GB2166172A

GB2166172A - Fencing clip

Info

Publication number: GB2166172A
Application number: GB08427372A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Gordon Stanley Caswell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-10-30
Filing date: 1984-10-30
Publication date: 1986-04-30
Also published as: GB8427372D0

Abstract

A fencing clip comprises a first channel (1) defined by, preferably resiliently deformable, legs (2) and removably fixable to a fencing rod. A second channel (3) extends transversely to the first channel (1) and is defined by a U-shaped member (4) having legs extending, in use, upwardly with their base closed. A closure member (5) closes at least partially the open end of the second channel (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fencing clip The present invention relates to a fencing clip.

Fencing clips of this type are intended for use as part of afencingsystem particularly, but notexclusively, used fortemporary protection orwarning of road works, building works and similar operations.

Hitherto, such protection has been afforded by means of metal rods hammered into the ground at spaced intervals to support a string, wire, ribbon or other fencing material. In orderto supportthe fencing material, the rod is bent double at its upper end and bent again to form a volute through which passes the fencing material. Such rods have a numberof disadvantages. The material ofwhich they are made must be able to bend comparatively easily in orderto form the support. Such material is expensive. Further, this ability to bend is disadvantageous when the rod is being driven into the ground since the main part of the rod is intended to remain straight.Finally, the pointto which pressure is applied, e.g. by means of a mallet, is the point at which the rod is bent double and where there consequently exists a point of weakness. Thus, fractures are common place and such rods have a very short life span.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fencing clip for use in a fencing system which overcome the above disadvantage.

According to a first aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a fencing clip comprising a first channel defined by, preferably resiliently deformable, legs and removably fixable to a fencing rod, a second channel extending transversely to said first channel and defined by legs extending, in use, upwardly with their base closed, and a closure memberto close at least partially the open end of the second channel.

Preferably the closure member comprises two legs extending, in use, downwardlywith theirupperends closed.

One leg ofthe closure member may be integral with one leg of the second channel, in which case the first channel may be integral with or connectable to the other leg ofthe second channel.

Advantageously the closure member extends across at least halfthe open end of the second channel.

The fencing clip may be a molding of plastics material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

At least one reinforcing rib may be provided around the second channel to maintain a degree of rigidity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a fencing system compris ing a plurality of fencing clips each as defined above, a corresponding plurality offencing rods, and fencing material adapted to extend between said clips when they are assembled to respective rods.

An embodiment ofthe present invention will now be more particularly described byway of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side elevation of a fencing clip embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevation ofthefencing clip; and Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe fencing clip.

Referring nowto the drawings, there is shown a fencing clip molded from a plastics material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. When intended for use with a fence protecting road works, it is preferably molded of plastics self coloured in an accepted road safetly colour, such as orange or yellow. Additionally or alternatively, it may be painted with a luminescent paint or may have one or more light reflectors adhered to it.

The clip comprises a first channel 1 defined by two resiliently deformable legs 2. The channel 1 is dimensioned to accept and be removably fixable to a fencing rod. Conventionally, fencing rods are or such standard sizes as 16mm or20mm in diameter. The clip is intended to be force fitted onto a rod at a point below the top either before or afterthe rod is driven into the ground. Since the rod is now a simple straight length of metal,there is no pointofweaknessatthedriving pointandthereforethe lifespan of the rod is considerably increased. In this case, it may be of advantageto users of the system to use thickness and therefore sturdy rods. If thins were the case, the dimensions of channel 1 may be increased accordingly.

Asecond channel 3 extendstransierselyto channel 1. It is defined by a U-shaped member 4 and a closure member 5, which is also U-shaped but in opposed direction. The closure member 5 encloses at least half the upper end ofthe second channel 3 at its outer side.

The inner leg ofthe U-shaped member4 is fixed to the wall of the first channel 1 to give a unitary body. The U-shaped member4 has a cross-section of H-shape composed of two reinforcing ribs 6 extending around its inner and outer peripheries and joined by a web 7.

To use the clip, it isfirst attached to a rod in the manner described above. Fencing material of desired type is then extended between each fencing clip and its neighbours in a line. The material is passed through opening 8 into the second channel 3, in which it is retained bythe closure member 5. After use, the material can be easily removed through opening 8 for reuse ofthe system elsewhere.

The clip has been described as having a single closure member 5 integral with the outer leg ofthe U-shaped member 4. In certain applications it may be preferableto provide a second closure member on the inner leg ofthe U-shaped member, whereby opening 8 will be disposed more centrally above the channel 3.

In an alternative embodiment, the closure member 5 closes opening 8 substantially completely butthe U-shaped member4 is so resiliently deformable that an opening 8 can be provided by manual pressure on the outer leg ofthe channel 3.

In anotheralternative,the legs 2 ofchannel 1 need not be resiliently deformable to grip a fencing rod, but a grub screw may be provided in one of the legs 2to attach the clip to the rod.

Fencing clips embodying the invention may be used in twos,threes or other multiples for each fencing rod to form a more secure fence. Furthermore, they may be positioned at any desired height on the fencing rod.

This is of advantage where the intended fence extends along ground ofvariable hardness. Some ofthe rods will penetrate the ground more deeply than others and in the fencing systems known hitherto, the resulting fence would be uneven. In the present case, careful positioning ofthe fencing clips on their respective rods would lead to a fence of even height.

Afurtheradvantage ofthefencing clips is that it enables packaging andtransportoffencing systems to be facilitated. Hitherto, a bundle offencing rods with curled tops were needed, which bundle cannot be made compact. In the present case, a number of clips can be boxed compactlyto accompany a compact bundle of ofstraight rods.

The rods have been described as being straight lengths of metal. They may however be provided with a head at one end for easier driving.

In addition to or alternatively to supporting a fencing material, the clips may support a warning light orflasherfor increased safety.

Claims

1. Afencing clip comprising a first channel defined by legs by means ofwhich it is removablyfixableto a fencing rod, a second channel extending transversely to said first channel and defined by legs extending, in use, upwardly with their base closed, and a closure member to close at least partiallythe open end ofthe second channel.

2. Afencing clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs defining the first channel are resilients deform able to grip the fencing rod.

3. Afencing clip as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the closure member comprises two legs extending, in use, downwardlywith their upper ends closed.

4. Afencing clip as claimed in claim 3, wherein one leg oftheclosure member is integral with and continues one leg ofthesecond channel.

5. Afencing clip as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other leg ofthe second channel is integral with or connectabletothe legs defining thefirst channel.

6. Afencing clip as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the closure member extends across at least halfthe open end ofthe second channel.

7. Afencing clip as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, comprising a moulding of plastics material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

8. Afencing clip as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein at least one reinforcing rib is provided around the second channel to maintain a degree of rigidity.

9. Afencing clip substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures ofthe accompanying drawings.

10. Afencing system comprising a plurality of fencing clips each as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, a corresponding plurality offencing rods, and fencing material adapted to extend between said clips when they are assembled to respective rods.