GB2251256A

GB2251256A - A fencing retention device

Info

Publication number: GB2251256A
Application number: GB9026751A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Pitchford; David Birdsall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-08
Filing date: 1990-12-08
Publication date: 1992-07-01
Also published as: GB9026751D0

Abstract

A fencing retention device (1) for retaining a fencing panel (15) in a pre-formed channel (16) in a support post (17) comprises legs (2, 3) fixed to the end edge of the panel (15), and a central portion (4) provided with tangs (6) for engaging the base of the channel to prevent removal and movement of the panel due to wind. The device is resilient, of mild steel, eg. <IMAGE>

Description

A FENCING RETENTION DEVICE The present invention relates to a retention device for fencing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for retaining wooden fencing panels in a desired position with respect to fencing support members.

Fencing arrangements made from a plurality of panel members has been known for many years. In such fencing arrangements, the fencing panels are retained in position by means of support members. The support members almost invariably comprise posts made either of wood or concrete which are spaced from one another at substantially regular intervals.

If the posts are made of wood, they are generally simple lengths of timber having a substantially rectangular or square cross-section. To retain the fencing panels in position, support devices in the form of clips or the like must be fixedly attached to opposed faces of the post. The clips each define a channel portion into which an edge of the fencing panel is inserted. Many different types of support devices are already known.

However, all of these wooden post arrangements suffer from certain disadvantages. The panels, in such arrangements are supported but not fixedly retained. This, in itself, gives rise to problems. Firstly, there is play between the panel and the clip and any movement of the panel, for example, when it is blown by the wind, causes the panel to rattle against the clip. This is, at best, irritating.

Furthermore, although the insertion of the edge of the panel into the channel is easily effected, removal is equally simple and both vandals and thieves are well aware of this. Finally, wooden fence posts require maintenance. It will be readily apparent that they are open to the elements and also subject to attack by pests, chiefly by insects.

Concrete post arrangements are also usually of substantially rectangular or square cross-section.

The posts are specifically designed for the task which they are to perform and are provided with pre-formed channels in opposed faces. Concrete posts do, of course, require substantially less maintenance but the problems of noise and unauthorised removal remain.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a retention device which is primarily intended for use with fencing and which does not suffer from the above-identified disadvantages. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a retention device which is suitable for use in combination with concrete posts having pre-formed channels in opposed face, the retention device permitting the insertion of the edge of a panel into the channel in a simple manner but making the removal thereof difficult.

According to the present invention, there is provided, a retention device comprising means for affixation to the end face of a fencing panel and engagement means capable of engaging the surface defining a channel in a post member which, in use, supports the fencing panel.

Preferably, the retention device is at least partially formed from a resilient material.

Desirably, the device is in the form of a plate member having substantially flat opposed end regions connected by an arcuate central portion.

Advantageously, the means of affixation comprise apertures for the passage of nails or screws therethrough. Further preferably, the affixation means are disposed in one or both end regions.

Further advantageously, the engagement means comprise at least one tang member. If more than one tang member is provided, they may be disposed in a random arrangement. However, it is preferred if they are disposed in a regular arrangement such as one or more rows.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the resilient material is metal and at least one tang member is formed by being pressed out of the metal. it is highly desirable, in such a case, if the tangs have radiused free end portions.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a retention device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the retention device shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the retention device affixed to a fencing panel and engaging with the base surface of a groove preformed in a concrete support post.

In Fig. 1, there is shown a retention device, generally referenced 1, in accordance with the present invention. The device 1, is in this embodiment, made of mild steel and is resilient. The device comprises two substantially flat end portions 2, 3 interconnected by a central portion 4. As can best be seen in Fig. 2, the central portion is arcuate. On its convex surface 5, the central portion 4 carries a plurality of projecting tangs 6. These tangs 6 are formed by cutting the mild steel and pressing out the tangs 6 therefrom. The tangs 6 are each provided with radiused free end portions 7 to increase the surface area thereof and to minimise damage thereto in use and are arranged in three rows extending in a direction substantially at right angles to parallel lateral edges 8, 9 of the device.Adjacent the lateral edges 8, 9, in the flat end portions 2, 3, apertures 10 are provided for receiving fixing means such as nails or screws. As shown in the drawings, the end edges 11, 12 of the device 1 are chevron-shaped at 13 and 14 respectively. The reason for this will become apparent hereinafter.

The use and function of the device 1 will now be described. The device is initially affixed to a fencing panel 15. This is effected by locating the device on the lateral edge of the panel such that the flat portions 2 and 3 thereof abut the edge of the panel and lie flat thereon. The device is orientated with the chevron 13 pointing towards the upper edge of the panel 15 and with the convex surface directed outwardly that is to say, away from the panel. Nails are then driven through the apertures 10 to affix the device 1 to the panel 15.

The panel 15, with the device 1 affixed thereto, is then slid into a pre-formed channel 16 formed in a concrete post 17. The post 17 is set in the ground and it will therefore be readily apparent that the panel 15 is slid into the channel in a general downward direction.

During the insertion of the panel and device into the channel, the tangs 6 will engage with the base of the channel 16. However, the downward force applied to locate the panel in position means that the tangs 6 will be forced in a direction towards the convex surface. Moreover, the arcuate portion 4 is flattened by compression between the base of the channel and the panel. This, in turn, means that the insertion of the panel and device is relatively simple.

However, once the panel and device are in place, the downward force is removed and the resilience of central portion 4 of the device causes it to attempt to resume its original shape. Similarly, the resilient tangs 6 also attempt to resume their original positions. If an attempt is now made to apply an upwardly directed force to the panel and device, that is to say, if an attempt is made to lift the panel and device out of the channel the tangs 6 bite into the concrete base of the channel 16 and resist such force The arcuate shape of the central portion 4 assists in this respect by ensuring the proximity of the tangs 6 to the base of the channel 16. It will therefore be appreciated that unauthorised removal of the panel is made considerably more difficult by the provision of such a device. Furthermore, because the device is surrounded by the edge of the panel and the channel in the concrete post, a prospective thief or vandal will not be aware of the existence thereof until an attempt is made to remove the panel. The noise made when the tangs scrape over the concrete will made a considerable noise which will act as a deterrent. The hidden nature of the device also makes it substantially tamper-proof.

In use, it is envisaged that one or two such devices will be attached to each end edge of the panel.

However, the number may be altered as desired.

It will be readily apparent that various minor modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus, for example, the chevron-shaped end faces could be made planar with, if desired, indicia means formed thereon to denote the orientation of the device.

Moreover, the tangs could be omitted in such a case, the convex surface of the device would engage with the base of the channel. Whilst such an arrangement provides less security, the friction between the device and the base of the channel would hinder removal of the panel. Alternatively, other types of projection members could be utilised instead of the tangs. Still further, the device could be affixed to the fencing panel by means of any other suitable means such as adhesive.

Claims

1. A fencing retention device for retaining a fencing panel in a pre-formed channel in a support post, the device comprising a body portion carrying means for affixing the device to the end face of a fencing panel and further including means capable of engaging with the surface defining the channel in the support post.

2. A retention device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is at least partially formed from a resilient material.

3. A retention device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the body portion comprises two opposed, substantially flat, end regions interconnected by an arcuate central portion.

4. A retention device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for affixation comprise apertures for the passage of screws or nails therethrough.

5. A retention device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for affixation comprise apertures for the passage of screws or nails therethrough, said apertures being formed in at least one of the end regions.

6. A retention device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means capable of engaging the channel surface comprises at least one tang member, the at least one tang member projecting, in use, away from the panel and towards the channel.

7. A retention device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a plurality of tang members disposed in a random arrangement are provided.

8. A retention device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a plurality of tang members disposed in at least one row are provided.

9. A retention device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the device is made of metal and the at least one tang member is pressed out of the metal.

10. A retention device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the at least one tang member has a radiused free end portion.

11. A fencing retention device as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.