NZ706139B2 - Stay assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a prop (30) for supporting post in a fence line. The prop (30) may be a tube of mild steel and comprises a head (32) at a proximal end. The head (32) is defined by flattening or squashing the end of the tube. The head (32) is adapted to enable a close fitting engagement with a corresponding profile of a strainer post, for instance cutting along a radius (R). A spigot (36) may be formed at the distal edge of the head to locate in a corresponding hole defined in a post. The prop may be used with a ground engaging pad, a bracket, a strainer post, and a tensioning rod to form a stay assembly for supporting the strainer post. ding profile of a strainer post, for instance cutting along a radius (R). A spigot (36) may be formed at the distal edge of the head to locate in a corresponding hole defined in a post. The prop may be used with a ground engaging pad, a bracket, a strainer post, and a tensioning rod to form a stay assembly for supporting the strainer post.

Description

STAY ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD Improved components for a stay assembly are disclosed. The components are employed with a strainer post in a fence line (e.g. in agricultural applications, etc). A kit for supplying the stay assembly is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND ART Components for a stay assembly for a strainer post in a fence line (e.g. for agricultural applications) can comprise the stay itself (e.g. a prop that may take the form of a pipe), a thrust pad for supporting a remote end of the stay with respect to the ground, a bracket for connecting the stay remote end to the thrust pad, and a tensioning rod which, when tensioned, secures together the bracket, stay remote end, and thrust pad (i.e. it tensions the assembly together).

An example of a known fence post stay assembly is shown in AU 2002100597.

The pad of this assembly has been observed to trap moisture, dirt and debris, and a number of the components can be relatively complex and costly to manufacture and supply.

The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the components as disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein is a prop for use as part of a stay assembly for supporting a strainer post in a fence line. The prop may comprise a head at one end of the prop that is adapted for close-facing engagement with a profile of the strainer post. In this regard, a distal edge of the head is shaped so as to generally match the profile of the strainer post.

This close-facing matching of the head distal edge to the strainer post profile results is less slippage between the prop and strainer post when e.g. the assembly is adjusted in situ (e.g. during set-up when, for example, the pad is initially moved about to an optimal location). In other words, the prop and strainer post tend to remain “connected”.

In one form, when the strainer post has a circular profile, the distal edge of the head can be provided with a corresponding concave curvature to generally match and closely receive thereat the circular profile of the strainer post. In some forms, an opposite end of the prop is adapted for locating with respect to a pad that in use forms part of the stay assembly.

In one form, when the prop comprises a tube, the head can be defined by a flattened end of the tube.

In one form a spigot can be defined to project from an intermediate location along the distal edge of the head. A corresponding recess can be defined at the strainer post to receive and locate the spigot therein.

An opposite end the prop can be adapted (e.g. made open) for locating at the bracket as defined in the third aspect.

In one form, the spigot is adapted to be located in a corresponding hole defined in the strainer post.

In one form, the opposite end of the prop is hollow to receive the bracket in use.

Also disclosed herein is a stay assembly. The stay assembly may comprise, a prop, a bracket adapted to receive the opposite end of the prop, a pad having a support region for supporting the bracket, a strainer post; and a tensioning rod adapted to extend between the strainer post and the pad.

In one form, the prop is one of a pair of props, the bracket is one of a pair of brackets, the pad is one of a pair of pads, and the tensioning rod is one of a pair of tensioning rods.

Also disclosed herein is a method of installing a stay assembly. The method may comprise securing a strainer post to a ground surface, locating a pad on the ground surface, the pad being spaced from the strainer post, securing a bracket to the pad; securing an end of the prop to the bracket, securing an opposite end of the prop to the strainer post, positioning a tensioning rod between the pad and the strainer post, and tensioning the tensioning rod to tension the stay assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the components and kit for the stay assembly as set forth in the Summary, specific component embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A to 1C show perspective, plan and reverse end views of a first pad embodiment for use with a stay assembly for supporting a strainer post in a fence line; Figure 2A shows a side view of the pad of Figure 1 with a first bracket embodiment positioned thereon, and Figure 2B shows a schematic end view of two of the pads of Figure 1 in a stacked configuration; Figures 3A to 3C show side, plan and end views of the first bracket embodiment for use with the pad of Figures 1 and 2 to form part of the stay assembly for supporting a strainer post in a fence line; Figure 4A shows a perspective view and Figure 4B shows a side schematic of the bracket of Figure 3, when mounted to a central support region of the pad of Figure 1, with an open end of a prop being supported at the bracket, and with a tensioning rod extending through a rear of the bracket; Figure 5 shows a side view of a first tensioning rod embodiment for use with a stay assembly for supporting a strainer post in a fence line; Figures 6A and 6B show plan and side views of a first prop embodiment for use with a stay assembly for supporting a strainer post in a fence line; Figure 7 shows a perspective schematic detail of two respective props of Figure 6, with a specially formed end of each prop being supported at opposing respective sides of a circular strainer post; Figures 8A to 8D show plan, side, end and perspective views of a first stay assembly embodiment for supporting a first strainer post in a fence line, the assembly comprising a dual (opposing) arrangement of the pad, bracket and tensioning rod components of Figures 1 to 5; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second stay assembly embodiment for supporting a second strainer post in a fence line, the assembly comprising the pad, bracket, prop and tensioning rod components of Figures 1 to 7; and Figures 10A and 10B show perspective views of two different strainer post configurations that can form part of the stay assembly of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Prior to describing the components of Figures 1 to 7, two different stay assemblies will first be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Several of the components of Figures 1 to 7 can be employed with each of these assemblies.

First Stay Assembly Referring firstly to Figure 8, a first stay assembly A is shown for supporting a strainer post P in a fence line. The assembly A is a dual assembly in that it comprises two thrust pads 10, with each pad supporting a respective prop support bracket 20. The assembly A also comprises two props 30 and two collapsible tensioning rods 40. The dual pads, brackets, props and rods in assembly A are arranged in an opposing configuration (as shown).

Each prop 30 supports the strainer post in the fence line, enabling it to better withstand fence tension and loading forces, and knocks and bumps from livestock. The tensioning rod 40 is used to tension the stay assembly.

The strainer post P of Figure 8 comprises elongate angle (e.g. of L-section) driven into the ground G. The angle has a number of slots S defined near its upper end, in flanges of the angle and/or in a plate mounted thereto. The slots S receive and locate a respective flattened upper end of each prop 30 (as described hereafter).

The strainer post P of Figure 8 also comprises two lugs L affixed thereat intermediate its ends. These lugs can receive and locate ground securing pins SP (as described hereafter). In addition, locating plates LP for receiving and locating respective ends of the tensioning rods 40 can be affixed to the post P (as described hereafter).

Second Stay Assembly Referring now to Figure 9, a second stay assembly A’ is shown for supporting a strainer post P’ in a fence line F. The assembly A’ is a single assembly in that it comprises one each of a thrust pad 10, prop support bracket 20, prop 30 and collapsible tensioning rod 40. It should be understood that the assembly A’ can equally assume a dual configuration as per assembly A, or even a multiple configuration (e.g. up to four props 30, etc).

The strainer post P’ of Figure 9 comprises elongate pipe or tube (e.g. circular pipe or tube) that can be secured in the ground G. The post P’ has a number of holes H defined near its upper end to each receive and locate a respective upper end of a given prop 30 (as described hereafter).

The strainer post P’ employed in the assembly of Figure 9 can take a number of forms. A first form is shown in Figure 10A as pipe P1’. Pipe P1’ comprises two lugs L affixed thereat intermediate its ends for receiving and locating the ground securing pins SP. In addition, rod end locating plates LP can be affixed to the post P1’, adjacent to the lugs L, with the plates LP receiving and locating thereat a respective end of the tensioning rod 40.

A second form of the strainer post P’ employed in the assembly of Figure 9 is shown in Figure 10B as pipe P2’. In this case, the lugs L and rod end locating plates LP are affixed to a collar-shaped bracket B. This bracket B is able to be slidingly located along and affixed to the post P2’ at a desired location intermediate its ends.

Each of the components for use with the first and second stay assemblies A and A’ of Figures 8 and 9 will now be described in greater detail, under respective headings.

In Figures 1 and 2, a pad in the form of a thrust pad 10 is shown for supporting an in-use lower distal end of the prop 30. The thrust pad 10 is optimised to transfer fence tension and loading forces, and knocks and bumps, to the adjacent ground G in use. In this regard, the pad has been elongated and narrowed compared to existing thrust pads to allow for better transfer of thrust forces in use from its front (or forward) end 11F to its back (or rearward) end 11B.

Usually the thrust pad 10 is moulded from plastic (e.g. from a low cost recycled or low grade plastic) to make the pad simple and cheap to produce.

The thrust pad 10 comprises a rectangular base 12 which, adjacent to its perimeter, is generally flat at its underside for better engaging with the ground. The base 12 may or may not comprise elongate feet 13 (as shown Figures 2A & B). Away from the perimeter and towards to centre, the base may be concave at its underside, to allow for stacking of like pads (Figure 2B), e.g. when the pads are supplied as part of a kit. Further, the base may comprise four discrete upstanding tabs 14 to facilitate stacking and packing (Figure 2B).

A support region in the form of a central formation 15 is formed integrally (e.g. moulded into) the base 12 to be located generally centrally with respect to the base. The formation 15 is adapted for supporting a remote end of the prop 30 through the use of the prop support bracket 20. Figure 2A shows the bracket 20 mounted on the formation . The bracket is force fit (e.g. press- or push-fit) onto the formation 15 and is further retained thereon by the tensioning rod (see Figure 4B). In use, the bracket 20 directly transfers forces from the prop 30 through to the pad 10 (as described below).

As best shown in Figure 2A, the central formation 15 slopes up from a lower rear end that faces back end 11B of pad 10, to an opposing forward facing end that faces front end 11F of pad 10. This sloping of formation 15 helps to better orient it and the bracket 20 to the prop 30 (i.e. to better or more fully receive the in-use line (or main vector) of thrust force from the prop 30), enabling the bracket and formation to on- transfer this force to the pad.

As shown in Figure 1C, the central formation 15 comprises opposing and parallel walls 15W that define a groove 15G therebetween. The walls space the bracket above the pad such that the tensioning rod 40 can lie in the groove 15G, and extend under and through a rear part of the bracket 20, and against which rear part a tensioning nut can act (as described below).

The central formation 15 is supported at its rear by integrally moulded buttresses 16, which translate thrust forces through to upstanding rearwardly projecting ribs 17A and 17B. These ribs terminate from a perimetal edge of the base 12. The central formation 15 is also forwardly supported by forwardly projecting ribs 17C and 17D and also by upstanding laterally projecting ribs 18, with the rib 17D extending right through to the edge of the base 12. The ribs 17 and 18 are integrally moulded into the pad 10 to radiate out from the central formation 15 and to translate forces throughout the pad 10 in use.

The pad 10 is designed such that an upper surface 19 of the base 12 slopes up from the perimetal edge of the base 12 to the central formation 15 (i.e. sloping right up to the central formation 15 and sloping up right around the base). The provision of this slope means that water, moisture, dirt, dust, etc does not accumulate on the pad when out “in the field” in use. Such matter can thus “run off” the pad. This can enhance the function of the pad, improve its aesthetics, as well as improve the life of the stay assembly (e.g. corrosion and fouling is less likely to occur in and around the bracket 20 and at the prop distal end).

Figure 4B shows the central formation 15 supporting the bracket 20, with the tensioning rod 40 extending therethrough. A tensioning nut 41 applies tension to rod 40 and also helps to secure the bracket 20 to formation 15. Bracket 20 supports a lower open distal end 31 of the prop 30. A projecting tongue 22 of the bracket is able to locate within the open end 31 to laterally and vertically support the prop at the pad 10.

Bracket In Figure 3, a bracket in the form of a prop support bracket 20 is shown for supporting the lower open distal end 31 of the prop 30 at the thrust pad 10. The bracket translates fence tension force and fence loading force from the strainer post P, P’ via the prop 30, through to the thrust pad 10, and hence through to the ground.

The bracket 20 is formed (e.g. punched or cut) from a single piece of sheet metal (e.g. hot-dipped galvanised steel sheet of 3mm thickness) making the bracket simple and economic to manufacture.

The bracket 20 comprises a body 21 for location at the central formation 15 of the thrust pad 10. From body 21, a protrusion in the form of the tongue 22 is defined to extend forwardly in use from an edge 23 of the body 21 (i.e. as a continuation of the body 21). The tongue 22 is adapted to locate within the open lower end of 31 of the prop 30 (Figure 4B). A step formation 24 is cut or punched and then bent into the bracket 20, with the step formation extending orthogonally downwards in use from the edge 23 and then forwards. As best shown in Figure 4B, the step formation 24 supports a lower edge of the prop 30 at its open end 31.

The tongue 22 and step formation 24 work together to better retain and maintain the prop lower end 31 at the bracket 20, and thus at the thrust pad 10. In this regard, they work together to resist lateral (side-to-side) and vertical (up and down) movement of the prop lower end. This results in a more secure assembly when tensioned, and results in a better translation of thrust force from the prop 30 through to the pad 10 in use.

A rear flange 26 of bracket 20 is bent to extend orthogonally downwards in use from an opposite edge 27 of the body 21. The step formation 24 and rear flange 26 are adapted (e.g. spaced and configured) to locate and “grip” onto to respective ends of the formation 15, to help secure the bracket 20 to the thrust pad 10, and to support the bracket against backwards and forwards thrust forces.

To further secure the bracket 20 to the formation 15, a hole 27 for a securing screw (e.g. self-tapping screw) can be defined in body 21. This hole may also align with a preformed pilot hole in the formation 15.

It will also be seen that the rear flange 26 extends downwards from the body 21 to a greater extent than the step formation 24. An elongate hole 28 is provided in this lower extent of the rear flange. As shown in Figure 4B, the hole 28 is able to receive therethrough a distal end 42 of the tensioning rod 40 in the stay assembly. The tensioning rod 40 passes under step formation 24.

As also shown in Figure 4B, the protruding distal end 42 or rod 40 can be externally threaded to receive the tensioning nut 41 thereon. The nut is screw-tightened to engage against the rear flange 26 in use of the stay assembly to further secure the bracket to the formation 15 of the thrust pad 10 and to tension the assembly A. A’.

Prop Referring to Figures 6A & B and 7, a modified prop 30 for use as part of the stay assembly A’ of Figure 9 is shown. The prop 30 connects to the strainer post P’ in a fence line and translates fence tension force and fence loading force from the strainer post P’, via the bracket 20, to the thrust pad 10 and thence to the ground G. As explained above, the bracket 20 locates the prop open end 31 at the thrust pad 10.

The prop 30 is of tube (e.g. of mild steel) and comprises a head 32 at a proximal end of the prop, the head being defined by a flattening/squashing at 33 an end of the tube. The flattened part 33 of head 32 is adapted (e.g. cut to shape along a radius R) to enable its close-facing engagement with a corresponding profile of the strainer post P’ (see Figure 7). In this regard, when the strainer post P’ has a circular profile (e.g. see Figures 10A & B), its end is cut such that a resultant distal edge 34 of the head is provided with a corresponding concave curvature to generally match the circular profile of the strainer post P’.

This close-facing matching of the distal edge 34 to the strainer post profile results in less slippage between the prop and strainer post in use and when, for example, the assembly A’ is adjusted in situ. This adjustment can occur during set-up of the assembly when e.g. the pad is initially moved about to an optimal location.

A spigot 36 is formed at the distal edge 34 of the head 32 at an intermediate location along the distal edge. The spigot 36 projects and locates in a corresponding hole H defined in the post P’.

In the case of the post P of assembly A as shown in Figure 8, the head 32 of the prop may simply be flattened to be inserted into a slot S defined in a plate affixed (e.g. welded) to the strainer post P or a slot S defined in a flange of the angle. Instead of slots, the holes H can be formed in the plate or flange to receive the spigot 36. In either case, this secures the prop 30 to such a post to improve the overall security of the assembly A in use.

Tensioning Rod In Figure 5, a modified tensioning rod 40 for use as part of the stay assembly of Figure 6 is shown. The tensioning rod 40 comprises a first section 42 and a second section 44. The first and second rod sections 42, 44 are externally threaded, typically for their full length and at least adjacent to their interconnection. The first and second rod sections 42, 44 can be the same or of different (unequal) length. The protruding distal end 41 defined by the first rod section 42 is also externally threaded. Usually the first and second rod sections are 42, 44 are threaded for their entire length for ease of use.

A connector in the form of long nut 46 is provided for interconnecting the first and second sections together so as to define a full length of the rod 40 for use in the stay assembly.

The long nut 46 allows the tensioning rod to be dismantled into its first and second rod sections 42, 44. This means that the rod can be supplied and stored as part of a kit. The long nut 46 is of a length to threadably couple with and securely join the first and second rod sections 42, 44 (i.e. for a sufficient distance along each section from their interconnection to prevent rod bending and flexing at the interconnection).

Kit for Stay Assembly The stay assembly A or A’ can be stored, transported and supplied in a kit form.

In the kit, a hollow strainer post P’ (e.g. P1’ or P2’) having a sufficient effective diameter is employed (i.e. defining a sufficient hollow area to fit the components therein). In this regard, the post P’ is sized to receive therein, via its open lower end, the prop 30 and dismantled tensioning rod 40, together with the long nut 46. The post P’ is also sized to receive therein the prop support bracket 20 and the tensioning nut 41. The thrust pad 10 is supplied separately, although could be redesigned to enable it to be dismantled (e.g. into a number of smaller interconnectable parts) to then be located within the post P’.

The kit can be supplied with a suitably sized (e.g. plastic) cap for releasably closing the lower open end of the post P’. Thus, the prop, tensioning rod, and bracket, and all necessary parts, can be located within the hollow of the post. Then, the open end can be closed by the cap, to enable a secure storage, transportation and supply of these components with the strainer post.

The kit can be supplied to a user (e.g. a farmer) at point of sale as a neatly packaged, self-contained and portable assembly. For example, the loaded strainer post P’ can be shrink-wrapped (or otherwise bundled together) with the thrust pad(s) as a single unit, the unit containing everything the farmer needs to erect the stay assembly.

The stay assembly kit is also useful when it is to be employed in remote or difficult-to-access locations (i.e. the kit can be carried to site before being unpacked).

Whilst a number of specific stay assembly component and kit embodiments have been described, it should be appreciated that the components and kit may be embodied in other forms.

For example, the thrust pad 10 can be modular for dismantling and inclusion into the kit. The prop 30 need not take pole/tube form and could, for example, take the form of a strut, rod etc.

Whilst the bracket 20 is formed from steel plate, it could be cut and welded from two or more angles etc. Also, the tensioning rod 40 may comprise one or more further sections in addition to the first and second sections 42, 44. This can allow for more compact dismantling. Additional long nuts 46 can be provided.

Components of the kit may also be supplied within the prop, which is then located within the strainer post P’. Also, the components can be adapted for use with other than hollow strainer posts, such as the post P, a timber post, a solid (e.g. concrete) post, etc.

In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the stay assembly components and kit.

Claims (9)

1. A prop for use as part of a stay assembly for supporting a strainer post in a fence line, the prop comprising: 5 a tube; a head disposed at one end of the tube, the head being defined by a flattened end of the tube; the head being adapted for close-facing engagement with a circular profile of the strainer post, whereby a distal edge of the head defines a corresponding 10 concave curvature to generally match the circular profile of the strainer post, and wherein an opposite end of the tube is adapted for locating with respect to a pad that in use forms part of the stay assembly; and a spigot being defined to project from an intermediate location along the distal edge of the head.

2. A prop according to claim 1, wherein the spigot is adapted to be located in a corresponding hole defined in the strainer post.

3. A prop as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein an opposite end of the prop is adapted for 20 locating at a bracket for use with a pad that in use forms part of a stay assembly for supporting the strainer post in the fence line.

4. A prop according to claim 3, wherein the opposite end of the prop is hollow to receive the bracket in use.

5. A stay assembly comprising: a prop as defined in claim 3 or 4; the bracket that is adapted to receive the opposite end of the prop; the pad, the pad having a support region for supporting the bracket; 30 the strainer post; and a tensioning rod adapted to extend between the strainer post and the pad.

6. A stay assembly according to claim 5, wherein: the prop is one of a pair of props; the bracket is one of a pair of brackets; the pad is one of a pair of pads; and 5 the tensioning rod is one of a pair of tensioning rods.

7. A method of installing a stay assembly comprising; securing a strainer post to a ground surface; locating a pad on the ground surface, the pad being spaced from the strainer post; 10 securing a bracket to the pad; securing an end of the prop as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 to the bracket; securing an opposite end of the prop to the strainer post; positioning a tensioning rod between the pad and the strainer post; and tensioning the tensioning rod to tension the stay assembly.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the stay assembly is as defined in claim 5 or

9. A prop substantially as herein described with reference to