AU2009100743B4

AU2009100743B4 - Temporary Fence Anchor Block

Info

Publication number: AU2009100743B4
Application number: AU2009100743A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Dehlsen
Original assignee: Kelvindale Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kelvindale Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-30
Filing date: 2009-07-31
Publication date: 2010-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-30
Also published as: AU2009100743A8; AU2009100743A4

Description

P100/009 Regulation 3.10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A DIVISIONAL INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION Invention Title: TEMPORARY FENCE ANCHOR BLOCK The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 026021 -2 TEMPORARY FENCE ANCHOR BLOCK The present invention relates to the erection of temporary fencing, and in particular to the supporting 5 footings or anchor blocks for such fencing and methods of production. BACKGROUND The use of temporary fencing has become a common sight, particularly around construction sites where for 10 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 15 11. The side uprights 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 15. Generally one anchor block or footing element will have inserted the extended portions of one side post each of two 20 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.

-3 The stability of this type of fencing is obviously a function of the size and mass of the anchor blocks, as well as the friction between block and ground surface, and the size and composition of the supported panels. 5 One commonly available type of anchor block depicted in Figure 2 is of pre-cast concrete, generally in the form of a rectangular prism, with a pair of adjoining holes centrally disposed passing through the block between its upper and lower surfaces. 10 A disadvantage of bare concrete blocks is that they are easily damaged and not readily visible in poor light so that, projecting as they do from the line of the fence, can pose a tripping risk for passers by. Yet another type of available anchor block is in the 15 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 20 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 25 in high wind or impact situations.

-4 Open-base anchor blocks comprising a composite of a moulded polymer shell and a settable material are known. An example is that disclosed in Dutch patent NL9401555 by Heras. A disadvantage of the shell of the block shown in 5 Fig. 5 of this patent is the complexity presented in the moulding of the shell, which has hingable flap extensions 24 attached to the lower edges of the two sides of the shell. A further disadvantage of the Heras hinged flaps is that after filling each shell, the flaps must be rotated 10 and forced into the settable material before this becomes too stiff. This is a labour intensive and time consuming requirement, especially if producing blocks in large numbers. It should also be noted that the cylindrical former 15 of Heras, which provide for insertion of the uprights of fence panels, do not extend the full depth of the shell. This means that the uprights are not optimally supported. The present invention seeks to ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said method including the steps of: (a) moulding shells at a first location; said shells 25 adapted for filling with a settable material, -5 (b) transporting said shells to a second location, (c) filling said shells with said settable material at said second location to form temporary fence anchor blocks comprising a composite of said shells and said 5 settable material, (d) distributing a required number of said anchor blocks and temporary fence panels for transportation to a site of erection of a said temporary fence, (e) placing said anchor blocks along a temporary fence 10 line and inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks. wherein said shells are comprised of integrally moulded end portions, side portions and a top portion; said end 1s portions and side portions extending from said top portion to a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge of said shell; said shell further including an integrally moulded pair of formers extending from said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous, 20 uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said formers defining said retaining structures. Preferably, said second location is a specialised shell filling facility.

-6 Preferably, said anchor blocks and said temporary fence panels are collated at a temporary fence distribution centre for transport to said site of erection. Preferably, said second location is said site of erection 5 of a said temporary fence. Preferably, said retaining structures comprise separate side by side passages passing from said top portion to said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; each of said passages adapted to receive as a 10 close sliding fit one of a pair of temporary fence uprights of adjacent said panels of said temporary fence. Preferably, said shell is further provided with at least one additional former extending from said top portion to said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted 15 coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former smaller in cross section than said pair of formers; said at least one additional former defining a through passage for accepting therethrough a securing peg, In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a 20 method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said method including the steps of: (a) moulding shells at a first location; said shells adapted for filling with a settable material, -7 (b) 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, 5 (c) placing said anchor blocks at intervals along a temporary fence line, (d) inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks thereby forming said temporary fence, 10 (e) inserting securing pegs through at least one anchor block securing structure of selected anchor blocks and driving said securing pegs into a supporting ground surface so as to secure said selected anchor blocks in position. 15 Preferably, said shells comprise a top portion and side and end portions; said side and end portions forming walls of said shell; said walls terminating in a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge of an open underside of 20 said shell; said anchor block further comprising a pair of said retaining structures and at least one said anchor block securing structure extending from said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge.

-8 Preferably, said second location is a specialised filling facility. Preferably, said specialised filling facility is one of a number of dispersed specialized filling facilities. 5 Preferably, said anchor blocks are transported from said specialised filling facility to a site for distribution of said anchor blocks and said panels. Preferably, a corresponding number of said anchor blocks are collated with a required number of fence panels for a 10 temporary fence at said site for distribution. Preferably, said retaining structures and said anchor block securing structures include a first pair of former and a second pair of formers; both said pairs of formers integrally moulded with said shell to form first and second 15 pairs of passages extending from apertures in said top portion to said plane defined said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge. Preferably, said first pair of formers are generally disposed side by side along a bisector of the length of 20 said shell and normal to the long axis of said shell. 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 -9 a point intermediate the height of said end portion; said first recess providing a handhold for lifting and manipulating said anchor block. Preferably, said shell is provided with a second upper 5 recess disposed at each of said end portions and located above said first recess. Preferably, at least one of said first recess and said second upper recess at each of said end portions is provided with an integrally moulded spigot; each said 10 spigot at respective end portions of said shell being axially aligned and lying on a vertical longitudinal bisecting plane of said shell; said spigots adapted to receive therethrough a length of reinforcing rod extending substantially the length of said shell; said reinforcing 15 rod acting as a retainer of concrete or like settable material when said concrete or like settable material has filled said shell. Preferably, each one of said second pair of former is located adjacent diagonally opposite corners of said shell. 20 In another broad form of the invention, there is 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 -10 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, uninterrupted coplanar lower 5 edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers extending from an inside surface of said upper portion to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein uprights of said 10 adjacent panels; said shell comprising at least one additional former extending from said inside surface to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former being smaller than said pair of formers. 15 In still another broad form of the invention, there is provided 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 20 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 structures for 25 insertion of uprights of said panels; each of said end II 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 a further broad form of the invention, there is provided an 5 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 outer contiguous surfaces forming side portions end portions and a top portion; said shell open at an underside and wherein said 10 side portions and said end portions depend from said top portion to form a single continuous uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said lower edge defining a plane parallel to said top portion; said shell further provided with formers defining retaining structures for insertion of uprights of said panels; 15 said formers integrally moulded with said shell; said formers extending from said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous uninterrupted lower edge. Preferably, said formers comprise a pair of side by side hollow cylinders. 20 Preferably, said shell is further provided with at least one additional former extending from said top portion to said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former -12 smaller in cross section than said pair of former; said at least one additional former defining a through passage for accepting therethrough a securing peg. In another broad form of the invention, there is provided 5 an anchor block shell; said 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 support of panels of a temporary fence; said shell comprising integrally moulded 10 end portions, side portions and a top portion; said end portions and said side portions depending from said top portion to from a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers extending from an inside 15 surface of said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein uprights of adjacent said panels; said shell including at least one additional former extending from said inside surface to 20 said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former being smaller in section than said pair of formers. In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said 25 method including the steps of: -13. (a) moulding shells at a first location; said shells adapted for filling with a settable material, (b) transporting said shells to a second location, (c) filling said shells with said settable material at 5 said second location to form temporary fence anchor blocks comprising a composite of said shells and said settable material, (d) distributing a required number of said anchor blocks and temporary fence panels for 10 transportation to a site of erection of a said temporary fence, (e) placing said anchor blocks along a temporary fence line and inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in 15 said anchor blocks, wherein said shells are comprised of integrally moulded end portions, side portions and a top portion; said end portions and side portions extending from said top portion to a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge of said 20 shell; said shell further including an integrally moulded pair of formers extending from said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said formers defining said retaining structures.

-14 In another broad form of the invention, there is provided 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 5 side portions end portions and a top portion; said shell open at an underside and wherein said side portions and said end portions depend from said top portion to form a single continuous uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said lower edge defining a plane parallel to said top portion; 10 said shell further provided with former defining retaining structures for insertion of uprights of said panels, Preferably said former comprise a pair of side by side hollow cylinders; said hollow cylinders integrally moulded with said shell: said hollow cylinders extending from said 15 top portion to a plane defined by said continuous uninterrupted coplanar lower edge. Preferably, said shell is further provided with at least one additional former extending from said top portion to said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted 20 coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former smaller in cross section than said pair of formers; said at least one additional former defining a through passage for accepting therethrough a securing peg.

- 15 In yet another broad form of the invention, there is provided an anchor block shell; said shell open at its underside to form a vessel when inverted, for filling with concrete or like settable material; said shell and said 5 settable material forming an anchor block for support of panels of a temporary fence; said shell comprising integrally moulded end portions, side portions and a top portion; said end portions and said side portions depending from said top portion to from a continuous, uninterrupted 10 coplanar lower edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein uprights of adjacent said panels;. Preferably, said formers extend from an inside surface of 15 said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge. Preferably, said shell includes at least one additional former extending from said inside surface to said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower 20 edge; said at least one additional former being smaller in section than said pair of former. In still another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said method including the steps of: -16 (a) moulding shells at a first location; said shells adapted for filling with a settable material, (b) filling said shells with said settable material at said second location to form temporary fence anchor blocks 5 comprising a composite of said shells and said settable material, (c) distributing a required number of said anchor blocks and temporary fence panels for transportation to a site of erection of a said temporary fence, 10 (d) placing said anchor blocks along a temporary fence line and inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks. wherein said shells are comprised of integrally moulded end 15 portions, side portions and a top portion; said end portions and side portions extending from said top portion to a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge of said shell; said shell further including an integrally moulded pair of formers extending from said top portion to a plane 20 defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said formers defining said retaining structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS -17 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical section of 5 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; 10 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 6 is a schematic of a method of production. 15 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 20 22, side portions 23 and top portion 24. As shown in Figure 4 the underside of anchor block 20 is open, with the walls of the shell which form the side and end portions terminating in a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge 35. 25 Integrally moulded into shell 21 are retaining structures for the uprights or stiles of adjoining fence -18 panels. Preferably, the retaining structures comprise a pair of side by side, relatively large, hollow cylindrical farmers 25, preferably extending the full depth of shell 21, from the top portion 24 to a plane defined by the 5 continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge 35. 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 of typical tubular steel posts forming the uprights of temporary fence panels. 10 At least one, preferably two anchor block securing structures in the form of hollow cylindrical farmers 27 of smaller section or smaller diameter than farmers 25, may similarly be integrally moulded into shell 21, and extending the full depth of shell 21 from the top portion 15 24 to the plane defined by the continuous uninterrupted lower edge. The bores 28 of farmers 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. 20 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 spigots 32 25 are adapted to accept, as a loose sliding fit, the diameter of typical reinforcing rod.

-19 The anchor block shells 21 of the present invention are injection moulded from a suitable polymer at an injection moulding production facility. Shells may be moulded in any of a variety of colours to suit the 5 preference of an end user. After moulding, the shells may be transported to one or more decentralised, specialised filling facilities, preferably to facilities which are closest to, or associated with, points of distribution or use, as generally illustrated in Figure 6. 10 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 21 to completely fill the shell, (except for recesses 30) 15 level with the continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge 35, leaving bores 26 and 28 (if provided) as open passages. After setting, the concrete is retained in shell 21 by reinforcing rod 34. In at least one preferred arrangement, after filling 20 at a specialised filling facility, anchor blocks 20 may be transported to a point of distribution. Generally the point of distribution will be an organization providing temporary fences to third party users. Preferably, at a point of distribution, when an order 25 for erection of a temporary fence is received, filled -20 anchor blocks are collated with the number of required fence panels for transport to the site of erection. Alternatively, empty anchor block shells 21 and fence panels may be delivered to a site where a temporary fence 5 is to be erected. Again the empty shells are inverted and filled with concrete as described above, by means of specialised portable shell filling equipment, fed from a concrete delivery vehicle. To erect a temporary fence, the fence line is 10 determined and anchor blocks 20 placed at fence panel intervals along the fence line as shown in Figure 1. Fence panels are then erected by inserting the pair of adjacent uprights of adjoining panels into bores 26. Short lengths of reinforcing rod or other suitable pegs, may be inserted 15 into bores 28 (if provided) and driven into the ground to fix the position of the anchor block and as and aid to the stability of the supported fence, for example on sloping or soft ground or in high wind areas. Such pegging may become important in situations where sheeting is applied to the 20 fence panels, thus greatly increasing the wind loading transmitted to the anchor blocks. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that variations in the configuration of shell 21 may be 25 introduced so as to retain concrete poured into shell 21 by means of suitable moulded projections in the shell cavity.

-21 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 3000 unfilled plastic shells. 5 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, roulds for producing the composite shell and concrete anchor blocks, one mould for 10 each anchor block to be manufactured. With this arrangement it is simple to produce large numbers of anchor 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 bare concrete blocks. In 15 that process, the number of moulds available limits, in some instances quite severely, the rate at which blocks can be produced, Rates of production are particularly high when anchor blocks shells are filled at a specialised filling facility. 20 There, quite large arrays of shells, already prepared with a length of concrete retaining reinforcing rod, can be arranged in a tight array formation. With suitable blanking of the handhold recesses and bores, the entire array may be filled in one production cycle. Once filled, no further 25 operation is required and the concrete can be allowed to set.

- LL The exposed concrete underside of the above described anchor block retains the added frictional advantage conferred by concrete at the open underside of the block being in contact with the ground surface. 5 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.

Claims

1. 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 5 integrally moulded outer contiguous surfaces forming side portions end portions and a top portion; said shell open at an underside and wherein said side portions and said end portions depend from said top portion to form a single continuous uninterrupted 10 coplanar lower edge; said lower edge defining a plane parallel to said top portion; said shell further provided with former defining retaining structures for insertion of uprights of said panels; said formers integrally moulded with said shell; said formers 15 extending from said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous uninterrupted lower edge.

2. The anchor block of claim 1 wherein said formers comprise a pair of side by side hollow cylinders.

3. The anchor block of claim 2 wherein said shell is 20 further provided with at least one additional former extending from said top portion to said plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said at least one additional former smaller in cross section than said pair of formers; said at least one -24 additional former defining a through passage for accepting therethrough a securing peg.

4. An anchor block shell; said shell open at its underside to form a vessel when inverted, for filling with 5 concrete or like settable material; said shell and said settable material forming an anchor block for support of panels of a temporary fence; said shell comprising integrally moulded end portions, side portions and a top portion; said end portions and said side portions 10 depending from said top portion to from a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge defining said open underside; said shell further comprising a pair of formers; said pair of formers adapted to accept inserted therein uprights of adjacent said panels.

155. A method for supporting panels of a temporary fence; said method including the steps of: (a) moulding shells at a first location; said shells adapted for filling with a settable material, 20 (b) filling said shells with said settable material at said second location to form temporary fence anchor blocks comprising a composite of said shells and said settable material, (c) distributing a required number of said anchor blocks and temporary fence panels for transportation to a site of erection of a said temporary fence, 5 (d) placing said anchor blocks along a temporary fence line and inserting adjacent uprights of adjoining said panels into retaining structures provided in said anchor blocks. wherein said shells are comprised of integrally 10 moulded end portions, side portions and a top portion; said end portions and side portions extending from said top portion to a continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge of said shell; said shell further including an integrally moulded 15 pair of former extending from said top portion to a plane defined by said continuous, uninterrupted coplanar lower edge; said formers defining said retaining structures.