AU2002301692A1 - Fence Support Shell - Google Patents

Description

ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 629384793; 30-OCT-02 17:21; PACE 3 P 00/O011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service Kclvindale Products Pty Ltd [ACN 002 124 405] Brian Dehisen in Australia: WALLINGTON-DUMMER PO Box 297, Rydalmere NSW 7101 (12 Clarke Street, Rydalmere NSW 2116) Invention Tide: Fence Support Shell *Details of Associated Provisional Application: Australian Provisional Application No. PR8581 filed 30 October 2001 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 61296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:21; PAGE 4 2 FENCE SUPPORT SHELL The present invention relates to the erection of temporary fencing, and in particular to the supporting footings or anchor blocks for such fencing.

BACKGROUND

The use of temporary fencing has become a common sight, particularly around cons Izuction sites where for reasons of security and public safety it is desirous to erect a substantial, though not permanent fence.

As shown in Figure 1, such fencing generally consists of typically tubular steel framed panel sections 10 with wire netting ur some other, usually woven infill material 11. The side posts 12 of these panels are generally so extended below the panel bottom rail 13 as to allow the thus extended portions 14 to be inserted into anchor blocks Generally one anchor block or footing element will have inserted the extended portions of one side post each of two adjacent panels. Thus by the use of multiple blocks and panels a fence of any desired length may be erected. Since the inserted side pOsL extensions of the panels are free to swivel in the anchor blocks, adjacent panels can take up almost any angle relative to each other.

The stability of this type of fencing is obviously a function of the size and mass of the anchor blocks, as well ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 61206SA4703; 30-OCT-02 17:21; PAGE 3 as the friction between block and ground surface, and the size and composition of the supported panels..

One commonly available type of anchor block depicted in Figure 2 is of pre-cast concrete, generally in the form of a rectangular prism, with a pair of adjoining holes centrally disposed passing through the block between its upper and lower surfaces.

Yet another type of available anchor block is in the form of an enclosing shell generally of rectangular prism configuration and moulded in plastic. It is: provided with an opening or openings through which concrete may be injected into the shell to give a desired mass.

A disadvantage of pre-cast concrete anchor blocks is their weight, as it relates to their transportation to the site where they are required and in their handling both before and after transport. Typically the weight of blocks is in the order of 36-37 kilograms; their transport contributing a considerable cost factor and their handling leading to a risk of strain injuries.

Plastic shell anchor blocks are filled off-site since somewhat specialized equipment is needed to properly fill the casings through the restricted opening/s available.

They thus suffer from the same disadvantages as cast concrete blocks in respect of transport and handling.

Additionally, the plastic casing of this type of anchor block has a lower coefficient of friction to that of ENT BY: WALLNGON-DUMMER; 81298384793; 30-OCT-02 17:21; PAGE 8 conuLete, rendering these block more liable to moving out of position in high wind or impact situations.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a shell for an anchor block for the support of temporary fence panels, said anchor block being formed by the pouring of concrete or like setLable material into said shell so as to produce a composite structure.

Preferably said shell comprises an integrally moulded top portion, side portions and end portions which define a generally rectangular prismatic volume having an open underside, said shell forming a vessel when inverted, said shell adapted to permit its filling with concrete or a like material.

Preferably said shell is provided with a pair of integrally moulded hollow cylindrical formers open at both ends and depending vertically the full depth of said shell from the inside surface of said top portion, said formers being generally disposed side by side along a bisecting axis of said Lop portion normal to the long axis of said top portion.

Preferably said cylindrical formers have internal diameters adapted to receive tubular steel posts such as typically used for the panel frames of temporary fencing.

ENT SY: WALLINGTN-DUMMER; 61296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:21; PAGE 7 Preferably said shell is provided with integrally moulded upper and lower recesses separated by a web, in each of the said end portions.

Preferably said upper recesses are provided with integrally moulded spigots, said spigots having a common axis lying on the vertical longitudinal bisection plane of said shell.

Preferably said spigots are provided with integrally moulded strengthening webs.

Preferably said spigots have internal diameters adapted to receive a length of typical reinforcing rod, said rod when inserted running the length of said shell.

Preferably said reinforcing rod acts as a retainer of concrete or like material when said concrete or like material has filled said shell.

Preferably said lower recesses are adapted to serve as handholdu.

Preferably said shell is further provided with two smaller integrally moulded hollow cylindrical formers open at both ends, depending vertically the full depth of said shell from the inside surface of said top portion, said formers being located adjacent to and in contact with said inside surfaces of said upper and lower recesses and at diagonally opposite corners of said recesses.

Preferably said cylindrical formers are adapted to receive lengths of typical reinforcing rod, said rods when ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 61296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:22; PAGE 8 6 inserted through said formers and driven into the ground beneath said anchor block, increasing the stability of said block.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for erection of temporary fencing said system comprising transporting a predetermined number of shells from a shell manufacturing or shell storage location to a worksite where temporary fancing is to be erected; pouring concrete or like heavy settable substance into said predetermined number of shells; allowing said concrete or like heavy settable substance to set; thereby forming a predetermined number of anchor blocks for use to anchor support poles for said fencing therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical section of temporary fencing; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cast concrete anchor block; Figure 3 is a perspective top view of an anchor block shell according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective bottom view of the anchor block shell of Figure 3; ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 81296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:22; PAGE 9 7 Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the anchor block shell of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: An anchor block 20 will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 wherein is shown a light weight moulded plastic shell 21 of generally uniform section, having outer contiguous surfaces formed from end portions 22, side portions 23 and top portion 24. As Shown in Figure 4 the underside of anchor block 20 is open.

