WO2019084602A1

WO2019084602A1 - A fitting

Info

Publication number: WO2019084602A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/051166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roderick John Davidson; Nicole Susan Davidson
Original assignee: Roderick John Davidson; Nicole Susan Davidson
Priority date: 2017-11-02
Filing date: 2018-10-30
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: AU2018102225A4; US20210172196A1; AU2018360883A1; CA3078537A1; EP3704334A4; EP3704334A1

Abstract

A fitting (100), for securing an elongate member to a support structure, at least substantially consisting of filamentary material. The fitting (100) is shaped to define closed bottom portions (122), (124); a front portion (110) having sides (162), (164) that are mutually connected by one bottom portion (122); a back portion (130) having sides (182), (184) that are mutually connected by another bottom portion (124); a closed top portion (142) connecting a side (162) of the front portion (110) to a side (182) of the back portion (130); and another closed top portion (144) connecting another side (164) of the front portion (110) to another side (184) of the back portion (130). The front portion (110) is spaced from the back portion (130) to define a receiving space for receiving the elongate member. The front portion (110) is in register with the back portion (130) such that the front portion (110) and the back portion (130) are skewerable by a fastener engageable with the support structure.

Description

A FITTING

FIELD

The present invention relates to a fitting, preferred variants of which are useful for fencing applications. Methods of making and using the fitting are also disclosed. BACKGROUND

An existing staple for securing a fencing wire to a fencing post is shown in Figure 1 A. The staple may be driven into the post using a hammer. This can be fiddly and difficult. Specialised power tools are available but they are, however, specific to staple application and increase the fence installation costs. Staples are also prone to being pulled out from the post. For example, an animal applying pressure to the fencing wire will dislodge the staple from the post. As a result, the fence secured using these staples may require constant repair work, which represents an ongoing cost.

Other existing clips include a weldmesh clip (shown in Figure 1 B) and a saddle (shown in Figure 1 C). These other existing clips have their own disadvantages. A wire secured using with a weldmesh clip is at risk of corrosion because the clip tightly encloses the wire and traps moisture. Saddles, on the other hand, require two screws. This increases installation costs and increases the risk of the post splitting.

It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way before the priority date. SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to provide a fitting that is cheap to manufacture, easy to install, reusable, and/or is less likely to corrode. The invention additionally or alternatively seeks to provide the public with a useful choice. One aspect of the invention provides a fitting, for securing a horizontal elongate member to a support structure, the fitting at least substantially consisting of filamentary material and being shaped to define closed bottom portions; a front portion having sides that are mutually connected by one of the closed bottom portions; a back portion having sides that are mutually connected by another one of the closed bottom portions; and closed top portions; the closed top portions comprising a closed top portion connecting a side of the front portion to a side of the back portion; and another closed top portion connecting another side of the front portion to another side of the back portion, and the front portion being spaced from the back portion to define a receiving space for receiving the elongate member, and the front portion and the back portion being in register with each other to be skewered by a fastener engaging the support structure such that the elongate member is trapped between the front portion, the back portion, the closed top portions and the fastener; a body of the fastener is trapped between the sides, the closed bottom portions and the elongate member; and the fitting is trapped between the support structure and a head of the fastener.

The filamentary material is preferably metallic although other materials capable of bending and retaining the bent shape are possible. Most preferably the filamentary material is wire.

The wire may have a diameter similar to a diameter of the elongate member. For example, the diameter of the wire may be between about 1 mm to about 5mm inclusive. The diameter of the wire is preferably about 2.5mm. The wire of 2.5mm diameter is suitable for fencing applications.

The fitting is preferably formed from a material that is similar to a material of the elongate member. The wire of the fitting may be galvanized wire. The wire for forming the fitting has a minimum breaking strain of about 3kN to about 8kN. The wire preferably has a minimum breaking strain of about 5.4kN.

Preferably the fitting is dimensioned to stably hang from the elongate member such that the front portion and back portion are aligned to horizontally receive the fastener.

The filamentary material of the fitting may have two free-ends. The elongate member may be a fencing wire, and the support structure may be a fencing post. The fastener may be a screw.

