AU2011101638A4 - A Fence - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a fence having at least two longitudinally extending parallel posts, said posts adapted in use to be secured substantially vertically in a ground surface; each post having at least one groove extending along a longitudinal length of said post and oppositely facing a groove of a respective post; a plurality of spacers locatable in use in said grooves; a plurality of longitudinally extending fence panels locatable in use between said posts to form a barrier, said panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, each said edge adapted to engage an adjacent spacer to secure said panels together and between said grooves of said respective posts. Fiur

Description

S&FRef: P019888 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name and Address Artin Arthur Yesayan, of Applicant: of 42 Lane Cove Rd, Ryde, New South Wales, 2112, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Artin Arthur Yesayan Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: A Fence The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5843c(5830467_1) A FENCE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fence. In particular, the present invention relates to a fence that can be easily assembled/disassembled by a non-skilled or skilled person. Background of the Invention Fences have been used throughout time to mark off territory or to act as a barrier to prevent a person or object moving from one area to another area. There is a multitude of fence constructions including fixed constructions, movable constructions and partially fixed and movable constructions. For example, a brick fence is fixed in place while construction barriers are temporary. For a home handyman, for example, the type of fence built on their property typically relates to how competent the person is at construction and how much money they have available. In some cases, a fence contractor will erect a fence. Typical fences are picket fences, or colour bond sheeting fences. However, there are significant disadvantages and costs with the above fences and there is a need for an easily assembled/disassembled fence that can be erected by any person, whether skilled or not. Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a fence having: at least two longitudinally extending parallel posts, said posts adapted in use to be secured substantially vertically in a ground surface; each post having at least one groove extending along a longitudinal length of said post and oppositely facing a groove of a respective post; a plurality of spacers locatable in use in said grooves; 2 a plurality of longitudinally extending fence panels locatable in use between said posts to form a barrier, said panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, each said edge adapted to engage an adjacent spacer to secure said panels together and between said grooves of said respective posts. Preferably, said post is U-shaped. Preferably, said post is H-shaped. Preferably, said spacer is T-shaped. Preferably, said spacer is a cross shape. Preferably, one or more H-shaped posts can be located between a pair of U shaped posts to extend a length of said fence between said U-shaped posts. Preferably, said spacers are lockingly engageable with said groove of said post. Preferably, said spacers are located within said groove by way of an interference fit (friction fit). Preferably, said fence panels are timber slats. There is further disclosed herein a fence having: at least two longitudinally extending parallel posts adapted in use to be secured substantially vertically in a ground surface; each said post having a pair of upwardly extending longitudinal parallel arms defining a slot therebetween; said arms corresponding to opposing arms of an opposing post; at least a pair of members secured to said arms of respective posts to define a channel therebetween, said members adapted in use to extend longitudinally between respective posts; a plurality of longitudinally extending fence panels locatable in use in said channel substantially parallel to said arms and between said members to form a barrier. Preferably, said panels are secured within said channel by way of an interference fit (friction fit).

3 Preferably, said members are fastened to said arms by way of fastening means. Preferably, said fastening means includes nails, bolts, screws or the like. Preferably, each said panel includes a pair of longitudinal side edges, a plurality of notches spaced apart along said longitudinal side edges, each notch in use located adjacent corresponding with a notch of an adjacent panel. Preferably, including a plurality of shims to be located in use within said notches of adjacent panels to space said panels apart. Preferably, including a locking plate locatable in use to secure said panels, shim and members together. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b are cross sections of posts of Figure 1 and Figures 2c and 2d are cross sections of spacers for use with the posts of Figures 2a and 2b; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a partial top view of an embodiment of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the post of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a partial exploded view of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a partial exploded view of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a partial exploded view of Figure 3; and Figure 9 is a partial exploded view of Figure 3.

