A tension board arrangement

Abstract

A tension board arrangement (10, 110) for tensioning fence mesh or netting is disclosed. The arrangement takes the form of first (11,111) and second elongate members (12, 112) of approximately equal length. The first member has an elongate fulcrum (19) extending along the first member. The second member has an elongate interconnect mechanism (21, 121) extending therealong. The interconnect mechanism and said fulcrum are inter-engageable via the mesh or netting (22) to locate the first member adjacent the second member to form a mesh or netting receiving bight (20, 120). The second member has at least one attachment arm (25, 125) to which a straining mechanism (36) can be attached. The straining mechanism rotates the second member relative to the first member about the fulcrum to minimise the size of the bight and thereby clamp the mesh or netting.

Description

[0001] A Tension Board Arrangement

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to tension boards which are used to strain prefabricated fencing materials of various types, such as meshes or netting.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] The simplest form of a prior art tension boards consists of two timber planks which are located one to either side of the mesh or netting and bolted together so as to clamp the mesh or netting between the boards. A similar prior art tension board is formed from two metal strips which again clamp the mesh or netting between the boards and which are held in place by means of apertured protrusions which extend from one board through corresponding openings in the second board. A wedge corresponding to each aperture is then driven into the aperture so as to force the second board towards the first board. Australian Innovation Patent No. 2013 100 301 exemplifies this prior art.

[0006] A different form of a prior art tension board is that disclosed in International Patent Application Nos WO 2020 / 176936 and WO2023 / 215934, both to the present applicant. These prior art tension boards require a multiplicity of wire grippers, in general one gripper corresponding to each line wire of the prefabricated mesh. Such wire grippers are not easily adapted to gripping netting, such as the netting used to prevent rabbits passing through a fence or used to fence in chickens, and like fowl, or horses.

[0007] A difficulty with the above described metal tension boards held together with wedges, is that the clamping force produced by each wedge cannot be determined with accuracy and will, in general, be different from that produced by another one of the wedges. Thus, some part of the mesh or netting may slip relative to another part. In addition, the need to hit the wedges with a hammer, results in deformation not only of the wedges but also of the metal of the boards with which the wedges come into contact. Still further, the wedges are often lost or mislaid, particularly when the tension boards are transported between jobs or used in jobs where there is long grass.

[0008] Genesis of the Invention The genesis of the present invention is a desire to ameliorate to, at least some extent, the above-mentioned difficulties.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a tension board arrangement for tensioning fence mesh or netting, said arrangement comprising first and second elongate members of approximately equal length, said first member having an elongate fulcrum extending along said first member, said second member having an elongate interconnect mechanism extending therealong, said interconnect mechanism and said fulcrum being inter-engageable via said mesh or netting to locate said first member adjacent said second member to form a mesh or netting receiving bight, and said second member having at least one attachment arm to which a straining mechanism can be attached, said straining mechanism rotating said second member relative to said first member about said fulcrum to minimise the size of said bight and thereby clamp said mesh or netting.

[0011] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one side of a second member of a pair of tension boards of a first embodiment,

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the second member of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one side of a first member of the pair of tension boards of the first embodiment and engageable with the second member of Figs. 1 and 2,

[0015] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the other side of the first member of Fig. 3,

[0016] Fig. 5 is a perspective view from one side of the first and second members inter-engaged,

[0017] Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the other side of the inter-engaged first and second members of Fig. 5,

[0018] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the disengaged first and second members being located one to either side of a roll of mesh material to be tensioned, Fig. 8 is a perspective view from above of the initial inter-engagement first and second members of Fig. 7,

[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view from the working side of the fence showing the inter-engaged first and second members ready to be tensioned,

[0020] Fig. 10 is a perspective view from the working side of the fence showing the tensioning of the inter-engaged tension board,

[0021] Fig. 11 is a perspective view from the other side of the fence showing the tensioning of the inter-engaged tension board,

[0022] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one side of a second member of a pair of tension boards of a second embodiment,

[0023] Fig. 13 is a perspective view from the other side of the second member of Fig. 12,

[0024] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one side of a first member of the pair of tension boards of the second embodiment and engageable with the second member of Figs. 12 and 13,

[0025] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the other side of the first member of Fig. 14,

