AU2005203082A1 - A Capping Member for a Fence - Google Patents

Description

A CAPPING MEMBER FOR A FENCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to fence capping members and to the method of affixing such members to fences. The capping member of the invention can also be used in an assembly to align a fence top panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ART [0002] A wooden paling fence can be capped with a 7ooden capping member in the form of a flat wooden plank. In practice, however, such capping members are prone to warping.

[0003] Fence installation contractors usually prefer to install a fence from one side of the fence. This is particularly the case when the other side of the fence provides sub-optimum working conditions, such as a cliff or inadequate working room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention proposes a formed fence capping member which is adapted to clip into place at the top of the fence.

[0005] The fence capping member can include a planar upper section and an alignment projection projecting therefrom.

[00061 The alignment projection can be a linear projection.

[0007] The alignment projection can be a linear array of discrete projections.

[0008] The capping member can be of any suitable material such as metal or plastics. One material which can be used is steel.

[0009] The capping member can be a decorative capping member.

C¢1 [0010] Brackets can be fixed to the fence to hold the capping member.

[0011] The capping member and/or the brackets can be flexible.

S [0012] The capping member for a fence including a cover portion and an attachment portion 00 adapted to cooperate with a mounting bracket.

V, [0013] The capping member can include a capping member latching feature adapted to cooperate with a bracket latching feature on a bracket.

[0014] The capping member can have sufficient resilience to permit the capping member to be flexed to fit over a cooperating bracket during installation.

[0015] The invention also encompasses a fence capping assembly including a capping member and one or more brackets, wherein the capping member has a cover portion adapted to cover a fence top and one or more capping member latching features, and wherein the bracket includes one or more bracket latching features adapted to cooperate with corresponding ones of the capping member latching features to retain the capping member on the bracket.

[0016] The fence capping assembly can include a chamber having an internal profile and the bracket includes a prominence adapted to fit within the chamber.

[0017] The prominence can be a close fit within the chamber.

[0018] The prominence can match the profile of the capping member.

[0019] The invention further encompasses a fence capping arrangement including a bracket having a projection which projects from a fence rail when the bracket is affixed to the rail.

[0020] The capping member can include a capping member latching feature adapted to cooperate with the projection.

[0021] The invention also provides a method of assembling a fence capping member having a latching feature to a fence having an upper rail, the method including the steps of: cI affixing brackets having a latching projection on at least a first side of the rail, hooking the capping member latching feature under the projection of the or each bracket on the first side of the fence, and flexing the capping member to fit over and latch to the second side of the rail.

00 O [0022] The invention also provides a method of assembling a fence capping member having a latching feature to a fence having an upper rail, the method including the steps of: Vr affixing brackets having a latching projection on at least a first side of the rail and a second side of the rail, hooking the capping member latching feature under the projection of the or each bracket on the first side of the fence, and flexing the capping member to fit over and latch to the projections of the brackets on the second side of the rail.

[0023] The capping member and the bracket can be so dimensioned that the capping member is a press-fit onto the bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] Further preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0025] Figure 1 illustrates a'section of a fence with brackets attached.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an end-on view of a capping member and a bracket in the unassembled state.

[0027] Figure 3 shows an end-on view of a capping member assembled to a bracket affixed to a fence rail.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a bracket adapted for use in the invention.

n 4 c1 [0029] Figure 5 shows an end-on view of a bracket with an altemrnative profile adapted to accommodate palings protruding above the fence rail.

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket.

00 [0031] Figure 7 illustrates a rail affixed to abracket having extended sides.

C-q V [0032] Figure 8 shows an end cap adapted to close the end of a capping member as shown in Figure 7.

[0033] Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of a capping member.

[0034] Figure 10 illustrates a bracket adapted for use with the capping member of Figure 9.

[0035] Figure 11 shows the capping member of Figure 9 assembled to the bracket of Figure [0036] Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of the invention showing a further variation of the bracket and capping member.

[0037] Figure 13 shows details of a bracket of Figure 12.

[0038] Figure 14 shows an alternative bracket adapted to permit assembly from one side of the fence.

[0039] Figure 15 shows a capping assembly utilizing the bracket of Figure 14.

[0040] Figure 16 shows a section of a capping member adapted for use with a panel or like member.

[0041] Figure 17 is an end view of the capping member of figure 16 applied to a fence rail and supporting a lattice panel.

S [0042] Figure 18 shows a partial view of a lattice panel applied to a capping member of Figure 16.

[0043] Figure 19 shows the cross-section of another capping member according to an embodiment of the invention.

00oO [0044] Figure 20 shows a partial view of the capping member of figure 19.

[0045] Figure 21 illustrates a fence rail supported in a mortice in a fence post.

