Insulator for stringing wire

Abstract

To provide an inexpensive electric-fence wire that ensures insulation between a current-carrying wire and a standing tree when attached to the standing tree.SOLUTION: An insulator 1 for stringing a wire which holds, in an insulated state, an electric-fence wire 3 by using a standing tree is formed of: a flexible plate section 40 whose longitudinal direction is a stringing direction of the wire 3; a holding section 41 which is provided on a surface of the plate section 40 on a stringing side of the wire 3, and prevents the held wire 3 from coming off; at least one mounting section 42 which is provided on the plate section 40, and fixes the plate section 40 to a trunk 4 of a standing tree 7 via a band member 6; and connection sections 43 which are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate section 40, and connect another plate section 40 in the stringing direction of the wire 3. By allowing the band member 6 to be mounted obliquely on the mounting section 42, the wire 3 can also be strung on an inclined surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to an insulator for stringing wires, and more particularly to an insulator for stringing wires that uses trees growing in forests or woodlands (hereinafter referred to as standing trees) instead of posts for stringing the conductive wires of an electric fence device. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, physical fences, such as fences, have been used to protect farmland and livestock pastures from harmful animals. Instead, electric fences are now used, in which conductive wires are strung across farmland or pastures in multiple stages using posts, and pulsed high voltage is applied to these conductive wires. Hereinafter, conductive wires will be simply referred to as wires. In the early days, high-voltage generators (power units) that apply high voltage to the wires used in electric fences used a 100V commercial power source to generate the high voltage, but in recent years, the power source has shifted to rechargeable batteries.

[0003] Electric fence devices, which use a power unit to boost battery voltage and apply it to the wire, lose their function when the battery voltage drops, so the battery must be periodically replaced with a charged battery. Meanwhile, in recent years, batteries have become capable of being charged using solar panels, and power units equipped with solar panels eliminate the need for battery replacement, allowing users to install electric fence devices anywhere. As a result, electric fence devices are now being installed in a wide range of locations, including forests and other areas without power sources. Furthermore, standing trees growing in forests and other areas are now being used as supports to string wires. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of attaching insulators to standing trees growing in forests and stringing the wires of an electric fence device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7343888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The insulator disclosed in Patent Document 1 is capable of stringing wires even in uneven areas, but its structure is complex and even mass production is costly. Therefore, the insulator disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem of high costs when used in large quantities.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an insulator for overhead wires that allows standing trees growing in forests, etc. to be used as supports for electric fence wires and is inexpensive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect, there is provided an insulator for stringing wires, which comprises: a plate portion formed from a flexible member and having a stringing surface on which the electric fence wire can be arranged along the stringing direction; a holding portion arranged on the stringing surface and holding the wire arranged on the stringing surface; and an attachment portion arranged on the plate portion and through which a belt member can be inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The wire insulator disclosed herein has the advantage that, when attached to a standing tree, it can inexpensively string electric fence wire while ensuring insulation between the current-carrying wire and the standing tree. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of an insulator for overhead wires disclosed in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing how a wire is engaged with the insulator for overhead wires shown in (a) and a belt for attaching it to a standing tree is inserted into the housing. [Figure 2] (a) is a perspective view showing the state in which an auxiliary cord is attached to a through-hole formed in an insulator for overhead lines, and (b) is a perspective view showing the state in which an insulator for overhead lines is attached to a standing tree with a belt and an auxiliary cord, and a wire is stretched over uneven ground. [Figure 3] (a) shows the state in which the overhead line insulator of the present invention is attached to a standing tree growing on flat land, and is a side view of section A in the area shown in (b), and (b) is a plan view including section A in the area shown in (a). [Figure 4] FIG. 1(a) is a side view of the overhead line insulator of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of the overhead line insulator shown in FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(c) is a front view of the overhead line insulator shown in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 1(d) is a perspective view of the overhead line insulator shown in FIG. 1(a) as seen from the front side. [Figure 5] (a) is an oblique view showing the back side of the overhead line insulator of the first embodiment and a cable tie for attaching this overhead line insulator to a standing tree, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for fixing the cable tie shown in (a) to the trunk of a standing tree using a fastener on the opposite side of the attachment position of the overhead line insulator, (c) is an explanatory diagram of how to use the fastener shown in (b), and (d) is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for fixing the overhead line insulator to a standing tree using the fastener shown in (b). [Figure 6] (a) is a schematic diagram of the overhead line insulator of the first embodiment fixed to a standing tree using a cable tie and a fastening device, (b) is a front view of an example of a stopper, which is a fastening device that can fasten the cable tie shown in (a) on the opposite side of the overhead line insulator, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the overhead line insulator shown in (a) is deformed as the wire is held in place at the bent portion of the wire. [Figure 7] 1(a) is a side view showing a second embodiment of the insulator for overhead lines of the present invention, in which wire mounting portions are provided at both ends of the base plate; FIG. 1(b) is a front view of the insulator for overhead lines shown in FIG. 1(a); FIG. 1(c) is a schematic diagram of the insulator for overhead lines of the second embodiment fixed to a standing tree using cable ties; and FIG. 1(d) is a perspective view of the insulator for overhead lines of the second embodiment, as seen from the back side. [Figure 8] FIG. 1(a) is a side view of two overhead line insulators of the first embodiment when they are connected together, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram of two connected overhead line insulators fixed to a standing tree with a thick trunk using cable ties and fasteners. [Figure 9]8(b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the wire is held by the insulator shown in FIG. 8(a) at a bent portion of the wire, and the insulator is deformed. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1(a) is a side view showing two overhead line insulators according to a second embodiment of the present invention connected together, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram showing the overhead line insulators according to the second embodiment connected together as shown in FIG. 1(a) fixed to a standing tree with a thick trunk using cable ties and fasteners. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B show an insulator for use in a catenary according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (b) is a side view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (d) is a front view of the insulator for use in a catenary, and (e) is a perspective view of the insulator for use in a catenary. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B show an insulator for use in a catenary according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (b) is a side view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (d) is a front view of the insulator for use in a catenary, and (e) is a perspective view of the insulator for use in a catenary. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B show an insulator for use in a catenary according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (b) is a side view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator for use in a catenary, (d) is a front view of the insulator for use in a catenary, and (e) is a perspective view of the insulator for use in a catenary. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B show modified examples of the insulator for overhead lines according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view showing the structure of the first modified example, (b) is a plan view showing the structure of the second modified example, and (c) is a view of the second modified example of (b) as seen from the direction of arrow C. [Figure 15] This shows a sixth embodiment of the insulator for overhead lines of the present invention, in which the mounting portion is formed by a slit provided in the base plate of the insulator for overhead lines. The holding portion for the wire uses the holding portion of the fifth embodiment. (a) is a plan view of the insulator for overhead lines, (b) is a side view of the insulator for overhead lines showing the procedure for attaching a cable tie to the insulator for overhead lines, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator for overhead lines, and (d) is an oblique view of the insulator for overhead lines of the sixth embodiment, showing the cable tie to be attached to a standing tree. [Figure 16]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state when the overhead line insulator of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is used alone and fixed to the trunk of a standing tree using a fastener on the opposite side of the attachment position of the overhead line insulator to the standing tree. [Figure 17] (a) is a side view of a modified embodiment of the overhead line insulator of the first embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate does not change when connected; (b) is a side view of a modified embodiment of the overhead line insulator of the second embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate does not change when connected; (c) is a side view of a modified embodiment of the overhead line insulator of the third embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate does not change when connected; and (d) is a side view of a further modified embodiment of the overhead line insulator of the third embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate does not change when connected and the mounting part of the third embodiment adopts the structure of the mounting part of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B show an overhead line insulator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which the structure of the attachment portion of the overhead line insulator to a standing tree is modified, where (a) is a side view of the overhead line insulator, (b) is a bottom view of the overhead line insulator, and (c) is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating the structure of the attachment portion of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 19] This illustrates an example of use showing that the seventh embodiment of the overhead line insulator of the present invention can be used even when standing trees are growing on a slope, where (a) is a side view of three standing trees growing on a slope that gradually increases in height, (b) is a plan view of (a), (c) is a partially enlarged side view showing the attachment of the overhead line insulator to the standing trees, and (d) is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view explaining the relationship between the wire and the cable tie in the overhead line insulator shown in (c). [Figure 20] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of use of the seventh embodiment of the overhead line insulator of the present invention, showing that it can be used even when standing trees grow on an uneven slope. (a) is a side view of three standing trees growing on a slope that rises and then falls, and (b) is a partial side view illustrating an example of use in which the seventh embodiment of the overhead line insulator is used in a connected state to divide the wire on the rising side and the falling side of the wire. [Figure 21] 20(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in the state shown in FIG. 20(a), and (b) and (c) are explanatory diagrams showing modified examples of the mounting portion of the insulator for overhead wires according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22]FIG. 10 shows an eighth embodiment of the insulator for overhead lines of the present invention, in which the mounting portion is formed by a slit provided in the base plate of the insulator for overhead lines. This embodiment uses the holding portion of the fifth embodiment as the holding portion for the wire. (a) is a side view of the insulator for overhead lines, (b) is a plan view of the insulator for overhead lines, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator for overhead lines, and (d) is a bottom view of a modified embodiment in which the arrangement of the slit provided in the center of the base plate is changed. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified embodiment of the insulator for overhead lines according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, in which the length of the insertion hole for the cable tie provided in the base plate is made larger than the width of the cable tie, allowing freedom in the attachment angle of the cable tie relative to the base plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail based on specific examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or similar elements are designated by common reference numerals, and the scale of the drawings has been changed appropriately to facilitate understanding.

