Patent ID: 6489569
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: H01B,Y10S

Abstract:
An insulator for supporting a conductor of an electric fence upon a mount, said insulator comprising:a flat mount-abutting face for abutment with the mount; a fixture for supporting the conductor, the fixture including circular section and a conductor-receiving opening offset from the mount-abutting face, the circular section positioned between the conductor-receiving opening and the mount-abutting face the circular section having a circular peripheral edge aligned substantially parallel to the mount-abutting face; at least one fastener opening for receiving a fastener to fix the insulator to the mount, each said fastener opening extending between said mount-abutting face and an outer surface of the insulator, each said fastener opening having a longitudinal axis; flaps formed integrally with the insulator, the flaps projecting radially into each said fastener opening to substantially close an end of said fastener opening at or adjacent said outer surface; the flaps being in the form of resilient cantilevered beam-like elements; each flap being sector-shaped with substantially flat inner and outer faces that are joined by two radially extending edges; the flaps are adapted to be deflected axially upon engagement with the fastener to resiliently engage with and retain the fastener prior to the insulator being fixed to the mount with the fastener.