AU2003204324A1 - Improvements in temporary fencing - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT James Christopher Goymour 5 Edwards Place BARDEN RIDGE NSW 2234 James Christopher Goymour Address for Service: ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Patent Attorneys of 10 Harrison Avenue BONNET BAY N.S.W. 2226 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS IN TEMPORARY FENCING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: This invention relates to fencing. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses an improved construction for temporary safety fences.

There are many situations where temporary safety fences are necessary. On constructiuon sites hazardous areas must be fenced off. Pedestrian walkways near such sites similarly must be bounded by safety barriers. Crowd control at exhibitions and the like also requires temporary fencing. The barriers used in each case should be quick and easy to both erect and sebsequently dismantle on a variety of surfaces.

Preferably only a minimum level of skill should be required and few if any, tools. The barrier should also be robust enough to resist crowd pressure and not be readily climbed by children. While there are various types of safety fence known these typically require the fitting of numerous assembly bolts which are easily lost and require the use of tools.

Also, the posts of known safty fences are often not securely anchored in place but are simply mounted to surface ground plates or weights to hold them upright.

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a barrier is disclosed for the prevention or control of access to a restricted area, said barrier when in a position of use including at least two upright posts which are installed at spaced apart locations bordering said area and a panel which connects between said posts wherein at least one post has angled or curved pins affixed to a side thereof adjacent the top and bottom, each pin extending out laterally and upwardly from the side of said post and a free end portion of at least one of said pins having a lug pivotal between open and closed positions whereby said pins can receive and releasibly hold apertured end fittings of said panel.

Preferably the posts comprise open tubes to enable star pickets or the like to be inserted therethrough and driven into the ground to anchor said posts.

It is further preferred that said fence panels comprise a mesh structure which is designed to resist climbing by children.

Currently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 is a side elevation view of a post for use with the safety barrier, figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the post of figure 1 along the lines A-A when anchored into the ground with a star picket, figure 3 is a front schematic front view of a fence panel with adjacent posts, figure 4 is a perspective view showing the connection between two adjacent fence panels and a post, figures 5 and 5A show elevation views of a second figure 6 figure 7 embodiment of the invention which uses pivot lugs on only the upper post pins as well as a different fence panel configuration, shows a third embodiment of the invention in which the fence panel is horizontally extendible, and shows a fourth embodiment which is adapted for use on sloping installations.

Referring first to figures 1 and 2 the post (indicated generally as 1) is prefereably of tubular construction with a partially closed top end 2 through which a star picket 3 is inserted. The picket extends down the length of the post, through a central aperture in the base plate 4 and into the ground 5. In this way the post can be quickly and easily anchored to the ground at any desired location using only a hammer or similar impact tool. The post as best shown in figures 1 and 4 has L-shaped pins 6 affixed adjacent the top and bottom. The horizontal leg 6A of each pin extends out from the front of the post and the vertical leg 6B turns upwardly and terminates at a pivotal lug 6C. Each fence panel 7 is fitted with horizontal slotted end plates 7A adjacent the top and bottom which correspond to the vertical positions of the L-shaped pins on the posts.

During erection of the barrier two or more posts are positioned along the fence line at spaced apart locations corresponding to the length X of the panels. The panels are then installed between adjacent posts by fitting the upper and lower slotted end plates 7A over the corresponding L-shaped pins on the posts. The pivotal lugs 6C when turned to the vertical position shown for the upper pin in figures 1 and 4 allow the plates 7A of adjacent panels to be hooked over the vertical legs 6B of the pins as shown. When subsequently turned to the horizontal position shown for example with the lower pin the plates are locked in place.

The connection however still leaves the panels free to swing laterally through an arc of up to 2700o to enable direction changes for the barrier.

Dismantling of the fence is simply the reverse of the above procedure and can be done by unskilled persons using, few,if any, tools.

For those installations on concrete or other surfaces where it is not feasible to drive in a star picket provision may be made to fit anchor bolts 8 through the base plate of the posts as shown in figure 4.

