Fence dropper

Abstract

A fence dropper is provided which is adapted to engage at least two wires of a multi-strand wire fence. The fence dropper includes a generally linear central portion having an edge flange and at least two apertures spaced from one another. The at least two apertures are shaped to engage at least two wires by rotational movement of the dropper relative to each wire, and to provide vertical and lateral restraint for each wire when the edge flange is substantially perpendicular to the wires.

Description

FENCE DROPPERTechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to fence droppers and fencing systems. The invention relates particularly to fence droppers for use in rural fencing for containing livestock and excluding unwanted animals, but may also find application in other types of fencing.Background of Invention

[0002] Traditional agricultural fencing was intended to be permanent and intended to restrain domestic livestock such as sheep, cattle, horses etc. within an area. In Australia, such fencing is approximately waist high and has generally been formed from steel fence posts (usually called 'star pickets' or 'Y posts'), wooden fence posts and concrete fence posts. Between each pair of fence posts are typically 2 or 3 droppers or star pickets. Such fence posts include a series of apertures through which a wire can be passed or externally attached. At the end of each fence line is a much heavier post termed a strainer post. Also, heavier and stronger fence posts are often interspersed along a fence line (e.g. after every 4thor 5thstandard post) to boost the fence's overall strength. Included within most fences is a gate to enable access to, and egress from, the area (often termed a 'paddock') enclosed by the fence.

[0003] There is a very significant investment in traditional agricultural fencing. The cost of fencing is high (both in terms of purchase, installation, maintenance and removal costs) and as a result many property owners would like to protect that investment from damage, including fence damage caused by livestock, native and feral animals, fires, falling branches and floods.

[0004] Fence droppers usually sit at regular spacing between posts to limit animals pushing through and are intended to lock wires horizontally and vertically.

[0005] Fence droppers are used to maintain fence integrity and help spread stock pressure from one or two wires, to all wires in the fence, reducing the risk of overloading and subsequent wire breakage, for example from a large animal. Fence droppers also help maintain the integrity of the fence as the fence ages because the wires tend to sag over time if they are not re-tensioned.

[0006] Most known fence droppers are elongate and span the full vertical height of the fence occupied by the wires or a large proportion of the vertical height of the fence. Fence droppers may or may not be inserted into the ground and can be made from a range of materials, such as wood, metals and plastics. A wide range of designs are known for fence droppers and for attaching the droppers tothe wires. Each design typically possesses a number of advantages and disadvantages relating to one or more of price, ease and cost of installation, production, amount of materials consumed, ease of packaging, transportation, durability, expected life-time, sustainability, ease of maintenance and recycling. It has proven difficult to maximise the advantages of such fence droppers whilst minimising the drawbacks, particularly in regard to ease of installation.

[0007] One common design of fence dropper and means of attaching the wires thereto comprises a plastic fence dropper, optionally having a plurality of protrusions or slots for accommodating the wires, and a metal clip which secures the wires in place against the dropper. There are a large number of variations of this arrangement, but many can be difficult to install. Installation typically requires both hands and a significant amount of force. Installation also often requires the aid of a common tool, such as a screwdriver, or the aid of a specialist tool, because the clip is deformed significantly from its original shape either temporarily or permanently to secure the wire to the dropper, hence the requirement of significant force to install. These drawbacks represent a significant issue when long distances of fence must be installed or maintained. Furthermore, whilst difficult to install, the wires can often be dislodged from the dropper relatively easily in many of these designs.

[0008] The present invention therefore desires to provide an alternative to existing droppers which may ameliorate at least some of the limitations of prior art droppers. Other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having reference to the following specification together with its drawings.

