AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO: LODGED: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED: ACCEPTED: PUBLISHED: RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANTS: Darren Chatfield Stephen Molyneux ACTUAL INVENTORS: Darren Chatfield Stephen Molyneux ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: LORD AND COMPANY, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys PO Box 530, West Perth Western Australia, 6872, AUSTRALIA. INVENTION TITLE: "FENCE PLINTH" DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED APPLICATION NO: Divisional of Australian Patent Application 2012216706 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us: TITLE "FENCE PLINTH" FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a fence plinth BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] In practice in the field of the construction of fences, it is often desirable to have the fence closely follow the contour of the surrounding landscape. Such an arrangement inhibits noise, vermin and other animals, vegetation, wind and more from passing under the fence. [0003] To allow the fence to follow the ground contour, it is known to install plinths under the main fence infill panel. These plinths are typically constructed from concrete, stone, timber or steel and are either independently supported in the ground or secured to the fence posts. Plinths may be partially embedded in the ground and as such are also often used to retain soil where the ground level is uneven on either side of the fence. [0004] Timber planks have been used extensively to construct plinths as they have sufficient strength to retain soil for small differences in levels and they can be relatively easily cut to size on site. However, the timber is usually chemically treated to make it resistant to pests, such as termites, and there is a tendency for these chemicals to leach into the surrounding soil. As these chemicals are highly toxic, this can lead to unacceptable contamination of the surrounding environment. Timber plinths have the further disadvantage of being relatively bulky and heavy, giving rise to handling and installation difficulties. [0005] Steel plinths are also extensively used and are typically fixed to the fence posts with self tapping screws that pass through the post and into the steel. This method however results in the steel being susceptible to penetration by water and corrosive 2 materials causing degradation of both the steel plinth and the fence post. Steel plinths also absorb and conduct heat and plants that are in contact may suffer stress from the heat. Furthermore, the nature of the metal means that steel plinths deform permanently on impact and due to the location of the plinth in the fence construction, this may become an unacceptable aesthetic feature. [0006] One of the most significant disadvantages of steel plinths is that they corrode due to surface damage during installation or transportation. Once a painted steel plinth is damaged it loses its colour and this exposes bare metal which has the potential for the onset of corrosion. [0007] The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous fence plinths. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence plinth comprising at least one side wall and at least one transversely extending plate connected to a side wall, the arrangement being such that a transversely extending plate is arranged to be disposed below a fence and to support the fence and the plinth occupies a space between a lower end of the fence and adjacent ground. [0009] Preferably, the fence plinth comprises a means for interconnecting a plurality of plinths, according to the present invention, to one another to form a fence plinth of greater height. [0010] Preferably, according to the present invention, the fence plinth comprises an area with cavities suitable for reinforcement. For example, this may comprise insertion of steel or filling with a substrate such as concrete. 3 [0011] Further for added strength the plinths, according to the present invention, may be glued or mechanically fixed together. Alternatively, plinths, according to the present invention, may be mechanically fixed through a fence base rail for added strength. [0012] In one embodiment the fence plinth, according to the present invention, is made from extruded plastic material. Plastic material has a consistent surface finish that extends through the product and does not corrode like steel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1A is an isometric view of packer plinth in accordance with the present invention.; Figure 2 is an end view of two fence plinths of Figure 1 fitted together in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2A is an end elevation of the packer plinth of Figure 1A; Figure 3 is an isometric view of two fence plinths of Figure 1 fitted together in position in a fence construction; Figure 3A is a view of a portion of a fence construction mounted on a wall utilising the packer plinth of Figures 1A and 2A; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a sixth 4 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a fence plinth in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0014] Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a fence plinth 10 in accordance with the present invention. The fence plinth 10 comprises an elongate body 12 having spaced apart ends 14 and 16 defining a length of the body 12. The body 12 further comprises substantially upright spaced apart parallel side walls 18 extending between the ends 14 and 16. The body 12 further comprises a plurality of vertically spaced substantially flat plates 20 extending transversely between the walls 18 and having opposed sides which interconnect the walls 18. The body 12 has a lowermost recess 24 below the lowest plane 20. [0015] The spaces between the plates 20 and the walls 18 constitute cavities 30. [0016] The plinth 10 is also provided with an upper portion 22 which is of reduced lateral outer dimension compared to the spaced apart walls 18. The portion 22 of the body 12 may allow for the lowermost recess 24 of a further plinth 10 to be fitted over the first mentioned plinth 10. [0017] Referring to Figure 1A of the accompanying drawings there is shown a perspective view of a packer plinth 23 in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention which comprises a footing 25 having an upper portion which can engage snugly with a lowermost recess 24 of a plinth 10 or a base rail of a fence construction as will be described. The packer plinth 