GB2313388A - Fencing - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to reduce materials, and bulk for transportation and storage, fencing is constructed using frameless in-fill panels (1) which comprise boards, sheets, slats, strips and/or strands and are essentially weak in strength, e.g. by being pliant, thin or brittle. The in-fill panels (1) are fitted between and attached to spaced posts (2, 3) which have recesses (8) to receive edges of the in-fill panels, the posts thereby both supporting and strengthening the in-fill panels for effective use. In one embodiment the in-fill panels comprise boards (6) and slats (7) of wood of comparable thickness to those of conventional panels which have integral peripheral strengthening frames. Preferably the recesses (8) are grooves in the posts to receive the edges of the in-fill panels as a close push or sliding fit. Further strengthening is provided by adding rails (4, 5) which extend between and are secured to the posts and to which the in-fill panels are also attached. The rails may have recesses to receive edges of the in-fill panels.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO FENCING This invention relates to fencing constructed from panels.

Fences are commonly constructed from a supporting framework constructed on site to which boards, slats or panels are secured or from pre-constructed panels which are secured between supporting posts.

Conventionally, pre-constructed panels have been made up of a combination of frame members which support, and add strength to, an infill of boards andlor slats in various arrangements. Usually the frame members are formed into a closed peripheral frame around one or both faces of the panels. There may also be one or more intermediate battens extending between opposite sides of the peripheral frame to strengthen the central regions of the panels. The in-fill may be a closed structure, for example of interwoven, butted or lapped boards, or an open structure, for example of slats or other components in a lattice or barred arrangement.

The pre-constructed panels are inherently substantially rigid, self-supporting structures which have a substantial part of their strength afforded by their peripheral frames.

Pre-constructed panels have been made without a peripheral frame.

In such panels compensation for the absence of the peripheral frame has been provided by using considerably thicker boards or slats, which are essentially rigid, in the manufacture of the panels so that the panels have substantial inherent strength and rigidity.

An appreciable proportion of the cost of manufacturing conventional pre-constructed panels is represented by the material, generally wood, used for them. However, because of tight restraints on retail prices set by retailers for the panels, and intense competition in the industry, there is little scope for profit for manufacturers on the cost of manufacturing and supplying the panels to the retail outlets. Indeed manufacturers often have to supply the most popular sizes of panels without a profit and rely instead on panels of other sizes and the supply of posts and other accessories to make their business commercially viable.

This is not a satisfactory situation. The present invention is aimed at enabling fencing to be made and supplied more cheaply.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a method of constructing fencing is provided in which frameless in-fill panels are used which comprise boards, sheets, slats, strips and/or strands and are essentially weak in strength, the method including the steps of setting discrete posts in positions spaced to receive the in;fill panels between the posts, the posts having recesses to receive edges of the in-fill panels, introducing the in-fill panels between the posts, engaging their edges in the recesses of the posts and attaching the in-fill panels to the posts such that they are supported and strengthened by the posts for effective use.

The in-fill panels may be weak in strength by being pliant, thin or brittle so that they have insufficient strength themselves generally to be able to meet satisfactorily the usual functional requirements of fencing.

The in-fill panels may, for example, comprise boards and/or slats of wood such as normally used as an in-fill in the construction of conventional peripherally framed fencing panels, and which may be of comparable thicknesses to those used in the construction of pre-constructed panels which have peripheral frames. Typically they may be of a thickness in the range of 4 - 6mm.

Other materials of which the in-fill panels may be made may include, for example, plastics, metal, glass, bamboo, reed or willow.

Depending on the materials used, the elements of the in-fill panels may be pre-assembled, and may be interconnected, in the in-fill panels or they may possibly be assembled as their components as are introduced between and attached to the posts.

The absence of a frame on the in-fill panels reduces the material used in the manufacture of the in-fill panels. Furthermore, the absence of the frames reduces the bulk of the in-fill panels so that they take up less space for transportation and storage than conventional pre-constructed framed panels. More of the in-fill panels may be transported, therefore, in a load to retailers and sites for use than has been possible with the conventional framed panels, so that cost savings can be made on the supplying of in-fill panels to customers.

