GB2158119A - Brackets - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket 10 for fences made up of panels 30 held in slotted fence posts 42 comprise a first web 12 for securement to another said bracket and a second web 24 for securement to the fencing panel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Brackets This invention concerns brackets that may be used for securing fencing panels of the type held by slotted fence posts.

A popular form of fencing comprises fence posts, usually of concrete, having a longitudinal slot on each of a pair of opposite faces. These posts are held in the ground at set spacings with their slots aligned along the intended length of the fence. Fencing panels are then held between the posts with each end in a fence post slot.

Whilst this form of fencing has many advantages, some probelms do exist. These include the ease with which the panels can be blown out of the retaining slots by high winds or merely removed by trespassers. Another problem is that the fencing panels can be caused to rattle by the wind and this rattling can be annoying.

The fencing panels mostly used in this form of fencing have interwoven or overlapped strips held together at their ends by battens on each side thereof which are secured by nails, screws or staples.

It is an object Qf the invention to provide a bracket that may be used for securing such panels in the fencing system of the type described.

According to this invention there is provided a bracket comprising a first web for securement to a slotted fence post or another said bracket and a second web for securement to a fencing panel.

Preferably said second web can be held between one of said battens and said fencing strips. The first web is preferably connectable to the first web of another said bracket by and suitable means, such as a nut and bolt through both.

In a preferred embodiment the bracket of the invention is made from metal, by bending to form said first and second webs and preferably intermediate webs to follow the contours of the fence post and fitted panel.

When fitted the said first and second webs will probably be at right angles to each other. However, it is preferred that that only be in the fitted state and that when fitted the angle between the said webs at the notional intersection be less than 90" so a certain amount of tension will be generated during fitting to enhance securement of the panel in the post.

The brackets of the invention can prevent fencing panels from being blown out or otherwise removed from fencing posts and can prevent annoying rattling of the panels in the post slots.

This invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a fencing bracket from one side; Figure 2 shows the bracket of Figure 1 from above; and Figure 3 shows a section of fencing incorporating brackets of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, a fencing bracket 10 is made by bending and drilling a strip of galvanised mild steel. The bracket 10 comprises a first web 12 having a bolt hole 14 formed therethrough. A second web 16 extends at right angles from the first web 12. A third web 18 extends at right angles from the second web 16 and in the opposite direction to the first web 12. A fourth web 20 extends at right angles from the thrid web 18 but is shorter than and in the opposite direction to the second web 16. A short fifth web 22 extends at right angles from the fourth web 20 and in the opposite direction to the third web 28 with respect to the fourth web 20. From the fifth web 22 extends a sixth web 24 at an angle of approximately 101 30'.

The sixth web extends from the fifth web 22 in the same general direction as the fourth web 20.

In use, the sixth web 24 of each bracket 10 is slotted between an end batten 35 and fencing strips 36 of fencing panels 30 that are held in slot 40 on opposite faces of a concrete fencing post 42.

The brackets 10 are then held together by a nut and bolt 50, 51 of galvanised materials through the bolt holes 14 of facing first webs 12.

The greater than 90" angle between the fifth and sixth webs 22, 24 respectively of the bracket combined with the resilience of the bracket material provide a firm hold for the fencing panels, particularly by urging the first webs against the nut and bolt to prevent loosening movement thereof.

When used on fencing of the type described, the brackets of the invention can prevent the panels from being blown out or removed and from rattling.

1. A bracket comprising a first web for securement to a slotted fence post or another said bracket and a second web for securement to a fencing panel.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second web can be held between a batten and a fencing strip of the fencing panel.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first web is connectable to the first web of another said bracket.

4. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 having intermediate webs to follow the contours of a fence post and fitted panel.

5. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 made from metal by bending to form said webs.

6. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the angle between the first and second webs at their notional intersection be less than 90".

7. A fence comprising panels secured in slotted fence posts by brackets as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A fence substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Brackets This invention concerns brackets that may be used for securing fencing panels of the type held by slotted fence posts. A popular form of fencing comprises fence posts, usually of concrete, having a longitudinal slot on each of a pair of opposite faces. These posts are held in the ground at set spacings with their slots aligned along the intended length of the fence. Fencing panels are then held between the posts with each end in a fence post slot. Whilst this form of fencing has many advantages, some probelms do exist. These include the ease with which the panels can be blown out of the retaining slots by high winds or merely removed by trespassers. Another problem is that the fencing panels can be caused to rattle by the wind and this rattling can be annoying. The fencing panels mostly used in this form of fencing have interwoven or overlapped strips held together at their ends by battens on each side thereof which are secured by nails, screws or staples. It is an object Qf the invention to provide a bracket that may be used for securing such panels in the fencing system of the type described. According to this invention there is provided a bracket comprising a first web for securement to a slotted fence post or another said bracket and a second web for securement to a fencing panel. Preferably said second web can be held between one of said battens and said fencing strips. The first web is preferably connectable to the first web of another said bracket by and suitable means, such as a nut and bolt through both. In a preferred embodiment the bracket of the invention is made from metal, by bending to form said first and second webs and preferably intermediate webs to follow the contours of the fence post and fitted panel. When fitted the said first and second webs will probably be at right angles to each other. However, it is preferred that that only be in the fitted state and that when fitted the angle between the said webs at the notional intersection be less than 90" so a certain amount of tension will be generated during fitting to enhance securement of the panel in the post. The brackets of the invention can prevent fencing panels from being blown out or otherwise removed from fencing posts and can prevent annoying rattling of the panels in the post slots. This invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a fencing bracket from one side; Figure 2 shows the bracket of Figure 1 from above; and Figure 3 shows a section of fencing incorporating brackets of Figures 1 and 2. Referring to the drawings, a fencing bracket 10 is made by bending and drilling a strip of galvanised mild steel. The bracket 10 comprises a first web 12 having a bolt hole 14 formed therethrough. A second web 16 extends at right angles from the first web 12. A third web 18 extends at right angles from the second web 16 and in the opposite direction to the first web 12. A fourth web 20 extends at right angles from the thrid web 18 but is shorter than and in the opposite direction to the second web 16. A short fifth web 22 extends at right angles from the fourth web 20 and in the opposite direction to the third web 28 with respect to the fourth web 20. From the fifth web 22 extends a sixth web 24 at an angle of approximately 101 30'. The sixth web extends from the fifth web 22 in the same general direction as the fourth web 20. In use, the sixth web 24 of each bracket 10 is slotted between an end batten 35 and fencing strips 36 of fencing panels 30 that are held in slot 40 on opposite faces of a concrete fencing post 42. The brackets 10 are then held together by a nut and bolt 50, 51 of galvanised materials through the bolt holes 14 of facing first webs 12. The greater than 90" angle between the fifth and sixth webs 22, 24 respectively of the bracket combined with the resilience of the bracket material provide a firm hold for the fencing panels, particularly by urging the first webs against the nut and bolt to prevent loosening movement thereof. When used on fencing of the type described, the brackets of the invention can prevent the panels from being blown out or removed and from rattling. CLAIMS

1. A bracket comprising a first web for securement to a slotted fence post or another said bracket and a second web for securement to a fencing panel.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second web can be held between a batten and a fencing strip of the fencing panel.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first web is connectable to the first web of another said bracket.

4. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 having intermediate webs to follow the contours of a fence post and fitted panel.

5. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 made from metal by bending to form said webs.

6. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the angle between the first and second webs at their notional intersection be less than 90".

7. A fence comprising panels secured in slotted fence posts by brackets as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A fence substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.