Preferably although not essentially the steel mesh panels are of conventional safety fence construction with the horizontal members 7B arranged along the top and bottom edges. The centre portion is spanned only by parallel vertical members 7C so that the fence resists climbing by children.

With the second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention shown in figures 5 to 7 the main components of the fence that correspond in function to those of figures 1 to 4 are identified by the same numbers which however are primed and to distinguish them.

The vertical leg 6B' of the lower pin on the post shown in figure 5 is extended upward relative to the first embodiment.

This enables the locking lugs 6C' to be used on only the upper post pins to hold the fence assembly together. Also, the fence panels 7' of figure 5A may comprise a steel mesh 9 surrounded by a rigid rectangular frame 10. A solid metal sheet 11 is also fitted along the base to prevent small items from being inadvertently kicked through the barrier.

The panel of figure 6 is of similar construction to that of figure 5A except that an extension piece 12 is provided on one end. Upper and lower rails 13, 14 and a centre rail 15 of the extension slide telescopically into corresponding crossmembers 16, 17 and 18 of the panel. This allows a degree of length adjustment when precise spacing of the posts is not possible.

For sloping installations such as along stairs or ramps the fence panel as shown in figure 7 may comprise two upright end bars 19 and 20 which are linked by cross-bars 21, 22 and 23.

The pin connections 24 pivot so that the slope a of the fence can be changed in accordance with installation requirements. Preferably the cross-bars are of two piece telescoping construction with the right sections 21A, 22A, 23A as shown being slidable in the left sections 21B, 22B, 23B. There may also be locking bolts 25 extending into the left sections to clamp the cross-bars once the required length is set.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments disclosed provides a novel and improved form of safety fence which is intended primarily although not exclusively for temporary installation. Clearly however the examples described are only the currently preferred forms of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the height of the barrier, the structure of the fence panels and the shape of the pins and locking lugs may all be changed following further development work by the inventor. Also, while the current embodiments are preferably constructed from galvanised steel any other suitably strong and corrosion resistant material may beused within the scope of this invention.

-7-

Claims (9)

1. A barrier for the prevention or control of access to a restricted area, said barrier when in a position of use including at least two upright posts which are installed at spaced apart locations bordering said area and a panel which connects between said posts wherein at least one post has angled or curved pins affixed to a side thereof adjacent the top and bottom, each pin extending out laterally and upwardly from the side of said post and a free end portion of at least one of said pins having a lug pivotal between open and closed positions whereby said pins can receive and releasably hold apertured end fittings of said panel.

2. The barrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pins have first leg portions extending out laterally from said post to second leg portions which are directed upwardly and the second leg portions of at least one of said pins terminates at said 1,ug.

3. The barrier as claimed in claim 2 wherein said posts are of a tubular construction through which a picket can be driven to anchor the post to a ground surface.

4. The barrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apertured end fittings are slotted end plates which are placed to correspond with the vertical positions of the pins.

The barrier as claimed in claim 4 wherein said panel includes a mesh surrounded by a rigid frame and a solid sheet is fitted along the base thereof to prevent small items being kicked through said barrier.

6. The barrier as claimed in claim 5 wherein a lateral extension piece is provided on one end of the panel, said extension piece having upper and lower rails which slide telescopically into cross-members of said panel.

7. The barrier as claimed in claim 4 wherein said panel includes upright end bars linked by cross-bars with pivoting pin connections whereby the panel can be adjusted for installation on sloping surfaces.

8. The barrier as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said rails are of two piece construction with one section sliding telescopically into another section thereof to enable adjustment to the length of said panel.

9. The barrier as claimed in claim 8 wherein locking bolts are provided to clamp the sections at a desired panel length. A barrier for the prevention or control of access to a restricted area, said barrier being substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 4, figures and 5A, figure 6 or figure 7. Dated this ,Oday of /lAtf 2003 James Christopher Goymour By His Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR