EP3696347A1

EP3696347A1 - Fence post for fence panel, fence panel and fence

Info

Publication number: EP3696347A1
Application number: EP20153788.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alois Reiterbauer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-27
Filing date: 2020-01-27
Publication date: 2020-08-19
Also published as: SK500052019U1; SK8723Y1

Abstract

A fence post (1) for attaching a fence panel (3) consists of two detachably connectable open sections (11, 12), where the sections (11, 12) have on each free end of the flanges at least one bend (13) towards the inside of the section (11, 12), these sections (11, 12) being detachably connectable to each other by connecting means (2) engaged through the bends (13), whereas mounting openings (14) for the connecting means (2) are provided in the web of the section (11, 12), along the length of the section (11, 12). The fence panel (3) comprises at least one area (31) on its edge, for inserting between the bends (13) of the sections (11, 12) of the fence post (1).

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to fences comprising fence posts and fence panels to be attached into these fence posts.

Background Art

Fences are known, which are composed of posts and panels that are inserted between these posts, usually into a slot that is provided in the post.

Summary of invention

A fence post for a fence panel according to this invention is characterized in that the fence post consists of two detachably connectable open sections, where the sections have on each free end of the flanges at least one bend towards the inside of the section, these sections being detachably connectable to each other by connecting means engaged through the bends, whereas mounting openings for the connecting means are provided in the web of the section, along the length of the section.
The open section is preferably C-channel.
The connecting means on the bends are preferably self-drilling or self-taping screws, or bolts with nuts.
A fence panel for attaching into the fence post according to this invention is characterized in that the fence panel comprises at least one area, on at least one of its opposing edges, for inserting between the bends of the sections of the fence post, and this area comprises holes that correspond with a position of the mounting openings on the fence post. The holes are preferably elongated in direction transversal to the fence post.
A fence comprising the fence post for attaching a fence panel and the fence panel according to this invention is characterized in that the fence panel is, at least on its one edge, placed into the fence post by the area for inserting between the bends of the sections of the fence post inserted between the bends of the sections of the fence post, where the holes in the area of the fence panel correspond with the mounting openings for the connecting means of the sections of the fence post, and the fence panel is secured in the fence post by the connecting means inserted through the mounting openings and tightened on the bends of the sections of the fence post.

Brief description of drawings

The invention is illustrated on accompanying drawings, on which

Fig. 1 schematically shows a top view of the fence post with the fence panel inserted on its one side, with illustration of use of self-drilling or self-taping screw as the connecting means of the sections and illustration of the mounting openings for the connecting means;
Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of one section of the fence post with a foot of the post and with aligned fence panel, before fastening of the other section of the fence post;
Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the fence post with a foot of the post, with the fence panel inserted between aligned sections of the fence post,
before connecting the sections by the connecting means;
Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a corner fence post;
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the fence panel with illustration of a cut for shortening of the fence panel;
Fig. 6 schematically shows a front view of the fence assembled from the fence posts and the fence panels.

Description of embodiments

Following examples of embodiments of this invention are described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 on accompanying drawings.
According to one of the possible embodiments, a fence post 1 according to this invention consists of two detachably connectable sections 11, 12. The sections 11, 12 are open sections having bends 13 on free ends of the flanges directed towards the inside of the section 11, 12. The most preferable is to use two identical metal C-channels, as it is in the particular example of embodiment shown in the figures. The fence post 1 can also be provided as a corner post, Fig. 4. Then, the sections 11, 12 are not identical, but these are appropriately shaped complementary angle sections 11, 12. At least one of the sections 11, 12 is provided with mounting openings 14, in the web of the section, along the length of the section. In the example of embodiment shown in the figures, the mounting openings 14 are provided on one section 12 only.
The fence post 1 is made by detachably connecting the sections 11, 12 at their flanges with bends 13. A connection of the sections 11, 12 is made by the connecting means engaged through the bends 13. These connecting means 2 are inserted into the post 1 through the mounting openings 14, and are tightened in suitable manner through these mounting openings 14 as well. Self-drilling or self-taping screws can be used as the most preferred connecting means 2, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It is also possible to use, for example, bolts with nuts. Then, the nuts are, for example, affixed to the bends 13 of one of the sections 11, 12. The bolts are then tightened through the mounting openings 14 in known manner. In the example shown, the nuts would be affixed to the bends 13 of the section 12 not having the mounting openings 14. Accordingly, other embodiments are possible, for example, a connection with bolts and nuts, where both the sections 11, 12 comprise the mounting openings 14, while the nuts are inserted and tightened from one side and the bolts from the other side.
The fence post 1 according to this invention then allows for connecting a fence panel 3 according to this invention. The fence panel 3 comprises at least one area 31, on at least one of its opposing edges, for inserting between the bends 13 of the sections 11, 12 of the fence post 1. In this example, the area 31 is at both opposite edges of the fence panel 3 and along the entire lengths of these edges.
However, an embodiment is possible as well, where the fence panel 3 has the area 31 on one edge of the fence panel 3 only, and the other edge of the fence panel 3 is attached to another object as is the fence post 1, what can be, for example, a wall of a building. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the fence panel 3 to comprise several areas 31 on one edge. The area 31 comprises holes 311 that correspond with a position of the mounting openings 14 on the fence post 1. The holes 311 are preferably elongated in direction transversal to the fence post 1.
The fence panel 3 is then secured together with the fence post 1 by tightening the sections 11, 12 with the connecting means 2 engaged through the bends 13, between which the area 31 of the fence panel 3 is thus clamped. In particular example of embodiment illustrated in the figures, the area 31 of the fence panel 3 is inserted between the sections 11, 12 of the fence post 1 that are facing each other with the bends 13, self-drilling or self-taping screws as the connecting means 2 are inserted through the mounting openings 14, and these screws are tightened in the usual manner.
As shown in Fig. 2, detail A, in order to facilitate placing and aligning of the fence panel with the section 12 of the fence post 1, it is possible to temporarily place auxiliary pins 6 at some future positions of the connecting means 2 on the bends 13 of the section 12, for example by inserting or screwing into a preformed hole. The panel 3 is then placed on these auxiliary pins 6 with holes 311. After aligning the other section 11, Fig. 3, these auxiliary pins 6 are then removed through the mounting openings 14, to free up the place for connecting means 2. In the case of an end post 1, a distance washer can be put on the auxiliary pin 6, at the side where the fence panel will not be present, which will ensure that the shape of the sections 11, 12 is not deformed after tightening of the connecting means and will have substantially identical cross section as in the case of continuous fence post with panels 3 on both sides of the post 1.
In the case of an assembled foot of the post, as illustrated in Fig. 2, 3 and 4, the sections 11, 12 are also protected against a deformation at the place of the assembled foot 4 by a distancing element 5. The distancing element 5 is inserted between the bends 13 of the one section 12, Fig. 2, detail B. Mounting the foot 4 on the section 1, in this particular example by tightening the two parts of the foot 4 from each side of the section 12, for example by through-bolts, will not cause deformation of the section 12, because the bends 13 will press against the distancing element 5 and thus will prevent closing in of the flanges of the section 12. The distancing element 5 further protrudes from the section 12 such that, after the other section 11 is aligned, the distancing element 5 engages also between the bends 13 of the other section 11. Thus, the shape stability of the other section 11 is also ensured. In this particular illustrated embodiment, the distancing element 5 has the V shape, however, any other suitable shapes of the distancing element 5 are possible in order to comply with the given purpose. After tightening of all the connecting means 2 and connecting means of the feet 4 as well, no shape deformation of the sections 11, 12 occurs, thus the fence post 1 will retain maximal rigidness and the shape consistency as well.
The fence panel 3 according to the particular example of embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, 3, 5 and 6, and as such illustrated in Fig. 5, is preferably made of sheet metal. The sheet of the panel 3 is provided with a reinforcing lip 32 on its edges, which would present upper and lower edge of the fence panel 3 in an assembled fence. The reinforcing lip 32 is provided to increase stiffness of the fence panel 3 and thus also of the entire fence once assembled with the fence posts 1. In order to retain the areas 31 for inserting between the bends 13 of the sections 11, 12 of the fence post 1, this reinforcing lip 32 is not provided along the entire length of the respective edge. Said panels 3 can be made in unified lengths due to production effectiveness.
When a need for shorter length of the fence panel 3 is present, it is then possible with this invention to simply cut the fence panel 3 to desired length, and the area 31 for inserting between the bends 13 of the sections 11, 12 can be made by simply removing of the end portion of the lip 32, for example by cutting, along a division line C, at the edge that is to be attached to the fence post 1, as illustrated in Fig. 5, detail D. A panel of desired new length is then made by removing of the part E from the length of the panel 3. Then, new holes 311 in new area 31 of the shortened panel 3 are made at the levels of former holes 311 in the area 31 by the division line C.
The fence panels 3 can be attached to the fence post 1 in the above described manner from two sides, thus the fence post 1 is in this case continuous. The fence panels 3 can also be attached to the fence post 1 in the above described manner from two sides such that they form an angle. The corner post 1 is designed for this purpose, as described above and illustrated in Fig. 4.
The fence panel 3 can be attached in the above described manner on one side of the post 1 and the other side of the post 1 is closed by tightening of the sections 11, 12 with the connecting means 2 engaged through the bends 13, where the bends 13 are either in direct mutual contact, or preferably are spaced by the distance washer 7. The fence post 1 is in this case an end post.
The end post 1 can also be used for mounting of doors, gates and similar. In this case, for example hinges or similar pivoting means are attached, in the above described manner, to the free side of the post 1, that is by means of at least one area 31, which is in such case provided with a hinge or similar pivoting means. The fence post 1 can be for the said purpose also the corner fence post 1 as well.
A fence is created by attaching the fence panels 3 to the fence posts 1 in the above described manner. Final rigidness of the fence is reached by complete tightening of the connection means 2.
Elongated holes 311 in the area 31 allow for correcting of possible deviations during building works without further additional labour, for example when the fence post 1 is not properly set. Also, an adjustment is possible, that is set up, aligning, levelling, of doors, gates, posts in very efficient way. Such adjustments are possible either before the complete tightening of the connecting means 2 during assembly of the fence, or they come with the possibility of releasing the connecting means 2 when the fence is completely finished.
After finishing the fence, the mounting openings 14 can be covered by caps 8.
An advantage of this invention is easy assembly, possible variable replacement of the fence posts 1, no disturbing elements of connections of the fence posts 1 and the fence panels 3 are virtually visible. Material used for the fence panels 3 can be sheet metal, wood, plastics, glass, etc.
The above described embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures are introduced as not restrictive examples. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims can include also other variants, comprising for example providing the mounting openings 14 on both the sections 11, 12 of the fence post 1, number and arrangement of the mounting openings 14, use of other suitable connecting means 2 to create detachable connection of the sections 11, 12, various shapes and lengths of the sections 11, 12, thus also various shapes and lengths of the fence posts 1, various shapes of the fence panels 3, various arrangements and numbers of the areas 31 at an edge or both edges of the fence panel 3, various other suitable shapes of the holes 311 such that to allow appropriate movement of the fence panel 3 relative to the fence post 1, etc. Also, the fence post 1 is not restricted for using the foot 4 as described in the examples and illustrated in the figures. The fence post 1 is connectable virtually to any suitable foot for fence posts.

