GB2304746A - Fencing panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A fencing panel (10) comprises a wooden frame covered by horizontal overlapping strips (20), the lowermost strip extending below the edge of the frame.

Description

Fencing Panel The present invention relates to fencing panels. Fencing panels for domestic purposes are of two main types and each type comprises a wooden framework to which is attached either a woven or lapped lengths of thin strips of wood. These two types are commonly known as woven or lapped panels.

The present invention has particular relevance to the lapped type of domestic fence panel.

It is well known that these panels are provided in a standard width of approximately 6 feet and heights of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 feet so that a customer has a choice of height of fence.

However this arrangement means that retailers of fence panels have to maintain a stock of five different sizes of fence panel. Also whilst the smaller sizes for example, 2 and 3 feet high are relatively easy to manage the larger sizes are more difficult to handle and cannot usually be accommodated within customer's vehicles. Either the larger size panels have to be transported on a roof rack of a customer's vehicle or there has to be a special delivery arranged by the retailer.

Also the fencing panels are relatively weak and considerable damage tends to be incurred during delivery to and stock holding by the retailer. Also damage is likely to be incurred in transit from the retailer to the customer's premises.

The present invention has for an object to provide a fencing panel in which only two sizes of panel need to be provided in order to provide a range of sizes of panel from two feet to six feet high in one foot increments.

By means of the provision of panels in only two sizes, for example, 2 feet high and 3 feet high the number of sizes of panels which have to be stocked by a retailer is considerably reduced and also the panels are easily manoeuvrable and transportable by a customer, and there is less risk of damage.

Accordingly the present invention provides a fencing panel comprising a wooden frame having four sides to which is attached a covering comprises overlapping strips of material in which one of the strips adjacent a side of the panel extends beyond the edge of the panel.

The said edgemost strip can be spaced from the lowermost member of the frame by any appropriate means.

For example, the lowermost member of the frame can be provided with projections as can the edgemost covering strip.

Preferably the panels are approximately six feet wide and two and three feet high.

Clearly different widths and heights can be provided as required, and the measurements can be in metric or Imperial units.

It will be appreciated that when the panels are assembled in the normal manner that is between two fence posts of any appropriate construction, the panels are the same width and when one panel is placed upon the other the edgemost strip of material on the upper panel extends over the uppermost strip of material on the lower panel thereby covering the joint between the two panels and giving the appearance of a single panel of a width of approximately six feet and a height of either four feet by means of two 2 feet high panels, 5 feet by means of one 3 foot panel and one 2 ft panel or 6 feet by means of two 3 foot high panels.

The provision of a 2 foot high or a 3 foot high fence is obtained by means of a single 2 foot high or 3 foot high panel as will be obvious.

The present invention will be now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a rear elevation of one form of fencing panel according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front elevation of the fencing panel as shown in Fig 1; Figure 3 shows a partial section through two fencing panels according to the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a detail of the fencing panel shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs 1 and 2 there is shown a fencing panel (10) comprising a wooden frame (12) comprising an upper and lower horizontal batten (14) and (16) respectively and four vertical battens (18).

The panel is covered by horizontal laths or strips of thin wood which are overlapped, this type of panel construction being known as a lapped panel.

The lowermost lath (20) which is secured to the lower batten (16) and all of the upright battens (18) projects beyond the edge of the lower batten (16) as is shown in Fig 1 and in Figs 3 and 4 more clearly.

In order to assemble for example a fence which is approximately 6 feet wide and 5 feet high panels which are 3 feet high and 2 feet high according to the present invention are superimposed upon one another as shown in Figs 2 and 3 and are attached to fence posts (22) which are spaced apart to give an approximate gap of 6 feet. It will be appreciated that when the bottom batten (16) of the upper panel of the assembly is placed upon the upper batten (14) of the lower panel the lath (20) which is secured to the bottom batten (16) of the upper panel will overlap the uppermost lath (20) of the lower panel thereby concealing the joint between the two panels.

The two panels can then be secured to the fence posts (22) in the normal way and the battens (16) and (14) of the two panels can also be secured together for example by nailing.

It will be appreciated that by the provision of only two sizes of panel that is 2 feet high and 3 feet high both being 6 feet wide a combination of these two panels will give a fence height of 4 feet, 5 feet or 6 feet whilst fences which are only 2 or 3 feet high are obtained by use of single panels of these heights.

By this means a retailer only need stock two sizes of panel and transportation both by the retailer and the customer is rendered easier and the panels are less liable to breakage.

The lath which extends beyond the edge of the panel can extend beyond the edge by any appropriate amount and the spacing means to ensure that the lowermost lath will fit snugly with the uppermost lath of the lower panel can take any suitable form.

For example the batten and/or both can be formed with a projection or projections or a separate strip of wood can be placed between the lowermost lath and the lower batten and secured in place.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A fencing panel comprising a wooden frame having four sides to which is attached a covering comprising overlapping strips of material in which one of the strips adjacent to side of the panel extends beyond the edge of the panel.

2. A fencing panel as claimed in claim 1 in which the edgemost strip is spaced from the lowermost member of the frame by spacing means.

3. A fencing panel as claimed in claim 2 in which the lowermost member of the frame is provided with projections.

4. A fencing panel as claimed in claim 2 in which the edgemost covering strip is provided with projections.

5. A fencing panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is 6 feet wide and either 2 or 3 feet high.

6. A fencing panel constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. An assembly of two or more fencing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. An assembly of fencing panels substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.