The in-fill panels may be made as closed or open structures. A closed structure may, for example, be interwoven, butted or lapped boards which may or may not have slats locating the boards in the secured relationship. Strips of willow or bamboo, for example, may similarly be suitably arranged to present a closed structure. An open structure may be of a fixed form or it may be constructed to enable it to be collapsed into a compressed space-saving form for transporting and storage, and then opened out into its open form for use.

The posts may take various forms to provide the recesses to receive the edges of the in-fill panels. Posts of L or T shape may be used, for example, for the edges of the panels to be received into the recesses formed in the angles of those shapes. Preferably the posts have recesses in the form of grooves into which the edges of the in-fill panels are received, desirably as a close push or sliding fit. Such posts may, for example, be of H or U section. Other sections may be provided which present recesses to enable adjacent in-fill panels to be attached to a post at right angles, or other angles, to one another.

Unitary posts may be used, formed to required shapes, if necessary. When, as preferred, the posts have grooves, the grooves may be relatively narrow, in accordance with the thinness of the materials from which the in-fill panels are constructed. If the posts are of wood, therefore, little of the material may be lost in cutting out the grooves and the posts retain much of their uncut form and strength. As an alternative, at least some of the posts may be composite, having component parts assembled together and secured in the required integral shapes of the posts to provide the recess.

Posts of wood, concrete, plastics and other suitable materials, or combinations of materials, may be used. The in-fill panels may be secured to the posts by suitable fastening means. Nails or staples may conveniently be used when the in-fill panels and posts are of wood.

In a preferred embodiment the in-fill panels and posts are made of wood. The wood may be treated with a preservative. In the case of the in-fill panels being made of boards and/or slats the preservative may be applied to the boards and/or slats either before or after they are assembled into the in-fill panels.

Further strengthening for the in-fill panels may be provided by introducing rails between and attaching them to the posts and retaining the in-fill panels to the rails. Preferably rails are positioned to extend along the opposite transverse edges of each in-fill panel extending between supporting posts. In some fencing constructions it may be possible to have a rail at just one transverse edge of an in-fill panel. The rails may be plain for the edges of the in-fill panels to be secured to them in an overlapping relationship. They may, however, also have recesses to receive the edges. They may, for example, be of L or T shape to provide the recesses. It is preferred, however, that the rails too are formed with grooves to receive the edges of the in-fill panels, conveniently as a close push or sliding fit. The rails may be unitary or at least some of them may be composite. They may be shaped at their ends to interengage with the recesses of the posts between which they extend. For example, if the posts have grooves to receive the in-fill panels the rails may have tongues or tenons to engage in those grooves. The ends of the rails may be secured to the posts, and the rails may be secured to the in-fill panels, by suitable fastening means, for example nails or staples, or perhaps by mastic or adhesive type fixative.

A form of rail may be provided which is adapted to have the transverse edges of two adjacent in-fill panels connected to it. Thus it may be connected between two in-fill panels supported one above the other between supporting posts. The in-fill panels may be of similar or different forms. For example, one of the in-fill panels between which a rail is connected may be of a closed structure and the other may be of an open structure.

Rails of different depths may be used. For example a deeper rail may be provided to be fitted to in-fill panels along the bottom of fencing, and a shallower rail may be provided to be fitted to in-fill panels along the top of fencing or between adjacent in-fill panels. Rails of similar depths may be used, if desired.

Rails made of wood may be treated with preservative.

If desired, the in-fill panels may have parts treated with preservatives of different colours or shades of colours for decorative effect. The posts and/or rails may similarly be treated with different colours or shades of preservatives.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for constructing fencing by the method according to the first aspect of the invention herein set forth, comprising at least one frameless in-fill panel which comprises boards, sheets, slats, strips and/or strands and is essentially weak in strength, and at least two discrete posts having recesses to receive edges of the in-fill panel and to which the in-fill panel is attachable to be supported and strengthened thereby for effective use.

