AU702916B2

AU702916B2 - Angle adaptor

Info

Publication number: AU702916B2
Application number: AU68151/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lance Malcolm Vater
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-13
Filing date: 1996-10-14
Publication date: 1999-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-14
Also published as: AU6815196A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an angle adaptor to be used in the construction of fences and the like.

BACKGROUND ART In the construction of fences it is often necessary or desirable to vary the geometry of the fence at one or more positions along the fence. Thus, for example, it may be that the height of the fence is required to be varied, or that the fence needs to be raked along a fence line. Similarly, in various situations there may be provided balustrades which would require connection.

It is also usual for a fence to be supported at corners by struts, the strut extending between the ground and an upper edge of the fence.

In many cases to produce the above mentioned variations in fence geometry, it is common to use tubular metal sections which are bent in 1 5 situ using pipe bending equipment and fitted using a clamp after bending. The process therefore requires the property owner to have access to pipe bending equipment and also to be sufficiently competent the use of such equipment to enable the various connections to be manufactured of appropriate size and shape for the location. Where 2 0 bending is required in more than one plane this is difficult to achieve.

Alternatively, the angle of the various connections can be made by welding sections together, or, the connections can be made with the fence posts at inclined angles, for example on hillsides.

Fence sections manufactured in such pipe bending operations are each 2 5 made for a specific location and it is not usually possible to re-use the sections in alternative locations at a later time. Further, the sections because of their fixed shape are not easily adjusted should there be slight changes in the position of the post, the fence or the ground.

The present invention provides an alternative to the abovementioned constructions, in the form of an angle adaptor, allowing for rapid assembly and disassembly of fence units. Further, the assembly of fence units including the angle adaptor of the present invention can be achieved without the use of any special tools. Moreover, the adaptor of the present invention is compatible with existing standard fittings and the adaptor is capable of producing connections over a wide range of angles.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 1 0 Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an angle adaptor comprising: a clamp, the clamp being adapted for clamping engagement with a first post member, and the clamp having one or more sockets at ends thereof, each socket end adapted to receive a ball member therein; 1 5 a joining element including at one end thereof a ball member receivable in one of the one or more socket ends, and at an opposing end means to form a :.:":connection to a second post member, the joining element being rotatable with respect to the means to form a connection to a second post member, and the socket end being movable around the ball member; the clamp and joining element and means to form a connection to a second post member thereby co-operating to form a connection between the first and second post members in which the post members can be rotated relative to one another.

Thus, the angle adaptor of the present invention is formed of a number of 2 5 separate elements which are quickly and easily joined to post members create a sturdy fitting which can be adapted for use in all geometries which may be required. Should it ever become necessary or desirable the fitting of the present invention can also be rapidly disassembled for use elsewhere.

Usefully, the angle adaptor of the present invention may be compatible with 3 0 existing fittings, thus allowing existing fittings to be adapted to become an adjustable, variable angle fittings. Existing standard fittings, such as, tee fittings, cross fittings, corner fittings, and five way corner fittings can therefore become versatile angle fittings by incorporating the angle adaptor of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the adaptor allows a 3600 horizontal adjustment and 1800 vertical adjustment of the relative positions of the post members.

The angle adaptor of the present invention also clearly avoids the need for a property owner to have pipe bending apparatus available, any installations of new fence sections or alterations to existing fittings being relatively easily accomplished.

Preferably, the clamp comprises a pair of mirror image clamp elements one end of each clamp element being generally semi-circular and being adapted to attach around an end of the first post member, the socket being created by a hemi-spherical end formed on each clamp element.

Preferably, the joining element includes cylindrical end used for connection to 1 5 a second post member and a neck connecting the two ends of the joining element, the neck serving to restrict the rotational movement of the socket over the ball member.

Preferably, the means to form a connection to a second post member comprises known means, for example, a post clamp of the type comprising a pair of generally semi-circular clamping sections which may be brought together around a post member and a further pair of semi-circular clamping sections for attachment to the joining element. The post clamp is conveniently freely rotatable about a post thus allowing the post clamp to be carefully and accurately positioned before the clamps are fixed into a final position.

boogie 2 5 Typically, the first end of the joining section is shaped to fit snugly within the clamping sections of the post clamp and is able to be rotated within the clamp until the clamp is tightened forming a secure connection. Preferably, the cylindrical section of the joining element has a raised rib on an outer surface thereof, the rib co-operating with a recess in the post clamp to secure the 3 0 joining element in position.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the joining element and the means to form a connection to a second post member are integrally formed in a pair of mirror image elongate clamp members, each of the elongate clamp members having a centrally located channel which together enclose the second post member and outer opposing ends, each end forming a ball member, the mirror image elongate clamp members being secured around the second post member by means of a securing bolt passing through apertures formed the elongate clamp members on either side of the centrally located channel. Such a system may conveniently be used in the formation of 1 0 connections for top rails to upright fence posts in either level or raked systems, and also in the formation of hand rails on stairs BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to accompanying illustrations in which: 1 5 FIG 1 represents in perspective view an angle adaptor in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention connected to a gate post; FIG 2 illustrates an angle adaptor in accordance with the present invention showing a connection to two supporting struts; FIG 3 shows schematically the use of the angle in accordance with the present invention in situ; FIG 4 illustrates an angle adaptor in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG 5 illustrates the angle adaptor of FIG 4 in expanded view; and FIG 6a-f illustrate schematically the use of angle adaptors in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Shown in FIGS 1 and 3 is a angle adaptor 10. In the figures, the angle adaptor is shown in connection with a post members 12a and 12 b and post clamp 6 14.

The angle adaptor 10 comprises a clamp 16, the clamp 16 being adapted at one end for clamping engagement at with a first post member 12a and at an opposing end the clamp having a socket 18. The adaptor 10 further comprises a joining element 20, the joining element 20 including at one end thereof a ball member 22 receivable in the socket 18 and at an opposing end the post clamp 14 serving as means to form a connection to a second post member 12b.

The clamp 16 comprises a pair of mirror image clamp elements 16a, 16b. One 1 0 end of each of the clamp elements 16a, 16b is generally semi-circular and enclose an end of the post 12a and are secured in a clamping position by a nut and bolt arrangement 24. A remaining end 23 of each of the clamping elements 16a, 16b engages the joining element 20 and has a curved, generally hemispherical, inner surface 26.

5 The ball member is received in the hemispherical ends 23 of the clamping S."sections 16a, 16b. A neck 28 connects the two ends of the joining element The neck 28 has uppermost and lowermost portions which restrict the rotational movement of the clamp 16 around the joining element S: However, whilst the nut 24 holding the clamping sections 16a, 16b in position is slightly loosened the clamp 16 is freely rotatable around a transverse axis of the joining element The joining element 20 illustrated in FIG 1 has an end 30, opposing the ball member 22, the end 30 being adapted for connection to the post clamp 14.

The ball member 22 and end 30 are connected by the neck 28. The end comprises a cylindrical section shaped to fit snugly within the post clamp 14.

The end 30 also includes an upstanding locating ring 32 formed on the outer surface of the end 30. A stiffening rib 34 is formed on the surface of the post clamp 14, the rib 34 including a recess on an inner surface of the clamp is located around the ring 32 in use. The joining element 20 is therefore able to 3 0 be rotated within the stiffening rib 34 until the clamp 14 is secured. The post clamp 14 is of known type and comprises, generally, two mirror image joiners, 14a and 14b, each joiner having two semicircular sections arranged perpendicularly to one another to allow connection between horizontal and vertical post members.

Thus by rotation of the joining element 20 in the post clamp 14, the orientation of the angle adaptor 10 with respect to a fence may be altered, as shown in a comparison of FIG la and ic, and by rotation of the clamp 16 and is associated post member 12a over the joining element 20, the position of the post may be further adjusted.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from both the foregoing and subsequent descriptions that the angle between the first and second post 1 0 members is arbitrary and that an angle adaptor in accordance with the present invention permits two post sections to be arranged at any angle with respect to each other.

0 In use, an angle adaptor of the type described is readily assembled requiring no specialised tools. Further, the position of the angle adaptor can be a 1 5 carefully adjusted at the time of assembly, or later if necessary.

FIGS 2 illustrates the angle adaptor 10 where two struts 12a are used to support a post. In this case, all of the features of the angle adaptor 10 are S.the same as the adaptor shown in FIG 1 although the setting and the means for forming a connection to a second post are altered. For 20 simplicity, like numerals are used to indicate like parts. Thus FIG 2 show S•how an angle adaptor in accordance with the present invention can be used to form corner struts. In FIG 2, the angle adaptor 10 is connected to a post 12b through a pipe clamp joiner of the type disclosed in Australian S"Patent Number 659441. The joiner includes two separate joiner assemblies 36, each joiner portion assembly on 36 comprising a pair of mirror image joiner portions 36a, 36b. The joiner portions 36 are arranged on the gate post 12b in a manner that allows them to be angularly displaced with respect to one another around the gate post axis. Further, the position of the struts 12a is able to be manipulated by 3 0 rotation of the clamp 16 over the ball member 22. Thus angle adaptor can be used to construct the arrangement show in FIGS 6c and 6d, the positing of the struts being movable to the desired position as required.

FIGS 3 and 6f illustrate in some detail a fence gate post incorporating a post and angle adaptor 40. Should the gate post change position over time, as shown in FIG 6f, the angle adaptor of the present invention is able to be adjusted to suit changed conditions. The angle adaptor 40 is conpose dof the clamp 16 and an integrally formed post clamp and ball member 42.The clamp 42 is in two sections secured around a post 12b at a post clamp end 44. A second end of the clamp 42 is a ball member end 46. The clamp 16 is clamped at one end on the ball member end 46 and at a second end to a strut 12a. The strut 12a and clamp 16 are rotatable 1 0 about the ball member 46.

In a similar fashion, the angle adaptor can be used to create fences of variable height as shown in detail in FIGS 4 and 5 and more generally in FIGS 6a, 6b and 6e. Shown in expanded form in FIG 5 is an angle adaptor 50 formed in accordance with a second embodiment of the 5 present invention. The angle adaptor so finds particular use where the :variation of an angle of a top rail is required in one plane, for example, on a raked fence or as a stair hand rail, as shown in FIGS 6b and 6e. The angle adaptor 50 includes the clamp 16 used in conjunction with an elongate double clamp member 52. The clamp member 52 comprises a pair of mirror image clamping members 52a, 52b. The clamp members each have a centrally located channel 54 and are arranged to clamp around a post member 56 resting in the channel members. At both outer opposing ends the clamp members 52a, 52b each have a hemispherical outer shape, the elements joining together to form an outer ball member 25 58 on end of the clamp member 52. The clamp members 52a,52b are attached to the post 56 by means of bolts 60 secured through apertures 62 formed in the clamp members 52a, 52b on either side of the central S"channels 54. The clamp and associated posts 56 and 64 are then clamped around the ball members 58, and are rotatable about the ball 3 0 members in the place aligned with fence line. The posts 56 and 64 are therefor adjustable with respect to one another.

It should be noted that the angle adaptor of the present invention has been described with reference to posts having a circular cross-section.

However, by appropriate amendment of the profile of the clamp 16, and 3 5 the means for forming a connection to a second post it is possible for the present invention to be of use with arrangements including non circular 9 posts.

While one form of the invention has been described in some detail, it is to be realised that the invention is not to be limited thereto but also includes any variations and modifications such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee. In particular, it will be realised by the skilled addressee that only a selection of the combinations of angles available from the adaptor of the present invention have been illustrated and that all other available combinations are within the scope of the invention.

S

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. An angle adaptor comprising: a clamp, the clamp being adapted for clamping engagement with a first post member, and the clamp having one or more sockets at ends thereof, each socket end adapted to receive a ball member therein; a joining element including at one end thereof a ball member receivable in one of the one or more socket ends, and at an opposing end means to form a connection to a second post member, the joining element being rotatable with respect to the means to form a connection to a second post member, and the 1 0 socket end being movable around the ball member; the clamp and joining element and means to form a connection to a second post member thereby co-operating to form a connection between the first and second post members in which the post members can be rotated relative to S. one another.

**15 2. An angle adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a pair of mirror image clamp elements one end of each clamp element being

S.

adapted to attach around an end of the first post member, the socket being created by a hemi-spherical end formed on each clamp element.

3. An angle adaptor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the 20 joining element includes cylindrical end used for connection to a second post member and a neck connecting the two ends of the joining element, the neck serving to restrict the rotational movement of the socket over the ball member.

S

4. An angle adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining element comprises two mirror image portions formed along an elongate axis of the joiner element.

An angle adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means to form a connection to a second post member comprises a post clamp of the type comprising a first pair of clamping sections which may be brought together around a post member and a second pair of clamping sections for attachment to the joining element, thereby allowing the post clamp

Claims

6. An angle adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the joining element and the means to form a connection to a second post member are integrally formed in a pair of mirror image elongate clamp members, each of the elongate clamp members having a centrally located channel which together enclose the second post member and outer opposing ends, each end forming a ball member, the mirror image elongate clamp members being secured around the second post member by means of a securing bolt passing through apertures formed the elongate clamp members 1 0 on either side of the centrally located channel.
7. An angle adaptor according to claim 5, wherein the joining element includes a rib formed on an outer surface thereof, the rib being located in a corresponding groove formed in the second pair of clamping sections.
8. An angle adaptor according to any one of claims 1-6, in which the clamp, the joining element and the means to form a connection to a second post member are adapted for use with post members having a circular cross- section.
9. An angle adaptor according to any one of claims 1-6, in which the clamp, the joining element and the means to form a connection to a second post member are adapted for use with post members having a substantially S-square cross-section. An angle adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor allows a 2 5 3600 horizontal adjustment and 1800 vertical adjustment of the relative positions of the post members.
11. An angle adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, the angle adaptor being used to connect a strut to a post in a gate or a fence post. 12 An angle adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, the angle adaptor being used to connect top rails on either side of an upright post member in a fencing system. 12
13. An angle adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 14th day of October 1996 LANCE MALCOLM VATER By his Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO. ooe o ABSTRACT The present invention relates to an angle adaptor to be used in the construction of fences and the like. The angle adaptor comprises: a clamp, the clamp being adapted for clamping engagement with a first post member, and the clamp having one or more sockets at ends thereof, each socket end adapted to receive a ball member therein; a joining element including at one end thereof a ball member receivable in one of the one or more socket ends, and at an opposing end means to form a 1 0 connection to a second post member, the joining element being rotatable with respect to the means to form a connection to a second post member, and the ;"}socket end being movable around the ball member; ~the clamp and joining element and means to form a connection to a second 00 post member thereby co-operating to form a connection between the first and 1 5 second post members in which the post members can be rotated relative to one another. •el• *l•°O 0 ••O•0