AU2017201986A1 - Fence Trim Panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence trim panel formed from sheet material, which in one embodiment is pre-painted galvanised steel, has spaced apart end margins and is profiled to include a formation extending along the full length of the upper edge between end margins. The fence trim panel is ideally suited to be used in conjunction with a fence that incorporates a rigid lower rail on which the top formed edge of the fence trim panel can locate around and mate with, and fence posts including channels in which the end margins of the fence trim panel can locate and be secured between the interface of the fence posts and rigid rail. Sheet 2 of 6 10 | | / No \ G5 rw U")

Description

FENCE TRIM PANEL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to fencing and more specifically to closing off of and sealing of voids left between the base offences and surfaces beneath upon completion of the construction of fencing. The invention has been developed for metal fencing but not exclusively. The invention is to be appreciated as having broader application and is not limited to that use.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Existing systems of post and rail type fencing are not designed to form adequate closure between the lowest edge of the fence and the surface beneath, the surface beneath includes, but is not limited to, the natural ground surface, garden beds and other substrates such as retaining walls, brick paving and concrete which the fencing can be installed on or over. This often leaves voids between the lower edge of the fence and the ground level and other substrates beneath. As such, existing fencing systems as described, do little to provide full privacy between property lots or prevent the passage of animals, vermin, refuse and growth of vegetation under the fence. Other issues created by voids under existing fencing systems are poor overall aesthetics and lack of ability to retain soil and landscaping materials where ground levels on either side of the fence differ. All of these issues can be especially exaggerated on sloping ground.

[0003] Fencing elements typically known as plinths have been used in the past to close off the voids between the bottom edges offences and the surfaces beneath. These plinths are typically constructed of concrete, timber, masonry or metal and can be secured to the fence posts or independently supported in the ground. These plinths are limited in application in such that they must be fitted at the time of the construction of the fence, or necessitate the dismantling of an already constructed fence to facilitate their installation.

[0004] Plinths constructed from timber, masonry and concrete are relatively heavy and bulky, giving rise to difficulties in handling and installation and in the case of timber, are often treated with toxic chemicals to make them resistant to pests such as termites, with the chemicals posing a risk of leaching into the surrounding environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A fence trim panel in accordance with this invention comprises as having a main body section, aligned vertically, with spaced apart end margins and a profiled top edge suitable for fitting to and mating with the lower part of existing panel fencing.

[0006] In one form, the sheet is metal. In a particular form, the sheet is precoated galvanised steel.

[0007] In one form, the sheet is made from a sheet metal that incorporates a protective coating, such as that provided by a zinc galvanised coating, and a paint coating as applied to a pre-coated steel strip. In another form, the sheet is made from a sheet metal that incorporates a protective coating, such as powder-coating as applied to pre-coated metals including aluminium.

[0008] In one form, the top edge profile shape may be approximate in shape to the shape of the fence rail to allow the mating of the fence trim panel to the lower part of a fence. In another form, the top edge profile shape may match the shape of the lower part of the fence to allow the mating of the fence trim panel to the lower part of the fence.

[0009] An advantage of forming the fence trim panel with a top edge profile only is that the fence trim panel can be fitted to a fence retrospectively negating the need to dismantle the fence, allowing the fence trim panel to be mated to the lower part of a fence that has been erected at a prior time.

[0010] In one form, the fence trim panel may incorporate a partially closed form along its bottom edge to match the top edge profile form, to allow one trim panel to mate together with another fence trim panel so as to extend the height of the fence trim panel and provide a stronger structure along the interface of the fence trim panels than would be provided by an extended height fence trim panel.

[0011] In one form, the fence trim panel may incorporate stiffening formations extending along the fence trim panel between the end edge margins. In one form the stiffening formations may be spaced evenly along the vertical axis of the fence trim panel. In another form, the stiffening formations may be spaced unevenly along the vertical axis of the fence trim panel.

[0012] In one form the stiffening formations may be in the form of peaks and troughs such that the cross-sectional profile of the fence trim panel displays a regular frequency and pattern of troughs and peaks.

[0013] In another form the cross-sectional profile of the fence trim panel the troughs and peaks of the stiffening formations display as an irregular frequency and pattern of peaks and troughs.

[0014] In one form a lower portion of the fence trim panel inclusive of the lowermost edge is formed as rotated away from the vertical such that the crosssectional profile displays the lower portion as formed rotated from 5 degrees to 90 degrees away from the vertical.

[0015] In another form a lower portion of the fence trim panel inclusive of the lowermost edge is formed as rotated away from the vertical such that the crosssectional profile displays the lower portion as formed rotated from negative 5 degrees to negative 90 degrees away from the vertical.

[0016] In one form the posts of the fence include respective channels that face towards one another and a barrier panel supported by a horizontally aligned support member nested within the post channels and wherein in use the edge margins locate within the channels and between the inside edge of the post channels and barrier panel support member without requirement for further securing methods other than are already present in the fence the fence trim panel is being fitted to.

[0017] Typically each barrier panel comprises upper and lower rigid rails, and infill means extending from rail to rail. Infill means may be an impervious rigid sheet, a rigid sheet of expanded sheet of expanded metal, a plurality of spaced apart pickets, a sheet of woven wire mesh or other substantially planar obstruction to the passage of people or animals between the posts.

[0018] In one form the posts of the fence include respective channels that face towards one another and a barrier panel with the lower rigid rail replaced by a fence trim panel formed incorporating a rigid rail profile to support the infill element of the barrier panel.

[0019] It is convenient to hereinafter describe embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated however that the particularity of the drawings and the related description is to be understood as not limited the preceding broad description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 shows an end profile section view of one example of the profile shape of the fence trim panel; [0021] Figure 2 is an isometric view shown in a partial or broken view of one example of the fence trim panel; [0022] Figure 3 is an isometric type view showing the fence trim panel and how it fits to a typical existing panel fencing system, shown as an exploded view; [0023] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a fence trim panel with an alternative profile, fitted to a fence; [0024] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a fence trim panel with another alternative profile, fitted to a fence; [0025] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a fence trim panel with yet another alternative profile, fitted to a fence; [0026] Figure 7 shows sectional view of a fence trim panel fitted to a fence and partially embedded in the surface below the fence; [0027] Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a fence trim panel fitted to a fence and profiled to extend no further than surface below the fence; [0028] Figure 9 shows a sectional view of an alternatively profiled fence trim panel fitted to a fence that extends no further than surface below the fence; [0029] Figure 10 shows a sectional view of another alternatively profiled fence trim panel fitted to a fence that extends no further than surface below the fence; [0030] Figure 11 shows a sectional view of a fence trim panel with an alternative body profile; [0031] Figure 12 shows a partial sectional profile showing an example of securing fastener and location thereof; [0032] Figure 13 shows an example sectional profile of a panel fence system rail configuration; [0033] Figure 14 shows two examples of a sectional profile of a fence trim panel that incorporates a fence rail as an integral part of the fence trim panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 shows an end profile section view of one example of the profile shape of the fence trim panel 1 comprising of a top profile formed with a horizontal aligned lip 2 and vertically aligned lip edge 3.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric type view of a typical fence section comprised of an end post 5 upper and lower rail 4 and infill barrier 6 components. This view includes directional arrows indicating the assembly of said fence components with the infill barrier 6 fitting into the channels of the rails 4, with the assembly of those fitting into the channels of the posts 5.

[0036] Also shown in Figure 3 is a fence trim panel 1 with indication of how it fits to and mates with the fence by way of fitting to the lower rail 4 lip 10.

[0037] Figures 4, 5 and 6, illustrate variations of the fence trim panel 1 profile and how it mates to the fence rail 4 by way of the formed top profile 2, 3 of the fence trim panel 1 hooking onto the lip 10 of the rail 4, with the vertically aligned lip edge 3 fitting between the rail 4 and fence infill 6. Along with this is shown various configurations of the fence trim panel 1 top profile, comprised of horizontal aligned lip 2 and vertically aligned lip edge 3, profiled to suit various rail lip 10 shapes.

