Fence straining means

Abstract

A fence straining element includes a post, attachment elements to attach a fence to the post, connection elements whereby in use the post is connected to a fence post. The connection is in a manner that allows the post to be rotated in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post. Rotation elements are provided whereby the post may be rotated to tighten, or loosen the fence attached thereto. Lock elements are also provided whereby the post may be locked, in use, in at least the position with the fence under some tension.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . Fence straining means comprising a post, attachment means to attach a fence to the post, connection means whereby in use the post is connected to a fence post in a manner to allow the post to be rotated in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post, rotation means whereby the post may be rotated to tighten, or loosen the fence attached thereto, and lock means whereby the post may be locked, in use, in at least the position with the fence under some tension.  
     
     
         2 . Fence straining means as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the post is a hollow post.  
     
     
         3 . Fence straining means as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprises a row of holes in the wall of the post.  
     
     
         4 . Fence straining means as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprises two or more lengths of material forming or able to form a closed loop.  
     
     
         5 . Fence straining means as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the material for or able to form the closed loop is chain material.  
     
     
         6 . Fence straining means as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotation means comprises a plate positioned on the post, able in use, to be gripped to allow rotation of the post.  
     
     
         7 . Fence straining means as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lock means comprises a lock member one end being engageable in substantially non-rotatable manner into an aperture in the post, the other end able to abut a fence post in use to substantially prevent rotation of the post in the direction relieving tension in the fence until the lock member is removed.  
     
     
         8 . Fence straining means claimed in  claim 7  wherein the lock member is substantially L shaped and is engageable into an aperture in one end of the post, the member and aperture being of corresponding non circular cross section.  
     
     
         9 . A fence including a fence straining means according to any one of the preceding claims.  
     
     
         10 . A method of tightening a fence comprising the following steps; providing a fence straining means according to any one of  claims 1  to  8 , mounting the post on a fence post by means of the connection means, engaging the fence with the post by means of the attachment means, rotating the post in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post arid locking the post with the fence in a substantially tensioned state.