EP4183956B1 - Underbody plate for fence and corresponding fence - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of fences.

More specifically, the invention relates to a base plate for making fences, as well as a fence using one or more base plates conforming to the invention.

Prior art

Fences conventionally comprise posts whose lower end is secured to the ground generally in such a way that they extend essentially vertically, and at least one separation element secured to the posts.

Base plates are sometimes placed at the base of a fence under the dividing elements. The fence base plates fit into the post rebates. They allow a better finish, protect the fence during mowing, and can serve as a light ground retainer. They can be made of concrete, composite, steel or aluminum. Those made of steel or aluminum have the advantage of being light but like all the plates currently on the market (those made of concrete in particular), they are not compatible with all types of posts. The document WO2013/089560A2 discloses a fence base which includes the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The invention meets this need by proposing a fence base adapted to be positioned between two fence posts, which fence base is in the form of an elongated plate whose opposite side edges are each intended to engage in a longitudinal rebate of a fence post arranged opposite the plate, the thickness of the plate at the level of the opposite side edges being able to be adapted to that of the longitudinal rebate of a post by means of two folding tabs arranged respectively in the upper part and in the lower part of each of the opposite side edges and configured to engage in an unfolded or at least partially folded position with the walls of the rebate.

The invention thus proposes a base plate whose longitudinal ends are adaptable to the width of the rebate of the posts while making it possible to obtain good support during its installation.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the thickness of the plate at the level of the opposite side edges is equal to a first value in an unfolded position of the two legs and equal to a second value, less than the first value, in a folded position of both legs. According to a particular aspect of the invention, the elongated plate is delimited by an upper longitudinal rim and a lower longitudinal rim connected by the opposite lateral edges, the upper longitudinal rim having a first type of folding tab at each of its ends and the rim lower longitudinal having a second type of folding tab at each of its ends.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, each tab extends between one end of an upper or lower longitudinal rim and a cutout made in said upper or lower rim respectively allowing the folding of the corresponding tab.

The invention also relates to a fence comprising: - at least two posts each comprising at least one longitudinal groove forming a rebate, and - at least one fence base as described above which is intended to be placed between the two posts by making its components cooperate opposite side edges with a rebate of each of said posts by means of two folding tabs arranged respectively in the upper part and in the lower part of each of the opposite side edges of said plate, said tabs engaging in an unfolded position or at least partially folded with the walls of the rebate.

Presentation of figures

• [Fig 1] est une vue schématique d'une clôture mettant en oeuvre deux plaques de soubassement superposées conformes à l'invention ;
• [Fig 2] est une vue en coupe transversale d'un poteau d'un premier type recevant l'extrémité longitudinale d'une plaque de soubassement conforme à l'invention ;
• [Fig 3] est une vue en coupe transversale d'une plaque de soubassement conforme à l'invention montrant la languette de solidarisation à un poteau dans sa position repliée ;
• [Fig 4] est une vue en coupe transversale d'un poteau d'un second type recevant l'extrémité longitudinale d'une plaque de soubassement conforme à l'invention ;
• [Fig 5] est une vue partielle en perspective d'un poteau d'un second type recevant l'extrémité longitudinale d'une plaque de soubassement conforme à l'invention ;
• [Fig 6] est une vue partielle en perspective d'une plaque de soubassement conforme à l'invention montrant la languette de solidarisation à un poteau dans sa position repliée ;

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, in relation to the figures, among which:

• [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic view of a fence using two superimposed base plates conforming to the invention;
• [ Figure 2 ] is a cross-sectional view of a post of a first type receiving the longitudinal end of a base plate according to the invention;
• [ Figure 3 ] is a cross-sectional view of a base plate according to the invention showing the securing tab to a post in its folded position;
• [ Figure 4 ] is a cross-sectional view of a post of a second type receiving the longitudinal end of a base plate according to the invention;
• [ Figure 5 ] is a partial perspective view of a post of a second type receiving the longitudinal end of a base plate according to the invention;
• [ Figure 6 ] is a partial perspective view of a base plate according to the invention showing the securing tab to a post in its folded position;

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

The fence structure 1 illustrated on the figure 1 comprises vertical posts 2 spaced from each other and planted in the ground S, between which are positioned in the lower part two base plates 3 of fence superimposed/stacked one on the other and in the upper part a trim element 4 .

It is specified here that the invention as described below also applies to a fence with a single base plate 3 arranged between the different pairs of posts 2, as well as with several base plates (two plates or more).

The trim element 4 is here in the form of a mesh (it could alternatively be one or more solid or perforated concealing panels).

The fence posts 2 are made of concrete or metal. They include two longitudinal rabbets 21, or ribs, arranged on either side of each post 2, and which extend over at least part of their height (in this case over their entire height). It is in these rebates 21 that the longitudinal ends of the base plates 3 of the fence are fitted, as well as the longitudinal ends of the trim elements 4, to maintain them in a vertical plane.

The longitudinal rebates 21 have a square or rectangular cross section as in the example of the figure 2 .

The fence base is in the form of an elongated plate, with a longitudinal axis L, having several meters in length (for example of the order of 2m or 2.50m) and a height equal to 25 cm or a multiple of this height. This plate is made of steel or aluminum. The posts 2 of the fence are spaced apart by a distance corresponding substantially to the length of a base plate 3, the opposite ends of a base plate 3 being intended to be slid inside the grooves forming rebates of two consecutive posts. The rabbets 21 of the posts 2 are therefore intended to hold the two base plates 3 by their longitudinal ends ( figure 1 ). The fixing of each base plate 3 to the post 2 is ensured by the complementary shapes of the rebate 21 and a longitudinal end of the base plate 3 ( figure 2 ) which prohibit the removal of the base plate 3 from the post 2, except by sliding the base plate 3 along the longitudinal rebate 21.

The base plate 3 is a folded sheet metal which has a central part 31 which is not flat and symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the plate. The central part 31 is bordered by a high or upper rim 32 and a lower or lower rim 33 ( figures 3 And 6 ) in the direction of mounting the plate between two posts.

The upper edge 32 is curved so as to form an “L”. It comprises a first flat portion 321 extending perpendicularly to the central part 31 of the plate and a second flat portion 323 extending the first portion via an inclined connecting portion 322, the second portion 323 extending perpendicularly to the first portion 321 and parallel to the central part 31 of the plate.

The lower edge 33 is flat and extends perpendicular to the central part 31 of the plate. The upper edge 32 and the lower edge 33 extend on the same side of the base plate 3.

The two opposite lateral edges of the base plate 3 of the fence are identical and are intended to fit into one of the two longitudinal rebates 21 of a fence post 2 which is arranged at the end of the base plate 3.

The thickness of these upper 32 and lower 33 edges at the level of the longitudinal ends of the base plate 3 (and therefore the thickness of the base plate 3 at the level of its longitudinal ends), can be adapted depending on the type of fence post, and more particularly the width of the longitudinal rebate 21 of the post into which a longitudinal end of the base plate 3 must be inserted.

This is ensured by the use of two foldable tabs or tongues 34, 35 arranged respectively in the upper part and in the lower part of each of the opposite side edges of the base plate 3. The position of these tabs or tabs 34, 35 of securing defines the thickness e, e' of the plate at its longitudinal ends, and makes it possible to adapt the base plate 3 to the type of posts used in the fence to be mounted.

In the appended figures, two pre-cut tongues 34, 35 extend on the opposite lateral edges of the base plate 3, at the level of the longitudinal end of each upper rim 32 and lower 33. Each of the four tongues 34, 35 of the base plate 3 is made by a cutout in the sheet metal forming the plate, this cutout being made on each upper edge 32 and lower 33.

At the level of the longitudinal end of each upper rim 32, a tongue 34 of a first type extends between the longitudinal end of the upper rim 32 and a straight cutout 34' ( figure 2 ) parallel to the edge of this end. The distance between the cutout 34' and the edge defines the width of the tongue 34 which is complementary to that of the longitudinal rebate of the fence post 2 in which the base plate 3 is intended to be inserted, to allow the desired integration. The cutout 34' extends from the free edge of the second portion 323 over the entire height of the latter, and extends onto the connecting portion 322 then onto part of the first portion 321. This tongue 34 in a first position called deployed ( figure 2 ) extends the first and second portions 321, 323 of the high rim 32.

In a second so-called folded position, the tongue 34 is folded into a U so that the thickness e' of the high rim 32 over the width of the folded tongue 34 ( Figure 4 ) is less than the thickness e of the high rim 32 on the part of the base plate 3 extending between the two opposite tongues 34. In this folded position of the tongue 34, the first portion 341 of the tongue 34 has been pivoted by 90° towards the inside of the plate and then extends parallel to the central part 31 of the plate and to the second portion 323 of the high rim 32, and the second portion 343 has been pivoted by 90° towards the inside of the plate and then extends parallel to the first portion 321 of the high rim 32 ( Figure 3 ). The second portion 343 is connected to the first portion 341 by the connecting portion 342.

At the level of the lower rim 33, the tongue 35 of a second type extends between the longitudinal end of the lower rim 33 and a straight cutout 35' ( Figure 6 ). The distance between the cutout 35' and the longitudinal end of the lower edge 33 defines the width of the tongue 35 which is complementary to that of the longitudinal rebate 21 of the fence post 2 in which the plate is intended to be inserted, to allow the desired integration. The width of the tongue 35 is equal to that of the tongue 34 in the two positions of these tongues 34, 35. In a second so-called folded position, the tongue 35 is folded so that the thickness e' of the lower edge 33 over the width of the folded tab 35 ( Figure 6 ) is less than the thickness e of the lower rim 33 on the part of the base plate 3 extending between the two opposite tongues 35.

By therefore folding the tabs 34, 35 located on the same side of the plate, the thickness of this plate is reduced to a value equal to "e'".

Whatever the thickness of the plate (e or e'), good support is obtained for the latter when it is placed in the rebate of a post, its upper and lower edges pressing against the internal surfaces in view of the rebate ( figure 2 , 4 and 5 ).

The base plate of the invention, made of steel for example, is compatible with different posts. The method of fixing this plate in the rebate of the post does not require the addition of an interface between the post and the steel blade but consists of possibly folding, during installation, a “pre-cut tongue” of the steel plate to allow its embedding in the post.

Depending on the width of the rebate of the post which can diverge between 35 and 45 mm typically, it is therefore appropriate to fold or not the tabs 34 and 35 of the upper and lower edges to embed one longitudinal end of the plate in the rebate of a post. The tabs can be folded back completely as shown in the figures 3 to 6 or partially folded. The tabs not folded as on the figure 2 are said to be deployed.

This solution is versatile and can be installed with several posts due to this folding tongue which allows the plate to be adapted to rabbets of 35 mm (the tongues being folded in this case) or 45 mm (the tongues being deployed in this case). case), for example.

Note that the ends of the plate have in the two positions of the tongues a square or rectangular (horizontal) cross section which is complementary to that of the longitudinal rebates of the fence posts 2, to allow the desired integration.

• Bande de propreté en bas de clôture
• Finition esthétique
• Gestion de pente
• Temps réduit de pose par rapport à une plaque de soubassement en béton
• Manutention améliorée
• Gains logistiques

The advantages of the solution of the invention are the following in particular:

• Cleanliness strip at the bottom of the fence
• Aesthetic finish
• Slope management
• Reduced installation time compared to a concrete base plate
• Improved handling
• Logistical gains

The longitudinal grooves forming a rebate can be formed in the structure of the posts themselves or be made up of one or more elements forming grooves attached to the posts. These longitudinal grooves have a constant width all along the post (in other words, the width of the grooves is identical over the entire length of the grooves).

A plate can be made of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy or other. It can for example be a sheet metal. It can also be made of composite material.

It can be considered to stack two base plates (or more) one on top of the other (to reach a base of 50 cm for example) between two posts, one or more mesh wall(s) secured to the posts that can be provided in the upper part above these two stacked plates.

Claims (5)

1. Fence base (1) adapted to be positioned between two fence posts (2), which fence base is in the shape of an elongated plate (3) whose opposite side edges are each intended to be engaged in a longitudinal rebate (21) of a fence post (2) disposed facing the plate (3), characterised in that the thickness of the plate (3) at the opposite side edges can be adapted to that of the longitudinal rebate (21) of a post (2) by means of two foldable tabs (34, 35) disposed respectively in the upper part and in the lower part of each of the opposite side edges and configured to engage in a unfolded position or at least partially folded with the walls of the rebate (21) .
2. Fence base according to claim 1, characterised in that the thickness (e) of the plate (3) at the opposite side edges is equal to a first value in an unfolded position of the two tabs (34, 35) and equal to a second value (e'), less than the first value (e), in a folded position of the two tabs (34, 35).
3. Fence base according to claim 2, wherein the elongated plate (3) is delimited by an upper longitudinal flange (32) and a lower longitudinal flange (33) connected by the opposite side edges, the upper longitudinal flange (32) having a first type of foldable tab (34) at each of its ends and the lower longitudinal flange (33) having a second type of foldable tab (35) at each of its ends.
4. Fence base according to claim 3, wherein each tab (34, 35) extends between one end of an upper or lower longitudinal flange (32, 33) and a cutout (34', 35') made in said upper or lower longitudinal flange (32, 33) respectively allowing the folding of the corresponding tab (34, 35).
5. Fence (1) comprising: - at least two posts (2) each comprising at least one longitudinal groove forming a rebate (21), and - at least one fence base according to one of claims 1 to 4 intended to be disposed between the two posts (2) by making its opposite side edges cooperate with a rebate of each of said posts (2) by means of two foldable tabs (34, 35) disposed respectively in the upper part and in the lower part of each of the opposite side edges of said plate, said tabs (34, 35) engaging in an unfolded or at least partially folded position with the walls of the rebate (21).

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