[0026] Fig. 16 is a perspective view from one side of the first and second members of Figs 12-15 prior to their inter-engagement,

[0027] Fig. 17 is a perspective view from the other side of the first and second members of Fig. 16 prior to their inter-engagement,

[0028] Fig. 18 is a perspective view from one side of the first and second members inter-engaged,

[0029] Fig. 19 is a perspective view from the other side of the inter-engaged first and second members,

[0030] Fig. 20 is a perspective view from above of the inter-engaged first and second members,

[0031] Fig. 21 is a perspective view from one side of a first extension member,

[0032] Fig. 22 is a perspective view from the other side of the first extension member of Fig. 21,

[0033] Fig. 23 is a perspective view from one side of a second extension member,

[0034] Fig. 24 is a perspective view from the other side of the second extension member of Fig. 23, Fig. 25 is a perspective view from one side of an about to be extended second member of the second embodiment,

[0035] Fig. 26 is a perspective view from one side of an about to be extended first member of the second embodiment,

[0036] Fig. 27 is a perspective view of two inter-engaged a second members of the second embodiment which together form an extended second member,

[0037] Fig. 28 is a perspective view of two inter-engaged first members of the second embodiment which together form an extended first member,

[0038] Fig. 29 is a perspective view from one side of the inter-engaged first and second members of third embodiment,

[0039] Fig. 30 is a perspective view from the other side of the inter-engaged first and second members of the third embodiment,

[0040] Fig. 31 is an end view of the inter-engagement members of the third embodiment,

[0041] Fig. 32 is a perspective view from one side of the inter-engaged and extended first and second members of fourth embodiment,

[0042] Fig. 33 is a perspective view from the other side the arrangement of Fig. 32,

[0043] Fig. 34 is an end view of the arrangement of Fig. 32,

[0044] Fig. 35 is a perspective view from one side of the inter-engaged and extended first and second members of a fifth embodiment,

[0045] Fig. 36 is a perspective view from the other side of the arrangement of Figs. 35,

[0046] Fig. 37 is an end view of the arrangement of Figs. 35,

[0047] Fig. 38 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 32 showing a second embodiment of a skid foot in its operative position,

[0048] Fig. 39 is a view similar to Fig. 38 but showing the modified skid foot in its released condition,

[0049] Fig. 40 is a perspective view of an end assembly showing a strained roll of netting,

[0050] Fig. 41 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 38 showing a third embodiment of a skid foot in its operative position,

[0051] Fig. 42 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 39 showing the foot of the third embodiment in its released condition. Fig. 43 is a perspective view of a spreader bar of a first configuration, Fig. 44 is a perspective view of the spreader bar of Fig. 43 in use during the straining of a roll of netting,

[0052] Fig. 45 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 44 showing details of the straining yoke, and

[0053] Fig. 46 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 43 but showing a spreader bar of a second configuration.

[0054] Detailed Description

[0055] In the drawings, Figs. 1-11 illustrates a first embodiment of a pair of tension members which together make up the tension board arrangement of a first embodiment in which the first member is fabricated from a pair of steel rectangular hollow sections (RHS) and the second member is fabricated from a single RHS. However, Figs 12-28 illustrate a second embodiment of a pair of tension members which together make up the tension board arrangement of a second embodiment. In the second embodiment the tension members are formed by bending, or otherwise shaping, a strip of flat steel.

[0056] In addition, Figs. 29-31 illustrate a third embodiment fabricated from two rectangular hollow sections, Figs. 32-34 illustrate a fourth embodiment fabricated from shaped strips of flat steel. Figs. 35-37 illustrate a fifth embodiment, again fabricated from shaped strips of flat steel. Figs. 38-40 illustrate a further embodiment of a skid foot.

[0057] As seen in Figs. 1-6, a tension board arrangement 10 of a first embodiment is formed from a first member 11 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and a second member 12 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The first member 11 is formed from two square RHS members 14, 15 and a flat steel strip 16 which are longitudinally welded in order to form a unified whole. The RHS 14 has three spaced apart protruding lugs 18 each of which has a pair of transverse stub axles 19. The axles 19 are longitudinally aligned and form an elongate fulcrum.

[0058] As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the second member 12 is formed from an RHS member and is provided with three cross shaped apertures 21 which have the same spacing as the lugs 18 and which are shaped and sized to receive the axles 19 and the free ends of the lugs 18 so as to create the interconnected or inter-engaged members 11, 12 as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. This inter-engagement of the axles 19 with the hollow interior of the second member 12 enables the second member 12 to pivot relative to the first member 11 and forms a bight 20. As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, this interengagement between the members 11, 12 is able to take place through a roll of netting 22.

[0059] In addition, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the RHS 15 is provided with cross shaped apertures 24 and although three such apertures 24 are provided, only the outer two apertures 24 are illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 as being utilised by dual winches 36. If a single winch or a motor vehicle, for example, is utilised to provide the tensioning force, then only the central aperture 24 can be used. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the second member 12 is provided with two arcuate attachment arms 25 each of which is located between a pair of outriggers 27, 28. The free ends of each pair of the outriggers 27, 28 is joined by a small rod 26 which carries a roller 30. One end of the arcuate attachment arms 25 is provided with a pair of aligned stub axles 29 (Fig. 8). The stub axles 29 hold the attachment arms 25 captive between the outriggers 27, 28 since the other side of the arms 25 carry a shackle 32 (Fig. 5) and also a spring 33 (which is positioned between the outriggers 27, 28 and a retaining pin 34).

[0060] As a consequence of this construction, as best illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 9, the stub axles 29 can be passed into the cross shaped apertures 24 and engaged with the interior of the RHS 15. If a force is applied to the two shackles 32, then the arcuate arms 25 move the first and second members 11, 12 so as to decrease the size of the bight 20. This action rolls one edge of the arcuate arms 25 over the roller 30 thereby compressing the spring 33 as best seen by comparison of Figs. 5 and 6 on the one hand and Fig. 9 on the other hand. The lever arms 25 pivot the second member 12 about the stub axles 19 to decrease the size of the bight 20. The force applied to the lever arms 25 is applied to the shackles 32 by the winches 36 as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. In use, as best seen in Fig. 7, the roll of netting 22 is paid out at its desired location. It is then necessary to tension the roll 22. This is done by placing the first and second members 11, 12 on opposite sides of the roll 22 and pushing the lugs 18 through the openings in the roll 22 and engaging the axles 19 with the cross shaped apertures 21. This results in the situation as illustrated in Fig. 8. Thereafter, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the stub axles 29 are passed through the roll 22 and engaged with the cross shaped apertures 24. This has the effect of compressing the spring 33 which therefore provides a force which retains stub axles of the arms 25 within the apertures 24 of the first member 11. Then, when a force is applied to the free end of the arcuate arms 25 as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 by means, for example, of winches 36, so the bight 20 is reduced in size and the roll 22 clamped between the members 11, 12. This enables the winches 36 to pull the roll 22 up to the desired tension. This creates a series of vertically aligned dimples or bends in the horizontally extending longitudinal line wires of the roll 22. These dimples are analogous to the tension indicating dimples provided by many manufacturers of such rolls 22.

[0061] Turning now to Figs. 12-20, a second embodiment of the tension board arrangement 110 will now be described. In the second embodiment like parts to those of the first embodiment have their designation number increased by 100. Thus, the second embodiment has first and second members 111, 112 respectively. As seen in Figs. 12 and 13, the second member 112 is formed from flat steel plate which is bent or rolled so as to have a generally C-shaped transverse cross-section. The cross shaped apertures 121 and lever arms 125 are as for the first embodiment. As seen in Figs. 14 and 15, the first member 111 is provided with the three apertures 124 and three lugs 118. In addition, in this embodiment the first member 111 is provided with a skid foot 40.

[0062] As seen in Figs. 16 - 20, the first and second members 111, 112 inter-engage in the same fashion as the first and second members 11, 12 of the first embodiment, so as to form the bight 120.

[0063] The members 11, 12, 111, and 112 of the first and second embodiments are typically approximately 1 m in length being roughly the height of a waist high fence used for inclusion fencing (that is to retain domestic stock within a paddock). With the advent of exclusion fencing, which is typically about 1.8 m-2.0 m in height, it is necessary to have tensioning boards of an equivalent length. One way of doing this is to make the boards longer. Another way of doing this is to enable two approximately 1 m boards to be joined end to end so as to thereby form the desired approximately 2 m long boards. Figs. 21-28 illustrate how this can be achieved.

