GB1580885A - Noise barrier fencing - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO NOISE BARRIER FENCING (71) We, E.C.C. QUARRIES LIMITED, a British Company, of Northernhay House, Northernhay Place, Exeter EX4 3QP, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to post and panel fencing particularly, though not exclusively, for erection alongside a source of noise (such as a roadway, airfield or factory) to serve as a noise barrier.

According to the present invention, there is provided post and panel fencing comprising a plurality of upright posts arranged in spaced apart relation and a stack of fencing panels received between mutually facing faces of each pair of adjacent posts, each of said mutually facing faces having therein a longitudinal groove which receives lateral edges of the fencing panels in the respective stack, each said groove being defined between a pair of flanges one of which has at least one slot therein which communicates with the groove intermediate its ends and which is of a sufficient longitudinal dimension to allow the whole of the lateral edge of a fencing panel to be passed therethrough, top and bottom edges of the fencing panels including inter-engaging means by way of which each fencing panel is positively interengaged with an adjacent panel in its stack.

Preferably, the inter-engaging means includes biassing means which urge the panels in each stack into contact with alternate sides of the respective groove.

Desirably, each fencing panel has a facing surface and a backing surface, the facing surface being planar or substantially planar. In this case, the fencing panels in each stack can be alternatively arranged with their facing surfaces facing in opposite directions.

It is to be understood that whereas normally the posts would be anchored vertically in the ground, they could be mounted at an angle to the vertical to provide a run of inclined fencing, and the term 'upright' is therefore to be interpreted accordingly.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of a first embodiment of a post for use in fencing according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the fencing post shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a post for use in fencing according to the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a panel for use in fencing according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of post and panel fencing according to the invention, in which a plurality of panels are received in stacked relation between a pair of spaced, upright posts.

A first embodiment of a post for use in fencing according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2, referenced 10, and is made of reinforced cast concrete. The post is of generally square cross-section, two opposed faces 11 thereof forming front and rear faces respectively and another two opposed faces 12 thereof each having a longitudinally extending groove 14 therein. The inner edges of the grooves 14 are rounded as at 16 and the grooves 14 are each dimensioned so as to receive a lateral edge of a fencing panel, as indicated in chain dotted outline at 18. As may be seen too, the grooves 14 taper outwardly towards their openings in order to facilitate insertion of the panels. Reinforcing wire embedded within the concrete is shown generally at 20 but does not form part of the invention.

Referring specifically to Figure 2, it will be seen that each groove 14 is defined between a pair of flanges 21 one of which has two spaced slots 22 therein, these slots being cast into the post 10 to provide access to the respective grooves 14. The lengths of the slots is sufficient to enable the whole of the lateral edge of a fencing panel to be inserted therethrough and introduced into the groove 14. The post includes also a base portions 24 which may be anchored into the ground, normally by means of concrete or similar material.

A second embodiment of a post for use in fencing according to the present invention, in the form of a corner post, is illustrated in Figure 3. This post is generally similar to that described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, similar parts being accorded the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, however, the two grooves 14 are provided in respective adjacent faces 23 of the post, rather than in respective opposed faces thereof. Flanges 21 forming the grooves 14 have slots (not shown) therein for receiving fencing panels therethrough, in the same manner as described above.

An individual fencing panel is shown in Figure 4 and is of generally rectangular shape, having a generally planar facing surface 26 and a backing surface 28 which includes a cavity 30. Top and bottom edges of the panel are doubly stepped at 32 and provide surfaces which can inter-engage with the corresponding surfaces of an adjacent panel, as indicated in chain dotted line at 33 in the lower part of the Figure. In addition to the inter-engaging feature, a flat 34 is provided at each stepped region 32. Panels which are to be used at the top and bottom of each stack have only one of their edges stepped, the other edge being generally flat as indicated in broken line at 35 in the lower part of the Figure.

In use, the posts are first anchored into the ground using concrete or the like. The posts are set out at spaced locations, the spacing corresponding to the length of the fencing panels, and are oriented so that each groove in each post faces a groove in an adjacent post. The fencing panels are then introduced between the grooves in adjacent posts by way of the slots 22, the slots in adjacent posts being disposed at the same level for this purpose. Adjacent panels are inserted the opposite way round so that the facing surfaces 26 of alternate panels face in one direction as do the backing surfaces of the intermediate panels. A length of completed fencing is shown in Figure 5, in which the above described panel arrangement may be clearly seen.

When the panels have built up to the level of the lower or lowest slot 22, subsequent panels are inserted through the next higher slot until a complete section of fencing is erected, as shown in Figure 4. At the ends of the length of fencing, posts are used having only one groove 14 therein, these posts not being illustrated.

By virtue of the flats 34, adjacent fencing panels are biased not only against one another but also against alternate sides of the groove.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Post and panel fencing comprising a plurality of upright posts arranged in spaced apart relation and a stack of fencing panels received between mutually facing faces of each pair of adjacent posts, each of said mutually facing faces having therein a longitudinal groove which receives lateral edges of the fencing panels in the respective stack, each said groove being defined between a pair of flanges one of which has at least one slot therein which communicates with the groove intermediate its ends and which is of a sufficient longitudinal dimension to allow the whole of the lateral edge of a fencing panel to be passed therethrough, top and bottom edges of the fencing panels including inter-engaging means by way of which each fencing panel is positively interengaged with an adjacent panel in its stack.

2. Post and panel fencing as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the inter-engaging means includes biassing means which urge the panels in each stack into contact with alternate sides of the respective groove.

3. Post and panel fencing as claimed in Claim l or 2, wherein each fencing panel has a facing surface and a backing surface, the facing surface being planar or substantially planar.

4. Post and panel fencing as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the fencing panels in each stack are alternately arranged with their facing surfaces facing in opposite directions.

5. Post and panel fencing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2,4 and 5 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. similar parts being accorded the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, however, the two grooves 14 are provided in respective adjacent faces 23 of the post, rather than in respective opposed faces thereof. Flanges 21 forming the grooves 14 have slots (not shown) therein for receiving fencing panels therethrough, in the same manner as described above. An individual fencing panel is shown in Figure 4 and is of generally rectangular shape, having a generally planar facing surface 26 and a backing surface 28 which includes a cavity 30. Top and bottom edges of the panel are doubly stepped at 32 and provide surfaces which can inter-engage with the corresponding surfaces of an adjacent panel, as indicated in chain dotted line at 33 in the lower part of the Figure. In addition to the inter-engaging feature, a flat 34 is provided at each stepped region 32. Panels which are to be used at the top and bottom of each stack have only one of their edges stepped, the other edge being generally flat as indicated in broken line at 35 in the lower part of the Figure. In use, the posts are first anchored into the ground using concrete or the like. The posts are set out at spaced locations, the spacing corresponding to the length of the fencing panels, and are oriented so that each groove in each post faces a groove in an adjacent post. The fencing panels are then introduced between the grooves in adjacent posts by way of the slots 22, the slots in adjacent posts being disposed at the same level for this purpose. Adjacent panels are inserted the opposite way round so that the facing surfaces 26 of alternate panels face in one direction as do the backing surfaces of the intermediate panels. A length of completed fencing is shown in Figure 5, in which the above described panel arrangement may be clearly seen. When the panels have built up to the level of the lower or lowest slot 22, subsequent panels are inserted through the next higher slot until a complete section of fencing is erected, as shown in Figure 4. At the ends of the length of fencing, posts are used having only one groove 14 therein, these posts not being illustrated. By virtue of the flats 34, adjacent fencing panels are biased not only against one another but also against alternate sides of the groove. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Post and panel fencing comprising a plurality of upright posts arranged in spaced apart relation and a stack of fencing panels received between mutually facing faces of each pair of adjacent posts, each of said mutually facing faces having therein a longitudinal groove which receives lateral edges of the fencing panels in the respective stack, each said groove being defined between a pair of flanges one of which has at least one slot therein which communicates with the groove intermediate its ends and which is of a sufficient longitudinal dimension to allow the whole of the lateral edge of a fencing panel to be passed therethrough, top and bottom edges of the fencing panels including inter-engaging means by way of which each fencing panel is positively interengaged with an adjacent panel in its stack.

2. Post and panel fencing as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the inter-engaging means includes biassing means which urge the panels in each stack into contact with alternate sides of the respective groove.

3. Post and panel fencing as claimed in Claim l or 2, wherein each fencing panel has a facing surface and a backing surface, the facing surface being planar or substantially planar.

4. Post and panel fencing as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the fencing panels in each stack are alternately arranged with their facing surfaces facing in opposite directions.

5. Post and panel fencing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2,4 and 5 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.