[0009] A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that the document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.Summary of Invention

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence dropper adapted to engage at least two wires of a multi-strand wire fence, comprising: a generally linear central portion having an edge flange and at least two apertures (or slots) spaced from one another, wherein the at least two apertures (or slots) are shaped to engage at least two wires by rotational movement of the dropper relative to each wire, and to provide vertical and lateral restraint for each wire when the at least two apertures (or slots) along the edge flange are substantially perpendicular to the wires. It will be appreciated that in operation, when applying the fence dropper to a multi-strand wire fence, the two apertures are shaped to engage at least two wires by "horizontal" rotational movement of thedropper relative to each wire, and to provide vertical and lateral restraint for each wire when the slotted edge flange of the "vertical" dropper is substantially "horizontally" perpendicular to the wires.

[0011] In this manner a fence dropper is provided which is both inexpensive and simple to manufacture and which furthermore is quick and simple to engage with the wires of a fence without the use of any external tools (clamped wires excepted). By the nature of the fence dropper, its engagement with the fence wires does not require any deformation of the wires or any twisting about the fence dropper and does not result in any damage to the wires of the fence.

[0012] Preferably, the central portion flange includes a clamping arrangement at either end for engaging at least two wires (usually the top and bottom wires) of the multi-strand fence.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the clamping arrangement includes U-bends formed at either end for engaging or clamping at least the top and bottom wires of the multi-strand fence. The U- bends include an aperture for fastening the fence dropper to the top and bottom fence wires. Advantageously, this provides additional support for the fence dropper in its vertical and horizontal orientation securing and / or locking the fence dropper to the fence.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the U-bends are narrowed or necked adjacent their open ends so that they may be clipped or clamped in place over the top and bottom wires of the fence. Advantageously, clipping or clamping provides additional support for the fence dropper in its vertical and horizontal position.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the end of the U-bends may include a slit or slot across the middle of the bend, so as to reduce the strength of the bend and allow it to more easily function like a 'hinge.' Advantageously, this reduces the force required to both clamp and unclamp the U-bend. It will be appreciated that this outcome could be achieved in several ways (for example one or more holes, etc.)

[0016] In an embodiment, the clamping arrangement includes clamping brackets provided at either end for engaging at least two wires (usually the top and bottom wires) of the multi-strand fence. In an embodiment, the clamping arrangement may include a separate bent washer or bracket clamped over the top and bottom or chosen wires of the multi-strand fence.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, a slot extends from each aperture to an edge of the slotted edge flange which permits a wire to engage with the slotted edge flange when positioned at an angle relative to the wire. The slot is dimensioned and shaped to engage a fence wire of a predetermined gauge when the slotted edge flange is held at a horizontal angle to a tensioned wire or where thedropper is already attached a non-tensioned wire can be added. The slot serves to both guide the wire into the aperture and restrain the wire when the dropper is in its installed vertical orientation. Advantageously, in this manner fencing wire can be inserted into the slot at a predetermined angle, for example 45°, without the use of tools. The wire is also restrained by the slot when the slotted edge flange is orthogonal with the wire, for example 90°.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the slot is sized and oriented such that a fence wire may pass through the slot into the aperture when the edge flange is positioned at a suitable horizontal angle relative to the wire, but so that the fence wire may not pass through the slot when the dropper's edge flange is oriented generally horizontally perpendicular to the fence wires. Advantageously, this allows for wires to be restrained without the need for clips or other fastening means that may require the use of tools to open and / or close.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the slot is formed by a jog bend, each jog bend including a pair of alternating bends (or wings) offset by the desired wire gap distance (for example sufficient to allow the desired wire gauge to slide through). The offset may be approximately 6 mm bent to approximately 34° or approximately 24°, but other offsets and angles are envisaged. The slot axis may be orientated at between 0 - 90° relative to the fence dropper axis. The slot axis may be orientated at between 20 - 60° relative to the fence dropper axis. The slot axis may be orientated at between 30 - 50° relative to the fence dropper axis.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, at least one aperture is dimensioned and shaped to engage a fence wire of a predetermined gauge or diameter. For example, the aperture may be dimensioned to accommodate various diameters of plain high tensile wire (typically 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.8 mm, 3.15 mm or 4.0 mm) and / or low tensile plain wire (typically 2.5mm, 3.15mm and 4.00mm) and / or barbed wire (typically standard barb 3.2mm or Iowa barb 5.3mm, etc) and / or sight wire (typically 4-8mm). The apertures may also be dimensioned to accommodate an electrified wire or "hot wire", or an electrified wire or "hot wire" and an insulator.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, at least one aperture is dimensioned to and shaped to engage with a barbed or "hot wire" with an electrical insulator.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the dropper is made from a wood, wood derived products, recycled material, plastic, metallic material or alloy, composite material, or combinations thereof. Advantageously, the fence dropper can be easily manufactured from a variety of materials or combinations thereof.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the central portion has a substantially step-shaped crosssection. The central portion may also include a substantially Z-shaped cross-section. Providing a stepshaped cross-section or a Z-shaped cross section has advantages in strength and rigidity. However, other suitable cross-sections are envisaged, including Y-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped, V-shaped or U- shaped cross-sections, or by adding or attaching a slotted edge flange to a square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, hexagonal or other suitable cross-section shape.Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] The invention will now be described in further detail by reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

[0025] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a fence dropper in accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 shows a top view of the fence dropper shown in Figure 1; It will be appreciated that the profile shown may be flipped horizontally.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a side view of the fence dropper shown in Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 4 shows an alternate side view of the fence dropper shown in Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 5 shows a detailed side view of an aperture in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 6 shows a detailed top view of the aperture shown in Figure 5.Detailed Description

[0031] The invention may be suitable for agricultural fencing, such as inclusion and / or exclusion fencing and it will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that exemplary, but nonlimiting, application.

[0032] It will be appreciated that in steep terrain especially, fence posts, pickets and droppers may be installed perpendicular to the slope of the land. This practice is more common in some countries than it is in others (depending on the geography). For the most part, fences are installed on level or on gently undulating ground where posts, pickets and droppers are being installed vertically. It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to 'vertical' as it applies to substantially flat land but itwill be appreciated that this translates across to when posts, pickets and droppers are being installed perpendicular or at an angle to the slope of the land.

[0033] Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a fence dropper 100. The fence dropper 100 is made from steel for its combined high mechanical strength, high impact resistance, driveability, good corrosion resistance (when suitably coated), longevity and dimensional accuracy. However, in this form of the invention the fence dropper 100 may also be made from wood, wood derived products, recycled material, plastic, other metallic material or alloy, composite material or combinations thereof. The fence dropper 100 is shown in an isometric view. The fence dropper 100 may be manufactured in a variety of ways. It can be press formed e.g., wherein a metal sheet (blank) is formed by a forming tool or die. The fence dropper 100 may also be created by a combination of laser cutting and pressing or using a combination of laser cutting, roll forming and wing pressing. It is recognised that other manufacturing technologies and / or combinations may also be used.

[0034] The fence dropper 100 has a bottom end 102 and a top end 104 and a generally linear central portion 106 having at least two apertures 108a, 108b, 108c, 110a, 110b spaced from one another. The apertures 108a, 108b, 108c, 110a, 110b each have a slot 124a and 124b, for example, that extends from each aperture to an edge 126 of the slotted edge flange 127 which permits a wire to engage with the generally vertical dropper 100 when positioned at a generally horizontal angle relative to the wire. Apertures 108a etc. and slots 124a etc. will be described in further detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6 below.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, there are five apertures adapted to receive a wire - including the bottom end 102 and the top end 104 of the fence dropper 100, that are bent to engage at least the top and bottom wires of a multi-strand fence, hence the fence dropper 100 shown in Figure 1 is suitable for seven strand / wire fence. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, seven strand / wire fences are commonly used to retain sheep and cattle. However, the invention is suitable for fences with greater than seven wires or less than seven wires, for example ten wires or four wires.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the bottom end 102 and the top end 104 include a clamping arrangement which take the form of U-bends 112 and 114 respectively. The U-bends are shaped and dimensioned to engage a fence wire of a range of gauges. The U-bends 112 and 114 may be narrowed or necked adjacent to their open ends 116 and 118 so that they may be clamped over the top and bottom wires of the fence. In a form of the invention the U-bends 112 and 114 may further provided with a necked or re-entrant portion arranged to provide a spring clip action over the top and bottom wires. To aid in fastening the fence dropper 100 to the fence, apertures 120 and 122 may be providedon the U-bends 112 and 114. The apertures 120 and 122 are dimensioned to receive a fastener (not shown), such as a screw, a self-tapping screw, self-drilling screw, nut and bolt, rivet, wire or the like. To reduce the force required to close or re-open the clamp, a slot , slit or hole(s) may be included across the middle of the U-bend's bent end The action of the fastener clamps the U-bends together thereby helping to secure the fence dropper 100 vertically and horizontally. While a U-bend is shown in Figure 1, other designs are envisaged and those skilled in the art will recognise suitable designs for providing the stated functions including a square-bend, a V-bend, a simple fold and the like. Further, in an alternative, the U-bend may be formed by a hinge movable between an open and closed position such that when the hinge is in the closed position it forms a U-bend and may be secured via a nut and bolt or like fastener provided through a slot or aperture therethrough.

[0037] It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the clamping arrangement may take any suitable form such that it provides mechanical strength, allows the dropper to be aligned and locked at approximately 90 degrees to the line of the fence wires and largely prevents lateral slippage along the clamped wires.

[0038] For example, an alternative clamping arrangement may be provided such as a separate washer / bracket (in concert with an aperture or slot in the top and bottom ends of the dropper) that also secures the dropper both vertically and horizontally. For example, in one or more embodiments, the central portion may omit the end U-bends, but instead use a separate clamping mechanism.

[0039] As will be appreciated, various clamping arrangements may be provided (e.g. large flat washer, bent washer or bracket, etc) that includes a suitably sized and positioned hole or slot that can be positioned at the ends of the dropper and which lines up with the end holes of the dropper. In an embodiment, a largely L shaped washer (or bracket) may be provided wherein the whole or part of the shorter bent end slides into an end slot near each end of the dropper and then is suitably clamped using various methods (i.e. clip, clamp, self-drilling screw, self-tapping screw, nut and bolt, rivet, wire, etc.) to lock its orientation and also prevent lateral movement along the top and bottom fence wires. NB: It will be appreciated that this separate clamping mechanism may also be used on wires other than or in addition to the top and bottom wires.

[0040] Turning to Figure 2, there is shown a top view of the fence dropper 100 as shown in Figure 1. The fence dropper 100 has a generally stepped shape or Z-shaped profile for ease of manufacture, but also for overall rigidity and strength. The profile can be easily bent on a press or the like. However, in other embodiments, the fence dropper 100 may also be roll-formed from sheet metal and those skilled in the art will recognise suitable manufacturing techniques for fabricating rolled components.As can be seen, the U-bend 120 is able to clamp onto a top or bottom fence wire to support the fence dropper 100 in a vertical and horizontal position. This configuration provides vertical and horizontal restraint for each wire when the slotted edge flange 127 of the fence dropper 100 is substantially perpendicular to the wires (not shown). The remaining elements shown in Figure 2 are identical to Figure 1 and so share the same references.

[0041] Turning to Figure 3, there is shown side view of the fence dropper 100 as shown in Figure 1. As can be seen, from the side view slot 124 in edge 126 of the slotted edge flange 127 appears closed and a fence wire orthogonal to that slot 124 would not be able to engage with aperture 108a unless the fence dropper 100 was at another angle, for example 45°. The remaining elements shown in Figure 3 are identical to Figure 1 and so share the same references.

[0042] Turning to Figure 4, there is shown an alternative side view of the fence dropper 100 as shown in Figure 1. From this view the aperture 120 on the U-bend 112 portion is shown to pass all the way through the U-bend 112 portion. As discussed with reference to Figure 1, the aperture is designed to accommodate a fastener such as a self-tapping screw, self-drilling screw, nut and bolt, rivet, wire or the like. The remaining elements shown in Figure 4 are identical to Figure 1 and so share the same references.

[0043] Turning to Figure 5, there is shown a detailed side view of an aperture, for example aperture 108a, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The aperture 108a is generally kidney-shaped with a flat bottom. The aperture may also be round as is shown in 110a in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown, the aperture 108a is approximately 20 mm long (the y dimension) and approximately 3.5 mm high (the z dimension) the radius of the curved portion w is approximately 1.75 mm. As will be appreciated, 2.5 mm is a common wire diameter or gauge. The aperture includes a slot 124 (nominally 0.15 mm across the v dimension), arms 502a and 502b are jog bent such that they oppose each other. In this particular embodiment, the bend is approximately 24° and the arms are 502a and 502b are bent approximately 6mm from the slot 124. It is to be appreciated that these dimensions are indicative only, and different dimensions may be required due to the desired fencing system on which the fence dropper is to be installed. The remaining elements shown in Figure 5 are identical to Figure 1 and so share the same references.

[0044] Turning to Figure 6, there is shown a detailed top view of an aperture, for example aperture 108a depicted in Figure 5. From this view, slot 124 is more visible. As depicted a wire is able to slide through the slot 124 when it is at an angle to the slot 124 relative to the slotted edge flange 127. In the embodiment shown, the internal angle of the jog edge is approximately 24° as shown byangle x. The width of dimension x is sized to receive a wire, in this case approximately 3.5 mm to accommodate 2.5 mm or 3 mm wire strands. The remaining elements shown in Figure 6 are identical to Figure 5 and so share the same references.

[0045] Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or group thereof.

[0046] While the invention has been described in conjunction with a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variations in light of the foregoing description are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternative, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows1. A fence dropper adapted to engage at least two wires of a multi-strand wire fence, comprising: a generally linear central portion having an edge flange and at least two apertures spaced from one another, wherein the at least two apertures are shaped to engage at least two wires by rotational movement of the dropper relative to each wire, and to provide vertical and lateral restraint for each wire when the edge flange is substantially perpendicular to the wires.

2. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a clamping arrangement at either end for engaging at least the top and bottom wires of the multi-strand fence.

3. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamping arrangement includes U-bends at either end for engaging at least the top and bottom wires of the multi-strand fence.

4. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 3, wherein the U-bends are narrowed or necked adjacent their open ends so that they may be clamped in place over the top and bottom wires of the fence5. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 4, wherein the U-bends include a slot, slit or hole(s) in the central part of the U-bend to reduce the force needed to clamp and unclamp the U-bends.

6. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamping arrangement includes clamping brackets provided at either end for engaging at least the top and bottom wires of the multistrand fence.

7. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamping arrangement includes a separate bent washer or bracket clamped over the top and bottom wires of the of the multi-strand fence.

8. A fence dropper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a slot extends from each aperture to an edge of the edge flange which permits a wire to engage with the dropper when positioned at an angle relative to the wire.

9. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slot is sized and oriented such that a fence wire may pass through the slot into the aperture when the edge flange is positioned at an anglerelative to the wire, but so that the fence wire may not pass through the slot when the dropper's edge flange is oriented generally perpendicular to the fence wires.

10. A fence dropper as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the slot is formed by jog bends, each jog bend including a pair of alternating bends offset by an offset distance.

11. A fence dropper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one aperture is dimensioned and shaped to engage a fence wire of a predetermined gauge or diameter, or a range of gauges or diameters12. A fence dropper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one aperture is dimensioned to and shaped to engage with an electrical insulator.

13. A fence dropper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the dropper is made from wood, wood derived product, recycled material, plastic, metallic material or alloy, composite material or combinations thereof.

14. A fence dropper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the dropper has a substantially step-shaped cross-section.

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