GB2298663A

GB2298663A - Fence

Info

Publication number: GB2298663A
Application number: GB9604511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Humphrey Hussey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-08
Filing date: 1996-03-01
Publication date: 1996-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-01
Also published as: GB9604511D0; GB9504695D0; GB2298663B

Description

FENCE The present invention relates to a fence in which a panel is supported by one or more posts.

Existing fences have a number of disadvantages.

Simple fences, such as wire fences, act merely as a barrier, but it is often desirable for a fence to provide a screening effect. Therefore, it is common for fences to be formed by a series of panels. The panels are supported at spaced apart locations (usually, at the join between adjacent panels) by posts. Since such fences then offer a flat surface to the wind, they are subject to forces which can damage the panels, can cause the panels to be dislodged from the posts or apply stress to the parts.

In UK patent application specification number 2275279A I described a fence in which each post had two separate post members. The ends of adjacent panels were then positioned between the two post members, secured to one or both, and the post members themselves secured together. Use of two separate post members gave the post, and hence the fence as a whole, greater strength than known arrangements.

However, such fences were not easy to erect, because the difficulty of mounting the two separate post members in the ground.

In the present invention, a side edge of the panel has a moulded bead fitted to the panel and running along all or part of its length. The bead is received in a corresponding cavity in a post which supports the panel, and a channel extends from that cavity to the side surface of the post. The part of the panel adjacent the bead is then received in that channel. The bead is wider than the channel so that the panel cannot slide sideways out of the channel. If beads are provided along the two side edges of the panel, and the beads are received in corresponding cavities in two posts, the beads resist lateral movement at the ends of the panel, thereby resisting deformation under the force of the wind. The present invention includes the possibility, however, that only one post is used.

In an arrangement, where the fence is to have multiple panels supported by a series of posts, channels will normally extend from the cavity of the posts in opposite directions, so that beads of adjacent panels are received in the same cavity, with the panels then extending out of the channels in opposite directions.

Preferably, the or each panel comprises a number of slats arranged vertically. Those slats may be separate, so that they are mounted successively on to the posts.

In this case, it is desirable that there is a spacer between adjacent slats to hold them together and avoid rubbing contact. It would be possible, however for the panel to be in the form of a single slat.

It would be possible for the cavity, and indeed the channels, to run the full length of the post so that the post was formed by two separate post members. However, it is desirable that the cavity and channel(s) extend only part of the length of the post. In either case, it is desirable for there to be strengthening of the post, to prevent the channels tending to open. Such strengthening is preferably provided by one or more securing means, e.g. bolts, extending transversely through the post, generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel.

In assembling such a fence it would be normal for the posts to be mounted in the ground. The beads of the panel are inserted into the cavities of each post, and then the panel slid downwardly in the channels. Hence, it is important that the posts are positioned in the ground with the correct spacing therebetween. To assist in this spacer members may be provided which can be secured to the posts prior to the mounting of the panel.

Although it is possible for such spacer members then to be removed before the panel is mounted in the post, it is preferable that the spacer members also form edging members for the panel. The lower edging member may then have an upwardly facing groove which receives the lower edge of the panel, and the upper spacer may be in the form of a rebated coping, with a downwardly facing groove which receives the upper edge of the panel.

The above description has concentrated on the case where there is a single panel supported between two posts. Normally, the fence will comprise a plurality of panels supported by a series of posts, with each post (except the end ones) supporting two adjacent panels.

Moreover, the present invention relates to a fence, and also relates to a kit of parts comprising one or more panels, and one or more posts.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a fence according to a first embodiment the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view through a post and adjacent panels in the fence of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the fence of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side view of a fence according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a strengthening strip for use in the embodiment of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the fence of Fig. 4.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a fence has a plurality of panels 10 supported by posts 12. Each post is mounted in the ground 14, for example by positioning the lower ends of the posts 12 in corresponding blocks 16 of concrete. As can be seen from Fig. 1, each panel comprises a plurality of slats 18 with spacer members 20 therebetween. A lower edging member 22 and an upper edging member 23 extend between the posts 12 along the bottom and top of each panel 10.

