BUILDING ADAPTOR

The present invention relates to building components and accessories. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a building adaptor for use with star picket or Y-shaped posts. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention has broader application and is not limited to that particular use.

BACKGROUND^

A steel fence post, also called a Y-post, or variants on star post, is a type of fence post or picket. The are made of steel and are sometimes manufactured using durable rail steel. They can be used to support various types of wire or wire mesh. The end view of the post creates an obvious Y or other shape. They are commonly referred to as a 'star picket' and its sizing is by length. It is normaily provided with a notch at the top of the post and holes down the length of the spine.

Star picket posts are commonly used in fencing to support wire fencing. The wire is passed through the holes in the star picket posts and strained. However, this method becomes a hassle when a star picket post breaks or is beyond repair and whole length of the wire needs to be cut and replaced. Alternatively, short lengths of wire can be tied back to each star picket post through the holes such that, if a star picket post needs repairing, the tie wire can be cut to replace the post and then re-tie the wire back on. However, this additional cutting and tying of the wire is extremely labourious and time-consuming.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is and should not be taken as, an acknow!edgment or any form or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common genera! knowledge.

In this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a building adaptor that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

OBJECT OF _. THEJ VE TION It is an object of the present invention to provide a building adaptor, that addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provides a consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE JNVE TIO

Generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to a building adaptor for use with star picket or Y-shaped posts.

According to one aspect, although not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention resides in a building adaptor comprising: a body portion having at least one aperture, wherein the body portion is hollow to be slidably received over, and securab!e to, a post; and at !east one fastening member receivable through the at least one aperture to secure the building adaptor to the post.

Preferably, the building adaptor is in the form of a Y-shaped sleeve.

Preferably, the post is a star picket or Y-shaped post.

Preferably, the building adaptor is made of a galvanised steel material.

Preferably, the body portion comprises three arm portions.

Preferably, the three arm portions extend outwardly from a centre of the body portion and are suitably spaced apart from each other to form a Y-shape.

Preferably, one or more of the arm portions comprise the at least one aperture.

Suitably, the body portion is adapted to receive an item removeabiy or permanently secured thereto for mounting to the post.

Suitably, the body portion has a bracket member removeabiy or permanently secured thereto.

Suitably, the bracket member enables an item to be removeabiy or permanently secured thereto via at least one fastener.

Further features and forms of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIO OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein;

FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a building adaptor according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG 2 shows an end view of the building adaptor of FIG 1 ;

FIG 3 shows a perspective view of the building adaptor of FIG 1 secured to a star picket or Y-shaped post;

FIG 4 shows a perspective view of the building adaptor of FIG 1 having a mounting bracket secured thereto;

FIG 5 shows a perspective view of the building adaptor of FIG 1 for mounting fencing wire to a star picket or Y-shaped post; and

FIG 6 shows a perspective view of the building adaptor of FIG 1 for mounting a timber framework to a star picket or Y-shaped post.

Skilled addressees will appreciate that element in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIO

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a building adaptor. For convenience sake, the building adaptor will be described herein as a building adaptor for use with star picket posts and in particular, for use in fencing. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be modified to suit other types of posts such that it can be used for a variety of building applications including, but not limited to, attaching building components to formwork, signage or enabling the attachment and/or connection of any other suitable components to star picket posts, it will be appreciated that variations may need to be made as required.

Referring to Fig 1 , the building adaptor 100 is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments, the building adaptor 100 is made of a galvanised steel material. However, in alternative embodiments, it is envisaged that any other suitable material such as steel, aluminium or the like, which is strong and resistant to corrosion may be utilised. The thickness and dimensions of the building adaptor may also be varied as required to suit different sized posts and/or building applications, it is envisaged that the building adaptor 100 could also be provided in a variety of colours to match building components attached thereto.

The building adaptor 100 comprises a body portion 110. The body portion 110 is hollow to be slidab!y received over, and securabie to, a post. Thus, the internal dimensions of the body portion 110 should be slightly larger than those of the post to which it will be fitted, it is envisaged that the thickness of the body portion 110 can be varied to provide additional strength where required depending on the application for which the building adaptor is being utilised. It is envisaged that the building adaptor 100 will be provided in a variety of lengths to suit different applications. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the building adaptor 100 can be supplied in fixed lengths and cut to the desired size, it will be appreciated that the length of the building adaptor will not exceed the length of a post to which it is attachable.

As illustrated in FIG 1 , the body portion 110 is in the form of a Y- shaped sleeve. The body portion 110 is designed to be receivable over a star picket or Y-shaped post. The body portion 110 comprises three arm portions 120. The three arm portions 120 extend outwardly from a centre 121 of the body portion 110 and are suitably spaced apart from each other to form a Y -shape when looking directly at an end of the building adaptor, as shown in FIG 2. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is envisaged that the positioning of the arm portions 120 can be altered to better suit variants of the star picket or Y-shaped posts or T-posts.

Referring now to FIG 3, one or more of the arm portions 120 have at least one aperture 123. The size and spacing apart of the at least one aperture 123 of the building adaptor 100 is adapted to be simiiar and/or complimentary to the apertures 131 provided on a star picket or Y-shaped post 130. The at least one aperture 123 is adapted to receive a fastening means 122 therethrough. The fastening member 122 is in the form of a locking pin or a bolt or screw or the like. However, in an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that any other suitable fastening means may also be employed. It is envisaged that when the length of the building adapter 100 is larger, more than one fastener can be used to secure the building adaptor to the post 130.

The building adaptor 100 is designed to enable items to be mounted to a star picket or Y-shaped post 130 in an adjustable manner. Items are first mounted or secured to the building adaptor 100 which is then secured to the star picket or Y-shaped post 130. Depending on the size of the item, it will be acknowledged that one or more building adaptors 100 can be utilised to mount the item to star picket or Y-shaped posts. According to some embodiments, the items may be secured to the building adaptor 100 via a bracket member 200, shown in FIG 5. The bracket member 200 can be permanently attached to the building adaptor 100 via welding, or removably attached to the building adaptor 100 via at least one fastening member 210 such as a bolt or screw or the like.

As illustrated in FIG 6, the building adaptor 100 is positioned over the post 130 and secured thereto via the fastening member 122. A wire 220 for fencing construction is secured to the building adaptor 100 via a bracket member 200, which is secured to the building adaptor 100 via a bolt fastener 210. In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the bracket member 200 can allow the building adaptor 100 to be clipped onto the bracket member 200. According to some embodiments, the items may be directly secured to the building adaptor 100 via welding or a fastening member. As illustrated in FIG 6, a timber member 300 for building construction or fencing can be directly secured to the building adaptor 100 via the bracket member 200 and the at least one fastening member 210. Once the building adaptor 100 is placed over the star picket or Y- shaped post 130, the fastening member 122 is fed through the aperture

121 and a corresponding aperture 131 in the star picket or Y-shaped post 130 to secure the building adaptor 100 to the star picket or Y-shaped post 130. The position of the building adaptor 100 on the star picket or Y- shaped post 130 can be adjusted by removing the fastening member 122, slidably moving the building adaptor 100 along the length of a spine 132 of the star picket or Y-shaped post 130 and aligning the aperture 121 on the arm 120 of the building adaptor 100 with a new corresponding aperture on the star picket or Y-shaped post 130, and replacing the fastening member

122 to secure the building adaptor 100 in its new position. Accordingly, the position of the items mounted or secured to the building adaptor 100 can be easily adjusted without having to remove the item or posts and redo the whoie thing. Similarly, if a post is damaged or beyond repair, the post 130 can simply be removed from the building adaptor 100 and a new one inserted, without having to redo the fencing wire or whatever item is attached to the building adaptor.

Hence, the building adaptor 100 provides a solution to the aforementioned problems of the prior art by providing a building adaptor for use with star picket or Y-shaped posts. The building adaptor reduces time and effort required for many building applications, including fencing.

Furthermore, building adaptor of the present invention is designed to enable items to be mounted to a star picket or Y-shaped post in an adjustable manner. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.