[0011] First, in order to understand the structure of the insulator for stringing wires of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "insulator"), the structure of the insulator 1' for wires 3 disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be briefly explained using Figures 1(a) and 1(b). The housing 2 of the insulator 1' disclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed using insulating resin, so that the current flowing through the wires 3 does not flow to the ground through the standing tree. The housing 2 has a holding structure 10 on the front side for holding the wires 3, and an attachment structure on the back side for attaching the housing 2 to a support, particularly to a standing tree (the attachment structure is not shown).

[0012] The housing 2 has a left wall 21L and a right wall 21R that curve in the extension direction of the wire 3, and an upper wall 22U and a lower wall 22B that are parallel to the extension direction of the wire 3. The surface of the housing 2 between the left wall 21L and the right wall 21R is a smoothly curved surface, and this curved surface is formed with a wire insertion passage 11 and raised portions 13 that rise vertically from the surface of the housing 2 on both sides of the wire insertion passage 11. Opposing walls 13W of the raised portions 13 that sandwich the wire insertion passage 11 are curved surfaces.

[0013] The raised portion 13 has, on its upper surface, two parallel arms 12A that straddle the wire insertion passage 11 as a mechanism 12 to prevent the wire 3 passing through the wire insertion passage 11 from coming off. A gap S is formed between each arm 12A as shown in FIG. 1(b), and the wire 3 is bent at the folded portion 3T before being inserted into the wire insertion passage 11. A gap M is formed between the tips of the two arms 12A and the upper surface of the raised portion 13 to allow the wire 3 to pass through.

[0014] Circumferential grooves 16 are formed on the upper surfaces of the raised portions 13 on the base side of the two arms 12A, and through-holes 15 are formed in the bases of the two arms 12A that connect flush with and pass through the circumferential grooves 16 on both sides. The circumferential grooves 16 on both sides of the base of the arms 12A are for attaching a mounting cord to the insulator 1', and one end of the circumferential groove 16 reaches one opposing wall 13W, but the other end of the circumferential groove 16 does not reach the other opposing wall 13W and terminates in a spherical surface. 14A is a first mounting hole through which a mounting tool (cable tie) 6 for attaching the insulator 1' to a standing tree is inserted, and 17 is a cover that prevents contact between the wire 3 passing through the wire insertion passage 11 and the cable tie 6.

[0015] The mounting structures provided on the upper wall 22U, the lower wall 22B and the back surface have the first curved recess 26, the first abutment portion 26T, the second curved recess 27 and the second abutment portion 27T formed at the same positions to facilitate mounting the insulator 1' to a standing tree. These are formed to match the diameter of the standing tree, and any of the first curved recess 26, the first abutment portion 26T, the second curved recess 27 and the second abutment portion 27T engages with the trunk of the standing tree.

[0016] The insulator 1' having the above structure can be attached to the trunk 4 or thick branch 4B of a standing tree 7 as shown in Figure 2(b) using the cable tie 6 shown in Figure 1(a), and then fixed to another location on the standing tree 7 or a location other than the standing tree 7 using the attachment auxiliary string 9 shown in Figure 2(a).

[0017] Here, a method for fixing the insulator 1' to a standing tree 7 using the through hole 15 in land with elevation differences will be described with reference to FIG. 2(a). FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the installation assist string 9 is attached to the through hole 15 formed in the insulator 1'. As shown in FIG. 2(a), one end of the installation assist string 9 is inserted into the through hole 15 along the circumferential groove 16, and then the end is tied in a "double knot" to fix the insulator 1'. The other end of the installation assist string 9 is free, so it can be fixed to another location on the standing tree 7 or a location other than the standing tree 7.

[0018] FIG. 2(b) illustrates an example in which an insulator 1' is attached and secured to the trunks 4 and thick branches 4B of two standing trees 7 growing on land with different elevations using cable ties 6, and then secured to a different location on the trunks 4 and branches 4B different from the location where the housing 2 is secured using auxiliary attachment strings 9. The insulator 1' is attached to a vertical portion of the trunk 4 of the tree 7 in front using cable ties 6, and the insulator 1' is attached to a diagonal thick branch 4B of the tree 7 in the back using cable ties 6. Two auxiliary attachment strings 9, one end of which is secured to the insulator 1', have the other end wound around the trunks 4 and branches 4B of the standing trees 7 above and below the insulator 1'. Securing the insulator 1' to the trunks 4 and branches 4B of the tree 7 using both the cable ties 6 and the auxiliary attachment strings 9 in this way makes it less likely that the insulator 1' will come off the trunks 4 and branches 4B.

[0019] As mentioned above, the insulator 1' disclosed in Patent Document 1 was very effective when stringing (tensioning) electric fence wire using standing trees growing on land with varying elevations as supports, but it was expensive. Therefore, the present invention provides an insulator for electric fence wire that is a low-cost alternative to the insulator disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0020] Several embodiments of the electric fence wire insulator of the present invention will be described below. First, one environment in which the wire insulator of the present invention is used will be described with reference to Figures 3(a) and 3(b).

[0021] In one example, the wire insulator 1 of the present invention can be used in a location where the ground G is flat, as shown in FIG. 3(a), and where there are multiple trees 7 at the installation location, as shown in FIG. 3(b). FIG. 3(a) shows the side view of only section A in FIG. 3(b), with the insulator 1 attached to the back side of the central tree 7. In addition, in a section where the ground G is flat and the wire 3 is stretched in a straight line, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the trees 7 are selected so that the wire 3 held by the insulators 1 forms a zigzag shape, and the insulators 1 are positioned so that the wire 3 always presses the insulator 1 against the tree 7. A high-voltage pulse is applied to the wire 3 to prevent animal intrusion, and the positioning of the insulators 1 shown in FIG. 3(b) can prevent the wire 3 from sagging and coming into contact with the ground or grass growing on the ground, causing a current leak. In Fig. 3(a), one insulator 1 is attached to each standing tree 7 and only one stage of wire 3 is strung, but the wire 3 may be strung over multiple stages. In Fig. 3(b), the length and shape of the insulator 1 are shown schematically.

[0022] Next, one embodiment of the insulator 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the first example shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4(a) is a side view of the insulator 1A of the first example of the present invention, (b) is a plan view of the insulator 1A, (c) is a front view of the insulator 1A, and (d) is a perspective view of the insulator 1A.

[0023] The insulator 1A of the first embodiment has a rectangular insulating base plate 40 whose longitudinal direction is the direction in which the wire 3 is strung. The base plate 40 is an example of a plate portion, and is made of a flexible material. In one example, the base plate 40 is made of insulating resin. The base plate 40 has a strung surface on which the wire 3 of the electric fence can be arranged along the underline direction. The strung surface can also be said to be the surface of the base plate 40 on the strung side of the wire 3. A holding portion 41 for the wire 3 is arranged on the strung surface of the base plate 40.