23 also comprises a wider portion 25a which is intended to contact the ground in use or to rest on top of a wall construction as will be described. [0018] As can be seen in Figure 2, the lowermost recess 24 of a first plinth 10 may be fitted over a further plinth 10 to allow for a plurality of vertically connected plinths 10 to 5 be used in a fence construction to form a plinth assembly whereby the plinth assembly has a greater height than that provided by a single plinth 10. [0019] Further, in the arrangement shown in Figure 2 the lowermost plinth 10 is provided with a packer plinth 23 shown in Figure 2A which provides an optional footing 25 having an upper portion which fits snugly into the lowermost recess 24 of the lowest plinth 10 and a wider portion 25a which is intended to contact the ground in use. [0020] In Figure 3 there is shown a portion of a fence 26 comprising a top rail 32 and a bottom rail 34. A fence panel 36 extends between the top rail 32 and the bottom rail 34. [0021] The fence panel 36 is mounted to a fence post 28 having a C-shaped recess 38 facing the fence panel 36 in known manner. It can be seen that below the bottom rail 34 a pair of superposed plinths 10, in accordance with the present invention, are disposed below the bottom rail 34. Further, the fence plinths 10 are of a lateral dimension such that they engage snugly with the recess 38 in the fence post 28 as shown in figure 3. As is usual the bottom rail 34 is typically disposed above the adjacent ground level. This is to avoid the fencing panel being in contact with the ground. However, it is preferable to have a portion of the fence extending to the ground to prevent vermin and wind and the like from passing under the fence. In addition if the ground level is uneven the presence of the plinths 10 can be used to accommodate the unevenness of the ground. Thus, as shown in Figure 3 the plinth 10 is mounted below the bottom rail 34 and is supported by the fence post 28. [0022] The packer plinth 23 is arranged to work as a footing 25 when fences are installed on walls such as limestone walls as shown in Figure 3A. This is because of official requirements for fences to be installed above the wall with a gap so as to protect the fence from corrosion. The packer plinth 23 fills the gap between the fence and the wall. Further the use of the packer plinth 23 does not void fence warranties and prevents soil and debris from crossing the fence line. Also, the use of the packer plinth 23 facilitates the obtention of a consistent gap when installing the fence. 6 [0023] The plinth 10 may be formed from a wide variety of material. However, it is preferably formed from a plastic material. More preferably, the plastic material is extruded from materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polypropylene (PP). Preferably, the plastic material is extruded. [0024] The fence plinth of the present invention can take a wide variety of forms. [0025] By way of example there is shown an alternative fence plinth 40 in Figure 4 in which there is provided an E-shaped member having ends 14 and 16 and a single upright generally flat wall 18 extending between ends 14 and 16. Extending outwardly from the upright wall 18 is a plurality of transversely extending generally flat plates 20 having free ends 42 which are unattached to any other part of the plinth 40. Thus the plinth 40 shown in Figure 4 has open faced cavities 30 between the plates 20 which can be accessed laterally for placement of optional reinforcement material in the plinth 40 such as steel or other material. [0026] In Figure 5 there is shown a plinth 50 in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment the plinth 50 has ends 14 and 16. Extending between the ends 14 and 16 there is a lower partial upright wall 18 on one side and an upper partial upright wall 18 on the opposite side. The partial walls 18 are interconnected by a transversely extending plate 20. Further there are provided upper and lower transversely extending plates 20 which define opposed open ended cavities 30. Thus the plinth 30 in this embodiment has a generally S-shaped appearance when viewed longitudinally. [0027] In Figure 6 there is shown a plinth 60 in accordance with the present invention. This is similar to the plinth of Figure 4 except that there is no intermediate plate 20. There is simply an upper plate 20 and a lower plate 20 extending outwardly from a single wall 18. Once again the ends 62 of the plates 20 are free and the cavity 30 between them can be filled with reinforcing material. 7 [0028] In Figure 7 there is shown a plinth 70 in accordance with the present invention. Once again this plinth has ends 14 and 16 which have generally horizontal plates 20 extending between the ends 14 and 16. The plates 20 are interconnected by an angled wall 72 which extends from an edge of a lower plate 20 and extends to an edge of an upper plate 20 on the opposite side of the plinth 10. Thus in this arrangement the wall 72 is angled relative to the plate 20 and the plinth 70 has a generally Z-shaped profile. [0029] In Figure 8 there is shown a plinth 80 in accordance with the present invention having a pair of lateral walls 18 extending between ends 14 and 16. The walls 18 are spaced apart and are interconnected by a single plate 20 adjacent their mid-height. This forms a generally H-shaped arrangement. The plinth 80 has upper and lower cavities 30 separated by the plate 20. [0030] In Figure 9 there is shown a plinth 90 in accordance with the present invention having a single intermediate upright wall 92 having ends 14 and 16. Plates 20 attach to respective upper and lower ends of the wall 92 and extend laterally therefrom. This provides a generally I-shaped plinth arrangement. [0031] In use, the plinth of the present invention may be fitted between the fence 26 and the adjacent ground and may be fixed to the fence 26 itself, a panel between the fence 26 and the plinth, or adjacent fence posts using a screw or by other means. The plinth may optionally be fitted so that it is located freely between two adjacent fence posts, may be fitted so that the ends of the plinth are fitted into the internal space of the fence posts, or may be fixed by another means to the fence posts. [0032] A plurality of plinths may be disposed laterally adjacent to one another or fitted laterally together in position in a fence. [0033] The use of a plastic material plinth has the advantage of being corrosion resistant compared to other materials. 8 [0034] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 9