and the clamping face 154 of the first jaw are each provided with a plurality of ridges running along their length.

As shown in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, three ridges are provided on the clamping faces 114 and 154 of the second jaw 107 and the first jaw 103.

The ridges may be provided by welding bars to the clamping face of the jaws 103 and 107. The ridges provide the jaws with additional grip to ensure that during use the required tension may be applied to fence material without slipping occurring.

As shown in Figure 9, the apparatus 101 may form a part of an apparatus 901 also comprising a supporting body 902 to which the main assembly 102 is attached. In an embodiment, attachment means are provided to detachably attach the main assembly 102 to the supporting body 902, but in an alternative embodiment the main assembly is permanently attached to the supporting body (for example, by welds). In embodiments where the main assembly 102 is detachably attachable to the supporting body 401, this allows alternative main assemblies 102 to be attached to the support body 902. For example, a variety of different main assemblies having different lengths, as described above, for use with different widths of wire fence material may be optionally attached to the same support body 902.

The embodiment of Figure 9 is an example of an embodiment in which the main assembly 102 is detachably attached to the supporting body 902. In such an embodiment, the main assembly 102 may be provided with a post 951 on each of two opposite sides of its reference beam 122, and each post 951 may be located within an open ended slot 952 formed in a respective connecting plate 953 of a bracket forming part of the supporting body 902.

Thus, the post and slot arrangement provide a means of attachment of the main assembly 102 to the supporting body 902. In other embodiments alternative means of attachment may be provided, comprising for example attachment brackets, bolts, nuts, etc. In the embodiment of Figure 9, in which the reference beam 122 is attached to the support body 902, by actuating the driving device 124, the jaws 103 and 107 may be moved vertically with respect to the supporting body 902.

The supporting body 902 may be provided with a coupling means 903 to enable the apparatus to be coupled to a motorised vehicle, such as a tractor.

The coupling means may comprise a three point linkage (also known as a three point hitch) as in known in the art.

The apparatus 901 may also comprise a turntable 904 mounted on the supporting body 902, the turntable being provided for supporting a coil of wire fence material (not shown).

The main assembly 102 may also comprise a guide roller 125 mounted to rotate about its central longitudinal axis, which is arranged to extend parallel to the first jaw 103. The guide roller 125 may be formed as a single roller having a similar length to the first jaw 103 and it is provided to guide the wire fence material as it travels from a coil mounted on the turntable 904 and through the jaws 103 and 107.

The support body 902 may itself comprise several sections that are connected by bearing mechanisms and moveable with respect to each other by driving means such as hydraulic rams. A first section 905 of the support body 902 may include coupling means 903, while a second section 906 that is moveable with respect to the first section 905 may be attached directly to the main assembly 102. Thus, when the apparatus 901 is attached to a vehicle by the coupling means 903, by movement of the second section 906 with respect to the first section 905, the main assembly 102 may be moved forward and backward (as indicated by arrow 907) with respect to the vehicle. This function allows for ease of tensioning of the wire fencing material during its installation.

The main assembly 102 may be attached to the second section 906 via a third section 908 that is mounted on the second section 906 to move laterally and a further driving means, such as a further hydraulic ram, may be provided to cause lateral movement of the third section with respect to the first and second sections. Thus, when the first section 905 is coupled to a vehicle, movement of the third section 908 with respect to the second section 906 may cause the main assembly 102 to be moved from left to right, and vice versa, (as indicated by arrow 909) with respect to the vehicle. This allows the main assembly 102 to be positioned as required with respect to the vehicle during installation of fencing.

A method of clamping wire fence material, which may use the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3 or a similar apparatus having a different number of extendible members (such as 152) is illustrated in the flow chart of Figure 10. As the method applies to cases where the apparatus has only one extendible member or several, the method is stated below referring to just one extendible member, but it will be understood that a similar method applies where several extendible members are present.

If it is not already attached, the second jaw 107 may be attached to the main assembly 102 at block 1001. During attachment, the extendible members may be retracted so as not to impede the process. The process of attaching the second jaw may comprise locating ends of the second jaw within supports fixed relative to the first jaw. This may be done as described above, by inserting the upper posts 113A through slots 112 in the upper support member 1 09B, inserting the lower posts 11 3B within slots of the lower support member 109A, and then lowering the second jaw so that its lower end 115 rests on the lower support member 1 09.k.

