GB2700334A - Agricultural, equestrian and amenity fence posts - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences with elongate V-shaped posts with two arms 104 and a fold spine 106. Each post has slots 110 for supporting strands of wire and a locking means to secure a wire in each slot. The locking means has a keeper plate and at least one actuator for moving a keeper plate in an axial direction. The locking means also has a wedge type configuration which tightens as the locking means is moved into a locking position. The slots may be T-shaped with a transverse entry hole. The system may also have C-shaped strainer posts with braces to increase the stability of the fence. The system may also have cruciform shaped corner strainer posts which are comprised of two posts joined together. [Fig. 1A]

Description

[0001] AGRICULTURAL, EQUESTRIAN AND AMENITY FENCE POSTS The present invention relates to agricultural, equestrian and amenity fence posts, in particular to such posts for supporting and tensioning barb wire, electric fencing wire and mesh type wire for securing boundaries in agricultural, equestrian and amenity areas and in other areas.

[0002] Background to the Invention

[0003] Traditionally, timber or wooden posts are used to support these types of fences. However, the quality of these timber or wooden posts have deteriorated over recent years due to unseasonal timber being used to make these posts and also due to the phasing out of the use of creosote as a wood preservative due to health and safety concerns.

[0004] Metal posts have also been used in such fencing instead of timber or wooden posts, but have not proven to be a great success due to a number of reasons such as cost, effectiveness and adaptability for handling barb wire in particular.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences which includes a plurality of different posts to fence a specific area, the plurality of posts including a standard post to support a fence along a generally straight run of fencing, optionally a strainer post to be used in conjunction with one or more standard posts in a longer run of fencing to add stability to the fence; and optionally corner strainer posts to be used with one or more standard posts where there is a change in direction of the fencing.

[0007] Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention comprises a system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences, the system including a plurality of elongate posts, referred to as standard posts, to support a fence along a generally straight run of fencing, each standard post including a "V-shaped" configuration with two arms, a doubled over spine and a plurality of slots for supporting strands of wire, each slot having an orifice for supporting one strand of wire and locking means to secure a wire in each slot, wherein the locking means includes a keeper plate and one or more actuators for moving the keeper -2 -plate in an axial direction and wherein the locking means includes a wedge type configuration which is adapted to tighten as the locking means is moved into a locking position, requiring force to move the locking means into an open position.

[0008] Advantageously, the slots for supporting the strands of wire are T-shaped slots and the keeper plate is axially slidable along the length of the post to close off the T-shaped slots.

[0009] Each T-shaped slot may include a transverse entry opening and an axial slot to hold wire in position.

[0010] A second aspect of the invention includes a strainer post to be used in connection with standard posts in larger runs of fencing to add stability to a fence, the strainer post being a elongate post having a "C-shaped" configuration with a wall and two projecting arms at generally right angles to the wall and turned over lips on the arms, and a plurality of wire accommodating slots formed on the arms.

[0011] Preferably at least one brace is provided having means to be connected to the arms of the strainer post in order to secure the post in position.

[0012] A third aspect of the invention includes a corner strainer post to be used in connection with standard posts where there is a change in direction in a run of fencing, the corner strainer post including a double folded main component post and two single folded posts which are intergageable together to form a cruciform construction, the component post having complementary engageable formations which secure the component posts together.

[0013] Conveniently the lower ends of the posts have an angled profile so as to allow ease of insertion into the ground.

[0014] One or more of the lower end angled profiles may include a pointed end so as to allow ease of insertion of the or each post into the ground.

[0015] Ideally the posts are manufactured from alloy coated steel, such as zinc or magnesium coated steel or aluminium with high corrosion resistance, so as to be suitable for outdoor use and with a long-life expectancy. -3 -

[0016] Brief Description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will hereafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of a system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences according to the invention.