4 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments There is schematically depicted in the accompanying drawings, a fence 1 having at least two longitudinally extending posts 3 each post 3 adapted in use to be secured substantially vertically to a ground surface 4. It should however be appreciated that fence I can be secured to any structure. Each post 3 has at least one groove 5 extending along a longitudinal length X of the post 3 and oppositely facing a groove 5 of a respective post 3. This can best be seen in Figure 1. A plurality of spacers 6 are locatable in use in the grooves 5 as also shown in Figure 1. A plurality of longitudinally extending fence panels 10 are locatable in use between the posts 3. Start and finish panels 13 could also be included. The panels 10, 13 having a top edge 11 and a bottom edge 12. Each edge 11, 12 is adapted to engage a respective spacer 6 in use to secure the panels 10, 13 together between the grooves 5 of the respective posts 3 to form a barrier. The spacers 6 can be T shaped, cross-shaped or the like as shown in Figures 2c, 2d and include a recess 14 to receive the corner 15 of a panel 10, 13. As seen in Figures 2a to 2d, the posts 3 can be of various shapes for example U-shaped and H-shaped. Other shapes however could be utilised. To extend the overall length of the panels 10, 13 one or more H-shaped posts 3 (see Figure 2b) can be located between a pair of U-shaped posts 3 (see Figure 2a) to extend a length of the fence 1 between the U-shaped posts 3. In the preferred form, the spacers 6 are lockingly engageable within the grooves 5 of the posts 3. In the preferred form, the spacers 6 are secured within the grooves 5 by way of an interference or friction fit. That is, the user would push them into place. In its preferred form, the fence panels 10, 13 are timber slats. It should however be appreciated that any type of material, plastic, metal or the like could be utilised. In Figures 3 to 9, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a fence 1 includes at least two longitudinally extending parallel posts 3 adapted in use to be secured substantially vertically in the ground surface 4. Each of the posts 3 include a pair of upwardly extending longitudinal parallel arms 20 (as best seen in Figure 5) defining a slot 22 therebetween. The arms 20 correspond to opposing arms 20 of an opposing post 3. At least a pair of members 30 are secured to the arms 20 are located within the slots 22 to define a channel 40 therebetween. The members 30 are adapted in use to extend longitudinally and horizontally between respective posts 3. A 5 plurality of longitudinally extending fence panels 42 are locatable in use in the channel 40 substantially parallel to the arms 20 between said members 30 to form a barrier or the like. In a preferred form, the panels 42 are locatable within the channel 40 by an interference or friction fit. In another form, the members 30 are fastened to the arms 20 by way of fastening means 41 such as nails, screws, bolts or the like. Each of the panels 42 include a plurality of notches 50 spaced apart along each longitudinal side edge 51, 52 of the panels 42. Each notch 50 corresponding with a notch 50 on an adjacent panel 42. The invention further including a plurality of shims 55 to be located within the notches 50 of adjacent panels 42 to space panels 42 apart. The present invention further includes a locking plate 60 to secure the panels 42, shims 55 and members 30 together. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (5)

1. A fence having: at least two longitudinally extending parallel posts adapted in use to be secured substantially vertically in a ground surface; each said post having a pair of upwardly extending longitudinal parallel arms defining a slot therebetween; said arms corresponding to opposing arms of an opposing post; at least a pair of members secured to said arms of respective posts to define a channel therebetween, said members adapted in use to extend longitudinally between respective posts; a plurality of longitudinally extending fence panels locatable in use in said channel substantially parallel to said arms and between said members to form a barrier

2. The fence according to claim 1, wherein said members are fastened to said arms by way of fastening means.

3. The fence according to claim 1, wherein each said panel includes a pair of longitudinal side edges, a plurality of notches spaced apart along said longitudinal side edges, each notch in use located adjacent a notch of an adjacent panel.

4. The fence according to claim 1, including a plurality of shims to be located in use within said notches of adjacent panels to space said panels apart.

5. The fence according to claim 1, including a locking plate locatable in use to secure said panel(s), shim(s) and member(s) together. Dated: 13 December 2011 Artin Arthur Yesayan Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON