AU2009243496B1

AU2009243496B1 - Fencing Bracket

Info

Publication number: AU2009243496B1
Application number: AU2009243496A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Allan Willoughby
Original assignee: OZLOGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: OZLOGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-02
Filing date: 2009-12-02
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-02

Description

FENCING BRACKET FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a fencing bracket. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fencing bracket for use in construction of a fence on or above a retaining wall. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 10 Retaining walls are frequently required to be erected on commercial and residential sites. Retaining walls can be used to retain soil or earth on sites where the natural fall of the ground includes a slope and construction of a building has required that some of the earth or ground be cut away. Retaining walls may be constructed at the boundary of blocks of 15 land. Retaining walls may also be constructed within the boundaries of a block of land. Typical retaining wall construction involves forming a wall and back filling behind the wall to thereby retain a region of higher ground. Retaining walls may be constructed using a number of different construction methods. One common method involves 20 forming a footing in concrete in the ground and subsequently erecting a concrete, brick or block wall on the footing. Appropriate reinforcement is required. Other retaining walls simply involved driving generally vertical support members into the ground and subsequently placing wall members, such as railway sleepers or panels, against the generally vertical support members. Back filling behind the wall members forces the 25 wall members into contact with the generally vertical support members to thereby form a strong wall. Another retaining wall construction involves setting generally vertical support members, in the form of I-beams, into the ground. Each I-beam comprises an elongate beam having 30 a cross section that includes a central web having laterally extending flanges at opposed ends of the central web. The flanges extend laterally to both sides of the central web. In 2 constructing a retaining wall using the I-beams, the I-beams are set into the ground at appropriate spacings. Wall members, such as railway sleepers or panels, are then positioned such that each end of the wall members extend into the space defined between the opposed flanges of adjacent I-beams. In this way, the flanges of the I-beam prevent 5 transverse movement of the wall members. Once all the wall members have been placed in position, the retaining wall is back filled. A difficulty can arise when it is necessary to build a fence on top of or above the retaining wall. For example, if the retaining wall was built on a boundary between two 10 blocks of land, it can be difficult to construct a fence such that the fence extends along the boundary. In this regard, it is usual to construct the fence by setting fence posts into the earth or ground that is supported by the retaining wall. Thus, the fence posts are laterally offset from the retaining wall. If the retaining wall was built along the boundary line, the fence post will be laterally offset from the boundary line. This is undesirable. 15 In concrete or brick retaining walls, it has been possible to set fencing brackets into the concrete during construction of the retaining wall. The fencing brackets can then be used to support the fence posts and thereby facilitate construction of the fence. However, this option is not available in retaining walls that are constructed using I-beams and wall 20 members such as sleepers. Throughout the specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents should be taken to have an inclusive meaning unless the context of use indicates otherwise. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fencing bracket that facilitates construction of fence on or above the retaining wall. 30 3 In a first aspect, the present invention provides a fencing bracket for use in construction of a fence on or above a retaining wall, the retaining wall comprising a plurality of I beams spaced apart from each other, the I-beams holding retaining wall members, each I beam having a cross section comprising a central web having laterally extending flanges 5 located at opposed ends of the central web, the fencing bracket comprising an upper member, a first member extending from the upper member, the first member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on one side of the central web of the I-beam, a second member extending from the upper member, the second member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on another side of the central web of the I-beam, 10 the first and second members being spaced apart from each other by a distance sufficient to receive the central web of an I-beam therebetween, the upper member being adapted to support a fence post. In one embodiment, the first member comprises an elongate plate. The second member 15 may also comprise an elongate plate. The first member and the second member may be positioned such that they are opposed to each other. In another embodiment, the first member comprises a C-shaped section having a central wall and opposed end walls extending laterally to one side from the central wall. The 20 second member may also comprise a similar C-shaped section. The first member and the second member may be positioned such that their central walls are positioned such that they are spaced from each other and extend generally parallel to each other. The sections may also be considered to be U-shaped sections. 25 The upper member may comprise a plate. The first member and the second member may be joined to the upper member. In one embodiment, the upper member, the first member and the second member are made from metal and the first and second members are welded to the upper member. 30 4 Alternatively, the first member and the second member may be integrally formed with the upper member. The upper member may be adapted to have a fencing post joined thereto. For example, a 5 fencing post may be provided with a flange and the flange of the fencing post may be joined to be upper member. In this embodiment, the upper member may be provided with one more openings to receive bolts, screws or other fasteners. Alternatively, the upper member may be provided with a fence post bracket for receiving 10 and holding a fence post. The fence post bracket may comprise, for example, a stirrup bracket. The upper member may comprise a plate carrying the fence post bracket. The upper member may also be provided with any other fence post connector known to be suitable to a person skilled in the art for connecting or mounting a fence post thereto. 15 In use of the fencing bracket in accordance with the present invention, once the retaining wall has been at least partly constructed by setting one or more I-beams into the ground, a fencing bracket is positioned over the top of each I-beam in the retaining wall. This is achieved by positioning the first member on one side of the central web of an I-beam and 20 placing the second member on the other side of the central web of the I-beam. The fencing bracket may then be pushed downwardly so that the first member and the second member move downwardly relative to the central web. This may continue until the upper member comes into contact with the end of the I-beam. The retaining wall members in the wall and the wall portions of the I-beam (including the walls f the flanges and central 25 web of the I-beam) act to hold each of the first member and the second member in place, thereby securely holding the fencing bracket in position. In some embodiments, the retaining wall members are positioned in place after the fencing brackets have been positioned on the I-beams. In other embodiments, the 30 retaining wall members are positioned in place before the fencing brackets have been positioned on the I-beams.

5 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for erecting a fence on the retaining wall, the retaining wall comprising a plurality of I-beams spaced apart from each other, the I-beams holding retaining wall members, each I-beam having a cross 5 section comprising a central web having laterally extending flanges located at opposed ends of the central web, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a fencing bracket comprising an upper member, a first member extending from the upper member, the first member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on one side of the central web of the I-beam, a second member extending from 10 the upper member, the second member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on another side of the central web of the I-beam, the first and second members being spaced apart from each other by a distance sufficient to receive the central web of an I-beam therebetween, the upper member being adapted to support a fence post, - positioning the fencing bracket so that the first member is positioned to one side of the 15 central web of the I-beam and the second member is positioned to the other side of the central web of the I-beam, - moving the fencing bracket downwardly so that the first member and the second member move downwardly relative to an upper end of the I-beam, - positioning retaining wall members between the opposed flanges of the I-beam, the 20 retaining wall members assisting in holding the fencing bracket in position, and - mounting a fence post to the upper member. It will be appreciated that the steps of positioning the fencing bracket and positioning the retaining wall members may take place in any sequence desired by the person or persons 25 erecting the retaining wall and the fence. The fencing brackets in accordance with the present invention allow for quick fitting of the brackets to a retaining wall. The fencing brackets also allow the fence to be erected on top of the retaining wall without having to be laterally offset from the retaining wall. 30 The fencing bracket can be securely held in position by the retaining wall members and the I-beams. The fencing bracket itself can be of simple and robust construction.

6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a plan view of a retaining wall constructed from I-beams and railway 5 sleepers; Figure 2 shows a front view of the retaining wall shown in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a fencing bracket in accordance with an 10 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an underneath view of the fencing bracket shown in figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of the fencing bracket shown in figure 3; 15 Figure 6 shows a plan view of the fencing bracket shown in figure 3; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a retaining wall having a fencing bracket as shown in figures 3 to 6 mounted thereto; 20 Figure 8 shows a front view of the retaining wall having a fencing bracket mounted thereto; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a fencing bracket in accordance with an 25 embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a fencing bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 7 It will be appreciated that the drawings have been provided for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that the present invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings. 5 Figures I and 2 show a plan view and a front view, respectively, of a retaining wall made from I-beams and railway sleepers. As shown in figure 2, the retaining wall includes I beam 10 and I-beam 12 that are mounted into the ground. The I-beams may be mounted into the ground by driving the I-beam is into the ground or by digging a hole, positioning 10 the I-beam is in the hole and filling the hole with concrete. As best shown in figure 1, I-beam 12 includes a central web 14 and opposed end flanges 16, 18. End flange 16 has one side 16a that extends to one side of the central web 14 and another side 16b that extends to the other side of central web 14. Similarly, flange 18 15 includes one side 18a that extends to one side of the central web and another side I8b that extends to the other side of the central web 14. I-beam 10 is generally identical to I-beam 12, as are all the other I-beams used in the retaining wall. A plurality of retaining wall members, in the form of railway sleepers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 20 28, are positioned such that one end thereof extends into the space defined between flange portions 16b and 18b of I-beam 12 and the other end extends into the space defined between flange portions 16a and 18a of I-beam 10. This is clearly shown in figure 1. Once the railway sleepers have been positioned in place, back fill may be added (as shown at 30). 25 As can be seen from figure 1, it can be difficult to construct a fence directly above the retaining wall. The fencing bracket shown in figures 3 to 6 can be used to enable construction of a fence directly above the retaining wall to take place. 30 The fencing bracket 40 shown in figures 3 to 6 comprises an upper member in the form of a plate 42. Plate 42 is suitably made from a metal, such as mild steel or stainless steel. If 8 the plate is made from mild steel, it may be galvanised for rust protection. Attached to a lower surface of plate 42 are first member 44 and second member 46. First member 44 comprises a C-shaped section having a central wall 50 and two end walls 52, 54 extending from one side of central wall 50. Second member 46 comprises a central wall 5 60 having end walls 62 and 64 extending from one side thereof. As can be seen from figure 4, the central walls 50 and 60 of respective first and second members are positioned back-to-back to each other. As can be seen from figure 5, the central walls 50 and 60 are spaced apart from each other by a spacing denoted by reference 66 in figure 5. Similarly, end walls 52 and 54 extend from the central wall 50 in an opposite direction to 10 that in which end walls 62 and 64 extend away from central wall 60 of the second member. The spacing 66 between the central walls 50 and 60 of the respective first and second members is such that the spacing is slightly larger than the thickness of the central web 15 14 of the I-beams. In this manner, the fencing bracket 40 can be positioned such that the central web 14 of the I-beams is received in the spacing 66 between the first member 44 and the second member 46. In order to erect a fence using the bracket 40, the bracket is positioned so that the bracket 20 is above an I-beam with the first member 44 and the second member 46 pointing downwardly. The first member 44 and second member 46 are located on opposite sides of the central web 14 of the I-beam. The fencing bracket is then pushed downwardly so that the first member 44 and the second member 46 move downwardly relative to the central web and flanges of the I-beam. Downward movement is continued until the 25 underneath surface of upper plate 42 comes into contact with the top of the I-beam. The sleepers may then be positioned. Alternatively, the fencing bracket may be moved into position after the sleepers have been positioned in place. Figure 7 and figure 8 both show the relative positioning of the bracket to the I-beam and sleepers. As can be seen from figure 7, the central wall 50 and end walls 52, 54 of first member 44 are positioned 30 between the sleeper and the respective flanges and central web of the I-beam 10. The second member 46 is similarly positioned, but on the other side of the central web 14 of 9 I-beam 10. Consequently, the first member and the second member of the fencing bracket 40 securely held in position between the I-beam and the sleepers. Provision of the upper plate 42 allows for fence posts to be connected to the upper plate. 5 The fence post may be directly connected to the upper plate or they may be connected to the upper plate via intermediate connectors, such as further brackets. Indeed, the upper plate 42 may carry appropriate connectors. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be a wide variety of connectors that can be used to securely connect and mount a fence posts to the fencing bracket 40. 10 In Figure 9 there is shown a perspective view of a fencing bracket 40 comprising an upper member in the form of a plate 42. Plate 42 is suitably made from a metal, such as mild steel or stainless steel. If the plate is made from mild steel, it may be galvanised or powder coated for rust protection. Attached to a lower surface of plate 42 are first 15 member 44 and second member 46 with a spacing 66 located between the first member 44 and the second member 46. In Figure 10 the fencing bracket 40 of Figure 9 is shown connected to a section of I-beam 10. The first member 44 and second member 46 are located on opposite sides of the 20 central web 14 of the I-beam. The fencing bracket is then pushed downwardly so that the first member 44 and the second member 46 move downwardly relative to the central web 14 and flanges 16, 18 of the I-beam 10. The present invention provides for a convenient, easy-to-use, robust and relatively 25 inexpensive bracket that enables fences to be constructed directly above retaining walls made from I-beams and wall members. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood 30 that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A fencing bracket for use in construction of a fence on or above a retaining wall, the retaining wall comprising a plurality of I-beams spaced apart from each other, the I 5 beams holding retaining wall members, each I-beam having a cross section comprising a central web having laterally extending flanges located at opposed ends of the central web, the fencing bracket comprising an upper member, a first member extending from the upper member, the first member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on one side of the central web of the I-beam, a second member extending from the upper 10 member, the second member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on another side of the central web of the I-beam, the first and second members being spaced apart from each other by a distance sufficient to receive the central web of an I-beam therebetween, the upper member being adapted to support a fence post.

2. A fencing bracket according to claim 1 wherein the first member and the second 15 member are positioned such that they are opposed to each other.

3. A fencing bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first member and the second member each comprise C-shaped sections having a central wall and opposed end walls extending laterally to one side from the central wall.

4. A fencing bracket according to claim 3 wherein the central walls of each of the 20 first member and the second member are positioned such that they are spaced from each other and extend generally parallel to one another.

5. A fencing bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper member comprises a plate.

6. A fencing bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper 25 member is adapted to have a fencing post joined thereto.

7. A fencing bracket according to claim 6 wherein the upper member is provided with a fence post bracket for receiving a fence post.

8. A method for erecting a fence on a retaining wall, the retaining wall comprising a plurality of I-beams spaced apart from each other, the I-beams holding retaining wall 30 members, each I-beam having a cross section comprising a central web having laterally I I extending flanges located at opposed ends of the central web, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a fencing bracket comprising an upper member, a first member extending from the upper member, the first member being sized so that it can fit between opposed 5 flanges on one side of the central web of the I-beam, a second member extending from the upper member, the second member being sized so that it can fit between opposed flanges on another side of the central web of the I-beam, the first and second members being spaced apart from each other by a distance sufficient to receive the central web of an I-beam therebetween, the upper member being adapted to support a fence post, 10 - positioning the fencing bracket so that the first member is positioned to one side of the central web of the I-beam and the second member is positioned to the other side of the central web of the I-beam, - moving the fencing bracket downwardly so that the first member and the second member move downwardly relative to an upper end of the I-beam, 15 - positioning retaining wall members between the opposed flanges of the I-beam, the retaining wall members assisting in holding the fencing bracket in position, and - mounting a fence post to the upper member.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the fencing bracket is positioned on the I beam before the retaining wall members are positioned. 20

10 A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the fencing bracket is positioned on the I beam after the retaining wall members are positioned.

I1. A fencing bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

12. A method for erecting a fence on a retaining wall substantially as hereinbefore 25 described with reference to the drawings.