AU2008100268A4 - Fence gate - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant(s): Fisher Dairies Pty Ltd Invention Title: FENCE GATE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P7845 .AU PLSGFUlV Ap4icot 2008-3-26doc (M) 2 00 Fence gate SField of the invention ND The present invention relates to a fence gate and also to a fence incorporating such a gate.

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SBackground 0 Many farming properties are subdivided by fences to 00 restrict movement of stock. Gateways are provided in the C fences to allow movement of stock and vehicles about the property. Most commonly, hinged gates are provided to allow the farmer to selectively open and close the gateways.

Using conventional hinged gates in land irrigated by an irrigator can be difficult, as the gates need to be open to allow the wheeled supporting towers of the irrigator pass through the gateway. However, the gateway may need to be closed to prevent stock passing through the gateway at other times. Ensuring that the gateway is open to allow the irrigator to pass through the gateway at appropriate times and closed at all other times to prevent unintended stock movement can be problematic. This problem is exacerbated by the slow movement of the irrigator.

There is a need for an alternative fence gate that can restrict stock movement and can also allow machinery, such as a pivot irrigator, to pass through the gateway as required.

N \Melboume\76000-76999P AU\SpesP76645AU Specfication 2008-3-26.doc 26/03108 00 3 00 Summary The present invention provides a fence gate for use in a gateway comprising one or more gate members that each NO have: S an elongate member that can extend at least partially 00 across the gateway and that is made of an electrically

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NO conductive material such that the elongate member can be O electrified by an electrical charge generator; a biasing member that biases the elongate member 00 toward a neutral position and allows the elongate member to be deflected from the neutral position; and a mount that facilitates mounting of the biasing member relative to a fence post; wherein, when the neutral position of each elongate member is in the neutral position, the gateway is closed by the elongate member or members.

Thus, the elongate member(s) can be deflected from a neutral position, in which the elongate member(s) extend across the gateway to close the gateway. The biasing member of each gate member biases the respective elongate member back towards the neutral position. An electrical charge generator can provide an electric charge to electrify the elongate member(s), which discourages livestock from attempting to open the gate.

Preferably, the elongate member is a first elongate member, and the mount comprises a second elongate member that is connected to the biasing member and that can be located relative to the fence post. More preferably, the second elongate member is made of an electrically conductive material.

N elbAumXCaesNPetentk760D-76999P76 AUSpecis\P76645 AU Sperifcation 2008.3-26.doc 26103/08 4 00 O0 Preferably, the biasing member is also made of an electrically conductive material. More preferably, the Sfirst elongate member, the biasing member and the second IND elongate member are contiguous.

N 00 Preferably, the free end of the second elongate 00 ND member can be placed in electrical communication with the Selectrical charge generator.

00 In one embodiment, the fence gate further comprises C-I an insulated sheath that extends over at least a portion of the second elongate member.

Preferably, the mount further comprises one or more insulators for attaching the biasing member to the fence post. Preferably, the biasing member includes one or more attachment points that each facilitate connection of the biasing member to the insulator(s).

In some embodiments, the first and second elongate members are parallel.

In one alternative embodiment, the first and second elongate members are perpendicular to one another.

In one embodiment, the biasing member comprises coiled wire. Preferably, one or more coils of the biasing member forms the attachment points.

Preferably, the first elongate member is longer than the second elongate member.

N:elboume\Cases \Paten76000-76999P76645A SpecisP7645.AU Specficaion 2008-3-26 doc 26/03/08 00 The present invention also provides a fence having at least one gateway that comprises: Sa fence gate as described above, in which each gate ND member is mounted to fence post with the neutral position of the elongate member aligned to extend across the 00 gateway, and ND an electric charge generator that is in electrical Scommunication with each gate member, 0 wherein the elongate member of each gate member can 00 be electrified by the electric charge generator.

Preferably, the fence gate comprises two gate members and the elongate members of each gate member co-operate to close the gateway.

Preferably, the length of the elongate members is at least half the width of the gateway.

Preferably, each gate member has second elongate members that are each located with respect to a fence post of the fence. More preferably, a wire strand of the fence is connected to the free end of the second elongate members.

The first elongate members may overlap with one another. Alternatively, there may be a gap between the free ends of the first elongate members.

Preferably, the fence further comprises one or more insulators that facilitate mounting of the biasing member on a respective one of the fence gates.

N:\MelboumCasi\76000-76999 \P76 s P76645AU Specification 2008-3-26 doc 26103/08 6 Brief description of the drawings In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: is a side view of a fence gate according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2: is a top view of the fence gate of figure 0 1; Figures 3 Figure 9: Figure 10: to 8: show a fence post and gateway illustrating the stages of a method of installing a fence gate, the method being in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; shows a side elevation of a fence, and fence gate according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and is a perspective view of two fence gates, each according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description Figures 1 and 2 show a gate member 10 of a fence gate according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The gate member 10 has first elongate member (hereinafter referred to as "long arm 12") and a biasing member 14 that biases the long arm 12 toward a neutral position. When the gate member 10 is installed in a gateway, the neutral position is to be across the gateway so that when the long arm 12 is in the neutral position, the gateway is closed.

