EP3245376B1

EP3245376B1 - Fencing bracket

Info

Publication number: EP3245376B1
Application number: EP16701078.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Christopher JOHNSTONE
Original assignee: Wcc West Coast Group Ltd
Current assignee: Wcc West Coast Group Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-16
Filing date: 2016-01-18
Publication date: 2019-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-18
Also published as: WO2016113575A1; GB201500743D0; EP3245376A1; PT3245376T; DK3245376T3; ES2745679T3; HRP20191571T1; AU2016207839A1; GB201600893D0; AU2016207839B2; GB2536113A

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fencing, and in particular wire mesh fencing. More specifically, the present invention is a support bracket which will support a maintenance worker on such fencing.

Background to the Invention

Wire mesh fencing is used in numerous applications, and where it is undesirable for a person to climb up or cut through the fencing it is known to use small aperture, welded wire mesh fencing. Whilst the latter meets the "anti-climb" and "anti-cut" requirements that are needed by installations using such fencing it also means that maintenance workers are unable to work on the fence without using additional access means. In instances when the repair or maintenance work will take several days this may mean that an access scaffold has to be assembled adjacent the fencing. This can lead to the repair or maintenance job taking longer, and costing more, due to the time needed to assemble and disassemble the scaffolding at the beginning and end of the job. The scaffolding can also provide assistance to any person wishing to get over the fence, leaving the installation using the fencing more vulnerable for the duration of the job.
For shorter term operations maintenance workers may carry ladders in order to work on the fence. This can be problematic where the fencing surrounds a large installation, where the fencing may run for a number of kilometres and over some relatively inaccessible terrain. The workers therefore are faced with having to carry the ladders some distance to and from the location where work is needed, and even when they get there they may find that using the ladders is difficult due to inclined or uneven terrain at the location.
It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages with existing proposals.
US6484982B1 discloses a steel pole step assembly which can be slipped into a utility pole opening and locked in place using a locking lever member.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket for supporting an individual on mesh fencing as recited in claim 1.
The support member may include an upper face for receiving a foot of the individual thereon.
The at least one first fixing member has a first fixing face and the second fixing member has a second fixing face, wherein in use the fixing faces contact the fencing, and the bracket may further comprise first and second elastomer layers which at least partially cover the first and second fixing faces, respectively.
The bracket may be formed from carbon fibre.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a structure for supporting an individual on mesh fencing as recited in claim 5.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a first embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, of a fencing bracket;
Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of a second embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, of a fencing bracket;
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of a third embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, of a fencing bracket;
Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of a fourth embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, of a fencing bracket;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a fencing bracket, showing the present invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, of a fencing bracket;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, of a fencing bracket; and
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a support structure incorporating fencing brackets.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a fencing bracket for supporting an individual upon the fencing, with figure 1 showing the bracket alone and figure 2 showing the bracket in use upon a wire mesh fence. In the illustrated embodiment the bracket 1 is made up of first and second body members 2,8 which are generally L-shaped. The body members 2,8 are preferably formed from aluminium or stainless steel and attached to one another by welding or an alternative known method. The second body member 8 is inverted such that a horizontal element 4 of the first body member 2 lies upon a corresponding horizontal element 10 of the second body member 8. The body members 2,8 are attached to one another in such a way that a vertical element 6 of the first body member 2 lies in a first plane P1 which is offset from a second plane P2 in which a vertical element 12 of the second body member 8 lies. As can be seen from figure 2, the vertical elements 6,12 of the two body members 2,8 act as first and second fixing members for holding the bracket 1 in position on mesh fencing 50, where the first fixing member lies on a first side of the fencing 50 and the second fixing member lies on a second side of the fencing 50. The bracket 1 also includes a support member 20 which extends outwardly from the body members 2,8 and fencing 50 in a third plane P3 which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes P1,P2. In this embodiment, the support member 20 includes an aperture 22 which allows a ring member or karabiner and support rope or cable to be attached to the bracket 1.
As can be seen from figure 2, the offset arrangement of the body member 2,8 and their respective vertical elements 6,12 allows the bracket 1 to be securely, yet removably, fixed to the fencing 50. The bracket 1 is sized such that its width is less than the distance between vertical wires 51 of the fencing 50 so it can fit between two vertical wires 51. The offset of the vertical elements 6,12 of the bracket means that when the bracket is in use the first vertical element 6 will be on the opposite side of the fencing 50 to the second vertical element 12. A first face 7 of the first vertical element 6 faces in a first direction and will abut against at least one upper horizontal wire 52 of the fencing 50. A second face 13 of the second vertical element 12 faces in a second direction opposite to that of the first face 7 and will abut against at least one lower horizontal wire 56 below the at least one upper horizontal wire 52. An offset portion of the first horizontal element 4 of the first body member 2 sits upon an intermediate horizontal wire 54 of the fencing 50, which lies between the upper and lower wires 52,56. When the bracket 1 is in use the intermediate horizontal wire 54 acts as a seat for the bracket, with the abutment of the opposing first and second faces 7,13 against the upper and lower horizontal wires 52,56 holding the bracket securely upon the fencing 50.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of bracket for supporting an individual on fencing, this embodiment being an adaptation of the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2. As before, the bracket 101 is made up of first and second body members 102,108 and these body members are formed and arranged in the same manner as described in respect of the first embodiment and so will not be described further here. Where the second embodiment of the bracket 102 differs from the first embodiment is that the support member 120 which extends outwardly from the body members 102,108 and fencing 50 in the third plane P3 is longer than the support member of the first embodiment. The support member 120 in this embodiment may be 4-5 times longer than that of the first embodiment. For example, the support member 120 may be approximately 225mm in length and the support member 20 of the first embodiment may be approximately 50mm in length. The additional length of the support member 120 means that an upper face 121 of the member 120 may act as a step or foothold so that an individual working on the fence may stand on the upper face 121 and support themselves on the fence 50. As in the first embodiment, the support member 120 includes an aperture 122 which allows a ring member or karabiner and support rope or cable to be attached to the bracket 101. Thus, the bracket can support an individual who is either hanging from, or standing upon, the bracket.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of a bracket for supporting an individual upon fencing. The bracket 201 is made up of first and second body members 202,208. The first body member 202 is generally L-shaped, whilst the second body member 208 is in the form of a flat plate which extends vertically downwards from the first body member 202. In order to support the larger loads that this embodiment of the bracket is intended to handle, the body member 208 has a greater surface area than the equivalent vertical elements of the second body members in the preceding embodiments. For example, the second body member 208 may have a surface area which is 4-7 times greater than that of the vertical elements of the second body members in the first and second embodiments.
The body members 202,208 are preferably formed from aluminium and attached to one another by welding or an alternative known method. The body members 202,208 are attached to one another in such a way that a vertical element 206 of the first body member 202 lies in a first plane P1 which is offset from a second plane P2 in which the second body member 208 lies. As can be seen from figure 6, the vertical element 206 and second body member 208 act as first and second fixing members for holding the bracket 201 in position on mesh fencing 50, where the first fixing member lies on a first side of the fencing 50 and the second fixing member lies on a second side of the fencing 50. The bracket 201 also includes a support member 220 which extends outwardly from the body members 202,208 and fencing 50 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes P1,P2.
The support member 220 is a hollow bar having a square cross section, and has a length which may be 2-3 times that of the support member 120 of the second embodiment. For example, the support member 220 may be approximately 590mm in length. The support member 220 has a first proximal end 222 which is attached to one or both of the first and second body members 202,208, and a second distal end 224 remote from the body members 202,208. The second end 224 includes an upstand, or abutment member, 226 which projects upwardly from the second end in the same direction as the vertical element 206 of the first body member 202. The abutment member 226 has an abutment face 228 which faces towards the first and second body members 202,208. The additional length and rigidity provided by the support member 220 of this embodiment means that the bracket may not only support an individual standing upon an upper face 221 of the support member 220, but it may also support a ladder or platform having one end resting upon the support member 220. The abutment member 226 and face 228 limit the axial movement of a foot, ladder or platform which is supported by the bracket so as to prevent any of those items slipping off the end of the support member 220.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a bracket for supporting an individual upon fencing. The bracket 301 is made up of first and second body members 302,308. The first body member 302 is generally L-shaped, whilst the second body member 308 is in the form of a cube which lies beneath the first body member 302. The body members 302,308 are preferably formed from aluminium and attached to one another by welding or an alternative known method.
The second body member 308 has upper and lower faces 309,311 with a horizontal element 304 of the first body member 302 attached to the upper face 309. The second body member also has a pair of side faces 313,315 and front and rear faces 317,319. The body members 302,308 are attached to one another in such a way that a vertical element 306 of the first body member 302 lies in a first plane P1 which is offset from a second plane P2 in which the rear face 319 of the second body member 308 lies. As can be seen from figure 8, the vertical element 306 and rear face 319 act as first and second fixing members for holding the bracket 301 in position on mesh fencing 50, where the first fixing member lies on a first side of the fencing 50 and the second fixing member lies on a second side of the fencing 50. The bracket 301 also includes a support member 320 which extends outwardly from the front face 317 of the second body member 308 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes P1,P2. The support member 320 is a substantially cylindrical rod, and has a length which may be similar to that of the support member of the second embodiment. For example, the support member 320 may be approximately 300mm in length. The support member 320 has a first proximal end 322 which is attached to the second body member 308, and a second distal end 324 remote from the body members 302,308. The second end 324 includes an upstand, or abutment member, 326 which projects upwardly from the second end in the same direction as the vertical element 306 of the first body member 302. Whilst this embodiment can support the foot of an individual in the same manner as the preceding embodiments it may also be utilised in order to rotatably support a reel of cable or wire, for example, which an individual may be using to assemble or repair fencing. In this case, the abutment member 326 may limit the axial movement of a foot or reel supported by the bracket.
Figure 9 shows a fifth embodiment, according to the present invention, of a bracket for supporting an individual upon fencing. This fifth embodiment is in effect a modified version of the first embodiment of the bracket described above and shown in Figures 1 and 2. As a result features shared between the two embodiments have the same reference numbers as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, and these shared elements will not be described again in detail here. Where the bracket 401 differs from that of the first embodiment is in respect of the first body members 402. As with each of the other embodiments described herein the body members 402,8 are generally L-shaped and are either integrally formed or else may be attached to one another by welding or an alternative known method. A vertical channel 405 divides the vertical element 406 of the first body member 402 into a pair of first fixing members which lie in the first plane P1, which is offset from a second plane P2 in which the vertical element 12 of the second body member 8 lies. A niche 407 is provided in the horizontal element 404 of the first body member 402 at the point where the horizontal and vertical elements 404,406 meet. The combination of the channel 405 and 407 allow a vertical wire element of the mesh fence to be located between the two first fixing members of the first body member 402 when the bracket 401 is installed on a mesh fence. This can further improve the yaw stability of the bracket 401 as it permits the bracket to straddle either side of a vertical fence wire rather than being positioned between two vertical wires in the manner of the first embodiment.
Figure 10 shows a sixth embodiment of a bracket for supporting an individual upon fencing. This sixth embodiment is in effect a modified version of the third embodiment of the bracket described above and shown in Figures 5 and 6. As a result features shared between the two embodiments have the same reference numbers as indicated in Figures 5 and 6, and these shared elements will not be described again in detail here. Where the bracket 501 differs from that of the first embodiment is that it comprises a pair of first body members 502 as well as a brace member 521 which has a first end 523 attached to an intermediate portion of the support member 220, and a second end 525 attached to the second body member 508. The brace member 521 therefore lies at an oblique angle relative to the support member 220. Providing the bracket 501 with a pair of laterally spaced first body members 502 and the brace member 521 further improves the yaw stability and support for the bracket when installed on a mesh fence. It should be understood that both the pair of first body members and the brace member may be introduced on any of the embodiments of the bracket described herein. Additionally, whilst the brace member 521 is attached to an upper portion of the second body member 508 it may alternatively be attached to a lower portion of the second body member, or else a second brace member may be introduced with extends from the support member to the lower portion of the second body member.
Figure 11 shows a seventh embodiment of a bracket for supporting an individual upon fencing. As with the sixth embodiment this seventh embodiment is in effect a modified version of the third embodiment of the bracket described above and shown in Figures 5 and 6. As a result features shared between the two embodiments have the same reference numbers as indicated in Figures 5 and 6, and these shared elements will not be described again in detail here. Where the bracket 601 differs is that an elongate leg member 603 is slidably attached to the distal end 224 of the support member 220 for sliding movement in a direction A which is substantially perpendicular to the support member. A clamp 605 or similar mechanical securing device is provided on the distal support member end 224 for fixing the leg member 603 to the support member 220 so as to prevent relative movement thereof. The leg member 603 has a base portion 607 which in use contacts the ground or a support surface in order to provide support in the vertical direction for the bracket 601 when in use. The leg member 603 also has an upper portion 609, and the bracket 601 may further comprise a barrier member 611 having a first end 613 connected to the upper leg portion 609 and a second end 615 connectable in use to the fencing or an additional bracket attached to the fencing. The barrier member 611 may be a strap which is retractably connected to the upper leg portion 60, or the strap may have an adjustable buckle or ratchet arrangement at the second end 615 so as to tighten the strap when it is attached to the fence or bracket. In this way the barrier member can prevent an individual standing on the support member, or on a platform supported by the support member, from falling. The leg arrangement, with or without the barrier member, may be incorporated into any of the embodiments of the bracket described herein.
Figure 12 shows a support structure 700 which may be employed to support an individual while working on a mesh fence. The structure includes a pair of laterally spaced brackets, which in the illustrated example are brackets 101A,101B in the form shown in the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 an 4. However, any of the brackets described herein which have an elongate support member may be incorporated in this structure. A connecting member in the form of a bar or shaft 702 has a first end 704 attached to the support member 120A of the first bracket 101A, and a second end 706 attached to the support member 120B of the second bracket 101B. Consequently, the connecting member 702 is substantially perpendicular to the support members 120A,120B. With the brackets 101A,101B installed on a fence in the manner described below the individual working on the fence can stand on the connecting member 702 for support. Indeed, a number of these support structures 700 could be fixed to the fence at vertical intervals to replicate the rungs on a ladder and allow an individual to climb to a higher position on the fence. The top of a ladder may also be fixed to the connecting member 702 which would allow an individual to work from the ladder while the support structure 700 holds the ladder safely in position upon the fence.

