Patent Publication Number: US-2021164258-A1

Title: Fence mesh and machine for the formation thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of New Zealand Patent Application Serial No. 759668, filed on Dec. 2, 2019. The entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a new type of knotted wire fencing, and a machine for forming it. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is not an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. 
     Knotted fence meshes are known, in which a number of parallel line wires extend generally horizontally between a series of supporting fence posts, forming a substantially rectangular lattice with a series of generally vertical stay wires, and at each intersection of a line wire with a stay wire, a third section of wire is twisted around the vertical and horizontal wires in a knot, to hold them together. 
     Knotted fences are used in applications such as stock fence, game fence, security and construction. An end user may choose from different types of fence mesh according to the particular characteristics most suitable for their application. 
     One type of known fence knot, shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    and hereinafter referred to as a “stay knot”  101 , is also variously and interchangeably known as “X knot”, “stiff stay”, “stay lock”, “horse fence”, “stay lokk”, “X fence”, or “square deal knot”. 
     One of the major advantages of a stay knot fence is that on a first side  102  there are no exposed wire ends, and also no tight coils. This has benefits in terms of animal welfare, because if an animal rubs against a stay knot fence, there are no sharp ends to penetrate its skin and cut the animal, and no coils to catch hair or fur. This is of additional benefit when the hides of the animals are of commercial value. It is often used for containing horses. 
     However, in some applications animals can distort the mesh of a stay knot fence by inserting a body part (e.g. leg, nose, horn, or antler) between two stay wires and twisting or pushing to force the stay knots to slide along the line wire, increasing the gap between the stay wires. For example, an animal may distort a fence near the bottom in order to reach its head through to graze on the other side of the fence. However, this distortion can sometimes allow smaller animals to escape the confinement of the fence altogether, or in larger animals can sometimes result in an animal becoming stuck between the fence wires. 
     Stay knot fences can be produced faster and more cheaply than fixed knot fences, because they use less knot wire, and the knots may be formed with fewer mechanical actions. 
     One machine for producing a stay knot fence is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,869. The method described is sometimes known as “forging”. A first linear movement bends the knot wire into a staple across the intersection of the line wire and stay wire, and a second linear movement from the other direction bends and wraps the ends of the knot wire to complete the knot. 
     Another type of known fence knot, shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    and hereinafter referred to as “fixed knot”  201 , is also variously and interchangeably known as “fixed lock”, “solid lock”, “fixed lokk”, “tight lock”, “solid lock”, or “stay tight”. 
     In a fixed knot fence mesh the ends of the wire are exposed, and there are exposed tight coils on both sides of the fence. These can lead to damage to the hides of livestock that rub against a fixed knot fence. However, because the knot wire in a fixed knot fence twists around both the stay wire and the line wire at each intersection, it is much more difficult for an animal to push the knot along the stay wire. This makes a fixed knot fence much more resistant to distortion than a stay knot fence. 
     Each of these knotted fence meshes are typically made by specialised machines. A series of parallel line wires are fed into a bed of the machine, and a stay wire is fed into the machine across the line wires. A knot box, fed with a knot wire, is located adjacent the stay wire over each line wire. The knot boxes are each driven to bind the knot wire about an intersection between the stay wire and a line wire. Twister boxes on each side on the machine twist the ends of the stay wire about the outer-most line wires. The machine then feeds the line wires on, and repeats the process multiple times, to produce a rectangular mesh. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of fence mesh, and/or a machine suitable for making at least one new type of fence mesh, and/or a machine which can make different types of fence mesh customised for different applications, and/or to provide the public with a useful choice. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Therefore the present invention provides a fence mesh including line wires, and stay wires extending laterally across and intersecting the line wires to form a mesh, wherein a first type of wire knot is formed by a knot wire around the line wire and stay wire at intersections of the stay wires with the line wires in a primary zone, and wherein a second type of wire knot is formed by a knot wire around the line wire and stay wire at intersections of the stay wires with the line wires in a secondary zone, wherein the first type of wire knot is different from the second type of wire knot. 
     Preferably one of the first type of wire knot and the second type of wire knot is a fixed knot. Preferably one of the first type of wire knot and the second type of wire knot is a stay knot. 
     Preferably, the fence mesh may include more than two zones. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, there are two zones, being a primary zone in which the wire knot is a fixed knot, and a secondary zone in which the wire knot is a stay knot. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, there are three zones, being a primary zone in which the wire knot is a fixed knot, a secondary zone in which the wire knot is a stay knot, and a tertiary zone in which the wire knot is a fixed knot. 
     In a third preferred embodiment, there are three zones, being a primary zone in which the wire knot is a stay knot, a secondary zone in which the wire knot is a fixed knot, and a tertiary zone in which the wire knot is a stay knot. 
     The present invention further provides a machine for making a fence mesh including line wires, and stay wires extending laterally across and intersecting the line wires to form a mesh, wherein a wire knot is formed by a knot wire around the line wire and stay wire at intersections of the stay wires with the line wires, the machine including a machine frame, at least one drive shaft, and a drive shaft driving means, wherein the machine also includes both at least one knot box configured to produce a first type of wire knot in a primary zone and at least one knot box configured to produce a second type of wire knot in a secondary zone, wherein the first type of wire knot is different from the second type of wire knot. 
     Preferably one of the first type of wire knot and the second type of wire knot is a fixed knot. 
     Preferably one of the first type of wire knot and the second type of wire knot is a stay knot. 
     Preferably, the machine may include more than two zones. 
     Preferably the machine includes at least four drive shafts. In a preferred embodiment, the machine includes five drive shafts. Preferably the drive shafts are rotary shafts. The drive shafts may optionally be driven either by a rotary gear box for converting a rotary input into the required timed Jo motion of the drive shafts, or by a series of servo motors coupled with an electrical controller. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the machine further includes a crimp drum and a stay wire projector. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a stay knot box for the machine described above and having five rotary drive shafts, the knot box being configured to receive a line wire, a stay wire substantially perpendicular to the line wire, and a knot wire, and perform the actions of:
         receiving a first rotary motion and using it to feed the knot wire behind the line wire at an angle thereto;   receiving a second rotary motion and using it to move a placer arm to position the stay wire adjacent the line wire at the intersection of the line wire and knot wire;   receiving a third rotary motion that does not activate any mechanism in the stay knot box;   receiving a fourth rotary motion that does not activate any mechanism in the stay knot box;   receiving a fifth rotary motion and using it to twist a first end of the knot wire about the stay wire on a first side of the line wire, and to twist a second end of the knot wire about the stay wire on a second side of the line wire substantially opposite the first side.       

     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a fixed knot box for the machine described above and having five rotary drive shafts, the knot box being configured to receive a line wire, a stay wire substantially perpendicular to the line wire, and a knot wire, and perform the actions of:
         receiving a first rotary motion that does not activate any mechanism in the fixed knot box;   receiving a second rotary motion and using it to move a placer arm to position the stay wire adjacent the line wire;   receiving a third rotary motion and using it to feed the knot wire into a position adjacent the intersection between the line wire and the stay wire, parallel to the line wire, on an opposite side of the stay wire to the line wire;   receiving a fourth rotary motion and using it to twist a first end of the knot wire on a first side of the stay wire under the line wire on a side of the line wire opposite the stay wire, and around the line wire in a 360° rotation, and also to twist a second end of the knot wire on a second side of the stay wire substantially opposite the first side under the line wire on a side of the line wire opposite the stay wire, and around the line wire in a 360° rotation;   receiving a fifth rotary motion and using it to wind both the first end and the second end of the knot wire around the stay wire.       

     In a first preferred embodiment, the machine according to the present invention includes a primary zone including at least one fixed knot box as described above, and a secondary zone including at least one stay knot box as described above, wherein the same five drive shafts simultaneously provide rotary motion to all knot boxes. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, the machine according to the present invention includes a primary zone including at least one fixed knot box as described above, a secondary zone including at least one stay knot box as described above, and a tertiary zone including at least one fixed knot box as described above, wherein the same five drive shafts simultaneously provide rotary motion to all knot boxes. 
     In a third preferred embodiment, the machine according to the present invention includes a primary zone including at least one stay knot box as described above, and a secondary zone including at least one fixed knot box as described above, and a tertiary zone including at least one stay knot box as described above, wherein the same five drive shafts simultaneously provide rotary motion to all knot boxes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       By way of non-limiting example only, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a back view of a stay knot in a fence mesh; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a front perspective view of a stay knot in a fence mesh; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a back view of a fixed knot in a fence mesh; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a front perspective view of a fixed knot in a fence mesh; 
         FIG. 3  is a first preferred embodiment of a fence mesh according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a second preferred embodiment of a fence mesh according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a third preferred embodiment of a fence mesh according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6 a    is a back view of a machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6 b    is a front view of the machine of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a stay knot box for use in the machine of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cut-away side view of the stay knot box of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a sequence showing the wires during operation of the stay knot box of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fixed knot box for use in the machine of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a cut-away side view of the fixed knot box of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a sequence showing the wires during operation of the fixed knot box of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     BEST METHODS OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 3  shows a first preferred embodiment, being a first fence mesh  301  according to the present invention. First fence mesh  301  includes a first primary zone  302  and a first secondary zone  303 . 
     In first primary zone  302 , the stay wires and line wires are connected by fixed knots. In first secondary zone  303  the stay wires and line wires are connected by stay knots. 
     In one application, first fence mesh  301  may be suitable for use in confining burrowing animals. First primary zone  302  may be bent and buried in the ground, with first secondary zone  303  extending above the ground. This represents an improvement over the use of either a standard stay-knot fence or a standard fixed-knot fence, because first primary zone  302  is more resistant to distortion than a standard stay-knot mesh fence, but above ground in first secondary zone  303  the use of stay knots protects the coats or hides of the animals from damage. 
       FIG. 4  shows a second preferred embodiment, being a second fence mesh  401  according to the present invention. Second fence mesh  401  includes a second primary zone  402 , second secondary zone  403 , and second tertiary zone  404 . 
     In second primary zone  402 , the stay wires and line wires are connected by fixed knots. In second secondary zone  403  the stay wires and line wires are connected by stay knots. In second tertiary zone  404 , the stay wires and line wires are connected by fixed knots. 
     Second fence mesh  401  may be suitable for applications such as containing deer. At the bottom of the fence, fixed knots hold together second primary zone  402 . Because the fixed knots are more rigid, this limits the ability of the animal to distort the fence and push its head through in an effort to graze on the other side of the fence. Above second primary zone  402  in second secondary zone  403  the use of stay knots protects the valuable hides of the animals from damage. Above second secondary zone  403  in second tertiary zone  404  the use of fixed knots provide a more rigid fence at the height where deer may rub their antlers, which may distort a standard stay-knot fence. 
       FIG. 5  shows a third preferred embodiment, being a third fence mesh  501  according to the present invention. Third fence mesh  501  includes a third primary zone  502 , third secondary zone  503 , and third tertiary zone  504 . 
     In third primary zone  502 , the stay wires and line wires are connected by stay knots. In third secondary zone  503  the stay wires and line wires are connected by fixed knots. In third tertiary zone  504 , the stay wires and line wires are connected by stay knots. 
     Third fence mesh  501  may be suitable for applications such as containing heavy animals. Third fence mesh  501  is resistant to distortion in third secondary zone  503  in the middle of the height of the fence where animal heads may encounter the fence. However, in third primary zone  502  below this area, cheaper stay knots are used. Third tertiary zone  504  increases the height of the fence to contain jumping animals, but uses cheaper stay knots. This results in a fence that is strong enough to contain heavy animals, but cheaper than a conventional fixed knot fence. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that different numbers of line wires in each zone will increase or decrease the height of each zone, and that different zone sizes or configurations will be suitable for different applications. For example, the height of the animals to be contained in relevant to the optimal positioning of each zone. The present invention provides for the customisation of a fence mesh for specific applications, in addition to the three examples described in detail above. 
     It has not previously been possible to create a single fence incorporating different zones of fixed knot and stay knot on a single machine because of the different mechanisms for creating the different types of knots. 
       FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show a machine  600  according to the present invention, including a machine frame  601  supporting a knotting bed  602 , a crimp drum  603  driven by a crimp drum drive  604 , a stay wire projector  605 , and a series of knot boxes  607  mounted on knot drive shafts  608  driven by a knot drive  609 . 
     A series of parallel line wires (not shown) extends substantially vertically across the knotting bed  602  from a lower edge of the knotting bed  602  to engage with crimp drum  603 . A stay wire (not shown) is projected by stay wire projector  605  in known manner substantially horizontally across the knotting bed  602 , with the line wires located between the stay wire and the knotting bed  602 . A knot box  607  is located over each line wire, with a knot wire (not shown) fed into each knot box  607 . 
     In known manner, over the two outer-most line wires, instead of a knot box, a standard end twister box (not shown) is provided, to twist the ends around the outer-most line wire. 
     Although it is known to include a single cutter adjacent the end twister box closest to the stay wire projector  605  to cut the stay wire, in an optional embodiment the machine  600  of the present invention may include a cutter adjacent each of the two end twister boxes, to cut the stay wire to a precise desired length. 
     Crimp drum  603  is driven by crimp drum drive  604 , which in this preferred embodiment is a rotary servo motor. It operates in a step function to rotate crimp drum  603  extending the line wires across the knotting bed  602 , halt while the knot boxes  607  are in operation to knot the stay wire to the line wires, then rotate a set distance to extend the line wires to be in position to receive the next stay wire for the desired spacing of stay wires in the finished fence. 
     Stay Knot—Knot Box 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a stay knot box  701  engaged with a line wire  151  and a stay wire  152 , and receiving a knot wire  153 .  FIG. 8  shows a partial cross-section of operational parts of stay knot box  701 .  FIG. 9  shows the interaction of the wires in stay knot box  701  at each active step. 
     Stay knot box  701  receives input from the rotation of five rotary drive shafts. The rotation of the drive shafts is described relative to the placement of the drive means on one side of the machine. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that if the drive means are placed on the other side of the machine, all the rotations will be reversed. 
     At step A, line wire  151  fed through the stay knot box  701  by the drive of crimp drum  603 . 
     At step B, stay wire  152  is projected by stay wire projector  605  across line wire  151  through a stay wire support guide  702 . 
     At step C, first drive shaft  711  rotates in a clockwise direction. First drive shaft  711  is engaged with a first drive shaft receiver  721  in the stay knot box  701 . First drive shaft receiver  721  includes gear teeth that engage with a knot wire gear  706  so that rotation of first drive shaft receiver  721  feeds the knot wire  153  into position behind line wire  151  at an angle thereto. First drive shaft  721  stops rotating. 
     At step D, second drive shaft  712  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Second drive shaft  712  is engaged with a second drive shaft receiver  722  in the stay knot box  701 . Second drive shaft receiver  722  is asymmetrical, so that initial rotation of second drive shaft receiver  722  rotates placer arm  703  about placer arm pivot  704  to the position shown in  FIG. 8 , so stay wire  152  engages with stay wire placer groove  705 . The continuing rotation of asymmetrical second drive shaft receiver  722  then rotates placer arm  703  back to the position shown in  FIG. 7 , in which the stay wire  152  is now adjacent line wire  151 . The second drive shaft  722  also activates a cutting to blade (not part of knot box  701 , and therefore not shown) to cut stay wire  152 . Second drive shaft  712  stops rotating. 
     At step E, third drive shaft  713  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Third drive shaft receiver  723  in the stay knot box  701  is adapted to allow third drive shaft  713  to rotate freely within it, without activating any mechanism in stay knot box  701 . 
     At step F, fourth drive shaft  714  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Fourth drive shaft receiver  724  in the stay knot box  701  is adapted to allow fourth drive shaft  714  to rotate freely within it, without activating any mechanism in stay knot box  701 . 
     At step G, fifth drive shaft  715  rotates in a clockwise direction. Fifth drive shaft  715  is engaged with a fifth drive shaft receiver  725  in the stay knot box  701 . Rotation of fifth drive shaft receiver  725  simultaneously drives two sets of twisting gears  707 , each of which may also incorporate cams (not shown) to elongate the action so as to reduce tension on the knot wire  153  during this step G. Twisting gears on a first side of line wire  151  cut knot wire  153  to create a first end  901  of the knot wire  153 , and twist first end  901  clockwise about adjacent stay wire  152  on the first side of line wire  151 . Twisting gears on a second side of line wire  151  twist a second end  902  of knot wire  153  anti-clockwise about adjacent stay wire  152  on the second side of line wire  151 . Fifth drive shaft  725  stops rotating. 
     Fixed Knot—Knot Box 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a fixed knot box  801  engaged with a line wire  151  and a stay wire  152 , and receiving a knot wire  153 .  FIG. 11  shows a partial cross-section of operational parts of stay knot box  801 .  FIG. 12  shows the interaction of the wires in fixed knot box  801  at each active step. 
     Fixed knot box  801  receives input from the rotation of five rotary drive shafts. The rotation of the drive shafts is described relative to the placement of the drive means on one side of the machine. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that if the drive means are placed on the other side of the machine, all the rotations will be reversed. 
     At step A, line wire  151  fed through the fixed knot box  801  by the drive of crimp drum  603 . 
     At step B, stay wire  152  is projected by stay wire projector  605  across line wire  151  through a stay wire support guide  802 . 
     At step C, first drive shaft  711  rotates in an clockwise direction. First drive shaft receiver  821  in the fixed knot box  801  is adapted to allow first drive shaft  711  to rotate freely within it, without activating any mechanism in fixed knot box  801 . 
     At step D, second drive shaft  712  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Second drive shaft  712  is engaged with a second drive shaft receiver  822  in the fixed knot box  801 . Second drive shaft receiver  822  is asymmetrical, so that initial rotation of second drive shaft receiver  822  rotates placer arm  803  about placer arm pivot  804 , until stay wire  152  engages with a stay wire placer groove. The continuing rotation of asymmetrical second drive shaft receiver  822  then rotates placer arm  803  back to the position shown in  FIG. 11 , in which the stay wire  152  is now adjacent line wire  151 . The second drive shaft  712  also activates a cutting blade (not part of knot box  801 , and therefore not shown) to cut knot wire  153 . Second drive shaft  712  stops rotating. 
     At step E, third drive shaft  713  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Third drive shaft  713  is engaged with a third drive shaft receiver  823  in the fixed knot box  801 . Third drive shaft receiver  823  includes gear teeth that engage with a knot wire gear  806  so that rotation of third drive shaft receiver  823  feeds knot wire  153  into position parallel to line wire  151 , on an opposite side of stay wire  152  to line wire  151 . Third drive shaft  713  stops rotating. 
     At step F, fourth drive shaft  714  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Fourth drive shaft  714  is engaged with a fourth drive shaft receiver  824  in the fixed knot box  801 . Fourth drive shaft receiver  824  is fitted with drive bevel gear teeth  807  to engage with shaft bevel gear teeth  808  to drive a twist shaft  809  connected to twist activation gears  810 . Each twist activation gear is engaged with a set of twist gears. First twist gears  811  on a first side of stay wire  152  twist a first end  831  of knot wire  153  on the first side of stay wire  152  under line wire  151  on a side of line wire  151  opposite stay wire  152 , then anti-clockwise around line wire  151  in a 360° rotation to the Jo position shown in  FIG. 12F . Simultaneously, second twist gears  812  on a second side of stay wire  152  perform a mirror image action to twist a second end  832  of knot wire  153  on the second side of stay wire  152  under line wire  151  on a side of line wire  151  opposite stay wire  152 , then anti-clockwise around line wire  151  in a 360° rotation to the position shown in  FIG. 12F . Fourth drive shaft  714  stops rotating. 
     At step G, fifth drive shaft  715  rotates in a clockwise direction. Fifth drive shaft  715  is engaged with a fifth drive shaft receiver  825  in the fixed knot box  801 . Fifth drive shaft receiver  825  includes gear teeth that engage with a tying gear  813  that engages with both first end  831  and second end  832  of knot wire  153  to wind both first end  831  and second end  832  of knot wire  153  around stay wire  152 . Fifth drive shaft  715  stops rotating. 
     Machine Configured to Manufacture the Fence of the Present Invention 
     To produce the fence according to the first embodiment of the present invention, machine  600  is configured to include a primary zone including at least one fixed knot box  801 , and a secondary zone including at least one stay knot box  701 . The same five drive shafts  608  pass through all of the fixed knot boxes  801  and stay knot boxes  701 . Each drive shaft therefore provides the same rotary motion to all knot boxes at the same time. The first rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the first rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The second rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the second rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The third rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the third rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The fourth rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the fourth rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The fifth rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the fifth rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . 
     To produce the fence according to the second embodiment of the present invention, machine  600  is configured to include a primary zone including at least one fixed knot box  801 , a secondary zone including at least one stay knot box  701 , and a tertiary zone including at least one fixed knot box  801 . The same five drive shafts  608  pass through all of the fixed knot boxes  801  and stay knot boxes  701 . Each drive shaft therefore provides the same rotary motion to all knot boxes at the same time. The first rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the first Jo rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The second rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the second rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The third rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the third rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The fourth rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the fourth rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The fifth rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the fifth rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . 
     To produce the fence according to the third embodiment of the present invention, machine  600  is configured to include a primary zone including at least one stay knot box  701 , a secondary zone including at least one fixed knot box  801 , and a tertiary zone including at least one stay knot box  701 . The same five drive shafts  608  pass through all of the fixed knot boxes  801  and stay knot boxes  701 . Each drive shaft therefore provides the same rotary motion to all knot boxes at the same time. The first rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the first rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The second rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the second rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The third rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the third rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The fourth rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the fourth rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . The fifth rotary motion received by each fixed knot box  801  is the same as the fifth rotary motion received by each stay knot box  701 . 
     It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the machine  601  may be configured to produce a range of fences having different desired characteristics, by including differing numbers of zones including different numbers of fixed knot boxes  801  and stay knot boxes  701 . Because all the knot boxes are driven by the same rotary motion of the same drive shafts, the same machine can be reconfigured by swapping the knot boxes in different zones to produce different types of fence according to the present invention. 
     Control of Drive Shaft Activation 
     Knot drive shafts  608  may be driven by rotational servo motors installed on machine frame  601 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that these servo motors can be controlled by a single controller, which can also be used to control crimp drum drive  604  and/or stay wire unit  605  to provide complete control for the machine  600 . In alternative embodiments, there may be multiple controllers, each of which may control one or more servo motors and/or the crimp drum drive  604  and/or stay wire unit  605 . 
     The controller can be programmed to drive the drive shafts  608  to provide the same five rotary motions to each of the stay knot boxes and fixed knot boxes described above in detail. 
     An alternative embodiment uses a rotary gear box to deliver the timed rotation of the five drive shafts. This may have advantages in some situations over the operation of electronic drive controllers, which may require specialist training, and be more expensive to purchase and maintain. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that at least one mechanical motion control system such as rotary gear box can be used to operate any number of components of the machine, and that one or more mechanical or electronically controlled systems, or any combination thereof, can be used. For example, instead of a separate crimp drum drive, a rotary gear box can include a crimp drum drive gear, driven in the same timed manner as the rotational drivers. 
     To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. 
     This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements and features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.