EP3091149B1

EP3091149B1 - Modular fence

Info

Publication number: EP3091149B1
Application number: EP14877358.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Qinglin Zhu
Original assignee: Wuxi Dif Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Wuxi Dif Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-30
Filing date: 2014-11-18
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-18
Also published as: JP6454724B2; AU2014376100A1; WO2015100693A1; CN103711360B; EP3091149A4; AU2014376100B2; EP3091149A1; CN103711360A; JP2017501323A

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a modular fence configured to be assembled together to form a fence.

Description of the Related Art

For modular fences in prior art, horizontal rods and vertical rods are snap-fitted through elastic metal snap fasteners. The inventor of the present invention has a Chinese patent, "Spring fastening type steel pipe fence", publication No. CN 2613556Y, published on April 28, 2004 . This patent discloses a spring fastening type steel pipe fence, wherein metal span fasteners are needed to be installed in vertical rods first; projections on two sides of the snap fasteners extend out of the holes on two sides of the vertical rods. Then, the vertical rods and horizontal rods are installed in field. In the field, vertical rods equipped with the elastic snap fasteners are inserted into mating holes of the horizontal rods; the projections on two sides of the elastic snap fasteners automatically spring out of the projections to be snap-fitted with the upper and lower faces in the horizontal steel pipes.
The metal snap fasteners of this type of modular fence are required to be installed in the vertical rods first, and then the vertical rods and horizontal rods are installed in field. When the vertical rods equipped with the spring snap fasteners are transported, the snap fasteners are easily damaged and easily scrap parts such as other vertical rods. Additionally, rubber rings are needed to be placed on four sides of the horizontal rods where the vertical rods are inserted to performance waterproof sealing and they prevent damage to the surface coating due to collision between the horizontal rods and vertical rods. Additionally, the metal sap fasteners are high in cost.
CN200943340 Y relates to a connecting cutting sleeve for a separating fence pipefitting which is divided into two left and right semi-fittings. A tumid and a cavate connecting parts are arranged inside two left and right semi-fittings, and the center part of the connecting part is provided with male and female buckle for tight coupling of the two semi-fittings. The outside of the two semi-fittings are respectively provided with an external flap and an internal flap of the elastic catch and a fixing catch of a crossing pipe; wherein the external flap plays the effect of positioning and clamping with the crossing pipe, and the internal flap plays the effect of positioning and clamping with the standpipe. When assembling, the two semi-fittings should be installed on the standpipe firstly and then the crossing pipe can be inserted in because of the effect of the elastic force, the external flap cannot be returned after extending to the free state, and the fixing catch of the crossing pipe will further fix the crossing pipe. The connecting sleeve is formed through one-time injection moulding by using the engineering plastic. However, CN200943340 Y fails to disclose the distinguishing features in the characterizing part of claim 1.
US2007170410 A1 relates to a system, method and apparatus for assembling a picket fence. The picket fence includes two or more attachment surfaces, one or more rails, one or more single piece fasteners and one or more pickets. The one or more rails extend transversely to and are secured between two of the attachment surfaces. Each rail has one or more through apertures therein centered on a longitudinal axis of each rail. A single piece fastener is substantially disposed within each rail aperture and includes a housing having an aperture extending from a first end to a second end of the housing. The one or more pickets are vertically disposed between the rails and extend through the vertically aligned single piece fastener apertures. The single piece fastener locks into place within the rail aperture and locks the picket into place without any additional parts. However, US2007170410 A1 fails to disclose the distinguishing features in the characterizing part of claim 1.
CN202450858 U relates to a plasticity vertical bar fixing part which is manufactured from nylon engineering plastics or plasticity material. The plasticity vertical bar fixing part is characterized in that the fixing part comprises an insertion frame, the lower end of the edge of the insertion frame extends out of an insertion part, an inner lug is arranged on the inner side of the insertion part, and an outer lug is arranged on the outer side of the insertion part. The plasticity vertical bar fixing part has the advantages that the fixing part is arranged on a punched cross bar hole, the outer lug arranged on the fixing part can be firmly and fixedly arranged on a cross bar through the stress and mechanics principle, and then a vertical bar is inserted into the insertion frame, and the vertical bar can be tightly clamped by the inner lug arranged on the inner side of the insertion part. However, CN202450858 U fails to disclose the distinguishing features in the characterizing part of claim 1.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a modular fence, which is configured to be conveniently installed and used, wherein all parts and components can be assembled in field, which is a low-cost product, and wherein the horizontal rods and vertical rods are protected against scraping.
The technical solution of the present invention is disclosed in claim 1 and is as follows.
A modular fence configured to be assembled together comprises horizontal rods, vertical rods and snap fasteners. The snap fasteners are non-metal elastic parts. The snap fasteners have vertical rod inserting holes in the middle that and are snap-fitted with the vertical rods. The outer rings of the snap fasteners are in inserted connection with the inserting holes of the horizontal rods.
The outer ring of each snap fastener has an outward flange. The outer ring is provided with an inward inclined plane inclined toward an inner side of the snap fastener and arrange below the flange. Two straight edges are provided below the inclined plane. The distance of the tow straight edge is smaller than the outer diameter of the upper flange. A clamping groove, which is adapted to the thickness of a single side of the profile of the horizontal rod, is disposed between the upper end of the inclined plane and the lower end face of the flange.
The inner ring face of the snap fastener corresponding to the inclined plane on the outer ring is provided with an inward projecting protrusion. The protrusion extends in a circular arc shape from top to bottom in mounting position. The protrusion extends into a snap-fitting hole formed on the vertical rod. The lower end face of the protrusion is pressed against an orifice of the snap-fitting hole of the vertical rod.
The protrusion disposed on the inner ring face of the snap fastener is provided with a groove in the middle. At least one snap-fitting hole of the vertical rod is provided with a projection adapted to the middle groove of the convex block.
The snap fasteners are made from plastics or rubber.
At least one inward inclined plane is provided below the flange of the snap fastener and at least one inward projecting protrusion is disposed on the inner ring face.
The cross-section of the horizontal rod is reversed U-shaped.
The cross-section of the horizontal rod is rectangular.
When the cross-section of the horizontal rod is rectangular, the inserting hole aperture on one end face of the inserting hole of the horizontal rod can be greater than the opposite inserting hole aperture on the other end face.
Beneficial effects: Due to the configuration of the non-metal elastic snap fasteners, all fence parts including the snap fasteners can be assembled in field. During transport, the snap fasteners are not assembled with the vertical rods, so the snap fasteners are not damaged and the problem of scraping parts such as other vertical rods is prevented, and rubber rings can be used on four sides of the horizontal rods inserted with the vertical rods to provide a waterproof sealing for the assembly and prevent damage to the surface due to collision between the horizontal rods and the vertical rods so that a coating on these rods is not necessary. Additionally, the snap fasteners are non-metal parts with low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an assembling view of connection among vertical rods, horizontal rods and snap fasteners in the present invention.
Figure 2 is a structural view a sectioned snap fastener.
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the jointed snap fastener and horizontal rod.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a vertical rod.
Figure 5 is an assembling view of connection between the horizontal rod with a reversed U-shaped cross section, the vertical rod and the snap fastener.
Figure 6 is a structural view of a fence door.
Figure 7 is a partial enlarged view of portion A in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a structural view of a fence including piles.
Figure 10 is a partial enlarged view of portion B in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a sectional view of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a partial enlarged view of portion C in Figure 9.
Figure 13 is a sectional view of Figure 12.