[0018] In the drawings: Figure 1 is a series of drawings of a standard post used in the system of the invention -the series of drawings consisting as follows: Figure 1A is a perspective view of the standard post; Figure 1B is a side view of the standard post; Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view that along line A-A of Figure 1B; Figure 1D is a plan view of the post in a flat profile prior to folding and bending; Figure lE is a perspective view of the standard post with a wire locking device fitted; Figure 1F is a perspective view of a wire retaining slot and the wire locking device in an open position; and Figure 1G is a perspective view of a wire retaining slot and the wire locking device in a locked position Figure 2 is a series of drawings of a strainer post used in the system of the invention, the series of drawings consisting as follows: Figure 2A is a perspective view of the strainer post; Figure 2B is a side view of the strainer post; Figure 2C is a cross-sectional view along the line C-C of Figure 2B; Figure 2D is an enlarged view of the detail shown within circle D of Figure 2B; -4 -Figure 2E is a plan view of the post in a flat profile prior to folding and bending; Figure 2F is a side view of a diagonal brace used to support a strainer post in use; Figure 2G is a front view of the diagonal brace; Figure 2H is a perspective view of one brace connected to a strainer post; Figure 21 is a side view of the brace fitted with a stabilising plate at its base; Figure 3 is a series of drawings of a corner strainer post for use in the system of the invention the series of drawings consisting as follows: Figure 3A is a perspective view of the assembled corner strainer post; Figure 3B is an enlarged view of the end of the corner strainer post shown with circle E; Figure 3C is a plan view of the corner strainer assembly; Figure 3D is a perspective view of one of the component posts of the corner strainer post which forms two sides of the corner strainer post; and Figure 3E is a perspective view of another one of two component posts of the corner strainer post which together form the other two sides of the corner strainer post.

[0019] Detailed Description

[0020] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, standard supporting post 100 has a "V shaped" configuration 102 with two arms 104 and a doubled over spine 106 for added strength and rigidity in all directions when wire is tensioned. The lower end 107 has an angled profile 109 so as to allow for ease of insertion into the ground.

[0021] The standard post 100 is manufactured from alloy coated steel, zinc, magnesium and aluminium with high corrosion resistance. It is designed for outdoor use in all weathers and can be expected to last for 20 or more years. The post 100 is not limited in height and can be made in various heights depending on the requirements for the fence. -5 -

[0022] Along the longitudinal arms of the post 100 are a plurality of T-shaped slots 110 for accommodating lengths of wire (not shown). Each T-shaped slot 110 includes a transverse entry opening 112 and an axial slot 114 to hold the wire in position. In order to secure each wire in position and to prevent disengagement of a wire from a T-shaped slot 110, each slot 110 includes a locking mechanism 120. Each locking mechanism 120 is integrated along the length of the post 100 and includes a keeper plate 122 which closes over the transverse entry opening 112 and a number of actuators 124 to operate the locking mechanism 120. When all the strands of wire are located in the respective T-shaped slots 110, the actuators 124 are moved downward in a tapered slot 126 into a closed position by striking with an implement such a hammer. Thus the locking mechanism is a wedge type design that tightens as it closes, so that it will not open easily. It requires significant force against the actuators 124 to move them upwardly in slots 126 and to move the keepers 122 back into an open position in order to remove the respective strands of wire.

[0023] Referring now to Figure 2 which shows strainer post 200 which is designed to be used in connection with the standard posts 100 on longer runs of fencing to add stability to the overall fence. It is manufactured from the same material as the standard posts 100 and is also expected to have a life of 20 or more years.

[0024] The strainer post 200 is formed in a "C-shaped" configuration having a wall 202 and two arms 204 with turned over lips 206. In order to accommodate the strands of wire of a fence, a plurality of slots 208 are formed on each of the arms 204 at the lower end 207 of the post is an angled profile 209 with a pointed end 210 so as to allow ease of insertion into the ground.

[0025] In order to support the strainer post, one or two diagonal braces 220 support and secure the strainer post. Each brace 220 includes a bent-up leg 222 to allow the brace to be secured to an arm 204 of a strainer post 200 by fasteners (not shown).

[0026] A stability plate 224 can be provided at the end opposite leg 222 if the ground structure requires it.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a corner strainer post 300 which is used with one or more standard posts 100 where there is a change in direction of the fencing. It includes a double folded main 30 component post 302 which includes a wall 304 and two arms 306 with tabs 308. To complete the structure of the corner strainer post, two single folded component posts 310 -6 -are engaged with posts 302 to provide the cruciform shape as shown in Figures 3B and 3C. It is also manufactured from the same material as standard posts and also has an expected life of 20 or more years.

[0028] Each component post 310 is a single folded component having a leg 312 and an arm 314 with a lip 316. Provided along the legs 312 are a series of folded tabs 318 and protrusions 320. To intergage the component post 312 and two component posts 310, the tabs 312 and protrusions 320 intergage with complementary slots on the other posts in order to provide a securely assembled post.

[0029] A series of slots 315 are provided along the top and length of each of the four component posts 302 and 310. These slots 315 are used to support strands of wire against the post.

[0030] The lower end 307 of post 300 has an angled profile 309 with a pointed end 310 so as to allow for ease of insertion into the ground.

[0031] The provision of the three types of wire supporting posts, standard post 100, strainer post 200 and corner strainer post 300 provides users with a fencing solution which can be used in a wider variety of terrains and site areas which are likely to be encountered in the vast majority of agricultural, equestrian and amenity fencing situations.

[0032] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended 20 claims. -7 -

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences, the system including a plurality of elongate posts, referred to as standard posts, to support a fence along a generally straight run of fencing, each standard post including a "V-shaped configuration" with two arms, a doubled over spine and a plurality of slots for supporting strands of wire, each slot having an orifice for supporting one strand of wire and locking means to secure a wire in each slot, wherein the locking means includes a keeper plate and one or more actuators for moving a keeper plate in an axial direction and wherein the locking means includes a wedge type configuration which is adapted to tighten as the locking means is moved into a locking position, requiring force to move the locking means into an open position.

2. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in Claim 1, in which the slots for supporting the strands of wire are T-shaped slots and the keeper plate is axially slidable along the length of the post to close off the T-shaped slots.

3. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in Claim 2, in which each T-shaped slot includes a transverse entry opening and an axial slot to hold wire in position.

4. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including a strainer post to be used in connection with standard posts in larger runs of fencing to add stability to a fence, the strainer post being a elongate post having a "C-shaped" configuration with a wall and two projecting arms at generally right angles to the wall and turned over lips on the arms, and a plurality of wire accommodating slots formed on the arms.

5. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in Claim 4, including at least one brace having means to be connected to the arms of the strainer post in order to secure the post in position.

6. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a corner strainer post to be used in connection with standard posts where there is a change in direction in a run of fencing, the corner -8 -strainer post including a double folded main component post and two single folded posts which are intergageable together to form a cruciform construction, the component post having complementary engageable formations which secure the component posts together.

7. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lower end of the posts have an angled profile so as to allow ease of insertion into the ground.

8. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in Claim 7, in which one or more of the lower end angled profiles includes a pointed end so as to allow ease of insertion of the or each post into the ground.

9. A system for supporting agricultural, equestrian and amenity type fences as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the posts are manufactured from alloy coated steel, such as zinc or magnesium coated steel or aluminium with high corrosion resistance, so as to be suitable for outdoor use and with a long-life expectancy.Intellectual Property Office Application GB2502912.5 Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977 Date search completed: 16 September 2025 Claims searched: 1-9 International classification Subclass and subgroup Valid from E04H17/10 01/01/2006 E04H17/12 01/01/2006Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC: E04H AO1K Databases used in the preparation of this search report: SEARCH-PATENT Documents considered to be relevant Patent literature Category Relevant claims Document of relevance ipt&ievtual Property Office is an operstinq name of the Patent OfficeX1, 2, 3 US 2854101 A CARPER, Figs. 1-3 show a system for supporting amenity fences with elongate posts with a V shape arms 11, 12, with a lock having a keeper 17 moved in an axial direction by an actuator 18 and a wedge configuration 24 which tightens or wedges in slit 23 as the locking means is moved into a locking position.AUS 2038133 A SCHANTZ, Figures 1-4 show a system for supporting amenity fences with elongate posts with a lock having a keeper plate moved 8 in an axial direction by an actuator.Non-patent iterature Category Relevant claims Document of relevance Categories Letter or symbolXDescriptionDocument indicating lack of novelty or inventive step.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category.& Member of the same patent family.A Document indicating technological background.Letter or symbol DescriptionP EDocument published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application.Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.