[0024] The holding portion 41 is formed integrally with the base plate 40 and holds the wire 3 so that it does not come off the base plate 40. In other words, the holding portion 41 holds the wire 3 that is placed on the overhead line surface. The holding portion 41 includes a pair of wall portions 41W of a predetermined height provided on both sides of the base plate 40 in the longitudinal direction, a ceiling portion 41C that is arranged parallel to the base plate 40, and a plurality of extension portions 41WE that are formed on the extension portions of the wall portions 41W and support the ceiling portion 41C.

[0025] The pair of wall portions 41W are arranged to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the overhead line direction of the base plate 40. The multiple extension portions 41WE extend from the upper ends of each of the pair of wall portions 41W in a direction opposite to the overhead line plane so as not to face each other. The ceiling portion 41 extends from the tips of the multiple extension portions 41WE in a direction perpendicular to the overhead line direction. The wall portions 41W, extension portions 41WE, and ceiling portion 41C are integrally formed. Furthermore, the extension portions 41WE and ceiling portion 41C are arranged in positions so as not to face each other.

[0026] The space S0 surrounded by the base plate 40 and the holding member 41 is a space that receives the wire 3 of the electric fence device. The extensions 41WE rise upward from the upper ends of the wall portions 41W on both sides, alternately at predetermined intervals, and support the ceiling portion 41C. The height (gap) S1 from the tip of the wall portion 41W to the underside of the ceiling portion 41C is equal to or greater than the diameter of the wire 3 of the electric fence device. The length of the gap S2 between adjacent ceiling portions 41C is also equal to or greater than the diameter of the wire 3 of the electric fence device. The wire 3 held in the space S0 of the insulator 1A is inserted into the space S0 of the insulator 1A through the gaps S1 and S2.

[0027] The base plate 40 has an attachment portion 42 disposed at at least one location. The attachment portion 42 is a member through which a band member 6 (the attachment shown in FIG. 1(b) and also referred to as a cable tie 6) for fixing the insulator 1A to the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 can be inserted. The attachment portion 42 is fixed to a fixed position on the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7. In the first embodiment, the attachment portion 42 is disposed in the center of the base plate 40, on the attachment surface, which is the surface of the base plate 40 opposite the overhead line surface. The attachment portion 42 also has a passage 42H formed therein through which the band member 6 can be inserted. The passage 42H is disposed in the center of the back surface (attachment surface) of the base plate 40, on the surface opposite the holding portion 41, through which the cable tie 6 can be inserted (see FIG. 5(a)). The attachment portion 42 is formed integrally with the base plate 40. The width of the attachment portion 42 (the width of the passage 42H) is not particularly limited and may be adjusted to the width of the cable tie 6 to be used. In the following description, the side of the base plate 40 that is attached to the trunk 4 of the tree 7 may be referred to as the back side, and the side with the holding member 41 that holds the wire 3 may be referred to as the front side. How to attach the insulator 1A to the tree 7 will be described later.

[0028] The insulator 1A described above can be attached to a medium-sized tree by itself using a cable tie 6. That is, the insulator 1, which includes an insulating and flexible base plate 40 (plate portion), a holding portion 41 that holds the wire 3, and an attachment portion 42 through which the cable tie 6 can be inserted, has a simple configuration and can inexpensively string the wire 3 while ensuring insulation between the wire 3 and the tree 7.

[0029] However, if the trunk of the tree is thick, there is a risk that the wire 3 protruding from both ends of the insulator 1A may come into contact with the trunk of the tree, causing a current leak. In such a case, by connecting multiple insulators 1A together, the wire 3 can be attached without coming into contact with the trunk of the tree.

[0030] In order to connect the insulators 1A to each other, the insulators 1A are provided with connecting portions 43 at both ends of the strip-shaped insulators 1A that can be connected to other insulators 1A. The connecting portions 43 are made up of a first connecting portion 431 that is arranged at one end of the base plate 40 in the overhead line direction, and a second connecting portion 432 that is arranged at the other end of the base plate 40 in the overhead line direction and can be connected to the first connecting portion 431 of an insulator 1A that is arranged adjacent to it. Since the insulator 1A has the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432, it is possible to connect a plurality of insulators 1A to each other.

[0031] The first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 are arranged so that when connected to adjacently arranged insulators 1A, the overhead contact surfaces of the adjacently arranged insulators 1A form the same plane. This allows the insulators 1A to receive pressure from the wire 3 evenly when the wire 3 is arranged on each overhead contact surface of the adjacently arranged insulators 1A.

[0032] The connecting portion 43 (second connecting portion 432) provided at one end of the insulator 1A has a hole 43H formed therethrough that penetrates the base plate 40. The connecting portion 43 (first connecting portion 431) provided at the other end of the insulator 1A has a connecting guide plate 43G whose connecting surface is formed lower by the thickness of the base plate 40 so that the base plates 40 are flush with each other when connected, in other words, so that the overhead line surfaces form the same plane. The first connecting portion 431 also has a protrusion 43P on the front side of the guide plate 43G at a position corresponding to the hole 43H of another insulator 1A when the insulator 1A is connected. Since the protrusion 43P is fitted into the hole 43H, the hole 43H can also be referred to as a receiving hole 43H that can engage with the protrusion 43P.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5( a), the insulator 1A includes spacers 44 on the back side of the base plate 40 to prevent the wires 3 drawn from both ends of the base plate 40 from directly contacting the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 when the insulator 1A is attached to the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7. The spacers 44 are arranged to extend in opposite directions from the overhead line surface of the base plate 40. In the first embodiment, two spacers 44 are arranged near each end of the base plate 40. The height of the spacers 44 provided on the side without the guide plate 43G (the second connecting portion 432 side) from the base plate 40 may be approximately the height of the mounting portion 42 provided on the base plate 40 from the base plate 40. The height of the spacers 44A provided on the side with the guide plate 43G (the first connecting portion 431 side) from the guide plate 43G may be the height of the mounting portion 42 from the base plate 40 minus the thickness of the guide plate 43G.

[0034] One end of the cable tie 6 is fastened to the other end of the cable tie 6 at a fastening position opposite the fixed position on the trunk 4 where the mounting portion 42 is fixed. Specifically, the cable tie 6 is inserted from one end of the mounting portion 42 through the passage 42H and, as shown in FIG. 6( a), wrapped around the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 serving as a support. Then, both ends of the cable tie 6 are fastened by a fastener 45 while in close contact with the trunk 4. The fastener 45 may be, for example, a resin fastener 45 also known as a stopper, as shown in FIG. 6( b). The fastener 45 includes a ring portion 45R with a hole 45H and a leg portion 45L with two legs 451 and 452. A slit 45S is formed at the connection between the two legs 451 and 452 and the ring portion 45R to facilitate bending of the leg portion 45L.

[0035] When fixing the base plate 40 (insulator 1A) to the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7, first, the cable tie 6 is inserted into the mounting portion 42 as shown in FIG. 5(a). Next, the cable tie 6 is wrapped around the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 as shown in FIG. 6(a). Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), both ends of the cable tie 6 are bent at right angles and then folded back into a U-shape. The folded back portions are then inserted into the holes 45H of the ring portion 45R of the fastener 45. After this, as shown in FIG. 5(c), each leg 451, 452 is bent down and inserted into the folded back portion of the cable tie 6 that has passed through the hole 45H of the ring portion 45R. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5(d), both ends of the cable tie 6 are pulled in opposite directions indicated by the arrows, so that the cable tie 6 is tightly attached to the trunk 4, thereby fixing the base plate 40 to the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7.

[0036] The back side of the base plate 40 may be provided with a plurality of protrusions (preferably four), not shown. The four protrusions are provided, two on each end of the mounting portion 42. The distance between the two protrusions (protrusion pair) provided on one end of the mounting portion 42 is preferably equal to or greater than the width of the cable tie 6. The same applies to the two protrusions provided on the other end of the mounting portion 42. As a result, when the cable tie 6 is fixed to the trunk 4, the cable tie 6 is positioned between the protrusion pair, thereby restricting movement of the cable tie 6. Furthermore, the height of each protrusion is preferably greater than the height of the mounting portion 42. As a result, when the insulator 1A (base plate 40) is fixed to the trunk 4, the protrusions of the insulator 1A come into contact with the trunk 4, restricting movement of the cable tie 6 positioned between the protrusion pair and ensuring space between the base plate 40 and the trunk 4, thereby preventing the wire 3 from contacting the trunk 4. The shape of each protrusion may be any shape, and in one example, it is formed in a spike shape (cone shape).

[0037] If there is only one mounting portion 42 in the center of the rear surface of the base plate 40 as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the base plate 40 is fixed to the trunk 4 of the tree 7 using the cable tie 6, both ends of the insulator 1A may separate from the trunk 4 of the tree 7 as shown in FIG. 6(a). However, since the insulator 1A of the first embodiment is used in a bent portion of the wire 3 as shown in FIG. 3(c), the wire 3 held by the insulator 1A will bend as shown in FIG. 6(c). In this case, because the base plate 40 is flexible, both ends of the insulator 1A (base plate 40) are deformed by the wire 3 to follow the curve of the trunk 4, and the top surfaces of the mounting portion 42 on the underside of the base plate 40 and the tip surfaces of the spacers 44 and 44A come into contact with the trunk 4 of the tree 7 due to the deformation of the base plate 40. The insulator 1A can prevent the wire 3 from coming into contact with the trunk 4 by ensuring a space when the tip surfaces of the spacers 44 and 44A come into contact with the trunk 4.

[0038] 7(a) is a side view showing an insulator 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a front view of the insulator 1B, (c) is a schematic diagram of the insulator 1B fixed to a standing tree 7 using a cable tie 6, and (d) is a perspective view of the insulator 1B as seen from the rear side. The insulator 1B of the second embodiment differs from the insulator 1A of the first embodiment in that the mounting portion 42 of the insulator 1B, through which the cable tie 6 can be inserted, is provided integrally with the base plate 40 not only at the center of the base plate 40 but also at both ends. The mounting portion 42 on the side of the connecting portion 43 where the guide plate 43G is located can be realized by increasing the thickness of the guide plate 43G and forming a passage 42H.

[0039] The insulator 1B of the second embodiment has three mounting portions 42 for attaching the insulator 1B to a standing tree 7 by inserting cable ties 6 therethrough. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(c), when the insulator 1B is attached to the standing tree with the cable ties 6, the base plate 40 deforms along the trunk 4, and the top surfaces of the three mounting portions 42 abut against the trunk 4. Therefore, in the insulator 1B of the second embodiment, the mounting portions 42 provided at both ends of the base plate 40 serve both to attach the cable ties 6 and to prevent contact between the wires 3 and the trunk 4, eliminating the need for the spacers 44, 44A provided in the insulator 1A of the first embodiment. While each mounting portion 42 in the insulator 1B of the second embodiment is formed to have the same width as the base plate 40, the width of each mounting portion 42 (passage 42H) is not particularly limited and may be adjusted to the width of the cable ties 6.

[0040] The insulator 1 of the present invention is used at the bent portion of the wire 3, but if the diameter of the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 is not too large, the wire 3 held in the insulator 1 will not come into contact with the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 even when the wire 3 is bent. However, if the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 is large, using only one insulator 1 may cause the wire 3 extending from the insulator 1 to come into contact with the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7. Therefore, as described above, by connecting and using the required number of insulators 1 of the present invention depending on the diameter of the trunk 4, it is possible to prevent the wire 3 extending from the connected insulators 1 from coming into contact with the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7.

[0041] 8(a), (b), and 9, a case where two insulators 1A of the first embodiment of the present invention are connected will be described. When connecting two insulators 1A, as shown in Fig. 8(a), a hole 43H provided in one end (second connecting portion 432) of the base plate 40 is fitted with a protrusion 43P provided on the other end (first connecting portion 431) of the base plate 40 of another insulator 1A. In this state, a cable tie 6 is inserted through the mounting portion 42 on the back of the base plate 40 of the two connected insulators 1A, and the cable tie 6 is wrapped around the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 and both ends are fixed with a tie 45.

[0042] The portions (inner portions) between the mounting portions 42 of the two connected insulators 1A are curved along the trunk 4 of the tree 7 by the cable ties 6, but the portions (outer portions) beyond the mounting portions 42 of the two connected insulators 1A may move away from the trunk 4 of the tree 7, as shown in FIG. 8(b). However, since the connected insulators 1A of the first embodiment are used at the bent portion of the wire 3, as shown in FIG. 9, when the wire 3 held by the connected insulators 1A is bent, the insulators 1A are deformed by the wire 3 to follow the curved surface of the trunk 4. As a result, the top surfaces of the mounting portions 42 on the back surface of the base plate 40 and the tip surfaces of the spacers 44 and 44A come into contact with the trunk 4 of the tree 7 due to the deformation of the base plate 40.

[0043] 10(a) and 10(b), a case where two insulators 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention are connected will be described. As shown in FIG. 10(a), connecting two insulators 1B according to the second embodiment is similar to connecting two insulators 1A according to the first embodiment. A protrusion 43P provided on the other end (first connecting portion 431) of the base plate 40 of another insulator 1B is fitted into a hole 43H provided on one end (second connecting portion 432) of the base plate 40. In this state, cable ties 6 are inserted through six mounting portions 42 on the back of the base plates 40 of the two connected insulators 1B, and the cable ties 6 are wrapped around the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 and both ends are fixed with ties 45.

[0044] The insulator 1B of the second embodiment has three mounting portions 42 on one insulator 1B for attaching the insulator 1B to a standing tree 7 by inserting cable ties 6 therethrough.As shown in Figure 10(b), when the insulator 1B connected with cable ties 6 is attached to a standing tree 7, the base plate 40 deforms along the trunk 4, and the top surfaces of the mounting portions 42 of the six cable ties 6 abut against the trunk 4.

[0045] An insulator 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 11(a) to 11(e). Figure 11(a) is a plan view of the insulator 1C according to the third embodiment, (b) is a side view of the insulator 1C, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator 1C, (d) is a front view of the insulator 1C, and (e) is a perspective view of the insulator 1C. Note that the same members in the third embodiment as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0046] The insulator 1C of the third embodiment also includes a base plate 40 formed of an insulating and flexible material, and the structure of the back side of the base plate 40 is similar to that of the base plate 40 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the structure of the back side of the base plate 40 of the insulator 1C of the third embodiment can be similar to that of the insulator 1B of the second embodiment, in which mounting portions 42 for the wires 3 through which the cable ties 6 are passed are also provided at both ends of the base plate 40. Furthermore, like the first and second embodiments, the insulator 1C of the third embodiment includes connecting portions 43 that allow multiple insulators 1C to be connected together when the trunk 4 of the tree 7 to which the insulator 1C is to be attached is thick.

[0047] The insulator 1C of the third embodiment differs from the insulators 1A and 1B of the first and second embodiments in the structure of the holding portion for the wire 3. As explained with reference to FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d) and 7(a) to 7(d), the holding portion 41 for the wire 3 in the insulators 1A and 1B of the first and second embodiments includes a wall portion 41W, an extension portion 41WE, and a ceiling portion 41C. In contrast, the holding portion for the wire 3 in the insulator 1C of the third embodiment is formed by including a plurality of pairs of opposing protrusions 46P (three in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11) on the front side of the base plate 40. The protrusions 46P hold the wire 3, and therefore can also be referred to as holding protrusions 46P.

[0048] The multiple pairs of holding protrusions 46P are arranged spaced apart in the overhead line direction. Each holding protrusion 46P is parallel to the overhead line direction of the wire 3 held on the base plate 40 and includes a holding wall 46W that stands vertically from the base plate 40, and a ceiling plate 46C that extends from the top of the holding wall 46W in parallel to the base plate 40. Each of the multiple pairs of holding protrusions 46P (holding wall 46W and ceiling plate 46C) is arranged so as to form a slit 46S that extends in a direction oblique to the overhead line direction.

[0049] The slits 46S have a width S3 that allows the wire 3 to pass between the ends of the opposing ceiling plates 46C, and are formed diagonally with respect to the retaining wall 46W. Therefore, the wire 3 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11 is folded back to form a diagonal portion, and after being inserted into and extended into the internal space 46T of the retaining protrusion 46P, the wire 3 is blocked by the diagonally arranged slits 46S, making it difficult for the wire 3 to slip out of the internal space 46T of the retaining protrusion 46P. Furthermore, the direction of each slit 46S is formed to intersect the direction of the adjacent slits 46S. Therefore, when inserting the wire 3 into a slit 46S, the wire 3 can be easily passed through each slit 46S by forming a diagonal portion on the wire 3 and inserting it.

[0050] An insulator 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 12(a) to 12(e). Figure 12(a) is a plan view of the insulator 1D according to the fourth embodiment, (b) is a side view of the insulator 1D, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator 1D, (d) is a front view of the insulator 1D, and (e) is a perspective view of the insulator 1D. Note that the same members in the fourth embodiment as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0051] The insulator 1D of the fourth embodiment also includes a base plate 40 formed of an insulating and flexible material, and the structure of the back side of the base plate 40 is similar to that of the base plate 40 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the structure of the back side of the base plate 40 of the insulator 1D of the fourth embodiment can be similar to that of the insulator 1B of the second embodiment, in which mounting portions 42 for the wires 3 through which the cable ties 6 are passed are provided not only at the center of the base plate 40 but also at both ends. Furthermore, like the first and second embodiments, the insulator 1D of the fourth embodiment includes connecting portions 43 that allow multiple insulators 1D to be connected together when the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 to which the insulator 1D is to be attached is thick.

[0052] The insulator 1D of the fourth embodiment differs from the insulators 1A and 1B of the first and second embodiments in the structure of the holding portion for the wire 3. The holding portion 41 for the wire 3 in the insulators 1A and 1B of the first and second embodiments includes a wall portion 41W, an extension portion 41WE, and a ceiling portion 41C, as described with reference to FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d) and 7(a) to 7(d). In contrast, the insulator 1D of the fourth embodiment includes a plurality of wire holding portions 47 (three in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12) on the front side of the base plate 40. Each holding portion 47 includes two parallel holding walls 47W that are parallel to the direction in which the wire 3 is strung on the base plate 40 and that rise vertically from the base plate 40, and a semi-cylindrical portion 47C that connects the tops of the holding walls 47W. The semi-cylindrical portion 47C has an oblique slit 47S with a width S4 through which the wire 3 can pass.

[0053] Adjacent slits 47S are formed so that their inclination directions relative to the holding wall 47W intersect. Therefore, when the wire 3 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 12 is folded back alternately to form inclined portions, passed through the slits 47S, and inserted into the internal space 47T of the holding portion 47 and stretched, the stretched wire 3 intersects with the inclined slits 47S and is blocked by the semi-cylindrical portion 47C, making it difficult for the wire 3 to come out of the internal space 47T of the holding protrusion 47. Furthermore, when inserting the wire 3 into the slits 47S, forming the inclined portions in the wire 3 before inserting it makes it easy to pass the wire 3 through each slit 47S.

[0054] An insulator 1E according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 13(a) to (e). Figure 13(a) is a plan view of the insulator 1E according to the fifth embodiment, (b) is a side view of the insulator 1E, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator 1E, (d) is a front view of the insulator 1E, and (e) is a perspective view of the insulator 1E. Note that the same members in the fifth embodiment as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0055] The insulator 1E of the fifth embodiment also includes a base plate 40 formed of an insulating and flexible material. The structure of the back side of the base plate 40 is similar to that of the base plate 40 of the first embodiment, except that the outer surfaces of the spacers 44 are extended to the ends of the base plate 40. The structure of the back side of the base plate 40 of the insulator 1E of the fifth embodiment can be similar to that of the insulator 1B of the second embodiment, in which mounting portions 42 for the wires 3 through which the cable ties 6 are inserted are also provided at both ends of the base plate 40. Furthermore, like the first and second embodiments, the insulator 1E of the fifth embodiment includes connecting portions 43 that allow multiple insulators 1E to be connected together when the trunk 4 of the tree 7 to which the insulator 1E is to be attached is thick.

[0056] The insulator 1E of the fifth embodiment differs from the insulators 1A and 1B of the first and second embodiments in the structure of the holding portion for the wire 3. As explained in Figures 4(a) to (d) and 7(a) to (d), the holding portion 41 for the wire 3 in the insulators 1A and 1B of the first and second embodiments includes a wall portion 41W, an extension portion 41WE, and a ceiling portion 41C. In contrast, the holding portion 48 for the wire 3 in the insulator 1E of the fifth embodiment includes multiple holding portions 48 for the wire 3 (three in the embodiment shown in Figure 12) on the front side of the base plate 40, and holds the wire 3.

[0057] Each holding portion 48 includes a pair of brackets 48B that rise vertically from the base plate 40, parallel to the extension direction of the wire 3 held on the base plate 40 and spaced apart by at least the diameter of the wire 3, and a horizontal bar (rod) 48R that is suspended parallel to the base plate 40 between the pair of brackets 48B and prevents the wire 3 from separating from the brackets 48B. In other words, the pair of brackets 48B are arranged spaced apart in the overhead line direction so as to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the overhead line direction. The horizontal bar 48R is also arranged spaced apart from the overhead line surface so as to connect each pair of brackets 48B included in the pair of brackets 48B. In FIG. 13, three pairs of brackets 48B and three horizontal bars 48R are formed.

[0058] In one example, the horizontal bar 48R is inserted into the pair of brackets 48B after the wires 3 are placed on the overhead line surface. This allows the insulator 1E to hold the wires 3 after placing the wires 3 on the overhead line surface without forming any diagonal portions in the wires 3. Placing the wires 3 without forming any diagonal portions in the wires 3 is particularly effective when the wires 3 have high rigidity and are difficult to bend. Note that although the horizontal bar 48R shown in Figures 13(a) to (e) is cylindrical, the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal bar 48R does not have to be circular. Also, in Figures 13(a) to (e), the horizontal bar 48R is inserted into holes 48H formed in the two brackets 48B, but the method of attaching the horizontal bar 48R to the brackets 48B is not particularly limited.

[0059] In the case of the insulator 1E of the fifth embodiment, the diameter of the cross bar 48R is not particularly limited, and the distance between the bottom surface of the cross bar 48R on the base plate side and the base plate 40 need only be equal to or greater than the maximum diameter of the wire 3 used in the electric fence device. In other words, when the wire 3 is held by the holding portion 48, the wire 3 and the cross bar 48R may or may not come into contact. Furthermore, if the distance between the wire 3 and the cross bar 48R is large, the insulator 1E may have a protrusion on the overhead line surface of the base plate 40 between adjacent holding portions 48 to prevent the wire 3 from moving.

[0060] Two modified examples of the holding portion 48 of the wire 3 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14(a) to (c). Note that in Figures 14(a) to (c), illustrations of members other than the holding portion 48 of the fifth embodiment that is installed on the base plate 40 are omitted.

[0061] 14(a) shows a first modified example of the holding portion 48 for the wire 3 of the fifth embodiment, in which a bracket 48B is formed with only a through hole 48H for inserting a horizontal bar 48R, and the horizontal bar 48R is provided with a bolt 48V inserted into the through hole 48H and a nut 48N screwed onto the bolt 48V. The bolt 48V and the nut 48N can be fastened after the wire 3 is placed on the base plate 40. This configuration of the holding portion 48 allows the wire 3 to be easily removed from the insulator 1E. Note that the threaded portion 48J formed on the bolt 48V only needs to be on at least the portion of the bolt 48V that protrudes from the bracket 48B when the bolt 48V is inserted between the brackets 48B.

[0062] 14(b) and 14(c) show a second modified example of the wire 3 holding member 48 of the fifth embodiment. A horizontal bar 48R fixed to a bracket 48B has a slit 48S formed in it that is oblique when the horizontal bar 48R is viewed from above. In other words, the horizontal bars 48R are a pair of horizontal bars 48R arranged so that each horizontal bar 48R has a slit 48S extending in a direction oblique to the overhead line direction. The width S5 of the slit 48S formed in the horizontal bar 48R may be equal to or greater than the diameter of the wire 3 held by the wire 3 holding portion 48 of the fifth embodiment. This configuration of the holding portion 48 allows the wire 3 to be placed in the insulator 1E without removing the horizontal bar (rod) 48R. The angle of the slit 48S relative to the axis of the horizontal bar 48R is not particularly limited, but may be any angle that prevents the wire 3 held by the holding portion 48 of the fifth embodiment from slipping out. In one example, the direction of adjacent slits 48S is formed to intersect with the direction of adjacent slits 48S.

