AU2006203138A1

AU2006203138A1 - Fence Support Shell

Info

Publication number: AU2006203138A1
Application number: AU2006203138A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Dehlsen
Original assignee: Kelvindale Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kelvindale Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-30
Filing date: 2006-07-24
Publication date: 2006-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-30
Also published as: AU2006203138B2; AU2009203134A1; AUPR858101A0; AU2005201543B2; AU2002301692A8; AU2009203134B2; AU2005201543A1; AU2006100501A4; AU2002301692B2; AU2002301692A1; AU2006100501B4

Description

24-Jul. 2006 15:33 Wall ington-Dummer Sydney No. 618 6 P 3 PI00/009 Regulation 3.10

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR DIVISIONAL STANDARD PATENT APPLICATION Invention Title: FENCE SUPPORT SHELL The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 022120 COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:33 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 4 2 IND FENCE SUPPORT SHELL 0 S- The present invention relates to the erection of temporary fencing, and in particular to the supporting ci 5 footings or anchor blocks for such fencing.

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BACKGROUND

e- The use of temporary fencing has become a common 0g sight, particularly around construction sites where for

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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 or 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 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-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:34 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o 6 18 6 P 3 D0 as the friction between block and ground surface, and the 0y size and composition of the supported panels.

3 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 00 centrally disposed passing through the block between its M1 upper and lower surfaces.

N0 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 a flowable material such as water, sand or even concrete may be injected into the shell to give a desired mass. Sand and particularly concrete are difficult materials with to fill such shells.

Another disadvantage of enclosed plastic shell blocks is that the plastic casing of this type of anchor block has a lower coefficient of friction to that of concrete, rendering these block more liable to moving out of position in high wind or impact situations.

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.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:34 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 6 4 NO A further disadvantage is that bare concrete blocks 0 o are easily damaged.

ci 3 The present invention seeks to ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.

ci BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 00 Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, n there is provided an anchor block for association with 0 N like blocks for the support of panels of a temporary 0

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o fence; said anchor block comprising a shell open at an ci underside of said shell, and concrete or like settable material filling said shell to form a composite of said shell and said settable material; said shell comprising integrally moulded end portions, side portions and a top portion; and wherein said anchor block is further provided with retaining structures for insertion of adjacent tubular steel posts of said panels of said temporary fence.

Preferably, said retaining structures include a first pair of formers and a second pair of formers; both said pairs of formers integrally moulded with said shell to form first and second pairs of passages extending from apertures in said top portion to a plane defined by lower edges of said side portions and said end portions.

Preferably, said first pair of formers are generally disposed side by side along a bisector of the length of said shell and normal to the long axis of said shell.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:34 Wa l inston-Dummer Sydney No.6185 P. 7 s0D Preferably, said first pair of formers are provided o with closures at lower ends of said formers; each of said closures provided with a drainage hole.

Preferably, said first pair of formers is adapted for ci S insertion therein as a free sliding fit, a pair of 00 adjacent uprights of adjoining panels of said temporary Cfence.

Preferably, said second pair of formers depend from o apertures of a smaller dimension than respective ci apertures of said first pair of formers; said second pair of formers adapted for insertion therethrough of securing pegs.

Preferably, said shell is provided with at least a first recess at each of said end portions; each said first recess extending upwards from a lower edge of said end portion to a point intermediate the height of said end portion.

Preferably, said shell is provided with a second upper recess disposed at each of said end portions and located above said first recess.

Preferably, said second upper recess is separated from said first recess by a web.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:34 Wall inston-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 8 6 ND Preferably, at least one of said first recess and said o second upper recess at each of said end portions is Sprovided with an integrally moulded spigot.

Ci Preferably, each said spigot at respective end portions of said shell are axially aligned and lying on a 00 Mn vertical longitudinal bisecting plane of said shell.

CA Preferably, each said spigot is provided with Sintegrally moulded strengthening webs.

ci Preferably, said spigots are adapted to receive therethrough a length of reinforcing rod extending substantially the length of said shell.

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

Preferably, said first recess at each said end portion is adapted to serve as handholds.

Preferably, each one of said second pair of formers is located adjacent diagonally opposite corners of said shell; each said former further adjacent to and in contact with inside surfaces of said respective first recess and said upper recess.

Preferably, in use, lengths of securing pins pass through respective ones of said second pair of formers to COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:34 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 9 7 k0D be driven into the ground beneath said anchor block so as -0 to increase the stability of said block.

ci -i Preferably, said securing pegs are lengths of CA reinforcing rod or similar.