Preferred variants of the fitting are suited to fencing. The fitting may also be used for landscaping, construction, building, civil engineering, or any other application where an elongate member is to be secured to a supporting structure. Another aspect of the invention provides the fitting and the fastener. The fitting is preferably shaped to hang from the elongate member whilst cradling the fastener, skewering the front portion and the back portion, to orient the fastener horizontally ready to engage the support structure. The fastener may be a self-tapping screw and/or self-drilling screw. The type of fastener and dimensions of the fastener may be selected based on the support structure to which the elongate member and fitting are to be secured. For example, where the support structure is a treated pine post, the fastener may be a 12 gauge 55mm self-drilling wood screw. Where the support structure is a steel pipe, the fastener may be a self-drilling metal screw and/or about 25mm long.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system comprising the fitting; the fastener; and the elongate member.

The fitting is preferably formed of a material that is similar, and most preferably is substantially identical, to a material of the elongate member to reduce a risk of corrosion.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method, of a securing an elongate member to a support structure, comprising locating the elongate member within the receiving space of the fitting; skewering the front portion and back portion with a fastener to trap the elongate member; and engaging the fastener with the support structure.

The method may comprise, prior to the engaging, allowing the fitting to hang from the elongate member whilst cradling the fastener to orient the fastener horizontally ready for the engaging. The front portion may deform towards the back portion as a head of the fastener presses against the front portion while engaging the fastener in the support structure. Another aspect of the invention provides a method, of making the fitting, comprising forming a loop of the filamentary material; and folding the loop.

The loop is preferably longer than it is wide. The folding may be about a widthwise axis. Most preferably the loop is at least twice as long as it is wide. The loop may have curved ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 A is a side view of a staple;

Figure 1 B is a perspective view of a weld mesh clip; Figure 1 C is a plan view of a saddle;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of a fitting;

Figure 2B is a front view of the fitting;

Figure 2C is a side view of the fitting;

Figure 2D is a rear view of the fitting; Figure 2E is another side view of the fitting;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of the fitting installed in one orientation;

Figure 3B is a perspective view of the fitting installed in another orientation.

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the fitting in one orientation and cradling the screw;

Figure 4B is another perspective view of the fitting in the one orientation and cradling the screw; and Figure 5A to 5B are perspective views of the fitting in other orientations cradling a screw.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following examples are intended to illustrate to enable reproduction and comparison. They are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, a fitting (or clip) 100 formed from wire is provided for securing a fencing wire to a fencing post. The wire for forming the fitting 100 is a high tensile galvanized wire and has a diameter of about 2.5mm. Waratah Tyeasy 2.5mm is one option. Liberty Onesteel Heavy Galvinised Hard 2.5mm is preferred. The fitting 100 has other applications besides fencing. Variants of the fitting 100 might be used to secure elongate members to support structures in contexts such as in landscaping, civil engineering or building and construction; e.g. a heavier variant of the fitting 100 might be formed of filament in the form of bar stock, e.g. 020mm bar, and be useful for holding heavy cable on a rock face. The material of the wire used to form the fitting 100 is similar to that which forms the elongate member and/or for the fastener. Using the similar material reduces the risk of corrosion. The wire for forming the fitting 100 has two free-end portions 102, 104. The free-ends portions 102, 104 substantially overlap each other in the fitting 100.

The fitting 100 and the invention more generally are described and claimed herein utilising a geometric reference frame consistent with Figures 2B to 3A, 4A and 4B, although as illustrated in Figures 3B and 5A to 6B the same fitting may be

advantageously utilised in other orientations. By way of example, a fitting for (as in 'suitable for') mounting a horizontal wire may be turned sideways to mount a vertical wire. As best shown in Figure 2C, the wire is shaped to form two spaced-apart arm portions 1 10 and 130 to define a first-receiving space 106 between the arm portions 1 10 and 130. The arm portion 1 10 is a front portion. The arm portion 130 is a back portion. The first-receiving space 106 is dimensioned to receive the elongate member (e.g. so the fitting can fit onto the fencing wire).

The first-receiving space 106 has a U-shaped profile comprising an opening. The opening has an opening width configured to admit the elongate member or (when used in the orientation of Figure 5A), the shaft of the fastener while excluding the flanged head of the fastener. The opening width may be up to about 2.0cm wide inclusive. Preferably it is about 1 .0cm wide.

Each of the arm portions 1 10 and 130 is U-shaped. The openings of the two arm portions 1 10 and 130 are generally aligned with each other in the fore-aft direction to define a second-receiving space 108 for a fastener 300 to pass through to skewer the portions 1 10 and 130. The second-receiving space 108 is wide enough to admit the shaft of the fastener but narrow enough to exclude the flanged head of the fastener. The width may be up to about 2.0cm inclusive. Preferably it is about 1 .0cm.

The fitting 100 allows for easy draining and drying of the clip (for example,

subsequent to rainfall). This further reduces corrosion risk of the fitting 100.

The arrangement provided by the first-receiving space 106 and the second-receiving space 108 is such that a first member (one of the fencing wire or fastener) that is received in the first-receiving space 106 is generally transverse to a second member (the other one of the fencing wire or fastener that is received in the second-receiving space 108). For example, a fastener located in the second-receiving space 108 has a longitudinal axis that is generally transverse (or substantially perpendicular) to the fencing direction of a fencing wire located in the first-receiving space 106.

The fitting 100 is versatile. To secure a fencing wire to a post, the fitting can be used in any direction without reducing its efficacy. For example, the fitting can be rotated over and around and placed on the fencing wire in any one of four orientations. In addition, the fitting 100 can be used to hold the fencing wire above or below the fastener. In view of the shape of the fitting 100, the fitting 100 can be used to secure the fencing wire to the fencing post in one of the following two arrangements: 1 . the fencing wire is located in the first-receiving space 106 between the arm portions 1 10 and 130 with a fastener being passable through the two arm portions 1 10 and 130 in the second-receiving space 108; or

2. the fencing wire is located in the second-receiving space 108 between the arm portions 1 10 and 130 with a fastener being passable through the two arm portions 1 10 and 130 in the first-receiving space 106.

In the first arrangement, the first-receiving space 106 is a wire-receiving space and the second-receiving space 108 is a fastener-receiving space. In the second arrangement, the second-receiving space 108 is a wire-receiving space and the first- receiving space 106 is a fastener-receiving space.

The fitting 100 will now be described in relation to its use in the first arrangement.

Taking the first arrangement, the fitting 100 has two closed bottom portions 122, 124 that are spaced apart from each other. Each closed bottom portion 122, 124 is curved. In particular, each closed bottom portion 122, 124 is substantially semi- circular. The two bottom portions 122, 124 are registered to each other. When the fitting 100 hangs on a wire, the registration between the two bottom portions 122, 124 allows a fastener to hang on the closed bottom portions substantially horizontally such that the fastener points into (in a direction substantially perpendicular to) an upright face of the post. A first arm portion 1 10 of the fitting 100 is a front portion having two sides 162, 164 that are connected to each other by a first bottom portion 122. An outwardly-facing face of the first arm portion 1 10 is substantially planar. The sides 162, 164 of the front portion are parallel to each other. The first arm portion 1 10 with the sides 162, 164 and the closed bottom portion 122 has a substantially U-shaped profile. A second arm portion 130 of the fitting 100 is a back portion having two sides 182, 184 that are connected to each other by a second bottom portion 124. An outwardly- facing face of the second arm portion 130 is substantially planar. The sides 182, 184 of the back portion are parallel to each other. The second arm portion 130 with the sides 182, 184 and the closed bottom portion 124 has a substantially U-shaped profile. The U-shaped profile of the second arm portion 130 is generally similar to the U-shaped profile of the first arm portion 1 10.

The fitting 100 has two closed top portions 142, 144. Similar to the bottom portions 122, 124, each top portion 142, 144 is curved. In particular, each top portion 142, 144 is substantially semi-circular. One top portion 142 is formed by free-end portions 102, 104 of the wire used to form the fitting 100. At this top portion 142, the free-end portions 102, 104 of the wire overlap each other. The other top portion 144 is a continuous portion of the wire. The two top portions 142, 144 are registered to each other.

One top portion 142 connects one side 162 of the front portion to one side 182 of the back portion. An outwardly-facing face formed by the top portion 142 and the sides 162, 182 is substantially planar. One side 162 of the front portion is parallel to the one side 182 of the back portion. The top portion 142, and the two sides 162, 182 form a planar surface with a substantially U-shaped profile.

The other top portion 144 connects another side 164 of the front portion to another side 184 of the back portion. An outwardly-facing face formed by the top portion 144 and the sides 164, 184 is substantially planar. The other side 164 of the front portion is parallel to the other side 184 of the back portion. The top portion 144, and the two sides 164, 184 form a planar surface with a substantially U-shaped profile. The U- shaped profile of the top portion 144 and two sides is generally similar to the U- shaped profile of the other top portion 142 and two sides.

As can be seen from Figures 2B to 2E, the fitting 100 when viewed from the top (Figure 2B), sides (Figures 2C, 2E), and bottom (Figure 2D) have a substantially similar U-shaped profile.

Where the fencing wire is located in the first-receiving space 106 and the fastener is passable through the second-receiving space 108, the elongate fencing wire is trapped between the first arm portion 1 10, the second arm portion 130, the top portions 142, 144 and the fastener. In addition, the fastener is trapped between the sides 162, 164, 182, 184, the bottom portions 122, 124, and the fencing wire.

The elongate member in the fitting 100 is partially surrounded by the two top portions 142, 144 and their respective connected sides. In addition, the fastener through the fitting 100 is partially surrounded by the two bottom portions 122, 124 and their respective connected sides. Thereby the elongate member and fastener are each trapped within the fitting at two distinct locations along the length of each of the elongate member and fastener. By having the fitting 100 pass over each of the elongate member and the fastener twice, the fitting 100 prevents displacement of the elongate member and fastener from the fitting. For example, in use, if the free end portions 102, 104 are somehow pulled straight (which causes the closed top portion 142 formed by these free end portions to become open), the other closed top portion 144 will still prevent the fencing wire (or fastener) to escape the fitting 100.

Referring to Figure 3A, the fitting 100 is arranged to stably hang on the fencing wire 200 that is received in the first-receiving space 106 of the fitting 100. In particular, the fitting 100 is arranged to hang on the fencing wire 200 about the closed top portions 142, 144 of the fitting 100. When located on the fencing wire 200, the front portion of the fitting 100 substantially balances the back portion of the fitting 100 such that the back portion is substantially flush against the upright face of a post 400. In addition, when the fitting is located on the fencing wire 200, the front portion and back portion are substantially registered with each other such that a clear line-of-sight is provided through the second-receiving space 108 to the upright face of the post 400 for readily receiving the fastener 300 for securing the fitting 100 to the post 400. Once the fitting 100 is located on the fencing wire 200 therefore, the fastener 300 can readily skewer the fitting 100 and be fastened into the post 400 without any prior alignment of the fitting by the user. When the fastener 300 skewers the fitting 100, the fitting 100 maintains the fastener in a substantially horizontal position pointing into the post 400 (i.e. in a direction substantially perpendicular to an upright face of the post 400).

The fastener 300 is a self-tapping screw, particularly a TEK® screw having a threaded length of about 55mm, and is thus well adapted to wooden support structures. The fastener has a flanged head that contacts the sides of the front portion and the bottom portion that connects those sides when the fastener is fastened into the post 400. When the fitting 100 is skewered by the fastener 300 and engages the post 400, the fitting 100 is trapped between the fencing wire 200, a body of the fastener 300, and the head of the fastener 300. The fastener 300 can be fastened into the post using a multipurpose power tool that many builders would already own. In addition, when the fencing is to be removed and adjusted, the fastener 300 can be removed from the post to the allow the fitting 100 as well as the fastener 300 to be reused. Of course, other screws, and indeed other fasteners more generally, are possible. By way of example, blind rivets may be convenient when utilising the fitting to secure wire to sheet material such as sheet metal. Indeed, whilst the fitting 100 is configured to cooperate with a screw, in some contexts it might be conveniently utilised without any such fastener. By way of example the fitting could be fitted over a tubular boss, the end of which is flared (through a staking operation) to define a head end by which the fitting is retained.

