AU2016100917B4

AU2016100917B4 - Panel

Info

Publication number: AU2016100917B4
Application number: AU2016100917A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Abid Alagic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-30
Filing date: 2016-06-22
Publication date: 2017-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-31
Also published as: AU2016100917A4

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to panels for defining building structures and fence structures. The panels 12 are adapted to be joined together to define wall sections 10 to erect, for example, a building structure. The wall section 10 may also be used for defining partitions within the inside of building structures. In other arrangements, the panels 12 may be used for defining sections other than wall section used for defining a building structure; for example, the panels 12 may be used for assembling floor section or roof sections. Furthermore, the panels 12 may be used for defining fences; in particular, the panels 12 may be used for defining a fence structure as well as a plinth assembly of a fence structure. Fig 4

Description

1 2016100917 25 Jan 2017

PANEL

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to structures such as wall structures, roof structures and floor structures as well as fence structures, [0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to panels for assembling the structures such as wall structures, roof structures and floor structures as well as fence structures.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Building structure may be erected using individual panels that are joined together for defining the wall, roof and floor structures; similarly fence structures may be defined by assembling together sections of sheet material.

[0005] Assembling the panels together for defining these structures can be cumbersome and a time consuming task. This is particaurly when assembling the fence structures using the sheet material.

[0008] As an example, fences should follow the contour of the terrain onto which the fences are mounted. This is because by having the lower ends of the fences to follow the contour of the terrain; noise, winds, and pests among others are impeded from passing under the fence.

[0007] For the lower ends of the fences to follow the contour of the terrain, it is necessary that the lower ends of the fences are at least partially embedded into the ground. In undulating terrain the lower end of the fences need to adjust to the 2 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 particular undulating contour of the terrain. For example, for the lower end of a fence to follow the contour of the particular undulation in the terrain, the individual panels that define the fence need to be located at different locations with respect to each other; a first panel located at the lowest positon of the undulation may need to be located at a distance lower than a second panel that is located, for example, at the highest position of the particular undulation.

[0008] Conventional fences are defined using individual sections of sheet material defining the individual panels that define the fence. The sections of sheet material are joined together by abutting the ends of the sections of the sheet material. The process of joining together the sections of sheet material to follow the contour of the terrain below the fence is particularly cumbersome and time consuming.

[0009] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] According to a first aspect the invention there is provided a fence plinth panel to define a plinth assembly for a fencing system for mounting on a terrain, the fencing system comprising a plurality of posts extending vertically from the terrain spaced apart with respect to each other and at least one first panel extending between the posts, the first panel being spaced apart from the terrain defining a spacing between the first panel and the terrain for receiving the plinth assembly, the plinth assembly comprising a plurality of the fence plinth panels joined together via dovetail joints, each fence plinth panel comprising a body having two faces and first and second sides for joining together the faces, wherein the first side comprises a female tail of one of the dovetail joints and the second side comprises a male pin of another one of the dovetail joints for slideably interconnecting neighboring fence plinth panels of the plinth assembly.

[0011] Preferably, the female tail of the first side of each fence plinth panel extends from one end of the fence plinth panel to another end of the fence plinth panel, the female tail comprising open ends at the ends of each fence plinth panel, the open 3 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 ends being adapted for receiving the male pin of the neighboring fence plinth panels for slideably joining together the neighboring fence plinth panels.

[0012] Preferalby, the fence plinth panels are arranged within the spacing such that the longitudinal axis of each fence plinth panel is substantially perpendicular to the posts.

[0013] According to a second aspect the invention there is provided a fence plinth assembly for a fencing system for mounting on a terrain, the fencing system comprising a plurality of posts extending vertically from the terrain spaced apart with respect to each other and at least one first panel extending between the posts, the first panel being spaced apart from the terrain defining a spacing between the first panel and the terrain for receiving the plinth assembly, wherein the plinth assembly comprises a plurality of the fence plinth panels as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0014] According to a third aspect the invention there is provided a fencing system for mounting on a terrain, the fencing system comprising a plurality of posts extending vertically from the terrain spaced apart with respect to each other and at least one first panel extending between the posts, the first panel being spaced apart from the terrain defining a spacing between the panel and the terrain, wherein the fencing system further comprises a plinth assembly as defined in claim 4 located within the spacing and between the plurality of posts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a wall section assembled using a plurality of panels in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 4 2016100917 25 Jan 2017

Figure 2 is a top view of the of the wail section shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the wall section shown in figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the panel in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a side view of a particular arrangement of the panel in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) [0016] Figures 1 and 2 depict a waii section 10. The wall section 10 comprises a plurality of panels 12. The panels 12 are adapted to be joined together to define the wall section 10.

[0017] In the particular arrangement shown in figure 1, the waii section 10 comprises four panels 12. In accordance to alternative arrangements the waii section 10 may comprise any number of panels 12 for defining a particular wall structure to erect, for example, a building structure. The wall section 10 may aiso be used for defining partitions within the inside of building structures.

