Field

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a fence post straightening device, and especially a fence post straightening device for three blade fence posts.

Background

[0002] Three blade "star posts" are a form of fence post that are typically used to support wire or mesh fencing. Three blade star posts are made of steel and have a generally "Y" or "T" shaped cross-section.

[0003] Fences often extend significant distances. Fencing maintenance requires replacing any bent or otherwise damaged star posts with new. Bent star posts typically cannot be manually straightened and are therefore discarded. It is common for properties, particularly fanns, to have large piles of damaged star posts that are simply left to rust.

Summary of Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a fence post straightening device for straightening a fence post having three blades extending longitudinally of the post, each of which blades projects radially from a longitudinal axis of the post, the fence post straightening device comprising

at least one first roller presenting a first outer surface and arranged for rotation about an axis thereof;

at least one second roller presenting a second outer surface and arranged for rotation about an axi s thereof substantial ly parallel to the axi s of the at least one first roll er;

wherein each said at least one first roller is arranged in opposed relationship with a respective said at least one second roller to form an opposed roller pair, and wherein the first outer surface and the second outer surface of each roller pair together define a forming profile there-between corresponding to a cross-section of the fence post; and

drive means configured to drive the at least one first roller and/or the at least one second roller in rotation about its respective axis such that, in use, the fence post is conveyed longitudinally through the forming profile of each opposed roller pair to forcibly remove any bend in the fence post and to substantially conform the fence post to the forming profile.

[0005] In a preferred form, the at least one first roller comprises two first rollers arranged spaced apart in a first row and with their respective rotational axes substantially parallel, the at least one second roller comprises two second rollers arranged spaced apart in a second row and with their respective rotational axes substantially parallel, and the first and second rollers are arranged to form two opposed roller pairs.

[0006] In a preferred form, the at least one first roller comprises three first rollers arranged spaced apart in a first row and with their respective rotational axes substantially parallel to one another, the at least one second roller comprises three second rollers arranged spaced apart in a second row and with their respective rotational axes substantially parallel to one another, and the first and second rollers are arranged to form three opposed roller pairs.

[0007] In a preferred form, the forming profiles of the opposed roller pairs are substantially aligned to form a substantially straight path through the straightening device.

[0008] In a preferred form, the outer surface of the first roller in each opposed roller pair has or includes a circumferential protrusion that, in use, is received between two of the blades of the fence post.

[0009] In a preferred form, the outer surface of the second roller in each opposed roller pair has or includes a circumferential recess into which the circumferential protrusion of the outer surface of the first roller extends in the forming profile. The circumferential recess divides the second roller into two parts and, in use, receives one of the blades of the fence post.

[0010] In a preferred form, the outer surface of the second roller in the recess includes an angled or sloping surface on each of the two roller parts that, in use, abuts a respective blade of the fence post in the forming profile.

[001 1] In a preferred form, the forming profile of each opposed roller pair is substantially "Y"- shaped. [0012] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a three blade fence post straightening device comprising:

a first row of at least three rollers, an axis of rotation of each of the rollers in the first row being substantially parallel to each other;

a second row of at least three rollers, an axis of rotation of each of the rollers in the second row being substantially parallel to each other, the second row being disposed such that the rollers of the first and second rows oppose each other and fonn at least three respective pairs of rollers, with each pair of rollers comprising one of the rollers of the first row and a respective roller of the second row;

a forming profile defined between outer surfaces of the respective rollers of each pair of rollers, the fonning profile of each pair of rollers substantially corresponding to a cross section of a three blade star post, with the fonning profiles of each pair of rollers being longitudinally aligned to form a substantially straight path through the straightening device; and

a drive means configured to drive each of the rollers in the first row and/or the second row,

wherein, in use, the driven rollers convey the three blade star post longitudinally through the substantially straight path, and the pairs of rollers forcibly remove any bends in the three blade star post to substantially conform the three blade star post to the substantially straight path as the three blade star post is conveyed through the substantially straight path.

[0013] In a preferred form, a protrusion extends circumferentially around the outer surface of each of the rollers in the first row, and each of the protrusions, in use, are adapted to be received between two of the three blades of the three blade fence post.

[0014] In a preferred fonn, a recess extends circumferentially around the outer surface of each of the rollers in the second row, each recess divides a respective roller in the second row into a first roller part and a second roller part, and each of the recesses, in use, are adapted to receive one of the three blades of the three blade fence post.

[0015] In a preferred form, the first roller part and the second roller part of each roller in the second row have a taper that tapers toward the recess, and, in use, the respective tapers of each roller in the second row are adapted to abut a respecti ve blade of the three blade fence post. [0016] In a preferred fonn , the forming profiles of each pair of roll ers has a substantially "Y" shaped profile.

[0017] In a preferred fonn, the axis of rotation of each roller in a respective pair of rollers are parallel and aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially straight path.

[0018] In a preferred fonn, the axis of rotation of each roller in the first row is parallel to the axis of rotation of each roller in the second row.

[0019] In a preferred fonn, the dri ve means is configured to drive each of the rollers in the first row or each of the rollers in the second row.

[0020] In a preferred fonn, the drive means is configured to drive each of the rollers in the first row and each of the rollers in the second row.

[0021] In a preferred fonn, each of the driven rollers has an associated active gear wheel, and the three blade fence post straightening device further comprises an active drivetrain coupled to the drive means and each active gear wheel.

[0022] In a preferred form, the active drivetrain is a chain.

[0023] In a preferred form, each of the non-driven rollers has an associated passive gear wheel , and the three blade fence post straightening device further comprises a passive drivetrain coupled to each passive gear wheel.

[0024] In a preferred form, the passive drivetrain is a chain. [0025] In a preferred form, the drive means is a hydraulic motor. [0026] In a preferred form, the drive means is an electric motor.

[0027] In a preferred fonn, the first row of rollers has four rollers and the second row of rollers has fours rollers, thereby fonning four respective pairs of rollers.

[0028] In a preferred form, the first row is disposed above the second row, and the first row is biased toward the second row by gravity. [0029] In a preferred fonn, the three blade fence post straightening device further comprises one or more springs extending between the first row and the second row, wherein the one or more springs are configured to bias the first row and second row towards each other.

[0030] In a preferred fonn, the three blade fence post straightening device is mounted to a vehicle.

[0031 ] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of straightening a three blade fence post, the method comprising:

providing a first row of at least three rollers, an axis of rotation of each roller in the first row being substantially parallel to each other;

providing a second row of at least three rollers, an axis of rotation of each roller in the second row being substantially parallel to each other;

disposing the second row such that the second row opposes the first row and forms at least three respective pairs of rollers, each pair of rollers comprising one of the rollers in the first row and a respective roller in the second row, wherein outer surfaces of the respective rollers of each pair of rollers define a fonning profile, the fonning profiles of each pair of rollers substantially correspond to a cross section of a three blade fence post, with the forming profiles of each pair of rollers being longitudinally aligned to form a substantially straight path, the substantially straight path having a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end;

energising a drive means configured to drive each of the rollers in the first row and/or the second row;

inserting the three blade fence post into the first end of the substantially straight path, wherein the driven rollers convey the three blade fence post longitudinally through the substantially straight path towards the second end, and the pairs of rollers forcibly remove any bends in the three blade fence post to substantially conform the three blade fence post to the substantially straight path as the three blade fence post is conveyed through the substantially straight path.

[0032] In a preferred form, four rollers are provided in each of the first row and the second row such that four respective pairs of rollers are formed.

[0033] In a preferred form, energizing the drive means drives each of the rollers in the first row or each of the rollers in the second row. [0034] In a preferred form, energizing the drive means dri ves each of the rollers in the first row and each of the rollers in the second row.

[0035] In a preferred form , the method further comprises providing each of the driven roll ers with an associated active gear wheel, and providing an active drivetrain coupled to the drive means and each active gear wheel.

[0036] In a preferred form, the method further comprises providing each of the non-driven rollers with an associated passive gear wheel, and providing a passive drivetrain coupled to each passive gear wheel.

[0037] In a preferred form, the method further comprises disposing the first row above the second row such that the first row is biased toward the second row by gravity.

[0038] In a preferred form, the method further comprises coupling one or more springs between the first row and the second row, wherein the one or more springs are configured to bias the first row and second row towards each other.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0039] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a three blade fence post straightening device according to a preferred embodiment with the drive means, drivetrain and frame sections removed;

[0041 ] Figure 2 is a side view of one of the rollers of the first row of rollers of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 ;

[0042] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first row of rollers of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 ;

[0043] Figure 4 is a side view of one of the rollers of the second row of rollers of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 [0044] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second row of rollers of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 ;

[0045] Figure 6; is ri ght side view of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 with the drive means, drivetrain and frame sections installed;

[0046] Figure 7 is a partial left side view of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 illustrating how the frame sections are secured to each other;

[0047] Figure 8 is an additional partial left side view of the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 illustrating how the frame sections are secured to each other;

[0048] Figure 9 shows the drive means and drivetrain installed on the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 ;

[0049] Figure 10 is a further view of the drive means and drivetrain installed on the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 ;

[0050] Figure 1 1 is yet a further view of the drive means and drivetrain installed on the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1 ; and

[0051 ] Figure 12 shows a three blade fence post inserted between a respective pair of rollers in the three blade fence post straightening device of Figure 1.

Description of Embodiments

[0052] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a three blade fence post straightening device 100. The device 100 has a first top row of rollers 102 and a second bottom row of rollers 1 10.

[0053] The first top row of rollers 102 has a top beam 103 to which is welded four rollers 104a - 104d. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each of the rollers 104a - 104d has a respective protrusion 106a - 106d extending circumferentially around the outer surface of a respective roller 104a - 104d. Referring to Fi gure 3, each of the rollers 104a - 104d has a respective axis of rotation 108a - 108d. The axes of rotation 108a - 108d are all parallel to each other. [0054] Referring to Figure 1, the second bottom row of rollers 1 10 has a bottom beam 1 1 1 to which is welded four rollers 1 12a - 1 12d. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, each of the rollers 1 12a

- 1 12d has a respective recess 1 14a - 1 14d extending circumferentially around the outer surface of a respective roller 1 12a - 1 12d. Each recess 1 14a - 1 14d divides a respective roller 1 12a -

112d into a respective first roller part 1 16a - 1 16d and a respective second roller part 1 18a— 1 18d. Each first roller part 116a - 1 16d has a respective taper 120a - 120d that tapers toward a respective recess 1 14a - 1 14d, and each second roller part 1 18a - 1 18d has a respective taper 122a - 122d that tapers toward a respective recess 1 14a - 1 14d. Referring to Figure 5, each of the rollers 1 12a - 1 12d has a respective axis of rotation 124a - 124d. The axes of rotation 124a

- 124d are all parallel to each other. Referring to Figures 1 and 5, each of the rollers 112a -

1 12d is coupled to a respecti ve active gear wheel 126a - 126d, whereby rotation of one of the active gear wheels 126a - 126d results in rotation of a respective roller 1 12a - 1 12d.

[0055] Referring to Figure 6, the device 100 also has a first frame section 128 and a second frame section 130. Refemng to Figure 3, the first frame section 128 has six legs 132a - 132f. Referring to Figure 5, the second frame section 130 has six legs 134a - 134f. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the device 100 has six springs 136 (only one is labelled and illustrated for clarity of illustration).

[0056] Referring to Figures 9 to 11 , the device 100 also has a drive assembly 138. The drive assembly 138 comprises a mounting plate 140, a hydraulic motor 142, a chain 144, and three pairs of tensioning gears 146a - 146c. The hydraulic motor 142 has a drive gear 148, and the hydraulic motor 142 is mounted to the mounting plate 140 such that the hydraulic motor 142 is mounted on one side of the mounting plate 140 and the drive gear 148 is located on the other side of the mounting plate 140. The three pairs of tensioning gears 146a - 146c are located on the same side as the drive gear 148.

[0057] Assembly of the device 100 will now be discussed. Referring to Figure 3, the first frame section 128 is welded to the top beam 103 such that the ends of each of the legs 132a - 132f project past the axes of rotation 108a - 108d. Referring to Figure 5, the second frame section 130 is welded to the bottom beam 1 1 1 such that the ends of each of the legs 134a - 134f project past the axes of rotation 124a - 124d. [0058] Referring to Figure 6, the first frame section 128 is coupled to the second frame section 130 by telescopically inserting each of the legs 132a - 132f into a respective one of the legs 134a - 134f Referring to Figure 7 and 8, extending between the leg 132e and the leg 134e is one of the springs 136. Although not shown in the figures, a respective spring 136 also extends between the other respective leg pairs. Each of the springs 136 biases (i.e. pulls) the first frame section 128 towards the second frame section 130. The springs 136 thus secure the first frame section 128 to the second frame section 130. As will be described in more detail below, the springs 136 also assist with gripping a three blade fence post 10.

[0059] Although the first frame section 128 and second frame section 130 are not shown in Figure 1 , when the first frame section 128 is coupled to the second frame section 130, the first top row of rollers 102 opposes the second bottom row of rollers 1 10 thereby forming four pairs of rollers 150a - 150d. Each pair of rollers 150a - 150d comprises one of the rollers 104a - 104d and a respective roller 112a - 1 12d. Each axes of rotation 108a - 108d is parallel to each axes of rotation 124a - 124d.

[0060] Although Figure 12 only shows the pair of rollers 150a, it will be appreciated that outer surfaces of each pair of rollers 150a - 150d define a substantially identical respective forming profile 152a - 152d. Each of the forming profiles 152a - 152d has a substantially "Y" shaped profile that substantially corresponds to the cross section of a three blade fence post 10. Each of the forming profiles 152a - 152d are longitudinally aligned thereby forming a substantially straight path 154 through the device 100. Referring to Figure 1, the substantially straight path 154 has a first end 156 and a longitudinally opposed second end 158. The first end 156 is defined by the pair of rollers 150a, and the second end 158 is defined by the pair of rollers 150d. It can be seen from Figure 1, that the axes of rotation of each roller in a respective pair of rollers 150a - 150d are parallel and also aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially straight path 154. In Figure 1, a three blade fence post 10 is positioned within the substantially straight path 154.

[0061] Referring to Figures 9 to 1 1, the mounting plate 140 of the drive assembly 138 is mounted to the legs 134b, 134d and 134f such that each pair of tensioning gears 146a - 146f and drive gear 148 oppose the active gear wheels 126a - 126d. The drive chain 144 is coupled to the drive gear 148 and each of the active gear wheels 126a - 126d. Referring to Figure 11 , the drive chain 144 is installed such that is passes between each respective pair of tensioning gears 146a - 146c. In use, each pair of tensioning gears 146a - 146c tensions the drive chain 144, and assists in preventing the drive chain 144 from decoupling from the drive gear 148 and/or the active gear wheels 126a - 126d.

[0062] Use of the device 100 will now be discussed. Energising the hydrauli c motor 142 drives the drive gear 148, resulting in the drive chain 144 rotating each of the active gear wheels 126a - 126d which thereby drives each of the rollers 1 12a—1 12d. Referring to Figure 12, after the hydraulic motor 148 has been energised, a three blade fence post 10 is inserted into the first end 156 of the substantially straight path 154, and the driven rollers 1 12a - 1 12d convey the three blade fence post 10 longitudinally through the substantially straight path 154 in a direction towards the second end 158 of the substantially straight path 154. Referring to Figure 2, each of the protrusions 106a - 106d are adapted to be received between two of the three blades of the three blade fence post 10. Referring to Figure 4, each of the recesses 1 14a - 1 14d are adapted to receive one of the blades of the three blade fence post 10, and respective tapers 120a - 120d and 122a - 122d are adapted to abut a respective blade of the three blade fence post 10.

[0063] The weight of the top beam 103 together with each of the springs 136 bias the first frame section 128 and first top row of rollers 102 towards the second frame section 130 and second bottom row of rollers 1 10, thereby biasing respective rollers in each pair of rollers 150a - 150d towards each other. It is this biasing that results in the fence post 10 being sufficiently gripped, and conveyed, between respective rollers in each pair of rollers 150a - 150d and forced through the substantially straight path 154.

[0064] As the springs 136 bias the first row of rollers 102 and second row of rollers 1 10 towards each other, the springs 136 also bias each roller in a respective pair of rollers 150a - 150d towards each other. Accordingly, the springs 136 also assist in gripping a fence post 10 as the fence post 10 is conveyed between respective rollers in each pair of rollers 150a - 150d and forced through the substantially straight path 154.

[0065] As the three blade fence post 10 is conveyed through the substantially straight path 154, the pairs of rollers 150a - 150d cooperate to forcibly remove any bends in the three blade fence post 10 to substantially conform the three blade fence post 10 to the substantially straight path 154 thereby straightening the three blade fence post 10. [0066] It is envisaged that the device 100 can be mounted to a vehicle such that the device 100 is mobile. This allows a user to drive the device 100 to a customer that requires three blade fence posts to be straightened, or to drive along fences straightening, at the location of, any bent three blade fence posts forming part of the fence.

[0067] The device 100 allows bent three blade fence posts, which would otherwise be discarded, to be straightened and reused. Straightening bent three blade fence posts using the device 100 is more cost effective than replacing bent three blade fence posts with new. It is envisaged that the device 100 can be operated to straighten bent fence posts at about one third of the cost of replacing with new fence posts. It is envisaged that the large numbers of discarded bent three blade fence posts that are otherwise simply left to rust can be straightened for reuse by using the device 100. The device 100, on average, can straighten a bent fence post in approximately five seconds.

[0068] Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

[0069] It is envisaged that each of the rollers 104a - 104d may also be coupled to a respective passive gear wheel (not shown), whereby rotation of one of the passive gear wheels results in rotation of a respective roller 104a - 104d. Further, a passive chain (not shown) may be coupled between each of the passive gear wheels such that each of the passive gear wheels, and consequently each of the rollers 104a - 104d, rotate together.

[0070] The device 100 may be used to straighten three blade fence posts having a substantially "T" shaped cross-section. A three blade fence post straightening device used to straighten three blade fence posts having a substantially "T" shaped cross-section is similar to that of the device 100 described above, however, such a device would not have the protrusions 106a - 106d or the tapers 122a - 122d and 124a - 124d. Omitting the protrusions 106a - 106d and the tapers 122a - 122d and 124a - 124d results in a forming profile, defined between each pair of rollers, having a substantially "T" shaped cross-section.

[0071 ] It is also envisaged that the hydraulic motor 142 may be configured to dri ve each of the rollers 104a - 104d and each of the rollers 1 12a - 1 12d, instead of only the rollers 1 12a - 1 12d described above. [0072] Although the device 100 has been described and illustrated utilising a hydraulic motor 142, it will be appreciated that an electric motor or any other drive means known in the art may be used instead. It will also be appreciated that a drive belt or other dri vetrains known in the art may be used in place of the drive chain 144 and/or passive chain.

[0073] Although the first end 156 and second end 158 of the substantially straight path 154 were described and illustrated as being defined by the pairs of rollers 150a and 150d

respectively, it will be appreciated that the pair of rollers 150d can define the first end 156 and the pair of rollers 150a can define the second end 158 depending on which direction the hydraulic motor 142 is operated.