This invention relates, inter alia, to an elongate holder for fencing members, a hybrid fence post comprising the holder connected to a fence post, and to a method of constructing the hybrid fence post.

BACKGROUND ART

In rural Australia, with the exception of timber-based fences, the majority of fences are made of ground-anchored steel fence posts (pickets) and strained fencing wires extending between such posts. Each fence post typically has a series of openings spaced along a length of the post through which fencing wires can been threaded, and a pointed base that is driven into the ground. Typically, the fence post will be galvanised or otherwise treated so as to protect against corrosion by the environment. In the case of electrified fences, electrified wires are usually spaced from each post using insulators that are individually connected to the post after the post as been anchored in the ground.

In order to construct a wire fence, typically a fencer will first anchor fence posts to the ground at regular intervals. The fencer will then thread fencing wires through holes in the posts, then strain those wires, and then finally tie them off.

Disadvantages of the above described method include that it is tedious and time-consuming. In particular, the fencer is required to thread wires through numerous holes, and several trips along a length of the fence may be required in order to do this and to fully strain the fence.

Other disadvantages include that additional fence posts cannot be readily added to the existing fence and damaged fence posts cannot be replaced without first releasing the wires - following which the wires would again require re-threading and straining.

Another disadvantage is that such a fence cannot be readily disassembled for relocation or recycling purposes.

Yet another disadvantage is that, in the case of electrified fences, individual electrified fencing wires must be spaced from the post using separate insulators that are connected to the post. Again, this can be tedious and time-consuming.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention: to provide an elongate holder for fencing members that minimises or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages described above; or, to provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongate holder for fencing members connectable to a fence post, said holder comprising: an elongate body having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of keepers spaced along the longitudinal axis of the body for holding fencing members relative to the body; and a connecting mechanism for connecting the body to the fence post such that the longitudinal axis of the body extends along a length of the fence post.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid fence post comprising: a fence post; and at least one elongate holder for fencing members according to the first aspect of the present invention connected to the fence post.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a hybrid fence post, said method comprising the step of connecting at least one elongate holder for fencing members according to the first aspect of the present invention to a fence post. The fence post may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. The post may be, for example, a pipe, rod, beam, stake or picket, it may be made of galvanised metal, plastics material or of wood. Preferably, the fence post is a C-, Y-, T-, I- or Z-shape picket (when viewed in cross-section) made of corrosion-resistant steel that has a pointed ground anchoring end.

The elongate holder for fencing members may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. Its construction will depend on the function or functions that it is to perform. For instance, it can be electrically insulated and have keepers for retaining electrified fencing wires isolated from the fence post.

The body may be of any suitable length and profile. Preferably, the body is made of plastics material, rubber or metal. In one embodiment, the body is in the form of a strip, such as a plastic or metal strip. Preferably, the body is made of rubber or plasties material that is electrically nonconductive and is corrosion resistant.

In an embodiment, the body serves as a corrosion inhibitor and extends as a sleeve longitudinally along the fence post and around the ground-anchoring base, such that the ground-anchoring base is not in direct contact with the ground. In this embodiment, the body may be made of plastics material that is connected to the ground-anchoring base prior to being driven into the ground.

Any suitable type of connecting mechanism for connecting the body to the fence post may be used. The connecting mechanism may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: fasteners such as nuts and bolts, adhesive or a melt weld, key and key way arrangements, tongue in groove arrangements, clamps or collars.

Any suitable number and types of keepers may be used, and they may be spaced along the longitudinal axis of the body in any suitable way. Each keeper may be connected to, connectable to, provided by or formed within the body.

Each keeper may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. The keepers may be identical to one another or different from one another.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the keeper comprises a resilient retainer extending from the body and having a fencing member receiving end abutting (or almost abutting) the body. The receiving end may be movable between fencing member holding and release positions. In the holding position the receiving end may abut (or almost abut) the body and in the release position the receiving end may be spaced from the body so as to be able to accept the fencing member.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the keeper may comprise an opening extending within the body for receiving the fencing member and at least one retainer connected to the body that is movable between fencing member holding and release positions, wherein in the holding position the retainer retains the fencing member within the opening.

The opening may be of any suitable size and shape. Preferably, the opening is a slot extending within the body such that the fencing member, when held by the retainer, extends across the body relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The slot may have an open end and a blind end. The slot may extend linearly or at different angles within the body. The slot may extend, for example, horizontally, vertically, angularly and/or curvedly within the body. The slot may have upper and/or lower grooves in which the retainer or a part of the retainer may locate when in either the holding or release position. The blind end may be tapered so as to "grab" the fencing member.

The retainer may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The retainer may be connected to the body and movable relative thereto in any suitable way. hi one embodiment, the retainer may be slidable between the holding and release positions, e.g. by way of a tongue and groove arrangement.

In another embodiment, the retainer may have a flexible end obstructing movement of the fencing member through the slot, and the end may be movable between the holding and release positions, whereby in the release position the fencing member is free to exit through the open end of the slot. In this embodiment, the retainer may comprise spring steel or plastics material.

In another embodiment, the retainer may be pivotally connected to the body and pivoted between the holding and release positions. In this embodiment, the retainer may have a body mounting region and a fencing member engaging region.

The body mounting region may be mounted to the body by way of a pin of the retainer. The fencing member engaging region may extend across the slot so as to obstruct movement of the fencing member towards the open end of the slot when the retainer is in the holding position. The fencing member engaging region may be hook shaped so as to hook around the fencing member whilst the fencing member is located within the slot. The fencing member engaging region may extend within the body across the slot so as to obstruct movement of the fencing member towards the open end of the slot when the retainer is in the holding position. The fencing member engaging region may locate within the upper and lower grooves of the slot when in the release and holding positions, respectively.

The retainer may be biased to move to and remain in the holding position and this may be achieved in any suitable way. It may be biased, for example, by way of a spring or other type of biasing member, or by way of gravity. If by gravity, then the retainer may have a counter-balance region that causes the fencing member engaging region to pivot such that it extends across the slot so as to obstruct movement of the fencing member towards the open end of the slot.

The keeper may comprise more than one type of retainer for holding the fencing member within the slot. In yet another embodiment, each keeper may comprise a simple opening (aperture) in the body, as for commercially available Y-pickets.

Each keeper may be as described by the applicants in their co-pending patent application, no. PCT/AU2008/000857, or in a provisional application from which the international application claims priority.

Any suitable type of fencing member may be held relative to the body. In one embodiment, the fencing member is a plain wire or a length of barbed wire. The wire may be electrified.

In another embodiment, the fencing member may be a mesh panel. The mesh panel may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. The mesh panel may have rectangular, orthoganol or other shaped openings. Preferably, the mesh panel comprises a plurality of substantially horizontally and substantially vertically extending wires that are connected to one another. Preferably, each horizontally extending wire is held by a keeper of the body.

In yet another embodiment, the fencing member may be an insulator, a bracket, a rain gauge or other type of accessory that may usually be found connected to or otherwise associated with a fence. The fencing member may be an accessory that is not usually connected to or otherwise associated with a fence. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a Y-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side perspective view of part of the hybrid fence post shown in Figure 1, but supporting a fencing wire;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a Y-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, wherein the post is supporting a fencing wire, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side perspective view of part of a hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, wherein the post is supporting a fencing wire, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of a Y-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a side perspective view of part of the hybrid fence post shown in

Figure 6 but supporting a fencing wire;

Figure 8 is similar to the hybrid fence post shown in Figure 7 but having a differently shaped elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a side perspective view of part of a hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, wherein the post is supporting a fencing wire, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of part of a hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, wherein the post is supporting a fencing wire, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of that shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of a C-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a top plan view of that shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a side elevation view of a C-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of a hybrid fence post having a Y-profile elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a side elevation view of that shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a top plan view of a hybrid fence post having a Y-profile elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a side elevation view of that shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a side perspective view of a Y-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 is a top plan view of part of the hybrid fence post shown in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a side perspective view of part of the elongate holder for fencing members shown in Figure 19;

Figure 22 is a side perspective view of a Y-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a side perspective view of part of the elongate holder for fencing members shown in Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a side perspective view of a Y-profile hybrid fence post having an elongate holder for fencing members, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 25 is a close up view of that shown in Figure 24; Figure 26 is a side perspective view of the elongate holder for fencing members shown in Figure 24; and Figure 27 is a part view of the holder shown in Figure 26.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features. The figures generally show an elongate holder for fencing members that is connected to a fence post, to form a hybrid fence post. The holder comprises an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of keepers spaced along the longitudinal axis of the body for holding fencing members relative to the body, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the body to the fence post such that the longitudinal axis of the body extends along a length of the fence post.

Referring first to Figures 1-3, there is shown a hybrid fence post 1. The hybrid fence post 1 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 3 having three radially extending arms 5 a, 5b, 5 c and a ground-anchoring base 4. The hybrid fence post 1 also comprises an elongate holder for fencing members having a plastic strip body 6 riveted (ie. connecting mechanism) to arm 5a of the picket 3. The strip body 6 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of openings 7 (i.e. keepers) through which electrified fencing wires 2 may be extended. Figure 2 shows the hybrid fence post 1 supporting an electrified wire 2.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a hybrid fence post 10 according to another embodiment. This hybrid fence post 10 is like post 1, except that a strip body 11 of the elongate holder utilises less plastics material in that it has cut out portions 12 (only some which have been labelled).

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a hybrid fence post 15 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 15 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 16 having three radially extending arms 17a, 17b, 17c and a ground- anchoring base (not shown). The hybrid fence post 15 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 18 riveted to arm 17a of the picket 16. The strip body 18 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of slots 19 (i.e. keepers) for holding electrified fencing wires 20. Each slot 19 has an open end 21 and a blind end 22. Each slot 19 follows a convoluted path through the strip body 18 so that a fencing wire 20 cannot readily disengage the slot 19 by accident. The blind end 22 is tapered so as to 'grab' the fencing wire 20.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a hybrid fence post 25 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 25 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 26 having three radially extending arms 27a, 27b, 27c and a ground-anchoring base 35. The hybrid fence post 25 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 28 riveted to arm 27a of the picket 26. The strip body 28 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of keepers 29 for holding electrified wires 30.

As seen in Figure 7, each keeper 29 comprises a slot having an open end 32, a blind end 33 and a retainer 34 intermediate those ends 32, 33. The retainer 34 is movable between a holding position in which the fencing wire 30 is held relative to the post 25 and a release position in which the wire 30 may be released from the post 25. The retainer 34 obstructs movement of the fencing wire 30 through the slot and retains the fencing wire 30 within the blind end 33 of the slot. When moving a fencing wire 30 from the open end 32 to the blind and 33 of the slot, the retainer 34 bends to the release position to enable the wire 30 to be moved and trapped within the blind end 33 of the slot. Since the retainer 34 is made of plastics material that has memory, it readily moves back to the holding position.

Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a hybrid fence post 40 according to another embodiment. This post 40 is like post 25, except that the strip body 41 of the elongate holder utilises less plastics material in that it has cut out portions 42. Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown a hybrid fence post 45 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 45 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 46 having three radially extending arms 47a, 47b, 47c and a ground- anchoring base (not shown). The hybrid fence post 45 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 48 riveted to arm 47a of the picket 46. The strip body 48 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of keepers 49 for supporting electrified fencing wires 50.

Each keeper 49 comprises a slot having an open end 52, a blind end 53 and a retainer 54 intermediate those ends 52, 53. The retainer 54 is a spiral member ('pig- tail') that obstructs movement of the fencing wire 50 through the slot and retains the fencing wire 50 within the blind end 53 of the slot. When moving a fencing wire 50 from the open end 52 to the blind end 53, the wire 50 is manoeuvred such that it extends along a central axis of the retainer 54 - i.e. the retainer 54 hooks around the wire 50. Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown a hybrid fence post 55 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 55 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 56 having three radially extending arms 57a, 57b, 57c and a ground-anchoring base (not shown). The hybrid fence post 55 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 58 riveted to arm 57a of the picket 56. The strip body 58 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of keepers 59 for holding electrified wires 60.

Each keeper 59 is movable between a holding position in which the fencing wire 60 is held relative to the post 55 and a release position in which the wire 60 may be released from the post 55. Each keeper 59 comprises a slot having an open end 62, a blind end 63 and a retainer pin 64 intermediate those ends 62, 63. The retainer pin 64 has a shaft 67 and an enlarged head 68. A pair of pin support ledges 65, 66 extends adjacent the open end 62. Each ledge 65, 66 has an opening sized to snugly receive the shaft 67 but not the head 68 of the retainer pin 64. When the shaft 67 extends through the openings in the ledges 65, 66, the retainer 64 obstructs movement of the fencing wire 60 through the slot and retains the fencing wire 60 within the blind end 63 of the slot. When the shaft 67 is moved to the release position so as to not extend between the ledges 65, 66, the fencing wire 60 can be moved from the open end 62 to the blind end 63 of the slot, and vice versa.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, there is shown a hybrid fence post 70. The hybrid fence post 70 comprises a galvanised steel post 73 having a cross-section in the shape of the letter 'C and a ground-anchoring base 74. The hybrid fence post 70 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 76 riveted to the post 73. The strip body 76 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of openings 77 (i.e. keepers) through which electrified fencing wires (not shown) may be extended.

Referring now to Figure 14, there is shown a hybrid fence post 80 according to another embodiment. This post 80 is like post 70, except that an insulative plastic strip body 81 of an elongate holder has keepers 82 exactly like those shown in Figure 7.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, there is shown a hybrid fence post 95 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 95 comprises an elongate holder having a plastic Y-profile body 96 having three radially extending arms 97a, 97b, 97c and a blind bore 100 that extends between arms 97a, 97b, 97c and along a central axis of the body 96. The body 96 is electrically insulated and has a plurality of openings 99 (i.e. keepers) through which electrified wires may be extended.

The hybrid fence post 95 also comprises a galvanised fence post in the form of a steel tube 101 having a ground-anchoring base (not shown) and the tube 101 extends longitudinally within the blind bore 100 of the body 96. The ground-anchoring base is completely enveloped by the body 96. The body 96 serves as a corrosion inhibitor barrier - preventing the ground from directly contacting the steel tube 101 and thus extending the working life of the hybrid post 95. Referring now to Figures 17 and 18, there is shown a hybrid fence post 105 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 105 comprises an elongate holder having a plastic Y-profile body 106 having three radially extending arms 107a, 107b, 107c and a blind bore 110 that extends between arms 107a, 107b, 107c and along a central axis of the body 106. The body 106 is electrically insulated and may have a plurality of openings (not shown) through which electrified wires may be extended.

The hybrid fence post 105 also comprises a fence post in the form of a galvanised steel rod 111 having a ground-anchoring base (not shown) and the rod 111 extends longitudinally within the blind bore 110 of the body 106. The ground- anchoring base is completely enveloped by the body 106. The body 106 serves as a corrosion inhibitor barrier - preventing the ground from directly contacting the steel rod 111 and thus extending the working life of the post 105. Referring now to Figures 19-21, there is shown a hybrid fence post 125 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 125 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 126 having three radially extending arms 127a, 127b, 127c and a ground-anchoring base 135. The hybrid fence post 125 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 128 connected to arm 127a of the picket 26. The strip body 128 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of keepers 129 for holding electrified wires (not shown).

As seen in Figure 21, each keeper 129 comprises a slot having an open end 132, a blind end 133 and a retainer 134 intermediate those ends 132, 133. The retainer 134 is movable between a holding position in which the fencing wire is held relative to the post 125 and a release position in which the wire may be released from the post 125. The retainer 134 obstructs movement of the fencing wire through the slot and retains the fencing wire within the blind end 133 of the slot. When moving a fencing wire from the open end 132 to the blind and 133 of the slot, the retainer 134 bends to the release position to enable the wire to be moved and trapped within the blind end 133 of the slot. Since the retainer 134 is made of plastics material that has memory, it readily moves back to the holding position.

As seen in Figure 21, the elongate holder includes a connecting mechanism comprising a pair of legs 135 that extend from the strip body 128 and straddle picket arm 127a. The connecting mechanism 125 includes a plurality of pins 136 that extend through coinciding openings in strip body 128 and picket arm 127a, to hold the strip body 128 and arm 127a together. Each pin 136 has an enlarged head 137 and a pair of sprung diverging barbed legs 138.

Referring now to Figures 22 and 23, there is shown a hybrid fence post 140 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 140 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 141 having three radially extending arms 142 and a ground-anchoring base 143. The hybrid fence post 140 also comprises an elongate holder having a plastic strip body 145 connected to the picket 141. The strip body 145 serves as an electrical insulator and has a plurality of keepers 146 for holding electrified wires (not shown).

Each keeper 146 comprises an L-shaped slot 147 and a retainer assembly. The retainer assembly comprises a retainer 148, a pivot pin 149 and a travel stop pin 150.

The retainer 148 is pivotally mounted to a picket arm 142 and can pivot between fencing member holding and release positions. The retainer 148 has a tapered nose 151 that is shaped to both allow a fencing member to locate within a blind end

153 of the slot 147 and to be retained within the blind end 153. The retainer 148 has an arcuate recess 154 through which extends the travel stop pin 150. The pin 150 is trapped within the recess 154. When pivoting between fencing member between the holding and release positions, the recess 154 moves relative to the travel stop pin 150 until the pin 150 collides with end points of the recess 154.

When inserting a fencing wire into the slot 147, the fencing wire engages the tapered nose 151 and rotates the retainer 148 downwardly. The fencing wire then locates within the blind end 153 of the slot 147, at which time the retainer 148 rotates under gravity back to the holding position. In order to release the fencing member from the slot 147, the tapered nose 151 must be rotated downwardly by hand, such that the fencing wire can freely move to an open end of the slot 147.

The elongate holder has a connecting mechanism comprising four resilient pairs of legs 160 that extend from the strip body 145. The legs 160 extend part way around and straddle the picket 141. These legs 160 clip around the arms 142 of the picket 141.

Referring now to Figures 24-27, there is shown a hybrid fence post 170 according to another embodiment. The hybrid fence post 170 comprises a galvanised steel Y-profile fence post picket 171 having three radially extending arms 172 and a ground-anchoring base 173. The hybrid fence post 170 also comprises an elongate holder having a metallic strip body 177 connected to the picket 171. The body 177 has a plurality of keepers 176 for holding electrified wires (not shown). Each keeper 176 is the same as keeper 146 of Figure 23.

The elongate holder also includes a connecting mechanism 175 comprising three metal post collars 180 that extend/loop around the picket 171. The connecting mechanism 175 also comprises insulating discoid bodies 182 (eg. made of plastics material or ceramics) that are pinned to the strip body 177. The ends of each post collar 180 are arcuate and extend within an annular groove 187 in each discoid body 182. The ends are trapped within each annular groove 187 by way of an insulating washer 184 and a locking nut 185 (and bolt) that extends through the washers 184, discoid bodies 182 and strip body 177. In this way, the metallic strip body 177 is insulated from the picket 171. The present inventors have developed an elongate holder for fencing members that can be readily retrofitted to many known types of metal fence posts (particularly those having a series of openings spaced along a length of the post), to form a hybrid fence post having unique properties and advantages.

One advantage of the elongate holder as exemplified in Figures 1-26 is that it can readily insulate multiple electrified fencing wires. In the embodiments of Figures

5-11, 14 and 19-26, the wires can simply be clipped into place, rather than threaded through numerous holes.

Other advantages of some embodiments include that additional fence posts can be readily added to an existing fence and damaged fence posts can be replaced without first releasing all of the wires from the posts. Yet another advantage is that such a fence can be readily disassembled for relocation or recycling purposes.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The term "comprise" and variants of the term such as "comprises" or

"comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.