In the drawings: 3-snap fastener; 3-1-flange, 3-2-vertical rod inserting hole, 3-4-straight edge, 3-5-inclined plane, 3-6-clamping groove, 3-7-protrusion, 3-8-lower end face, 3-9-groove, 9-vertical rod, 9-1-vertical rod snap fitting hole, 10-horizontal rod, 10A-horizontal rod inserting hole, 10-1-profiled unilateral edge, 10A-1-inserting hole aperture on one end face of the horizontal rod, 10A-2-inserting hole aperture on the other end face of the horizontal rod

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings.
A modular fence configured to be assembled together comprises horizontal rods 10, vertical rods 9and snap fasteners 3. The snap fasteners 3 are non-metal elastic parts. The snap fasteners 3 have vertical rod inserting holes 3-2 in the middle that are snap-fitted with the vertical rods 9. The outer rings of the snap fasteners 3 are in inserted connection with the inserting holes 10A of the horizontal rods.
The outer ring of each snap fastener 3 has an outward flange 3-1. The outer ring is provided with an inclined plane 3-5 inclined towards an inner side, which is arranged below the flange 3-1. A straight edge 3-4 is below the inclined plane. The outer diameter of the straight edge 3-4 is smaller than that of the upper flange 3-1. A clamping groove 3-6 which is adapted to the thickness of a single side or profiled unilateral edge 10-1 of the horizontal rod 10 is disposed between the upper end of the inclined plane 3-5 and the lower end face of the flange 3-1.
The inner ring of the snap fastener 3 corresponding to the inclined plane 3-5 on the outer circle is provided with an inward projecting protrusion 3-7. The protrusion 3-7 extends in a circular arc shape from top to bottom. The protrusion 3-7 extends into a snap-fitting hole 9-1 formed on the vertical rod 9. The lower end face 3-8 of the protrusion 3-7 is pressed against the orifice of the snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9.
The protrusion 3-7 disposed on the inner ring face of the snap fastener 3 is provided with a groove 3-9 in the middle. At least one snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9 is provided with a projection 9-2 adapted to the middle groove 3-9 of the protrusion 3-7.
The snap fasteners 3 are made from plastics or rubber.
At least one inward inclined plane 3-5 is provided below the flange 3-1 of the snap fastener 3 and at least one inward projecting protrusion 3-7 is disposed on the inner circle face.
The cross-section of the horizontal rod 10 is reversed U-shaped.
The cross-section of the horizontal rod 10 is rectangular. In such case, the inserting hole aperture 10A-1 on one end face of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod 10 can be greater than the opposite inserting hole aperture 10A-2 on the other end face.
During installation, the outer ring of the snap fastener 3 is aligned with the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod and then is inserted downward. At this time, the hole wall of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod contacts the inward inclined plane 3-5 of the outer ring of the snap fastener 3, and the hole wall of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod presses the inclined plane 3-5 of inward to drive the snap fastener 3 to move downward. When the snap fastener 3 is moved downward to the position of the clamping groove 3-6, the hole wall of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod releases the pressed inclined plane 3-5, and then the inclined plane 3-5 springs out and enters a hollow cavity in the middle of the horizontal rod, and the profiled unilateral edge 10-1 of the horizontal rod 10 is clamped with the clamping groove 3-6. In such circumstances, by means of the clamping groove 3-6, the profiled unilateral edge 10-1 of the horizontal rod 10 and the snap fastener 3 keep upward and downward locking relationship and the snap fastener 3 cannot move up and down, thus maintaining the fixed relationship between the rubber ring and the horizontal rod.
The vertical rod 9 is inserted into the vertical rod inserting hole 3-2 of the snap fastener 3. The holed surface of the vertical rod fits the surface of the inward projecting protrusion 3-7 of the snap fastener 3. The holed face contacts the arced surface of the protrusion 3-7 on the inner ring surface of the snap fastener 3 to press the protrusion 3-7 of the snap fastener 3 toward two sides such that the vertical rod 9 moves downward smoothly.
When the vertical rod 9 is inserted downward in a way that the vertical rod inserting hole 3-2 is just fitted with the protrusion 3-7 of the snap fastener 3, the holed surface of the vertical rod releases the pressed protrusion 3-7 of the snap fastener 3, so that the protrusion 3-7 springs out and enters the snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9.
When the vertical rod 9 is continuously inserted downward, the holed surface of the vertical rod contacts the arced-shaped surface of the protrusion 3-7 on the inner circular surface of the snap fastener 3, and the protrusion 3-7 is again pressed to exit from the snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9. When the second vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1 is just fitted with the protrusion 3-7 on the inner circular surface of the snap fastener 3, the holed surface of the vertical rod releases the pressed protrusion, and then the protrusion 3-7 on the inner circular surface of the snap fastener 3 springs out and enters the second vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1. In such circumstances, the projection 9-2 on the vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1 and the groove 3-9 in the middle of the protrusion 3-7 on the inner circular surface of the snap fastener 3 keep a downward locking relationship, so the vertical rod cannot be inserted downward continuously; the aperture of the vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1 and the lower end surface 3-8 of the convex block 3-7 on the inner circular surface of the snap fastener 3 keep an upward locking relationship, so that the vertical rod cannot be pulled upward. Thus, the snap fastener 3 and the vertical rod 9 keep fixed.
According to the present invention, the connecting structure of the horizontal rods 10, vertical rods 9 and snap fasteners 3 can be applied to the connection of the horizontal rods, vertical rods and doorframe of a fence door, and to the connection of the fence and piles. See Figures 6-13 respectively.

Claims

A modular fence, comprising horizontal rods (10), vertical rods (9) and snap fasteners (3), wherein the snap fasteners (3) are non-metal elastic parts; the snap fasteners (3) have vertical rod inserting holes (3-2) in the middle and are snap-fitted with the vertical rods (9); the snap fasteners (3) comprise outer rings which are in inserted connection with the inserting holes (10A) of the horizontal rods;
wherein, the outer ring of each snap fastener (3) has an outward flange (3-1); the outer ring is provided with an inclined plane (3-5) inclined towards an inner side of the snap fastener (3), the plane (3-5) being arranged below the flange (3-1); two straight edges (3-4) are provided below the inclined plane; the distance of the two straight edge (3-4) is smaller than that the outer diameter of the upper flange (3-1); a clamping groove (3-6) which is adapted to the thickness of a single side (10-1) of the profile of the horizontal rod (10) is disposed between the upper end of the inclined plane (3-5) and the lower end face of the flange (3-1);
wherein, an inner ring of the snap fastener (3) corresponding to the inclined plane (3-5) on the outer ring is provided with an inward projecting protrusion (3-7); the protrusion (3-7) extends into a snap-fitting hole (9-1) formed on the vertical rod (9); and a lower end face (3-8) of the protrusion (3-7) is pressed against an orifice of the snap-fitting hole (9-1) of the vertical rod (9),
characterized in that, the projecting protrusion (3-7) extends in a circular arc shape from top to bottom in mounting position and the projecting protrusion (3-7) disposed on the inner ring face of the snap fastener (3) is provided with a groove (3-9) in the middle; at least one snap-fitting hole (9-1) of the vertical rod (9) is provided with a projection (9-2) adapted to the middle groove (3-9) of the protrusion (3-7).
The modular fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the snap
The modular fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least one inward inclined plane (3-5) is below the flange (3-1) of the snap fastener (3) and at least one inward projecting protrusion (3-7) is disposed on the inner ring face.
The modular fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cross-section of the horizontal rod (10) is reversed U-shaped.
The modular fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cross-section of the horizontal rod (10) is rectangular.
The modular fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, an inserting hole aperture (10A-1) on one end face of the inserting hole (10A) of the horizontal rod (10) is greater than an opposite inserting hole aperture (10A-2) on the other end face.