Referring now to Fig. 2, each post has a cavity 24 in the form of a circular bore extending into the post from the upper end thereof. Channels 26, 28 then extend in opposite directions from the cavity 24 to the surface of the post 12, the width of the channels 22 being less than the width of the cavity 24.

As shown in Fig. 2, each panel 10 has a bead 30 extending along its side edge, the bead 30 being received in the cavity 24. Each bead 30 is wider than the channels 26, 28 and so prevents the panel 10 being pulled out of the channel 26, 28 in a horizontal direction. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the second 30 is a separate component fitted to the rest of the panel 30. The head is formed by moulding eg. resin. Since the cavity 24 extends from the top of the post 12, the panel 10 can be slid into the corresponding channel 26, 28 from above and, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the bead 30 is shaped so as to conform generally with the surface of the cavity 24. In the embodiment, where each panel 10 comprises a plurality of slats 18, each slat is mounted successively on the post 12, so that each slat 18 has to have a part of the bead 30 thereon. If the panel 10 was a single member, the bead 30 could extend along the whole, or only part, of the side of the panel 10.

The presence of the cavity 24, and the channels 26, 28, in the post 12 has the effect of weakening the post.

Therefore, bolts 32 are provided along the length of the post 12, to prevent deformation of the post opening the channels 26, 28 and so releasing the beads 30 from the cavity 24. Note that the cavity 24 and the channels 26,28 preferably terminate at or slightly above, the ground. Hence, the part of each post 12 in the concrete 16 is not split in any way. When a section of fence is built, it is important that the posts 12 have the correct spacing therebetween. If the spacing is too great, panels cannot be mounted on the post with their beads 30 in the cavities 24. If the posts 12 are too close together, it may again not be possible to fit the beads 30 in the cavities 24. Hence, the edging members 22, 23 may also be used as spacers during the positioning of the posts 12 in the ground 14.As shown in Fig. 2, the lower edging member 26 is secured by pins 34 to the post 12, and this ensures that the posts 12 have the correct spacing, at least at the bottom. If the upper edging member 23 is also temporarily secured to the posts 12, adjacent the top thereof, this will ensure that the posts 12 have the correct orientation, until they are firmly secured in the ground 14 by the concrete blocks 16. The upper edging member 23 will then have to be removed whilst the panels 10 are mounted on the post, and may then be replaced.

Fig. 3 shows in more detail the arrangement of the slat 18, the spacers 20, and the upper and lower edging members 22,23. It can be seen from Fig. 3 that, each spacer 20 has a generally H-shaped cross-section, so that it can fit between adjacent slats 18 to hold them together, but prevent their adjacent edges being in rubbing contact. The lower edging member 22 has an upwardly facing slot 36 which receives the bottom edge of the lowest slat 18, and the upper spacing member similarly has a downwardly facing slot 38 which receives the upper edge of the uppermost slat 18. The upper edging member 23 thus acts as a coping for the panel 10.

Fig. 3 also shows that a cap 38 may be provided on each post 12, to prevent water or other material entering the tops of the cavity 24 and the channels 26,28.

The posts 12, the slats 18, and the upper and lower edging members 22,23 are preferably of wood, but a fence according to the present invention may be made of other materials. The spacers 20 are preferably of plastics material. The bead 30 is preferably of resin.

It can be noted that posts 12 at the ends of the fence need only a single channel, and the cavity 24 may be of any suitable shape, not only the circular shape shown in Fig. 2.

Also, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, each post 12 has a generally square cross-section with the channels extending inwardly from the corners thereof. It would also be possible for the channels 26,28 to extend from vertical sides of the post. However, such an arrangement is not thought to be as strong as shown in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2.

To provide additional strength, it may be necessary to join the posts together by something which is stronger than the combination of the slats and beads. Thus, Fig.