The second jaw 107 is shown attached to the main assembly 102 after block 1001 in Figure 6.

With the extendible member 104A retracted (as shown in Figure 6) behind the clamping face of the first jaw 103, the wire fencing material may then be passed between the jaws 103 and 107, at block 1002.

The extendible member 104A is extended, at block 1003, with respect to the first jaw 103. For example, it may be extended so that it extends past the clamping face 154 of the first jaw, through an aperture in fencing wire material and past the clamping face 114 of the second jaw. This block may comprise extending the extendible member through a hole provided in the first jaw and/or through a hole provided in the second jaw.

Engagement is then provided at block 1004 between the extendible member and the second jaw. This may comprise moving an engagement member between a first configuration in which the second jaw part is separable from the first jaw part and a second configuration in which the second jaw is operatively connected to the extendible member. For example, this process may comprise locating an engagement member 151 into a hole 153 provided in an end portion of the extendible member 152.

The apparatus 101 is shown in a side view in Figure 8, with the wire fence material 801 positioned between the first and second jaws 103, 107, after block 1004.

The extendible member 152 is then retracted at block 1005 to cause the second jaw 107 to move towards the first jaw 103 and clamp the fencing wire material 801.

This method of clamping fence material may be performed as part of a process of installing fencing, in which the fence material is attached to restraining posts that are fixed into the ground. In such a method, where the first jaw is attached to a support body, the method may comprise a step of coupling the support body to a motorised vehicle. Such a method may also comprise the step of locating a coil of wire fence material on a turntable before block 1002 in which an end portion of the wire fence material is located between the first and second jaws.

During such a process of installing fencing, after block 1002, in which an end portion of the material is passed between the jaws 103 and 107, the end portion is fixed to a first restraining post before the apparatus is moved alongside a proposed fence line allowing the fence material to be uncoiled and laid along the proposed fence line. During this procedure, the extendible member 152 is maintained in its retracted position so that the material can freely pass through the gap between the jaws. In this manner, wire fencing material is typically positioned adjacent to a series of intermediate fence posts positioned between the first restraining post and a second restraining post that is also fixed into the ground. In the present embodiment, during this process, the second jaw 107 provides a guide for the positioning of the fence material as it is uncoiled and laid on the ground. However, in an alternative embodiment, a removable dispensing guide is provided to perform this guiding function. In such an embodiment the second jaw may be positioned in its operating position only after the fence material has been dispensed. In such an embodiment, the second jaw may only be attached to the one or more extendible members, and the support members 1 09A and 1 09B are not required.

Movement of the apparatus is stopped just short of the second restraining post (typically about 5 metres short). The wire fence material is then clamped by the apparatus by performing blocks 1004 and 1005 described above. The wire fence material may then be pulled straight by moving the apparatus forward and then tensioned, for example by further movement of the apparatus by the vehicle supporting the apparatus and/or by hydraulic movement of the jaws relative to the vehicle. For example, as described above with reference to Figure 9, where different sections 905, 906 of the apparatus 901 are arranged to move relative to one another, the wire fence material may be tensioned by relative movement of these sections.

With the fence material held in tension by the jaws 103 and 107, the fence material on the coil side of the jaws is cut to a length so that an end portion of the material may be fixed to the second restraining post. Tension in the two portions of material to either side of the jaws may then be equalised by moving the jaws back toward the first restraining post. The jaws may then be opened by a forward movement of the extendible members. In the case of the apparatus of Figure 1 to 3, the resilient members 118 force the second jaw 107 away from the first jaw 103. The second jaw 107 may then be detached from the remainder of the apparatus by removing the engagement means 151, retracting the extendible member 152 and lifting the post 11 3B out of the lower support member 109A before pulling the upper posts 113A out of the upper support member 109B. By this removal of the second jaw 107, the installed fencing material is freed from the apparatus, which may then be completely removed from the installed fencing material.

The blocks illustrated in the Fig. 10 may represent steps in a method. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for clamping wire fence material during installation of a fence, comprising: a main assembly comprising a first jaw and a first driving mechanism having a first part fixed relative to the first jaw and a second part moveable with respect to the first part; a second jaw detachable from the main assembly; and engagement means for providing mechanical engagement to enable the second jaw to be moveable towards the first jaw by movement of the second part of the driving mechanism.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a hydraulic ram.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises two support members, each one of the support members fixed relative to a respective end of the first jaw for supporting the second jaw.
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engagement means comprises an engagement member moveable between a first configuration, in which the second jaw part is detachable from the first jaw part, and a second configuration, in which the second jaw is operatively connected to the driving mechanism.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second part of the driving mechanism defines a hole and the engagement member has a first portion configured to be locatable within the hole in the second configuration and a second portion, configured to extend away from the second part of the driving member when the first portion is within the hole, for applying a force to the second jaw during movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first jaw has a hole through which the second part of the driving mechanism is extendible.
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second jaw has a hole through which the second part of the driving mechanism is extendible.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising one or more further driving mechanisms each having a first part fixed to the first jaw and a second part moveable with respect to the first part, and an associated engagement means configured to releasably attach the second jaw to the second part of the respective driving mechanism.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the further driving mechanisms each comprises a hydraulic ram.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein first jaw has a respective hole for each driving mechanism through which the second part of the driving mechanism is extendible.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein second jaw has a respective hole for each driving mechanism through which the second part of the driving mechanism is extendible.
12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a resilient member for assisting the separation of the first jaw from the second jaw, the resilient member being configured to resist movement of the second jaw towards said first jaw.
13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a supporting body, to which the first jaw is attached, and a coupling means attached to the supporting body for attaching the apparatus to a motorised vehicle.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the coupling means comprises a three point linkage.
15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises a turntable for supporting a coil of wire fence material.
16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first part of the driving mechanism is fixed directly onto the first jaw.
17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said apparatus further comprises a guide roller mounted to rotate on an axis fixed relative to the first jaw.
18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the engagement means provide direct coupling between the second part of the driving mechanism and the second jaw.
19. A method of clamping wire fence material comprising: extending an extendible member with respect to a first jaw so that it extends from a clamping face of the first jaw, through an aperture in fencing wire material and past a clamping face of a second jaw; providing coupling between the extendible member and the second jaw; and retracting the extendible member to cause the second jaw to move towards the first jaw and clamp the fencing wire material.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the extendible member is extended and contracted by a hydraulic ram.
21. A method according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the method further comprises supporting ends of the second jaw by supports mounted adjacent to the first jaw.
22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein an engagement member is moved between a first configuration in which the second jaw part is separable from the first jaw part and a second configuration in which the second jaw is operatively connected to the extendible member.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the extendible member defines a hole and the engagement member is located through the hole in the second configuration such that the engagement member provides portions which act on the second jaw during movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw.
24. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the first jaw has a hole through which the extendible member extends.
25. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the second jaw has a hole and extending the extendible member causes the extendible member to extend through the hole.
26. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, further comprising retracting at least one further extendible member that is parallel to the first extendible member such that the extendible member and the at least one further extendible member all act to force the second jaw towards the first jaw.
27. A method according to claim 26, wherein each of the extendible members is extended and contracted by a hydraulic ram.
28. A method according to any one of claims 26 to 27, wherein each of the extendible members is extended through a respective hole in the first jaw.
29. A method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein each of the extendible members is extended through a respective hole in the second jaw.
30. A method according any one of claims 19 to 29, wherein the method further comprises passing an end portion of the wire fence material between the first jaw and the second jaw before the extendible member is extended.
31. A method of installing a wire fence, in which wire fence material is clamped in accordance with any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein the first jaw is attached to a support body supporting a coil of wire fence material, and the method comprises dispensing the wire fence material from the coil while the support body is moved across the ground, before the extendible member is extended.
32. A method of installing a wire fence according to claim 29, further comprising coupling the support body to a motorised vehicle.
33. Apparatus substantially as described herein with respect to the accompanying figures.
34. A method of clamping wire fence material substantially as described herein with respect to the accompanying figures.
35. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.