AU2015101131B4 - A weighted support assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A weighted support assembly supports end posts of a pair of fence panels in a side-by side manner. The weighted support assembly includes a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers at a front end region of the support assembly. Each fence post receiver is dimensioned and configured to receive part of an end post of a different fence panel of the pair of side-by-side fence panels. The weighted support assembly includes a longitudinally extending base fixed to the fence post receivers. The base extends rearwardly with respect to the fence post receivers in an arrangement wherein the base is offset from the fence post receivers. The weighted support assembly includes a number of counter weights that can be placed on the base, so that the weights are behind the fence panels.

Description

2015101131 18 Aug 2015 ι

A WEIGHTED SUPPORT ASSEMBLY

FIELD

[0001 ] Various exemplary embodiments of a weighted support assembly for supporting end posts of a pair of side-by-side fence panels are described in this specification.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Temporary fence panels are commonly supported by weighted fence feet, also known as fence blocks or fence bases, which sit under the fence panels and project from both sides of the fence panels. Most temporary fenced off areas have human traffic along the outside of the fences. The projecting fence feet may be a trip hazard to people walking along the fence.

SUMMARY

[0003] Various exemplary embodiments of a weighted support assembly for supporting end posts of a pair of fence panels in a side-by-side manner, comprise: a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers at a front end region of the support assembly, each fence post receiver dimensioned and configured to receive part of an end post of a different fence panel of the pair of side-by-side fence panels; a base fixed to the fence post receivers, wherein the base extends rearwardly with respect to the fence post receivers in an arrangement wherein the base is offset from the fence post receivers; and a number of counter weights that can be placed on the base, so that the weights are behind the fence panels.

[0004] Various exemplary embodiments of a weighted support assembly for supporting end posts of a pair of fence panels in a side-by-side manner, comprise: a longitudinally extending base; a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers fixed to the base, wherein the fence post receivers are offset in the longitudinal direction from the longitudinal midpoint of the base; and 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 2 a number of counter weights that can be placed on the base.

[0005] A number of weighted support assemblies may be arranged to locate adjacent fences panels in a side-by-side manner so as to form a temporary fence supported by the weighted support assembly. The counter weights are located on one side of the supported fence so as not to be a tripping hazard.

[0006] A support structure of the weighted assembly may comprise the base, the fence post receivers, and an upright post extending generally orthogonally from the base. Each counter weight may include an aperture for receiving the post.

[0007] The fence post receivers may be fixed to the base via a cantilever which supports the fence post receivers at an elevated position relative to the base. The base may be a relatively flat rigid strip or plate.

[0008] The weight may have generally parallel sides and the post receiving aperture may be offset to one of the sides.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a weighted support assembly, including an exemplary embodiment of a support stand and a counter weight of the weighted support assembly.

[0010] Figure 2 shows a side view of the stand of the weighted support assembly of figure 1.

[0011 ] Figure 3 shows a front view of the stand of figure 2.

[0012] Figure 4 shows a plan view of the stand of figure 2.

[0013] Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of the stand of figure 2.

[0014] Figure 6 shows a side view of a counter weight of the weighted support assembly of figure 1.

[0015] Figure 7 shows an end view of the weight of figure 6.

[0016] Figure 8 shows a plan view of the weight of figure 6.

[0017] Figure 9 shows a three dimensional view of the weight of figure 6. 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 3 [0018] Figure 10 shows a side view of the weighted support assembly of figure 1, wherein the stand is loaded with three counter weights, in use.

[0019] Figure 11 shows an end view of the weighted support assembly of figure 10.

[0020] Figure 12 shows a plan view of the weighted support assembly of figure 10.

[0021 ] Figure 13 shows a three dimensional view of the weighted support assembly of figure 10.

[0022] Figures 14 shows a three dimensional exploded view of the weighted support assembly of figure 10.

[0023] Figure 15 shows a side view of the weighted support assembly of figure 1 in an application supporting an end of a fence panel.

[0024] Figure 16 shows a front view of two spaced apart weighted support assemblies of figure 10 supporting opposite ends of a fence panel.

[0025] Figure 17 shows a plan view of the two spaced apart weighted support assemblies of figure 16 supporting the fence panel.

[0026] Figure 18 shows a three dimensional view of the two spaced apart weighted support assemblies of figure 16 supporting the fence panel.

[0027] Figure 19 shows a front view of two fence panels supported side-by-side by a number of weighted support assemblies of figure 10.

[0028] Figure 20 shows a side view of another arrangement of weighted support assemblies of figure 1, supporting a fence panel.

[0029] Figure 21 shows a front view of the arrangement of weighted support assemblies of figure 20, supporting the fence panel.

[0030] Figure 22 shows a plan view of the arrangement of weighted support assemblies of figure 20, supporting the fence panel.

[0031 ] Figure 23 shows a three dimensional view of the arrangement of weighted support assembly of figure 20, supporting the fence panel. 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 4 [0032] Figure 24 shows a three dimensional view of a number of fence panels supported by weighted support assemblies of figure 10 and arranged to define an enclosure.

[0033] Figure 25 shows a three dimensional exploded view of another embodiment of a weighted support assembly.

[0034] Figure 26 shows a three dimensional view of another embodiment of a support stand.

[0035] Figure 27 shows a three dimensional view of still another embodiment of a support stand.

[0036] Figure 28 shows a three dimensional view of another embodiment of a weighted support assembly supporting the fence panel.

[0037] Figure 29 shows a side view of a number of the support assemblies of figure 28 supporting the fence panel.

[0038] Figure 30 shows a three dimensional view from the rear of a number of weighted support assemblies of figure 28 supporting a number of fence panels between them in a side-by-side arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Referring to figure 1, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an exemplary embodiment of a weighted support assembly for supporting end posts of a pair of fence panels in a side-by-side manner. The weighted support assembly 10 includes an exemplary embodiment of a support stand, generally indicated with reference numeral 12. The stand 12 is configured so that one or more counter weights 16 can be stacked to provide stability to the stand 12 as it supports a fence panel. In this example, the stand 12 has a foot or base 14 on which the weights 16 can be stacked. The stand 12 includes a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers 18 at a front end 8 of the assembly 10 for receiving the end posts of the pair of fence panels to hold the fence panels upright.

[0040] Referring to figures 2 to 5, the stand 12 comprises the base 14, an upright post 20 extending generally orthogonally up from the base 14, the fence post receivers 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 5 18, and a cantilever 22 extending between the upright post 20 and the fence post receivers 18.

[0041] The base 14 is a rigid rectangular strip or plate. The base 14 extends longitudinally from a front end 30 of the base 14 to a rear end 32. The base 14 is, for example, between 300mm and 600mm long measured from the front end 30 to the rear end 32, between 50mm and 100mm wide, and between 3mm to 8mm thick.

[0042] The post 20 stands upright on the base 14 and extends in a direction generally parallel to the extension of the fence post receivers 18. The post 20 is a circular hollow section of approximately 350mm in length with an outside diameter of approximately 33.7mm and a wall thickness of approximately 3.2mm. A lower end of the post 20 is welded to the base 14. The top of the post 20 has aligned transverse openings 36 to allow a tamper seal to be secured or locked to the upper end of the post 20 to prevent removal of weights without disturbing the seal.

[0043] The cantilever 22 comprises a face plate 24 and a web 26 which extends between the face plate 24 and the post 20. The web 26 is fixed to the post 20 at one end and the face plate 24 is fixed to the free end of the web 26. The face plate 24 and the web 26 are rectangular plates which are square relative to one another.

[0044] The post receivers 18 are fixed to a forward facing side of the face plate 24. The post receivers 18 are spaced a predetermined distance from each other at opposite ends of the face plate 24. The web 26 is offset from one end of the face plate 24.

[0045] The post 20 is fixed to the base 14 at a position along the base 14 so that the base 14 extends generally rearwardly with respect to the fence post receivers 18. That is to say that the fence post receivers 18 are offset in the longitudinal direction to be forward of the longitudinal midpoint halfway between opposite ends 30, 32 of the base 14. The base 14 is thus offset from the fence post receivers 18 in the longitudinal direction. This allows the counter weights 16 to effectively support and stabilise the stand 12 while stacked behind the post receivers 18.

[0046] The fence post receivers 18 are dimensioned and configured to hold an end of an elongate post such as a part of a cylindrical fence post. The fence post receivers 18 are generally round tubular so that the post can be slid into a bore of the receivers 18 and held in a snug fit in the bore of the receiver 18. The post receivers 18 are circular 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 6 hollow sections approximately 65mm in length with an outside diameter of approximately 42.4mm and a wall thickness of approximately 4mm. The size of the bore of the post receivers 18 are selected to receive common sizes of fence posts. The centre to centre distance between the post receivers 18 is between 50mm and 150mm, for example 100mm. The post receivers 18 extend substantially parallel to the post 20. The fence post receivers 18 may be in the form of sockets.

[0047] The stand 12 can be fabricated in a number of different ways and with different materials. For example, the stand 12 can be welded together from structural steel parts or extruded from a plastics material or a metal, such an aluminium or an alloy of aluminium.

[0048] Referring to figures 6 to 9, each weight 16 includes an outer shell 40 that defines a vessel filled with ballast, such as concrete, water or any other material suitable for imparting sufficient weight to the vessel. The shell 40 of each weight 16 can be of a plastics material. The shell 40 can be the result of a moulding process carried out on the plastics material.

[0049] Each shell 40 is shaped to define gripping formations on respective sides to facilitate manipulation of the weight 16.

[0050] Each weight 16 is generally rectangular in plan view with ends 54, sides 56, a lower bearing surface 42 and an upper carrier surface 58. The weight 16 is approximately 500mm long and be approximately 300mm wide, but may have any suitable length and width dimension.

[0051 ] The bearing surface 42 is shaped so that it nests with the base 14 of the stand 12 and with the upper carrier surface 58 of a weight on which it may be stacked. The bearing surface 42 is shaped so that the bearing surface of a lowermost weight 16 of a stack of weights can bear against a substrate while accommodating the base 14.

For that purpose, the bearing surface 42 of each weight 16 defines a bearing portion 44 that is spaced from a nesting portion 46 such that the base 14 can be received in a depressed foot zone 52 defined by the bearing and nesting portions 44,46.

[0052] The bearing and nesting portions 44, 46 are configured so that the foot zone 52 extends longitudinally from one end 54.1 to the other end 54.2. The bearing and nesting portions 44, 46 are configured so that the foot zone 52 is offset to one of the 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 7 sides 56.1. The bearing portion 44 is defined by a planar bearing portion 48 between the zone 52 and the other side 56.2 and a bearing formation in the form of a pair of spaced bearing projections 41 between the zone 52 and the side 56.1. The nesting portion 46 defines longitudinally spaced recesses 45.

[0053] The base 14 defines engaging projections in the form of transverse blocks 34 configured to engage the recesses 45 of the nesting portion 46. The recesses 46 are configured to engage the blocks 34.

[0054] It follows that once the weight 16 is placed on the base 14, sliding the weight 16 off the base 14 is inhibited by the blocks 34 being captured in the recesses 44.

[0055] The carrier surface 58 of each weight 16 defines a raised portion 60 that is shaped to be received in the foot zone 52 of another weight 16 so that the weights 16 can be arranged in a nested configuration, one on top of the other, for example, as shown in figures 10 to 13.

[0056] Two opposed slots 64 extend into respective ends 54 of the weight 16 along the foot zone 52. Each slot 64 defines an entry portion 62 with generally flat sides that opens into a cylindrical aperture 66. It follows that the weight 16 can be lifted and positioned so that the slot 64 aligns with the web 26 and the aperture 66 aligns with the post 20 and is then lowered into position onto the base 14 or on top of another weight 16. It will be appreciated that, in that position, the weight 16 is inhibited from sliding off the other weight 16 or the base 14.

[0057] The apertures 66 are also offset to the one side 56.1 of the weight 16 as the apertures are in the foot zone 52. The centre of each aperture 66 may be spaced from the side 56.1 by between 10% and 30% of the width of the weight 16, for example approximately 20% of the width of the weight 16. The offset nature of the apertures 66 in the weight 16 allows the weights to fit into a square corner of a fence structure while still weighting down the stand 12. The apertures are generally cylindrical and extend through the weight 16 from the lower bearing surface 42 to the upper carrier surface 58.

[0058] In use, the stand 12 is weighted as shown in figures 10 to 13. A lowermost weight 16.1 is lowered onto the stand with the base 14 received in the foot zone 52 and the post 20 received in the aperture 66. Subsequent weights 16.2 and 16.3 are lowered onto the lowermost weight 16.1 in a nested configuration. The web 26 of the cantilever 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 8 22 projects forward through the entry portions 62 of the weights 16 so that the post receivers 18 are supported in front of the weights 16 alongside the ends 54.1 of the weights 16.

[0059] The fact that the foot zone 52 is offset and the slots 64 are substantially identical allows reversal of distal and proximal ends 54 of the weight/s 16 to accommodate different configurations of the weighted support assembly 10. For example, this minimizes interference with operations, particularly the passage of personnel and goods past the support assembly 10.

[0060] One of the post receivers 18.1 is supported in a position to the side 56.1 of the weights 16, as can be seen in figure 12. The post receiver 18.1 can receive part of the end post of a fence panel which extends alongside the weights 16. The other post receiver 18.2 can receive part of the end post of fence panel which extends along the front end 54.1 of the weights. The weighted support assembly 10 may thus support two fence panels forming a corner of a temporary fence.

[0061 ] Figures 15 to 18 show a fence panel 80 supported between two spaced apart weighted support assemblies 10. The fence panel 80 is of the type commonly used for temporary fencing.

[0062] The fence panel 80 comprises a frame 82 defining an opening and a wire mesh 84 held within the opening of the frame 82. The frame 82 includes two substantially vertical end posts 86 and two substantially horizontal cross bars 88. An upper horizontal cross bar 88.1 is attached between the end posts 86 between their upper ends. A lower horizontal cross bar 88.2 is attached between the end posts 86 between their lower ends. The end posts 86 and cross bars 88 are made from tubular steel of circular cross-section, and are attached to each other by welding. The fence panels may be stand approximately 2100mm high and be approximately 2400mm wide, but may have any suitable height and width dimension.

[0063] The upper and lower ends of the end posts 86 protrude past the upper cross bar 88.1 and the lower cross bar 88.2, respectively. The protruding lower ends of the end posts 86 are legs 90 which are received in the fence post receivers 18 of the weighted support assemblies 10. The legs 90 have an outer diameter of between about 20 mm to 65 mm. This provides an indication of the dimensions required for the 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 9 apertures. One of the legs 90.1 of the fence panel 80 is received in one of the fence post receivers 18 of one of the support assemblies 10 and the other leg 90.2 of the fence panel 80 is received in one of the fence post receivers 18 of the other support assembly 10.

[0064] Figure 19 shows a temporary fence comprising two fence panels 80 arranged side-by-side. The fence panels 80 are supported by weighted support assemblies 10. Adjacent end posts 86 of the two fence panels are supported side-by-side by one of the support assemblies 10.1. The leg 90.1 of one of the fence posts 80 and the leg 90.2 of the other fence post 80 are received in the respective fence post receivers 18 of the support assembly 10.1.

[0065] The weights 16 of the support assembly 10.1 are located behind the fences 80 due to the forward configuration of the fence post receivers 18 of the support assembly 10.1. This minimizes interference of the weights 16 with operations, particularly the passage of personnel and goods, past the front of the fence panels 80.

[0066] Figures 20 to 23 show a configuration wherein two weighted support assemblies 10 are arranged back-to-back for added support of a fence panel 80. The end post legs 90 of the fence panel 80 are received in the fence post receivers 18 of the forward support assemblies 10.1, in the same manner as described above. The additional weighted support assemblies 10.2 each support a brace post 96 which extends from the fence post receivers 18 at the rear of the weighted support assemblies 10.2 to the end posts 86. The brace post 96 has a leg 92 at one end which is received in the fence post receiver 18 and a bracket 94 at the other end which clamps to the end post 86. This configuration is suited for high-wind areas, with the extra weight and leverage serving to inhibit the fence panel 80 from being blown over.

[0067] Referring to figure 24, a number of fence panels 80 are arranged and supported by a number of support assemblies 10 in a generally square fence structure arrangement. The fence panels 80 together define an enclosure 98 bounded by the fence panels 80. Each side of the enclosure 98 is defined by two fence panels 80. Adjacent end posts 86 of two fence panels 80 that meet in a side-by-side manner at a corner of the closure are supported by a support assembly 10 in the manner shown. As can be seen in figure 24, the weights 16 of all of the support assemblies are located within the enclosure 98 and do not pose a tripping hazard to traffic outside of the 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 10 enclosure 98. Upper ends of side-by-side supported end posts 86 are clamped together by clamps 6 to give the fence structure added rigidity.

[0068] Referring to figure 25, another embodiment of a weighted support assembly is indicated generally by reference numeral 100. The weighted support assembly 100 is similar to the weighted support assembly 10, comprising a support stand 112 and a weight 116. The weight 116 is similar to the weight 16, the only difference being that it does not include slot entry portions 62, just the cylindrical apertures 66. The support stand 112 is similar to the support stand 12, the only difference being that it does not include the web 26. The face plate 24 of the support stand 112 is fixed directly to the base 14. The weight 116 can be received on the stand 112 with the post 20 extending through the aperture 66 in the weight 116.

[0069] Referring to figure 26, another embodiment of a support stand is indicated generally by reference numeral 212. The support stand 212 is similar to the support stand 12, with the only difference being that the web 26 connects to the centre of the face plate 24. The fence post receivers 18 are laterally spaced equal distances from the post 20.

[0070] Referring to figure 27, yet another embodiment of a support stand is indicated generally by reference numeral 312. The support stand 312 is similar to the support stand 12, with the only different being that the base 14 is further offset from the fence post receivers 18. The post 20 connects to the base 14 at the end region 30 of the base 14.

[0071 ] Referring to figures 28 to 30, reference numeral 410 generally indicates another exemplary embodiment of a weighted support assembly for supporting end posts 86 of a pair of fence panels 80 in a side-by-side manner. The weighted support assembly 410 includes a different embodiment of a support stand, generally indicated with reference numeral 412. The weighted support assembly 410 includes stackable weights 416 which are the same as, or similar to the weights 16 of the weighted support assembly 10.

[0072] The stand 412 has a foot or base 414 on which the weights 416 can be stacked. The stand 412 includes a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers 418 at a 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 11 front end 408 of the assembly 410 for receiving the end posts 86. The fence post receivers 418 are the same as the fence post receivers of the stand 12.

[0073] The stand 412 comprises the base 414, an upright post 420 extending generally orthogonally up from the base 414, the fence post receivers 418, and a cantilever 422 extending between the upright post 420 and the fence post receivers 418.

[0074] The post 420 is similar to the post 20 of the stand 12, but stands much taller. The main difference between the stand 12 and the stand 412 is the cantilever 422. The cantilever 422 includes a channel section 424 which extends upwardly from the front of the base 414 and a web 426 which extends between the rear of the channel section 424 and the post 420. The bottom of channel section 424 stands on the base 414. The web 426 extends all the way from the base 414 to the top of the post 420.

[0075] The assembly 410 includes a bracket 402 for fixing the fence post receivers 418 to the front of the channel section 424. The bracket 402 is bolted to the front of the channel section 424. The fence post receivers 418 are fixed to the bracket 402.

[0076] The assembly 410 includes a clamping bracket 404 higher up along the channel section 424 to give additional support to the fence 80. The bracket 404 is configured to clamp the end posts to the channel section 424.

[0077] The stand 412 may be the same as the support assembly 12 of Australian patent application 2012203098, incorporated herein by reference, but further including the brackets 402, 404 and the fence post receivers 418 at the front of the stand.

[0078] The support assemblies described above are modular in the sense that a number of the weights can be placed one on top of each other. This is made possible by the fact that the weights are offset from the fence so that they can be stacked up without interfering with the fence. This functionality allows for the individual weights to be limited to an extent where injury due to repetitious lifting is inhibited. For example, the counterweights can be limited to about 20 kg.

[0079] In some embodiments, it is envisaged that a single fence post receiver can be provided. This may be applicable in those cases where a fence panel has an intermediate post interposed between end posts. 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 12 [0080] Throughout the specification, the following definitions and interpretative comments apply: a. “Element” is not to be interpreted as necessarily being limited to a unitary article or component. It can be interpreted in the same way as “member” and has been selected primarily for clarity and to distinguish components or articles referred to as “members”. b. The use of “snug” to define a “fit” is intended to encompass a range of different types of fit, from what would be considered “loose” by a skilled person to “interference” by the same person. The requirement is that the panel be inhibited from tilting in such a way as to interfere with an acceptable level of accuracy in locating the panels. c. The term “fence” is to be given a broad interpretation as a structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary and is not to be considered as being limited to a particular application. For example, it is not to be considered to be limited to a structure that is necessarily only used outdoors. It is quite conceivable that it could be an indoor structure.

[0081 ] Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term “comprising” and variants thereof such as “comprise” or “comprises” are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

[0082] It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0083] Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 13 such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. For example, the inventors expect that any specific dimensions described herein can be varied depending the application required by such skilled artisans. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0084] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0085] The use of words that indicate orientation or direction of travel is not to be considered limiting. Thus, words such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “side”, “up”, down”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “forwards”, “backwards”, “towards”, “distal”, “proximal”, “in”, “out” and synonyms, antonyms and derivatives thereof have been selected for convenience only, unless the context indicates otherwise. In the exemplary embodiments described herein, the term “outer” refers to an orientation towards an outer side of an area or space that is enclosed or shielded by the structure using weighted support assembly. The inventor also envisages that various exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter can be supplied in any particular orientation and the claimed subject matter is intended to include such orientations.

[0086] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: 2015101131 18 Aug 2015 14 a. there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements; b. no characteristic, function, activity, or element is “essential”; c. any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated; d. any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and e. any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

[0087] The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0088] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate sub-range defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1,2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14,1.93 to 9, etc.

[0089] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

Claims (5)

1. A weighted support assembly for supporting two fence panels, the weighted support assembly comprising: a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers at a front end region of the support assembly, each fence post receiver dimensioned and configured to receive part of an end post of one of the fence panels; a base fixed to the fence post receivers, wherein the base extends rearwardly with respect to the fence post receivers; and a post fixed to the base, the base and the post being configured so that an aperture in a weight can be aligned with the post and lowered into position on the base such that the post is received in the aperture.

2. A weighted support assembly for supporting two fence panels, the weighted support assembly comprising: a longitudinally extending base; a pair of spaced apart fence post receivers fixed to the base, wherein the fence post receivers are offset in the longitudinal direction from the longitudinal midpoint of the base; and a post fixed to the base, the base and the post being configured so that an aperture in a weight can be aligned with the post and lowered into position on the base such that the post is received in the aperture.

3. The weighted support assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, including a support structure comprising the base, the fence post receivers, and an upright post extending generally orthogonally from the base, wherein each counter weight includes an aperture for receiving the post.

4. The weighted support assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fence post receivers are fixed to the base via a cantilever which supports the fence post receivers at an elevated position relative to the base.

5. The weighted support assembly of claim 3, wherein the weight has generally parallel sides and the post receiving aperture is offset to one of the sides.