AU2006202545B2 - Vine support system - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: STEEL & TUBE HOLDINGS LIMITED trading as HURRICANE WIRE PRODUCTS Actual Inventor: CRAIG DAVID MALINS Address for service A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT in Australia: 2601, Australia Invention Title: Vine Support System The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us. 670747. DOC 2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to vineyard trellis systems and, more particularly, to a vine support system for supporting trellis wires from posts. The system of the invention also 5 has application in supporting other types of elongate members from posts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Vines such as grapes are typically grown and trained on trellis structures. Posts are driven into the ground in parallel rows and trellis wires are extended along each row, the wires being supported by the posts and anchored under tension. Metal or plastic posts have advantages in this application as they do not rot or leach 15 preservatives into the soil, as occurs with untreated or treated timber posts respectively. Twisted wire clips may be used to fix the wires to the posts, or brackets may be screwed or bolted to the posts to engage the wires. Unlike the use of a staple to fasten the wire to a wooden post, these systems also allow the wires to be readily detached and re-fixed at a higher position to accommodate growth of the vine. However the use of twisted 20 wire clips, bolts or screws typically involves more labour or the use of tools to perform this operation. There is therefore a need for a vine support system that is simple and inexpensive to install, preferably without the need for tools. US 6,209,853 describes an electric wire support bracket for fence posts. This bracket is 25 attached the post by a tie member or clip that extends around the exterior of the post. Such a system could be prone to slippage on the post. US 6,405,478; US 4,642,940; and US 3,820,758 have fasteners that extend around the exterior of the fence post and could again be prone to slippage on the post. 30 US 6,434,883 describes a device that extends through slots in a post, and requires a specially-designed post having two spaced-apart flanges to maintain the device in a desired orientation. 35 In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of 3 providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the 5 art. It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to address at least one of the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of', that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include that term, the features prefaced by that term in each statement all need to 15 be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise', 'comprises', and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support system for supporting a wire from a post having a longitudinally extending flange with 20 at least one aperture therein, the system comprising: a bracket having a body defining a slot for receiving the flange of the post, the body extending laterally outwardly from either side of the slot and having a plurality of wire-receiving means disposed outwardly of the slot and oriented generally parallel to the slot, and a fastener-receiving means disposed on either side of the slot; and 25 a fastener adapted to extend through the aperture in the post and engage with the fastener-receiving means on either of the slot to fasten the bracket to the post. The fastener is preferably adapted to engage with the bracket without the use of tools. 30 Suitably, the fastener comprises a mid-portion adapted to extend through the aperture in the post and end portions disposed outwardly of the mid-portion, and the fastener receiving means of the bracket each comprise or consist of an aperture for receipt of a respective end portion of the fastener. The apertures may be generally parallel. However, if a fastener with a sufficient level of resilience is used, the apertures could be 35 angled relative to one another. The apertures may extend generally parallel to the wire receiving means. That would enable those features to be readily moulded as they may extend perpendicular to the parting line of the mould.

4 The end portions of the fastener may be adapted to engage via an interference fit in the apertures, or could alternatively be a snap fit therein. Alternatively, the end portions of the fastener may be a loose fit in the apertures, such that the apertures of the fastener 5 receiving means provide a positioning action for the end portions of the fastener, but the fastener is held in engagement with the bracket via means other than the apertures. The engagement between the fastener and the bracket may be via an alternative arrangement. 10 In one embodiment, the fastener may be generally C-shaped, with the end portions of the fastener having a generally perpendicular orientation to the mid-portion of the fastener. Alternatively, the fastener may be generally E-shaped, with the end portions of the fastener each comprising a proximal end connected to the mid-portion and a distal end, and a generally centrally-disposed section of the mid-portion of the fastener is 15 offset toward the distal ends of the end portions relative to the sections of the mid portion outwardly of the generally centrally-disposed section. The fastener-receiving means may each comprise or consist of a recess extending outwardly in a generally lateral direction from the slot to receive respective sections of 20 the fastener. The respective sections of the fastener may each comprise means for snap engaging in the respective recess to engage the fastener with the bracket. The means for snap-engaging are preferably adapted to enable passage through the recesses as the fastener is inserted into the recess in a first direction, and are preferably adapted to hinder removal of the fastener from the recess by movement in a second direction 25 opposite to the first direction. By way of example, the means for snap-engaging may comprise at least one tab or detent on the fastener, which is/are adapted to engage with one or more respective shoulders or notches in the recess. Preferably the tab(s) and/or the shoulder(s) is/are 30 resilient to enable passage through the recesses as the fastener is inserted into the recesses in a first direction; the tab impinging on an inner surface of the shoulder and hindering removal of the fastener from the recess by translation in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 35 Preferably, the bracket comprises at least two wire-receiving means, one located outwardly from the slot on either side of the slot, with each wire-receiving means oriented generally parallel to the slot.

5 Preferably, the bracket comprises at least two wire-receiving means located outwardly from the slot on one side of the slot, with each wire-receiving means oriented generally parallel to the slot. In one embodiment, said wire-receiving means located outwardly from the slot on one side of the slot are adapted to receive different gauge wires. 5 Preferably, said wire-receiving means located outwardly from the slot on one side of the slot are channels, with one of the wire-receiving channels adapted to open upwardly in use and the other of the wire-receiving channels adapted to open downwardly in use. Preferably, the bracket has four wire-receiving channels, with two wire-receiving 10 channels on each side of the slot, and two of the channels are adapted to open upwardly in use and two of the channels are adapted to open downwardly in use. Suitably, the or each wire-receiving means is adapted such that a wire is a relatively tight fit in the wire-receiving means to minimise longitudinal movement of the wire 15 when located in the wire-receiving means. Preferably, the portion of the fastener that is adapted to extend through the post aperture is generally aligned with a point of contact of the wire(s) with the respective wire receiving means when the fastener is engaged with the bracket and tensioned wire(s) 20 extend through the wire-receiving means, to minimise torque applied to the bracket under the supported weight of the wires extending through the wire-receiving means. Preferably, the or each wire-receiving means has a convex wire-abutting face adapted such that a tensioned wire extending through the wire receiving means tends to contact a crest of the convex wire-abutting face, and the crest of the or each wire-abutting face is 25 generally aligned with the portion of the fastener that is adapted to extend through the post when the fastener is engaged with the bracket. That assists in avoiding loads at the ends of the channel. In the embodiment having a generally E-shaped fastener, the generally centrally 30 disposed section of the mid-portion is preferably adapted to be received in the aperture in the post and generally aligned in an upright plane with the point of contact of the wires with the wire-abutting faces in the wire-receiving means and in this manner the offset of the centre of the mid-portion reduces the torque applied to the bracket, mmimising any tendency to rotate in an upright plane under the supported weight of the 35 wire and vines. Preferably, the bracket comprises a rear surface and the slot for receipt of the flange of the post extends inwardly into the bracket body from the rear surface, and wherein the 6 portion of the fastener that is adapted to extend through the post aperture is positioned inwardly from the rear surface of the body when extending through the aperture of the post and engaged with the bracket. 5 The or each wire-receiving means may be a channel. Preferably, the or each wire receiving channel comprises a necked region, past which a wire may be pressed to hold the wire between a closed region of the channel and the necked region. Alternatively, the or each wire-receiving means may be an aperture. 10 Preferably, each wire-receiving means is configured such that a wire that is tensioned between posts can be inserted into or removed from a respective wire-receiving means in a single movement. 15 In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the combination of a post having a longitudinally extending flange with at least one aperture therein, and a support system as outlined in relation to the first aspect above, wherein the flange of the post is received in the slot of the bracket, and the fastener extends through the aperture in the post and engages with the fastener-receiving means 20 on either side of the slot to fasten the bracket to the post. Preferably, the post has a plurality of apertures in the flange such that the bracket can be fixed at a selected position by the fastener. 25 The post may comprise a plurality of flanges. Preferably, the post has a generally Y shaped cross-section. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the combination as outlined in relation to the second aspect above, when used to support a 30 plurality of wires that extend in a direction generally parallel to the flange of the post. The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only. 35 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 7 Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded pictorial view of the vine support system of a preferred 5 form of the present invention; Figure 2 is a pictorial view of the vine support system of Figure 1 assembled in use; Figure 3 is a front view of the bracket of the vine support system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is cross-section CC from Figure 3; 10 Figure 5 is detail A from Figure 4; Figure 6a is a part sectional/plan view of the vine support system of Figure 2; Figure 6b is a cross-section BB from Figure 6a; and Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the bracket of the vine support system of Figure 1. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a preferred form vine support system includes a bracket 3 for supporting trellis wires 4 and which is adapted to be fixed to a longitudinally 20 extending flange 5 of an upright post 1 by means of a fastener 2 received in an aperture 15. The bracket 3 has a body 8 defining a slot 6 for receiving the post flange 5. The body has a rear surface 8c and the slot 6 extends into the body from the rear surface 8c. The 25 body 8 extends laterally outwardly from either side of the slot 6 to define opposing distal ends 8a, 8b of the body. In use, the distal ends of the body extend laterally outward from the post 1. Fastener-receiving means or portions are disposed in the bracket on either side of the slot. 30 In the form shown (see Figure 3, 6a, and 7), the fastener-receiving means comprise a pair of substantially parallel fastener-receiving apertures or openings 9a, 9b that extend through the bracket body 8 and are positioned outwardly from either side of the slot 6. Each of the distal ends 8a, 8b of the body preferably include first and second wire receiving means which may be in the form of trellis wire channels lOa, lOb, 11 a, 11 b 35 which are adapted to open upwardly and downwardly in use. While four wire-receiving channels are shown, the bracket may have fewer or more wire-receiving channels.

