FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an insulator for an electric fence.

BACKGROUND

It is well known to use electric fences to retain and control livestock. One conventional type of electric fence has a plurality of wooden posts, one or more electrically conductive wires that are supported by the posts, and an energiser or power source arranged to energise or activate the wires by providing power to the wires. When the livestock touch the energised wires, the livestock receive an electric shock.

The wires are typically supported on the wooden posts by insulators. The insulators can be attached to the posts by fasteners, such as staples, screws, or nails.

The fasteners are often applied to the posts using a nail gun or staple gun. The shape of the insulator often clashes with the shape of a nail gun or staple gun, which results in the nail or staple being fastened to the insulator in a manner that is very inconsistent and inaccurate. To achieve a consistent and accurate result, it is necessary for an adaptor to be produced in conjunction with each insulator manufacturer. This is time consuming for the installer, adds expense and requires installer to have the appropriate attachment for the insulators they are using, if it is available.

There are some commercially available insulators that can only be properly installed using a type of fastener within a single aperture and therefore a single position across or within the insulator. Wooden posts have natural undulations, inconsistencies and imperfections on the surface that make it difficult to attach an insulator when the user is limited in their attachment options.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an insulator for an electric fence that addresses the problems of the prior art, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an insulator for supporting an elongate fence conductor on a fence post, the insulator comprising: a

1

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) body comprising a non-conducting material to electrically insulate the post from the fence conductor; a first fastening portion at or near one end of the body and a second fastening portion at or near the other end of the body; recesses and/or projections for receiving a portion of a head of a nail gun and/or a staple gun; and one or more conductor-retaining features configured to retain the fence conductor.

In one embodiment, the recesses comprise a pair of notches adapted to receive a pair of prongs of the nail gun.

In one embodiment, the notches are located inwardly from the periphery of the insulator.

In one embodiment, the recesses comprise a further pair of notches adapted to receive a pair of prongs of the nail gun.

In one embodiment, the notches are located inwardly from the periphery of the insulator.

In one embodiment, the pair of notches are located near one end of the body and the further pair of notches are located towards the centre of the body.

In one embodiment, the first fastening portion comprises a pair of notches and a further pair of notches.

In one embodiment, the second fastening portion comprises a pair of notches and a further pair of notches.

In one embodiment, the recesses comprise a pair of slots adapted to receive a portion of a head of a staple gun.

In one embodiment, the slots are formed on the periphery of the insulator.

In one embodiment, the recesses comprise a pocket adapted to receive a portion of a head of a staple gun.

In one embodiment, the pocket is located inwardly from the periphery of the insulator.

In one embodiment, the pocket and the slots are aligned across the width of the insulator. In one embodiment, the first fastening portion comprises a pair of slots and a pocket.

In one embodiment, the second fastening portion comprises a pair of slots and a pocket.

In one embodiment, the insulator further comprises a first flange projecting outwardly from the body and a second flange projecting outwardly from the body, the first flange having the first fastening portion and the second flange having the second fastening portion.

In one embodiment, the non-conducting material is or comprises polyethylene.

In one embodiment, the insulator is a unitary component.

In one embodiment, the insulator further comprises a location indicator.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an insulator for supporting an elongate fence conductor on a fence post, the insulator comprising: a body comprising a non-conducting material to electrically insulate the post from the fence conductor; a first fastening portion at or near one end of the body and a second fastening portion at or near the other end of the body; each fastening portion having at least three apertures for receiving fasteners for attaching the insulator to the fence post; and one or more conductor-retaining features configured to retain the fence conductor.

In one embodiment, the at least three apertures comprise one aperture having a substantially circular cross-section.

In one embodiment, the aperture having a substantially circular cross-section is located at or near a centreline of the body.

In one embodiment, the at least three apertures comprises two apertures, each of the two apertures having a substantially oval cross-section.

In one embodiment, the aperture having a substantially circular cross-section is located between the two apertures having a substantially oval cross-section.

In one embodiment, the insulator further comprises a first flange projecting outwardly from the body and a second flange projecting outwardly from the body, the first flange having the first fastening portion and the second flange having the second fastening portion.

In one embodiment, the non-conducting material is or comprises polyethylene.

In one embodiment, the insulator is a unitary component.

In one embodiment, the insulator further comprises a location indicator.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both. The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric fence with an insulator.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an insulator.

Figure 3 is a front view of the insulator of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the insulator of figure 2.

Figure 5 is a left side view of the insulator of figure 2.

Figure 6 is a right side view of the insulator of figure 2.

Figure 7 is a top view of the insulator of figure 2.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the insulator of figure 2.

Figure 9 shows one option to fasten the insulator to a fence post.

Figure 10 shows another option to fasten the insulator to a fence post.

Figure 11 shows another option to fasten the insulator to a fence post.

Figure 12 shows another option to fasten the insulator to a fence post.

Figure 13 shows another option to fasten the insulator to a fence post.

Figure 14 shows another option to fasten the insulator to a fence post.

Figure 15 shows a staple gun with the insulator.

Figure 16 shows the staple gun with the insulator in a different orientation.

Figure 17 shows the staple gun with the insulator in another different orientation.

Figure 18 shows the staple gun with the insulator in a further different orientation.

Figure 19 shows a nail gun with the insulator.

Figure 20 shows the nail gun with the insulator in a different orientation.

Figure 21 is an end view of a different staple gun with the insulator.

Figure 22 is a side view of the staple gun and insulator of figure 21 in a different orientation to figure 21.

Figure 23 is a side view of the staple gun and insulator of figure 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to figures 1 to 23, there is shown a preferred embodiment of an insulator 1 for supporting an elongate fence conductor 3 on a fence post 5. The elongate fence conductor 3 is shown as an electrically conducting wire.

Alternatively, the elongate fence conductor may take another form, such as a tape. The fence post 5 is a wooden fence post. The insulator 1 comprises a body 7 comprising a non-conducting material to electrically insulate the post 5 from the fence conductor 3.

The insulator 1 has a length L that is greater than its width W, shown in figure 7. The insulator 1 has a first fastening portion 9 at or near one end of the body 7 and a second fastening portion 11 at or near the other end of the body 7. In the preferred embodiment, the body 7 is provided in the form of a substantially circular protrusion 13. The insulator 1 has a first flange 15 projecting outwardly from the circular protrusion 13 of the body 7 and a second flange 17 projecting outwardly from circular protrusion 13 of the body. The first flange 15 forms the first fastening portion and the second flange 17 forms the second fastening portion. When viewed from the left or right, as shown in figures 5 and 6, the circular protrusion 13 and the flanges 15, 17 have an inverted T-shape.

Each flange 15, 17 has at least three apertures 19, 21, 23 for receiving fasteners for attaching the insulator 1 to the fence post 5.

The at least three apertures 19, 21, 23 comprise one aperture 19 having a substantially circular cross-section. The circular aperture 19 is located at or near a centreline of the body 7. The circular aperture 19 is suitable for receiving a fastener, such as a screw 25, a nail 27 , or one prong of a staple 29. The rim 31 of the circular aperture 19 is tapered such that when a screw or nail is used, the head of the screw 25 or nail 27 will sit substantially flush with the top surface of the flange 15, 17. The tapered rim 31 also provides a lead in feature to help locate the screw 25 or nail 27 in the aperture 19.

The at least three apertures also comprises two other apertures 21, 23, each having a substantially oval cross-section. The circular aperture 19 is located between the two oval apertures 21, 23.

Each of the substantially oval apertures 21, 23 has one end 33 that is narrower and another end 35 that is wider. The narrower end 33 is closer to the end of the insulator 1 and the wider end 35 is closer to the centre of the insulator 1. The narrower end 33 of each substantially oval aperture 21, 23 is suitable for receiving a smaller screw 25, a nail 27 , or one prong of a staple 29 and the wider end of each substantially oval aperture 21, 23 is suitable for receiving a larger screw 25, a nail 27, or one prong of a staple 29.

Each of the substantially oval apertures 21, 23 has a length that is greater than its width. The length of each of the substantially oval apertures 21, 23 is aligned with the length of the insulator 1. Figure 7 shows each of the substantially oval apertures 21, 23 is angled slightly with respect to the length of the insulator 1 with an inner wall of the aperture being parallel with the longitudinal axis of the insulator

1. An outer wall of the aperture 21, 23 extends at a non-parallel angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the insulator 1.

The rim 37 of each of the substantially oval apertures 21, 23 is tapered. The tapered rim 37 provides a lead in feature to help located the prong of the staple 29 in the apertures 21, 23. The rim 37 also helps spread the staple load across the surface of the insulator 1.

By providing three apertures 19, 21, 23 in each flange 15, 17, a variety of different fastening options are possible. Those options include:

1. A staple 29 may have one prong extending through one oval aperture 21 and the other prong extending through the other oval aperture 23 (figure 9).

2. A staple 29 may have one prong extending through one oval aperture 21, 23 and the other prong located outwardly from the insulator 1. The other prong may be located laterally (figure 10) or longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insulator 1.

3. A nail 25 or screw 27 may be inserted through the circular aperture 19 (figure 11, figure 12).

4. A nail 25 or screw 27 may be inserted through one or more of the oval apertures 21, 23 (figure 12).

5. A staple 29 may have one prong extending through the circular aperture 19 and the other prong located outwardly from the insulator 1 (figure 13). The other prong may be located laterally or longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insulator 1.

The options above may be combined. For example, a nail may be used together with a staple. Or, two staples may be used (figure 14). The insulator 1 has one or more conductor-retaining features configured to retain the fence conductor 3. In the embodiment shown, the conductor-retaining feature has a transverse entry slot 39, which extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the insulator 1. In the embodiment shown, the angle is about 45°. The entry slot 39 leads into a retention slot 41. When viewed from the left (figure 5) or right (figure 6), the retention slot 41 extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the entry slot 39. The conductor is retained in the retention slot by a front wall 43, a back wall 45, a top wall 47, and a bottom wall 49. Figures 5 and 6 show that the arrangement of walls 43, 45, 47, 49 defines a conductor passageway 51. The conductor passageway 51 secures the fence conductor 3 and insulator 1 together.

The dimensions of the passageway 51 allow for a variety of different fence conductors 3 and are suitable for use with cables, wires or tape that have a diameter (or largest dimension) up to about 6mm.

Figures 3 to 6 show the insulator 1 has a relatively large stand-off so that when the insulator 1 is installed, the conductor-retaining features support the fence conductor 3 at a distance away from the post 5, which prevents the fence conductor 3 shorting to the fence posts 5 and/or battens.

The insulator 1 also has recesses and/or projections for receiving a portion of a head of a nail gun. By providing these features, the insulator 1 may be readily attached to the fence post 5 using a nail gun without requiring a specific adapter between the head of the nail gun and the insulator 1. Further, these features may also allow the nail gun to achieve accurate and consistent attachment of a nail to the insulator 1 and fence post 5.

In the embodiment shown, the insulator has notches 53 that are shaped to correspond to the shape of typically available nail guns and are located inwardly from the periphery of the insulator 1. Each fastening portion 9, 11 has a pair of notches 53 and a further pair of notches 55 adapted to receive the prongs 69 of the nail gun 67. The pair of notches 53 are located near one end of the body and the further pair of notches 55 are located towards the centre of the body. The further notches 55 are also located inwardly from the periphery of the insulator 1. By having two pairs of notches 53, 55, it is possible to place the nail gun 67 in two different orientations relative to the insulator 1, as shown in figures 19 and 20. The insulator 1 also has recesses and/or projections for receiving a portion of a head 63 of a staple gun. For example, each fastening portion has a pair of slots adapted to receive a portion of a head of a staple gun.

The slots 59 are shaped to correspond to the shape of typically available staple guns and are formed on the periphery of the insulator 1. The recesses further comprise a pocket 61 adapted to receive a portion of a head of a staple gun. The pocket 61 is located inwardly from the periphery of the insulator 1. In the embodiment shown, the pocket 61 is located in the centre of the insulator 1 (along it's width). The pocket 61 and the slots 59 are aligned across the width of the insulator 1.

The first fastening portion comprises a pair of slots 59 and a pocket 61 and the second fastening portion comprises a pair of slots 59 and a pocket 61. By having two pairs of slots 59 and a pocket 61, it is possible to place the staple gun in at least two orientations relative to the insulator 1, as shown in figures 15 to 18.

The location of the recesses and/or projections relative to the substantially oval apertures 21, 23 allows the user to use a staple gun accurately and consistently. Further, as shown in figures 15 to 18, the staple gun can be used in a number of different orientations relative to the insulator 1 and also achieve accurate and consistent attachment of the staples. When the lugs 65 of the head 63 of the staple gun engage with both slots 59 (figure 15 and figure 16), the staple will be inserted with its prongs extending into the two substantially oval apertures 21, 23. Figures 15 and 16 show the staple gun in two different orientations relative to the insulator 1. In each orientation, the lugs 65 engage the periphery of the insulator 1 in a secure manner with two lugs at the end of the insulator and two lugs 65 in the slots 59. This produces staple 29 having one prong extending through one slot 21 and the other prong extending through the other slot 23 (figure 9). Figure 15 shows the staple gun attaching a staple to the lower end of the insulator 1 and figure 16 shows the staple gun attaching a staple to the upper end of the insulator 1. It can be seen that the staple gun is held with the head 63 of the gun above the body of the gun in both figures 15 and 16. By providing features that allow the gun to stay in the same vertical configuration, the speed of attaching the insulator 1 to the post 5 is greater than if the gun needed to be inverted between the top and bottom staples 29 being attached. Figure 17 shows the staple gun in another orientation, with the lower right lug 65 positioned in the pocket 61, the upper right lug 65 is positioned in the slot 67 at the end of the insulator, and the two left lugs 65 are positioned outwardly from the insulator. This produces a staple 29 with one prong extending through one slot and the other prong located outwardly from the insulator 1 (figure 10).

A similar orientation on the right side of the insulator 1 may also be used to produce a staple 29 on the right side of the insulator 1.

Similar to the features described above, by providing these features, the insulator 1 may be readily attached to the fence post 5 accurately and consistently using a staple gun without requiring a specific adapter between the head of the staple gun and the insulator 1.

Figures 21 to 23 show a different staple gun with the insulator 1. This staple gun has a head 71 and a plurality of lugs 73. The lugs 73 are provided in pairs at the front of the head 71.

Similar to the embodiment shown and described in relation to figures 15 to 18, the staple gun of figures 21 to 23 can be used in a number of different orientations relative to the insulator 1 and also achieve accurate and consistent attachment of the staples. With reference to figure 21, one pair of the lugs 73 of the head 71 of the staple gun engage with the periphery of the insulator and the wall of the aperture 21. The other pair of lugs also engage with the periphery of the insulator and the wall of the aperture 23. Similar to the previously described staple gun, it can be seen that the staple gun is held with the head of the gun above the body of the gun in both figures 22 and 23. By providing features that allow the gun to stay in the same vertical configuration, the speed of attaching the insulator 1 to the post 5 is greater than if the gun needed to be inverted between the top and bottom staples 29 being attached.

In addition to providing features for allowing either a nail gun or a staple gun to fasten the insulator 1 to the post 5, the insulator 1 can also be installed by hand. For example, the insulator 1 can be fastened by hand using staples, nails, or screws. Hand stapling allows the insulator 1 to be installed with a variety of options. In alternative embodiments, the insulator 1 may be provided with the notches only, the slots 59 and a pocket 61 only, both the notches and the slots and pockets, or none of those features.

The insulator 1 also has a location indicator 57. The location indicator 57 is situated at the centre of the insulator 1. The location indicator 57 is a straight projection in the form of a rib. Alternatively, the location indicator 57 may be a recess, slot or channel.

The insulator 1 is a unitary component. Each fastening portion has mirror symmetry about the longitudinal axis of the insulator 1. Further, the insulator 1 has rotational symmetry. That is, if the insulator 1 is rotated 180° in a clockwise direction from the position shown in figure 7, it will have the same shape as shown in figure 7.

The insulator 1 described herein is suitable for a variety of different energizers, including large energizers.

The insulator 1 described herein is compact and has an aesthetically pleasant design. The compact size allows the fence conductor to be mounted at or near the top of the post.

In the preferred embodiment, the non-conducting material is or comprises polyethylene. Other suitable materials include other polymeric materials, porcelain or elastomers.

The insulator 1 described herein can be used with a variety of different staple guns, nail guns, or traditional hand screws, nails and/or staples without any additional attachments or adapters. The insulator 1 can be installed easily and quickly, regardless of the installation method that is used. As a result, this saves time for the installer/fencer. For example, there is no need to change the gun head, which allows the insulators to be installed at the same time as wires or netting are being installed.

The insulator 1 described herein allows an installer to achieve a consistent and accurate attachment of the insulator 1 to a post 5. The insulator 1 can be installed by any installer and does not require highly skilled, highly paid personnel. Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.