AU2006100501A4

AU2006100501A4 - Fence Support Shell

Info

Publication number: AU2006100501A4
Application number: AU2006100501A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Dehlsen
Original assignee: Kelvindale Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kelvindale Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-30
Filing date: 2006-06-09
Publication date: 2006-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-30
Also published as: AU2006203138B2; AU2009203134A1; AUPR858101A0; AU2006203138A1; AU2005201543B2; AU2002301692A8; AU2009203134B2; AU2005201543A1; AU2002301692B2; AU2002301692A1; AU2006100501B4

Description

9Jun. 2006 23:00 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5649 P. 4 P/00/009 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: FENCE SUPPORT SHELL The invention is described in the following statement together with the best method of performing it known to (s: Our Reference: 026019 COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 9.Jun, 2006 23:00 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5649 P. -2- S FENCE SUPPORT SHELL The present invention relates to the erection of temporary fencing, and in particular to the supporting o 5 toot ings or anchor blocks for such fencing.

BACKGROUND

The use of temporary f encing has becomfe a common O sight, particularly around construction sites where for

IND

o reasons of security and public safety it is desirous to CA t 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 or some other, usually woven 1w! ill 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 post 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 COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 9.Jun. 2006 23:00 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5649 P. 6 3 O as the friction between block and ground surface, and the (C size and composition of the supported panels.

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

Yet another type of available anchor block is in the o 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 COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 9.Jun. 2006 23:00 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5649 P. 7 -4o concrete, rendering these block more liable to moving out of position in high wind or impact situations.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate at least 0h some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION SAccordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, o there is provided a shell, open at its underside to form a \O vessel when inverted, for filling with concrete or like o settable material; said shell and said settable material forming an anchor block for the support of adjacent panels of a temporary fence; said shell comprising integrally moulded end portions, side portions and an upper portion; said end portions and said side portions depending from said upper portion to form a continuous coplanar lower edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers depending substantially vertically from an inside surface of said upper portion; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein posts of said adjacent panels; said shell comprising at least one additional former depending substantially vertically from said inside surface; said at least one additional former being smaller than said pair of formers.

Preferably, said pair of formers are substantially cylindrical open at least at said upper surface; said formers extending substantially the depth of said shell; COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 ki, KCA D 0 9.Jun. 2006 23:01 Wallington-Dummer SYdneY nuu.u j r.

°O internal diameters of said formes adapted to accept tubular vertical posts of said adjacent panels as free sliding Sfits..

0 Preferably, said at least one additional former is substantially cylindrical; said at least one additional O former extending substantially the depth of said shell and Sopen at said upper surface and at a lower end of said Sadditional former; internal diameter of said additional C( former being adapted to accept a length of reinforcing rod as a securing peg.

Preferably, said shell is provided with at least a first recess at each of said end portions; said recess open at an underside and extending downwardly from an intermediate level on respective said end portion to said coplanar lower edge.

Preferably, said pair of formers are disposed side by side along a bisector of the length of said shell; said bisector normal to a long axis of said shell; and wherein said at least one additional former comprises a pair of additional formers; respective ones of said pair of additional formers disposed towards said end portions of said shell and adjacent opposing said side portions of said shell.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 9.Jun. 2006 23:01 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5649 P. 9 6 \O BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS o Embodiments of the present invention will now be ci Sdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical section of temporary fencing; o Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cast concrete anchor block;

O

SFigure 3 is a perspective top view of an anchor block ci shell according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective bottom view of the anchor block shell of Figure 3; 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, preferably cylindrical formers 25 extending the full depth of shell 21. The bores 26 of formers 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 COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 9.Jun. 2666 23:61 Wal ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5649 P. J0 -7diameter of typical tubular steel posts used in the 0 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 open out at the outer surface of top portion 24. The diameters of bores 28 are adapted to accept as a loose fit lengths of typical reinforcing rod as a securing peg.

0N 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 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 rqd 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 coplanar lower edge 35, the lower edges of formers 25 and 27, and lower recesses 30. After setting, the 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 COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: lime 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 9-Jun. 2006 23:01 WaIlington-Dumuer Sydney No.-5 6 49 P. 11 o may be inserted into bores 28 and driven into the ground to (Nfix the position of the anchor block and as and aid to the ;Z 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 o introduced so as to retain concrete poured into shell. 21 by o means of suitable moulded projections in the shell cavity.

In use, shells 21 are very light to transport and o 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 underside 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.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09

Claims

9.Jun. 2006 23:02 Wallin&ton-Dummer SYdflOY IU.U I*I -9- No CLAIMS (N 1. A shell, open at its underside to form a vessel when ;Z inverted, for filling with concirete or like settable material; said shell and said settable material forming an anchor block for the support of adjacent opanels of a temporary fence; said shell comprising integrally moulded end portions, side portions and an upper portion; said end portions and said side o portions depending from said upper portion to form a continuous coplanar lower edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers depending substantially vertically from an inside surface of said upper portion; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein posts of said adjacent panels; said shell comprising at least one additional former depending substantially vertically from said inside surface; said at least one additional former being smaller than said pair of formers. 2. The shell of claim 1 wherein said pair of formers are substantially cylindrical open at least at said upper surface; said formers extending substantially the depth of said shell; internal diameters of said formes adapted to accept tubular vertical posts of said adjacent panels as free sliding fits. cOMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: lime 22:04 Date 2006406-09 LI r n r 9.Jun. 2006 23:02 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.ob49 r. I6 k\ 3. The shell of claim 1 or 2 wherein said at least one O additional former is substantially cylindrical; said Sat least one additional former extending substantially 0 the depth of said shell and open at said upper surface and at a lower end of said additional former; internal diameter of said additional former being adapted to o accept a length of reinforcing rod as a securing peg. 0 VI 4. The shell of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said Sshell is provided with at least a first recess at each of said end portions; said recess open at an underside and extending downwardly from an intermediate level on respective said end portion to said coplanar lower edge. The shell of one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said pair of formers are disposed side by side along a bisector of the length of said shell; said bisector normal to a long axis of said shell; and wherein said at least one additional former comprises a pair of additional formers; respective ones of said pair of additional formers disposed towards said end portions of said shell and adjacent opposing said side portions of said shell. COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date 2006-06-09 No. 5649 *4 9.Jun. 2006 23:02 Wallipgton-Dummer SydneY 12 DATED: 2 June 2006 K3LVZNDAIZ PRODUCTS PTY LTD by their Patent Attorneys! WALLINGTONDUWWMR COMS ID No: SBMI-03846418 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:04 Date
2006-0"-9