AU2018101510A4

AU2018101510A4 - Fence Cap

Info

Publication number: AU2018101510A4
Application number: AU2018101510A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Ferris
Original assignee: LAZER ASSET Pty Ltd
Current assignee: LAZER ASSET Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-11
Filing date: 2018-10-11
Publication date: 2018-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-11

Abstract

-7 Abstract A fence cap (50) comprising an upper portion (52) and at least two skirt portions (54), the skirt portions (54) depending from the upper portion (52) and defining therebetween a channel (56) in which may be received in use one or more fence members (18,24,26) in or on which are located one or more fastening means (28), wherein at least one of the skirt portions (54) is proportioned so as to extend from the upper portion (52) to a point at which it obscures from the view of a casual observer at least one of the one or more fastening means (28). 2- 2 Z 2 ( (22c

Description

“Fence Cap”

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a fence cap. More particularly, the fence cap of the present invention is intended for use in capping fence posts with one or more exposed attachment means in a manner that obscures from view at least some of the or each exposed attachment means.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a fence and fence cap combination, wherein the fence cap is intended to cap a fence post with one or more exposed attachment means in a manner that obscures from view at least some of the or each exposed attachment means.

Background Art [0003] Presently, steel fencing, in at least some forms, is provided as a series of panels bounded by generally upright end posts that are affixed to top rails by screws or bolts. The heads of the fastening means, for example screws or bolts, are exposed and visible to observers. The upper exposed edges of the end posts may be capped to prevent users hurting themselves through contact therewith, but presently any such capping applied does not obscure the view of the screws or bolts. Whilst the screws or bolts may be painted, or coated to match or otherwise be coordinated with, the colour of the remainder of the steel fencing, there remains a view that the result is unsightly and not aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the present capping is prone to coming away from, or ‘popping off’ the end posts, thereby leaving the upper edges of the end posts exposed.

[0004] The present invention has as one object thereof to overcome substantially one or more of the abovementioned problems of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0005] The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country or region as at the priority date of the application.

[0006] Throughout the specification and claims, 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.

Disclosure of the Invention [0007] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a fence cap comprising an upper portion and at least two skirt portions, the skirt portions depending from the upper portion and defining therebetween a channel in which may be received in use one or more fence members in or on which are located one or more fastening means, wherein at least one of the skirt portions is proportioned so as to extend from the upper portion to a point at which it obscures from the view of a casual observer at least one of the one or more fastening means.

[0008] Preferably, the fence cap comprises two skirt portions that are arranged in a substantially opposed manner defining, with the upper portion, the channel.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention there is further provided a fence and fence cap combination, wherein the a fence cap comprises an upper portion and at least two skirt portions, the skirt portions depending from the upper portion and defining therebetween a channel in which is received in use one or more fence members in or on which are located one or more fastening means, wherein at least one of the skirt portions is proportioned so as to extend from the upper portion to a point at which it obscures from the view of a casual observer at least a portion of one of the one or more fastening means.

[0010] Preferably, the fence cap comprises two skirt portions that are arranged in a substantially opposed manner defining, with the upper portion, the channel.

[0011] Still preferably, the fence members comprise at least one fence post arranged so as to be in substantially upright orientation in use, the or each fence post having at least in part a channel shaped cross section whereby they receive therein a fence panel comprising at least a top rail, each top rail being secured to a respective fence post by way of at least one of the fastening means.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0013] The fence cap of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to two embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is front elevation view of a prior art fence cap in position on a fence post, showing how the heads of the fastening means used to attach the top rails offence panels to the fence post remain visible to a casual observer;

Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of a fence post, as shown in Figure 1, with the top rails of two fence panels attached thereto, without either a prior art fence cap or a fence cap in accordance with the present invention in position thereon;

Figure 3 is a further upper perspective view of the fence post and panels of Figure 2, showing a fence cap in accordance with the present invention being moved into a fence post capping position; and

Figure 4 is a still further upper perspective view of the fence cap of Figure 3 in position on the fence post of Figures 2 and 3, whereby the heads of the fastening means used to attach the top rails of the fence panels to the fence post are no longer visible to a casual observer.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention [0014] In Figure 1 there is shown a fence cap 10 of the prior art in position on a fence 12 (shown in part only). The fence cap 10 comprises a generally flat and rectangular upper portion 14 from which a pair of substantially opposed flanges or skirt portions 16 depend (only one of which is shown).

[0015] The fence 12 comprises a substantially upright fence post 18, comprising in turn a pair of elongate channel shaped members 20 and 22, joined or at least oriented in a generally back to back manner known in the art. The fence 12 further comprises top rails 24 and 26, the top rails 24 and 26 being received in the channels of respective members 20 and 22 to form, in part, respective fence panels. Only the top rails 24 and 26 of the respective fence panels are shown in the Figures for ease of reference.

[0016] The top rails 24 and 26 are affixed to and located in the members 20 and 22 respectively by way of fastening means, for example self drilling screws having heads 28.

[0017] The fence cap 10 of the prior art sits on, by way of an interference fit, an upper end 30 of the fence post 18, best seen in Figure 2. In this manner a user is unable to injure themselves on the exposed upper end of the fence post 18. The skirt portions 16 extend downwardly from the rectangular upper portion 14 so as to interfere with the fence post 18 sufficiently to engage therewith, but do not extend downwardly from the upper portion 14 to reach the level of the fastening means, leaving the heads 28 of the screws clearly visible to a casual observer, as seen in Figure 1.

[0018] In Figures 3 and 4 there is shown a fence cap 50 in accordance with the present invention as it is being moved into position on the fence as depicted in at least Figure 2.

[0019] The fence cap 50 comprises a generally flat and rectangular upper portion 52 from which a pair of substantially opposed flanges or skirt portions 54 depend. It is to be understood that the specific shape of the upper portion may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. The upper portion 52 and the skirt portions 54 define therebetween a channel 56. The channel 56 has open opposed ends 58. Sealing flanges 60 are provided extending from each skirt portion 54 thereby aiding in defining the open opposed ends 58 of the channel 56, one end of which is visible in Figure 3 for example.

[0020] In Figure 4 the fence cap 50 is shown in position on the fence 12, such that it is fitted over the upper end 30 of the fence post 18. In this manner the upper end 30 of the fence post is received within the channel 56 defined by the upper portion 52 and the depending and opposed skirt portions 54. Consequently, a portion of the top rails 24 and 26 are also received with the channel 56.

[0021] The skirt portions 54 are proportioned so as to project downwardly to a sufficient degree so as to obscure from the view of a casual observer the heads 28 of the screws, as shown in Figure 4. In the example described the skirt portions 54 are proportioned to project downwardly to a degree so as to have their lowermost edges 62 align with a level of a bottom edge of the top rails 24 and 26, thereby providing a most aesthetically pleasing result.

[0022] The result is further improved through the provision of the sealing flanges 60 that are proportioned to seal, or at least appear to close off, any gap between the skirt portions 54 and the top rails 24 and 26, as shown clearly in Figure 4.

[0023] It is envisaged that the skirt portions of the fence cap of the present invention may not be proportioned identically. That is, one skirt portion may depend downwardly further than the other skirt portion. Sufficient skirt portion is required to effect the interference fit, although it may only be required to obscure the fastening means provided on one side of the fence.

[0024] As can be seen from the above description, the fence cap, and fence cap and fence combination, of the present invention are able to provide an improved aesthetic result when compared with fence caps of the prior art. Further, the fence cap of the present invention is more likely to stay in position due to the greater area of contact between the fence cap and the fence.

[0025] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A fence cap comprising an upper portion and at least two skirt portions, the skirt portions depending from the upper portion and defining therebetween a channel in which may be received in use one or more fence members in or on which are located one or more fastening means, wherein at least one of the skirt portions is proportioned so as to extend from the upper portion to a point at which it obscures from the view of a casual observer at least one of the one or more fastening means.
2. The fence cap of claim 1, wherein the fence cap comprises two skirt portions that are arranged in a substantially opposed manner defining, with the upper portion, the channel.
3. A fence and fence cap combination, wherein the a fence cap comprises an upper portion and at least two skirt portions, the skirt portions depending from the upper portion and defining therebetween a channel in which is received in use one or more fence members in or on which are located one or more fastening means, wherein at least one of the skirt portions is proportioned so as to extend from the upper portion to a point at which it obscures from the view of a casual observer at least a portion of one of the one or more fastening means.
4. The fence and fence cap combination of claim 3, wherein the fence cap comprises two skirt portions that are arranged in a substantially opposed manner defining, with the upper portion, the channel.
5. The fence and fence cap combination of claim 3 or 4, wherein the fence members comprise at least one fence post arranged so as to be in substantially upright orientation in use, the or each fence post having at least in part a channel shaped cross section whereby they receive therein a fence panel comprising at least a top rail, each top rail being secured to a respective fence post by way of at least one of the fastening means.