[0018] In other arrangements, the panels 12 may be used for defining sections other than wall section used for defining a building structure. For example, the panels 12 may be used for assembling floor section or roof sections.

[0019] Furthermore, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the panels 12 may be used for defining fences. In this second embodiment, the panels 12 may be used for defining a fence structure as well as a plinth assembly of a fence structure.

[0020] Referring now to figure 3.

[0021] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the particular arrangement of the wall section 10 shown in figure 1. As shown in figure 3, the wall section 10 comprises four 5 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 panels 12a to 12d. Each panel has a front face 14 and a rear face 18 and ends 18 and 20.

[0022] Each panel 12 also comprises sides 22 and 24. As will be described below, the sides 22 and 24 are adapted to attach adjacent panels together to define the wall panel 10.

[0023] Referring now to figure 4. Figure 4 is an end view of the panel 12a of the panels 12 shown in figure 4.

[0024] The sides 22a and 24a are adapted to attach the adjacent panel 12b thereto. For this, the sides 22 and 24 of each panel 12 comprises fastening means. In the particular arrangement shown in figure 4, the fastening means comprises a sliding dovetail joint.

[0025] As shown in 4, the dovetail joint for joining together adjacent panels 12 comprises a male pin 26 and female groove 28. The pin 26 extends along the length of the side 24 of panel 12; the groove 28 extends along the length of the side 22a of the panel 12.

[0026] The pin 26 has a trapezoidal shape; the groove 28 has a trapezoidal outline adapted for receiving the pin 26. Each groove 28 has an open end at each side 22 and 24 of each panel. The opens ends permit inserting the pin 26 into the groove 28 for joining together adjacent panels 12.

[0027] Each of the panels 12a to 12d comprises on each of its side 22 a pin 26 and on its other side 24 a groove 28. This allows attaching the panels 12 together to define the wail section 10.

[0028] The panels 12a and 12b are attached together to define a portion of the wall section 10 by initially locating the panels 12a and 12b in an offset relationship so that the pin 26b of the panel 12b is inserted within the open end of the groove 28a of the panel 12a; attachment of the panels 12a and 12b is completed by sliding side 22a of 6 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 pane! 12a against the side 24b of the panel 26 such that the pin 26b of the panel 12b slides within the groove 28a of the pane! 12a.

[0029] The wall section 10 is defined by attaching further panels to the portion of wall section 12 following the same assembly process described above for attaching together panels 12a and 12b.

[0030] Furthermore, each panel 12 comprises a body 30. The body 30 comprises an inner volume 32 defined by the sides 22 and 24, and the faces 14 and 16.

[0031 ] The inner volume 32 comprises a plurality of partitions 34a and 36a extending along the longitudinal axis of the panel 12 from one end 18 to the other end 18 of the panel 12. The partitions 34 and 36 define a plurality of compartments 36a, 36b and 36c extending longitudinally along the panel 12. In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, there are two partitions 34 defining three compartments 36.

[0032] The presence of the partitions 34 is particularly advantageous because it provides reinforcement to the faces 14 and 16 of the panel 12. For example, the partitions 34 and 36 impede bending of the side walls 14 and 16. This is particularly useful if the panels 12 are subject to loads when used for, for example, defining roof and floor structures.

[0033] The fact that the panel 12 comprises a body 30 an inner volume is particularly advantageous because it reduces passage of sound waves through the panel 12. In this manner, the structures erected suing the panels 12 are adapted to act as noise barriers. Sound insulating material may be inserted in the inner volume 32 of the panel 12 to enhance the sound isolation properties of the panel 12. Also, thermal insulating material may be inserted in the inner volume 32 of the panel 12 to enhance the thermal isolation properties of the panel 12.

[0034] Another advantage of the inner volume is that conductors and pluming of the building structure to be erected using the panels 12 can be passed through the panels 12. It is particularly advantageous that the panel 12 comprises a plurality of compartments 36 isolated with respect to each other; this allows to pass though one 7 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 compartment 36, for example, electric conductors and through another compartment 36 pluming for transfer of liquids or gases.

[0035] Moreover, the exterior surface of each face 14 and 16 of the pane! 12 comprises a plurality of grooves 38 arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and extending longitudinally along the pane! 12. In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, there are two grooves 38 on each face 14 and 16 and the grooves 38 are located at the outer surface of the panel 12 adjacent the location where the partitions 36 join the inner surface of the faces 14 and 16. This can be best appreciated in figure 4.

[0036] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, one of the possible applications of the panels 12 may be used for defining wall, roof and floor structures.

[0037] An advantage of the panels 12 of the present embodiments of the invention is the easiness with which the panels 12 may be joined together. This is particularly advantageous when using the panels 12 for defining barrier elements offences.

[0038] As mentioned in the Background Section of the present specification, conventional fences are defined using sheet materia! that are joined together by abutting the ends of individual sheet material; in particular, plinth assemblies of fences are defined using sheet material. As indicated before, the process of joining together the sheets of material to follow the contour of the terrain below the fence is particularly cumbersome and time consuming.

