AU2006209262A1 - A fence panel - water vessel - Google Patents

Description

04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 03 Va

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PATENT OF ADDITION Name of Applicant: Address for service: RONALD WILLIAM BEBENDORF R W Bebendorf Elanora Ave.

Pottsville NSW 2489 Invention Title: A FENCE PANEL- WATER VESSEL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY This application is a continuation in part, which claims priority of Australian Patent 742277 COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 04/9/006 1349 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDOPEPGE0 PAGE 04

INO

FIELD OF THE INVENTION C) This invention relates to an apparatus and method for retaining rainwater in prefabricated fence panels.

BACKGROUND OF TILE INVENTION o 10 Prefabricated fencing systems ame particularly useful because they minimize 0 the time required for on site construction), do not require any specialized tools, and are quick and easy to install. One reason for the advent of prefabricated fencing is that home owners and professional fence builders have recognized that conventional post and rail fencing methods are both timne consuming and aesthetically unappealing.

Because of the current world shortage of potable water, there is the need to conserve rainwater by as many mneans as possible. One method of storing limited amounts of rainwater is in specially designed tubular fences and freestanding screens.

Roof water can be piped into the top of fences and screens by means of down pipes atwahed to eaves gutters, down pipes would generally be attached to post caps.

As an example, ten-fence panels 2000mmn high x2400 long x.050 wide could store approximately 240 Its of water, this equates to less thanun.m of rain on an average sized roof. It can be appreciated that this type of fencing would contain a given amount of water on most occasions. Approximately 9mam of rain on a 3m x3m garden shed would fill the fence panels. An advantage with storing rainwater in fences is that it is common to have gardens in close proximity. With a hose tap installed in the lowest position in a fence, the elevated water would have a useful pressure head and gravity feed into the tap.

Some form of binding could attach sprinkler systems to the bottom rails of fencing, COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 G1-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDIJPF PAGE 2 o SUMMNARY OF TILE INVENTION The invention that meets the needs identified above is a fence post and rail assembly. The fence system has posts, top rails, centre rails and bottom rails. The top o 5 rails, centre rails and bottom rails connect to the posts; the pilings connect to the top rails, the centre rails and the bottom rails Slotted projections at the ends of the rails engage openings on opposing faces Cxl of the posts. The connection between the centre rails, bottom rails and palings is o established by dropping the palings through openings in the cenre rails and bottom NO 10 rails. After all the palings are inserted, the top rails are positioned to engage the o palings, and the posts. When connected, the posts and rails are at right angles with respect to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrate with refrenc to accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a partial a partial front view of a fence post and rail assembly including two fence palings; Figure 2 illustrates a perpective view of a fence post Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of fence rails; Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled post anld top rail; Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled post, a centre rail and a paling; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective viewy of a fence post and rail assembly; Figure 7 iliustbrates a perspective view of afenepost and afence rail with strengthening ribs i.e. the same profile is used for the posts and rails, [Narrow side or rail butts up against wide side of post) Figure 8 illustrates a paling with reinforcing ribs; Figure 9 illustrates a completed fence panel with a water inlet, a hose tap and a sprinkler system attached to the bottom rail; COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 B4/9/20613:9 1-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORE AEe PAGE 06 3 DETAILED IDESCRIPTON OF THE PREWERRED EMBDODIMENT o Figulre 1 depicts a fence assembly 100 having post 10, a post cap 12, top rail centre rail 50, bottom rail 70 and paling 90. Post 10, top rail 30, centre rail 50 and b ottom. rail 70 are formed from rectangular sections of material that is hollow and elongated. Paling 90 is rectangular in shape and is hollow and elongated. Paling 90 is o 10 hollow with internal reinforcing ribs. Post 10, post cap 12, and top rail 30, centre rail bottom rail 70, of the present invention may be constructe out of poly vinyl chloride, plastic, metal, or any other material as determined by those silled in the art.

Figure 2 is an exposed view of post 10 showing post apertures 14 and post top aperture 16. Post cap12 fits on the top of post 10. Post capl12can accommodate a down pipe inlet 12A. Post 10 is used to support top rail 30, centre rail 50 and bottom rail 70. Post 10 may have a number of post apertures 14. In the preferred embodiment, post 10 has two post apertures 14 on two opposing faces and a post top aperture 16 on its toptfhce. Post apertures14 can be staggered on each face of to accommodate sloping surfaces by allowing for offset engagement of top rails centre rails 50 and bottom rails 70. Post aperturs that are not used may be coveted by a snap in plate [not shown) that is glued over post aperture 14. Paling apertures in the rails are generally rectangular in shape and sufficiently similar in cross sectional area to the cross sectional area of the paling to allow for a snug yet slidable engagement. A rail may have a plurality of openings on one or both edges depending on the location of fth rail [iLe. top, centre, or bottom]. The paling aperture are aligned and rectangular in shape. At the ends of each rail are projections, which engage the post apertures by their rail slots. The palins are rectangular in cross section and elongated so that they may pass through the rail.

Figure 3 shows top rail 30, centre rail 50 and bottom rail 70 each of which have slots for engaging post 10. Top rail 30 has top rail slot 38. Centre rail 50 ha centre rail slot 58. Bottom rail 70 has bottom rail slot 78. Top rail slot 38 permits top rail 30 to enter post top aperture 16 and to lock down into post top aperture edge 18.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDOPP PAGE 07 4 Top rail 30 has top rail projection 39 that extends from top rail slot 381 and has the saeouter configuration as the rest of top rail 38 so that when top rail 30 is locked down into post top aperture 16, the top rail projection 39 will fill post top aperture 16.

Centre rail slot 58 permits centre rail 50 to enter post apetlture, 14 and lock down onto post aperture lower edge 1 5. Centre rail 50 has center rail projecltion 59 that extends from centre rail slot 58 and has an open recess from centre rail slot 58 to the end of c-i centre rail 50 nearest to centre rail slot 58. The configuration of centre, rail projection 59 allows centre rail 50 to lock down on post aperture lower edge 15 and cover post ON aperture 14 so that no opening is visible between post aperture 14, post 10 and centre Ci 10 rail 50. Likewise, bottom rail slot 78 permits bottom rail 70 to enter into post aperture VaO o 14 and to lock down onto post aperture lower edge 15. Bottom rail 70 has bottom rail Ci projection 79 that extends from bottom rail slot 78 and has an open recess from bottom rail slot 78 to the end of bottom rail 70 nearest to bottom rail slot 78. The configuration of bottom rail projection 79 allows bottom rail 70 to lock down on post aperture lower edge 15 and cover post aperture 14 so that no opening is visible between post aperture 14, post 10 and bottom rail 70. Top rail 30 bas top rail paling apertures 34 on top rail bottom 36. Top rail 30 doesnot have paling apertures on top rail top 32. Centre rail 50 has centre, rail paling apertures 54 on centremril top 52 and centre rail bottom 56. Bottom rail 70 has bottom rail paling apertures 74 on bottom rail top 72. In the preferred configuration, palings 90 terminate at bottom rail bottom and extend close to the top of top rail top 32, but do not go through top rail top 32.

Figure 4 illustrates the connection between post 10 and top rail 30. Top rail has top rail paling apertures 34 and does not have palin apertures on top rail top 32.

Top rail-paling apertures 34 in top rail bottom 36 of top rail 30 are generally rectangular in shape and adapted for sliding engagement with paings 90. Top rail paling apertures 34 are equally spaced along top rail bottom 36. In the preferred embodiment, post 10 has one post top aperture 16 and two sets of post apertures 14 located on post walls 20. Post apertures 14 are rectangular in shape and can be staggered to allow for the stepping of rails on sloping sites Figure 5 illustrates fence assembly unit 100 with post 10, centre rail 50) and paling 90. Normal ass-embly of fence unit 100 occurs by first securing post 10 in the vertical position. Bottom rail 70 and centre rail 50 may then be installed in post COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 08 apertures 14. After bottom rail 70 and centre rail 50 have been installed, paling c, may be slid through centre rail paling apertures 54 and, through bottom rail paling apertures 74. Alter top rails 30, centre rails 50 and bottom rails 70 have been affixed Cto post apertures 14 [and post top apertures 16 for top rail 30] in post 10, post cap 12 can be installd on post 10. When post 10 is to be a centre post, post 10 will receive a bottom rail, one or more centre rails, and a top rail on two opposite sides. When post c-i1 10 is to be a comer post, post 10 will receive a bottom rail, one or more centre rails, NO', and a top rail on two adjacent sides. When post 10 is an end post one of the ends ONof the fence], it will only receive a bottom rail, one or more centre rails and a t op rail c'i 10 on one side.

c-i1 Figure 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of post 10, post cap 12, top rail 30, centre rail 50 and bottom rail 70. Normal method of assembly is to secure post 10 in a vertical position and attach bottom rail 70 and centre rail 50 into post apertures 14. Paling 90 [not shown] is then entered through centre rail 50 and then lowered through bottom rail aperture74 terminating at bottom rail bottom 75. Top rail is then positioned over posts 10. and palings 90 and is lowered and locked into position. Post caps 12 are installed on top of posts 10. If post cap 12 is to receive a water inlet 12a, water inlet 12a is affixed to post cap 12 before installation of post cap 12.

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of post 10 and rails 30, 50, and [i.e.post and rail profiles are the same] Reinforcing ribs 304 are located at all the internal corners.

Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of paling 90; paling 90 is elongate [not shown] and has two vertical reinforcing ribs equally spaced along the width of paling Figure 9 depicts an assembled fence panel 200 with two posts 10, t op rail centre rail 50 and bottom rail 70. Posts 10 are positioned in surface 240. Normally, posts 10 are placed in post holes [not shown] and surfaee 240 is the ground- Referring to figures 1-9, the fence post and rail assembly is assembled according to the following steps. Post 10 is placed in a surface. Bottom rail 70 is COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 09 6 Va o locked into post 10. Centre rail 50 is locked into post 10. Paling 90 is dropped c through centre rail 50 and into bottom rail 70. Top rail 30 is entered into post top Saperture 16 and over top end of paling 90. Top rail 30 is locked down into post 10 by V fitting top rail slot 38 to post aperture lower edge 18 of post 10. Post cap 12 is fitted S 5 over post 10 and pressed into position. The fence post and rail assembly can be disassembled by following the steps in reverse order.

IC With respect to the above mentioned description, it is realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations \c 10 in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, o are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivelent Ci relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The spirit of the invention is not meant to be limited in any way except by proper construction of the following claims.

COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04

Claims (25)

1. A fence unit comprising: A post; C A post cap; 0 A rail engaged to said post; 0 10 A paling engaged to said rail; 0 0 A water inlet engaged to said post cap; A tap installed in said post; A sprinkler system attached to the bottom of a fence unit.

2. The fence of claim 1 wherein said post is vertically disposed relative to a surface.

3. The fence of claim I wherein said rail is at an approximate right angle to said post.

4. The fence of claim 1 wherein said paling is approximately parallel to said post.

5. The fence of claim I wherein said palings extend through the bottommost of said top rail and said centre rail and terminate on bottom edge of said bottom rail

6. The fence of claim 1 wherein said rails further comprise: a top rail containing an aperture for receiving said paling only on the lower side of said top rail; and a centre rail containing apertures for receiving said paling on the upper side and the lower side of said centre rail; and a bottom rail containing apertures for receiving said paling on the upper side of said bottom rail. COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 11 8 O 0 0

7. The fence assembly of claim I wherein the said post and said rail has a plurality of strengthening ribs. o 5

8. A fence comprising: at least one post; at least one ril engaged to said post; at least one paling engaged to said rail; IN

9. The fence of claim 8 wherein said post is vertily diposed relative to a Ssurface. 8 10. The fence of claim 8 wherein said rail is at an approximate right angle to said post

11. The fence of claim 8 wherein said paling is parallel to said post.

12. The fence of claim 8 wherein said rails further comprise: a top rail containing an aperture for receiving said paling only on the lower side of said top rail; and at least one other rail containing apertures for receiving said paling on the upper side and the lower side of said other rail; and a bottom rail containing apertures for receiving said palings only on the top side of said rail.

13. A method of constructing a fence comprising: erecting a post; connecting a bottom rail to said post

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising connecting a centre rail to said post. The method of claim 14 further comprising inserting a paling through said centre rail and lowering said paling into said bottom rail-

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching a post cap onto said post. COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 12 9

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said paling extends through the bottommost C of said top rail and said centre rail. C) S18. A fence post and rail assembly comprising: a plurality of posts; post caps; o 5 a water inlet in a post cap; a plurality of rails connected to the posts: a tap connected to the bottom of a fence assembly; a plurality of palings conneted c to the plurality of rails; wherein each of said rails is located in said posts. IN 0

19. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said posts has I three post openings at opposing sides of said post 0 0 CI

20. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said plurality of rails has a plurality of paling apertures equally spaced along the length of each of the rails.

21. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said plurality of rails has projections at each said rail ends. 22 The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein a shape of te projection allows said rails to lock into said post openings.

23. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said palings has a thickness and width complementary to and substantially equal in dimension to the paling apertures in said plurality of rails.

24. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said palings is hollow with longitudinal strengthening ribs. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said palings has [within the confines of the bottom rail] an opening to allow water to reticulate through out a fence panel. COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 13 \o S26. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said palings ci terminates short of said top rail top to allow water to reiculate though out a fence panel. S 5

27. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein a sprinkler system ean be attached to the bottom of a fence panel. \0 C,

28. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein a fence panel is a water Svessel. S \0

29. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein said post cap contains a 1 water inlet. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein a tap can be installed in the bottom of a fence panel

31. The fence post and rail assembly of claim 18 wherein the said post and said rail joins and the connecting surfaces between the said palings and the said rails are glued and/or heat-sealed together.

32. A method of constructing a fence post and rail assembly comprising: Placing a post in a surface; Locking a plurality of end projections of a rail into a post; Dropping a paling through a centre rail and into a bottom rail; Placing a top rail into a slot in a post top and over a paling top; Locking down said top rail into said post: 33 The method of claim 32 further comprising; Gluing a post cap over said post. 34 A method of claim 33 further comprising: Installing a water inlet into said post cap. A method of claim 32 further comprising installing a tap in the bottom of said COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04 04/09/2006 13:49 61-7-32194233 RW E BEBENDORF PAGE 14 II VO SPost and rail assembly. 36 A method of claim 32 further comprising installing a sprinkler system along the bottom of said post mad rail assembly. 0 NO ABSTRACT (O o 10 A prefabricated fence post and rail assembly as a Water vessel is dislosed. The rails 0 connect to the posts and the palings connect to the rails. The palings are installed through central openings in the rail edges to simplify waterproofing and to provide a free flow of water within the fence panel. The fence design negates the need for fixings. The prefabricated fence is faster to erect and longer lasting than conventional fencing. Painting is not required. Fence panoel hold a useful volume of water that is less prone to contamination compared to tank water. A completed boundary fence has noise reducing qualities. COMS ID No: SBMI-04652185 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2006-09-04