The kit may also include one or more rails for connection to the in-fill panel or panels and to the posts.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of fencing constructed in accordance with the method of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of an in-fill panel used in the fencing; Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of end and intermediate posts used in the fencing; Figure 5 is a plan view of another form of intermediate post; Figures 6 and 7 are respectively an end view and plan view of a top rail; Figure 8 is an end view of a bottom rail; Figure 9 is an end view of an intermediate rail that may be used in the fencing, and Figure 10 is an end view of a further form of post.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, fencing is shown which comprises frameless in-fill panels 1 supported by posts 2, 3 and top and bottom rails, 4 and 5 respectively, connected to the in-fill panels and posts. The in-fill panels, posts and rails are all made of wood treated with a suitable preservative.

In this embodiment the in-fill panels used for constructing the fencing are each of an interwoven construction. They may be of a lapped or butted construction. Each in-fill panel comprises a series of boards 6, Figure 2, woven horizontally in and out of, and pinned to, spaced vertical slats 7, at the opposite ends of, and in intermediate positions along, the in-fill panel. The construction is comparable with that of the in-fill of conventional interwoven panels which have closed peripheral frames. The boards 6 are pliant and of similar thickness to those used in such panels, being of a thickness of the order of 4 - 6 mm.

Typically the in-fill panels 1 are 180.00 cm wide and 90cm, 120.00cm, 150.00cm or 180.00cm high. Made in those sizes the in-fill panels 1 are relatively flimsy and weak and are barely self-supporting because of the thinness and pliancy of the boards 5 and slats 7.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the boards 6 of the in-fill panels are woven to either side of the slats 7 at the ends of the in-fill panels. In a modified form of the interwoven in-fill panels the boards, rather than being woven at their ends, are all presented instead to one side of the slats at the ends of the in-fill panels. The in-fill panels then only have the thickness of a board and a slat at their ends.

The posts 2, 3 are of square section formed with grooves 8, Figures 3 and 4, which are just wide enough to receive, as a close push fit, the end, upright, edges of the in-fill panels 1. Typically each groove 8 is 17mm wide and 22mm deep to receive the combined thicknesses of two interwoven boards 6 and a vertical slat 7 at the end edge of the in-fill panel. A narrower groove, typically 12mm wide, may be provided if the in-fill panels are of the modified form described above.

End posts 2 used at the ends of the fencing have just one groove 8 extending centrally along one side, as shown in Figure 3, whilst intermediate posts 3 used between adjacent in-fill panels have two grooves 8 extending centrally along two opposite sides, as shown in Figure 4, so that they are of a generally H-shaped cross-section.

Instead of being formed with grooves, the intermediate posts may be of a T-shaped section, as shown in Figure 5, so as to define two recesses 9 in the angle between the cross-piece 10 and the leg 11 of the T.

The recesses 9 receive the upright end edges of two adjacent in-fill panels, leaving the end edges exposed at one side of the fencing.

Fitted along the top edge of each in-fill panel is a top rail 4, Figure 6, of similar length to the in-fill panel. Each top rail, which is wider than the in-fill panels but not as wide as the thickness of the posts, has a bevelled top 12 and has a groove 13 formed centrally along its underside. The groove 13 is of similar size to the grooves 8 of the posts so as to receive as a close push fit the top edge of the respective in-fill panel. At its two ends the top rail 4 is formed with central tenons 14, Figure 7, which mate with the grooves 8 of the posts at the opposite ends of the in-fill panel, the tenons being of complementary width to the grooves. The top rail 4 is secured by nails to the in-fill panel.

Along the bottom edge of each in-fill panel is a bottom rail 5 which is also of similar length to the in-fill panel. As shown in Figure 8, the bottom rail is considerably deeper than its width. The width is greater than the thickness of the in-fill panel but less than the thickness of the top rails. Formed centrally in the top edge of the bottom rail is a groove 15, again of similar width to the grooves 8 of the posts, to receive as a close push fit the bottom edge of the in-fill panel. The depth of the groove 15 is typically 22mm. This bottom rail 5 is also formed with central tenons 16 at its opposite ends of complementary width to, so as to mate with, the grooves 8 of the posts at the opposite end of the in-fill panel.

The rail is secured by nails to the in-fill panel. Bottom rails of a lesser depth may be provided. The top and bottom rails may be made of wood of similar cross-sectional dimensions.

If it is intended to mount an in-fill panel on top of a panel between, and supported by, the posts supporting the latter, an intermediate rail 17 may be used. For this arrangement the posts would be of a height to take the combined heights of the in-fill panels, bottom and top rails and the extra intermediate rail. The intermediate rail 17 has central grooves 18 in bottom and top faces to receive respectively the top edge of the lower in-fill panel and the bottom edge of the upper in-fill panel. The grooves 18 are of similar width to the grooves 8 of the posts and are typically 22mm deep. This rail also has tenons 19 at its ends for engagement in the grooves 8 of the posts. The upper in-fill panel may be of similar form to the lower in-fill panel, or the in-fill panels may be of differing forms. For example, whilst the lower in-fill panel may be of closed form, interwoven, as described, or lapped, the upper in-fill panel may be of an open form, such as a trellis structure.

In one manner of constructing the fencing the required fence line is marked out and a first one of the posts, usually an end post 2, is set firmly and vertically into the ground at an appropriate position, and to give the desired height above ground level. Next a distance is measured long the fence line from that fixed post to where the next post, say an intermediate post 3, needs to be set into the ground. The distance between the two posts corresponds to the length of an in-fill panel to be fitted between them, less the depths of the grooves 8 in the posts into which the in-fill panel is to be received. The second post is loosely set vertically into the ground at the measured position. Having done that, an in-fill panel with its associated bottom and top rails attached and secured to it, is located in the groove of the fixed post and fitted up to the loosely set post to engage in the groove of that post. The position of the second post can then be adjusted as necessary for good engagement of the in-fill panel and the tenons of the bottom and top rails in its groove. The bottom rail is set at the desired height, at or above ground level. The in-fill panel 1 is secured by nails driven into the posts through the end edges of the in-fill panel in the posts and the bottom and top rails are secured by nails driven into the posts and through their respective tenons.

Finally the second post is firmly set in the adjusted position.

Thus the in-fill panel is firmly located and made secure along all of its four sides. In consequence the in-fill panel is stiffened to become substantially rigid and considerably strengthened.

If a second in-fill panel is to be secured above the fitted in-fill panel the top rail may be replaced by an intermediate rail 17, and the top rail would be secured over the top of the second in-fill panel.

For further in-fill panels to be secured along the fence line posts are successively set into the ground at the required measured positions to receive the in-fill panels and accompanying rails. The in-fill panels and rails are fitted to the posts and secured by nails in the manner described.

An end post 2 may be used at the end of the fencing.

Protective caps 20 of wood are fixed by nails on the tops of the posts, in the usual way.

Where the fencing has corners, two end posts 2 can be set into the ground side-by-side with their grooves 8 directed at right angles to one another.

Alternatively, a three-way form of post 21, as shown in Figure 10, may be used at the corners. This post is also of square section. It has grooves 8 formed centrally in three sides of similar width and depth to the grooves in the end and intermediate posts described. It will be understood that this form of post may be used to connect in-fill panels at right angles to one another and also in line.

Instead of having separate forms of end and intermediate posts, just the one form, that of the intermediate posts 3 or three-way. posts 21, may be used throughout the length of the fencing.

It will be appreciated that for fencing to be erected on sloping ground the in-fill panels can be stepped as necessary between the posts, the heights of the posts being suited to the stepping of the in-fill panels.

Fencing constructed by the method in accordance with the present invention can show a significant saving in cost over conventional fencing constructed from framed panels. Furthermore, tests have indicated that the in-fill panels of the constructed fencing, firmly located and secured to the posts and rails, can be appreciably stronger than conventional framed panels.

It would be possible to replace existing, conventional, framed panels of a fence by frameless in-fill panels as now provided, and to use the existing posts of the fence. For example, upright supports may be secured, as by nails, to the posts, the supports having grooves to receive the end edges of the in-fill panels and tenons of the bottom, top and/or intermediate rails. The upright supports may be made of wood of comparable cross-sectional size to the top or other rails. Thus existing fencing can be readily converted to fencing constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (30)

1. A method of constructing fencing in which frameless in-fill panels are used which comprise boards, sheets1 slats, strips and/or strands and are essentially weak in strength, the method including the steps of setting discrete posts in positions spaced to receive the in-fill panels between the posts, the posts having recesses to receive edges of the in-fill on panels, introducing the in-fill panels between the posts, engaging their edges in the recesses of the posts and attaching the in-fill panels to the posts such that they are supported and strengthened by the posts for effective use.

2. A method according to Claim 1 in which the in-fill panels comprise boards and/or slats of wood.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the in-fill panels are pre-assembled before attachment to the discrete posts.

4. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the in-fill panels are assembled as their components are introduced between and attached to the posts.

5. A method according to any preceding claim in which the in-fill panels are made as closed structures.

6. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the in-fill panels are made as open structures.

7. A method according to Claim 6 in which the open structures of the in-fill panels are collapsible into a compressed form for transporting and storage prior to attachment to the posts.

8. A method according to any preceding claim in which the recesses are grooves formed in the posts.

9. A method according to Claim 8 in which the posts include at least one post having grooves in opposed surfaces for in-fill panels to be attached in alignment at opposite sides of the post.

10. A method according to Claim 8 of Claim 9 in which the posts include at least one post having grooves facing at angles to one another for in-fill panels to be attached to the post at angles to one another.

11. A method according to any preceding claim in which each post is unitary.

12. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 10 in which at least some of the posts are composite, having component parts assembled together and secured in the required integral shapes of the posts.

13. A method according to any preceding claim in which the in-fill panels are made of wood and treated with a preservative.

14. A method according to Claim 13 in which the in-fill panels have parts treated with preservatives of different colours or shades of colours for decorative effect.

15. A method according to any preceding claim in which rails are introduced between and attached to the posts and the in-fill panels are retained to the rails to be strengthened further by the rails.

16. A method according to Claim 15 in which the rails are positioned to extend along opposite transverse edges of each in-fill panel.

17. A method according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 in which the rails have recesses in which the transverse edges of the in-fill panels are received.

18. A method according to Claim 17 in which the recesses are grooves.

19. A method according to any of Claims 15 to 18 in which the rails are unitary.

20. A method according to any of Claims 15 to 18 in which at least some of the rails are composite.

21. A method according to any of Claims 15 to 20 in which the rails are shaped at their ends to interengage with the recesses of the posts to which they are attached.

22. A method according to Claim 21 as dependent from Claim 8 in which the ends of the rails are formed as tongues or tenons which are engaged in the grooves of the posts.

23. A method according to any of Claims 15 to 22 in which at least one of the rails has the transverse edges of two adjacent in-fill panels retained to it.

24. A method according to Claim 23 in which the two adjacent in-fill panels are supported one above the other between the posts to which they are attached, the said one rail being disposed between the two in-fill panels and attached to the respective posts.

25. A method according to any of Claims 15 to 24 in which rails are fitted to the in-fill panels along the top of the fencing of a shallower depth than rails to be fitted to the in-fill panels along the bottom of the fencing.

26. A method according to any of Claims 15 to 25 in which the rails are made of wood and treated with preservative

27. A kit of parts for constructing fencing by the method according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one frameless in-fill panel which comprises boards, sheets, strips andlor strands and is essentially weak in strength, and at least two discrete posts having recesses to receive edges of the in-fill panel and to which the in-fill panel is attachable to be supported and strengthened thereby for effective use.

28. A kit of parts according to Claim 28 which also include one or more rails for connection to the in-fill panel and posts.

29. A method of constructing fencing substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. A kit of parts for constructing fencing substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.