WO2011054016A1 - Dropper - Google Patents

Abstract

A tensile element spacer in the form of a dropper 10 comprises a rod like body 12 that is integrally formed with formations in the form of ribs 14 standing proud of the surface of the body 12. The ribs 14 are arranged in the form of rib sets 16 each of which is constituted from two ribs 14 that extent along opposite sides of the body 12 and in a direction transverse to its axis 18. A series of tensile element tying zones in the form of wire tying zones 20 are formed between the rib sets 16 along each of which a wire is securable by way of wire ties.

Description

(1) TITLE OF THE INVENTION

DROPPER

(2) BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Fencing is used to retain animals in a specific area. To maintain the wires of such fencing adequately spaced wire spacing droppers are used along fences. Wire as tied to a dropper can move there along thus reducing the effectiveness of fencing. Furthermore, if such droppers are of rigid character their deformation can also reduce their effectiveness while even posing a danger to animals exposed thereto. It is, amongst others, an object of this invention to address these problems.

(3) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tensile element spacer for maintaining a set of flexible cord-like tensile elements in a spaced relationship. While not so limited the invention finds useful application when in the form of a dropper.

(4) PRIOR ART DESCRIPTION

Droppers in the prior art, according to the knowledge of the inventor and applicant, are formed with notches along which wire are secured to the dropper. The disadvantage of such construction is that a length of wire that extends along a notch can be released there from perhaps due a slackening of its wire tie. While the wire tie extends around the conventional dropper it is not constrained against movement there along. A release of wire from its notch has the effect of permitting it to move along the dropper thus opening up the fencing rendering it ineffective.

(5) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings

Figure 1 shows part of a tensile element spacer in the form of fence dropper in side elevation,

Figure 2 shows the dropper in the direction of arrow A in figure 1 , Figure 3 shows the dropper in plan view,

Figure 4 shows the application of the dropper as fitted along a fence or the like in spacing the wires of such fence apart, and

Figure 5 shows the application of the dropper along the direction of a fence.

5 (6) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings a tensile element spacer in the form of a wire spacing dropper is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The dropper 10 comprises a rod like body 12 that is integrally formed with formations in the form of ribs 14 standing proud of the surface of the body 12. The ribs 14 are arranged in the 10 form of rib sets 16 each of which is constituted from two ribs that extend along opposite

sides of the body 12 and in a direction transverse to its axis 18. A series of tensile element tying zones in the form of wire tying zones 20 are formed between the rib sets 16.

In the body 12 being of oval cross sectional profile the ribs 14 extend along the broader sections of the outer surface of the body 12, as more clearly shown in figure 3. While the ribs i s 14 of each rib set 16 extend broadly along a common circumferential zone they are, as

shown in figure 2, slightly offset with respect to one another as regards a common

circumferential datum line.

The profile of the dropper 10 is naturally not limited to being oval but can have any ;

continuous outline such as being circular. The ribs 14 also need not extend discontinuously 0 but can be by way of fully circumferentially extending formations.

In being used in an outdoors environment the dropper 10 is of a corrosion resistant substance such as a carbon containing high-density polyethylene. Owing to often being used to close off an area serving for camping in livestock or game the composition of material of the dropper 10 also renders it flexible allowing it to accommodate impaction without breaking 5 or becoming permanently deformed.

In referring more particularly to figures 4 and 5 the dropper 10 is conventionally used to keep the various wires 22 of fencing in a spaced relationship. The wires 22, as extending along the zone 16 are consequently tied to the dropper 10 by way of wire ties 24. Any wire displacement along the length of the dropper 12 is prevented by the bordering function of the o various rib sets 16. The offset positioning of the ribs 14 of each rib set 16 is useful to maintain a wire 22 as extending along a zone 16 against any displacement along the body 12. As more clearly shown in figure 5 and especially its detail, the wire 22 urges against an upper rib 14.1 of a lower rib set 16.1 once secured to the dropper 10 while the wire ties 24 extend in close proximity of the lower rib 14.2 of an upper rib set 16.2 around the body 12. This has the effect of using substantially the full width of the zone 16 in the tying effort thus limiting any wire displacement even along its zone 20.

While the spacer of the invention is specifically described as being in the form of a dropper it is obvious that it is not so limited. It can, for example, be in the form of an ordinary

anchorable pole or the like.

It is an advantage of the invention as specifically described that a dropper is provided that extensively limits any displacement of wiring fitted thereto there along while also

accommodating any impaction of force thereto owing to being resilient.

Claims

(7) CLAIMS

(1) A tensile element spacer (10) for maintaining a set of flexible cord-like tensile elements in a spaced relationship comprising

a rod like body (12) that is integrally formed with formations (14) standing proud of the surface of the body;

characterised in that the formations (14) are circumferentially inter-arranged to define a series of tensile element tying zones (20) along the body along each of which a tensile element (22) is securable to the spacer against inter-zone movement and thus along the body owing to the formations (14) standing adequately proud of the body (12).

(2) A tensile element spacer as claimed in claim 1 in which at least some of the formations are in the form of ribs (14) each extending in a direction at least substantially transverse to the central axis (18) of the spacer even if extending fully circumferentially about the body (12).

(3) A tensile element spacer as claimed in claim 2 in which at least some of the ribs (14) extend through less than half the circumferential distance of the body.

(4) A tensile element spacer as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 in which at least some of the ribs (14) extend by way of rib sets (16) of which the ribs of each extend circumferentially about the body by way of at least two ribs in defining the tensile element tying zones (20) between adjacent rib sets (16).

(5) A tensile element spacer as claimed in claim 4 in which the two ribs (14) of each rib set (16) are somewhat offset relative to one another though still generally extending along a common circumferential zone to, at least in the case of the spacer being in the form of a dropper, promote the securing of a wire type tensile element by way of wire ties against any movement along its tying zone.

(6) A tensile element spacer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that is of at least one of a non-corrodible and stiffly resilient character to in the appropriate case render it useful for outdoors use and to accommodate the application of force thereto without necessarily resulting in the permanent deformation of the spacer in serving a dropper function.