[0063] In each of the insulators 1A to 1E of the first to fifth embodiments described above, the mounting portion 42 for fixing the insulator 1 to the tree 7 is provided on the back side of the base plate 40. However, the mounting portion of the base plate 40 to the trunk 4 of the tree 7 may be provided anywhere on the insulator 1. Therefore, an embodiment in which the mounting portion is provided on the base plate 40 itself will be described as the sixth embodiment.

[0064] Fig. 15 shows an insulator 1F according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which the holding portion for the wire 3 is equipped with the holding portion 48 of the fifth embodiment. In Fig. 15, (a) is a plan view of the insulator 1F, (b) is a side view of the insulator 1F with a cable tie attached, (c) is a bottom view of the insulator 1F, and (d) is a perspective view of the insulator 1F of the sixth embodiment together with the cable tie 6 attached to a standing tree 7. Note that the structure of the holding portion in the insulator 1F is not limited to that of the fifth embodiment, and may be the same as that of the holding portion in the first, third, or fourth embodiment.

[0065] In the insulator 1F of the sixth embodiment, the mounting portion is formed by two slits 42S provided on both end sides of the base plate 40. In other words, the mounting portion has two pairs of end through holes 42S formed near both ends of the base plate 40 in the overhead line direction. As shown in FIG. 16(b), the cable tie 6 for attaching the insulator 1F to the standing tree 7 is inserted from the back side into the slit 42S provided on the outer side of one of the two slits 42S (end through holes 42S) provided on both end sides of the base plate 40, folded back and inserted from the front side into the adjacent slit 42S, aligned along the back side of the insulator 1F, and inserted from the back side into the inner slit 42S on the other side. Finally, the cable tie 6 protruding from the slit 42S is folded back above the slit 42S and inserted from the front side into the adjacent slit 42S, thereby attaching the cable tie 6 to the base plate 40.

[0066] When attaching the insulator 1F of the sixth embodiment alone to a standing tree 7, the lengths of the cable ties 6 protruding from both ends of the insulator 1F are made uniform, the cable ties 6 are wrapped around the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7, and the both ends are pulled while fastening with the tie 45, as shown in Figure 16. Once the insulator 1F is attached to the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7, the wire 3 is held by the holding portion 48. In the insulator 1F of the sixth embodiment described above, a set of two slits 42S (end through holes 42S), which serve as the attachment portions, is provided on both end sides of the base plate 40, but only one set of slits 42S may be provided in the center of the base plate 40.

[0067] In the insulators 1A to 1F in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the guide plates 43G of the connecting portions 43 are formed in a recessed position by the thickness of the base plate 40 so that the surfaces of the connected base plates 40 are flush when multiple insulators 1 are connected. However, if the thickness of the base plate 40 is increased and the thickness of the guide plates 43G of the connecting portions 43 of the base plate 40 is made half that of the base plate 40, for example, it is possible to make the thicknesses of the base plates 40 uniform when multiple insulators 1 are connected. The structure of this modified embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

[0068] 17(a) is a side view of a modified embodiment of the insulator 1A of the first embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate 40 does not change when the insulators 1A' are connected. In this modified embodiment, the base plate 40 of the insulator 1A' is formed thick, and the connecting portion 43 at one end of the insulator 1A', i.e., the first connecting portion 431, has a protrusion 43P on a guide plate 43G formed by removing half of the upper side of the base plate 40. The connecting portion 43 at the other end of the insulator 1A', i.e., the second connecting portion 432, is formed by removing half of the lower side of the base plate 40, and has a receiving hole 43H into which the protrusion 43P fits. Therefore, as shown by the two-dot chain line, when the insulators 1A' are connected by fitting the protrusion 43P of another insulator 1A' into the receiving hole 43H, the thickness of the guide plate 40 becomes the same. In other words, the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 are arranged so that, when connected to the adjacently arranged insulator 1A', the height from the bottom surface of the first spacer 441 to the overhead line surface is the same as the height from the bottom surface of the second spacer 442 to the overhead line surface. The first spacer 441 is a spacer 44 arranged to include the first connecting portion 431 in a plan view, and the second spacer 442 is a spacer 44 arranged to include the second connecting portion 432 in a plan view.

[0069] 17(b) is a side view of a modified example of the insulator 1B of the second embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate 40 does not change during connection. In the insulator 1B' of this modified example, instead of the spacers 441, 442, the mounting portions 42 provided at the center and both ends of the base plate 40 abut against the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7. Note that the structures of the base plate 40, the mounting portions 42, and the connecting portions 43 (the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432) are the same as those of the modified example of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] 17(c) is a side view of a modified example of the insulator 1C of the third embodiment, in which the thickness of the base plate does not change when connected. In the insulator 1C' of this modified example, the base plate 40 of the insulator 1C' is also thickened, and the connecting portion 43 (first connecting portion 431) at one end of the insulator 1C' has a guide plate 43G formed by cutting the upper half of the base plate 40 and a protrusion 43P on the guide plate 43G. The connecting portion 43 (second connecting portion 432) at the other end is formed by cutting the lower half of the base plate 40 and has a hole 43H into which the protrusion 43P fits. The structure of the holding portion 46 for the wire 3 is similar to that described in FIG. 11, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0071] Figure 17(d) shows a modified example of the insulator 1C of the third embodiment, in which the mounting portions 42 of the insulator 1C' of the modified example described in Figure 17(c) are provided integrally with the base plate 40 not only at the center of the base plate 40 but also at both ends, as in the insulator 1B of the second embodiment. The structures of the base plate 40 and the connecting portions 43 (first connecting portion 431 and second connecting portion 432) in the insulator 1C" of this modified example are the same as those of the modified example of the third embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The insulators 1A-F in the first to sixth embodiments described above were used by attaching them to the trunk 4 of a standing tree 7 growing on flat ground G, but as in the embodiments described below, the insulator 1 of the present invention can be attached to a standing tree 7 growing on uneven ground by changing the shape of the attachment portion 42 or the slit 42S. However, even in the embodiments described below, the binding band 6 is still attached in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 (in one example, horizontally).

[0073] Figure 18 shows an insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, which has an attachment portion 50 with a modified structure of the attachment portion 42 of the insulator 1 to the standing tree 7 as described above. Figure 18(a) is a side view of the insulator 1N, (b) is a bottom view of the insulator 1N, and (c) is a partially cutaway oblique view explaining the structure of the attachment portion 50 of the seventh embodiment (the holding portion for the wire 3 is not shown).

[0074] In the seventh embodiment, the insulator 1N employs the structure of the fifth embodiment described in FIG. 13 for the structure of the front side of the insulator 1N and the structure of the spacer 44, and the structure of the connecting portion 43 (first connecting portion 431 and second connecting portion 432) employs the structure described in FIG. 17 in which the thickness of the base plate 40 does not change when the insulators are connected. Therefore, the structure of the front side (holding portion) of the insulator 1N, the structure of the spacer 44, and the structure of the connecting portion 43 are given the same reference numerals as in the above-described embodiments, and their description will be omitted. Note that these structures are not limited to those of the fifth embodiment, and may be the structures of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0075] The mounting portion 50 of the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that, as shown in FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c), the inner shape of the side wall 50W of the mounting portion 50 is changed to a shape that protrudes inward, widening the width of the passage 50T within the mounting portion 50 at the entrance and exit sides of the cable tie 6. That is, the width of the passage 50T is formed so that the width of the end portion of the passage 50T is wider than the width of the center portion of the passage 50T. However, the shortest distance between the opposing side walls 50W must be equal to or greater than the distance that allows the cable tie 6 to be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 40. The ceiling plate 50C of the mounting portion 50 is formed integrally with the side wall 50W.

[0076] According to the shape of the mounting portion 50 of the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment, as shown in Fig. 18(b), it is possible to insert the cable tie 6 obliquely with respect to the extending direction of the base plate 40. Note that, in the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 50W is formed in the shape of a baseball home plate, but the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 50W is not particularly limited, and it may be formed in an elliptical shape as shown in Fig. 21(b) or a circular arc shape as shown in Fig. 21(c).

[0077] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of use of the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, showing that it can also be used when standing trees 7 grow on a slope CL. FIG. 19(a) is a side view of three standing trees 7 growing on a slope CL that gradually increases in height, and FIG. 19(b) is a plan view of FIG. 19(a). Even when the standing trees 7 grow on a slope CL, the binding band 6 is inserted obliquely into the mounting portion 50 as shown in FIG. 19(d), and is wrapped around the trunk 4 of the standing trees 7 horizontally and fastened with a binding device (not shown in FIG. 19(c)) as shown in FIG. 19(c). In this way, the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment can also be used when the standing trees 7 grow on a slope CL.