[0064] As seen in Figs. 21 and 22 a first extension member 41 is illustrated having a pair of cutouts 44. As seen in Figs. 23 and 24, a second extension member 42 is illustrated having a pair of rectangular openings 45. Both the first and second extension members 41, 42 have a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section and thus constitute rectangular channels. In addition, each of the first and second extension members 41, 42 have various small apertures which enable fasteners to be passed therethrough.

[0065] As seen in Fig. 25, the second extension member 42 is connected to one end of the second member 112 and as seen in Fig. 27, another second member 112 can be connected to the second extension member 42 so as to produce an elongated member formed from two second members 112.

[0066] Similarly, as seen in Fig. 26, the first extension member 41 is connected to one end of the first member 111 and, as seen in Fig. 28, another first member 111 can be connected to the first extension member 41. This produces an elongate member formed from two first members 111. The elongate members of Figs. 27 and 28 can be inter-engaged and operated in the same manner as the first and second members 111, 112.

[0067] Turning now to Figs. 29-31, a tension board arrangement of a third embodiment is illustrated. In the third embodiment like parts to those of the first and second embodiments have their designation number increased by 200. Thus, the third embodiment has first and second members 211, 212 respectively. As seen in Figs. 29 - 31, both the first and second members 211, 212 are formed from rolled hollow sections. As best seen in Fig. 31, an anvil strip 47 is welded to the first member 211 so as to form the bight 20. An advantage of this construction is that the RHS members are relatively inexpensive to purchase and modify to form the finished article.

[0068] Turning now to Figs. 32 - 34, an extended tension board arrangement of a fourth embodiment is illustrated. In the fourth embodiment like parts to those of the first and second embodiments have their designation number increased by 300. Thus, the fourth embodiment has first and second members 311, 312 respectively. As seen in Figs. 32 - 34, both the first and second members 311, 312 are fabricated from flat steel strip which has been bent or otherwise rolled into shape.

[0069] An obvious addition with the fourth embodiment is the presence of a spreader bar 49 which is attached to the shackles 32 and to which winches 36 (not illustrated in Figs. 32-34) or a chain from a motor vehicle may be attached. In this way a tensioning force, which is applied to the spreader bar 39 and is located at only one or two locations, can be easily distributed across all the arcuate arms 25 (only some of which are illustrated in Figs. 32 - 34).

[0070] Turning now to Figs. 35 - 37, an extended tension board arrangement of a fifth embodiment is illustrated. In the fifth embodiment like parts to those of the first and second embodiments have their designation number increased by 400. Thus, the fifth embodiment has first and second members 411, 412 respectively. As seen in Figs. 35 - 37, each of the first and second members 411, 412 are fabricated from two flat steel strips which has been bent or otherwise rolled into shape.

[0071] The embodiment of Figs. 35-37 differs from the embodiment of Figs. 32-34 in this respect. The latter embodiment enables two first and second members of approximately 900 mm in length to be assembled with extension members 41, 42 so as to provide first and second members 311 and 312 which are approximately 1800 mm in length and thus suitable for exclusion fencing. There are, however, circumstances where different heights of tension board arrangements are required. Thus, some circumstances suggest that relatively short first and second member of approximately 500 mm would be of assistance. These shorter first and second members can be coupled with first and second members of approximately 1000 mm length so as to provide extended first and second members of approximately 1500 mm in length.

[0072] As seen in Figs. 35-37, the composite first member 411 can have a lower portion of 1000 mm and an upper portion of 500 mm, joined together by means of an extension member such as first extension member 41. However, the composite second member 412 can have a lower portion of 500 mm and an upper portion of 1000 mm joined together by a second extension member 42. Thus, both composite members have the same length but the joins are located in different positions. That is, the joints are staggered, thereby resulting in a stronger overall strength for the tension board arrangement of 1500 mm length. The stronger overall strength comes about because one join is not clamping onto another join.

[0073] Turning now to Figs. 38-40, a second embodiment of a skid foot 540 is illustrated attached to the lower end of a first member 311 as illustrated in Fig. 32. The skid foot 540 is illustrated in its operative position in Fig. 38 and in its relaxed position in Fig. 39. A short length of hollow rectangular tubing 501 is connected to the lower end of the first member 311 by conventional fasteners 502 and houses an axle 503. The obscured end of the skid foot 540 is bent into a circular curve (not illustrated) which enables the skid foot 540 to rotate around the axle 503 and maintains the skid foot 540 engaged with the axle 503. In one arrangement no other component is provided and so the skid foot 540 is free to rotate around the axle 503 and is maintained in the position illustrated in Fig. 38 by the engagement between the skid foot 540 and the ground (not illustrated in Fig. 38).

[0074] As illustrated in Fig. 40, the tension board arrangement is used to clamp the roll of netting 22 and draw it up to an end assembly 600 which takes the form of a vertical post 601 and an inclined stay 602. The tension board is drawn up by the winches 36 which have respective chains 37 which can be looped around the vertical post 601 (not illustrated in Fig. 40) or otherwise connected to the vertical post 601 by means of some other suitable arrangement (again not illustrated in Fig. 40). Irrespective of the mechanism used, operating the winches 36 draws the tension board arrangement to the right as seen in Fig. 40 towards the strainer post 601. Once the desired tension in the netting 22 is achieved, the free ends of the line wires are made fast to the vertical post 601, for example by using termination knots. Thereafter the winches 36 can be released and the tension board arrangement removed from its position with one half clamped between the inclined stay 602 and the roll of netting 22.

[0075] This removal of the tension board arrangement is not always easy to accomplish. One way of doing so is to firstly disengage the second member such as 312 from the first member 311. Since the second member 312 is on the far side of the netting as illustrated in Fig. 40, the second member can be removed without difficulty because it is not clamped by the roll of netting 22. However, to remove the first member 311 is more difficult. When viewed from above in Fig. 40, the first member 311 can be partially rotated in a clockwise direction so as to move the lugs 18, 118 away from the plane of the netting 22. This enables the first member 311 to be drawn vertically upwardly sliding along the inclined stay 602. From time to time the first member 311 may be required to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction so as to enable one or more of the lugs 18, 118 to pass the inclined stay 602.

[0076] The advantage of the skid foot 540 is that it hangs down into the relaxed position illustrated in Fig. 39 and therefore does not come into contact with the inclined stay 602. As a result, the entire first member 311 can be lifted upwardly and slid past the inclined stay 602 without catching or jagging on the netting.

[0077] Turning now to Figs. 41 and 42, in a third embodiment of the skid foot 640, the skid foot 640 is illustrated attached to the lower end of a first member 311 as illustrated in Fig. 41. The skid foot 640 is illustrated in its operative position in Fig. 41 and in its relaxed position in Fig. 42. A short length of U-shaped channel 511 is connected to the lower end of the first member 311 by conventional fasteners 512 and houses an axle 513. The obscured proximal end of the skid foot 640 is welded to a short length of hollow circular pipe 514 which enables the skid foot 640 to rotate around the axle 513 and maintains the skid foot 640 engaged with the axle 513. In one arrangement no other component is provided and so the skid foot 640 is free to rotate around the axle 503 and is maintained in the position illustrated in Fig. 41 by the engagement between the skid foot 640 and the ground (not illustrated in Fig. 41). Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 42, opposite the channel 511 and located within the interior of the first member 311, can be located a small cylindrical magnet 515 mounted in a plate 516 which is secured to the first member 311. As a consequence of the skid foot 640 being fabricated from steel, there is a magnetic attraction between the lower end of the first member 311 and the skid foot 640. This maintains the skid foot 640 in the substantially horizontal operative position unless activated upon by a downward force exceeding the magnetic holding force. That is, notwithstanding the magnet 515. the skid foot 640 can be moved into the relaxed position illustrated in Fig. 42.

[0078] Turning now to Figs. 43-45, a spreader bar 701 of a first configuration and fabricated from U-channel is provided with a rectangular slot 706 at each end. As seen in Figs.

[0079] 44 and 45, each slot 706 is sized to receive the free end of the arcuate arms 25, 125 and be retained thereon by the pins of the shackles 32. Whilst the mesh straining illustrated in Figs. 9-11 and 40 utilises a pair of winches 36, this is not always convenient and sometimes a single straining source of motive power is desired. The single straining source of motive power can be a single winch 36 as indicated in Fig.

[0080] 45 or a motor vehicle, telehandler, or the like.

[0081] As seen in Figs. 44 and 45, a chain yoke 703 having two hooks 704 which each engage a corresponding shackle 32, is used to interconnect the shackles 32 of the arms 25, 125 with the single source of motive power which, in Fig. 45, is a single winch 36. The purpose of the spreader bar 701 is to stop the arms 25, 125 being bent or deformed towards each other and enable an even transmission of the horizontal motive force to the spaced apart arms 25, 125.

[0082] As indicated in Fig. 46, it is not necessary for the spreader bar 701 to have a U-shaped cross section. Instead, a spreader bar 702 can be fabricated if desired from angle iron and thereby have an L-shaped cross section. The spreader bar 702 has slots 706 in the same fashion as the spreader bar 701. An unexpected benefit of the spreader bar 701, 702 is that it connects both of the arcuate arms 25 or 125 together. As a result, when assembling or disassembling the entire tension board, both the arms 25, 125 can be engaged with, or disengage from, the apertures 24, 124 simultaneously. This speeds up the assembling or disassembling process.

[0083] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the fencing arts, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the features and advantages disclosed in one facet of the invention may be utilised, mutatis mutandis, in other facets of the invention.

[0084] For example, the magnet 515, instead of being placed in the plate 516, can be placed on the foot 540 as illustrated in Fig. 39. This provides a magnetic attraction between the foot 540 and the first member 311. This is preferably achieved by pressing the magnet into a cylindrical hole drilled in the foot 540. Similarly, a skid foot 40, 540, 640 can be provided at either end or both ends of the second member 12, 112, 312, 412 instead of at the end(s) of the first member 11, 111, 211, 311, 411.

[0085] The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of’.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tension board arrangement for tensioning fence mesh or netting, said arrangement comprising first and second elongate members of approximately equal length, said first member having an elongate fulcrum extending along said first member, said second member having an elongate interconnect mechanism extending therealong, said interconnect mechanism and said fulcrum being inter-engageable via said mesh or netting to locate said first member adjacent said second member to form a mesh or netting receiving bight, and said second member having at least one attachment arm to which a straining mechanism can be attached, said straining mechanism rotating said second member relative to said first member about said fulcrum to minimise the size of said bight and thereby clamp said mesh or netting.

2. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 1 and convertible between a transport configuration and a use configuration by interengagement of said interconnect mechanism and said fulcrum.

3. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said elongate fulcrum comprises a plurality of spaced apart lugs extending from said first member and each having a stub axle extending therefrom, said stub axles being aligned.

4. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein each said stub axle extends to either side of the corresponding lug.

5. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said interconnect mechanism comprises a plurality of T-shaped apertures in said second member and having a spacing corresponding to the spacing between said lugs.

6. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein the number of said T-shaped apertures and the number of said lugs is the same.

7. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein the number of said T-shaped apertures is three and the number of said lugs is also three.

8. The tension board arrangement as defined in any one of claims 1-7 and including a latch operable to maintain said grooves engaged.

9. The tension board arrangement as defined in any one of claims 1-8 wherein said first and second members are formed from a strip sheet.

10. The tension board arrangement as defined in any one of claims 1-8 wherein said first and second members are formed from rolled hollow section.

11. The tension board arrangement as defined in any one of claims 1-10 wherein said first and second members are extendable by longitudinal connection with respectively similarly shaped first and second members.

12. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 11 wherein said longitudinally connected members are joined by means of an extension member.

13. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 12 wherein the joins between adjacent first and second members are longitudinally staggered.

14. The tension board arrangement as defined in any one of claims 1-13 wherein a spreader bar interconnects said attachment arm(s) and said straining mechanism.

15. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 14 wherein said straining mechanism comprises a winch or motor vehicle.

16. The tension board arrangement as defined in any one of claims 1-15 and including a skid foot at either or both ends.

17. The tension board arrangement as defined in paragraph 16 wherein said skid foot is movable between an operative position in which the skid foot is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tension board arrangement, and a relaxed position in which the skid foot is substantially aligned with said tension board longitudinal axis.

18. The tension board arrangement as defined in claim 17 wherein said skid foot is releasably maintained in said operative position by magnetic attraction between said skid foot and said tension board arrangement.