Profence clamp

Abstract

A clamp for coupling wire panelling to a fence post, comprising a bracket 10 with a plate 12 (Figure 1) that may be formed of sheet metal or alloy, may be galvanized, and that’s folded on at least one

Description

Background The present invention relates to the field of perimeter fences, in particular, the claim relates to improving the construction of wire mesh fences. It is noted that in the construction of a perimeter fence, there is a plurality of posts that outline the desired perimeter for the fence. Once the posts are in position the user would couple panels between each pair of posts, usually by coupling the panel to each post with one or more fasteners. In the case of a wire mesh fence, the length of the desired wire mesh would be extended around all of the posts. The user would then need a means to fasten the mesh to each of the posts to secure the mesh in place and to give the mesh structural support as the posts would support the mesh and help absorb the force from any impacts to the fence. The problem is that the spaces between the wires of the mesh may be too wide to be firmly gripped by a fastener. To overcome this problem wire fences usually comprise a plurality of plates, wherein the plate comprises a stripe of metal with a plurality of fastener apertures. In use, the user would position the plate over the surface of a respective post with the wire mesh positioned between the plate and the post. The user can then insert fasteners through the aligned apertures within the plate and the post. This will sandwich the mesh between the plat and the post thereby holding the mesh in place. The problem with this system is that the wire mesh does not apply much resistance and it is usually very thin. As a result, it is easy for the user to over-tighten the fasteners which may result in damage to the wires of the mesh. It may also result in the surface of the plate bending as it bows around the fastener. In both of these cases, the structure of the fence is weakened. It is also noted if the panel bends it forms a space between the plate and the post that may be used for leverage by an intruder attempting to break through the fence. Therefore, there is a need for an improved method of coupling a wire fence to a fence post that does not create the vulnerabilities described above. Summary The present invention provides a clamp that can be incorporated into a wire fence to provide an improved coupling between the wire fence and a fence post. The claimed clamp comprises a bracket wherein the bracket is configured to cover the surface of the post. Preferably the bracket would be configured to cover one surface of the post and at least partially cover one or both adjacent surfaces of the post. This way the bracket can grim multiple surfaces of the post helping to secure the bracket to the post, as the increased surface area allows the bracket to dissipate more force into the post when impacted, further the additional sides allow the bracket to dissipate impacts from multiple directions. Furthermore, the parts of the bracket that extend to cover the adjacent sides will cover the gap between the bracket and the post making it more difficult for an intruder to pry the bracket from the surface of the post. Note that the bracket may be configured to grip only one adjacent side of the post thereby leaving one side open to receive the panel that is to be coupled to the post, however in the case of a wire fence, as the wire is flexible it may be preferable to grip both sides of the post as described above as this will allow the bracket to more firmly grip the post and the wire mesh. The bracket further comprises an aperture that passes through the body of the bracket. This aperture would be configured to be aligned with a corresponding aperture in the body of the fence post. When the bracket is in position the user can pass a suitable fastener such as a bolt through the apertures to couple the bracket and post together. It is noted that compared to the metal strip used in current systems the bracket is at less risk of damage caused by over-fastening the fastener. This is because the bracket grips multiple sides of the post and is able to dissipate the force caused by the fastener over a larger portion of the post. Additionally, the shorter length of the bracket compared to the strip increases the amount of force needed to bend the bracket surface as there will be a decreased leaver effect acting on the metal of the bracket. However, it is noted that an over-fastened fastener may eventually cause damage to the bracket. To prevent this the claimed clamp further comprises a fastener guide. Wherein the fastener guide comprises a hollow elongated tube that is configured to be inserted between the bracket and the fence post. Wherein the guide is positioned to pass through the aligned apertures in both the bracket and the post. The tube body of the guide is opened at each end allowing the fastener used to couple the bracket and post to be inserted through the guide. This way as the fastener is being tightened the walls of the guide can limit the movement of the fastener, thereby limiting how much the fastener can be fastened. For example, when the fastener is a bolt, the treaded body of the bolt would pass through the centre of the hollow guide