[0078] FIG. 20 illustrates an example of use of the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, showing that it can also be used when trees 7 are growing on a slope UE that rises and then descends. FIG. 20(a) is a side view of three trees 7 growing on a slope UE that rises and then descends, with the middle tree 7 in the foreground and the trees 7 on either side of it further away from the middle tree 7, and the wire 3 is strung in a zigzag pattern. On a slope UE that rises and then descends, like the slope UE, the direction of the wire 3 that has risen must be changed and it must be lowered, so the wire 3 must be strung in a way that divides it by the trees 7. This will be explained using FIG. 20(b) and FIG. 21(a).

[0079] FIG. 20(b) shows an example in which two sets of insulators 1N of the seventh embodiment are used in a connected state, and the wire 3 is strung apart. The reason for using the connected insulators 1N is that when the wire 3 is strung apart, there is a high possibility that the wire 3 will come into contact with the trunk 4 if the insulator 1N is used alone. To prevent the wire 3 from coming into contact with the trunk 4, the wire 3 needs to be wound around the trunk 4 of the standing tree 7 via the connected insulators 1N (a group of insulators 1N), as shown in FIG. 21(a). The wire 3 wound around the trunk 4 is connected to the wire 3 before being wound at point B. The strung apart wire 3 is electrically connected by a crossover wire 31 to prevent the high-voltage pulse applied to the wire 3 from being interrupted.

[0080] In two groups of insulators 1N connected around the trunk 4, the cable ties 6 are inserted diagonally through each insulator 1N located opposite the trunk 4, so that in this connection example, the cable ties 6 are fixed horizontally to the trunk 4 and the wire 3 can be strung diagonally relative to the trunk 4. Note that in Figure 21(a), the connected insulators 1N are shown as a single mass, and the number and boundaries of the connected insulators 1N are not shown. Furthermore, this connection example may be used not only in the standing tree (ground) situation shown in Figure 20(a), but also in the standing tree (ground) situation shown in Figure 3(a) or Figure 19(a).

[0081] 22 shows an insulator 1M of an eighth embodiment of the present invention in which the mounting portion is a slit 42S formed in the base plate 40 of the insulator 1N, as in the sixth embodiment, and the holding portion for the wire 3 uses the holding portion 48 of the fifth embodiment. However, while in the sixth embodiment the slits 42S for passing the cable ties 6 were provided only near both ends of the base plate 40, in the eighth embodiment, two sets of slits 42S are also provided in the center of the base plate 40 because the cable ties 6 need to be passed at an angle relative to the base plate 40. In other words, the mounting portion further includes two pairs of central through holes 42S formed in the center of the base plate 40 so as to extend in a direction oblique to the overhead line direction.

[0082] 22(a) is a side view of the insulator 1M, (b) is a plan view showing the insulator 1M together with the attachment direction of the cable tie 6, and (c) and (d) are bottom views of the insulator 1M. The insulator 1M of the eighth embodiment employs the structure of the fifth embodiment described in FIG. 13 for the front side structure of the insulator 1M and the structure of the spacer 44, and employs the structure of the connecting portion 43 described in FIG. 17, in which the thickness of the base plate 40 does not change when the insulator 1M is connected. Therefore, the structure of the front side (holding portion) of the insulator 1M, the structure of the spacer 44, and the structure of the connecting portion 43 are given the same reference numerals as in the above-described embodiments, and their description will be omitted. Note that these structures are not limited to those of the fifth embodiment and FIG. 17, and may be the structures of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0083] In the eighth embodiment, the structure of the slits 42S formed at both ends of the base plate 40 is the same as in the sixth embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. Only the structure of the two sets of slits 42S (central through holes 42S) formed in the center of the base plate 40 will be described. The slits 42S are holes for attaching the cable ties 6 in a direction oblique to the extension direction of the base plate 40. The slits 42S are located in the center of the insulator 1M, and two sets of slits 42S are formed so that the cable ties 6 can be attached to the base plate 40 in an upward or downward right direction in FIG. 22. However, whether the cable ties 6 are attached to the base plate 40 in an upward or downward right direction, the attachment direction of the cable ties 6 to the trunk 4 is horizontal (a direction intersecting the extension direction of the trunk 4).

[0084] In the embodiment shown in Figures 22(b) and (c), when viewed from the front side, the slits 42S for attaching the cable ties 6 in an upward and rightward direction are formed on the inside, and the slits 42S for attaching the cable ties 6 in a downward and rightward direction are formed on the outside, but the positions of the slits 42S may be reversed. Also, as shown in Figure 22(d), the slits 42S for attaching the cable ties 6 in an upward and rightward direction and the slits 42S for attaching the cable ties 6 in a downward and rightward direction may be formed alternately. Note that, since four slits 42S are provided in the center of the insulator 1M, two wire holding portions 48 for holding the wire 3 are provided on each side of the center of the insulator 1N in the areas where there are no slits 42S.

[0085] 18(b) and 21(b), (c) in the insulator 1N of the seventh embodiment, the maximum attachment angle of the cable tie 6 to the base plate 40 was determined by the shape of the internal passage 50T defined by the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 50W provided in the attachment portion 50, and could be freely set within a range from this angle to 0 degrees (the extension direction of the base plate 40). On the other hand, in the insulator 1M of the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22(b), the attachment angle of the cable tie 6 to the base plate 40 was determined by the angle formed by the slit 42S opened in the base plate 40 and the extension direction of the base plate 40.

[0086] 23 will be used to explain how to change the attachment angle of the cable ties 6 relative to the base plate 40, i.e., how to change the angle of the base plate 40 relative to the cable ties 6 when the cable ties 6 are attached horizontally to the trunk 4. In order to change the angle of the base plate 40 relative to the cable ties 6 when the cable ties 6 are attached horizontally to the trunk 4, the length of the slits 42S formed in the center of the base plate 40 should be longer than the width of the cable ties 6. In other words, the two pairs of central through holes 42S (slits 42S) should be able to accommodate cable ties 6 that are narrower than the width of the two pairs of central through holes 42S. FIG. 23 shows a portion of an insulator 1M' according to a modified embodiment of the eighth embodiment, in which the length of the slits 42S formed in the center of the base plate 40 is made longer than the width of the cable ties 6. In this way, when the length of the slits 42S is formed longer than the width of the fastening band 6, the binding band 6 can move within the two slits 42S as shown by the two-dot chain line, solid line, and dashed line, and the angle of inclination relative to the base plate 40 can be changed. The longer the length of the slits 42S opened in the base plate 40, the more the attachment angle of the binding band 6 relative to the base plate 40 can be changed.