N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\760-76999P76645AUSpecis\P76645AU Specification 2008-3-26.doc 26/03108 OO 7 00 The biasing member 14 allows the long arm 12 to be resiliently deflected from the neutral position, as indicated by arrows A in figure 2. Machinery, such as the IND wheeled towers of an irrigator, can push the fence gate open by bearing against the long arm 12.

00 ND In use, the gate member 10, and in particular the long arm 12, is electrified so that any livestock that contacts the gate will receive an electric shock. The 00 electric shock discourages livestock from attempting to push the gate open.

To this end, the long arm 12 is made of an electrically conductive material, such as high tensile steel wire. When installed in a gateway, the long arm 12 is to be in electrical communication with an electrical charge generator (not shown). There are many suitable commercially available electrical charge generators, which are also commonly referred to as electric fence units.

However, as described previously, the long arm 12 can be resiliently deflected from the neutral (closed) position, which enables machinery (such as the wheeled towers of an irrigator) to bear on the long arm 12 and "open" the gate member 10. Once the machinery is clear of the gate member 10, the biasing member 14 will return the long arm 12 to the neutral position.

Thus, the fence gate can be closed at all times, except when machinery needs to pass through the gateway.

The fence gate member 10 also has a second elongate member (hereinafter referred to as "short arm When N:\elboume\Cases\Patent76 -769997645ASpecisP7645AU Speafication 2008-3-26.doc 26/03/08 8 00 o the gate member 10 is installed in a gateway, the short arm 16 extends through a hole in the fence post. Thus, Sthe short arm 16 facilitates mounting of the biasing \D member 14, and thus also the gate member 10, relative to the fence post.

00 ND The long and short arms 12, 16 of the gate member Sare approximately parallel.

00 In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the C biasing member 14 is in the form of a wound coil of high tensile steel wire. The short arm 16 is also formed of high tensile steel wire. Furthermore, the gate member is formed of a single piece of wire. An electric charge that is applied to the free end of the short arm 16 is transferred through the short arm 16, the biasing member 14 to the long arm 12.

Additionally, the coils of the biasing member 14 further facilitate mounting of the biasing member to a fence post.

While not shown in figures 1 and 2, the fence gate member 10 may be provided with an insulated sheath that extends over part of the short arm 16. The sheath preferably allows the free end of the short arm 16 to be connected to an electrically conductive wire.

Figures 3 to 8 show a fence post 100 and gateway G, and illustrate stages of a method of installing a fence gate member 10. The fence gate member 10 is described previously in connection with figures 1 and 2.

N:XMebumneCasesPatent%76OO-76999P76645 ALSpecis\P76645.AU Specification 2008-3-26.doc 26/03/08 00 9 00 Initially, the fence post 100 is marked to indicate the desired position of the short tail 16 and a hole is Sdrilled through the post 100 at the marked position (see ND figure This position is selected such that the direction of the long arm 12, when in the neutral 00 position, extends across the gateway G. Furthermore, the ND position of the hole is selected such that the long arm 12

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Sis at the desired height above the ground.

00 An insulating sheath 104 (if not provided as part of the fence gate member 10) is positioned over the short arm 16, leaving the free end of the short arm 16 exposed. The short arm 16 and sheath 104 can then be passed through the post 100 without the short arm being in direct contact with the post 100, as shown in figures 4 and As shown in figure 6, insulators 106 are attached to the post 100. The insulators 106 each connect to one of the coils of the biasing member 14. In this embodiment, the insulators 106 form part of the mount for the biasing member 14. In this regard, the coils form attachment points that facilitate connection of the biasing member 14 to the insulators 106.

The insulators 106 can be of any suitable shape that provides a secure mounting, while allowing the biasing member 14 to flex when the long arm 12 is deflected from the neutral position.

If necessary, the short arm 16 can be bent to align the neutral position of the long arm 12 across the gateway G (see figure 7) N:WeloumesesIeatont76000-76M6 P7645 p 76 Spedfication 2008-3-26.doc 26/03/08 10 00 As shown in figure 8, the free end of the short arm 16 protrudes from the post 100. Accordingly, the free end Sof the short arm 16 can be connected with a wire strand \D 108 of the fence. When the wire strand 108 is connected to an electric fence unit, the wire strand 108 and the short arm 16, biasing member 14 and long arm 12 are 00 ND electrified.

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00 Figure 9 shows schematically a fence 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

c The fence 200 has a gateway G that extends between two end posts 202.

The fence 200 has an electrified wires 208 that are connected with an electric fence unit 210. The fence 200 also has other wires 212, some of which may be electrified, if desired.

The fence 200 has two gate members 10, as described in connection with figures 1 and 2. The long arms 12 extend outwardly from the posts 202 and across the gateway G. When the long arms 12 are in the neutral position, the gateway G is closed by the long arms 12. In use, the gate members 10, and in particular the long arms 12, are electrified so that any livestock that contacts the gate will receive an electric shock.

