GB2192663A - Trellis - Google Patents

Abstract

Trellis comprises a plurality of posts (1), the lower ends of which are fitted with feet which are secured to a surface or embedded in the ground at predetermined distances apart, a plurality of trelliswork panels at least one of which is located between each pair of posts and has at least one of its side edges formed to receive one end of a connecting and spacing member (22), the other end of which is similarly received in the side edge of an adjacent post or panel. The interior of each connecting and spacing member (22) is formed to receive a pair of removable securing elements (27) which, in their operative positions, project from opposite ends of the connecting and spacing member into securing engagement with the adjacent side edge of a post (1) or panel and can be locked in their operative positions by locking members provided with the interior of the connecting and spacing members and manually adjustable from outside between locking and release positions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trellis This invention relates to trellises and is concerned to provide a trellis which can be readily assembled from a relatively small range of different parts which are adapted to be readily secured together to form a rigid structure by elements which remain hidden in the finished trellis.

To this end, according to the invention, such a trellis comprises a plurality of posts, the lower ends of which are adapted to be fitted with feet which can be secured to a surface or embedded in the ground at predetermined distances apart, a plurality of trelliswork panels at least one of which is to be located between each pair of posts and has at least one of its side edges formed to receive one end of at least one connecting and spacing member, the other end of which is similarly received in the side edge of an adjacent post or panel, the interior of each connecting and spacing member being formed to receive a pair of removable securing elements which, in their operative positions, project from opposite ends of the connecting and spacing member into securing engagement with the adjacent side edge of a post or panel and can be locked in their operative positions by locking members provided within the interior of said connecting and spacing members and manually adjustable from outside between locking and release positions.

The invention will be described in greater detail and by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view, in elevation, showing different forms of trelliswork panel with their supporting posts and interposed spacers; Figure 2 is another exploded view, this time in perspective, showing one edge of a trelliswork panel, a supporting post and spacers; Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-section through the connection between a panel and a spacer; Figure 4 is a detail perspective view with parts broken away, showing the method of fixing a supporting post to a parapet wall with an overhang; and Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of a hinge assembly for connecting one panel to another or to a post.

As will be apparent from the drawings, a plurality of wooden posts 1 of cruciform cross-section with a groove or channel 2 formed in each side are each provided at its upper end with a projecting pin (not shown) to receive a finial in the form of an obelisk 3, a ball 4 or other decorative shape, and is fitted at its lower end with a metal foot 5 comprising four angle member 6 of stainless steel. The upright arm of each angle member 6 is adapted to be received in one of the four re-entrant corners 40 of the post 1 and is provided with holes 7 for the passage of bolts (not shown) by which the member is secured to the post.The horizontal arm of each angle member is provided with holes 8 for the passage of bolts by which it can be detachably secured either to a base plate 41 to be temporarily fixed in a hole 9 in the ground prior to pouring concrete 10 into the hole to permanently fix the post, or direct to a permanent surface 11 on which the post is to be mounted.

When the surface is that of a parapet wall a collar or the like is provided to correctly space the post from the wall and when the wall 14 is formed with an overhang 15, as shown in Fig. 4, additional fixing means is provided in the form of an adjustable clamping assembly which comprises stainless steel clamping elements 12, 13 to be secured to the post 1 and to the vertical wall surface beneath the overhang 1 5 and a stainless steel bolt 15A for securing the elements together in any position of adjustment. Each clamping element is of L-shape having its shorter arm adapted to either enter one of the grooves 2 in the post 1 or lie flush against the wall 14 and provided with holes 15B for the passage of fastening means. The longer arm of each clamping element is formed with an elongated slot 16 for the passage of the bolt 15.

The space between each pair of adjacent posts 1 is occupied by at least one panel 17 comprising a frame 18 formed at its inner edge with a groove or channel 19 which receives the edge of a trelliswork infill 20 and formed in its outer vertical edges with a number, e.g. three, of slots 21.

Each panel 17 is connected to an adjacent panel or to an intervening post 1 by a number, e.g. three, of spacers 22, each of which comprises a block of plywood, opposite ends of which are adapted to enter one of the slots 21 in a panel frame 18 and another slot 21 in an adjacent panel or groove 2 in a post 1, respectively. Each spacer 22 is formed with recesses 23, 24 which open onto one side of the block and communicate with two bores 25, 26 respectively, of reduced cross-section which open onto the opposite edges of the block which are received in the panel and post. The bores 25, 26 are designed for the passage of bolts 27 which can be removed from the block and screwed into appropriate recesses formed in the posts 1 and panel frames 18.The heads of the bolts 27 can then be inserted in the bores 25, 26 until they enter sockets 28 provided in locking members 29 rotatably mounted in the recesses 23, 24 and provided with slotted heads 30 accessible from the side of the block to permit rotary adjustment of the locking members through 1800 between a locking position in which the heads of the bolts 27 are trapped in the sock ets 28 and a release position in which the bolts may be withdrawn through the bores 25, 26.

Where it is desired to provide an articulated connection between any two adjacent panels 17 or between a panel and an adjacent post 1, the spacers 22 may be replaced by hinge assemblies of the kind shown in Fig. 6. Each hinge assembly comprises two identical stainless steel hinge elements 31 each of which is to be secured to one of the adjacent trellis members to be connected and a stainless steel bolt 32 designed to pass through registering apertures in the two hinge elements and form the pivotal axis of the hinge. Each hinge element 31 is a U-shaped member, the web portion 33 of which is adapted to enter a groove 2 in a post 1 or enter one of the slots 21 in the outer surface of a panel frame 18 and is provided with holes 34 for the passage of fastening members.

Each of the parallel arms 35 of each hinge element 31 is L-shaped with that portion 36 remote from the web portion 33 being provided with three holes 37 which register with three holes 38 in the corresponding part of the other arm and the bolt 32 is passed through pairs of registering holes 37, 38 in both hinge elements, which holes are selected in accordance with the degree of relative movement required between and the angle of intersection of adjacent trellis members.

To assemble the trellis, the posts 1 are erected and secured in position at the required distances apart and bolts 27 are screwed into the posts and into the frame members 18 of the panels 17. Spacers 22 are then passed over the head of the bolts in the first post and locked in the bores 25 by rotation of the appropriate locking members 29. With the spacers 22 in place on the first post 1 it is a simple matter to fit the first of the panels 17 over the other ends of the spacers so that the heads of the bolts 27 projecting from the panel enter the bores 26 and are locked therein in similar fashion. Further panels of the same or different designs can be added in the same way until the trellis is completed, whereupon, if the metal feet 5 at the lower ends of the posts 1 have been only temporarily secured, these can be cemented in the holes 9.

Claims (5)

1. A trellis comprising a plurality of supporting posts provided at their lower ends with feet to be secured to or embedded in a supporting surface at predetermined distances apart, a plurality of trelliswork panels at least one of which is to be located between each pair of adjacent supporting posts and is formed at each of its side edges to receive one element of a connecting assembly the other element of which is similarly received in the side edge of an adjacent post or panel.

2. A trellis according to claim 1, wherein each connecting assembly includes a hollow spacing member the interior of which is formed to receive a pair of removable securing elements which, in their operative positions, project from opposite ends of the spacing member into securing engagement with the adjacent side edge of a post or panel and can be locked in their operative positions by locking members provided with the interior of said spacing member and manually adjustable from outside between locking and release positions.

3. A trellis according to claim 1, wherein the elements of at least one connecting assembly are pivotally secured together to provide a hinge between adjacent panels or between a panel and an adjacent supporting post.

4. A trellis according to any preceding claim, including adjustable means for securing one or more of said supporting posts to a parapet wall or other raised surface.

5. A trellis substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.