Whilst the fastener 300 has a flanged head wider than the arm portion 1 10 to act directly thereon, other implementations of the disclosed system may entail a washer, a plate or other load-transfer arrangement to assist with the entrapment of the fitting between the head of the fastener and the support structure.

When the fastener 300 skewers the front and back portions of the fitting 100 hanging on the wire 200, the fastener 300 stably hangs substantially horizontally from the fitting 100. The fastener 300 has a centre-of-gravity that, when the fastener 300 skewers the fitting 100 hanging on the wire 200 and the head is in abutment with the fitting, is located within the receiving space 106, e.g. near a middle of the space. The fastener 300 is about 55mm long. Longer fasteners may be useful for repairs to old fences.

The fastener 300 is provided below the fencing wire 200 through the second- receiving space 108 to engage the post 400. In this arrangement, an uppermost limit of vertical movement allowed by the fitting 100 for the fencing wire 200 is limited by the closed top portions 142, 144, while a lowermost limit allowed by the fitting 100 for the fencing wire 200 is limited by the fastener 300.

Referring to Figure 3B, the fitting 100 can be flipped vertically (turned upside down) relative to the arrangement shown in Figure 3A. In this arrangement, the fitting 100 receives the fencing wire 200 in the first-receiving space 106 and receives the fastener 300 through the second-receiving space 108. In this arrangement, the fastener 300 is provided above the fencing wire 200. In this arrangement, an uppermost limit of vertical movement allowed by the fitting 100 for the fencing wire 200 is limited by the fastener 300, while a lowermost limit allowed by the fitting 100 for the fencing wire 200 is limited by the closed top portions 142, 144.

As shown in Figure 3B, the front portion of the fitting 300 is deformed towards the back portion of the fitting 100. In particular, the front portion is deformable towards the back portion upon fastening of the fastener 300 through the second-receiving area 108 into the post 400. Upon the fastener 300 skewering the fitting 100 through the second-receiving space and being fastened into the post 400, the flanged head of the fastener 300 will contact the bottom portion and sides of the front portion of the fitting. Further fastening of the fastener 300 into the post 400 causes the flanged head of the fastener to push against the bottom portion and the side portions causing the front portion to deform towards the back portion of the fitting 100. Deforming the fitting may be useful in applications where it is necessary for the elongate member to be gripped firmly to prevent longitudinal movement, such as the installation of insulating tube over the fencing wire for the construction of an electric fence.

Figures 4A and 4B show the arrangement of Figure 3A of the fitting 100 with the fencing wire 200 and the fastener 300 without the post. As mentioned previously, the fitting 100 is versatile and can be used in a number of different ways as shown in Figures 3B, 5A and 5B and 6A and 6B.

As can be seen in Figures 4A and 4B, 5A and 5B, and 6A and 6B, when the fitting 100 is located on the fencing wire 200, the fitting 1 00 stably hangs on the fencing wire without needing to be supported by a human operator. In addition, from these figures, when the fastener 300 is skewered through the fitting 100, the fastener 300 stably hangs in the fitting 100 without needing to be supported by the human operator. In particular, when the fastener 300 is located in the fitting 100, a centre-of- gravity of the fastener 300 is located in between the front portion and back portion of the fitting 100 such that the fastener 300 stably hangs in in the fitting. These features make it easy for the human operator to secure the fencing wire 200 to the post using the fitting 100.

To secure a fencing wire 200 to a post using the fitting 100 of the present invention:

1 . the human operator hangs the fitting 100 over the fencing wire 200 which stably hangs on the fencing wire; 2. the human operator skewers the fastener 300 through the fitting 100, which will stably hang on the fitting 100; and

3. the human operator will fasten the fastener 300 into the post (for example using a multipurpose power tool) thereby securing the fencing wire 200 to the post.

Figures 5A and 5B show another arrangement of the fitting with the fencing wire 200 and the fastener 300. In this arrangement, the second-receiving space 108 of the fitting 100 is used to receive the fencing wire 200 and the first receiving space 106 is used to receive the fastener 300.

Figures 6A and 6B show yet an arrangement of the fitting 100 with the fencing wire 200 and the fastener 300. In this arrangement, the fitting 100 of Figures 5A and 5B is horizontally flipped (by 180°). Similar to the previous arrangement, the second- receiving space of the fitting 100 is used to receive the fencing wire 200 and the first receiving space is used to receive the fastener 300.

To form the fitting 100, high-tensile galvanised wire is shaped to form a loop. The loop has a long shape with a first rounded end and a second rounded end opposite the first end. The free end portions of the wire are arranged to substantially overlap each other, preferably along one of the long sides of the loop. An interior space defined by the loop defines the second-receiving area. The first rounded end is folded towards the second rounded end of the loop about a central axis of the loop. In folding the loop, a separation distance is maintained between the first rounded end and the second rounded end of the loop. The separation distance is up to about 2.0cm inclusive, preferably about 1 .0cm. The separation distance between the first end and the second end defines the first receiving area 106.

The invention is not limited to the described examples. Rather the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1 . A fitting, for securing a horizontal elongate member to a support structure, the fitting at least substantially consisting of filamentary material and being shaped to define closed bottom portions; a front portion having sides that are mutually connected by one of the closed bottom portions; a back portion having sides that are mutually connected by another one of the closed bottom portions; and closed top portions; the closed top portions comprising a closed top portion connecting a side of the front portion to a side of the back portion; and another closed top portion connecting another side of the front portion to another side of the back portion, and the front portion being spaced from the back portion to define a receiving space for receiving the elongate member, and the front portion and the back portion being in register with each other to be skewered by a fastener engaging the support structure such that the elongate member is trapped between the front portion, the back portion, the closed top portions and the fastener; a body of the fastener is trapped between the sides, the closed bottom portions and the elongate member; and the fitting is trapped between the support structure and a head of the fastener.

2. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the filamentary material is wire.

3. The fitting of claim 2 being dimensioned to stably hang from the elongate member such that the front portion and back portion are aligned to horizontally receive the fastener.

4. The fitting of claim 2 or 3 wherein the wire of the fitting has two free-ends.

5. The fitting of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the elongate member is a fencing wire, the support structure is a fencing post, and the fastener is a screw.

6. The fitting of any one of claims 2 to 5 and the fastener; the fitting being shaped to hang from the elongate member whilst cradling the fastener, skewering the front portion and the back portion, to orient the fastener horizontally ready to engage the support structure.

7. A system comprising the fitting of any one of claims 2 to 5; the fastener; and the elongate member.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the fitting is formed of a material that is similar to a material of the elongate member to reduce a risk of corrosion.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the fitting is formed of a material that is substantially identical to a material of the elongate member to reduce a risk of corrosion.

10. A method, of a securing an elongate member to a support structure, comprising locating the elongate member within the receiving space of the fitting of any one of claims 2 to 5; skewering the front portion and back portion with a fastener to trap the elongate member; and engaging the fastener with the support structure.

1 1 . The method of claim 10 wherein the fitting is formed of a material that is similar to a material of the elongate member to reduce a risk of corrosion.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the fitting is formed of a material that is substantially identical to a material of the elongate member to reduce a risk of corrosion.

13. The method of claim 10, 1 1 or 12 comprising, prior to the engaging, allowing the fitting to hang from the elongate member whilst cradling the fastener to orient the fastener horizontally ready for the engaging.

14. A method, of making the fitting of any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising forming a loop of the filamentary material; and folding the loop.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the loop is longer than it is wide, and the folding is about a widthwise axis.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the loop is at least twice as long as it is wide.

17. The method of claim 14, 15 or 16 wherein the loop has curved ends.