until the head of the bolt abuts the first end of the tube body of the guide. The nut used to fasten the bolt can then be coupled to the body of the bolt that extends through the second end of the guide and can be tightened until the nut abuts the second end of the tube body. In this case, the guide acts as a collar that blocks the path of the nut and bolt head ensuring that there is a predetermined distance between the two. This can help prevent the user from over-fastening the fastener as the guide will block the fastener from tightening past a certain point. It is noted that if the user tries to over-fasten the fastener the tension force from the fastener may be radially dissipated through the wall of the guide thereby reducing the force exerted on the bracket and post. As the force exerted by the fastener is reduced there is less risk of the bracket and wire mesh being damaged by an over-fastened fastener. It is noted that when using a guide as described above the head of the fastener would still rest against the surface of the bracket. This means the fastener may still damage the surface of the bracket if the user tightens the fastener too much. Therefore, there is a need to provide a means to protect the surface of the bracket. To this end, the fastener guide may include a protective head proximate to one end of the guide’s body. Wherein the protective head is formed by widening the thickness of the wall of the tube body of the guide at the first end of the hollow tube body. Alternatively, the guide may include an elastic cap that covers the end of the guide, thereby providing a protective layer over that end of the guide body. Note that the cap would comprise an aperture thereby allowing the fastener to pass through the cap and into the body of the guide. This cap would preferably be made from an elastic material, such as rubber, to allow the cap to absorb and dissipate the force exerted by the fastener without damaging the surface of the bracket or post. In use, the user would insert the second end of the guide, the end that is aft from the protective head, through the aligned aperture of the bracket and the post such that the protective head abuts the surface of the bracket. Then as the user inserts the user inserts the fastener, the head of the fastener will abut the protective head this way as the fastener is tightened the force exerted by the fastener head will act upon the protective head. As the protective head comprises a thicker wall than the rest of the fastener guide, it provides a larger surface area through which to dissipate the force exerted by the head of the fastener, as the force is now spread over a larger surface area the impact upon the surface of the bracket will be reduced thereby reducing the risk of any damaged to the bracket’s surface. It is noted that if the protective head is made from a suitable shock-absorbing material, the protective head used in this manner may also protect the brackets from impacts, specifically when the front of the post, and therefore when the front of the bracket is impacted the protective head will assist in absorbing part of that impact. This will help protect the bracket and the fastener when such impacts occur. In some cases, the fastener guide may be inserted into the bracket in the opposite direction, such that the protective head is positioned between the inside of the bracket and the surface of the post. This arrangement can be useful for protecting both the bracket and the wire mesh fence panel. This is because when the fastener is over-tightened the force is exerted by both ends of the fastener that forces the bracket and post together. This can result in a crushing force that may damage the wire of the mesh panel. Additionally forcing the post and bracket together their surfaces may also be damaged. Therefore, by inserting the protective head between the bracket and the post the guide provides a more effective stop that will prevent the crushing force described above. This is because the thicker walls of the protective head will be able to better resist the force that is pulling the bracket and post together. This means that the space between the bracket and the post should be no smaller than the length of the protective head of the fastener guide as it abuts both the bracket and the post. This can prevent the wire mesh from becoming crushed as described above and also helps to protect the surfaces of the bracket and the post as the wider contact surface of the guide will help spread the force acting on the surface over a larger area compared to the wire mesh. Therefore, by using the guide as described above the fastener guide can protect both the bracket and the wire mesh panel and help reduce the amount of wear caused by the over-tightened fastener. When the clamp as described above is used the fastener guide would be held in place by the ends of the fastener, and when present the protective head would prevent the guide from passing through the bracket aperture in one direction. However, there is still a risk of the fastener guide sliding out of the bracket, especially during fence construction and deconstruction when there would be no fastener to hold the guide in place. Therefore, it is preferable to have a means of coupling the fastener guide to the bracket. To this end, the fastener guide may comprise a thread around the outer wall of the tube body, with the bracket comprising a corresponding thread around the edge of the fastener aperture. The user will be able to couple the guide to the bracket by engaging the corresponding threads and rotating the guide to tighten it into place. If the thread extends along the body of the guide the user can keep turning the threaded guide until it reaches a desired position at which point the coupled thread will hold it in place. This threaded coupling would also provide another means for the guide to dissipate force through the bracket, thereby helping to reduce the damage caused by the over-tightened fastener. The thread will also make it more difficult for an intruder to tamper with the clamp as the guide will ab affixed in place by both the thread and the fastener allowing the guide to be gripped more firmly into place making it more difficult to remove. To save on production times and materials it would be preferable to have a specific section, or sections of the guide be threaded, rather than the entire body. In these cases, the thread may be located at a specific point along the tube body, at a predetermined distance from one end of the tube body. With this thread, the user can ensure a certain length of the tube body protrudes from each side of the bracket such that the fastener will abut the tube body before contacting the bracket. In some cases, this thread may be located on both ends of the tube so that the tube body is reversible, meaning the user can insert either end of the tube body through the bracket and receive the same result making construction of the clamp easier. In embodiments where the fastener guide includes a protective head, the head would not need to be threaded as it is too wide to be inserted into the threaded aperture. Further, in these embodiments, the user will want the protective heat to abut one side of the bracket. Therefore, it is preferable for these types of guides to only include a thread at the base of the protective head. Note that in the case of the presented invention, the term base of the protective head refers to the section wherein the protective head meets the tinner section of the guide, not that this face of the protective head should also be the side that abuts the surface of the bracket. This way the user can ensure that the protective head abuts the bracket when the two are coupled together, and removes the need to thread the entire tube body reducing production times. As previously noted, when the fastener is tightened within the tube body of the guide is designed to dissipate force radially to reduce the fastener's effect on the fence. To assist with this the guide may comprise one or more incisions along the tube body. These incisions are positioned such that the tube body of the guide can expand radially when forces are applied to the ends of the guide via the fastener. This expansion allows more force to be dissipated in the radial direction. In addition, the radial expansion will form a wider section of the guide that may act as a protective head as described above, and provide a surface that will contact the surface of the bracket or post to allow the guide to dissipate the force from the fastener through the abutting structure. Given the relatively simple design of the bracket, it can be formed using a piece of folded sheet metal or alloy, the guide may also be made from the same metal or allowed to help reduce the risk of friction wear to the guide. It is noted that the fastener guide may also be made from a suitably strong plastic or polymer to allow the guide to be moulded more easily while still having sufficient strength to dissipate the force of the fastener, these materials are especially useful when the protective head is formed as part of the guide itself. However, when using such a polymer the user needs to ensure that the toughness of the guide is close to that of the material used for the bracket, this will reduce the risk of frictional wear especially when the guide and bracket aperture are threaded. As these clamps are most likely to be used for outdoor fences, the clamps should be made to be weather-resistant. More specifically the parts of the clamp may need to be treated to be chemically resistant to prevent withering caused by being exposed to an outdoor environment. This may include galvanizing the metal used to form the bracket and guide or providing other forms of protective coatings such as paint or powder coatings. However, of these options, the galvanized metal is preferable as it will not need to be reapplied and may be used in combination with other protective coatings. By using the clamp as described above the user will be able to secure a wire mesh to a fence post without the risk of damaging the mesh or parts of the post. More specifically the bracket of the clamp acts to clamp the mesh between itself and the fence post to secure the mesh in place. Note that in some cases, there may be a metal strip between the brackets and the mesh that extends downwards the length of the post. This metal strip helps to evenly distribute the force from the brackets across the entire length of the post thereby ensuring mesh is held firmly across its entire length reducing the risk of there being a loose section in the