Industrial Applicability

The bracket and support structure of the present invention can be simply carried by an individual, whether upon their person or in a bag or the like, and then used upon mesh fencing to support the individual whilst they work on the fencing. Each of the bracket components described herein is installed and removed from the fencing in the same manner, but for reasons of clarity it will be described here with specific reference to figures 1 and 2 alone. It should be understood that the fencing shown in figure 2 as well as figures 4, 6 and 8 will comprise a large number of horizontal and vertical wire elements on each fencing panel. However, for ease of reference the majority of those elements have been omitted from the aforementioned figures.
When the individual reaches the portion of the fencing upon which they wish to work, the bracket 1 is first presented to the fencing 50 such that the support member 20 is in a generally vertical orientation, which means that the "vertical" element 6 of the first body member 2 will be in a generally horizontal orientation. As previously described, the width of the vertical elements in the first body member of each bracket is less than the distance between adjacent vertical wires 51 of the fence 50. To attach the bracket to the fencing 50, the vertical element 6 is inserted into the space defined by a pair of adjacent vertical wires 51 and adjacent upper and intermediate horizontal wires 52,54. The bracket is then rotated through 90 degrees such that the vertical element 6 is now substantially vertical and the support member 20 is substantially horizontal and projecting outwards from the fencing 50. Following the aforementioned rotation, the vertical element 6 will come to rest against the upper horizontal wire 52 on the opposite side of the fence to that where the support member lies. At the same time, the first body member 2 will be sitting upon the intermediate horizontal wire 54, and the vertical element 12 of the second body member 8 will be resting against a lower horizontal wire 56 of the fence 50. Consequently, with the first body member sitting upon the intermediate wire 54 and the vertical elements 6,12 resting against the upper and lower wires 52,56 on opposing sides of the fence the bracket is now securely held upon the fence. The support member 20 projecting from the fence can then be used to support the individual on the fence by attaching a support rope or cable via a ring or karabiner attached to the aperture 22. Where one of the other embodiments is used the individual can alternatively support themselves by standing on the support member, or supporting a ladder or platform on the support member. The individual may carry a plurality of brackets so that they have more than one support on the fence. For example, several brackets could be attached in a generally vertical series in order to act like rungs of a ladder, or the brackets could be arranged in an inclined arrangement to act as steps. The individual may also combine various embodiments of the bracket, such as an upper support bracket to which a safety rope is attached, and one or more lower brackets to support the feet and weight of the individual.
When the individual is finished working on the fencing, the bracket(s) can be removed by reversing the orientation changes used to install the bracket. This quick and easy removal ensures that the security of the fencing is not compromised by access equipment (e.g. scaffolding) having to be left in place until it can be disassembled.
The present invention provides a means for maintenance workers to repair and maintain wire mesh fences without the need to install access scaffolding or carry ladders. This means that repair and maintenance work will be cheaper and take less time to carry out as scaffolding will not need to be hired and additional time will not be needed at the beginning and end of the job for erecting and taking down the scaffolding. It also means that the fencing is not left vulnerable with an access scaffold left at the fence for a number of days, potentially saving the installation owners money by not needing additional security provisions - be they personnel and/or monitoring equipment - over the time period in which the scaffolding is present.
The present invention is also a more convenient access solution than a ladder, as one or more brackets can easily be carried in the bag of a maintenance worker if they need to cover some distance to reach the area of fencing which is to be repaired or maintained. Furthermore, if the terrain at the repair/maintenance point is inaccessible or uneven the brackets can still be hung on the fencing for easy access, whereas it may be difficult and potentially unsafe to climb a ladder on such terrain.
The present invention also provides a means for handling fencing panels when they are being installed, maintained or replaced. For example, when wishing to lift fencing panels into position brackets according to the first embodiment described above can be inserted into the mesh fencing in an inverted arrangement. That is, with the support member and associated support aperture facing upwards. Cables or ropes can then be connected to each bracket via the support aperture therein and the fencing panel can then be lifted and moved as required by a crane or the like. Similarly, with relatively small panels the brackets and/or support structure can be used as handles by an individual who can then move and carry the panel by hand whilst holding onto the brackets or support structure.
The support member of the first embodiment of the bracket may be positioned along a centre line of the second body member as shown in figures 1 and 2. Alternatively, the support member may be offset from this centre line, with the support member attached to the second body member adjacent either of the side edges of the second body member.
Whilst the various components which make up the preferred embodiments of the bracket shown may be welded to one another or connected together in a similar manner, the brackets may alternatively be formed from a single sheet or piece of material. In such an instance, the material may be cast, pressed or manipulated in a known manner into the final bracket as shown in the figures.
Whilst the brackets and support structure of the present invention are preferably formed from a metal such as aluminium or stainless steel, they may also be formed from a composite material such as carbon fibre.
The fixing faces of the fixing members on each bracket, that is the faces which contact either side of the mesh fence in use, may be at least partially covered by an elastomer layer. The elastomer may be natural rubber or silicone, for example.