O0 5 Preferably, said side portions and said top portion n are planar surfaces.

ci ND In a further broad form of the invention, there is c- provided a shell, open at its underside to form a vessel when inverted, for filling with concrete or like 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 from a continuous coplanar lower edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers extending from an inside surface of said upper portion to proximate said open underside; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein posts of said adjacent panels; said shell comprising at least one additional former extending from said inside surface to a plane defined by said coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former being smaller than said pair of formers.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:35 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 8 0D In still a further broad form of the invention there 0 is provided an anchor block for support of panels of a S temporary fence; said anchor block formed as a composite Ti of a shell and a settable material; said shell comprising integrally moulded side portions end portions and a top 00 portion; said shell open at an underside and whereby said Sside portions and said end portions depend from said top portion to form a single continuous lower edge; said o lower edge defining a plane parallel to said top portion; said anchor block further provided with retaining means adapted for insertion of uprights of said panels; each of said end portions provided with a first lower recess and a second upper recess; said lower and said upper recess adapted for grasping by the hands of a user when manipulating said anchor block.

In another broad form of the invention there is provided a method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said method including the steps of: moulding shells at a first location; said shells adapted for filling with a settable material, transporting said shells to a temporary fence erection site, filling said shells with said settable material, COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:35 Wall ington-Dummer Sydney No 6186 P I I 9 D0 inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels 0 ~o into retaining structures provided in said anchor 3 blocks.

Ci In yet another broad form of the invention there is provided a method for supporting panels of a temporary 00 fence; said method including the steps of: C'q moulding shells at a first location; said shells Sadapted for filling with a settable material, transporting said shells to a second location for filling with said settable material to form composite anchor blocks; said anchor blocks comprising of one of said shells and said settable material, inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks thereby forming said temporary fence.

Preferably, said second location is a specialised filling facility.

Preferably, said specialised filling facility is one of a number of dispersed filling facilities.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.JuI. 2006 15:35* Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 12 S Preferably, said blocks are transported from said specialised filling facility to a site for erection of Z said temporary fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 00 Embodiments of the present invention will now be en described with reference to the accompanying drawings CA wherein: o Figure I. 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; Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the anchor block shell of Figure 3.

Figure 61Is a schematic of a method of production.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED ENDODflSNTS 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.

COMB ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul 2006 15:35 Wall ingtonvDufmer Svdnev No.6186 P. 13 larg Integrally moulded into shell 21 are two relatively lrehollow cylindrical formers 25 extending the full Z 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 diameter 00 of typical tubular steel posts used in the construction of temporary fence panels.

N Two smaller diameter hollow cylindrical formers 27 are 0N o 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 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 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, anchor block shells 21 may be 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 COMB ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul 2006 15:35 Wal I inston-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 14 12 NO 21 to completely fill the shell level with bottom edge 0 0 excepting bores 26 and 28 and recesses 30. After setting, ci 3 the concrete is retained in shell 21 by reinforcing rod 34.

3 When an anchor block 20 is in its desired position, short ci lengths of reinforcing rod may be inserted into bores 28 00 0 and driven into the ground to fix the position of the M anchor block and as and aid to the stability of the 0 N supported fence.

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O Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, a preferred arrangement may ci include one in which shells which have been produced at one or more shell manufacturing facilities, are then transported to one of a number of dispersed specialized filling facilities; preferably to one which is closest to or associated with the point of distribution or use.

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. For example a truck which can transport 600 conventional precast concrete anchor blocks can transport some 300 unfilled plastic shells.

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 shells are, in effect, moulds for the concrete blocks, one mould for each concrete block to be COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:36 Wal I ngton-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 13 manufactured. With this arrangement it is simple to o produce large numbers of blocks in a relatively short time 3 frame. This is to be compared with the prior art arrangement where a limited number of moulds are used ci multiple times to produce blocks with the result that the 00 number of moulds available limits, in some instances quite n severely the rate at which blocks can be produced.

0 N Rates of production are particularly high when anchor o blocks shells are filled at a specialised filling facility.

ci There quite large arrays of shells can be arranged with suitable blanking of the handhold recesses, allowing a filling of the entire array in one production cycle.

The exposed concrete underside of the above described anchor block retains the added frictional advantage conferred by concrete.

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-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24

Claims

24.Jul. 2006 15:36 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 16 14 IO CLAIMS 0 0s 1. An anchor block for association with like blocks for Sthe support of panels of a temporary fence; said anchor block comprising a shell open at an underside of said shell, and concrete or like settable material 00 filling said shell to form a composite of said shell Sand said settable material; said shell comprising 49 integrally moulded end portions, side portions and a o top portion; and wherein said anchor block is further ]0 provided with retaining structures for insertion of adjacent tubular steel posts of said panels of said temporary fence. 2. The anchor block of claim 1 wherein said retaining structures include a first pair of formers and a second pair of formers; both said pairs of formers integrally moulded with said shell to form first and second pairs of passages extending from apertures in said top portion to a plane defined by lower edges of said side portions and said end portions. 3. The anchor block of claim 2 wherein said first pair of formers are generally disposed side by side along a bisector of the length of said shell and normal to the long axis of said shell. 4. The anchor block of claim 2 or 3 wherein said first pair of formers are provided with closures at lower COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul 2006 15:36 Wallington-Dummer SydneY No.6186 P. 17 V.0 ends of said formers; each of said closures provided 0 with a drainage hole. The anchor block of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said first pair of formers is adapted for insertion ci therein as a free sliding fit, a pair of adjacent 00 003 uprights of adjoining panels of said temporary fence. 6. The anchor block of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein ci said second pair of formers depend from apertures of a 0N o smaller dimension than respective apertures of said ci first pair of formers; said second pair of formers adapted for insertion therethrough of securing pegs. 7. The anchor block of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said shell is provided with at least a first recess at each of said end portions; each said first recess extending upwards from a lower edge of said end portion to a point intermediate the height of said end portion. 8. The anchor block of claim 7 wherein said shell is provided with a second upper recess disposed at each of said end portions and located above said first recess. 9. The anchor block of claim 8 wherein said second upper recess is separated from said first recess by a web. COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul 2006 15:36 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 18 16 Is0 10. The anchor block of claim 8 or 9 wherein at least 0 one of said first recess and said second upper recess Sat each of said end portions is provided with an integrally moulded spigot. 11. The anchor block of claim 10 wherein each said 00 M spigot at respective end portions of said shell are o axially aligned and lying on a vertical longitudinal No bisecting plane of said shell. ci 12. The anchor block of claim 10 or 11 wherein each said spigot is provided with integrally moulded strengthening webs. 13. The anchor block of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said spigots are adapted to receive therethrough a length of reinforcing rod extending substantially the length of said shell. 14- The anchor block of claim 13 wherein said reinforcing rod acts as a retainer of concrete or like settable material when said concrete or like settable material has filled said shell. 15. The anchor block of any one of claims 7 to 14 wherein said first recess at each said end portion is adapted to serve as handholds. COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:37 Wall ington-Dummer Sydney No.6185 P. 19 17 ID 16. The anchor block of any one of claims 8 to 0 wherein each one of said second pair of formers is Slocated adjacent diagonally opposite corners of said shell; each said former further adjacent to and in contact with inside surfaces of said respective first Srecess and said upper recess. o 17. The anchor block of any one of claims 2 to 16 ci ID wherein in use, lengths of securing pins pass through Ci respective ones of said second pair of formers to be driven into the ground beneath said anchor block so as to increase the stability of said block. 18. The anchor block of claim 17 wherein said securing pegs are lengths of reinforcing rod or similar. 19. The anchor block of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said side portions and said top portion are planar surfaces. A shell, open at its underside to form a vessel when inverted, for filling with concrete or like 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 COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24-Jul. 2006 15:37 Wal I inston-Dummer Sydney No 6186 P 18 4N said side portions depending from said upper portion o to from a continuous coplanar lower edge defining said Sopen underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers extending from an inside surface of said ci upper portion to proximate said open underside; said 00 pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein Sposts of said adjacent panels; said shell comprising OC at least one additional former extending from said VO o inside surface to a plane defined by said coplanar ci lower edge; said at least one additional former being smaller than said pair of formers. 21. An anchor block for support of panels of a temporary fence; said anchor block formed as a composite of a shell and a settable material; said shell comprising integrally moulded side portions end portions and a top portion; said shell open at an underside and whereby said side portions and said end portions depend from said top portion to form a single continuous lower edge; said lower edge defining a plane parallel to said top portion; said anchor block further provided with retaining means adapted for insertion of uprights of said panels; each of said end portions provided with a first lower recess and a second upper recess; said lower and said upper recess adapted for grasping by the hands of a user when manipulating said anchor block. COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul 2006 15:37 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 21 19 LC) 22. A method for supporting panels of a temporary o fence; said method including the steps of: moulding shells at a first location; said shells Ci adapted for filling with a settable material, 00 5 transporting said shells to a temporary fence en erection site, ci SN filling said shells with said settable material, inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks. 23. A method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said method including the steps of: moulding shells at a first location; said shells adapted for filling with a settable material, transporting said shells to a second location for filling with said settable material to form composite anchor blocks; said anchor blocks comprising of one of said shells and said settable material, inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks thereby forming said temporary fence. COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24 24.Jul. 2006 15:37 Wal I inston-Dummer Sydney No.6186 P. 22 Va O 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said second 0 (Nq location is a specialised filling facility. 3 The method of claim 23 or 24 wherein said ci 5 specialised filling facility is one of a number of 00 dispersed filling facilities. S26. The method of any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein (N V.Q said blocks are transported from said specialised 0 o filling facility to a site for erection of said ]0 temporary fence.
27. An anchor block as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 24 July 2006 KELVINDALE PRODUCTS PTY LTD by their Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DUMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-04250982 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:38 Date 2006-07-24