A multiple use wire tightener

Abstract

A wire tightener for repeated use on a section of wire comprises a central hub for engaging a tool for rotating the tightener or strainer. A pair of parallel stubs extend from the hub and have a gap b

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to fencing and, in particular, to a multiple use wire tightener able to increase the tension in a fencing wire. Background Art Fences generally represent the greatest value capital asset of a farm and much time and effort is spent in maintaining such fences. In particular, after fences are initially constructed and the wires of the fence tensioned, interaction of stock and feral animals with the fence, ground movements, and the like combine to reduce the tension in the fence over time. It therefore becomes necessary to re-tension the wires of the fence. This is equally applicable to plain wire fences, barbed wire fences, and fences incorporating wire meshes. Various single use or in-in situ wire strainers are known in which the strainer is used to tighten the fence and remains in the fence and therefore cannot be used at another location at a subsequent time. Such devices have at least two radially extending arms which are able to engage the wire in turn as the device is rotated, thereby preventing the device unwinding. Australian Patent No. 1985 043 226 (Hayes), US Patent No. 636 151 (Mason) of 1899, New Zealand Patent No 203,435 NZ Farm Tools Limited, US Patent No 6,129,124 Smith and French Patent No 628,664 La Forest typify this category. With the advent of high tensile wire from the 1970s, it has become possible to provide an essentially permanent re-tensioning of the high tensile wire by bending the wire into a shape which shortens the length of the wire. Australian Patent Application No. 2019 268 054 discloses one tool which enables a W-shaped bend to be created in a wire. Genesis of the Invention The genesis of the present invention is a desire to provide another way of tightening slack wire by means of a wire tightener able to be used multiple times each spaced apart in time. Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a multiple use wire tightener comprising a central hub having a tool engagement means to permit the wire strainer to be rotated by a tool, and a pair of substantially parallel stubs extending from said hub and having a space therebetween engageable with a wire. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of using the abovementioned multiple use wire tightener. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the wire tightener of the preferred embodiment, Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a rear view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is one side view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is the other side view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a top view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1 and illustrating a preferred modification thereto, Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the wire tightener of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating the wire tightener inserted onto a single wire, Fig. 10 is a side view of the single wire of Fig. 9 showing a degree of slackness or lack of tension, and Fig. 11 is a side view of the single wire of Fig. 10 after the wire strainer has been partially rotated and then removed from the wire. Detailed Description As seen in Figs. 1-8, the multiple use wire tightener 1 of the preferred embodiment takes the form of a central hub 2 which preferably has the form of a bolt head 4. Preferably the bolt head 4 has a hexagonal shape with six flats which is therefore able to be turned by a conventional spanner (not illustrated). As seen in the drawings, the bolt head 4 preferably has an integrally formed washer 6 from which protrude two short stubs 8, 9 which preferably have a circular transverse cross-section, a diameter of approximately 5mm and spacing between the stubs 8, 9 of approximately 5mm. The length of the stubs 8, 9 is preferably approximately 10-15mm. Fig. 7 illustrates a preferred modification to the bolt head 4 which is provided with a square recess 11 which is dimensioned to receive a socket spanner driver (which is normally provided with a ratchet mechanism). Thus, for the bolt head 4 illustrated in Fig. 7, this bolt head 4 can be driven either by a conventional spanner engaging with the external surfaces of the bolt head 4, or by a socket spanner driver which engages with the recess 11. Turning now to Figs. 9-11, a wire 15 of a fence (not illustrated) and which was initially tensioned when the fence was built, is shown in a slack or reduced tension condition brought about by the interaction of the wire 15 with a stock, feral animals and the like. In order to re-tension the wire 15, the tightener 1 is engaged with the wire 15 by pushing the tensioner 1 onto the wire 15. This is accomplished by passing the wire 15 between the individual stubs 8, 9. Thereafter, the tensioner 1 is rotated in either direction but typically in the direction of the arrow illustrated in Fig. 9. This rotation is brought about by the use of a conventional spanner or socket spanner driver. Preferably the degree of rotation is approximately half of a turn so as to create a roughly sinusoidally shaped bend 17 as illustrated in Fig. 11. This shortens the length of the wire 15 and therefore increases the tension within the wire 15 since the opposite ends of the wire 15 are constrained by being connected to corresponding posts (conventional but not illustrated). If one bend 17 does not increase the tension within the wire 15 sufficiently, then another bend 17 (not illustrated) can be created in the wire 15 at a (typically small) distance from the first bend 17. And so on, until the desired tension is achieved. It will be appreciated that this mode of use enables the tensioner 1 to be easily extracted from the bend 17. This readily permits the tensioner 1 to be re-used. In addition, if the fence needs to be dismantled at some time in the future, the wire 15 with the bend(s) 17 can be pulled through the holes of conventional star pickets. In an alternative mode of use, the tensioner 1, once it is engaged with the wire 15, can be rotated one or more turns so as to wind a portion of the wire 15 onto the stubs 8, 9 which function as a bobbin. This creates a wrapped up or rolled up portion of the wire 10 rather than a simple bend 17 as illustrated in Fig. 11. Thereafter the tensioner 1 is still able to be extracted from the wire 15 since the stubs 8, 9 are preferably smooth and free from any protrusions which might trap the tensioner 1 on the wire 15. The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the fencing arts, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the features and advantages disclosed to one facet of the invention may be utilised, mutatis mutandis, in other facets of the invention. The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of’. 08 05 25

Claims

1. A multiple use wire tightener comprising a central hub having a tool engagement means to permit the wire tightener to be rotated by a tool, and a pair of substantially parallel straight stubs extending from said hub and having5 a space therebetween engageable with a wire, whereby said stubs can beextracted without rotation after tightening said wire.

2. The wire tightener as defined in claim 1 wherein said central hub comprises a bolt head.

103. The wire tightener as defined in claim 2 wherein said bolt head has a substantially hexagonal shape.

4. The wire tightener as defined in claim 2 or 3 wherein said tool is a spanner.

155. The wire tightener as defined in claim 2 or 3 wherein said bolt head has a recess shaped to engage with a socket spanner driver.

6. The wire tightener as defined in any one of claims 1-5 wherein said stubs are 20 substantially smooth and free of protrusions.

7. The wire tightener as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said stubs has a circular transverse cross-sectional shape.25 8. The wire tightener as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said stubs hassubstantially the same transverse diameter.

9. The wire tightener as defined in claim 8 wherein the distance between said stubs is substantially equal to said transverse diameter.

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