Integrally moulded into shell 21 are :two relatively large hollow cylindrical formers 25 extending the full depth of shell 21. The bores 26 of furmers 25 open out at the outer surface of top portion 24. The diameters of bores 26 are adapted to accept as a free sliding fit the diameter of typical tubular steel posts used in the construction of temporary fence panels.

Two smaller diameter hollow cylindrical formers 27 are similarly integrally moulded into shell 21 extending the full depth of shell 21. The bores 28 of formers 27 also 2U open out at the outer surface of top portion 24. The diameters of bores 28 are adapted to accept :as a loose fit the diameter of typical reinforcing rod peg.

Moulded into each of the end portions 22 are an upper recess 29 and a lower recess 30 separated by web 31. The lower recesses 30 serve as hand holds for the lifting of anchor block 20. The upper recesses 29 include integrally ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 61298384793; 30-OCT-02 17:22; PAGE 8 moulded spigots 32 and webs 34. The bores 33 of spigot 32 are adapted to accept as a loose sliding fit the diameter of typical reinforcing rod.

In practice, when anchor block shells 21 are delivered to a site for the purposes of erecting a temporary fence, shells 21 are laid inverted on their outer surface of top portion 24 and a short length of reinforcing rod 34 is inserted through spigots 32 so as to span, but not exceed, the length of shell 21. Concrete is now poured into shell 21 to completely fill the shell level with bottom edge excepting bores 26 and 28 and recesses 30. After setting, Lhe concrete is retained in shell 21 by reinforcing rod 34.

When an anchor block 20 is in its desired position, short lengths of reinforcing rod may be inserted: into bores 28 and driven into the ground to fix the position of the anchor block and as and aid to the stability of the supported fence.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that variations in the configuration of shell 21 may be introduced so as to retain concrete poured into shell 21 by means of suitable moulded projections in the shell cavity.

In use, shells 21 are very light to transport and handle. Concrete can easily be poured into the large bottom opening, at the actual point of installation if desired, so as to minimize subsequent lifting. The exposed concrete ENT DY: WALLINGTON-I3UMMER; 61296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:22; PAGE 11 9 undeside of the above described anchor block retains the added frictional advantage conferred by concrete.

The shells are, in effect, moulds for the concrete blocks, one mould for each concrete :block to be manufactured. With this arrangement it is simple to produce large numbers of blocks in a relatively short time frame. This is to be compared with the prior art arrangement where a limited number of moulds are used multiple times to produce blocks with the result that the number of moulds available limits, in some instances quite severely the rate at which blocks can be produced.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A shell for an anchor block for the support of temporary fence panels, said anchor block being formed by the pouring of concrete or like settable material into said shell so as to produce: a composite structure.

2. The shell of Claim 1, wherein said shell comprises an integrally moulded top portion, side portions and end portions which define a generally rectangular prismatic volume having an open underside, said shell forming a vessel when inverted, said shell adapted to permit its filling with concrete or a like material.

3. The shell of Claim 1, wherein said shell is provided with a pair of integrally moulded hollow cylindrical formers open at both ends and depending vertically the full depth of said shell from the inside surface of said top portion, said formers being generally disposed side by side along a bisecting axis of said top portion normal to the long axis of said top portion.

4. The shell of Claim 3, wherein said cylindrical formers have internal diameters adapted to receive tubular steel posts such as typically used :for the panel frames of temporary fencing.

5. The shellblock of Claims 1, wherein :said shell is provided with integrally moulded upper and lower ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMER; 81296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:23; PAGE 13 11 recesses separated by a web, in each of the said end portions.

6. The shell of Claim 4, wherein said upper recesses are provided with integrally moulded spigots, said spigots having a common axis lying on the vertical longitudinal bisection plane of said shell.

7. The shell of Claim 5, wherein said spigots are provided with integrally moulded strengthening webs.

8. The shell of Claims 5 and 6, wherein said spigots have internal diameters adapted to receive a length of typical reinforcing rod, said rod when inserted running the length of said shell.

9. The shell of Claim 7, wherein said reinforcing rod acts as a retainer of concrete or like material when said concrete or like material has filled said shell.

The shell of Claim 4, wherein said lower recesses are adapted to serve as handholds.

11. The shell of Claim 1, wherein said shell is further provided with two smaller integrally moulded hollow cylindrical formers open at both ends, depending vertically the full depth of said shell from the inside surface of said top portion, said formers being located adjacent to and in contact with said inside surfaces of said upper and lower recesses and at diagonally opposite corners of said recesses. ENT BY: WALLINGTON-DUMMER; 61296384793; 30-OCT-02 17:23; PAGE 14 12

12. The shell of Claim 10, wherein said cylindrical formers are adapted to receive lengths of typical reinforcing rod, said rods when inserted through said formers and driven into the ground beneath said anchor block, increasing the stability of said block.

13. A system for erection of temporary fencing said system comprising transporting a predetermined number of shells of the type claimed in any one tf claims 1 to 12 from a shell manufacturing or shell storage location to a worksite where temporary fencing is to be erected; pouring concrete or like heavy settable substance into said predetermined number of shells; allowing said concrete or like heavy settable substance to set; thereby forming a: predetermined number of anchor blocks for use to anchor support poles for said fencing therein.

14. A shell as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. A system for erection of temporary fencing as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. Dated 30 October 2002 Kalvindale Products Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys Wallington-Dummer