Claims

A bracket for supporting an individual on mesh fencing, the bracket comprising:
a first vertical element (406) defining at least one first fixing member extending in a first direction in a first plane (P1);

a second horizontal element (404) extending from the first element (406), the second element being perpendicular to the first element;

a third vertical element extending from the second element (404) and defining a second fixing member (12) which extends from the second element (404) in a second direction in a second plane (P2), the second direction being opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first plane (P1) is offset from the second plane (P2) such that in use the at least one first fixing member lies on a first side of the fencing (50) and the second fixing member (12) lies on a second side of the fencing; and characterised in that the bracket further comprises:
a planar support member (20) fixed to and extending outwardly from the second fixing member (12) in a third plane (P3) which is perpendicular to the first and second planes (P1,P2), wherein the support member lies on the second side of the fencing and includes an aperture (22) for securing a ring member of a support rope or cable thereto;

wherein a vertical channel (405) divides the first vertical element (406) into a pair of first fixing members; and

the second horizontal element (404) includes a niche (407) where the first and second elements (406,404) meet, the niche and channel (405) cooperating so as to in use receive a vertical wire element of the mesh fence between the pair of first fixing members.
The bracket of claim 1, wherein the support member (20) includes an upper face (10) for receiving a foot of the individual thereon.
The bracket of either preceding claim, wherein each first fixing member has a first fixing face and the second fixing member (12) has a second fixing face, wherein in use the fixing faces contact the fencing (50), and the bracket further comprises first and second elastomer layers which at least partially cover the first and second fixing faces, respectively.
The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is formed from carbon fibre.
A structure for supporting an individual on mesh fencing, the structure comprising:
first and second brackets according to any preceding claim, the brackets being laterally spaced from one another; and

a connecting member having a first end attached to the support member of the first bracket, and a second end attached to the support member of the second bracket, wherein the connecting member is substantially perpendicular to the support members.