[0039] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the panels 12 may be joined together to define barrier elements of fencing system or to define the plinth assemblies of fences.

[0040] For example, the fencing system may comprise end posts between which a barrier element may be located and supported to the ground.

[0041] In a first arrangement of this second embodiment of the invention, the panels 12 may be joined together to define the barrier pane! to be located between the 8 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 posts. In this particular arrangement the barrier panel (defined by panels 12) may located between the posts such that the longitudinal axis of the panels 12 are in a horizontal condition.

[0042] Alternatively, the panels may be located such the longitudinal axis of the panels 12 are in a vertical condition. This alternative arrangement is particular advantageous because, as will be described it permits omitting the plinth assembly used for ensuring that the lower end of the fence follows the contour of the ground.

[0043] In the arrangement where the panels 12 are located in the vertical condition, the barrier panel (defined by panels 12) may be supported to the ground by embedding the panels 12 partially in the ground. As will be described in the next paragraph, the fact that the panels 12 are slideably attached to each other is particularly advantageous for defining this particular arrangement of fencing system, [0044] As mentioned in the Background Section of the present specification, the fences should follow the contour of the ground onto which the fences are mounted. This is because by having the lower ends of the fences to follow the contour of the ground noise, winds, and pests among others are impeeded from passing under the fence.

[0045] For the lower ends of the fences (having the barrier element defined by panels 12) to follow the contour of the ground it is necessary that the lower end of each individual panel 12 is at least partially embedded into the ground. In undulating terrain the lower end of the barrier element needs to adjust to the particular undulating contour of the ground. For example, for the barrier element to follow the contour of a irregularity in the ground, the individual panels need to be located at different locations with respect to each other; a first panel 12a located at the lowest positon of the irregularity may need to be located at a distance lower than a second panel 12b that is located, for example, at the highest position of the particular irregularity.

[0046] The fact that the panels 12 are slideably attached to each other facilitates following the contour of the ground. This is because it allows the lower ends of the 2016100917 25 Jan 2017 9 individual panels 12 to follow the particular contour of the ground as was described in the previous paragraph. The panels 12 may slide with respect to each other for embedding the lower ends of each panel 12 at the corresponding depth with respect the upper surface of the ground.

[0047] The process for supporting the lower end of the barrier element (defined by panels 12) to the ground include the steps of assembly the barrier element by joining together the panels 12, mounting barrier element onto the ground and adjusting the position of each pane! 12 with respect to its adjacent panels 12 to make the barrier element follow the contour of the ground. To ensure that the upper end of the barrier element follows a straight profile, the panels 12 may be cut to size prior or after assembly of the barrier element; alternatively, each individual panel 12 may be embedded into the ground a particular depth for the upper end of the barrier element to have straight profile.

[0048] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed. By way of example, the panels 12 may also be used to define a plinth assembly for a fencing system. In this particular case the process used for defining the barrier elements of the fence would be substantially identical to the process for defining the plinth assembly, one of the difference being that it is expected that the length of the panels 12 used for defining the plinth assembly is smaller than the length of the panels 12 used for defining the barrier elements.

[0050] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A fence plinth panel to define a plinth assembly for a fencing system for mounting on a terrain, the fencing system comprising a plurality of posts extending vertically from the terrain spaced apart with respect to each other and at least one first panel extending between the posts, the first panel being spaced apart from the terrain defining a spacing between the first panel and the terrain for receiving the plinth assembly, the plinth assembly comprising a plurality of the fence plinth panels joined together via dovetail joints, each fence plinth panel comprising a body having two faces and first and second sides for joining together the faces, wherein the first side comprises a female tail of one of the dovetail joints and the second side comprises a male pin of another one of the dovetail joints for slideably interconnecting neighboring fence plinth panels of the plinth assembly.

2. A fence plinth panel according to ciaim 2 wherein the female tail of the first side of each fence plinth panel extends from one end of the fence plinth panel to another end of the fence plinth panel, the female tail comprising open ends at the ends of each fence plinth panel, the open ends being adapted for receiving the male pin of the neighboring fence plinth panels for slideably joining together the neighboring fence plinth panels.

3. A fence plinth panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fence plinth panels are arranged within the spacing such that the longitudinal axis of each fence plinth panel is substantially perpendicular to the posts.

4. A fence plinth assembly for a fencing system for mounting on a terrain, the fencing system comprising a plurality of posts extending vertically from the terrain spaced apart with respect to each other and at least one first panel extending between the posts, the first panel being spaced apart from the terrain defining a spacing between the first panel and the terrain for receiving the plinth assembly, wherein the plinth assembly comprises a plurality of the fence plinth panels as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A fencing system for mounting on a terrain, the fencing system comprising a plurality of posts extending vertically from the terrain spaced apart with respect to each other and at least one first panel extending between the posts, the first pane! being spaced apart from the terrain defining a spacing between the panel and the terrain, wherein the fencing system further comprises a plinth assembly as defined in claim 4 located within the spacing and between the plurality of posts.