AU2013101146A4 - Improvements in fencing - Google Patents

Abstract

A joining device (2;28) for joining wires or for use in fencing is provided, wherein the device comprises an elongate body (4;30) and at least one set of first and second finger elements (6a,6b;32,34) extending from the body in a direction substantially parallel to one another and at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the body (4;30), wherein in use an end of a wire (22;38) is formed with a loop (23;38), and the loop is arranged over first finger element (6b;34) so that the wire crosses over itself between the first and second finger elements (6a,6b;34,32) to securely hold the wire (22;38) to the joining device (2;28). In one embodiment, the joining device has a second set of first and second finger elements (8a,8b) for connecting a second wire (24) to the joining device, the first and second finger elements (8a,8b) of the second set extending from the body (4) in a direction substantially parallel to one another and at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body (4). In another embodiment, the joining device includes an aperture (36) in the body (30) of the joining device (28) for connecting a second wire (40) to the joining device (28). A shaping device (10;54) is also provided for use with the joining device. 6 of 9 6 b 8b / ' N 6 a( " 2 "NZ N2 8 8ai -5b Fig 5a

Description

1 IMPROVEMENTS IN FENCING FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to methods for joining the ends of wires and in particular, methods for joining the ends of wires in fencing applications. Alternative embodiments relate to devices for joining the wires and to prepare the ends of wires for joining. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] A conventional way of joining the ends of two wires on a fence is to tie a knot between the two ends of the wires. However, this has the disadvantage of being a time-consuming and laborious process with difficulties experienced in bending and tying ends of stiff wires together and requires a long enough length of wire at one or more of the wire ends. It may also be difficult to re-tie the wires if needed at a later time or if barbed wire is used. [0003] Improvements in joining the ends of two wires have resulted in a variety of crimping sleeves. The crimping sleeves require that the ends of the wires are inserted into respective holes of two joined sleeves and the sleeves are crushed around the wires joining them together. While this is a simple method, the crimping sleeve is not reusable and the join may not very permanent. [0004] Further improvements in joiners for fences have resulted in a type of device that joins the ends of wires by having a pair of grips that grip in opposite directions. An end of each wire is inserted into each grip and is only allowed to travel in one direction and is thus held from moving in the opposite direction, joining the wires. However, these devices have the disadvantage of being costly, bulky and having multiple moving parts.

2 [0005] It is thus desirable to have a wire joiner that can quickly and simply join the ends of two wires at a lower cost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for joining ends of first and second wires including the steps of: providing a joining device including a body with a first set of first and second finger elements on the body; forming an end of a first wire with a loop; connecting the ends of the first and second wire to the joining device; wherein connecting the first wire to the joining device includes arranging the loop of the first wire over the first finger element such that the first wire crosses over itself between the first and second finger elements to securely hold the first wire to the joining device. [0007] The step of connecting the second wire to the body includes forming an end portion of the second wire into a loop and connecting the loop of the second wire to the body. [0008] In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing the joining device with a second set of first and second finger elements on the body; forming an end of the second wire with a loop, and wherein connecting the second wire to the joining device includes arranging the loop of the second wire over the first finger element of the second set such that the second wire crosses over itself between the first and second finger elements of the second set to securely hold the second wire to the body. [0009] Alternatively, the end of the second wire may be formed into a closed loop which can be connected to the joining device in a number of different ways. An end of the second wire can be passed through an aperture in the joining 3 device with the end of the second wire subsequently joined to the main part of the wire to form the closed loop. It is also possible for a closed loop to be formed at the end of the second wire and then passed over a finger or projection on the joining device. [0010] These methods provides the advantage of being able to simply and easily connect two wires by shaping wires to fit to a joining device cheaply, easily and without the need for devices with complicated moving parts. [0011] The method may include the step of providing that at least the first set of first and second finger elements extend from the body of the joining device in a direction substantially parallel to each other and at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. [0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joining device for use in any of the above methods, the joining device having a body with a first set of first and second finger elements extending from the body in a direction substantially parallel to each other and at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body. Preferably, the joining device may be made of a sheet material, such as metal. [0013] Further, the joining device may include a second set of first and second finger elements extending from the second end of the body in a direction substantially parallel to each other and at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the body. [0014] The angled finger elements make it more difficult for the wire loops to dislodge or slip from the joining device. [0015] In another embodiment, the joining device may include an aperture in the body for connecting the second wire to the joining device. Further, the connecting of the second wire may include crimping means for crimping an end of 4 the second wire to the main part of the second wire after it is formed into a closed loop. The different embodiments both allow a second wire to be connected by easy means to the joining device. [0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joining device for use in fencing comprising a body having a set of finger elements extending from the body in a direction substantially parallel to one another and at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body, and an aperture in the body, and a wire having a portion at one end, extending through the aperture in the body and connected to the main part of the wire to form a first closed loop, the wire having a second closed loop at its opposite end for connecting the wire to a fence post. [0017] Preferably, the method may include the step of electrically insulating the first wire and/or second wire. [0018] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shaping device including a body with first and second finger elements adapted to shape a wire loop. [0019] In a preferred embodiment, the body includes a central post between the first and second finger elements. [0020] In another embodiment, the body of the shaping device includes a second set of first and second finger elements adapted to shape a wire loop. [0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a joining device for use in fencing comprising a body having a set of finger elements extending from the body in a direction substantially parallel to one another and at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body, and an aperture in the body, and a wire having a portion at one end, extending through the aperture in the body and connected to the main part of the wire to form a first 5 closed loop, the wire having a second closed loop at its opposite end for connecting the wire to a fence post. [0022] Preferably, the shaping device is portable. [0023] Preferably, the shaping device includes at least one handle. [0024] The shaping device may include two handles for easier handling and the two handles may be aligned substantially perpendicular to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0026] Figure 1 is a side view of a joining device according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0027] Figures 2a and 2b are side views of a shaping device according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0028] Figures 2c and 2d are top views of the shaping device of Figures 2a and 2b; [0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of wires shaped with pliers; [0030] Figures 4a and 4b show side views of the placing of wire loops on the joining device of Figure 1; 6 [0031] Figures 5a and 5b show a perspective view of the joining device utilised in a fencing application; [0032] Figure 6a, 6b and 6c show side views of an alternate embodiment of a joining device, with and without wires; [0033] Figure 7 shows the joining device of Figures 6a to 6c, with crimped wire loops at each end of the wire; and [0034] Figure 8a and 8b show front and perspective views of an alternate embodiment of a shaping device. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0035] Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, these figures illustrate methods of joining two wires. The embodiments refer to the specific examples of joining wires in fencing applications for agricultural purposes, however it can be understood that the present invention may be used for any type of fencing application. [0036] The methods for joining two wires, in general, involve connecting ends of first and second wires 22, 24 to a joining device 2, 28. A shaping device 10 allows the ends of the wires to be looped where needed, in preparation for the joining device 2, 28. The loops 23, 25, 37 formed at the ends of the wires 22, 24 can then be slipped over at least one set of finger elements 6a, 6b, 8a, 6b, 32, 34 of a joining device to connect the ends of wires easily and quickly to the joining device 2, 28. [0037] A side view of a joining device 2 is shown in Figure 1, which is provided with an elongate body 4. The joining device 2 has first and second sets of two finger elements 6a, 6b and 8a, 8b, respectively. The first set of finger elements 6a, 6b are connected to the body at positions proximate one end of the 7 body 4 and extend towards the centre of the body 4 to form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the body 4. Similarly, the second set of finger elements 8a, 8b also are connected to the body at positions proximate an opposite end of the body 4 and extend towards the centre of the body 4 to form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the body 4. The first and second set of finger elements, 6a, 6b and 8a, 8b, thus extend towards each other from positions proximate the ends of the body 4. [0038] Figures 2a-d show side and top views of a shaping device 10 that allows for easy shaping of the ends of wires. This allows the wires to be connected onto the joining device. In particular, Figure 2a and 2b shows side views of the shaping device 10 which has a body 12 with two handles, 14, 16 one at either end of the body 12. The top views of the shaping device 12 in Figures 2c and 2d show the handles 14, 16 are arranged perpendicular to each other. The arrangement of the handles assists with the handling of the shaping device 10. It is envisaged that the placement and relative angle of the handles 14, 16 may be modified to facilitate the ease of handling of the shaping device 10. [0039] Finger elements 18a, 18b and 20a, 20b are shown, particularly in Figures 2a, 2b as extending perpendicularly from the elongate body 12 in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which both handles are displaced. These finger elements 18a, 18b and 20a and 20b have substantially the same dimensions as the finger elements of the joining device so that the wires may be shaped to accommodate the dimensions of the finger elements 6a, 6b, or 8a, 8b of the joining device. [0040] The steps of the method concerned with preparing the wires 22 and 24 with loops 23, 25 are illustrated in Figures 2b-d. Specifically, it can be seen in Figure 2c that an end of each wire 22, 24 (dotted lines) initially extends substantially parallel to and alongside the longitudinal axis of the body 12. The end of each wires 22, 24 is then bent at an angle and placed between finger elements 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b. Then, the end of each wire 22, 24 is wrapped 8 around the circumference of a respective inner finger element 18a, 20a. Finally, the loop 23, 25 is formed by placing the end of each wire 22, 24 between the respective finger elements 18a, 18b; 20a, 20b, such that each wire 22, 24 crosses over itself between the finger elements 18a, 18b and 20a, 20b. This is shown specifically in Figure 2b. [0041] This method allows the joining of wires at a specific location due to the portable nature of the shaping tool 10. Thus in an agricultural setting, the joining of wires may be used to repair a fence or continue a fence where one end of a roll of wire terminates by joining that end to an end of a new roll of wire. [0042] The closed loops 23, 25 of wires 22, 24 may then be removed from the shaping tool 10. If the loops 23, 25 are not closed, they may be flattened by using pliers 26 to flatten the shape of the loop 23, 25, as shown in the perspective view of Figure 3. The arrows of Figure 3 indicate the direction of the force on the wires 22, 24 applied by the pliers, 26. However, it is envisaged that an experienced user of the shaping tool will be able to produce closed loops 23, 25 in the wire 22, 24 with an appropriate shape in the first instance without reshaping the loop 23, 25. Thus, using pliers 26 to reshape the closed loops 23, 25 may be regarded as optional. [0043] Figure 4a and 4b show the step of connecting the wires 22, 24 to the joining device 2. The closed loops 23, 25 of the wires 22, 24 have been prepared by the finger elements 18a, 18b and 20a, 20b of the shaping device 10 to accommodate the finger elements 6a, 6b and 8a, 8b. Thus, the loops 23, 25 of wires 22, 24 may easily be applied to the finger elements 6a, 6b and 8a, 8b. Specifically, the finger elements 6b and 8b fit through the closed loops 23, 25 of wires 22, 24 respectively. The wires 22, 24 cross over themselves between the finger elements 6a, 6b and 8a, 8b and serve to hold the loops 23, 25 securely against the finger elements 6b and 8b, as shown in Figure 4b.

9 [0044] The finger elements 6a, 6b and 8a and 8b are angled towards each other against the opposing tension of the wires 22, 24 and help to hold the wires 22, 24 securely against the joining device 2. [0045] The similar dimensions of the finger elements 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b of the shaping tool 10 to the finger elements 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b of the joining tool allow the wires 22, 24 to be shaped to ensure a snug fit of the wires 22, 24 to the finger elements 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b of the joining tool. [0046] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate an example where the method of joining two wires may be utilised in a fencing application. A pair of fencing posts 50 is shown in Figure 5a where a break in a top wire 52 has occurred. Each of the ends 22, 24 of the wire is then formed into the appropriately sized closed loops 23, 25 by a portable shaping device 10, and then the closed loops 23, 25 are fitted over the finger elements 6b and 8b of the joining device 2, as shown in the enlarged elliptical portion shown in broken lines in Figure 5b. [0047] For an optimum arrangement, it is preferred that the shorter end part of each loop 23, 25 of wire end 22, 24 is placed between the wires 22, 24 and the body 4 of the joining device 2. This secures the closed loop 23, 25 of the wires 22, 24 and prevents the loops 23, 25 from unravelling. [0048] It is also preferable that the axes of the longer parts of the wire ends 22, 24 are located on opposite sides of the body 4 of the joining device 2. This allows the forces on the wires 22, 24 to be applied evenly along the axis of the body 4 and thus prevents twisting of the wires 22, 24 and joining device 2. Specifically, in Figures 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b, it can be seen that the longer end of the wire 22 and the longer end of the wire 24 are on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of body of the joining device 4. Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show an alternate embodiment of a joining device 28. The joining device 28 has a single set of finger elements 32, 34 extending from the body 30 and also includes an aperture 36 provided in the body 30. As shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c, a first finger 10 element 32 is connected to the body 30 at one end and extends at an angle towards the centre of the body 30. The second finger element 34 extends from the centre of the body 30 substantially parallel to the first finger element 32 towards the opposite end of the body 30 where the aperture 36 is provided. A loop 37 at an end of a wire 38 may be shaped by shaping devices 10 and possibly, pliers 26 of Figures 2a-d and 3, as described and then applied to the finger elements 32, 34 of the joining device 28, as shown in Figure 6b or 6c. The closed loop 37 of wire 38 is placed over the finger element 34 and the end part of the wire 38 which extend between the finger elements 32 and 34 helps to secure the loop 37. [0049] Similarly to the joining device of Figures 1, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b, the finger elements 32, 34 are angled opposite to the direction of tension of the wire 38 to help secure the loop 37 of wire 38 on the joining device. [0050] Another wire 40 can be connected easily to the joining device 28 by inserting the end of the wire 40 through the aperture 36, see Figures 6b and 6c and forming the end into a loop 41. A closed loop 41 is then formed by securing the free end of the loop 41 to the wire 40. In this example, a simple crimping device can be used to form a crimped connection 42, as shown in Figures 6b or 6c, thus securing the wire 40 to itself to form the closed loop 41. [0051] The wire 40 may be connected to the joining device 28 by forming the closed loop 41 and the crimped connection 42 in situ at the fence location. Alternative, the joining device 28 could be pre-fitted in a factory with a flexible wire or cable 40 having a closed loop 41 and crimped connection formed in the factory. A pre-fitted wire or cable 40 may have a closed loop at its other end, forming a sling or noose 46, as shown in Figure 7, for rapid attachment to a fence post. In a further embodiment, a closed loop could be formed by twisting the end of a wire around the main part of the wire, in similar fashion to a wire clothes hanger.

11 [0052] An alternate embodiment of a shaping tool 54 is shown in the Figures 8a and 8b. The shaping tool 54 has a body 60 with a single handle 62 extending from one end. On one face of the body 60, there is provided a central post 56 and two finger elements 58a and 58b. [0053] The central post 56 and finger elements 58a and 58b of shaping tool 54 have similar functions to the finger elements 18a, 18b, 20a and 20b of shaping tool 10. A wire (not shown) may be placed on one side of finger element 58a and a loop is formed in the wire by winding the wire around central post 56 and crossing the wire back over itself between the central post 56 and finger element 58a. The resulting wire loop is then lifted off the shaping tool 54 and used in either of joining devices 2 or 28. [0054] Similarly, a wire loop (not shown) may be formed by placing the wire on one side of finger element 58b, winding it around central post 56 and then cross the wire over itself between the central post 56 and finger element 58b. [0055] The finger elements 58a and 58b may include an keeper portion 64a, 64b extending perpendicularly to the finger elements 58a, 58b. These keeper portions 64a, 64b may serve to help keep the wire or wire loops from slipping off the finger elements 58a and 58b. In this embodiment, the keeper portions 64a, 64b extend in opposite directions. Those skilled in the art may position the keeper portions 64a, 64b in a number of positions which perform a similar function of facilitating the shaping of wire loops. [0056] In both uses of the joining devices 2 and 28, one or both of the wires may be insulated using insulator tubing 44 for use in an electric wire fence, as shown in Figure 6c. Thus before the shaping device is used to shape the wires 22, 24 or 38, insulator tubing 44 may be applied over the wire or wires, 22, 24 or 38. Then, when the closed loops 23, 25, 37 are applied to the joining device 2 or 28, the wires 22, 24 or 38 will be electrically insulated from the joining device 2 or 28.

12 [0057] Although the wires 22, 24 and 40 are not shown in the Figures 2-4, 6b and 7 with insulator tubing 44, it will be understood that any of the wires 22, 24 and 40 may be provided with the tubing 44 to insulate the wires 22, 24 and 40 for use in an electric fence. [0058] It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, while the embodiments above have shown the use of plain wire, any wire appropriate to the application of fencing may be used, including barbed wire. Similarly, any materials may be used in the manufacture of the joining devices or shaping devices as is appropriate, including metals, such as a sheet metal.

Claims (5)

1. A method for joining ends of first and second wires including the steps of: providing a joining device including a body with a first set of first and second finger elements on the body; forming an end of a first wire with a loop; connecting the ends of the first and second wire to the joining device; and wherein connecting the first wire to the joining device includes arranging the loop of the first wire over the first finger element such that the first wire crosses over itself between the first and second finger elements to securely hold the first wire to the joining device.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of connecting the second wire to the body includes passing an end portion of the second wire through an aperture in the body of the joining device and forming the end portion into a closed loop to connecting the loop of the second wire to the body.

3. A method according to claim 1 including the steps of: providing the joining device with a second set of first and second finger elements on the body; forming an end of the second wire with a loop, and wherein connecting the second wire to the joining device includes arranging the loop of the second wire over the first finger element of the second set such that the second wire crosses over itself between the first and second finger elements of the second set to securely hold the second wire to the body.

4. A joining device for use in the method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the joining device comprises an elongate body and at least one set of finger elements extending from the body in a direction substantially parallel to one another and at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. 14

5. A shaping device for use in the method of any one of claims 1 to 3 including a body with a first set of first and second finger elements adapted to shape a wire loop. MARK JOSHUA MAHONEY WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P36345AUP1