4 shows a second embodiment, which is similar to that of the embodiment of Fig. 1 except that the posts 12 are interconnected by a rigid strip 40. Other components of the embodiment of Fig. 4 are similar to that of the embodiment of Fig. 1, and corresponding reference numerals are used. The strip 40 is shown in Fig. 5 and may be a shaped component of eg. steel which extends between the posts 12. That component has beads 41 at ends thereof, although those beads 41 are integral with the rest of the strip 40, rather than being separate moulded components. Flanges 42 may also be provided on the strip 40 which engage the outer surfaces of the post 12.

Fig. 6 shows the positioning of the strip 40 between a pair of slats 18. Spacer members 43, 44 are provided above and below the strip 40, which spacer members 43, 44 may be the same as the spacer members 20 which separate adjacent slats 18. The strip 40 provides additional strength to the fence.

Although the embodiments of Figs. 4 to 6 shows only one strip 40, a plurality of strips may be provided at spaced apart positions within the panel 10, depending upon the height of the panel 10, if necessary to achieve sufficient strength.

Claims

1. A fence having a panel mounted on a post, the panel having a moulded bead fitted to and extending along at least a part of a side edge thereof, the bead being received in a cavity of the post, with the part of the panel adjacent the bead being received in a channel in the post, the bead being wider than the channel to secure the side edge of the panel to the post.

2. A fence having a panel extending between a pair of posts, the panel having a moulded bead fitted to and extending along at least a part of each side edge thereof, the beads being received in a cavity of a respective one of the posts, with parts of the panel adjacent the beads being received in respective channels, in the posts, the beads being wider than the corresponding channels so as to secure the side edges of the panels in the posts.

3. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is an edging member extending along the upper and/or lower edge of the panel, the edging member being secured to the posts.

4. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each panel comprises a plurality of slats.

5. A fence according to claim 4, wherein there is a spacer between adjacent slats.

6. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, having securing means extending transversely of the or each post generally perpendicular of the plane of the panel.

7. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity and the channel extend along only part of the length of the or each post.

8. A fence substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A fence kit having a panel and a pair of posts, the panel having a moulded bead fitted to and extending along at least a part of each side edge thereof, each post having a cavity therein for receiving the respective beads and a channel for receiving parts of the panel adjacent the respective bead, the beads being wider than the channels.

10. A fence kit having a panel and a pair of posts, the panel having a moulded bead fitted to and extending along at least a part of each side edge thereof, each post having a cavity therein for receiving the respective beads and a channel for receiving parts of the panel adjacent the respective bead, the beads being wider than the channels.

10. A fence having a plurality of spaced apart posts and panels extending between neighbouring pairs of posts, each panel having beads extending along at least part of opposite side edges thereof, beads of neighbouring panels being received in a common cavity of the corresponding post, with the parts of the neighbouring panels adjacent the respective beads being received in respective channels in the corresponding post extending from the common cavity, each bead being wider than the channel receiving the corresponding panel part, to secure each side edge of the panels to the respective posts.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A fence having a panel mounted on a post, the panel having a moulded bead fitted to and extending along at least a part of a side edge thereof, the bead being received in a cavity of the post, with the part of the panel adjacent the bead being received in a channel in the post, the bead being wider than the channel to secure the side edge of the panel to the post.

3. A fence having a plurality of spaced apart posts and panels extending between neighbouring pairs of posts, each panel having moulded beads fitted to and extending along at least part of opposite side edges thereof, beads of neighbouring panels being received in a common cavity of the corresponding post, with the parts of the neighbouring panels adjacent the respective beads being received in respective channels in the corresponding post extending from the common cavity, each bead being wider than the channel receiving the corresponding panel part, to secure each side edge of the panels to the respective posts.

4. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is an edging member extending along the upper and/or lower edge of the panel, the edging member being secured to the posts.

5. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each panel comprises a plurality of slats.

6. A fence according to claim 5, wherein there is a spacer between adjacent slats.

7. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, having securing means extending transversely of the or each post generally perpendicular of the plane of the panel.

8. A fence according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity and the channel extend along only part of the length of the or each post.

9. A fence substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.