[0087] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes, substitutions, and alterations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be implemented in appropriate combination within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment and its modifications. (Appendix 1) An insulator (1) for electric fence wires that holds the wires (3) in an insulated state, a flexible plate member (40) whose longitudinal direction is the direction in which the wire (3) is laid; a holding member (41) provided on a surface of the plate member (40) on the overhead line side of the wire (3), and holding the wire (3) so as not to come off the plate member (40); at least one mounting member (42) provided on the plate member (40), through which a belt member (6) for fixing the plate member (40) to the trunk (4) of the standing tree (7) can be inserted; and connecting members (43) provided at both longitudinal ends of the plate member (40) and connecting other plate members (40) in the direction of the wire (3). (Appendix 2) The wire insulator according to claim 1 further comprises a spacer (44) provided on the mounting surface of the plate member (40) to the trunk (4) and separating the mounting surface from the trunk (4) when the insulator (1) is mounted on the trunk (4). (Appendix 3) The holding member (41) wall members (41W) provided on both sides of the plate member (40) in the longitudinal direction and integrally formed from the plate member (40) to a predetermined height; extension portions (41WE) extending upward from the upper end surface of the wall member (41W) alternately and at predetermined intervals without facing each other; a ceiling member (41C) extending from the tip of the extension portion (41WE) in parallel with the plate member (40) to a position overlooking the upper end of the wall member (41W) on the opposite side, An insulator for overhead wires as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein there is a gap (S) between adjacent ceiling members (41C) and between the underside of the ceiling member (41C) and the upper end surface of the wall member (41WE) that is equal to or greater than the diameter of the wire (3). (Appendix 4) 4. An insulator for overhead wires according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the belt member (6) is fixed to the trunk (4) using a fastener (45) at a position on the trunk (4) opposite the plate member (42). (Appendix 5) the holding members (41) are a plurality of protrusions (46) provided on the plate member (40) at predetermined intervals and formed integrally with the plate member (40); The protrusion (46) is provided with a passage (46P) extending in the extension direction of the wire (3) and a slit (46S) cut out obliquely from the outside at a predetermined angle relative to the passage (46P), The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire (3) passes through the slit (46S) and is placed in the passage (46P). (Appendix 6) The holding member (41) includes brackets (48B) provided on both sides of the plate member (40) in the extending direction of the wire (3) so as to face each other at positions sandwiching the wire (3), and a horizontal bar (48R) suspended between the brackets (48B) in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the wire (3), 3. The insulator for stringing wires according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the holding members (48) each consisting of the bracket (48B) and the cross bar (48R) are provided on the plate member (40). (Appendix 7) An insulator for overhead wires as described in Appendix 6, in which a through hole (48H) is provided at an opposing position of the bracket (48B), and the cross bar (48R) is provided with a bolt (48V) that is inserted from the outer surface of the through hole (48H) into the through hole (48H) of the bracket (48B) on the opposite side, and a nut (48N) that is screwed onto the bolt (48V) that protrudes from the through hole (48H) after insertion. (Appendix 8) The horizontal bar (48R) that is hung between the brackets (48B) at opposing positions is provided with a slit (48S) that is oblique to the axial direction of the horizontal bar (48R), and the width of the slit (48S) is set to a width that allows the wire (3) that is engaged with the horizontal bar (48R) to pass through. An insulator for use in overhead contact of a wire as described in Appendix 6. (Appendix 9) An insulator for overhead wires according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, wherein the connecting member (43) is composed of a protrusion (43P) and a receiving hole (43H) that fits into the protrusion (43P), and the protrusion (43P) and the receiving hole (43H) are provided one on each of the two end portions. (Appendix 10) An insulator for overhead wiring as described in Appendix 9, wherein one of the connecting members (43) is recessed from the other of the connecting members (43) by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the plate member (40), and when a plurality of the insulators (1) are connected using the connecting members (43), the connecting surfaces of the plate members (40) become flat. (Appendix 11) An insulator for overhead wiring as described in Appendix 9, wherein one of the connecting members (43) is recessed by half the thickness of the plate member (40) relative to the other of the connecting members (43), and when multiple insulators (1) are connected using the connecting members (43), the plate members (40) have the same thickness. (Appendix 12) 12. The insulator for stringing wires according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the mounting member (42) is provided on a surface of the plate member (40) on a non-stringing side. (Appendix 13) The insulator for overhead wires according to Appendix 12, wherein the mounting member (42) is provided as two slits (42S) on each of both end sides of the plate member (40), and the band member (6) is inserted into the outer slit (42S) on either end side of the plate member (40) from the back side of the plate member (40), and then inserted into the adjacent slits (42S) in order. (Appendix 14) 12. The wire insulator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the mounting member (42) is provided only once on the non-laying-wire side surface in the center of the plate member (40). (Appendix 15) An insulator for overhead wires as described in Appendix 14, in which the width of the passage (42H) provided in the mounting member (42) for inserting the belt member is formed wide at the entrance side and the exit side of the passage (42H), and the belt member (6) can also be inserted in a direction oblique to the extension direction of the plate member (40). (Appendix 16) The mounting member (42) Two slits (42S) are provided on both end sides of the plate member (40), and the belt member (6) is inserted into the outer slit (42S) on either end side of the plate member (40) from the back side of the two slits (42S), and then inserted into the adjacent slits (42S) in order. Two sets of two slits (42S) are also provided in the center of the plate member (40), and the two slits (42S) of one set are formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the extension direction of the plate member (40), and the two slits (42S) of the other set have an inclination angle with respect to the extension direction of the plate member (40) that is different by 180 degrees, and the band member (6) is inserted from the back side of the plate member (40). An insulator for overhead wires according to any one of Appendices 1 to 11. (Appendix 17) The length of the two sets of slits (42S) is longer than the width of the belt member (6), and the belt member (6) can be adjusted relative to the extension direction of the plate member (40) depending on which part of the slits (42S) the belt member (6) is passed through. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 insulator 2. Case 3 wire 4. Support (Tree Trunk) 5. Wire Fence 6 Mounting bracket (cable tie) 7 Standing trees 31 Crossover 40 Base Plate 41 Holding part 41C Ceiling 41W wall 41WE extension 42, 50 Mounting part 43 Connecting part 43G Guide plate 43H hole 43P protrusion 44, 44A spacer 45 Fasteners 46, 47, 48 Maintaining section

Claims

1. A plate portion formed of a flexible member and having a wire surface on which the electric fence wire can be arranged along the wire direction; a holding portion that is disposed on the overhead line surface and that holds a wire that is disposed on the overhead line surface; an attachment portion disposed on the plate portion and through which a belt member can be inserted; An insulator for overhead wires comprising:

2. a first connecting portion disposed at one end of the plate portion in the overhead line direction; a second connecting portion that is arranged at the other end of the plate portion in the overhead line direction and that is connectable to the first connecting portion of an adjacent overhead line insulator; The insulator for use in stringing a wire according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. 3. The insulator for stringing wires according to claim 2, further comprising a spacer arranged to extend in a direction opposite to the stringing surface of the plate portion.

4. The holding portion is A pair of wall portions arranged to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the overhead line direction; a plurality of extensions extending from the upper ends of the pair of wall portions in a direction opposite to the overhead line surface so as not to face each other; A ceiling portion extending from the tip of the plurality of extension portions in a direction perpendicular to the overhead line direction; The insulator for stringing a wire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. The mounting portion is fixed to a fixed position on the trunk of a standing tree, 4. The wire insulator according to claim 1, wherein one end of the belt member is fastened to the other end of the belt member at a fastening position that is opposite to the fixing position of the trunk where the mounting portion is fixed.

6. The holding portion includes a plurality of pairs of protrusions spaced apart in the overhead line direction, 4. The wire insulator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pairs of projections is arranged to form a slit extending in a direction inclined from the direction of the wire.

7. The holding portion is a plurality of pairs of brackets arranged at a distance in the overhead line direction so as to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the overhead line direction; The wire insulator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a rod material arranged at a distance from the overhead line surface so as to connect each pair of brackets included in the plurality of pairs of brackets.

8. The bracket has a through hole formed therein, The insulator for stringing wires according to claim 7 , wherein the rod includes a bolt inserted into the through hole and a nut screwed onto the bolt.

9. 8. The wire insulator according to claim 7, wherein the rods are a pair of rods arranged so as to form slits each extending in a direction inclined from the direction of the wire.

10. the first connecting portion includes a protrusion, The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 3 , wherein the second connecting portion has a receiving hole formed therein that can be engaged with the protrusion.

11. The wire insulator according to claim 10, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged so that when connected to an adjacently arranged insulator for catenary, the catenary surfaces of the adjacently arranged insulator for catenary form the same plane.

12. The spacer is a first spacer that is arranged to include the first connecting portion when viewed in a plan view; a second spacer that is arranged to include the second connecting portion when viewed in a plan view, The wire insulator according to claim 10, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged so that, when connected to an adjacently arranged insulator for catenary, the height from the bottom surface of the first spacer to the catenary surface is the same as the height from the bottom surface of the second spacer to the catenary surface.

13. The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is disposed on a mounting surface that is a surface of the plate portion opposite to the stringing surface.

14. The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion has two pairs of end through-holes formed near both ends of the plate portion in the stringing direction.

15. The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 13, wherein the mounting portion has a passage formed therein through which the belt member can be inserted, and the mounting portion is disposed at a center of the plate portion.

16. 16. The insulator for stringing wires according to claim 15, wherein the passage is formed so that the width of the end portion of the passage is wider than the width of the central portion of the passage.

17. 15. The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 14, wherein the mounting portion further comprises two pairs of central through holes formed in a central portion of the plate portion so as to extend in a direction inclined from the stringing direction.

18. The insulator for stringing a wire according to claim 17, wherein the strip members having a width narrower than a width of the two pairs of central through holes are inserted through the two pairs of central through holes.

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