fence perimeter, that may create a weak point in the fence. The user can then insert a fastener guide through each of the brackets before inserting the fastener. These guides help to dissipate the force of the fastener acting on the bracket and post when over-fastened. This provides a means of constructing a mesh fence with a reduced risk of bending or damaging the mesh during construction. Detailed Description The present invention is depicted in the following Figures: Figure 1 - depicts the preferred embodiment for the bracket. Figure 2 - depicts a first view of the preferred embodiment for the fastener guide. Figure 3 - depicts a second view of the preferred embodiment for the fastener guide. Figure 4 - depicts a first view of the preferred embodiment for the clamp with the protective head on the outside of the bracket. Figure 5 - depicts a second view of the preferred embodiment for the clamp with the protective head on the outside of the bracket. Figure 6 - depicts a first view of the preferred embodiment for the clamp with the protective head on the inside of the bracket. Figure 7 - depicts a second view of the preferred embodiment for the clamp with the protective head on the inside of the bracket. The figures comprise the following features, not that like features are represented with like reference numerals: 10 - bracket 12 - bracket body 14 - folded sides 16 - bracket aperture 20 - Fastener guide 22 - tube body 24 - fastener aperture 26 - protective head 28 - threaded section The claimed invention provides a fence clamp configured for coupling a fence panel to a fence post. Specifically, the clamp is designed to couple a wire mesh panel to a fence post with a reduced risk of damaging the wire. It is noted that such damage can occur when the user over-tightens the fasteners used to secure the panel in place causing a crushing force between the post and the securing member. The present invention reduces the risk of this problem occurring by introducing a fastener guide to be used with a securing bracket to form a clamp that will hold the wire mesh to the post while dissipating any excessive force exerted by an overtightened fastener. It is noted that in some cases the fence may include metal strips configured to secure the wire mesh in place by fastening the strip to a surface of the post with the wire mesh sandwich in between. It is noted that the claimed clamp can be used in tandem with such metal strips placing the clamp bracket over the strip. In these cases, the clamp may also protect the metal strip from deforming and bending due to forces caused by the over-tightened fastener. In use, the user would place the clamp bracket over the wire mesh and over a desired surface of the fence post, such that the wire mesh is sandwiched between the bracket and the post. The bracket and post comprise corresponding fastener apertures which will need to be aligned to correctly position each clamp bracket. Once in place, the user may insert the guide through the aperture in the bracket, in some cases, the guide may be inserted into both the aperture of the bracket and the fence post. Once in position, the user can then insert a suitable fastener, such as a bolt, through a channel within the guide. Once inserted, the user can then tighten the fastener to secure the bracket to the fence post. The wall of the guide acts as a collar around the fastener preventing the fastener from being tightened past a specific point as the fastener abuts the ends of the guide. Should the user try to tighten the fastener further the force produced can be dissipated radially by the body of the guide. In some cases, the guide may include a wider section, where the wall of the guide is thicker than the rest of the guide. This wider portion would be positioned to rest on the surface of the bracket and / or post to provide additional surface area through which the force from the fastener can be dissipated. This wider section also reduces the risk of the fastener damaging the surface upon which it rests as any force exerted by the fastener will be exerted over a larger surface area. Figures 1 to 7 depict the preferred embodiment for the claimed claim. Figure 1 depicts the bracket 10 as used in the claimed claim. The bracket 10 is configured to cover one surface of the fence post with the wire mesh being positioned in between thereby forming a clamp between the surface of the post and the surface of the bracket 10 that will hold the wire mesh in place. The user will likely need to use multiple brackets per fence post to hold the wire mesh firmly in place, therefore the brackets 10 should be quick to produce on mass. As such the bracket 10 is preferably formed from a suitable sheet of metal or alloy that will allow multiple brackets to be produced in quick succession or as part of a continuous process. As shown in the depicted example the bracket comprises folded sides 14 on opposing sides of the bracket body 12. These folded sides 14 help to improve the grip of the bracket 10 by contacting the post surfaces adjacent to the surface the body 12 rests upon. This in turn helps to increase the amount of friction between the bracket 10 and the fence post, to secure the mesh panel more firmly. It is noted that the folded sides 14 also help to cover the gap between the bracket body 12 and the fence post. This means it will be more difficult for an intruder to try a pry the bracket 10 from the post or to tamper with the securing fastener. These folded sides 14 also allow the bracket 10 to absorb impacts from different directions to help protect the coupling fastener, it also increases the surface area over which the bracket 10 may dissipate the force caused by such impacts thereby reducing the risk of damage to the bracket body 12 and the adjoining fastener. In the depicted example the bracket 10 comprises two folded sides 14 configured to grip opposing sides of the post to try and maximize the frictional grip between the bracket 10 and the post. However, in some cases, the bracket may only comprise one folded side such that the user may insert the wire mesh panel more easily by inserting the mesh between the bracket 10 and the post via the opening created by the flat side. However, as noted above this may reduce the grip the bracket 10 has on the mesh and increase the risk of the bracket being damaged or tampered with. Further, it is noted that the mesh used for the fence is likely flexible and so can bend around the folded sides 14, as such the use of two opposing folded sides, as shown in the figures is preferable for the claimed clamp. The bracket body 12 also includes an aperture 16 configured to receive a fastener to be used to couple the bracket 10 to the fence post. This aperture 16 would be aligned with a corresponding aperture in the fence post, and in any supporting metal strips when present. Once all of the apertures are aligned the user may pass a suitable fastener such as a bolt through the apertures. This fastener will close the clamp by pushing the bracket 10 towards the post. However, if the user over-tightens the fastener it can cause wear and damage to the surface of the bracket 10. Therefore, the claimed system includes a fastener guide 20 that will be inserted into the aligned aperture first. This guide 20 will include apertures in 24 at each end of the guide connected by a hollow channel such that the fastener can be inserted through the guide 20. Wherein the movement of the fastener is limited as the fastener will abut the ends of the guide before abutting the bracket 10 thereby reducing the risk of the fastener damaging the bracket 10. Figures 2 and 3 depict different views for the preferred embodiment of the fastener guide 20. In its simplest form, the fastener guide would comprise a hollow tube body that would pass through the apertures 16 of the bracket and post, with the fastener used to secure the bracket 10 passing through the openings 24 in the ends of the tube body 22 through a hollow channel. This way the guide forms a collar around the body or shank of the fastener. As the fastener is tightened the ends of the fastener abut the open ends of the guide, limiting how far the fastener may be tightened. Further, if the user were to over-tighten the fastener, the body of the guide would help dissipate the force exerted radially over its surface area, thereby reducing the force acting on the surface of the bracket 10 and post. This will in turn reduce the amount of force exerted on the wire mesh reducing the risk of the mesh being damaged. In the preferred embodiment the guide 20 comprises a tube body 22 as described above with some additional features. In particular, the guide comprises a protective head 26. The protective head refers to a section of the tube body 22 that has a thicker wall compared to the rest of the guide 20. Usually, this protective head 26 would be located proximate to an end of the tube body 22, though it can be located at any point along the tube body length. In use, the user would abut the protective head against one side of the bracket body 12, while the thinner portion of the tube body 22 passes through the aperture 16 in the bracket body. This protective head helps to dissipate the force exerted by the fastener onto the ends of the guide body 22. Note that when the fastener is overtightened the guide will dissipate force radially through its walls, however, the fastener will also create more tension that forces the bracket towards the post. As the protective head will increase the contact area between the guide 20 and the bracket 10, this tension force is spread over a larger area thereby reducing the effect on the bracket 10. In some cases, the protective head will be positioned between the bracket 10 and the post. This way as the fastener is tightened the protective head can limit the movement of the bracket 10 thereby preventing the bracket 10 and post from crushing the wire mesh and supporting strip when the fastener is tightened too far. In the depicted example the protective head 26 is formed as part of the guide 20. This means the head 26 is made from the same material as the rest of the guide 20 and will likely be formed from the same material as the guide 20 during the manufacturing process for example when the guide 20 is being molded. This way the user can ensure that the head 26 is made from a sufficiently strong material that is capable of absorbing the force exerted by the fastener without being deformed or damaged. In other cases, the protective head may be a separate cap that is hollow such that the cap can be placed over the wall of the tube body 22. These caps can be formed from a different material than the rest of the guide 20, in particular, the cap may be made from a more elastic material such as rubber that will be able to better absorb and dissipate the force exerted onto the protective head 26. It is noted that the protective head 26 made from such a material would also reduce the risk of the head damaging the surface of the bracket 10 or post when the fastener pushes the guide 20 towards them. Further by using a separate cap, the user can adjust the position of the protective head to ensure that there is sufficient length of the tube body 22 extending away from the cap to receive the fastener, reaching through the other components such as the bracket 10. The guide 20 also comprises a threaded section 28. This threaded section 28 comprises a thread along the outside of the tube body 22 that is configured to help couple the guide to one of the other structures such as the bracket 10 or the post. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture 16 of the bracket 10 includes a corresponding thread that is configured to couple to the thread on the tube body 22. This thread helps to secure the guide 20 into a desired location making it easier for the user to hold the bracket in place as they insert the fastener as described above. This thread will also reduce the risk of the guide being damaged during an impact as the thread will hold the guide 20 in place reducing the risk of the guide sliding and becoming damaged. The thread may also allow the guide 20 to dissipate more force into the bracket 10 due to the increased surface contact. In some cases, the entire tube body 22 may be threaded allowing the user to affix the guide 20 into any position. However, the problem with this is that the user will need to screw the guide 20 into place for each bracket which will be quite time-consuming. Therefore, it may be preferable for the tube body to have specific points along the tube body 22 allowing the user to adjust the guide 20 to one of several predetermined locations. For example, the tube body may include a threaded portion proximate to the ends of the tube body such that the guide 20 can be used the same in different orientations, as the ends are identical. The guide may then include a threaded section towards the centre of the tube body for cases wherein the protective head 26 is positioned outside of the clamp, on the surface of the bracket facing away from the post. In the preferred embodiment, the threaded section 28 is located at the base of the protective head 26, meaning the point where the thinner section of the tube body meets the protective head 26. With the thread in this location, the user can ensure that the protective head is abutting the surface of the bracket 10 when the thread is coupled to the thread within the aperture 16, thereby allowing the guide to have the benefits of both the thread 28 and the protective head 26 as described above. Figures 4 to 7 depict different views of the possible clamp arrangements using the bracket 10 and guide 20. Figures 4 and 5 depict a first arrangement wherein the protective head 26 is positioned between the outer surface of the bracket 10 and the head of the fastener used to couple the bracket 10 to the post. It is noted that when the fastener is tightened it is the head of the fastener that forces the clamp closed. It is therefore the force exerted by the fastener head that may damage the wire mesh and protective metal strip. As such by using this arrangement the protective head is positioned proximate to the source of the force that may cause damage to the rest of the fence. In this arrangement, the protective head is positioned to absorb and dissipate the force exerted by the fastener directly, this position also prevents the fastener head from digging into the surface of the bracket 10, in turn, reducing the risk of the fastener deforming or damaging the bracket. One problem with this arrangement is that a larger portion of the guide 20 and fastener will be exposed meaning an intruder may attack the exposed section of the fastener to break it and decouple the panel from the fence posts. Therefore, it is preferable to have the fastener head abut the bracket 10 such that more of the fastener is protected within the bracket and post even if this means the bracket is at a higher risk of being damaged. To this end, the user can use the claimed clamp in a second arrangement as depicted in Figures 6 and 7. In this arrangement the guide 20 has been inverted such that the protective head now abuts the inside of the bracket 10, such that the protective head is positioned between the bracket 10 and the post. In this position, the protective head 26 is abutting both the bracket 10 and the post allowing the guide 20 to more effectively dissipate the crushing force created by the fastener forcing the bracket 10 and post together. This way the guide 20 can ensure that there is a minimum separation between the post and the surface of the bracket 10 ensuring that neither exerts a force onto the wire mesh that may damage or break the mesh. It is also noted that the second end of the tube body 22 aft from the protective head 26, may still protrude from the outward face of the bracket 10 thereby providing some protection to the bracket 10 from the head of the fastener.

Claims

1. A protective clamp configured to couple a wire panel to a fence post, the clamp comprises:A bracket comprising a plate that is folded at least one side wherein the plate rests against a first side of a fence post the folded sides of the plate rest against the adjacent side of the post, and wherein the bracket comprises a fastener aperture; andA fastener guide comprising an elongated hollow body configured to be inserted through the aperture of the bracket and the corresponding fastener aperture with the fence post.

2. The protective clamp of claim 1 wherein the bracket is folded at two opposing sides.

3. The protective clamp of claim 1 or 2 wherein the bracket is formed from a piece of sheet metal.

4. The protective clamp of any preceding claim, wherein the fastener guide comprises a protective guide head proximate to a first end of the guide body, wherein the protective guide head comprises a section of the tube body where the wall of the tube is wider than the rest of the tubes, such that the protective guide head abuts the surface of the bracket when the guide is inserted into the bracket aperture.

5. The protective clamp of claim 4, wherein the protective guide head comprises a removable cap coupled to the first end of the fastener guide.

6. The protective clamp of any preceding claim wherein the aperture of the bracket is threaded, with a corresponding thread on the tube body of the fastener guide, allowing the guide to be coupled to the bracket.

7. The protective clamp of claim 6 wherein the thread of the fastener guide covers only a section of the tube body of the guide.

8. The protective clamp of claim 7, wherein the thread is located at the base of the protective guide head, the base refers to the point wherein the tube body extends beyond the protective head.

9. The protective clamp of any preceding claim wherein the tube body of the guide comprises incisions configured to allow the guide to expand radially when force is applied to the ends of the tube body.

10. The protective clamp of any preceding claim wherein the bracket is formed for a sheet of metal or alloy11. The protective clamp of any preceding claim wherein the bracket and guide are galvanized.

12. The protective clamp of any preceding claim wherein the fastener guide is made from moulded plastic or polymer.

13. A method of using the protective clamp of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bracket is positioned over a face of a fence post, with a wire mesh positioned between the bracket and the post;aligning the fastener aperture of the bracket with a corresponding aperture in the post,inserting the fastener guide through the aperture in the bracket;inserting a fastener through the channel of the fastener guide and tightening the fastener to couple the bracket and mesh to the fence post;repeat these steps for each bracket and post for the desired fence.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the guide comprises a protective head and the guide is inserted through the outer face of the bracket such that the protective head is positioned between the bracket and the head of the fastener.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the guide comprises a protective head and the guide is inserted through the inner face of the bracket such that the protective head is positioned between the bracket and the post.

16. The method of claims 13 to 15, wherein the guide comprises a threaded section and the aperture of the bracket is threaded, rotating the guide to couple the guide to the bracket via the corresponding threads.Application No: GB2412099.0Examiner:Mr Elliot TurnerClaims searched: 1-16Date of search: 8 January 2025Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1 -3, lO-ll, 13 ES1039046U (REINA MARTIN FERNANDO) Figure 1 and 2 A - GB2250757 A (PRICE) Figure 3, 4, and 5. A - PL73408 Y1 (GLUSZEK) Figure 3. A - KR200800921 U (LEE) Figure 1 and 4. A - GB2411432 A (DI-MOLA) Figure 1 and 2. A - US2022 / 259888 Al (STUCCHI) Figure 16, 18, and 20. A - US2020 / 035131 Al (KEELER) Figure 4 and 9. A - CN218029415 U (ZHU) Figure 1 and 4X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family J7 Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB. EP, WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :16Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC____________ E04H___________________________________________________ The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report SEARCH-PATENTInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From E04H 0017 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006 E04H 0017 / 12 01 / 01 / 2006

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