The short arm 16 of each gate member 10 extends through a hole in one of the posts 202. Furthermore, each short arm 16 extends through an insulated sheath 104 so that the respective short arm 16 is not in direct contact with the post 202.

N:Meboume\CasesPatoent\76DOO-76999P76645.AU\Specis\P76645 AU Specification 2008-3-26 doc 26/03108 1 00 A free end of each short arm 16 is exposed so that the gate members 10 can be connected by connectors 214 to the electrified wires 208. Tension in the electrified ND wires 208 further assists in restraining the gate members 10 from being unintentionally removed from the posts 202.

00 IND The short arm 16 of each gate member 10 facilitates Smounting of the biasing member 14 relative to the 0 respective fence post 202. Insulators 106 are provided to 00 further facilitate mounting of each biasing means 14 to the respective post 202. Thus, in this embodiment, the short arms 16 and the insulators 106 co-operate to mount the biasing members 14.

In the embodiment shown in figure 9 the long arms 12 are almost in contact with one another, such that there is a small gap between the free ends of the long arms 12. In some embodiments, the gap between the free ends of the long arms 12 can be larger. This would allow small equipment (such as a motorbike) to pass through the gateway G, without contacting the gate members However, it will be appreciated that any gap between the free ends of the long arms 12 should be narrow enough that the gateway will be closed to livestock to be reared on the property when the long arms 12 are in the neutral position.

In some other embodiments, the long arms 12 of the gate members 10 can overlap with one another.

If desired, an electric wire 216 can pass through an insulated conduit 218 that is installed in the ground N:MebcumeCasesIPatent760DO-76999IP76645 AUISpecis P76645AU Specification 2008-3-26.doc 26/03/08 00 12 00 underneath the gateway G. The electric wire 216 connects the electrified wires 208 on either side of the gateway G.

IND Figure 10 shows a fence gate according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fence gate has two gate members 310 that are substantially similar to the 00 ID gate member 10 described in connection with figures 1 and 2. Accordingly, features of the gates 310 that are 00 similar to the gate member 10 have the reference numerals 00 incremented by 300.

The gate member 310 differs from the fence gate member 10 in that the short arms 316 are approximately perpendicular to the long arms 312 when in the neutral position. This enables the biasing member 314 to be mounted to the side of a gateway rather than in a gateway.

In narrow gateways, this arrangement can minimize the likelihood of the biasing member 314 being damaged as machinery passes through the gateway.

However, the long arms 312 can only be deflected in one direction (as indicated by arrows Attempting to deflect each long arm 312 in the opposing direction may result in damage to the gate member 310. Thus, where a fence is to be constructed with two gate members 310 that are each mounted on opposing sides of the gateway, the gate members 310 may need to be in the form of a left and right pair of gate members 310.

A standard gateway is 1500 millimetres wide. In embodiments in which two gate members of the present invention are to be used in a standard gateway and the N: \elboueCasesatent \76000-76999\P76645.AU\Specis\P76645AU Specification 2008-3-26 doc 26/03108 00 13 0 0 long arms are to overlap, the long arms need to be at least 750 millimetres in length.

\D The length of the short arm needs only to be long enough to pass through a fence post with the free end 00 exposed. Thus, the length short arm is in the order of ND 150 millimetres to 350 millimetres.

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00 In the claims which follow and in the preceding 00 description of the invention, except where the context C requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is 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 invention.

NASMelboume\Cs\AUteSpoc999P e76645.AU Specifcation 2008-3-26.doc 26/03/08

Claims (8)

1. A fence gate for use in a gateway comprising one or more gate members that each have: an elongate member that can extend at least partially across the gateway and that is made of an electrically 00 ND conductive material such that the elongate member can be Selectrified by an electrical charge generator; a biasing member that biases the elongate member toward a neutral position and allows the elongate member C to be deflected from the neutral position; and a mount that facilitates mounting of the biasing member relative to a fence post; wherein, when the neutral position of each elongate member is in the neutral position, the gateway is closed by the elongate member or members.

2. A fence gate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a first elongate member, and the mount comprises a second elongate member that is connected to the biasing member and that can be located relative to the fence post.

3. A fence gate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second elongate member and the biasing member are made of an electrically conductive material.

4. A fence gate as claimed in either claim 2 or 3, further comprising an insulated sheath that extends over at least a portion of the second elongate member.

N:Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76645 AUSpecis\P76645.AU Specification 2008-3-26 doc 26/03/08 15 00 A fence gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mount further comprises one or more insulators Sfor attaching the biasing member to the fence post.

6. A fence having at least one gateway that comprises: a fence gate according to any one of claims 1 to 00 ND in which each gate member is mounted to fence post with Sthe neutral position of the elongate member aligned to 0 extend across the gateway, and an electric charge generator that is in electrical C communication with gate members, wherein the elongate member of each gate member can be electrified by the electric charge generator.

7. A fence as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fence gate comprises two gate members and the elongate members of each gate member co-operate to close the gateway.

8. A fence as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elongate members of the gate members overlap with one another. N:\Mslloume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76645.ALUSpecislP76645.AU Specification 2008-3-26 doc 26/03/08