AU2005201417B2 - A Fence Panel - Google Patents

Description

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title:

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Topdog Ladders Pty Ltd Geoffrey Gordon Leeming CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia A Fence Panel Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Application No. 2004901854 filed 7 April 2004 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it, known to us: f 2

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o Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to fences and, in particular, to fence panels.

n Although the invention will be described with particular reference to fence 0 panels for palisade fences it will be appreciated that the invention may be incorporated into fence panels for other types of fences.

oBrief Discussion of the Prior Art I Fence panels for palisade fences generally consist of a plurality of horizontal 0 rails and a plurality of vertical palings or bars attached thereto and extending perpendicularly between the rails. The rails and bars are often constructed from steel or aluminium, although they are sometimes constructed from other materials such as wood. The panels are usually secured to fence posts such that each panel extends between an adjacent pair of fence posts to form a vertical barrier or fence.

Fence panels for palisade fences often include a decorative upper section which is integrally formed with a lower section. The decorative upper section is usually provided by the uppermost portions of the bars which may or may not be capped with some sort of decorative ornament such as an ornamental spike. Suppliers of fence panels for palisade fences will usually offer a range of fence panels of various styles which may only differ from one another in the design of their decorative upper sections. In other words, the lower sections of the various fence panel styles in a supplier's range may be identical to each other with only the design of the upper sections being different. Fence panel suppliers often incur substantial costs for manufacturing and storing a relatively large inventory of each fence panel style that they offer so that they are able to satisfy immediate demand for their panels.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 3 o from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustrations, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of t the present invention is disclosed.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence panel comprising a lower section and an upper section joined to the lower section, the lower section comprising an upper rail extending along an upper side thereof, and the upper section comprising a lower rail extending along a lower side thereof and o engaged with the upper rail.

The lower and upper sections of the fence panel may be manufactured and stored separately. This allows a fence panel supplier who offers a range of fence panels whose lower sections are the same but whose upper sections are different to reduce the physical size of their inventory as equal numbers of the lower and upper sections for the various styles of fence panels on offer may not be required to be kept on hand by the supplier in order for the supplier to satisfy immediate customer demand for the various styles of fence panel. Moreover, it allows for easier production of fence panels having lower and upper sections of different colours.

The fence panel may be adapted for any suitable type of fence. For example, the fence panel may be adapted for pool, garden, security, or yard fences. In a preferred form, the fence panel is for a palisade fence.

The fence panel may be of any suitable size and shape. The height, length, and width of the fence panel may have any suitable dimensions. In a preferred form, the fence panel is substantially rectangular in shape.

The upper section of the fence panel may or may not be a decorative section of the fence panel. However, it is preferred that the upper section of the fence panel is a decorative section of the fence panel.

Preferably, in addition to the upper rail, the lower section of the fence panel comprises a plurality of palings or bars secured to and extending from the upper rail.

The palings or bars may be secured to the upper rail in any suitable manner such as by a swaging operation or by welding, and may be fabricated from any suitable material.

In a preferred form the palings or bars are fabricated from steel or aluminium. The upper rail preferably comprises a plurality of apertures, and each aperture preferably Ic) 4

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O receives a respective paling or bar. Each paling or bar preferably comprises a first outwardly projecting rib located adjacent to the upper rail, and a second outwardly projecting rib longitudinally spaced along the paling or bar from the first rib such that othe upper rail is captured between the first and second ribs and is thereby secured to palings or bars.

The lower section of the fence panel may also comprise a lower rail which is distinct from the lower rail of the upper section of the fence panel and which is O laterally spaced from the upper rail. If the lower section comprises a plurality of Spalings or bars, the palings or bars may be secured to the lower rail of the lower section in any suitable manner such as by a swaging operation or by welding. The lower rail of the lower section preferably comprises a plurality of apertures, and each aperture preferably receives a respective paling or bar. Each paling or bar preferably comprises a first outwardly projecting rib located adjacent to the lower rail of the lower section, and a second outwardly projecting rib longitudinally spaced along the paling or bar from the first rib such that the lower rail of the lower section is captured between the first and second ribs and is thereby secured to the palings or bars.

The upper and lower rails of the lower section of the fence panel may be of any suitable size and shape and may be fabricated from any suitable material. In a preferred form the upper and lower rails of the lower section are fabricated from steel or aluminium. Preferably, the upper and lower rails of the lower section are identical to each other. In one particular preferred form, the upper and lower rails of the lower section each comprise a substantially U-shaped profile defined by a pair of laterally separated and parallel hollow side walls and a longitudinally extending base section from which the side walls extend. Preferably, the upper and lower rails of the lower section are arranged such that the side walls thereof extend in opposite directions.

Preferably, in addition to the lower rail, the upper section of the fence panel comprises a plurality of palings or bars secured to and extending from the lower rail.

The palings or bars may be secured to the lower rail in any suitable manner such as by a swaging operation or by welding, and may be fabricated from any suitable material.

In a preferred form the palings or bars are fabricated from steel or aluminium. The lower rail preferably comprises a plurality of apertures, and each aperture preferably

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O receives a respective paling or bar. Each paling or bar preferably comprises a first outwardly projecting rib located adjacent to the lower rail, and a second outwardly projecting rib longitudinally spaced along the paling or bar from the first rib such that the upper rail is captured between the first and second ribs and is thereby secured to the palings or bars.

The upper section of the fence panel may also comprise an upper rail which is distinct from the upper rail of the lower section of the fence panel and which is O laterally spaced from the lower rail of the upper section. If the upper section 1 comprises a plurality of palings or bars, the palings or bars may be secured to the

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O 10 upper rail of the upper section in any suitable manner such as by a swaging operation or by welding. The upper rail or the upper section preferably comprises a plurality of apertures, and each aperture preferably receives a respective paling or bar. Each paling or bar preferably comprises a first outwardly projecting rib located adjacent to the upper rail of the upper section, and a second outwardly projecting rib longitudinally spaced along the paling or bar from the first rib such that the upper rail of the upper section is captured between the first and second ribs and is thereby secured to the palings or bars.

The upper and lower rails of the upper section of the fence panel may be of any suitable size and shape and may be fabricated from any suitable material. In a preferred form the upper and lower rails of the upper section of the fence panel are fabricated from steel or aluminium. Preferably, the upper and lower rails of the upper section are identical to each other. In one particular preferred form, the lower rail of the upper section has a substantially C-shaped profile defined by a pair of laterally separated parallel side walls and a longitudinally extending base section from which the side walls extend.

The palings or bars of the upper section of the fence panel may or may not be terminated or capped with decorative embellishments. If the palings or bars of the upper section are terminated or capped with a decorative embellishment, it is preferred that the palings or bars are terminated or capped with a decorative pyramidal spike.

The palings or bars of the upper section of the fence panel may be substantially U-shaped with both ends thereof secured to the lower rail of the upper In 6

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O section. Preferably, each end of each paling is secured to the lower rail by first and second ribs. The first and second ribs are preferably formed by a swaging operation.

In a preferred form, the upper rail of the lower section is telescopically or oslideably received by the lower rail of the upper section so as to thereby join the lower and upper sections of the fence panel together. Alternatively, the upper rail of the lower section and the lower rail of the upper section may clip together. The upper rail of the lower section and the lower rail of the upper section may be secured together by Oany suitable securing means such as bolts or screws to thereby present the lower and upper sections from unintentionally moving relative to each other.

It is preferred that when the upper rail of the lower section and the lower rail of the upper section are engaged with each other, the two rails appear as a single rail to a casual observer.

It is also preferred that the lower and upper sections of the fence panel appear to a casual observer as being integral with each other.

If the lower and upper sections each comprise a plurality of palings or bars, it is preferred that the palings or bars of the lower section would appear to a casual observer as being continuous with the palings or bars of the upper section.

The fence panel may be secured to a fence post by a bracket which includes a base plate and a plurality of projections extending therefrom. The projections may be received by an end of the upper or lower rail of the lower section and form an interference fit therewith, and the base plate may be secured to the fence post by suitable securing means such as bolts.

Brief Description of the Illustrations In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective of a fence panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective of a fence panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention; lt) 7

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Figure 3 is a perspective of a fence panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective of a fence panel according to a fourth embodiment n of the present invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the fence panel illustrated in figure 4; Figure 6 is an end elevation of the fence panel illustrated in figure 1; Figure 7 is an end elevation of the join between the lower and upper sections O of the fence panels illustrated in figures 1 to 4; n Figure 8 is a perspective of the decorative upper section of the fence panel illustrated in figure 3; Figure 9 is a reverse perspective of the decorative upper section of the fence panel illustrated in figure 3; Figure 10 is a perspective of a bracket for securing any of the fence panels illustrated in figures 1 to 4 to a fence post; and Figure 11 is a perspective of a portion of a fence post and a fence panel according to any one of figures 1 to 4 which illustrates how the bracket depicted in figure 10 may be used to secure the fence panel to the fence post.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figures 1 to 6 illustrate various embodiments of a fence panel 10 according to the present invention for a palisade fence. Each panel 10 includes a lower section 11 and a decorative upper section 12 which are constructed from steel or aluminium.

The lower section 11 of each panel 10 includes an upper rail 13 which extends along an upper side of the lower section 11. The upper rail 13 is laterally spaced from a parallel lower rail 14 which extends along a lower side of the lower section 11. The upper and lower rails 13, 14 of each panel 10 are identical to each other with each rail 13, 14 having a generally U-shaped profile defined by a pair of laterally separated and parallel hollow side walls 15 which extend from a longitudinally extending base section 16. The rails 13, 14 of each panel 10 are arranged relative to each other such that their side walls 15 extend in opposite directions.

8 o A plurality of hollow palings or bars 17 are secured to and extend between the rails 13, 14 of each panel 10. One end of each bar 17 is received by an aperture (not shown) in the base section 16 of rail 13, while the other end of each bar 17 is o received by an aperture (not shown) in the base section 16 of rail 14. The ends of each bar 17 are secured to the rails 13, 14 by first and second ribs 18, 19 which are formed by a swaging operation and which prevent the bars 17 from being separated from the rails 13, 14. The lower sections 11 of the various panels 10 are identical to o each other.

The decorative upper section 12 of each panel 10 includes a lower rail having a generally C-shaped profile defined by a pair of laterally separated parallel side walls 21 extending from opposite sides of a longitudinally extending base section 22, and a pair of ribs 23 which project towards each other from the side walls 2 1.

The upper sections 12 of the fence panels 10 illustrated in figures 1, 2, and 4 also include a plurality of hollow bars 24 which are similar to the bars 17 of the lower section 11I and which are secured to and extend upwardly from the rail 20. One end of each bar 24 is received by an aperture (not shown) in the base section 22 of rail 20 and is secured to the rail 20 by first and second ribs 18, 19 which are formed by a swaging operation and which prevent the bars 24 from being separated from the rail 20. The other end of each bar 24 of the upper section 12 illustrated in figure 1 is received by an aperture (not shown) in an upper rail 25 of the upper section 12 and is secured to the upper rail 25 by first and second ribs (not shown) which are similar to the ribs 18, 19, which are formed by a swaging operation and which prevent the bars 24 from being separated from the rail 25. The other end of each bar 24 of the upper section 12 illustrated in figure 2 is terminated or capped with a decorative pyramidal spike 26, while the other end of each bar 24 of the upper section 12 illustrated in figure 4 remains unadorned by any decorative embellishments.

The upper section 12 of the fence panel 10 illustrated in figure 3 includes a plurality of U-shaped hollow bars 27 extending upwardly from the lower rail Each end of each bar 27 is received by a respective aperture (not shown) in the base section 22 of the rail 20, and each end is secured to the rail 20 by swaged first and second ribs 18, 19.

Ic) 9 0 The side walls 21, base section 22, and ribs 23 of the lower rail 20 of the upper section 12 define a channel whose dimensions are such that the lower rail 20 is r able to telescopically receive the upper rail 13 of the lower section 11. In this way the o upper rail 13 and the lower rail 20 can be fitted together in the manner illustrated in figure 7 to thereby join the lower section 11 to the decorative upper section 12. The rails 13, 20 may then be secured together by any suitable means such as bolts or screws to prevent the lower and upper sections 11, 12 from moving relative to each o other.

Ic To the casual observer the appearance of the various panels 10 is such that 0 O 10 the lower and upper sections 11, 12 thereof appear to be integral with each other with the bars 24 and 27 being continuous with the bars 17.

A metal bracket 30 for securing a fence panel 10 to a fence post is depicted in figure 10. The bracket 30 includes a base plate 31 having a pair of apertures 32 extending therethrough, and tapered projections 33, 34, and 35 extending therefrom.

Projections 33 and 35 are mirror images of each other and are located at respective adjacent corners of the base plate 31. The transverse cross-sectional dimensions of the projections 33, 35 are such that each projection 33, 35 can be inserted into the hollow portion of a respective side wall 15 of an upper rail 13 and form an interference fit therewith. Projection 34 is somewhat broader than, and is situated between, the projections 33, 35. The transverse cross-sectional dimensions of the projection 34 are such that the projection 34 can be inserted between the side walls of the upper rail 13 and form an interference fit therewith.

Figure 11 depicts the situation where a bracket 30 has been used to secure one of the fence panels 10 depicted in figures 1 to 4 to a fence post 40. The projections 33 to 35 of the bracket 30 have been inserted into an end of the upper rail 13 such that the projections 33 and 35 are each received by the hollow portion of a respective side wall 15 of the upper rail 13 and form an interference fit therewith.

Also, the projection 34 is received between the side walls 15 and forms an interference fit therewith. The bracket 30 is bolted to the fence post 40 with bolts 41 which extend through the apertures 32 and into the post 40. Another bracket 30 may be attached to the lower rail 14 of the panel 10 and secured to the post 40 in the same Ift 0 o manner.

Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", 0 will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to othe value for the range qualified by the terms.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims (15)

1. A fence panel comprising a lower section and an upper section joined to the lower section, the lower section comprising an upper rail extending along an upper oside thereof, and the upper section comprising a lower rail extending along a lower side thereof and engaged with the upper rail.

2. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein the fence panel is for a palisade fence.

3. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper O section is a decorative section of the fence panel.

4. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower osection further comprises a plurality of palings or bars secured to and extending from the upper rail. The fence panel of claim 4, wherein the upper rail comprises a plurality of apertures that each receive a respective paling or bar.

6. The fence panel of claim 5, wherein each paling or bar comprises a first outwardly projecting rib located adjacent to the upper rail, and a second outwardly projecting rib longitudinally spaced along the paling or bar from the first rib such that the upper rail is captured between the first and second ribs and is thereby secured to the paling or bar.

7. The fence panel of claim 6, wherein the first and second ribs are formed by a swaging operation.

8. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower section further comprises a lower rail which is laterally spaced from the upper rail and which is distinct from the lower rail of the upper section.

9. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper rail has a substantially U-shaped profile. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper section further comprises a plurality of palings or bars secured to and extending from the lower rail of the upper section.

11. The fence panel of claim 10, wherein the lower rail of the upper section comprises a plurality of apertures that each receive a respective paling or bar of the upper section. tfl 12 O

12. The fence panel of claim 11, wherein each paling or bar of the upper section comprises a first outwardly projecting rib located adjacent to the lower rail of the upper section, and a second outwardly projecting rib longitudinally spaced along the n paling or bar from the first rib such that the lower rail of the upper section is captured between the first and second ribs and is thereby secured to the paling or bar.

13. The fence panel of claim 12, wherein the first and second ribs are formed by a swaging operation. S14. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper In section further comprises an upper rail which is laterally spaced from the lower rail 0 O thereof and which is distinct from the upper rail of the lower section. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower rail of the upper section has a substantially C-shaped profile.

16. The fence panel of claim 10, wherein the palings or bars of the upper section are terminated or capped with decorative embellishments.

17. The fence panel of claim 16, wherein the palings or bars of the upper section are terminated or capped with decorative pyramidal spikes.

18. The fence panel of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the palings or bars of the upper section are substantially U-shaped.

19. The fence panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper rail of the lower section is telescopically received by the lower rail of the upper section. A fence panel substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1, 6 and 7; figures 2 and 7; figures 3, 7, 8 and 9; figures 4, 5 and 7; and figure 12 of the illustrations. DATED this 5 h day of April 2005 TOPDOG LADDERS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.