IES85849Y1 - A device and a method for tensioning fencing wire of a fence - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A device and a method for tensioning a fencing wire of a fence, and in particular though not limited to a device and a method for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post onto a second fence post spaced apart form the first fence post.

Description

A device and a method for tensioning fencing wire of a fence The present invention relates to a device and a method for tensioning a fencing wire of a fence, and in particular, though not limited to a device and a method for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post onto a second fence post spaced apart from the first fence post.

According to the invention there is provided a device for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post onto a second fence post spaced apart from the first fence post, the device comprising a wire engaging element » carried on a fulcrum defining element adapted to engage the second fence post and define a fulcrum at the point of contact of the fulcrum defining element with the second fence post, an elongated lever extending from the fulcrum defining element for pivoting the fulcrum defining element about the fulcrum for in turn urging the wire engaging element about the fulcrum for tensioning the fencing wire secured in the wire engaging element.

. In one embodiment of the invention the fulcrum defining element extends transversely from the lever, and preferably, the wire engaging element is located at one end of the fulcrum defining element spaced apart from the lever.

Advantageously, the fulcrum defining element extends on opposite sides of the lever.

In one embodiment of the invention the wire engaging element comprises a pair of spaced apart wire engaging members, which preferably define a gap therebetween ~=- waits for engaging the fencing wire therein. Preferably, the wire engaging members are elongated members, and define the gap as an elongated gap. Advantageously, the wire engaging members extend substantially parallel to each other, and preferably, are of steel, In another embodiment of the invention the gap defined between the wire engaging members is slightly wider than the diameter of the wire, and preferably, is slightly wider than the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of the wire.

In another embodiment of the invention the fulcrum defining element comprises a tubular steel member, which preferably is of circular transverse cross-sectional area.

In another embodiment of the invention the handle comprises an elongated member of tubular steel, which preferably is of circular transverse cross~section.

The invention also provides a method for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post onto a second fence post spaced apart from the first fence post, the method comprising securing the fencing wire in the wire engaging element of the device according to the invention, abutting the fulcrum defining element against the second fence post to define a fulcrum at the point of Contact between the fulcrum defining element and the second fence post, pivoting the fulcrum defining element about the fulcrum by the handle of the device for in turn urging the wire engaging element about the fulcrum for tensioning the fencing wire onto the second fence post.

The invention also provides a method for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post to a second fence post spaced apart from the first fence post, providing a device with a wire engaging element for engaging the fencing wire, the wire engaging element being carried on a fulcrum defining element, which in turn is carried on a lever, securing the fencing wire to the wire engaging element, abutting the fulcrum defining element against the second fence post to define a fulcrum at the point of contact between the fulcrum defining element and the second fence post, urging the fulcrum defining element by the lever to pivot about the fulcrum for urging the wire engaging element about the fulcrum for in turn tensioning the fencing wire onto the second fence post. in one embodiment of the invention the wire engaging element comprises a pair of spaced apart wire engaging members defining a gap therebetween, and the method further comprises engaging the wire in the gap between the wire engaging members and winding the wire around the wire engaging members. Preferably, the wire is wound around the wire engaging members for at least one turn.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post to a second fence post spaced apart from the first fence post, Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 2 of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 1 illustrated in use, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1 also in use.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for tensioning a fencing wire 2 secured to and extending from a first fence post 3 onto a second fence post 4 so that the fencing wire 2 when tensioned onto the second fence post 4 can be secured by a suitable securing fastener to the second fence post 4, for example, by a staple (not shown). The fencing wire 2 may be any suitable fencing wire, for example, a single strand fencing wire of circular transverse cross-section of approximately 3mm, barbed wire, razor wire, or any other such fencing wires. In this embodiment of the invention the fencing wire 2 is a single strand fencing wire of diameter of approximately 3mm.

The device 1 comprises an elongated handle 8 of tubular steel of circular transverse cross-section. A fulcrum defining element, namely, a fulcrum defining member 10 of tubular steel of circular transverse cross-section is secured to extends transversely of the handle 8 at one end thereof, and extends on respective opposite sides of the handle 8. The fulcrum defining member 10 terminates in a wire engaging element, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of spaced apart elongated wire engaging members 11 which extend from one end 12 of the fulcrum defining member 10 parallel to each other and define an elongated gap 14 for engaging the fencing wire 2. The wire engaging members 11 extend at an angle of approximately 45°, and extend in a general direction diverging from the handle 8.

The fulcrum defining member 10 is adapted to define a fulcrum 15 about which the fulcrum defining member 10 is pivotal by the handle 8, for in turn urging the wire engaging member 11 around the fulcrum 15 for tensioning the fencing wire 2 onto the second fence post 4. The fulcrum defining member 10 defines the fulcrum 15 at the point of contact of the fulcrum defining member 10 with the second fence post 4.

This, thus enables the fulcrum defining member to be pivotal around the fulcrum 15, for in turn urging the wire engaging members 11 around the fulcrum 15 for tensioning a fencing wire 2 secured to the wire engaging members 11 onto the second fence post 4, as can be seen in Fig. 5.

In use, the fencing wire 2 which is secured to the first fence post 3 by, for example, one or more staples, is extended to the second fence post 4, and is engaged in the gap 14 between the wire engaging members 11. The fencing wire 2 is then secured onto the wire engaging members 11 by winding the fencing wire around thewire engaging members 11 for at least one turn, see Fig. 6. The fulcrum defining member 10 is then brought into abutment engagement with the second fence post 4 for defining the fulcrum 15 at its point of contact with the second fence post 4. The handle 8 is urged in the direction of the arrow A, for in turn pivoting the fulcrum defining member 10 about the fulcrum 15 in the direction of the arrow B, see Fig. 5.

The pivoting of the fulcrum defining member 10 about the fulcrum 15 in the direction of the arrow B causes the wire engaging member 11 to be urged around the fulcrum , also in the direction of the arrow B, for in turn pulling and tensioning the fencing wire 2 from the first fence post 3. Further urging of the handle 8 in the direction of the arrow A causes the fulcrum defining member 10 to pivot further around the fulcrum 15, thus urging the wire engaging members 11 further around the fulcrum 15 until the tensioned fencing wire 2 commences to abut the second fence post 4. The handle 8 is urged further in the direction of the arrow A until the desired tension has been induced in the fencing wire 2. At that stage the fencing wire 2 where it abuts the second fence post 4 is secured to the second fence post 4 by one or more staples (not shown) or other suitable fastening means. Thereafter the fencing wire 2 is detached from the wire engaging members 11 and iseither cut from the wire which has been secured to the second fence post 4, or is continued on to the next fence post to which it is to be next secured and tensioned by the device 1 as already described.

While the device 1 has been described for use in tensioning fencing wire between two consecutive fence posts of a fence, it is envisaged that the device 1 may be used for tensioning wire between two fence posts located with a plurality of spaced apart fence posts therebetween. Once the fencing wire is tensioned and secured to the last of the fence posts, the fencing wire would then be secured to the intervening fence posts.

While the handle has been described as being of a particular type of material and cross-section, the handle may be of any other suitable material and/or cross-section.

Similarly, the fulcrum defining member may be of any other suitable material or cross-section. It is envisaged that the fulcrum defining member may be of square or rectangular box section steel, aluminium, or any other suitable metal or other suitable material. It is also envisaged that any other suitable wire engaging element may be provided on the fulcrum defining member. For example, it is envisaged that the wire engaging members may define an elongated tapering gap therebetween which would taper towards the proximal end of the wire engaging members towards the fulcrum defining member.

While the device has been described for use in tensioning single strand fencing wire, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the device may be used for tensioning any type of fencing wire between two or more fencing posts. In particular, it is envisaged that the device according to the invention would be particularly suitable for tensioning barbed wire, razor wire and the like, and indeed, when used for tensioning barbed wire, the barbs in the barbed wire would in general be suitable for retaining the barbed wire in the gap 14 between the wire engaging members 11, since the barbs of the barbed wire would engage the wire engaging members 11.

However, in general, it is envisaged that the free end of the barbed wire would be wrapped around at least one of the wire engaging members 11 in order to anchor the barbed wire in the wire engaging element of the device.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, which may be varied in construction and detail.

F.F. GORMAN & CO.

Claims (5)

1. A device for tensioning a fencing wire secured to and extending from a first fence post onto a second fence post spaced apart from the first fence post, the device comprising a wire engaging element carried on a fulcrum defining element adapted to engage the second fence post and define a fulcrum at the point of contact of the fulcrum defining element with the second fence post, an elongated lever extending from the fulcrum defining element for pivoting the fulcrum defining element about the fi.11CI'l1II1 for in turn urging the wire engaging element about the fulcrum for tensioning the fencing wire secured in the wire engaging element.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle comprises an elongated member wherein the fulcrum defining member is secured to extend transversely of the handle at one end.

3. The device of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the fulcrum defining element extends transversely from the lever and from the wire engaging element located at one end of the fulcrum defining element spaced apart from the lever.

4. The device of any preceding claim wherein the fulcrum defining element extends on opposite sides of the lever.

5. The device of any preceding claim wherein the wire engaging element comprises a pair of spaced apart wire engaging members defining a gap therebetween for engaging the fencing wire therein. RETY6488