BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pickets are particularly useful in the agricultural and animal husbandry industries. They do, however, have a much wider application and are useful in many circumstances.

Star pickets are formed with three vanes or fins radially dispersed around a central core to provide a roughly equiangular triangular appearance in cross section. Typically, star pickets are made out of metal but under certain circumstances may be formed from other substances such as a suitable polymer. They are very popular in countries such as Australia. A variation in configuration is provided by"T"pickets or"T bar"pickets which are formed with a"T"shape in cross section. These pickets are more commonly used in North America, especially in the USA.

Pickets are used widely, particularly in agricultural and animal husbandry industries, for erecting fences or similar barriers. Typically, a line of pickets will be positioned and multiple strands of a suitable filament, such as wire, is passed through apertures provided in at least one of the vanes of the pickets to provide a supported and retained fence line.

This can be slow as the apertures must be engaged sequentially. A difficulty also arises, however, when any significant distance of line is applied through these receiving apertures as it is necessary to either cut the wire to retrieve it or undo an end fixing to retrieve the wire to thereby allow the entire fence to be dissembled for removal.

A further problem arises when using electrified fences. It is necessary to insulate the current-carrying wire from the metal pickets as they would otherwise simply act as a conductor in metallic form and provide an earthed circuit to short circuit the device and defeat the purpose of the fence, with possible damage to current generating equipment.

Various attempts have been made to provide a solution to this problem by forming non- conductive clips designed for application to pickets. A typical example of such a clip will have some form of pin-operated clasp for fixing, for example, to a picket. The pin mechanism may involve locating the flange or vane of the picket in a recess of the clip and then sliding a lock pin laterally through an aperture or apertures of the device while also engaging an aperture in the flange. These pins may be attached to the device by an elongate section of plastic or other material so that their separation from the device is avoided. However, these pins still manage to be misplaced relative to the clips. The tethering members may break or become brittle during use, particularly in the sunshine, thereby leading to further problems. A more serious issue arises from the pins working loose and releasing the lock device from fixation to the star picket and electrical wire from the lock.

Further problems relate to the other end of the device wherein a clip is provided for restraining a wire in a receiving aperture. These clips may be operated by resilient deformation of a jaw or jaws to provide access to an aperture in the device. Of course, an entirely closed through hole may also be provided to receive the wire. But this results in similar problems as in the original device when it comes to erecting and dismantling a fence line.

Livestock, and in particular cattle and sheep, are prone to lifting and stressing wire fence lines whether through curiosity or in an attempt to cross the barrier. Considerable force may be applied to a restraining device either in an upward and downward direction or front to back as a steer, for example, may hook its horns under the wire and use its head to shake and rattle the wire in the restraining device. In devices with resilient jaws, there is a tendency for the jaws to spring or be forced open and for the wire to be displaced from its

retaining aperture. It would be noted that, in this context, the term"wire"extends to any appropriate filament such as rope, nylon, cord or other material.

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a clip which meets at least one of the problems identified above, or which at least provides an alternative to existing clips.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention resides in a clip for providing an attachment point for fixing a line to a support structure such as a star picket, including: a body having engagement means adapted to cooperate with the support structure to thereby fix the clip to the support structure; and line-receiving means comprising a throat providing access to a line restraining cavity, said cavity having a pair of recesses positioned on respective sides of an internal outlet of the throat.

Preferably the internal outlet of the throat is formed by two inwardly directed shoulders or hooks which define the respective recesses. A lip may also extend partially across the internal outlet of the throat. The body may provide a flat outer surface for application of force by a user to fix the engagement means to the support structure In another aspect the invention resides in a clip for engaging a stake of the picket variety having at least one flange and two longitudinal edges, including: two arms directly or indirectly connected to each other at their proximal ends; and respective seats located at or around a distal end of each arm, the seats adapted to engage a corresponding edge region of the at least one flange; wherein: the arms are outwardly displaceable relative to each other to facilitate positioning of the seats in engagement with the corresponding edge regions.

Preferably the arms are spaced towards their proximal ends by a cavity that accommodates the flange. The arms may include locking means which engage respective apertures or projections on the flange. The locking means may be a pair of opposed or offset lugs located on facing surfaces of the arms.

The invention may also be said to exist in any alternative combination of features that are indicated in this specification. All equivalents of these features are deemed to be included whether or not expressly mentioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a clip, Figure 2 is a top view of the clip of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the clip of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a rear view of the clip of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a top view of a further clip adapted to receive a pin, bolt or similar, Figure 6 is a side view of the device of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a rear view of the device of Figure 5, Figure 8 is a rear upper isometric view of the device of Figure 5, Figure 9 shows an alternative device with a bolt and pin provided, Figure 10 shows the arrangement of Figure 9 with bolt advances, Figure 11 shows the process of Figure 10 continued, Figures 12,13, 14 show a part sectional view of a clip with a pin advanced through receiving apertures, FIG. 15 is an upper perspective view of a clip aligned for engagement with a section of star picket, FIG. 16 is a rear upper perspective view of the clip in FIG. 15 when engaged, FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 15,

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 15, FIG. 19 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 15, FIG. 20 shows an isometric view of a clip on a T picket, FIG. 21 shows a plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 20, FIGS. 22A to 22D show a clip with deformable arms for use with at star picket, FIGS. 23A to 23D show a clip with resilient arms suitable for a T bar picket, and Figures 24,25, 26,27 show further variations on the clips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings it will be appreciated that clips according to the invention may be implemented in various ways for a range of different support structures. The embodiments shown here are given by way of example only.

Figure 1 shows a clip 10 formed from a body 11. The body 11 has engagement means in the form of a slot 12 formed between two spaced parallel walls 13,14. The body is formed from some suitable material to give a degree of flexibility in the walls 13,14 relative to each other so the slot may widen even if marginally. The slot 12 includes a stud 15 which protrudes from the wall 13 and into the slot 12. The stud is dimensioned and'designed to locate in an aperture in a post such as a star picket. In operation, a fin or vane of the star picket is positioned in alignment with the slot 12 and the clip is urged towards the vane and thereby resulting in the stud 15 being displaced laterally and sliding over the vane until it snaps into position with a corresponding aperture on the post. A reinforcing rib 16 is provided around a periphery of the line clip 10. The rib extends laterally outwardly from a longitudinal vertical plane of the line clip 10. The rib 16 provides a strengthening effect to the device as well as diminishing the amount of material needed to create the line clip 10 thereby providing a saving in manufacture. A line-receiving cavity is apparent in this view as is the throat 18 which provides access to the cavity 17.

Also apparent is a shield 19 located intermediate the slot 12 and walls 13,14 and the line- receiving cavity 17.

Figure 2 is a top view of the arrangement of Figure 1 in which the stud 15 is clearly apparent in relation to the slot 12. The stud 15 has a chamfered cut across its central axis thereby providing a funnel or wedge shaped section. In operation, this acts as a wedge to urge the two walls 13,14 apart until the stud 15 clips into a corresponding aperture on the post. While insertion of the line clip 10 is relatively straightforward, it is difficult to remove the device once in position. This arises from the higher rear wall 20 relative to the lower front wall 21. With no sloping wedging effect, it is very difficult to remove the line clip 10 from its installed position without the advantage of a tool of some sort. This increases the security level of the device when subject to the repetitive movements of livestock against the clip itself or surrounding wire. The throat 18 is also apparent as several planar sections 22,23, 24 are arranged around the entrance to the throat. These may be useful for providing a directional assistance in positioning a wire for entry into the line-receiving cavity 17. As it also apparent in this view, the shield 19 is concave relative to the line-receiving cavity 17.

This is more readily apparent in Figure 3. The end of the slot 12 is shown in hidden detail.

The slot 12 in this example is formed to correspond to the shape of an edge of a cooperating fin or vane. The stud 15 is also shown in hidden detail. The line-receiving cavity 17 is accessed by the throat 18. The line-receiving cavity 17 has two recesses 22,23 each located adjacent an inward outlet of the throat 18. The recesses are preferably positioned behind the inlet relative to the exit direction of a line as it exits the outlet. The first recess 22 is defined at least in part by a first shoulder or hook 24. The second recess 23 is defined at least in part by a second shoulder or hook 25. The throat 18 may have a slight annular deviation towards its internal determination or end.

In operation, a line may be brought to the throat 18 and urged through the tunnel shaped entrance to the throat 18 and out of the internal end or outlet of the throat to locating the cavity 17. The line will naturally sit in one of the recess 22,23 particularly if being urged backwards and forwards by any force such as that generated by a steer, sheep, goat or other form of livestock. The second hook 25 is located so that the line may roll around the

recess 23 and when being urged up will clear the second hook 25 without entering the throat 18 and move naturally into the first recess 22 where it is once again constrained and unable to be displaced back through the throat 18. It is preferred if the dimensions of the throat 18 require some degree of pressure to position the wire in the cavity 17.

Figure 4 shows a rearward view of the clip 10 in which the stud 15 is apparent in the slot 12.

A clip of this kind may be firmly fixed to a support post. There are no separate parts, such as a pin, required to be retained with the device and located in working position. Such a pin is prone to displacement by repetitive movement with subsequent failure of support of the line. While reference has been made to a single stud, it is clear that two cooperating studs may be formed spaced and opposed to each other in the slot 12. Formation of the slot 12 to conform to the shape of a fin or vane provides a stable support to the line clip to minimise or limit rotation around the stud 15 thereby providing a stable base.

It is preferred if the clip is formed from a plastic or polymer of some sort. A preferred plastic may be polyplastic, polyurethane, PVC or other UV resistant material. It is preferred if the material has great resilience in the environment with at least some memory to provide a clip back into position.

Figures 5 to 8 show an embodiment of a clip 90 designed to be fixed in place using a pinning device such as a bolt or pin. The bolt may be threaded to accept a nut. Each of the walls 93,94 have apertures 30,31 formed in the distal tip 32,33. The apertures are aligned to form a channel. The slot 92 is dimensioned to receive a portion of a post with an aperture formed therein. The two apertures 30,33 and post aperture then form a substantially continuous bore through which a pinning device may be advanced. Figure 6 shows the first hook 96 and second hook 97 are formed slightly more angularly although the throat 98 remains even and smooth in definition to provide an easy entrance for a wire.

In Figure 9, the clip 90 is formed with a pin 40 and splay pin 41 both integrally formed with the rest of the clip attached to a respective aperture. The pin 40 may be frangibly attached to the clip and driven forward, as shown in Figure 10. Continuation of the process will engage and break splay pin 41 free as seen in Figure 11. The pin 40 may be left in place to fix the clip 90 in position on a post. Alternatively, the pin may then be removed and the splay pin driven forward as seen in Figures 12 to 14 discussed below.

The pin 40 may be formed as a threaded bolt adapted to receive a nut to lock the line clip in position. Of course, the line clip may be formed with only the pin 40 or splay pin 41 in position. Each may serve the purpose of locking the line clip in position. Alternatively, the bolt and/or splay pin may be formed separately and supplied with the line clip body.

Figures 12 to 14 show a part sectional perspective view in which a splay pin is urged into a clip 90. The splay pin 41 is formed with a head 43 supporting two prongs 44,45. A frustoconical flange is formed by semi-flange members 47, 48 separated by interprong space 49. The sloping surface of semi members 47,48 provides a sloped point for entry into aperture 31 and aligned with aperture 30.

Advancing the splay pin 41 causes the sloped surfaces to compress the interprong space 49. and decrease the diameter of the splay pin, thereby allowing it to proceed. After penetration of the first aperture 31, the process is repeated through the second aperture 30 to provide a locked nesting of the pin 41 in position (Figure 14).

If made of a non-conductive material, the clip may act as an insulator for receiving electric wire and rapid deployment of such a wire may be effected with quick and easy placement of the line clips. Such a wire can be removed from the line cavity through the throat by careful and dexterous activity of a person, perhaps with the aid of a tool of some sort. It is unlikely an animal will purely by chance remove the line from the cavity. Manufacturing costs are also relatively modest in relation to the present clip.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown a clip 110 comprising a body 112, a first arm 114 and

second arm 116. The arms 114,116 form a substantially"Y"shaped portion of the clip 110. Each comprises a seat in the form of a channel or a slot 118, 120 formed at or around a distal end of the two arms. The arms 114,116 are indirectly connected at their proximal end by a shield 122 which forms part of or abuts the body 112. A section of star picket 124 is shown formed by three radially extending flanges 126, 128, 130.

In FIG. 16, the clip 110 has been urged onto the star picket 124. The arms are resiliently deformable so that they are outwardly displaceable relative to each other to allow passage across the star picket, transverse to a longitudinal axis.

Once the slots 118,120 clear the edge of the corresponding flanges 128, 130, they can elastically return towards a midline between them, thereby engaging the picket. A slight retraction of the clip will seat the flange edges into the slots and provide a gripping action, preferably tensioned. Also apparent in this view is a line receiving cavity 132.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the arrangement of FIG. 16. The cavity 132 is accessed by a throat 134 and has two recesses 136,138 located adjacent an inward outlet 137 of the throat. The recesses are preferably positioned behind the inward outlet relative to the picket 124. The first recess 136 is defined, at least in part, by a first hook 140. The second recess 138 is defined, at least in part, by a second hook 142. The throat 134 may have a slight annular deviation towards the inward outlet 137.

FIG. 18 is a top view showing a space 144 dimensioned to provide clearance of the recesses around the edge of flanges 128, 130. The snug fit of the gripping arms is also apparent.

FIG. 19 is a side view in which the shield 122 is seen to be concave relative to the cavity 132. The shield 122 may be formed integrally with the body. Also apparent is a flexible flange 146 positioned at the inward outlet 137 of the throat and adapted to resist inadvertent exit of a line or similar from the cavity 132.

In operation, the clip 110 is positioned in a preselected position relative to the picket and pushed forward until it snaps into position around the vanes. Removal may be effected by manually separating the arms before sliding the clip forward.

The clip may be formed from polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or other suitable polymeric matter.

FIG. 20 shows a view of a similar embodiment to that of FIG. 15 when located on a T picket. The T picket 224 has nodes 225 formed on a front surface of flange 226. The arms 214,216 of clip 218 have been flexed outwardly by movement of the device transverse to the picket 224. A finger 227 is formed to engage a node 224 when appropriate and avoid the clip slipping downwardly.

FIG. 21 shows the picket 224 formed with flanges 230,231, 232. The clip 218 is applied by a first seat 234 being placed around the flange 231 and the arm 216 being deformed outwardly to locate around the flange 232. The fingers 227 are longitudinally spaced along the clip and may abut a node as selected.

FIGS. 22A to 22D show an embodiment of a clip with deformable arms adapted for use with a star picket. The clip 310 has a body 311 and two arms 312,313 indirectly connected via the shield 314 at their proximal ends. The distal ends house channels 316, 317 adapted to engage edges of respective flanges on a star picket. A pin 318 is tied to the clip by tether cord 319 and formed to locate through aperture 320. FIG. 22B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22C is a top view of the same embodiment. The pin 318 has an enlarged distal end 321 designed to be pressed through the aperture 320 to snap into locking position. FIG.

22D shows the clip 310 in position on a star picket 323 with the pin 318 aligned for positioning through the aperture 320 and a corresponding hole in the forward flange 324 of the picket. The backward curve of the arms 325,326 seen in FIG. 22A provide an advantage in application as the natural ramp of the flange 327 and the corresponding

flange on the other side (not seen) provides a gradual outward displacement of the arms as the clip is advanced transverse to the picket until the edges of the flanges are cleared and the arms snap back into engagement with the edge region.

FIGS. 23A to 23D show an embodiment having resiliently deformable arms that are suitable for a T bar picket. The clip 410 has a body 411 and two arms 412,413 supported by the body at their proximal ends. The arms have seats in the form of channels 415,416.

A dorsal finger 417 is also apparent directed inwardly. This is better shown in FIG. 23B where fingers 417, 418 are readily apparent in plan view.

The fingers in FIG. 23 C extend inwardly and downwardly 417 or upwardly 418, as appropriate. Their purpose is to support the clip on an anterior face of a star picket by at least one finger locating above and abutting a node. In FIG. 23D, the clip 410 has been positioned on a T bar picket with the lower finger (not seen) resting on node 421 to resist downward sliding.

Figure 24 shows a variation on the clip in Figures 1-7. Either or both of the arms 14 and 16 include a knob 240 that engages a corresponding aperture in the picket. This arrangement prevents the clip from sliding vertically on the picket under the weight of a wire in the body 12. The knobs 240 are offset in this example, and engage respective apertures in the picket. The knobs may take a range of different shapes and locations on the arms 14,16 and may be used in other embodiments of the clip.

Figure 25 shows a further variation on the clip in Figures 1-7. The throat 34 includes a feathered lip 250 that runs laterally across the entrance to the recesses 36 and 38. In this example the lip is split approximately half way across the entrance forming two portions.

The entrance to the recesses is narrower one side of the entrance than the other. A lip that is split in this way provides an edge that assists holding of the wire within the recesses, but also assist removal of the wire if required. A range of different lip structures would form this function in a range of different embodiments.

Figure 26 shows how the variation of Figure 25 may be used in the embodiments of Figures 23A-D, for example.

Figure 27 shows a further variation of the clip in Figures 23A-D, but which may also be used in any of the other embodiments. In this example, the arms 412 and 413 are spaced from the body 411 by a neck 270. This assists use of the clip in some circumstances where the wire must be held away from the picket. The length and shape of the neck can be varied as required, and other features may or may be included.

Throughout the specification, the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the art will therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.