NZ526132A

NZ526132A - Gate clip comprising of two leg portions connected by a central portion which can be clipped around part of a gate

Info

Publication number: NZ526132A
Application number: NZ526132A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Leo Hagenson
Original assignee: Leo Hagenson
Priority date: 2003-05-27
Filing date: 2003-05-27
Publication date: 2004-08-27
Also published as: WO2004105472A1; AU2004202275A1

Abstract

A gate clip is disclosed which includes two leg portions connected to on another by a central portion. The leg portions and the central portions are formed form a resilient, electrically insulated material. The outer side of the leg portions and the central portion includes a channel arranged to house a wire. The inner side of the central portion defines an aperture enabling the gate clip to be clipped around part of a gate.

Description

526 1 3 2 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: Date: 27 May 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION GATE CLIP I, LEO HAGENSON, a citizen of New Zealand, of 4125 State Highway 3, RD Mokau, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 OFRCe'OF N.Z." ' j 5435!"' 2 7 MAY 28C3 (S) p r? n, M TT! 1 ^ - - J 2 FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to gate clips that clip onto gates and allow an electric wire to be placed around the gate, and in particular to gate clips for farm gates.

BACKGROUND Farms include paddocks in which farm animals graze. In New Zealand most farm fences include wooden fence posts to which are attached horizontal wires. If proper 10 insulation is provided the wires may be electrified. However even when the paddock fence is electrified no electric wire is provide across the paddock gate.

Electric fence systems act as a deterrent to stock and most stock, after having been shocked by an electric fence, will not try to push past the electric fence again. While 15 fences in paddocks may be electrified gates into paddocks generally aren't electrified. Stock wanting to exit a paddock with an electric fence will tend to try to use the gate as an exit route. Stock may also lean on gates and in this way damage the gates.

Electric fence systems exist that allow a farmer to fence off an area, for example a small 20 area within an existing paddock fenced with a temporary electric fence. In such systems electric fence "gates" have been devised. Such gates comprise a portion of electric fence wire with a handle at one end. A hook extends through the end of the handle which, when the fence is closed, hooks into a corresponding eye. The handle is made of insulating material and encloses a spring. By moving the handle towards the eye the 25 farmer can compress the spring and unhook the hook from the eye. While these systems allow all four sides of an area to be electrified such a system cannot be used to electrify both sides of an existing gate. 47704-1 3 SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide a clip that allows an electrified wire to be positioned around a gate and a method for providing an electric wire around a gate, 5 or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In broad terms in one aspect the invention comprises a gate clip including two leg portions connected to one another by a central portion, the leg portions and the central portion being formed from resilient, electrically insulating material, the outer side of the 10 leg portions and the central portion including a channel arranged to house a wire, and the inner side of the central portion defining an aperture enabling the gate clip to be clipped around part of a gate.

In broad terms in another aspect the invention comprises an electrified gate including at 15 least two gate clips, the gate clips including two leg portions connected to one another by a central portion, the leg portions and the central portion being formed from resilient, electrically insulating material, the outer side of the leg portions and the central portion including a channel arranged to house a wire, and the inner side of the central portion defining an aperture enabling the gate clip to be clipped around part of a gate, the gate 20 clips clipped to opposed rails of the gate and a wire electrified or to be electrified extending across the gate and around the gate clips which insulate the gate form the wire.

In broad terms in a further aspect the invention comprises a method of positioning an 25 electric wire around a gate including the steps of providing insulated areas around part of at least two substantially vertical gate rails, positioning an electric wire around the gate in contact with the insulated areas and connecting the electric wire to a power supply. 47704-1 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSB The invention will be further described by way of example only and without intending to be limiting with reference to the following drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of gate clip of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the gate clip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed view of part of the central portion of the gate clip of Figure l; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of part of the gate clip taken along lines A - A 10 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of an electric gate system using the gate clips of the invention; and Figure 6 is a top view of an electric gate system using gate clips of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 show a gate clip. The gate clip has leg portions 1 and 2, and central portion 3. The leg portions 1 and 2 have inner sides 7 and 8 and outer sides 9 and 10 respectively. The central portion defines an aperture 6 on the inner side and has outer side 11. A 20 channel (not shown in Figure 1) is provided in the outer sides 9 and 10 of the legs and the outer side 11 of the central portion. Dashed line 4 shows the centre line of the channel. The channel is shown in Figure 2.

Hole 5 that passes through the channel may be provided in the gate clip. Figure 1 shows 25 this hole at the top of the gate clip although the hole may be provided in another place on the gate clip or more than one hole may be provided. The function of the hole (or holes) is to allow a lead to a power supply to pass through the hole and make a good connection with a wire around the gate. The provision of hole 5 for connecting a lead to the wire around the gate means that no extra clamps etc. are required to connect the wire 30 around the gate to the power supply. 47704-1 As shown in Figure 1 the central aperture 6 defines a substantial portion of a circle. This allows the clip to be clipped onto round gate structures and in particular to pipes of metal pipe gates. As the central aperture 6 defines more than half a circle the clip will remain attached to the gate without the need for further attachment means as long as the 5 circumference of the gate is similar to the effective circumference of aperture 6. The central aperture 6 may have a different shape if it is to be fitted on gate sections of different shapes. The gate clip may be provided in different sizes with different dimensions of central aperture 6 to fit gate rails of different sizes and diameters.

The central portion 3 of the gate clip is typically semicircular. The semicircular shape of the central portion allows a smooth and continuous channel to be formed in the outer side 11 of the central portion and a substantially circular aperture 6 to be defined by the inside of the central portion. In alternative embodiments the central portion may have a different shape if, for example, the shape of the central aperture is different. In 15 preferred embodiments the outer side 11 of the central portion 3 is semicircular. This allows a smooth and continuous channel to be formed in the outer surface into which a wire can be placed.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 the leg portions 1 and 2 are angled with respect to one 20 another. Following the line of the inner sides 7 and 8 of the legs into the aperture 6 the legs form an acute angle. Providing a V shaped gap between the inner sides 7 and 8 of the legs provides a guide for installing the clip and contributes to the ease of installing the clips. In alternative embodiments the legs may form a different angle, for example the inner sides of the legs may be parallel or substantially parallel.

Figures 1 and 2 show that the outer sides 9 and 10 of the leg portions are also angled with respect to one another. As can be seen from Figure 2 channel 14 is formed in the outer sides of the leg portions. In use a wire is positioned inside the channel when the gate clip is clipped to a vertical rail of a gate. The angled legs guide the wire to a 30 position parallel to the horizontal rails of the gate but spaced apart from the horizontal rails of the gate. It is important that the wire is not in contact with the gate and that the 47704-1 6 risk of the wire coming into contact with the gate is minimised. This is particularly important if the gate is metal and will conduct electricity.

It should be noted that although the width of the legs 1 and 2 of the gate clip is shown as 5 consistent along the length of the legs this is not essential. In different embodiments where the angle formed by the inner sides 7 and 8 and the angle formed by the outer sides 9 and 10 of the legs is different then the width of the legs will vary along the length of the legs. This allows for a gate clip where, for example, the inner sides of the legs are angled to provide a guide for attaching the clips but where the outer sides of the 10 legs are partially or substantially parallel.

The legs of the gate clip may also be provided with holes 12. These holes allow water to drain from the clip.

As shows in Figure 2 and in more detail in Figure 3 in the preferred embodiment the channel 14 in the outer sides of the legs and central portions of the gate clip includes a plurality of protrusions 13. The protrusions 13 are spaced in pairs at intervals along the length of the channel. In each pair of protrusions one protrusion projects from each side of the channel. The protrusions allow a piece of wire to be secured within the channel. 20 When wire is in the channel the protrusions prevent the wire from falling out of the channel. In an alternative embodiment the protrusions may be individual protrusions spaced around the channel.

The gate clip is formed from an insulating material so that electricity in the wire cannot 25 flow into the gate. In the preferred embodiment the clip is formed from plastics. The gate clip is formed from resilient material and be able to flex when positioned on a gate post.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of the gate taken from line A - A on Figure 1. This cross 30 section shows channel 14 formed in the outer side of the clip and aperture 6 at the inner side of the central portion. The cross section shows that the area between the inner and outer sides as less depth than the inner and outer sides. This provides a saving in 47704-1 7 material while providing a usable clip. The depth of the inner side is greater than that of the area between the inner and outer sides to provide a suitable connection between the clip and the gate rail.

In use a gate clip is attached to the each of the vertical rails of a gate. The gate clip is placed on the rail with the rail in the opening formed by the inner sides 7 and 8 of the clip legs 1 and 2. The clip is then pushed onto the gate so that the clip clips or snaps home with the gate rail is inside clip aperture 6. The gate clips shown in the Figures are particularly suited for metal gates where the vertical and horizontal rails that form the 10 edge of the gate are metal pipes. The two gate clips are placed opposite each other with the ends of the legs of the two gate clips closer than the central portions as shown in Figure 6. A wire to be electrified is the attached to the gate clips and formed into a loop around the gate as shown in Figure 5. To attach the wire to the gate clips the wire is pushed into the channel past any protrusions. Before the wire is pushed into the 15 channels of the gate clips at least one lead wire is inserted in hole 5. When the gate wire is pushed into the channel of the gate clip it forms a good electrical connection with the lead wire(s). Once the wire has been attached to both gate clips the ends of the wire are connected together to form a loop around the gate. The connection means may be any suitable wire connection means such as a wire gripper etc. During the step of 20 connecting the ends of the wire together the wire is tightened around the gate. This also tightens the grip of the gate clips on the gate - particularly if the outer sides of the gate clip legs are angled as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The power supply provides electric pulses to the wire like those of electric fences. In this way and as shown in Figures 5 and 6 an electrified wire is provided around a gate but the gate itself isn't electrified.

In one embodiment the lead wire connects the electric wire around the gate to an electric fence. In this embodiment the lead wire is attached to the electric wire around the fence through hole 5 in the gate clip at the hinge side of the gate. In the preferred embodiment the lead wire is insulated. The lead wire extends from the gate clip past the 30 gate post to a clamp or attachment means attached to the electric fence wire. In this way the electric wire around the gate is powered from an electric fence. 47704-1 8 When the lead wire is attached to an electric fence it is preferred that the lead wire is connected to the electric wire around the gate at the gate clip closest to the gate hinge. This means that when the gate is opened and closed the lead wire moves only a small distance as opposed to the movement that would occur if the lead wire were attached to 5 the gate electric wire at a gate clip distant from the hinge side of the gate.

In alternative embodiments a separate power supply may be provided for the gate electric wire.

Figure 5 is a side view of the frame of a pipe gate 17 with a pair of gate clips 15 and a wire 16. Figure 6 is a top view of the gate, gate clips and wire. As can be seen in Figure 6 the wire is not in contact with the gate.

In an alternative embodiment the means for insulating the gate from the electric wire 15 may be any suitable insulator. In this embodiment the insulators are provided on at least two vertical gate rails. More insulators may be provided along the path that the electric wire will take if necessary to insulate the gate from the wire. The wire is then positioned around the gate in contact with some or all of the insulators but not in direct contact with the gate. The electric wire will be in contact with the insulators on the 20 vertical gate rails but may not be in contact with any insulators between the gate rails. The electric wire is then connected to a power supply. The connection to the power supply may be via an existing electric fence.

When a farmer comes to open the gate the farmer can reach around the electric wire to 25 unhook any gate closures. The same applies when the farmer closes the gate. As the gate is not electrified the farmer can safely touch the gate. The farmer can also turn the power supply for the electric wire off before opening the gate. When required the farmer can turn the power supply for the electric wire on. The electric wire around the gate acts as a deterrent to stock that might otherwise attempt to leave the paddock by 30 rubbing the gate to open the latch. The electric wire also deters stock from leaning on the gate. 47704-1 9 The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof as defined by the accompanying claims. 47704-1

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A gate clip including: two leg portions connected to one another by a central portion, 5 the leg portions and the central portion being formed from resilient, electrically insulating material, the outer side of the leg portions and the central portion including a channel arranged to house a wire, and the inner side of the central portion defining an aperture enabling the gate clip to 10 be clipped around part of a gate.

2. A gate clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture defined by the inner side of the central portion forms a substantial part of a circle. 15

3. A gate clip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the outer side of the central portion is substantially semicircular.

4. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the inner sides of the leg portions are angled to form a guide for clip placement. 20

5. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the outer sides of the leg portions are angled out from the central portion.

6. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least one hole is 25 formed through the channel.

7. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein at least one hole is formed in each leg. 30 8. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the width of the legs is substantially constant. 47704-1 | ^ 7 t 200^

RECEIVED 11

9. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the channel includes protrusions arranged to hold a wire inside the channel.

10. A gate clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the clip is formed from plastics material.

11. A gate clip substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. An electrified gate including at least two gate clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 clipped to opposed rails of the gate and a wire electrified or to be electrified extending across the gate and through channels in the gate clips which insulate the gate form the wire.

13. An electrified gate as claimed in claim 12 wherein a lead wire is provided to connect the electrified wire or wire to be electrified to a power supply.

14. An electrified gate as claimed in claim 13 wherein the lead wire is connected to the electrified wire or wire to be electrified at a gate clip.

15. An electrified gate as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the lead wire is connected to the electrified wire or wire to be electrified at the gate clip closest to the gate hinge.

16. An electrified gate as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the lead wire connects the electrified wire or wire to be electrified to an electric fence.

17. An electrified gate according to claim 12 and substantially as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and described herein with reference thereto.

18 A method of positioning an electric wire around a gate including the steps of providing insulated areas around part of at least two substantially vertical gate rails, 47704-1 TNTEU£CTUaTPROPERTY OFpICE OF M.Z 17 \IK; 2C01! RECEIVED 12 positioning an electric wire around the gate in contact with the insulated areas and connecting the electric wire to a power supply.

19. A method of positioning an electric wire around a gate as claimed in claim 18 5 further including the step of providing a lead wire to connect the electric wire to the power supply.

20. A method of positioning an electric wire around a gate as claimed in claim 19 further including the step of connecting the lead wire to the electric wire at an insulated 10 area.

21. A method of positioning an electric wire around a gate as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the lead wire is connected to the electric wire at an insulated area closest to a gate hinge. 15

22. A method of positioning an electric wire around a gate as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 further including the step of connecting the lead wire to an electric fence. 1 W CLAIMS INSEtS J 0.v:.ef Or NX 2 7 MAY 2003 47704-1