AU670286B2 - Fencing - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0 1 Regutation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

0 a :14* TO BE**1ITI)BAPCN :-dka Inenor Chitpe BrokHr 0 TOrs orSrie BEL1A CLWRIE BY ihSret e,301tra AustCraTlia Inve. ntinto: ChrNIstperBoksHr The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- The present invention relates to fencing and relates particularly though not exclusively, to fencing for enclosing a swimming pool.

Most fencing is relatively expensive to manufacture and erect. It also requires special skills and tools to complete the job.

One solution to this problem is disclosed in Australian Patent No.

562443. The fencing disclosed in this patent is awkward to use as it relies on pushing a channel member over slotted uprights. The pushing action can cause scratching of the external finish of the upright. In addition the slot in the upright is visible and provides an unsupported weakened zone which may fail if force is applied to the top of the fence.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fence that can be provided in complete knock down form for handymen to assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fence having no visible external slots in the uprights.

With these objects in view the present invention provides a fence or fence panel including: a plurality of upright members having opposing free ends; and at least one transverse mermber having an end wall and a pair of side walls and adapted to receive a keying element slidably located therein, said keying element being T-shaped and slidably along one of said side walls and held captive by flanges in the at least one transverse member, a free end part of a central stem :i of the keying element projecting, in use, into a transverse slot through each of said o e upright members to secure said upright members to said one transverse member, said transverse slot opening into the upright members between the opposing free ends of the upright members.

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go 0* 00: -2- 2414196LP6583NP,2 Preferred non-limitative embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a fence and a gate embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 2-2 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the fence shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 4-4 :lip: shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the gate shown in Fig 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 of a second embodiment of a fence; and Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the fence shown in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 1 to 3 there is shown a fence 10 comprising a plurality of uprights 12 and a pair of transverse members 14,16. The uprights 12 can be of any shape e.g. circular cross-section, square cross-section or any other desired crosssection.

In this embodiment member 16 is of a rectangular tubular shape whereas member 14 has a channel shape. Member 16 could, if required, have the same shape as member 14. Member 14 has an end portion 18 and two side portions -3- 20,22. End portion 18 is provided with a plurality of openings 24 through which uprights 12 project.

Each side portion 20,22 forms the base of a guide channel 26 with internal flanges 28. Slidably located in guide channel 26 is a T-shaped keying element 30. Central portion 32 of keying element 30 projects inwardly and, in use, is located in a slot 34 formed in each upright 12.

To complete the fence, a longitudinal cover plate 40 having snap-lock flanges 42 fits into a recess provided in the lowermost flanges 28 of member 14.

Opening 46 is provided to allow passage therethrough of upright 12. Cover plate 40 will provide an aesthetically pleasing finish to the fence and prevent ingress of ee.

S dirt and moisture. Such a cover plate is optional and may be avoided if member 14 was formed as rectangular tubing rather than a channel shaped section. If required, decorative post caps 44 may be fitted.

In use, transverse members 14,16 are placed on the ground. Uprights 12 are then passed through openings 24 in member 14, openings 46 in cover plate 40 and corresponding openings in member 16. Keying element 30 is then slipped into guide channel 26 and slid along to the first upright 12. The upright is moved vertically to allow central portion 32 to pass through slot 34. Keying element is then pushed to the next upright 12 and the procedure repeated until keying element 30 has lockingly engaged each upright 12. If required, sections of fence can be assembled and then positioned in their final location. Transverse members 14,16 can be affixed to post 36 by L-shaped bracket 38, screws, adhesives or any other suitable method. Slots 34 of uprights 12 are fully enclosed by member 14 and -4do not weaken the structure as occurs in the prior art. There is no slot visible which produces a better looking end product. As the member 14 is not pushed down onto uprights 12, as opposed to the prior art, the exterior finish of upright is not marred. As indicated in Fig. 1 transverse member 16 may also use a keying element to also lock uprights 12.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the invention. In order to avoid repetition of description integers referenced in Figs. 1 to 3 have maintained VM^U.je 6een raO ntba-\ e the same reference numerals where applicable. In this embodiment slot 34 in upright 12 has been replaced by a through bore 50 and T-shaped keying element 30 has been replaced by a rod 52. A longitudinal guide 54 is located on the S" underside 56 of end portion 18 to support rod 52 for slidable movement therealong.

Assembly of the fence is the same as that described in Figs. 1 to 3.

Figs 1, 4 and 5 show the construction of a gate 60 in the form of a fence panel which may be used with fence 10. Again the same reference numerals have a1L. been used where applicable to avoid repetition of description. Gate 60 has a hinge post 62 attached to post 36 by hinges 64. Post 62 has a pair of upper and lower slots 65 which are aligned with transverse members 14,16. Each slot 6S is formed from a pair of square cutouts 66,68 joined by a linking cutout 70. A pair of bracing elements 72,74 have complementary cross-sections that allow transverse members 14,16 to be slidably received, as best seen in Fig. 4. Bracing element 74 has a full length ledge 76 whereas bracing element 72 has a half length ledge 78.

In use, bracing elements 72,74 slide into respective cutouts 66,68 and linking cutout 70. Bracing elements 72,74 are pushed home to abut against the inner surface 80 of post 62 and secured by fasteners 82. This procedure will need to be repeated for the other three pairs of bracing elements. The transverse members 14,16 and uprights 12 are assembled as described with reference to Figs.

1 to 3 except for the two end uprights 12. T-shaped keying element 30 will not extend to the respective holes 24 of the two end uprights 12. Bracing elements 72,74 are inserted into transverse members 14,16 close to the opening 24 of the missing upright 12. The missing upright is inserted and slot 34 is aligned with ledge 76. Further movement allows ledge 76 to lock into slot 34 as shown in Fig.

4. Fasteners 84 are then used to secure cover plate 40 to bracing elements 72,74.

P: This procedure is repeated to complete assembly of gate •t The invention provides a simple assembly for a fence and gate without requiring the use of special tools or skills. The fence is strong and all weakened areas are fully enclosed to shield them from possible fracture. For ease of manufacture members 14,16 and 40 and elements 30,72 and 74 are formed from extruded aluminium.

It is believed that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the fencing described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

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Claims (6)

1. A fence or fence panel including: a plurality of upright members having opposing free ends; and at least one transverse member having an end wall and a pair of side walls and adapted to receive a keying element slidably located therein, said keying \occe&e element being T-shaped and slidably along one of said side walls and held captive N by flanges in the at least one transverse member, a free end part of a central stem of the keying element projecting, in use, into a transverse slot through each of said upright members to secure said upright members to said one transverse member, said transverse slot opening into the upright members between the opposing free ends of the upright members.

2. The fence or fence panel as claimed in claim 1, further including a cover plate which co-operates with said pair of said walls.

3. The fence or fence panel as claimed in claim 1, further including an endpost for connection to said at least one transverse member, said endpost including a pair of bracing elements projecting from said endpost and adapted to be slidably located in said at least one transverse member along respective side walls of said at least one transverse member.

4. The fence or fence panel of claim 3, wherein one of said bracing elements includes a ledge which co-operates with said slot in the adjacent upright member.

The fence or fence panel of claim 3 or 4, wherein said crndpost is hollow, said bracing elements adapted to abut an inner side wall of said endpost and project through the opposite sidewall,

6. A method of making a fence or fence panel having a plurality of upright members having opposing free ends and at least one transverse member having an end wall and a pair of side walls and adapted to receive a keying i o element slidably located therein, said keying element being T-shaped and slidably located along one of said side walls and held captive by flanges in the at least one 0 transverse member, a free end part of a central stem of the keying element projecting, in use, into a slot provided in each of said upright members to secure -7- 24/4/9G1.P6583.NP,7 said upright members to said one transverse member, said transverse slot opening into the upright members between the opposing free ends of the upright members, said method including the steps of: a) inserting said uprights into said one transverse member; and b) sliding said T-shaped keying element in said one transverse member to be inserted, sequentially, through said slot openings into the upright members between the opposing free ends of the upright members of respective upright members to secure said upright members to said one transverse member. DATED this 24th day of April, 1996. JONCRIS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE C A M I /t I o e *ee *00 *.04 0*00 o* o *l o o *o -8- 24/4/96LP6583.NP,8 ABSTRACT The invention relates to a fence (10) having uprights (12) and transverse members (14,16). The uprights (12) are locked to transverse members (14,16) by a keying element (30,52) which passes through each upright Keying element (12) is slidably located within transverse members (14,16). *i f f *i -9-