Abstract:
A plug for retaining wire on a substantially vertical elongate post having an inverted substantially L-shaped slot that opens into a substantially horizontal elongate wire-introducing portion and ends in a substantially vertical elongate wire-retaining portion, wherein the plug is adapted to friction fit in the wire-introducing portion to substantially horizontally overlap wire previously received in wire-retaining portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to wire fencing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Wire fences are conventionally constructed by tying off each horizontal wire to individual posts. The tying off of individual wires is time-consuming and labour-intensive. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a solution for constructing wire fencing which addresses the above difficulties. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to the present invention, there is provided a plug for retaining wire on a substantially vertical elongate post having an inverted substantially L-shaped slot that opens into a substantially horizontal elongate wire-introducing portion and ends in a substantially vertical elongate wire-retaining portion, wherein the plug is adapted to friction fit in the wire-introducing portion to substantially horizontally overlap wire previously received in wire-retaining portion. 
         [0005]    The plug can have peripheral flanges that are adapted to substantially overlap portions of the post which define the wire-introducing portion of the slot when the plug is friction fitted therein. 
         [0006]    The plug can be a moulding in plastics. 
         [0007]    The present invention also provides a wire fencing system including a substantially vertical elongate post having an inverted substantially L-shaped slot which opens into a substantially horizontal elongate wire-introducing portion and ends in a substantially vertical elongate wire-retaining portion, and a plug that is adapted to friction fit in the wire-introducing portion to substantially horizontally overlap wire previously received in wire-retaining portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are respective perspective and side views of an embodiment of a plug of the invention before and after friction fitting to a post; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are respective side and bottom plan views of the plug; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of electric fencing insulators fitted to the fence post using the plug. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a plug  12  of the invention before friction fitting to a fence post  10 . The post  10  has one or more slots  14  formed therein to receive a strand of wire. The slots  14  have, for example, an inverted-L shape in vertical cross section. The slots  14  optionally have other equivalent vertical section shapes, for example, L shapes, angled shapes, curve shapes, etc. The slots  14  are regularly or irregularly spaced vertically along the post  10 . The post  10  has, for example, a Y-shaped horizontal cross section. The post  10  can have other equivalent horizontal section shapes, for example, T shapes, I shapes, H-shapes, circular shapes, rectilinear shapes, etc. The post  10  is formed, for example, from metal or plastics. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , each plug  12  is sized and shaped to be friction-fitted into a slot  14  and over a strand of wire  16  received therein to thereby fasten the strand of wire  16  in position on the post  10 . The plug  12  is formed, for example, as an integral moulding in plastics. The strand of wire  16  is, for example, barbed wire, wire mesh, smooth wire, and combinations thereof. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each plug  12  optionally includes an elongate, generally rectangular horizontal plug body  18  having curved fir tree branches  20  extending thereunder downwardly and rearwardly. Other equivalent fir tree branches  20  may also be used, for example, the curved branches  20  may further or alternatively extend upwardly from the plug body  18 . In use, the fir tree branches  20  allow the plug  12  to be friction-fitted into a slot  14  and over the stand of wire  16  with a low insertion force (i.e., the force required to insert the plug  12  into the slot  14 ) while maintaining a high extraction force (i.e., the force required to withdraw the plug  12  from the slot  14 ). The plug body  18  may have other shapes which complement the shape of the slots  14 . 
         [0015]    The plug body  18  is enclosed on three sides by two vertically overlapping side or peripheral flanges  22 , and a vertically overlapping rear end flange  24 . The plug  12  is generally H-shaped in vertical cross section through the plug body  18  and side flanges  22 , and generally squared- U-shaped in horizontal cross section through the side and rear end flanges  22 ,  24 . In use, the plug  12  friction-, press-, snap- or push-fits into the slot  14 , and the side flanges flex-fit, clip, snap or clamp around portions of the post  10  adjacent to opposing side edges of the slot  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The side flanges  22  prevent the plug  12  from being displaced from the slot  14  in directions generally parallel to the strand of wire  16 . Each side flange  22  has a semi-circular cut-out  26  adapted to overlie the strand of wire  16  when in position in the slot  14 . The side flanges  22  therefore allow the plug  12  to be snugly flush-mounted around the post  10  and over the strand of wire  16 . The side flanges  22  and/or the rear end flange  24  optionally have gripping projections, for example ribbing or flanges (not shown), to aid gripping during insertion and withdrawal of the plug  12  from the slot  14 . 
         [0016]    Each post  10  has, for example, a plurality of slots  14 , and a plurality of plugs  12  are provided for each post  10 . The posts  10  and plugs  12  are provided separately or together as a kit of parts. The kit of parts optionally further includes the wire  16 . 
         [0017]    1Referring to  FIG. 5 , the plug  12  is compatible with electric fencing insulators  28  to fasten strands of electrified wire or tape to the post  10  as part of an electrified fence. Referring to the lower insulator  28 , the plug  12  is inserted into a slot  14  in the post  10 , and a pin  30  is inserted horizontally through one end of the insulator  28  and through the wire-receiving portion of the slot  14  to thereby fasten the insulator  28  to the post  10 . A strand of wire or tape (not shown) to be electrified is then fastened to the free end of the insulator  28  by a vertical pin  32 . 
         [0018]    It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow fencing wire to be easily and securely fastened to fence posts without the need for tying off individual wires. 
         [0019]    The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims which follow.