AU2021107171A4

AU2021107171A4 - Fencing and Screening System

Info

Publication number: AU2021107171A4
Application number: AU2021107171A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dylan Lindsay
Original assignee: Coastal Tree House Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Coastal Tree House Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-28
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

A fastening system for attaching at least one panel to a support structure for defining a fence system or for applying screening to the already erected fence, the fastening system comprising fastening means for receiving at least one section of the panel to attach the panel to the support structure, wherein the fastening means are adapted to define a pressure joint for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure. FIG.2 209 1I3 24a 20b 200.

Description

1I3

24a

20b

200.

FENCING AND SCREENING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to fencing and screening systems

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to a system for erecting fences and/or screening of fences.

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] Fences typically comprise a rear support structure and a panel assembly to be mounted onto the rear support structure defining a barrier for separating an interior area (such as a garden) from an exterior area (such as a street or a neighbouring garden).

[0005] The process for assembling a fence can be a cumbersome process requiring erection of the rear support structure and, subsequently, defining the panel assembly to be mounted onto the support structure. The process of mounting the panel assembly can be also a cumbersome process.

[0006] In fact, defining a panel assembly and mounting it onto the rear support structure can be cumbersome because it requires holding the panel assembly against the rear support structure while fasteners such as nails, screws, nut and bolts ort rivets are applied to the panel assembly for securing the panel assembly to the rear support structure.

[0007] An example of a conventional wood fence includes a rear support structure defined by a plurality of posts arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. The post is joined together by horizontal rails defining the rear support structure of the wood fence. Typically, there are an upper and a lower rail attached between posts.

[0008] In this particular type of fence, the panel assembly is defined by a plurality of vertical pickets attached to the rails of the fence. The pickets are located side by side sometimes abutting each other, impeding viewing through the fence; or the pickets are located spaced apart, permitting viewing through the fence.

[0009] The process for assembling the panel assembly comprises securing each picket to the rails with fasteners such as, nails or screws. Attaching the pickets can be a relatively long process depending on the length of the fence. A relatively long fence requires a relatively large quantity of pickets with each picket needed to be secured to the rails; thus, the process of assembly of these type of fences can take a relatively long period of time.

[0010] Other type of fences may include one or more panels, with each panel defining a relatively large surface area. The large surface area typically makes it difficult for one or more persons to handle the panels and keeping the panels abutted against the rear support structure while another person secures the panels to the rear support structure. This is particularly true due to the relatively large surface area of the panels, which offer resistance to wind, thus making it difficult to keep the panels abutting the rear surface for a relatively long time during the period of time required for properly fastening the panels to the rear support structure of the fence.

[0011] Also in the circumstances when the panels are relatively large, more than one person is required for maintaining the panels against the rear support surface while another person secures the panels to the rear support structure via a screws, nut and bolts and/or rivets.

[0012] Similar drawbacks as the ones described above are encountered when applying screening to fences for concealing the external appearance of the fences to provide a visually appealing external appearance to, for example, rundown fences.

[0013] It is against this background the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fastening system for attaching at least one panel to a support structure for defining a fence system or for applying screening to the already erected fence, the fastening system comprising fastening means for receiving at least one section of the panel to attach the panel to the support structure, wherein the fastening means are adapted to define a pressure joint for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure.

[0015] Preferably, the fastening system comprises a rail and the fastening means is adapted to be received within the rail and for attachment therein, the rail being adapted to be attached to the support structure.

[0016] Preferably, the fastening means comprise a body having a channel adapted to receive the at least one section of the panel and securing the section within the channel for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure, the body being configured to define the pressure joint.

[0017] Preferably, the body of the fastening means comprises resilient material permitting (1) initially deformation (in particular expansion) of the body of the fastening means while receiving sections of the panels facilitating entry of the sections into the channel of the fastening means, and (2) subsequently contraction of body of the fastening means to secure the sections inside the channel and impede inadvertent removal of the sections of the panels out of the channel of the fastening means.

[0018] In an arrangement, the fastening means comprises barb means adapted to permit entry of the sections but impede inadvertent removal of the sections of the panels out of the channel of the fastening means.

[0019] In another arrangement, the rails of the fastening system may be slideably attached to the support structure for adjusting the spacing between neighbouring fastening systems for receiving panels of different widths.

[0020] Preferably, the body of the fastening means is configured as a discrete element permitting applying a plurality of fastening means along the length of the rail of the fastening system adapted to receive the fastening means.

[0021] Alternatively, the fastening means comprises an elongated body for applying it along the length of the rail adapted to receive the fastening means.

[0022] Preferably, the fastening means is adapted to receive the sections of two adjacent panels.

[0023] In an alternative arrangement, the support structure is defined by at least one fastening system.

[0024] In a particular arrangement, the panel assembly comprises screening for covering previously erected fences.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fastening means to be received by the fastening system for attaching at least one panel to a support structure for defining a fence system or for applying screening to an already erected fence, the fastening means comprising a body having a channel adapted to receive the at least one section of the panel and securing the section within the channel, the body being configured to define a pressure joint for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure.

[0026] Preferably, the body of the fastening means comprises resilient material permitting (1) initially deformation (in particular expansion) of the body of the fastening means while receiving sections of the panels facilitating entry of the sections into the channel of the fastening means, and (2) subsequently contraction to secure the sections inside the channel and impede inadvertent removal of the sections of the panels out of the channel of the fastening means.

[0027] In an arrangement, the fastening means comprises barb means adapted to permit entry of the sections but impede inadvertent removal of the sections of the panels out of the channel of the fastening means.

[0028] Preferably, the body of the fastening means is configured as a discrete element permitting applying a plurality of fastening means along the length of the rail of the fastening system adapted to receive the fastening means.

[0029] Alternatively, the fastening means comprises an elongated body for applying it along the length of the rail of the fastening system adapted to receive the fastening means.

[0030] Preferably, the fastening means is adapted to receive the sections of two adjacent panels.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fencing system comprising a support structure, a panel assembly, and fastening means in accordance with the second aspect of the invention for securing the panel assembly to the support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] 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 partially installed fencing system in accordance with a particular arrangement of a particular embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fencing system shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the fencing system shown in figure 1;

Figure 4 and 5 are, respectively, front and side views of a detail of the fencing system shown in figure 1 depicting a close up view of a particular arrangement of a fastening means of the fastening system in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention in use for securing panels to the support structure;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a particular arrangement of a fastening means; and

Figures 7a and 7b are, respectively, plan and end views of the fastening means shown in use.

The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognise from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0033] Figures 1 to 5 show a particular arrangement of a partially installed fencing system in accordance with a particular arrangement of a particular embodiment of the invention. For illustration purposes, the fencing system 10 is shown as being partially installed (by having removed one of the panels 16 of the panel assembly 14) permitting visualisation of the support structure 12 of the fencing system 10.

[0034] As shown in figures 1 and 2, the fencing system 10 comprises a support structure 12, a panel assembly 14 mounted on the support structure 12 and a fastening system 13 adapted for (1) attachment to the support structure 12 and (2) receiving the panel assembly 14 for securing the panel assembly 14 to the support structure 12. For illustration purposes, the fencing system is shown as being partially installed (by having removed one of the panels 16 of the panel assembly 14) permitting visualisation of the support structure of the fencing system 10.

[0035] Referring to figure 2, the support structure 12 comprises a plurality posts 18a and 18b (see figure 5) arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, and a plurality of rails 20a to 20c arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and attached to the posts 18 as shown in figure 2.

[0036] Furthermore, as mentioned before, the fencing system 10 comprises a fastening system 13 adapted for attachment to the support structure 12 and for receiving the panel assembly 14 such that the panel assembly 14 is secured to the support structure 12.

[0037] Figure 2, 4 and 5 show a particular arrangement of the fastening system 12 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. The fastening system 13 comprises a rail 22 and fastening means 24 with the rail 22 being attached to the horizontal rails 20 of the support structure 12 as shown in figure 2.

[0038] In the particular arrangement shown in figure 2, the fastening system 13 comprises a plurality of fastening means 24a and 24b arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. The particular arrangement of fastening means 24 are adapted to be received by the rail 22 and attached thereto in such a manner that the fastening means 24 are secured to the rail 22. In this manner, the panel assembly 14 is attached to the support structure 12 when the panel assembly 14 is secured to the rail 22 via the fastening means 24.

[0039] As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the fastening means 24, the fastening means 24 are adapted to receive particular portions (sections 26 - see figure 5) of panels 16 of the panel assembly 14 with the objective of securing the panel assembly 14 to the support structure 12.

[0040] In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the particular portions of the panels 16 to be received by the fastening means 24 are sections 26 of flanges 28 (see figure 5) of each panel 16 defining the panel assembly 14.

[0041] Referring now to figure 6, figure 6 shows one of the fastening means 24.

[0042] The fastening means 24 comprises a body configured to define a channel 30 adapted to receive the particular portions (such as flange sections 28 - shown best in figure 5 - of the panels 16). The channel 30 is configured for receiving and securing within the channel 30 the flange sections 28 to ensure that the panels 16 are properly secured to the support structure 12 onto which the rails 22 (receiving the fastening means 24) are attached.

[0043] Further, the fastening means 24 are adapted to be fastened within the rail 22. For this, as shown in figure 6, the body of the fastening means comprises openings 32 allowing attaching the fastening means 24 via, for example, rivets 34 (or other suitable fasteners) to the vertical rails 22, as shown in figure 5.

[0044] The fastening means 24 is configured and manufactured in such a manner that upon receiving the sections 26 of one panel 16 or of two adjacent panels 16a and 16b (see figure 3) a pressure joint is defined hindering the panels 16 from inadvertently being detached from the support structure 12. In particular, the fastening means 24 may comprise resilient material permitting initially deformation (for example, expansion) of the body of the fastening means 24 while receiving the sections 26 of the panel(s) 16; this facilitates entry of the section(s) 26 into the channel 30 of the fastening means 14. Subsequently, contraction of the body occurs (when the sections 26 are properly inserted in the fastening means as shown in figure 5) to secure the sections 26 in the fastening means 24. In this manner, a pressure joint is defined for fastening the panel assembly 14 to the support structure 12.

[0045] In an arrangement, the fastening means 24 may comprise barb means adapted to permit entry of the sections 26 but impede inadvertent removal of the sections 26 of the panels 16 out of the channel 30. The barb means may be adapted to be deformed by the sections 26 when the sections 26 (while one or more panels 26 are being attached to the particular fastening means 24); the barb means may return to the original condition when the sections 26 are within the channel to impede inadvertent removal of the sections 26 out of the channel 30 due to the presence of the barb means arranged in their original condition.

[0046] In operation. for erection of the fencing systems 10, the handyperson defines the support structure 12 by erecting the posts 18 and attaching thereto the horizontal rails 22. Subsequently, fastening systems 13 are attached to the support structure 12 see, for example, figure 3.

[0047] As shown in figure 3, there are a plurality of fastening systems 13 attached to the support structure 12. In particular, there are a plurality of vertical rails 22a and 22b arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other for mounting of at least one panel 16a onto the support structure.

[0048] The distance between neighbouring between rails 22 (comprising the fastening means 24 for securing the panels 16 to the support structure 12) is dependent on the particular width of the panels 16 and the separation between the sections 26 (to be attached to the fastening means 24 as shown in figure 5) of each panel 16. In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the section 26 are the flanges 28 extending perpendicularly from the sides of the panels 26; thus, the separation between the sections 26 is substantially equal to the width of the panels 16. In alternative arrangements, the sections 26 may be extending from, for example, the rear surface (the one that will face the support structure 12 once the fencing system 10 has been assembled).

[0049] Once the fastening system 13 are attached to the support structure, the handyperson (assembling the fencing system 10) proceeds to assemble the panel assembly 14 by mounting the panels 16 onto the support structure 12.

[0050] Mounting the panels 16 can be done by a single handyperson by attaching the panels 16, each panel 16 at a time, to the corresponding fastening system 13. Attachment of the panels 16 to the fastening system is accomplished by abutting the panels 16, one at the time, against the fastening systems 16 such that, upon applying a pushing force, the sections 26 of flanges 28 enter the channel 30 fastening means 18 securing the panel 16 to the support structure 12.

[0051] It is evident, from the above descriptions of the process for assembling the fencing system 12, that the fastening systems 13 incorporated to the support structure 12 facilitates erection of fencing systems as well of screening to be applied to fences, such as run-down fences, for, for example, enhancing the visual appearance of the run-down fences.

[0052] In a particular arrangement of the process for mounting the screening to the already erected fences (such as run-down fences), the screening may be secured to the fastening system 13, with the fastening system 13, for example, directly attached to the fence to be covered with the screening.

[0053] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the fastening system 13 has been described as a rail 22 adapted to receive one or more fastening means 24. However, alternatively, the rail 22 may be configured to integrate the fastening means 24. Thus, it is not necessary to attach the fastening means 24 (as shown in figure 6) to the rails 22; instead, the fastening means 24 are an integral part of the rails 22.

[0054] Further, the present embodiment of the invention, has been described as including a plurality of discrete fastening means 24 that are attached in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other to the rail 22 (see figure 2). In alternative arrangements, the fastening means 24 may be configured as a single element to span along the length of the channel of the rail 22 which receives the fastening means 24.

[0055] Furthermore, the present embodiment of the invention, has been described as including fastening systems 13 which are secured to the support structure 12 in a fixed condition; however, in a particular arrangement, the rails 22 of the fastening system 13 may be attached slideably to the support structure 12 permitting adjusting the spacing between neighbouring rails 22a and 22b to the particular width of the panels 16 or the particular spacing between the sections 26 of the panels 26, which are received by the fastening means 24.

[0056] 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 fastening means 24 may be directly applied to posts 28 that define the support structure 12. In this manner, the posts 28 incorporate the fastening means 24 not requiring attachment of the rails 22 defining together with the fastening means 24 the fastening system 13 that allows securing the panel assembly 14 to the support structure 12.

[0057] Moreover, in a further alternative embodiment, the fastening means 24 may be applied to the panels 16, or may be an integral part of the panels 16. In this alternative embodiment, the support structure 12 would comprise the sections 26 to be received by the fastening means 24 permitting securing the panel assembly 14 to the support structure.

[0058] The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.

Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[0059] 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 fastening system for attaching at least one panel to a support structure for defining a fence system or for applying screening to the already erected fence, the fastening system comprising fastening means for receiving at least one section of the panel to attach the panel to the support structure, wherein the fastening means are adapted to define a pressure joint for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure.

2. A fastening system according to claim 1 further comprising a rail and the fastening means is adapted to be received within the rail and for attachment therein, the rail being adapted to be attached to the support structure.

3. A fastening system according to claims 1 or 2 the fastening means comprise a body having a channel adapted to receive the at least one section of the panel and securing the section within the channel for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure, the body being configured to define the pressure joint.

4. A fastening means to be received by the fastening system as defined in claim 1 for attaching at least one panel to a support structure for defining a fence system or for applying screening to an already erected fence, the fastening means comprising a body having a channel adapted to receive the at least one section of the panel and securing the section within the channel, the body being configured to define a pressure joint for impeding unintentional removal of the panel from the support structure.

5. A fencing system comprising a support structure, a panel assembly, and fastening means as defined in claim 1 for securing the panel assembly to the support structure.

6. A fencing system as herein described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.