[0038] Figure 7 shows one possible finishing method of the fence trim panel 1, with it partially submerged in the ground surface 7 below the fence. This type of finishing method being advantageous in closing off the void below the fence completely.

[0039] Figure 8 illustrates another possible finishing method of the fence trim panel 1, with it trimmed to sit flushed with a hard substrate 8 below the fence.

[0040] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate variations of the fence trim profile 1 formed with a lower portion including lower edge 9 rotated away from vertical alignment. Such an arrangement provides extra stiffening to the fence trim panel 1 for applications requiring light soil retaining abilities or where the fence trim panel cannot be partially submerged in the surface below the fence.

[0041] Figure 11 illustrates a variation of the fence trim panel 1 profile showing possible stiffening formations 12.

[0042] Figure 12 shows an end profile view of a fence trim panel 1 fitted to a fence rail 4 with one possible type of mechanical fastener 11 in this case a self-drilling screw but for the purposes of fastening could also be a bolt or rivet or similar piercing type fastener.

[0043] Figure 10 shows an end profile view of a fence rail 4 illustrating one possible form of rail lip 10 that the fence trim panel can be profiled to fit.

[0044] Figure 14 illustrates two possible variations offence trim panel 1 in which the profile is comprised of a fence rail and fence trim panel combination 13. One such fence rail and fence trim panel combination 13 is shown with the rail 4 formed on one side only of the fence trim panel 1. The other fence rail and fence trim panel combination 13 illustrates a fence rail 4 profile combined with and centrally located between two fence trim panels 1. This configuration eliminates the need for a separate fence rail 4 to support the infill panel 6 with the fence trim panel & rail combination 13 performing the duty of both fence rail 4 and fence trim panel 1.

[0045] In the claims which follow and in a preceding summary of the invention, except where the concept requires otherwise due to expressed language or necessary implication, the word “comprising” and grammatical variations thereof, is used in an inclusive sense, that is the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0046] It is appreciated that the variation and modifications may be made to the parts previous described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. A fence trim panel formed from sheet material having spaced apart end edge margins and being profiled to incorporate a partially closed formation that extends along the top edge of the sheet between the edge margins, to mate to the lower part of a fence.

2. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet is sheet metal.

3. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet is pre-coated galvanised sheet steel.

4. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mating formation is such that the cross-sectional profile of the fence trim panel displays a regular form approximate to the form of the lower part of a fence the fence trim panel is to mate to.

5. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mating formation is such that the cross-sectional profile of the fence trim panel displays a regular form to match the form of the lower part of a fence the fence trim panel is to mate to.

6. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fence trim panel is has a partially closed formation that extends along the bottom edge of the sheet between the edge margins.

7. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower edge formation is such that the cross-sectional profile of the fence trim panel displays a regular form approximate to the top edge form to mate with and form an assembly with the top edge of the fence trim panel.

8. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet is profiled to incorporate stiffening formations that extend along the sheet between the end margins.

9. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stiffening formations are distributed evenly along the vertical axis of the sheet.

10. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stiffening formations are distributed unevenly along the vertical axis of the sheet.

11. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional profile displays a portion of the lower edge as being formed at 5 degrees to 90 degrees away from the vertical, extending between the end edge margins.

12. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional profile displays a portion of the lower edge as being formed at minus 5 degrees to minus 90 degrees away from the vertical, extending between the end edge margins.

13. A fence comprising of spaced apart fence posts, each including a channel with the channel of one post facing the channel of the other post, a barrier panel extending between posts supported by a rail including a channel with the channel facing skywards and extending between the posts with the ends located within the channels of the posts and a fence trim panel according to claim 1 mated with the rail, extending below the bottom edge of the rail and extending between posts and inside their respective channels with the end edge margins located between the rail and posts.

14. A fence as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of said fence trim panels according to claim 7, located one above the other having the top and bottom edge forms mated together with the end edge margins extending between posts and located within the channels of the posts.

15. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fence trim panel is profiled to incorporate a rail shape formation according to claim 13, to support a barrier panel.

16. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fence trim panel is formed on one side of the rail shape formation.

17. A fence trim panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fence trim panel is formed on both sides of the rail shape formation.