Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a tool and attachment for a tool. In particular, the present invention relates to tool and attachment for a fastening tool for fastening an insulator to a support. More particularly the present invention relates to a powered stapler and attachment for a fastening a fence insulator to a support.

Electric fences are in widespread use in a number of applications, including farming and security. Electric fences are a particularly important tool in farming applications due to their flexibility and ease of use. <CIT> relates to a process and apparatus for fastening retaining claws for matched boards and strips. <CIT> relates to a fastener driving tool with protection inserts. <CIT> relates to an adaptor for a tool. A kit according to the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM> is known from <CIT>.

An insulator is commonly provided to enable an electric fence barrier element to be secured to a fence post, standard or support. The insulator in addition to securing the electric fence barrier element electrically insulates the fence post, standard or support from the electric fence barrier element.

Fence support, fence standard and fence post are used interchangeably throughout. The term is used to refer to an upright or in use a substantially vertical support that is used in a fence to support a barrier element.

Throughout the present specification, reference to the term "barrier element" should be understood as meaning a component of a fencing system. In the particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the barrier elements may be an electric wire, or an electric fence ribbon, tape, braid or rope.

One problem for current insulators is that if staples are used to attach the insulator to a support the staples need to be manually hammered using a hammer. This is because it is very difficult to align a powered stapler to an insulator and fire the staple legs in the correct holes in the insulator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a staple tool and attachment that can be used with an insulator.

Each object is to be read disjunctively with the object of at least providing the public with a useful choice.

The present invention aims to overcome, or at least alleviate, some or all of the aforementioned problems.

It is acknowledged that the terms "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - i.e. they will be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components which the use directly references, and possibly also of other non-specified components or elements.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising an electrical insulator and a tool for fastening the insulator to a support, the insulator comprising.

Preferably the tool further comprises a movable workpiece contact element, wherein the staple is prevented from being ejected from the tool until the workpiece contact element has been moved into a firing position, and wherein the insulator securing member is configured for attachment to the tool workpiece contact element.

Preferably the securing member is a protrusion extending from the tool and the securing member of the insulator is an aperture.

Preferably the securing member extends in the driven direction of the staple.

Preferably the protrusion is tapered, being narrower at the distal end.

Preferably the protrusion has a ball plunger aligned substantially perpendicular to the driving direction and the ball plunger is proximal to the distal end of the protrusion.

Preferably the staple is selected from the group comprising a common, barbed, divergent and barbed divergent staples.

Preferably the at least one passage is at least two passages, each of the at least two passages extending transversely through the mounting formation, the at least two passages positioned so that a staple can be driven through two of the at least two passages, one leg of the staple in each passage and wherein the insulator alignment member ensures two passages of the insulator are aligned so that a staple leg can pass through.

Preferably the alignment element is movable between a first position in which the fastener is prevented from being ejected and a second position in which the fastener may be fired, the firing position requiring the at least one passage of the insulator to be aligned with the path of at least one staple leg.

Preferably the alignment member allows the insulator to rotate with respect to the tool.

Preferably the insulator can rotate up to <NUM> degrees with respect to the tool.

Preferably the tool is powered by one of the group comprising pneumatic, electric, battery, C02 and gas fuel.

Preferably the tool is for use in a fencing system.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a kit comprising an electrical insulator and an attachment for a fastening tool, the fastening tool having a driver blade for driving a staple, the attachment being for use with the insulator, the insulator comprising:.

Preferably the fastening tool has a movable workpiece contact element, the fastener being prevented from being ejected from the fastening tool until the workpiece contact element has been moved into a firing position, and wherein the mounting portion is configured for attachment to the fastening tool workpiece contact element.

Preferably the fastening tool further comprises:.

Preferably the securing member extends from the mounting portion in the driven direction of the staple.

Preferably the securing member is a protrusion and the securing member of the insulator is an aperture.

Preferably the protrusion is tapered, being wider at the mounting portion end.

Preferably the protrusion has a ball plunger aligned substantially perpendicular to the driven direction and the ball plunger is proximal to distal end of the protrusion.

Preferably the at least one passage is at least two passages, each of the at least two passages extending transversely through the mounting formation, the at least two passages positioned so that a staple can be driven through two of the at least two passages, one leg of the staple in each passage and wherein the passage alignment member ensures two passages of the insulator are aligned so that a staple leg can pass through.

Preferably the alignment element is movable between a first position in which the staple is prevented from being ejected and a second position in which the staple may be fired, the firing position requiring the at least one passage of the insulator to be aligned with the path of the staple.

Preferably the alignment member allows the insulator to rotate with respect to the attachment.

Preferably the insulator can rotate up to <NUM> degrees with respect to the attachment.

Preferably the attachment is for use in a fence system.

Referring to the figures, an insulator <NUM> is provided for securing a fence barrier element <NUM> to a fence support <NUM> such as a fence post or fencing standard. The fence barrier element <NUM> will typically be in an electric fence <NUM> but the fence may not necessarily be an electric fence. The insulator <NUM> is suitable for use in a non-electric fence.

An example of an electric fence system <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. An electric fence energizer <NUM> is connected to electric fence barrier elements <NUM>. The electric fence barrier elements <NUM> are supported by fence supports <NUM> and the electric fence barrier elements <NUM> are secured to the fence supports <NUM> by insulators <NUM>.

The fence support <NUM> may be made of wood, plastic, fibreglass, concrete or other suitable material.

Referring to <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> of the present invention has an insulator body <NUM>. Integral with the insulator body <NUM> is a formation for supporting a barrier element <NUM> and a mounting formation for mounting or securing the insulator <NUM> to a fence support <NUM>.

In one embodiment the formation for supporting the barrier element <NUM> includes a pair of limbs <NUM>, <NUM> extending in a spaced apart relation. Each of the limbs <NUM>, <NUM> has a hole <NUM>, <NUM> through which a pin <NUM> can pass. The holes <NUM>, <NUM> are coaxially aligned. In use a barrier element <NUM> is secured between the limbs <NUM>, <NUM> and the pin <NUM> is secured in the holes <NUM>, <NUM> with the barrier element <NUM> secured in a position between the limbs <NUM>, <NUM> by the pin <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> for securing the barrier element <NUM> is optionally attached to the insulator <NUM> by a tie <NUM> and for ease of insertion an insertion assistance member <NUM> may be provided. The insertion assistance member <NUM> makes it easier for the pin <NUM> to be inserted using a thumb, a finger, fingers or any combination thereof. The pin <NUM> may have barbs <NUM> for securing the pin <NUM> in the holes <NUM>, <NUM>. One part of the pin <NUM> may have a shoulder portion <NUM> so that the part of the pin <NUM> with the shoulder portion <NUM> is a friction fit in at least one of the holes <NUM>, <NUM>.

Alternatively referring to <FIG> the formation for supporting a barrier element <NUM> may be a pair of opposed claws <NUM>, <NUM>.

The formation by which the insulator <NUM> is attached to the fence support <NUM> has referring again to <FIG> at least one mounting formation <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment the insulator may have two mounting formations <NUM>, <NUM>.

Mounting formations <NUM> and <NUM> have a front side <NUM> and a back side <NUM> by which the insulator <NUM> is attached to a support <NUM>. The back of each mounting formation <NUM> when the insulator <NUM> is being used is proximal to the support <NUM>.

Each mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM> has a number of passages <NUM> extending transversely through the mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM> from the front side <NUM> to the back side <NUM> of the mounting formations <NUM>, <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the invention there is at least one passage <NUM> in each mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM> and the passage <NUM> is an arc slot. In other embodiments there may be multiple passages <NUM> which may be arced slots or other shaped passages <NUM> including circular holes.

Referring to <FIG> in one embodiment at least two of the passages <NUM> are aligned on a pitch circle <NUM>.

Many other combinations of passages <NUM> are possible including three or four substantially circular passages, some or all of which may be aligned on a pitch circle <NUM>. The end of the passage <NUM> at the front side <NUM> of the mounting formations <NUM>, <NUM> may in one embodiment be bevelled <NUM>.

The insulator <NUM> in the preferred embodiment has an alignment member <NUM> in each mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM>. The axis of the alignment member is substantially perpendicular to the front <NUM> of the mounting formation. In use with a stapler having a suitable muzzle attachment the alignment member <NUM> cooperates with a respective first alignment member of a stapler attachment and a passage <NUM> cooperates with a second alignment member of the stapler muzzle attachment to align a stapler with the mounting formation so at least one leg of a staple is fired though a passage <NUM>. In the preferred embodiment each leg of a staple is fired through a passage <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> the axis <NUM> of the pitch circle <NUM> is in one embodiment the same axis as the axis of the alignment member <NUM>.

The alignment member <NUM> is preferably an aperture or passage through the mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM>. Alternatively the alignment member <NUM> may be a protrusion. The alignment member <NUM> is preferably tapered and has a bevelled opening <NUM> if a passage or bevelled end if a protrusion.

In one embodiment the alignment member <NUM> has a step <NUM> that matches a step on an alignment member of a stapler attachment to assist in securing the insulator <NUM> to the stapler. The alignment member <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> and the first alignment member of a stapler muzzle attachment are in the preferred embodiment a friction fit.

The alignment member of a stapler muzzle attachment if a probe may have a ball plunger proximal the distal end of the probe, in use the ball plunger fits within the alignment passage step <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>. Alternatively the alignment member of a stapler muzzle attachment may have a split ring in a slot on the probe that fits within the insulator alignment passage step <NUM>.

If the alignment member <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> is a protrusion/probe and the alignment member of the stapler attachment is a passage a ball plunger may be located within the passage and the alignment member <NUM> of the insulator may have a step proximal the distal end into which the ball plunger ball fits.

Alternatively if the alignment member <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> is a protrusion/probe and the alignment member of the stapler attachment is a passage a split ring may be located in a slot within the passage and the alignment member <NUM> may have a slot proximal the distal end into which in use the split ring fits.

The alignment member <NUM> is preferably substantially circular and allows the insulator <NUM> to rotate when the insulator <NUM> alignment member <NUM> and the alignment member of a stapler muzzle attachment are mated. Preferably the insulator can rotate up to <NUM> degrees.

The insulator <NUM> may additionally have a securing member for securing the insulator <NUM> to a stapler attachment. In one embodiment illustrated in <FIG> the securing member is a slot <NUM>, <NUM> in the mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM>. However the securing member may be an indent or a hole in the mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM>. The insulator <NUM> may have multiple securing members.

The back or rear side <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> is in the preferred embodiment substantially oval <NUM> in cross section as seen in <FIG>. The back side <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> may additionally have support gripping members <NUM>. The support gripping members <NUM> may be protrusions or ridges. The oval cross section <NUM> assists the insulator <NUM> in gripping to round fence posts (including full round, half round and quarter round). The oval cross section in one embodiment is sized for a fence post of between <NUM> and <NUM> in diameter.

The insulator <NUM> of the present invention is formed using injection moulding techniques that are well known in the art. The insulator <NUM> may be made from polyethylene, or other plastic type materials such as, for example, acetal, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane and the like having electrical insulation properties.

<FIG> show alternative implementations of the insulator of the present invention. The passages <NUM> may for example be open as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively the passages <NUM> may be a trefoil of three overlapping substantially circular passages as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. More than one alignment member <NUM> may be provided on each mounting formation <NUM>, <NUM> and the alignment member of the stapler muzzle attachment may be configured to partially surround the shaped mounting formation such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> or fit into indents <NUM>, <NUM> in the mounting formation as shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows an alternative muzzle <NUM> having forks <NUM>, <NUM>. In use the forks <NUM>, <NUM> fit into ridges <NUM>-<NUM> in the insulator <NUM>.

<FIG>, illustrate the insulator <NUM> and the staple muzzle attachment <NUM> with a muzzle <NUM> of a fastening tool/stapler. The fastening tool may be powered by pneumatic, electric, battery, C02 or gas fuel. Referring to <FIG> the insulator <NUM> is secured to an attachment <NUM> via a securing member <NUM>. The stapler muzzle attachment <NUM> has a passage <NUM> into which the muzzle <NUM> of a stapler may be inserted. The staples <NUM> are aligned by staple alignment member <NUM>. The securing member <NUM> also acts as a first alignment member.

Optionally the fastening tool has a movable workpiece contact element, the staple prevented from being ejected from the tool until the workpiece contact element has been moved into a firing position.

The staple muzzle attachment <NUM> has a securing member <NUM> having a ball plunger <NUM> and a second alignment member <NUM>. The second alignment member <NUM> is sprung using a spring <NUM> and is held in a passage <NUM> of the staple muzzle attachment <NUM> by a screw <NUM>. The second alignment member protrudes from end <NUM> of the passage <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> in use the securing member <NUM> is inserted into the alignment member <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> and the ball of the ball plunger <NUM> is located within the step <NUM> of the insulator alignment member <NUM>. The securing member <NUM> allows the insulator <NUM> to rotate while being held to the staple muzzle attachment <NUM>. In one embodiment the insulator <NUM> can rotate <NUM> degrees while the insulator is attached to the attachment <NUM>.

The second alignment member <NUM> of the staple muzzle attachment <NUM> protrudes into a passage <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> such that when that the legs <NUM> of a staple <NUM> are fired by a driver blade, the legs <NUM> pass through other passages <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>. In use a user rotates the attachment <NUM> with respect to an insulator <NUM> until the second alignment member <NUM> is within a passage <NUM>. The bevel <NUM> assists the process. When the second alignment member <NUM> is within a passage <NUM> a staple <NUM> when fired will fire each leg <NUM> of a staple though another passage <NUM> in the insulator <NUM>. The passages <NUM> are located on the pitched circle <NUM> such that when the second alignment member <NUM> is within a passage <NUM> the legs <NUM> of a staple <NUM> are located such that each leg <NUM> passes through another passage <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>. Alternatively the passage into which the alignment member <NUM> is located may be the same passage through which a leg <NUM> of a staple <NUM> passes.

With the securing member <NUM> centre as the axis of a pitched circle <NUM>, if the second alignment member <NUM> is located at zero degrees, the legs <NUM> of the staple <NUM> fire at <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees respectively. When the securing member/first alignment member <NUM> is engaged with the securing member <NUM> of the insulator and the second alignment member <NUM> is located in a passage <NUM>, the second alignment member <NUM> may be swept freely within the arched slot passages <NUM>, thereby allowing a limited sweep. The second alignment member <NUM>, being spring-loaded, provides a resistance to, but not prevention of, rotation if swept between any two passages <NUM>, to encourage correct alignment between a staple leg and a passage <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A kit comprising an electrical insulator (<NUM>) and a tool for fastening the insulator (<NUM>) to a support (<NUM>),
the insulator comprising:
an insulator body (<NUM>) having a front and back;
a formation (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) for supporting a barrier (<NUM>); and
at least one mounting formation (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a front (<NUM>) and a back (<NUM>) by which the insulator (<NUM>) is attached to the support (<NUM>), the back (<NUM>) of the mounting formation (<NUM>, <NUM>) in use being proximal to the support (<NUM>), at least one of the at least one mounting formation (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
at least one passage (<NUM>) extending transversely through the mounting formation (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the front (<NUM>) to the back (<NUM>) of the mounting formation (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
at least one alignment member (<NUM>),
the tool comprising:
a driver blade for driving a staple (<NUM>); and characterised in that
at least one passage alignment member (<NUM>), in use the at least one passage alignment member (<NUM>) aligning at least one passage (<NUM>) of the insulator (<NUM>), with one leg (<NUM>) of a staple (<NUM>).