Claims

A fence post for attaching a fence panel characterized in that it consists of two detachably connectable open sections (11, 12), where the sections (11, 12) have on each free end of the flanges at least one bend (13) towards the inside of the section (11, 12), these sections (11, 12) being detachably connectable to each other by connecting means (2) engaged through the bends (13), whereas mounting openings (14) for the connecting means (2) are provided in the web of the section (11, 12), along the length of the section (11, 12).
The fence post according to the claim 1, characterized in that he open section (11, 12) is C-channel.
The fence post according to the claim 1 or 2, characterized in that he connecting means (2) are self-drilling or self-taping screws, or bolts with nuts, where the nut is placed on the bends (13) of one of the sections (11, 12).
A fence panel for attaching into the fence post according the claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one area (31), on at least one of its opposing edges, for inserting between the bends (13) of the sections (11, 12) of the fence post (1), and this area (31) comprises holes (311) that correspond with a position of the mounting openings (14) on the fence post (1).
The fence panel according to the claim 4, characterized in that the holes (311) are elongated in direction transversal to the fence post (1).
A fence comprising the fence post (1) for attaching the fence panel (3) and the fence panel (3) according to the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fence panel (3) is, at least on its one edge, placed into the fence post (1) by the area (31) for inserting between the bends (13) of the sections (11, 12) of the fence post (1) inserted between the bends (13) of the sections (11, 12) of the fence post (1), where the holes (311) in the area (31) of the fence panel (3) correspond with the mounting openings (14) for the connecting means (2) of the sections (11, 12) of the fence post (1), and the fence panel (3) is secured in the fence post (1) by the connecting means (2) inserted through the mounting openings (14) and tightened on the bends (13) of the sections (11, 12) of the fence post (1).