AU2019201514B2 - Panel lock fence - Google Patents

Abstract

A panel fence made from sheet material held between top and bottom rails wherein the sheet material has apertures adjacent to its top and bottom edges that interlock with the top and bottom rails thus preventing 5 dislodgement of the sheet material when the fence is subject to lateral forces such as wind gusts. 11148432_1 (GHMatters) P98907.AU.2

Description

PANEL LOCK FENCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a fence, in particular a fence with panels locked in place to provide improved resistance to displacement by wind or intruders.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Sheets of various materials have long been used as fence panels. In particular panels of sheet steel have been used to produce fences that are quick to erect and cost effective. Traditionally a system of posts and rails has been used wherein the panels are attached to the rails. The resulting fence would have an asymmetrical appearance, on one side only the panel being visible, and on the other side the posts and rails.

Installation of such a fence on a boundary between two properties could lead to disputes between neighbours if both sides wanted to have the more aesthetically pleasing side facing their property. To address this problem “good neighbor” fences were developed in which the panels were held between top and bottom channel rails which in turn were held between posts. Such fences have a symmetrical appearance, allowing both neighbours to have the “good” side facing their property.

Whilst the construction method of the good neighbor fences did improve their aesthetics it did also reduce their resistance to lateral forces such as wind gusts and impacts from objects and people. When the panels in a good neighbor fence are subjected to lateral forces the centre of the panels will tend to bow outwards. As the panels are not secured in the channel rails the panels may be forced out of the channel rails, clearly an undesirable situation. Because of this problem good neighbor fences are not used in high wind areas or where security is of high concern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a fence panel adapted to be received along an edge thereof inside a fence rail, said fence panel being profiled in a direction substantially perpendicularly to said edge and including apertures disposed along and adjacent the edge, said apertures adapted to facilitate engagement between the panel and the rail.

Preferably said fence panel is adapted to extend vertically between a top and bottom rail.

In preference said fence panel is vertically profiled.

Preferably each profile defines a raised surface from a base surface of said panel, each of said apertures being in the form of slits extending horizontally adjacent upper and lower edges of the panel along said raised profile surfaces.

In preference each rail includes a means of engaging the slits such that the top rail generally prevents downward movement of the panel and the bottom rail generally prevents upward movement of the panel.

Preferably each rail includes a bottom and two upstanding sides terminating in at least one lip which is directed inwardly and towards the rail bottom, said fence panel adapted to extend between the lips.

In preference said engagement occurs when the rail lip snaps inside each of the apertures disposed along the panel edge through each of the panel profiles.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed a fence section including at least one fence panel as defined above.

In a still further form of the invention there is proposed a fence including a plurality offence sections as defined above.

Preferably each fence section is joined using fastening means such as screws.

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In a yet further form of the invention there is proposed a fence section for use in a fence including: a vertically profiled fence panel, each profile including a horizontally extending aperture formed adjacent and along a top and bottom edge of the fence panel;

a top and bottom rail including side walls between which respective top and bottom edges of the fence panel are adapted to extend, whereby at least one of said rails includes a side wall lip adapted to engage the apertures associated with each profile to thereby constrain movement of the panel.

Preferably each of the top and bottom rails includes a side wall lip adapted to engage the apertures associated with the top and bottom edges of the fence panel such that said top rail prevents downward movement of the panel and said bottom rail prevents upward movement of the panel.

In preference said fence section further includes upright side posts.

Preferably said upright side posts are configured to accommodate therein longitudinal ends of the top and bottom rails.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed a fence including at least one fence section as defined above.

A fence constructed from fence sections comprising a top rail, a bottom rail and a sheet material, wherein: said sheet material features a top edge, a bottom edge and a longitudinal profile, said profile comprising a first lateral extremity defining a front face and a second lateral extremity defining a rear face, said front face including a front top aperture adjacent to said top edge and a front bottom aperture adjacent to said bottom edge; said top rail and bottom rail being a u-shaped channel comprising a first side, a second side, a bottom and a first inwardly pointing tip extending from said first side; said top edge being located within said top rail with said front top aperture engaging said top rail first inwardly pointing tip; said bottom edge being located within said bottom rail with said front bottom aperture engaging said bottom rail first inwardly pointing tip whereby vertical movement of said

12352753_1 (GHMatters) P98907.AU.2 sheet material with respect to said top rail and bottom rail and dislodgement therefrom is prevented.

Preferably said rear face includes a rear top aperture adjacent to said top edge and a rear bottom aperture adjacent to said bottom edge; said top rail and bottom rail further include a second inwardly pointing tip extending from said second side; said rear top aperture engaging said top rail second inwardly pointing tip; said rear bottom aperture engaging said bottom rail second inwardly pointing tip.

It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fence constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective of a fence section of the fence of

Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fence panel of the fence section of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fence rail of the fence section of Figure 2;

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Figures 5A-5C are perspective views showing how the panel, rails and posts come together in accordance with a preferred embodiment to form the fence section of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged end view of the fence section of Figure 2 minus the upright channel posts.

LIST OF COMPONENTS fence fence section fence panel top rail bottom rail channel post panel base panel rear face panel front face panel shallow profile panel deep profile top locking apertures top aperture ledge bottom locking apertures bottom aperture ledge rail member rail bottom

32,33 rail sides rail channel

37,38 rail lips

35,36 rail side profiles

39,40 rail tips

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

Referring to the drawings now in greater detail, there is provided a fence 10 in Figure 1. The fence comprises several fence sections 11 placed adjacent to each other and typically held together using screws (not shown).

As seen in Figure 2 the main features of each fence section 11 include a fence panel 12, top rail 14, bottom rail 16 and upright channel posts 18.

As detailed in Figure 3 the fence panel 12 is roll formed from sheet metal, preferably steel, and comprises a panel base 20 on which is formed a repeated sequence of a panel shallow profile 24 adjacent to a panel deep profile 25. The panel deep profiles 25 include top locking apertures or slits 26 located adjacent to the top edge of the fence panel 12 and bottom locking apertures or slits 28 located adjacent to the bottom edge of the fence panel. The panel shallow profile 24 and the panel deep profile 25 provide structural rigidity and aesthetic appeal to the fence panel 12. The panel locking apertures 26 and 28 provide means for attaching the top rail 16 and the bottom rail 18 to the fence panel 12 without the need for fasteners.

The top rail 14 and the bottom rail 16 are both identical rail members 30 as shown in Figure 4. Rail member 30 is roll formed from panel steel and comprises a rail bottom 31 and rail sides 32, 33 which together define a rail channel 34 which can accommodate an edge of the fence panel 12. The rail sides 32, 33 include rail side profiles 35, 36 and arcuate rail lips 37, 38 with rail tips 39, 40 at their extremities. The rail side profiles 35,36 provide a rail member 30 with structural rigidity and aesthetic appeal. The rail lips 38,

12352753_1 (GHMatters) P98907.AU.2 provide a means for a rail member 30 to attach to the fence panel 12 without the need for fasteners as will be explained in more detail below.

The channel posts 18 are of a similar shape to the rail members 30, but with a wider bottom to allow the rails to be fitted within.

Figures 5A - 5C show the various components coming together to form a fence section in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The top rail 14 and the bottom rail 16 are fitted to the top and bottom of the fence panel 12 respectively. The rail and panel combination is then fitted within channel posts 18 at either end.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to this method of assembly and that the order in which the components are assembled can be varied. For example, the channel posts18 may first be fixed in position, the bottom rail 16 then secured to the channel posts, the fence panel 12 placed in the bottom rail and finally the top rail 14 fitted to the top of the fence panel.

One may appreciate more clearly the way in which a fence panel 12 including panel locking apertures 26 and 28 is engaged and held firmly between the top rail 14 and a bottom rail 16 by reference to Figure 6. The fence panel 12 is held in place by the rail tip 39 pressing against the rear face 21 of the fence panel whilst the rail tip 40 engages with the top and bottom panel locking apertures 26 and 28. Upward movement of the fence panel 12 is prevented as the bottom aperture edge 29 is constrained by the rail tip 40 of the bottom rail 16. Similarly, downward movement of the fence panel 12 is prevented as the top aperture edge 27 is constrained by the rail tip 40 of the top rail 14. The fence panel 12 is thus vertically restrained, preventing it from slipping out of the top and bottom rails 14 and 16 when the fence panel is subjected to lateral forces such as strong wind.

The components of the preferred embodiment are roll formed from panel steel. In an alternative embodiment, the panel may be roll formed

12352753_1 (GHMatters) P98907.AU.2 from other panel material such as aluminium. Other forms of forming the components such as extrusion and pressing are also possible.

The preferred embodiment features a shallow profile 24 and a deep profile 25 with the locking apertures 26 and 28 only on the front face 22. Quite clearly other profiles offence panels could be used. Also, the apertures could alternatively be on the rear face of the fence panel or even on both the front face and the rear face of the fence panel.

Whilst the fence panel embodied herein includes top and bottom apertures, it is to be understood that the invention includes within its scope panels having apertures adjacent either the top or the bottom of the panel. In this configuration, the panel may engage one rail by any other known fastening means and the other rail by the means described above, that is, by way of engagement between the rail tip 40 and the panel apertures.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

In the claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprising” is used in the sense of “including”, i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. A fence section for use in a fence including:

a vertically profiled fence panel, each profile including a horizontally extending aperture formed adjacent and along a top and bottom edge of the fence panel;

a top and bottom rail including side walls between which respective top and bottom edges of the fence panel are adapted to extend, whereby at least one of said rails includes a side wall lip adapted to engage the apertures associated with each profile to thereby constrain movement of the panel.

2. The fence section according to claim 1 wherein each of the top and bottom rails includes a side wall lip adapted to engage the apertures associated with the top and bottom edges of the fence panel such that said top rail prevents downward movement of the panel and said bottom rail prevents upward movement of the panel.

3. The fence section according to claim 1, wherein each profile defines a raised surface from a base surface of said panel, each of said apertures being in the form of slits extending horizontally adjacent upper and lower edges of the panel along said raised profile surfaces.

4. The fence section according to claim 3, wherein each rail includes a means of engaging the slits such that the top rail generally prevents downward movement of the panel and the bottom rail generally prevents upward movement of the panel.

5. The fence section according to claim 4, wherein each rail includes a bottom and two upstanding sides terminating in at least one lip which is directed inwardly and towards the bottom rail, said fence panel adapted to extend between the lips.

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6. The fence panel according to claim 5, wherein said engagement occurs when the rail lip snaps inside each of the apertures disposed along the panel edge through each of the panel profiles.

7. The fence section according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said fence section further includes upright side posts.

8. The fence section according to claim 7, wherein said upright side posts are configured to accommodate therein longitudinal ends of the top and bottom rails.

9. A fence including at least one fence section as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A fence section comprising a top rail, a bottom rail and a sheet material, wherein:

said sheet material includes a top edge, a bottom edge and a longitudinal profile, said profile comprising a first lateral extremity defining a front face and a second lateral extremity defining a rear face, said front face including a front top aperture adjacent to said top edge and a front bottom aperture adjacent to said bottom edge;

said top rail and bottom rail being a u-shaped channel comprising a first side, a second side, a bottom and a first inwardly pointing tip extending from said first side;

said top edge being located within said top rail with said front top aperture engaging said top rail first inwardly pointing tip; and said bottom edge being located within said bottom rail with said front bottom aperture engaging said bottom rail first inwardly pointing tip whereby vertical movement of said sheet material with respect to said top rail and bottom rail and dislodgement therefrom is prevented.

11. The fence section as in claim 10, wherein said rear face includes a rear top aperture adjacent to said top edge and a rear bottom aperture adjacent to said bottom edge;

said top rail and bottom rail further include a second inwardly pointing

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2019201514 12 May 2020 tip extending from said second side;

said rear top aperture engaging said top rail second inwardly pointing tip; and said rear bottom aperture engaging said bottom rail second inwardly

5 pointing tip.

12. A fence comprising at least two fence sections as in claim 1 to 11.

13. The fence according to claim 12, wherein each fence section is joined using fastening means such as screws.