8 The post 1 is Y-shaped in cross-section, including flanges 6 and 7, joined to flange 5. Preferably, the post has a plurality of apertures 15, and may have apertures in one, some, or all of the flanges. The wires 4 supported in upwardly opening apertures 10a, 10b extend horizontally adjacent the edges of the flanges 6, 7. 5 In the form shown, the fastener 2 has a mid-portion 12 and two end portions 13a, 13b elongated generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the mid portion, the ends 13a, 13b being adapted to be received in the openings 9a, 9b with the mid-portion 12 extending through the aperture 15 in the post. A generally centrally 10 disposed section of the mid portion extends through the aperture 15 in the post. The portions of the fastener disposed outwardly of the generally centrally-disposed section of the mid-portion, including the ends 13a, 13b, allow a tensile/compressive load to be applied to the mid-portion 12 to strengthen the bracket in bending (under the vertical load of the weight of the trellis wire and supported vines). The end portions of the 15 fastener also strengthen the bracket against horizontal loads from wind and harvesting. A necked region 24 of each trellis wire channel 10a, 1la that is preferably elastically deformable or resilient serves to retain wire between a closed region of the channel and the necked region 24. The necked portions 24 in the wire slots 1 la, 11 b may be adapted 20 to receive different gauge wires therethrough, allowing the bracket to be inverted depending upon the wire gauge to be used and provide positive location and a degree of retention in the slot. Alternatively, the wire could be inserted into the bracket from above or below, depending on the gauge of the wire. The wire can be pressed past the necked region of the respective trellis wire channel to position the wire within the 25 channel. The wire receiving channels 10a, 10b, 1 la, 1 lb could alternatively be adapted to receive wires of the same gauge. The preferred form bracket could be used to concurrently support four wires. Referring to Figures 4, 5, and 7, the fastener-receiving portions in the body of the 30 bracket further comprise recesses 18a, 18b extending outwardly in a generally lateral direction from the slot to receive respective sections 12a, 12b of the mid-portion of the fastener. The recesses 18a, 18b terminate in the apertures 19a, 19b. The sections 12a, 12b of the mid-portion for receipt in the recesses 18a, 18b of the bracket comprise means for snap-engaging in the recess to connect the fastener to the bracket. In the 35 form shown, the mid-portion of the fastener 2 comprises two pairs of detents or tabs 17a, 17b each located on sections of the mid-portion for receipt in the recesses. A notch 9 or shoulder 19a, 19b is formed in each recess 18a, 18b for abutting each tab 17a, 17b. The tabs 17a, 17b and/or the shoulders 19a, 19b are resilient to enable passage through the recesses 18a, l8b as the fastener 2 is inserted in the recesses in a first direction 20 parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the ends 13a, 13b to provide a snap-engagement. 5 The tabs 17a, 17b impinge on an inner surface of the shoulders 19a, 19b to inhibit unintended removal of the fastener 2 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The generally centrally-disposed section 16 of the mid-portion 12 may be offset toward the ends 13a, 13b from the adjacent parts 12a, 12b of the mid-portion, to form a 10 generally E-shaped fastener. In an alternative embodiment, the generally centrally disposed section may not be offset, so that the fastener has a general C-shape. The generally centrally-disposed section 16 preferably comprises reinforcements 23 which increase the cross-section where the generally centrally-disposed section is received in the aperture 15 in the post 1. 15 Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, in use, the closed regions of the trellis wire channels 10a, 10b are preferably upwardly convex and 1la, 1lb are preferably downwardly convex which results in a convex surface 25 for abutting the wire 4. The crests of the surfaces at point 26 lie in an upright plane 27 which is perpendicular to an upright plane 20 28 that bisects the bracket 3 and fastener 2. The crests of the surfaces are preferably co planar with the generally centrally-disposed section of the fastener. The weight applied to the bracket 3 at point 26 is reacted at point 29, where the planes 27 and 28 intersect, minimising any tendency for the torque applied by the weight of the wires and vines to rotate the bracket in plane 27. The application of the vine loading force at this point 25 also reduces the torque applied to the post in the direction of the bracket mounting flange on the post. As illustrated in Figure 7, the slot 6 extends generally between opposing faces 30 and 31, each having a raised lip 32 around the edges of the slot 6. The slot 6 is bounded by 30 generally parallel opposing edges 33 of the lips 32 and by edges 34 of two pairs of opposing ribs 35. Ribs 35 help prevent any burrs on the aperture of the post flange from interfering with the bracket slot when the bracket is mounted over the post flange and onto the fastener. 35 In use the fastener 2 is inserted into a selected aperture 15 in the flange 5. To fix the bracket the two ends 13a, 13b are then pressed into the respective apertures 9a, 9b and 10 pressed home until the tabs 17a, 17b snap behind the shoulders 19a, 19b. A wire 4 may then be entered into one or each of the upwardly opening channel 10a, 10b and/or one or each of the downwardly opening channels and pressed past the necked portions 24. 5 It will be appreciated that generally, there will be a number of spaced apart posts, each of which has one or more of the support systems mounted thereto to support one or more wires. The fastener and bracket are preferably made of a suitable material such as plastic, and 10 may be made by a moulding process for example. A preferred material is glass-filled nylon. The post may be made of a suitable material such as steel for example. However, other materials and manufacturing processes may be used as applicable. At least preferred forms of the present invention provide a support system which is 15 effective and efficient in operational use, which has an overall simple design which minimises manufacturing costs and maximises performance and ease of installation, allowing trellis wires to be readily fastened or unfastened without the need for tools. The weight of the trellis wire and supported vines may apply a bending load to the 20 bracket in use. It will be understood that the manner of fixing the fastener according to preferred forms of the invention goes at least some way toward counteracting this bending while allowing the bracket to be readily moulded. The bracket can be removed and fastened to a different aperture of the post flange if 25 necessary. The above describes preferred forms only, and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. 30 For example, while the fastener-receiving openings 9a, 9b are shown as being generally parallel, if a fastener with sufficient flexibility or resilience is used, the fastener receiving openings could be oriented at an angle relative to one another. 35 Further, while the preferred embodiment has two fastener-receiving openings 9a, 9b for receipt of the end portions of the fastener, an alternative configuration fastener could be 11 used that does not have such end portions. For example, the fastener could be provided without the end portions and the bracket provided without the apertures 9a, 9b. The sections 12a, 12b of the mid-portion could still maintain the fastener engaged with the bracket. Alternatively, the fastener-receiving portions may only have the openings 9a, 5 9b, and not the recesses. Also, in the form shown, the end portions of the fastener are a relatively loose fit in the apertures. Instead, the end portions could be an interference fit or snap fit for example. 10 While the system is described for supporting vine trellis wires from posts, it could be used for supporting other types of fencing or trellis wires from posts. The system could also be used to support other types of elongate members. The wire-receiving means 10, 10, 1 la, 11 b are described and shown as being channels. 15 However, the wire-receiving means could instead be apertures. The apertures could be provided with the features described above with reference to the channels; for example the convex wire-abutting faces, tight fit of the wires, etc. It will be appreciated that wire-receiving channels offer the benefit of enabling easy insertion and removal of the wire or elongate member through the necked regions. If the wire-receiving means are 20 apertures, the wires would need to be threaded through the apertures.

Claims (20)

1. A support system for supporting a wire from a post having a longitudinally extending flange with at least one aperture therein, the system comprising: 5 a bracket having a body defining a slot for receiving the flange of the post, the body extending laterally outwardly from either side of the slot and having a plurality of wire-receiving means disposed outwardly of the slot and oriented generally parallel to the slot, and a fastener-receiving means disposed on either side of the slot; and a fastener adapted to extend through the aperture in the post and engage with the 10 fastener-receiving means on either of the slot to fasten the bracket to the post.

2. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener is adapted to engage with the bracket without the use of tools. 15

3. A support system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastener comprises a mid-portion adapted to extend through the aperture in the post and end portions disposed outwardly of the mid-portion, and the fastener-receiving means of the bracket each comprise or consist of an aperture for receipt of a respective end portion of the fastener. 20

4. A support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the apertures of the fastener receiving means are generally parallel.

5. A support system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apertures of the fastener 25 receiving means extend generally parallel to the wire-receiving means.

6. A support system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the fastener is generally C-shaped, with the end portions of the fastener having a generally perpendicular orientation to the mid portion of the fastener. 30

7. A support system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the fastener is generally E-shaped, with the end portions of the fastener each comprising a proximal end connected to the mid-portion and a distal end, and a generally centrally-disposed section of the mid-portion of the fastener is offset toward the distal ends of the end 35 portions relative to the sections of the mid-portion outwardly of the generally centrally disposed section. 13

8. A support system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bracket comprises at least two wire-receiving means, one located outwardly from the slot on either side of the slot, with each wire-receiving means oriented generally parallel to the slot. 5

9. A support system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bracket comprises at least two wire-receiving means located outwardly from the slot on one side of the slot, with each wire-receiving means oriented generally parallel to the slot.

10 10. A support system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wire-receiving means located outwardly from the slot on one side of the slot are channels, with one of the wire-receiving channels adapted to open upwardly in use and the other of the wire receiving channels adapted to open downwardly in use. 15

11. A support system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bracket has four wire receiving channels, with two wire-receiving channels on each side of the slot, and two of the channels are adapted to open upwardly in use and two of the channels are adapted to open downwardly in use. 20

12. A support system as claimed in any one of claims I to 11, wherein the portion of the fastener that is adapted to extend through the post aperture is generally aligned with a point of contact of the wire(s) with the respective wire-receiving means when the fastener is engaged with the bracket and tensioned wire(s) extend through the wire receiving means, to minimise torque applied to the bracket under the supported weight 25 of the wires extending through the wire-receiving means.

13. A support system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the or each wire-receiving means has a convex wire-abutting face adapted such that a tensioned wire extending through the wire receiving means tends to contact a crest of the convex wire-abutting 30 face, and wherein the crest of the or each wire-abutting face is generally aligned with the portion of the fastener that is adapted to extend through the post when the fastener is engaged with the bracket.

14. A support system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each wire 35 receiving means is configured such that a wire that is tensioned between posts can be inserted into or removed from a respective wire-receiving means in a single movement. 14

15. A support system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

16. A support system as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described with 5 reference to any embodiment disclosed.

17. The combination of a post having a longitudinally extending flange with at least one aperture therein, and a support system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange of the post is received in the slot of the bracket and the 10 fastener extends through the aperture in the post and engages with the fastener-receiving means on either side of the slot to fasten the bracket to the post.

18. The combination as claimed in claim 17, wherein the post has a plurality of apertures in the flange such that the bracket can be fixed at a selected position by the 15 fastener.

19. The combination as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the post comprises a plurality of flanges.

20 20. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, when used to support a plurality of wires that extend in a direction generally parallel to the flange of the post. Dated this 1 5 th day of June 2006 25 STEEL & TUBE HOLDINGS LIMITED trading as HURRICANE WIRE PRODUCTS By their authorised agent 30 AJPARK Per: