FENCING WIRE SUPPORTS

Abstract: A fencing wire support member comprises a frame (10), having a guard portion comprising a pair of rectangular plates (12, 13) supporting ground engaging tines (14, 15). The frame (10) carries at least two fencing wire support arms (16, 24, 25) having eyes (17, 26, 27) for engaging fencing wires. At least two of the fencing wire support arms (16) are electrically insulated from the frame (10) and provided with hand grips (18). Resilient wire tensioning means in the form of elasticated cords (21, 30) each engage one of the fencing wires (23, 28, 29) and either loops (19, 33) mounted on the frame (10) or another of the fencing wires (23, 28, 29) thereby to tension the fencing wires (23, 28, 29).

Description: FENCING WIRE SUPPORTS This invention relates to fencing wire supports and more particularly, but not exclusively, to fencing wire supports usable with fencing wire tensioning means. Fencing systems using supported strands of wire generally require some means of tensioning the wire strands particularly in the case of electric fences where it is important to prevent the wire strands contacting the ground. This invention is useable for tensioning the fencing wire strands in electric fences but is not restricted exclusively to such use, and the supports may be used in combination with other known support members. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fencing wire support having an upwardly extending support member, a ground engaging portion comprising at least one downwardly extending tine, a guard portion extending laterally from the support member and secured adjacent to the lower end of the upwardly extending support member, when in use, the guard portion contacting the ground, at least one laterally extending side projection located above the guard portion, carrying electrically insulated wire support means for supporting at least one fencing wire. Preferably the wire support has fencing wire tensioning means comprising resilient tensioning means engagable with the fencing wire and with either a further fencing wire or the upwardly extending support member. Advantageously a fencing system incorporating the support members can be moved without the need to dismantle the fence. This is particularly useful if the fence is an electric fence being used to contain animals when the fence need not be de-energised. Preferably the upwardly extending support member comprises a frame support member for supporting at least two spaced apart wire support means for engaging and supporting a fencing wire, the resilient tensioning means being engagable with a portion of the fencing wire extending between the two spaced apart wire support means. Advantageously the two spaced apart wire support means in which means for engaging and supporting a fencing wire, the resilient tensioning means being engagable with a portion of the fencing wire extending between the two spaced apart wire support means. Advantageously the two spaced apart wire support means in which the insulators and wire support means may conveniently be used as handles for holding the fence supports when they are being moved. Preferably there is provided a fencing wire support in which the wire support means carries two wire supporting hooks or eyes. The eyes or loops may be provided with an insulator or be formed of an electrically insulating material for supporting an electrically conducting wire. Advantageously a fencing wire support capable of supporting at least two fencing wires, each fencing wire supported by a pair of wire support means attached to the frame support member, and each wire tensioned by resilient tensioning means engagable with a fencing wire and either with the frame support member or wire support means or a further fencing wire. Advantageously the tbnsioning means may be conveniently engaged and disengaged with the fencing wire strands to thereby permit easy assembly and disassembly of a fencing system. Preferably a fencing wire support in which the guard portion is generally cruciform shaped and in use provides additional support for the upwardly extending support me>vιbpr. Advantageously r^cre is provided a guard portion which assists in providing additional stab'iϊty to the fencing wire support member and may conveniently also be used ιθ_ αosisting in pushing the ground engaging portion of the fencing support into the ground. A further advantage is that it enables the wire support elements to all be maintained at substantially the same height above the grounds - In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a frame for providing constant localised tension in a fencing arrangement and which is particularly suited to use in fencing in an indoor or crowded environment. In this embodiment there is provided a frame which may be incorporated into a fence having a plurality of wire fencing strands, either at the time of initial assembly of the fence or attachable after assembly. The frame may be conveniently made from wood or plastics material and is of square or rectangular shape. Preferably the frame will be provided with wire engaging slots to enable the tensioner to be added after assembly of the fence. The wire strands of the fence are tensioned by engaging pairs of strands with wire tensioning means. Wire tensioning means may be for example rubber rings, compression springs each provided with hooks for engaging the wires, or other known resilient tensioners. The invention is diagramatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fencing wire support member according to the present invention for supporting a single strand of wire; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fencing wire support member according to the present invention for supporting three strands of wire; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment; Figure 5a shows a perspective arrangement of the components of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5b shows a perspective view of the assembled components of the post of Figure 5a; Figure 6a shows a side elevation of an alternative embodiment for providing localised tension in a fencing system; and Figure 6b shows a detailed arrangement of the tensioning means of Figure 6a. The fencing wire support member shown in Figure 1 comprises a frame 10 formed of a metal bar bent into a substantially triangular shape. The frame 10 is supported on a base 11 which comprises two rectangular plates 12 and 13 disposed at right angles to each other and secured together. The bottom ends portions of the limbs of the frame 10 extend through the plate 12 to form two downwardly extending tines 14. A longer downwardly extending tine 15 extends from the centre of the base 11, The tines 14, 15 serve to hold the base 11 firmly on the ground. Extending from each limb of the frame 10 near its upper end are two spaced apart transverse bars 16, which at their outer end are bent into a loop 17. Provided on each bar 16 is a hand grip 18, which may be formed of rubber or plastics material. Provided on one end of the plate 13 is an eye 19, and formed in the other end of the plate 13 is an aperture 20. An elasticated cord 21 having a hook 22 at each end is engaged with the eye 19. A staple (not shown) can be driven through the aperture 20 into the ground and engaged with the plate 13. In use of the support member a length of fencing wire 23 extends through the loops 17 and the portion of the wire which extends between the loops 17 is engaged by the other hook 22 of the elasticated cord 21 which thus applies a resilient force to tension the wire 23. The loops 17 may be provided with electrical insulators where the wire 23 is supplied with electrical energy to form an electric fence. The tine 15 may be engaged in a socket (not shown) driven into the ground to enable the frame 10 to swivel. If it becomes necessary to move the support member in order to re-locate the fence then this can be easily carried out by gripping the grips 18 and lifting the support member to disengage the, tines 14, 15 from the ground. If the fence is electrified the support member can be re-positioned without having to switch-off the electric current. Figure 2 shows a support member for supporting three strands of wire. Parts which are identical to the parts shown in Figure 1 are identified by similar reference numerals. In addition to the bars 16 there are provided spaced apart transverse bars 24 and 25 terminating in respective loops 26 and 28. Tne bars 24 =» ■ _ shorter than the bars 16 but longer than the bars 25. Extending -πrough the loops 26 is a fencing wire 28 and extending through the loops _/ is ? fencing wire 29. The wires 28 and 29 are tensioned by an elasticated ce.d _HJ having a hook 31 engaged with the bottom wire 29 and a hook 32 ps .gaged with the wire 28. The cord 30 passes through an eye 33 connected to the frame 10. In this embodiment the bars 16 are longer than in the embodiment of Figure 1 and the plate 13 is longer than in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the frame 10 comprises of three "A"-shaped horizontal members 35 interconnected by vertical posts 36. One of the end members 35 forms a base for supporting the frame 10. The front vertical posts 36 are provided with bars 37 terminating in loops 38. An elasticated cord 39 engages the wire strand 40 to tension it. This support member can support one or a plurality of wires. It will be appreciated that the cords 21, 30 and 39 could be replaced by coils springs. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a support member comprises an upright stake 41 of approximately 1.06 metres length (3 feet, 6 inches) with a point 42 at its lower end. A laterally extending member 43 in the form of an insulator is provided at the upper end of the stake, the insulator mounting a loop 44 which can support an electrified fence wire. Approximately 150 mm (6 inches) above the point 42 a guard portion 45 formed by cross members is formed, the guard portion 45 engaging the upper surface of the ground in use, that is to say the pointed end 42 of the stake 41 is inserted into the ground until the guard portion 45 rests on the upper surface of the ground. The guard portion 45 could take other forms, for example it could be in the form of a disc. A further 150 mm (6 inches) above the guard portion 45 is a laterally extending member 46, preferably as shown extending in the opposite lateral direction to the member 43, which laterally extending member 46 can be engaged by the foot of the user to lift the stake 41 out of the ground, the user also grasping the insulator 43, so that the stake can readily be moved in position without de-energising the wire supported by the loop 44. The support member may include a still further laterally extending member 47, preferably approximately 355 mm (14 inches) above the laterally extending member 46 and extending in the same direction and parallel thereto, to be grasped by one hand of the user when removing the stake 41 from the ground, repositioning it and inserting it into the ground again. The support member of Figure 4 is particularly useful as an intermediate stake between two support members of the kinds shown in Figures 1 to 3, which support members could for example be 91 metres (100 yards) apart with the stake 41 located midway therebetween. The support members of Figure 4 are however usable on their own, that is to say a plurality of them could entirely support a wire fence to form an enclosure without use of support members of the kind shown in Figures 1 to 3. Additionally, the stake 41 could be provided with an additional eye or loop means (not shown) located on the stake at a distance from the laterally extending member 43 to enable the wire (not shown) to be tensioned by use of resilient tensioning means as described in the embodiment of Figures 1 or 2. Another embodiment is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment the fence wire support member is of modular construction. A generally upwardly extending support member 50 is of generally rectangular elevation having a base portion 51, and a secondary leg 52, engagable with the base portion 51, to form a generally cruciform guard portion. A downwardly extending ground engaging tine (not shown) may be passed through holes in the base portion 51 and secondary leg 52 to securely anchor these two portions together and to anchor the support member 50 to the ground. The fencing wire may be supported by an arm 53, having two spaced apart wire support means in the form of eyes 54. The wire support means may be eyes, as shown, or hooks, or other known wire support means. The arm 53 has projecting from it, in the opposite direction to the wire support means, frame engaging brackets 55, engagable with the vertical sides of the upwardly extending support member 50. The arm may be secured to the • support member 50 by locking pins (not shown) which may be passable through holes in the engaging brackets 55 and corresponding holes 56 in the upport member. The provision of a plurality of holes allows the number and position of wire support arms 53 to be easily altered. The support frame may be provided with a loop 57 which may be used to engage the wire tensioning means. Wire tensioning means as shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3, can thus easily be arranged using the loop 57 and resilient wire tensioning means (Γ.JC. shown). Optionally, a second loop 58, may be secured to the secondary . leg 52 in order to provide a greater number of possible variations for engaging the wire tensioning means. An assembled fencing wire support mo. i. her is shown in Figure 5b. Also shown is the ground engaging tine 59, extending downwardly from the base portion 51. A further alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 6. A wire strand fence may use known design posts 61, with one or more wire strands 62 extending between the posts. A wire tensioning frame 63 may be incorporated into the fence at intervals, in order to provide a constant localised tension on the wire strands. If the posts 61 permit the wire to move freely through the wire support means 64 of posts 61, then it is not necessary to incorporate a wire tensioning frame between each pair of posts 61, these may be incorporated at slightly greater intervals along the fence. The wire tensioning frame is of generally square or rectangular elevation and may be made for example of wood or plastics. The wire fencing strands 62, can be threaded through holes drilled in the wire tensioning frame 63, and engaged with tensioning means 65. An alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 6b in which the tensioning frame 63 has cut in its sides slots 66, to permit the tensioning frame to be engaged with an already assembled fence. The wire strands 62 may be tensioned by use of rubber rings 67 drawing two or more wires together in order to provide constant localised tension. Other suitable tensioning means are coil springs provided with wire engaging hooks or other known wire tensioners. Tensioners of this type are particularly useful for indoor applications where space is limited, or where a ground engaging arrangement using prongs or tines would not be possible because of a concrete or other hard floor.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fencing wire support having an upwardly extending support member, a ground engaging portion comprising at least one downwardly extending tine, a guard portion extending laterally from the upwardly extending support member and adjacent the lower end of the upwardly extending support member, and in use contacting the ground, at least one laterally extending side projection located above the guard portion, carrying electrically insulated wire support means for supporting at least one fencing wire. 2. A fencing wire support according to claim 1, having fencing wire tensioning means comprising resilient tensioning means engagable with the fencing wire and with either a further fencing wire or the upwardly extending support member. 3. A fencing wire support according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the upwardly extending support member comprises a frame support member for supporting at least two spaced apart wire support means for engaging and supporting a fencing wire, the resilient tensioning means being engagable with a portion of the fencing wire extending between the two spaced apart wire support means. 4. A fencing wire support according to claim 3 in which the frame support member is of modular construction, the wire support means are also of modular construction and at least one of the wire support means is attachable to the frame support member. 5. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim in which the wire support means carries two wire supporting hooks or eyes. 6. A fencing wire support according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 5 when appendant to claim 2, and capable of supporting at least two fencing wires, each fencing wire being supported by a pair of wire support means attached to the upwardly extending support member, and each wire being tensioned by the resilient tensioning means engagable with that fencing wire and with one of the upwardly extending support members, the wire support means or another of the fencing wires. 7. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the fencing wire tensioning means is engagable with at least two fencing wires and the frame support member thereby to tension the wires. 8. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the guard portion is generally cruciform shaped and in use provides additional support for the upwardly extending support member. 9. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the guard portion is disc shaped. 10. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the resilient tensioning means is an elasticated cord. 11. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the resilient tensioning means is acompression spring. 12. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the resilient tensioning means is a rubber ring. 13. A fencing wire support according to any preceding claim, in which the upwardly extending support member is substantially rectangular in elevation. 14 A fencing wire support according to any one of Claims* 1 to 11, in which the upwardly extending support member is substantially triangular in elevation. 15. A fencing wire support according to any one of claims 1 t t-ll in which the upwardly extending support member is, in plan view, generally A shaped. 16. A fencing wire support according to claim 1, in which the upwardly extending support member is a stake which is provided with a further lateral projection at a height above the guard portion and below the said one lateral projection. 17. A fence wire support member for providing constant localised tension in a plurality of fencing wires comprising a frame, the frame having wire receiving apertures through which fencing wires may pass, and fencing wire tensioning means for acting on two or more wires to thereby tension the fencing wires. 18. A fence wire support means according to claim 17 and in which the frame is generally rectangular in shape and the frame is provided with wire receiving slots permitting it to be engaged with the wires on assembled fence arrangements, the fencing wire tensioning means comprising spring means or rings of resilient rubber material. 19. A fence wire suppport substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: BRANSTON COLIN JAMES, BRANSTON, COLIN, JAMES
Applicants: BRANSTON COLIN JAMES, BRANSTON, COLIN, JAMES
Application year: 1986
Main classification: E04H17
IPC codes: E04H17