AU2018101358A4 - Exclusion Fence - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence comprising a plurality of line wires and a plurality of stay wires, the plurality of line wires and the plurality of stay wires arranged to intersect to form a fence panel, wherein at least one end portion of at least one stay wire is wound around a line wire to form a barbed joint and wherein an end of said stay wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

Description

Exclusion Fence

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a fence. More preferably, the fence of the present invention comprises physical deterrents incorporated therein.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Wire fences are structures that are used to set boundaries to an area. Wire fences comprise a fence panel strung between upright posts that are anchored in the ground. The fence panel is constructed from a series of spaced stay wires that intersect a series of spaced line wires. The line wires run substantially parallel to the ground, whilst the stay wires run substantially perpendicular to the ground. At the points of intersection, the line wire and the stay wires are fastened to each other.

[0004] As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, wire fences are often used in agriculture to restrict livestock movement across a boundary. The wire fences serve a dual purpose, often being used for both the containment of livestock and the exclusion of wild animals that present a danger to the contained livestock.

[0005] Barbed wire may be incorporated into a wire fence to act as a physical deterrent. Typically, the upper-most line wire is replaced with a barbed wire strand. Alternatively, a barbed wire strand is strung between the posts as an additional element of the fence. As each of these options are typically provided in addition to the wire fence, the fence requires a two-part installation process. This increases installation time, especially when the difficulty of handling barbed wire is factored in. .

[0006] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence, the fence comprising a plurality of line wires and a plurality of stay wires, the plurality of line wires and the plurality of stay wires arranged to intersect to form a fence panel, wherein at least one end portion of at least one stay wire is wound around a line wire to form a barbed joint and wherein an end of said stay wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

[0008] In one form of the present invention, an upper-most line wire comprises one or more barbed joints. In the context of the present invention, the term ‘upper-most line wire” is intended to refer to the line wire that defines the top edge of the fence panel when in use.

[0009] In one form of the present invention, a lower-most line wire comprises one or more barbed joints. In the context of the present invention, the term ‘lower-most line wire” is intended to refer to the line wire that defines the bottom edge of the fence panel when in use.

[0010] In one form of the present invention, both the upper-most line wire and the lower-most line wires comprise one or more barbed joints.

[0011] In one form of the present invention, at least one end of every stay wire comprises a barbed joint. Alternatively, at least one end of every second stay wire comprises a barbed joint. Alternatively, at least one end of every third stay wire comprises a barbed joint.

[0012] Preferably, the plurality of line wires are substantially parallel to each other.

[0013] Preferably, the plurality of stay wires are substantially parallel to each other.

[0014] Preferably, the or each end that protrudes from the barbed joint is tapered.

[0015] Preferably, the ends extend from the plane of the fence at an angle of at least 45°. More preferably, the ends extend from the plane of the fence at an angle of at least 60°. Still preferably, the ends extend from the plane of the fence at an angle of at least 75°. Still preferably, the ends extend from the plane of the fence at an angle of 90°.

[0016] Preferably, the ends protrude by at least 0.5 cm from the plane of the fence panel. More preferably, the ends protrude by at least 1.0 cm from the plane of the fence panel.

[0017] Preferably, at least some of the intersecting stay wires and line wires are fastened to one another at the points of intersection. More preferably, intersecting stay wires and line wires are fastened to one another with a joining wire. Still preferably, the joining wire is wound around each point of intersection to form a fixing knot. As found by the inventors, the barbed joint formed at the intersection of a stay wire and a line wire will fasten the associated stay wire to the line wire.

[0018] In one form of the present invention, the fence comprises a footer panel. The use of footer panel is intended to prevent I deter animals from digging at the base of the fence panel and crawl under. Preferably, the footer panel comprises a plurality of longitudinal wires and a plurality of transverse wires, the plurality of longitudinal wires and the transverse of stay wires arranged to intersect to form a footer panel.

[0019] Preferably, the transverse wires of the footer are parallel to one another. More preferably, the transverse wires are parallel to the stay wires.

[0020] Preferably, the longitudinal wires of the footer are parallel to one another. More preferably, the transverse wires are parallel to the line wires.

[0021] Preferably, the fence panel and the footer panel are engaged. More preferably, the fence panel and the footer panel are engaged at substantially 90° to form a right angle when in use. Still preferably, the footer extends perpendicularly from the fence panel at ground level.

[0022] In one form of the present invention, the engagement of the fence panel and the footer panel is a hinged engagement. Preferably, the fence panel and the footer panel are hinged about a common line wire. More preferably, the common line wire is the lower-most line wire.

[0023] In one form of the present invention, at least one end portion of at least one stay wire is wound around the common wire to form a barbed joint. Preferably, the end of said stay wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

[0024] Preferably, at least one end portion of at least one transverse wire is wound around the common wire to form a barbed joint. Preferably, the end of said transverse wire protrudes from the joint.

[0025] Preferably, end portions of the at least one stay wire and the at least one transverse wire are wound around the common line wire together to form a barbed joint. More preferably, the end portions of the stay wire and the line wire are wound around the common line wire in a helicoidal manner. Still preferably, the ends of said stay wire and/or transverse wire protrude from the barbed joint. In one embodiment, two separate ends protrude from the barbed joint.

[0026] In one form of the present invention, at least one end portion of at least one transverse wire is wound around a longitudinal wire to form a barbed joint, wherein the end of said transverse wire protrudes from the barbed joint. Preferably, the barbed joint are formed at the outermost longitudinal wire. In the context of the present invention, the term Outermost longitudinal wire” is intended to refer to the longitudinal wire that defines the outer edge of the footer panel.

[0027] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence, the fence comprising a plurality of line wires and a plurality of stay wires, the plurality of line wires and the plurality of stay wires arranged to intersect to form a fence panel, and a footer panel that is engaged to the fence panel at a common line wire, the footer panel comprising a series of intersecting transverse wires and longitudinal wires, wherein at least one end portion of at least one transverse wire is wound around the common wire to form a barbed joint, wherein the end of said transverse wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

[0028] Preferably, end portions of the at least one stay wire and at least one transverse wire are wound around the common line wire together to form a barbed joint, wherein at least the end of said transverse wire or the end of said stay wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a fence in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the fence of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of a fence in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a magnified view of certain aspects of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of the fence of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the fence of Figure 3 in an alternative configuration; and

Figure 7 is a side view of the fence of Figure 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a fence 10 in accordance with the present invention. The fence is adapted to be supported between posts (not shown) anchored to the ground (not shown). The fence 10 comprises a plurality of stay wires 16 arranged substantially parallel to each other. The fence further comprises a plurality of line wires 18 arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the stay wires 16. The stay wires 16 and the line wires 18 are arranged such that they intersect one another at points of intersection 20 forming a fence panel 22. The stay wires 16 and the line wires 18 are fastened to one another at the points of intersection 20. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the stay wires 16 and the line wires 18 are fastened to one another by way of a joining wire 24 wound around each point of intersection 20 to form a fixing knot. It is envisaged that other forms of fastening may be utilised, such as for example, welds.

[0031] Each stay wire 16 traverses the plurality of line wires 18. Each stay wire 16 has two distal ends 26 that intersect with the upper-most line wire 30 and the lower-most line wire (not shown) respectively. One or more of the distal ends 26, 28 are provided with end portions 34 that are wound around the upper- or lower-most line wires 30to form a barbed joint 33. As seen in the Figures, the end portions 34 are wound around the line wire 32 in a helicoidal manner. An end 36 of the end portion 34 protrudes from the barbed joint 33. The end 34 is tapered to form a barb 35. It is envisaged that any number of barbed joints 38 may be provided along the upper most line wire 30 and the lower most line wire 32.

[0032] As best seen in Figure 2, the ends 34 of each barbed joint 38 preferably protrude from the plane of the fence 10. It is envisaged that the ends 34 may protrude at an angle between approximately 20° and 160°. The ends 34 protrude by at least 1 cm from the plane of the fence 10. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the barbed joint 38 act as a physical deterrent to discourage animals from leaning on or climbing the fence 10.

[0033] In Figures 3 to 7, there is shown a fence 100 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention. Where the fence 100 shares common features with the fence 10, like numerals denote like parts. The fence 100 comprises a fence panel 102 and a footer panel 102. Similar to fence 10, the fence panel 102 comprises a plurality of intersecting stay wires 16 and line wires 18. Similarly, the footer 106 comprises plurality of intersecting transverse wires 106 and longitudinal wires 108. The longitudinal wires 108 are substantially parallel to the line wires 18, whilst the transverse wires are substantially perpendicular to both the stay wires 16 and the longitudinal wires 108. The inventors have found that the barbed joints 38 are particularly useful when used in combination with a fence that comprises a footer panel 104. The footer panel 104 extends from the fence panel 102 at ground level. The inventors have found that the footer panel 104 may act to discourage wild animals from digging underneath the fence 100. The inventors have found that the footer panel 102 is particularly effective when it is laid on the ground at the base of the fence panel. The angle at which the footer panel 104 extends from the fence panel 102 is typically dependant on the topography of the ground. When the ground is flat, the footer panel 104 will extend substantially perpendicularly from the fence panel 102, giving the “L-shaped” configuration best shown in Figure 5. It is envisaged that when the ground is at an incline, the angle at which the footer panel 104 extends from the fence panel 102 will be substantially the same as the angle between the fence panel 102 and the ground when installed.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the fence panel 102 and the footer panel 104 share a common line wire 110. An end portion 36 of each stay wire 16 is wound around the common line wire 110. Similarly, an end portion 112 of each transverse wire 106 is wound around the common line wire 110. Whiisl the embodimend shows both end portions 36 and 112 being wound around the common line wire, it is envisaged that the hinged engagement only requires one of these end portions 36, 112 to be wound around the common line wire 112 As seen in Figures 3 to 7, the end portions 36,112 are wound around the common line wire 110 in an intersecting helicoidal manner to form a dual joint 118. Preferably, the end portions 36,112 are wound around the common line wire 110 in different directions. Advantageously, this arrangement allows the fence panel 102 and the footer panel 104 to have a hinged engagement about the common line wire 110 at the dual joint 118. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, an end 36 of the end portion 34 and an end 120 of end portion 112 are arranged to protrude from the dual joint 118. The ends 34, 120 are tapered to form barbs 35.

Whilst Figures 3 to 7 show both ends 34, 120 protruding, it is envisaged that a single end could also protrude.

[0035] As best seen in Figure 5, both the ends 36, 120 protruding from the dual joint 118 preferably protrude from the plane of the fence 10. It is envisaged that the ends 36, 120 may protrude at an angle between approximately 20° and 160° relative to the ground.

As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the ends 36, 120 act as a physical deterrent to discourage animals from leaning digging at the base of the fence 100. In the alternative configuration shown in Figures 6 and 7, one or both of the ends 36, 120 may protrude downwards into ground to help secure the fence to the ground.

[0036] Similarly to fence 10, the distal end portions 116 of the transverse wires 106 may be wound around the outermost longitudinal wire 108 and an end 118 may protrude therefrom. These ends 118 may protrude upwards as shown in Figures 3 to 5 or downwards into the ground as shown in Figure 6 and 7. As discussed above, the configuration in which the ends 118 extend into the ground has been found to be useful in securing the footer panel 104 to the ground.

[0037] The wire used for the stay wires 16, line wires 18, transverse wires 106 and longitudinal wires 108 is conventional metallic wires, particularly steel that a corrosive treatment applied, such as galvanisation. The steel wire will preferably have a diameter in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 mm with a tensile strength of at least 700 N/mm2. As the ends of the wire used for the stay wires 16 / transverse wires 106 is used to form the protruding ends 34, the barbs 35 have the same physical properties. This makes the barbs 35 of the present invention much stifferthan barbs typically used in standard barbed wired. A further advantage of the present invention is that the barbs may be incorporated into the fence 10, 100 during the manufacturing process, thus avoiding the need to add barbed wire to conventional fences.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, formulations and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

Claims (5)

1. A fence, the fence comprising a plurality of line wires and a plurality of stay wires, the plurality of line wires and the plurality of stay wires arranged to intersect to form a fence panel, wherein at least one end portion of at least one stay wire is wound around a line wire to form a barbed joint and wherein an end of said stay wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

2. A fence according to claim 1, wherein an upper-most line wire and/or a lower-most line wire comprises one or more barbed wires.

3. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fence comprises a footer panel that is engaged to the fence panel at a common line wire, the footer panel comprising a series of intersecting transverse wires and longitudinal wires, wherein at least one end portion of at least one transverse wire is wound around the common wire.

4. A fence, the fence comprising a plurality of line wires and a plurality of stay wires, the plurality of line wires and the plurality of stay wires arranged to intersect to form a fence panel, and a footer panel that is engaged to the fence panel at a common line wire, the footer panel comprising a series of intersecting transverse wires and longitudinal wires, wherein at least one end portion of at least one transverse wire is wound around the common wire to form a barbed joint, wherein the end of said transverse wire protrudes from the barbed joint.

5. A fence according to claim 4, wherein end portions of the at least one stay wire and at least one transverse wire are wound around the common line wire together to form a barbed joint, wherein at least the end of said transverse wire or the end of said stay wire protrudes from the barbed joint.