[0046] Figure 22 is an end view of a rail in a mortice with a capping member according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] Figure 23 shows a modified version of the capping member of Figure 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0048] In the specification, the word "comprising" is understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of". A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise, comprised and comprises where they appear.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a section of a fence panel including a rail 102 and palings 104.

Brackets 106 are affixed to the rail at suitable intervals to support a cooperating capping member. The brackets are shown in detail in Figure 4. The bracket 106 has a substantially flat base 222, with a pair of"wings" at either end. The wings are bent upwards from base 222 and include a number of angled panels 216, 218, 220. A hole 224 can be provided for a fastener such as a screw or nail. The wings each form an inwardly facing curve.

[0050] As seen from Figures 2 3, the capping member and the bracket can be designed so that the capping member is a press-fit onto the bracket. Thus downward pressure on the capping member will cause the capping member to flex to accommodate the bracket. When the capping member has been pressed over the bracket to full travel, the capping member springs back to its original shape to hold the bracket. The shoulders of the bracket 216, 218, 220, are retained by the chamber defined by the walls 206, 208 210 of the capping member.

[0051] The capping member can be designed to shed water and to tightly clamp onto the rail and palings. The capping protects the ends of the palings from the weather.

[0052] As best seen in Figure 4, the capping member 204 has an upper chamber defined by an shaped top, side walls 208, andlower panels 210. Walls 212 extend downwardly from the panel 210 and terminate in a rotated shaped section. 214. The capping member 202 has a vertical axis of symmetry passing through the apex, but this is not an essential feature of cappingmembers according to the invention. The invention encompasses capping members without transverse symmetry. The bracket should provide at least one latching surface which prevents the capping member from being removed without flexing.

[0053] However, it is not essential for either the bracket or the capping member to be flexible, as the capping member can also be slid onto the brackets in the longitudinal direction of the capping member.

[0054] The capping member can be designed to click into place over the brackets. Figure 2 shows a capping member 202 juxtaposed with a bracket 204. Either or both the capping member 202 and the bracket 204 can be flexible to permit the capping member 202 to be snap-fitted onto the bracket 204. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the capping member 202 is flexible and, referring to Figure 2, can be flexed to permit the gap between the shaped terminations 214 to be widened to allow the capping member 202 to be fitted over the substantially rigid bracket 204 so that the bracket 204 is retained in the upper chamber of the capping member 202 in a close fit so that the bracket 204 holds the capping member 202 firmly. In Figure 3, the bracket 204 is fixed to the fence rail 102 by nails or screws. The capping member can extend below the bracket 204 to at least partially cover the rail 102 and the palings 104.

[0055 The surface 220 of bracket 204 acts as the latching surface or projection to prevent the capping member 202 from being removed without flexing. Surface 202presents a face with a cross-section which has at least a component which is transverse to the direction of application of the capping member to the bracket. In other words, in Figure 2, the capping member is applied to the bracket in a generally vertical direction, and face 220 is oriented at an angle such ,i that at least a component of the surface 220 is transverse to the direction of application.

Similarly, the capping member can have a latching surface 210 to cooperate with surface 220 n forming a set of latching surfaces to prevent inadvertent removal of the capping member 202.

There can be more than one set of latching surfaces.

00 [0056] Figure 5 show an alternative configuration for the bracket 500. This bracket has some of its wall panels 512, 510, 508 at or near right angles to their adjoining panels to form an V) approximately right angled latching edge to engage a mating capping member. Again, the capping member designed to cooperate with the bracket 500 can have a chamber to receive the bracket. Figures 5 shows a bracket 500 and capping member 520 adapted to accommodate the case where the palings protrude above the fence rail. In Figure 5, the step 510 is extended to accommodate the paling while the corresponding step 514 can be of reduced height.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the bracket has a length dimension 604 which is extends in the length direction of the capping member.

[0058] Figure 7 shows a capping member 702 of indeterminate length assembled around a bracket 704, in which lower panels 706, 708 and rotated terminations 710, 712 are included in both the capping member 702 and the bracket 704 so that there are two pairs of engaging projections and recesses to maintain the capping member 702 firmly in cooperation with the bracket 704. The capping member has a hole 712 for receiving a fastening screw, rivet or the like to retain an end cap such as end cap 800 shown in Figure 8.

[0059] Figure 8 shows an end cap 800 for the fence rail. The end cap 800 includes a body portion 802 which has a profile which closely mirrors the cross-section of the rail. The end cap 800 can be designed to fit over the outside of the end of the rail or to fit closely inside the end of the rail. The end cap 800 can be fitted with a tab 804 having a hole 806. The rail can have a corresponding hole such as 712 to enable a fastener to be fitted through the holes when they are aligned.

[0060] Figures 9, 10, and 11 show a capping member 900, a mating bracket 1000, and the capping member 900 and bracket 1000 applied to a fence. The capping member 900 has a profiled top portion 902, a substantially horizontal base 904 and a skirt 906 which can extend down the fence rail. The bracket 1000 has a profiled top section 1002 adapted to fit closely cI inside the capping member 900, and a horizontal base 904 which can be attached to the fence rail by nails or screws etc. as shown in Figure 11.

[0061] Figure 12 shows an assembly of a capping member 1202 and brackets 1204.

00 [0062] The capping member 1202 has a profiled top section which is shown as being similar to that of Figure 9, and a skirt 1206 which has a latching feature 1208.

[0063] As shown in Figure 13, the bracket includes an angled section formed of a first panel 1302 and a second panel formed by panel 1306 arranged to fit over the edge of the fence rail.

Either or both the panels 1302, 1306 can be adapted to be nailed or screwed to the rail. The bracket also include a projection 1308 which projects out from the fence rail when the bracket 1204 is attached to the rail. This projection is adapted to cooperate with the latching feature 1208 on the capping member 1202.

[0064] The assembly of Figure 12 has the advantage that it can be readily assembled from one side of the fence without the need for the fencing contractor to work from the other side of the fence. The brackets 1204 can be attached to the rail and the capping member 1202 can be applied by hooking the latching feature 1208 under the projection 1308 which is on the opposite side to the fencing contractor. The capping member 1202 then can be flexed to stretch over the other bracket on the same side as the fencing contractor. The resilience of the capping member then holds the capping member in place.

[0065] Figures 14 shows an alternative bracket adapted to accommodate unequal heights of the rail and palings and to permit assembly from one side of the fence, and Figure 15 shows an assembly using the bracket of figure 14. The bracket 1400 has a top panel 1402 which includes a hole 1422 to receive a fastener such as nail 1506. The side of the bracket intended to be adjacent the palings includes an angle formed by panels 1406 and 1408. This side is preferably the "working" side where the fencing contractor assembles the fence and attaches the capping member. The opposite side of the bracket includes a projection 1420 which is designed to project out from the rail and provide a latching member to which the capping member 1502 can be anchored by its latching formation 1504 which is adapted to hook under the projection 1420.

the latching formation 1504 on the capping member can be hooked under the latching projection 1420 of the bracket 1400 by the contractor while standing on the working side of the fence. The NI contractor can then flex the capping member 1502 to stretch it into position across the bracket and palings.

[0066] Figure 16 shows a section of a capping member 1600 which is adapted for use with a S panel member such as a lattice panel. The capping member 1600 has a substantially planar upper 00 portion 1602 which, when the capping member is applied to a fence rail, can be substantially horizontal in at least the transverse direction. It can also be horizontal in the longitudinal V) direction. Along the planar section 1602 is an alignment projection 1604, which is shown as a continuous line, although intermittent alignment protrusions can also be used. Where the alignment projection is an intermittent line, the individual projections can be spaced apart by a known distance, fro example 20 cm. The alignment projection 1604 can be offset from the centre of the planar section 1602. The upper section can extend beyond the alignment projection 1604 as shown at 1606. A shown in Figure 19, the alignment projection can be in the form of a raised plateau 1902 extending from a top edge of the capping member.

[0067] Figure 17 is a partial end view of a lattice panel 1720 placed on a capping member 1702. The lattice panel includes a horizontal base member 1722 and a pair of upright members 1724, 1726 which are spaced apart to accommodate the latticework. The end of a piece of latticework is represented at 1728. As shown, the base 1722 of the lattice panel abuts against the alignment projection 1704. Thus the capping member with alignment projection 1704 assists in aligning the lattice panel without the need for measurement or string lines. The lattice panel can be nailed directly through the capping member and into the fence rail 1832 as shown in Figure 18.

[0068] Further detail of the lattice and capping member are shown in Figure 18. The lattice panel includes base member 1824 and uprights 1822, 1826. A first piece of latticework 1828 abuts upright 1822, and a second piece of latticework 1828 abuts upright 1826. A longitudinal quarter section dowel 1832 is shown attached to the base to form a lattice retaining groove in conjunction with a similar dowel at the rear (not shown). In practice, the end of the lattice panel would be closed by an end board, but this is not shown in the drawing.

[0069] The capping member of Figures 16, 17 18 can be fitted directly to a fence rail 1834 as shown in Figure 18 without the use of brackets. Alternatively, the capping member can be attached by the use of brackets as shown at 1730 in Figure 17. In this case, it is preferred to screw or nail the lattice panel to the bracket or through the bracket to the rail as shown by nail 1732.

[0070] The capping member shown in Figures 19 to 23 is adapted to be used with a fence in which the rail is supported in a mortice in the fence posts. In Figure 21, a fence post 2104 with mortice 2106 is shown supporting a rail 2102. A paling 2108 is shown having a thickness corresponding with the width of the side of the mortice 2110. This permits the capping to fit neatly over that side of the post and the palings. The palings may be lapped so that the capping contacts the outer paling or outer paling edge. In the case of lapped palings, the mortice edge can be of the order of twice the thickness of the palings.

[0071] The capping member of Figure 19 includes the major flat portion 1904 which can support a lattice or other panel. A raised plateau 1902 extends from one side of the top section of the capping member. On one side, the fee end 1922 of the cross-section is substantially upright and is adapted to fit into the gap 2208 between the rail 2202 and the side of the mortice 2206 in the post 2204.

[0072] Preferably, the free end 1922 is folded inwards, as shown at 1924. This can present a smoother and stronger leading edge which can be more easily inserted into the gap 2208 as shown in Figure 22.

[0073] The dimensions and profile of the capping member can be chosen to suit various applications. However, the profile shown in Figure 19 has been designed so that the vertical distances of the surfaces 1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914 are substantially equal as indicated by the comparison rule 1901.

[0074] Figure 23 shows a modified capping member 2302 having an overhang 2304 adapted to cover the portion of the fence post 2204 to the left of the mortice.

[0075] The capping member can be rolled on site from suitable strip material such as steel, aluminium, plastics or other suitable material.

[0076] Terms referring to orientation and the like, such as upright, horizontal, vertical, top and bottom; are to be understood as relative rather than absolute terms, and together do not necessarily imply a rectangular relationship, unless the context requires otherwise. They generally refer to orientations in the drawings, which may not necessarily coincide with the orientation in practice.

[0077 While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing for the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. It will further be understood that any reference herein to known prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Claims (13)

1. 2. A capping member as claimed in claim 1, including a capping member latching feature ¢€3 adapted to cooperate with a bracket latching feature on a bracket.
2. 3. A capping member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the capping member has sufficient resilience to permit the capping member to be flexed to fit over one or more cooperating brackets during installation.
3. 4. A fence capping assembly including a capping member and one or more brackets, wherein the capping member has a cover portion adapted to cover a fence top and one or more capping member latching features, and wherein the bracket includes one or more bracket latching features adapted to cooperate with corresponding ones of the capping member latching features to retain the capping member on the bracket. A fence capping assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the capping member includes a chamber having an internal profile and the bracket includes a prominence adapted to fit within the chamber.
4. 6. A fence capping assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the prominence-is a close fit within the chamber.
5. 7. A fence capping assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the prominencematches the profile of the capping member.
6. 8. A capping member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the attachment portion is adapted to resiliently grip the sides of a fence rail.
7. 9. A fence capping member including a planar upper section and an alignment projection projecting therefrom. A fence capping member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the alignment projection is a linear projection.
8. 11. A fence capping member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the alignment projection is a linear array of discrete projections.
9. 12. A fence capping arrangement including a capping member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, and a bracket having a projection which projects from a fence rail when the bracket is affixed to the rail.
10. 13. A fence capping arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the capping member includes a first capping member latching feature adapted to cooperate with the projection.
11. 14. A method of assembling a fence capping arrangement to a fence having an upper rail, the capping arrangement including at least one capping member as claimed in claim 13 and two or more brackets as claimed in claim 12, including affixing brackets to at least a first side of the rail, and hooking the first capping member latching feature under the projection of the or each bracket on the first side of the fence, flexing the capping member to fit over the rail and clamp onto the second side of the fence. A method of assembling a fence capping assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein one or more brackets having a second projection on the second side of the fence, and the capping member has a second latching feature, wherein the second latching feature of the capping member engages the second projection.
12. 16. A method of assembling a fence capping member having a latching feature to a fence having an upper rail, the method including the steps of: affixing brackets having a latching projection on at least a first side of the rail, hooking the capping member latching feature under the projection of the or each bracket on the first side of the fence, and flexing the capping member to fit over and latch to the second side of the rail. C1 17. A fence assembly including a fence with an upper rail, a capping member as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, and an upper panel located on the capping member and aligned with V) the alignment projection.
13. 18. A fence capping member including as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, or claims 9 00 Sto 11, including a free edge adapted for insertion in a fence post mortice. (Ni V 19. A capping member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 or claims 9 to 11 or claim 18, wherein the capping member is designed to snap into place over a mounting bracket attached to a fence. Dated this 15th day of July 2005 Bounty Brokers Pty. Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: HALFORD CO