GB2314103A

GB2314103A - Relasable support device, e.g. for mesh panel

Info

Publication number: GB2314103A
Application number: GB9709226A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Moncaster
Original assignee: MONCASTER SARAH; WELDED WIRE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: MONCASTER SARAH; WELDED WIRE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-13
Filing date: 1997-05-07
Publication date: 1997-12-17
Also published as: GB9709226D0

Abstract

A device for supporting at least one panel having apertures, e.g. a mesh panel 45, the device comprising a support member 41 having a plurality of protrusions 42 adapted to pass through and extend beyond the apertures in the panel, and retaining means 44 co-operable with the said protrusions releasably to secure the panel to said member. As shown the device may constitute a barrier; the protrusions 42 may be tabs struck from the metal of support 41 and apertured to receive rods 44. Use of angled supports 41 and corner connectors can create a closed wire cage or pallet, which is demountable, e.g. for transport.

Description

Support Device Field of the Invention This invention relates to support devices, and in particular to devices for supporting apertured panels.

Background to the Invention There are many instances where it is necessary to support and/or connect panels. For example, often objects must be retained within a confined space, e.g. animal housing, machine guards, waste paper bins, compost containers, and pallet retention, where it is desirable enclose the pallet to prevent its contents falling therefrom.

In other instances it may be necessary to prevent humans or animals from gaining entry to certain areas of land or buildings. Fences or other barriers formed from panels are frequently used for these purposes.

These panels must be supported, and where more than one panel is required, it may be necessary to connect one panel to another.

Particularly in animal housing, and machine guarding, panels are often connected one to another to form a cage or compound.

Wire mesh or perforated panels are frequently used to form cages and compounds. In many cases the panels are joined together by welding.

Such fixed cages are disadvantageous insofar as they occupy the same amount of space when out of use as they do when in use. This creates a problem when storing or transporting the cages as a fixed cage occupies the same volume when it is empty, as when it is full. Storage space is costly, and therefore it is desirable to use the space as efficiently as possible. Likewise, when transporting cages it would be desirable for the cages to occupy as little space as possible. This is because a fixed cage occupies a volume which is disproportionate to its weight. Hence to move a large number of cages a large vehicle must be used, but not because the cages are heavy, rather that they occupy a great deal of space.

A number of attempts have been made to make collapsible cages.

In one known cage, sections are joined together by bolting one section to another.

In another known cage, sections of wire mesh have their edges bent over, the edge of one section co-operates with the edge of another section, and a rod is inserted to lock the adjoining sections together. This system works reasonably well where two sections are to be joined together. However, where three sections are to be joined together, e.g. at the corner of a box, each edge of a section must be bent. This causes problems where the edges intersect at corners, and makes joining one section to another difficult.

In some situations it is desirable to support an edge of a panel, for example around a doorway, or along a free edge, the purpose being to make the panel more rigid.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a device for supporting panels.

Summary of the Invention The invention provides a device for supporting at least one panel having apertures, the device comprising a support member having a plurality of protrusions adapted to pass through and extend beyond the apertures in a panel, and retaining means co-operable with the said protrusions to releasably secure the panel to the said member.

One aspect of the invention provides a cage comprising a plurality of panels having apertures attached one to another by support members, each support member having a plurality of protrusions adapted to pass through and extend the apertures, and retaining means co-operable with the said protrusions to releasably secure the panels to the said support members. The cage may be provided with a tray removably mounted beneath the floor of the cage.

Preferably, the or each panel comprises a mesh section, and more preferably, the apertures through which the protrusions pass are the spaces in the mesh.

Preferably the mesh sections comprise wire mesh, although any suitably rigid mesh like material may be used, for example perforated or expanded metal or plastics panels.

Preferably, each protrusion is provided with an aperture through which the retaining means may pass to releasably secure a panel to the said support member. More preferably, the retaining means comprises a length of wire or a rod.

Advantageously, the distance between protrusions enables the protrusions to pass through the apertures in the panel. It is desirable that the support member is provided with protrusions which are spaced apart so that there are no protrusions at points where the support member may be in abutment with another support member, for example at the ends thereof.

The protrusions may be in the form of tabs, which advantageously are substantially perpendicular to the support member. In one embodiment of the invention, the tabs are an integral part of the support member, and preferably each tab is formed by bending a portion of the support member so that the bent portion is substantially perpendicular to the said support member.

The support member may be substantially planar, curved, or angled in section, the angled sections having at least two flanges, and may be provided with one or more rows of protrusions. Where more than one row of protrusions is provided on the support member, the support member may also function as a connecting member, one panel being attached to the support member by means of the protrusions on one flange, and another panel being attached to the support member by means of the protrusions on the other flange.

The included angle of a support member which is angled in section is suitably substantially a right angle, and preferably a row of protrusions is provided on each flange of the support member, and more preferably, the protrusions are provided on the inner sides of the flanges.

The ends of the support member may be adapted to co-operate with the ends of other similarly adapted support members. Such adaptation may comprise mitring the flanges of the angled section.

In one embodiment there is provided a fastener to fasten together at least two support members, preferably the ends thereof. The fastener may be in the form of a bracket, and the bracket may be releasably attachable to the support members by securing means such as nuts and bolts. Preferably, the bracket is adapted to be releasably attachable to the insides of the support members. Advantageously, the bracket is adapted to fasten together three support members, and preferably the angle formed between each adjacent support member is substantially a right angle.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fastener into which at least two support members, preferably ends thereof, may be inserted. Preferably, the fastener is provided with slots into which the support member may be inserted, and advantageously, the fastener is provided with apertures through which the retaining means may pass.

Suitably, the retaining means may pass into or through the fastener, and the fastener may co-operate with a supporting member to lock the retaining means in place.

The use of a fastener according to the invention in conjunction with the support member, retaining means, and panel increases the rigidity of the assembled structure.

The support member may be formed from metal, a metal alloy, or plastics. The support member may be formed as plastics moulding.

The retaining means may be locked in place when the panel is secured to the support member. This may be achieved simply by bending the end of the retaining means, or by attaching a locking member such as a cap to the end of the retaining means, which may be achieved by threading the end of the retaining means to which may be attached a nut. Alternatively, the cap may be locked to the retaining means by an adhesive.

The cap at one end of the retaining means may be formed integrally therewith.

The invention provides a device for supporting apertured panels which enables such panels and other necessary components to be transported in flat easy to manage bundles, which can then be assembled in to cages, compounds, guards, barriers, fences etc., quickly and with no skilled labour.

The invention also provides a simple means of adding additional features to a panel, for example a door can be hung from a support member according to the invention.

The invention further provides cages which are simple to assemble and which can be transported easily.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention; Figure 1 is a view of a corner of a cage according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of a support member of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the support member shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the support member shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a plan view of a support member used to connect together the vertical edges of adjacent mesh sections in a vertical plane; Figure 6 is a front elevation of the support member shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side elevation of a support member used to connect together the horizontal edges of adjacent mesh sections in a horizontal plane; Figure 8 is a front elevation of the support member shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic representation showing the support members shown in Figures 5 to 8 connecting vertically and horizontally spaced apart mesh sections; Figure 10 shows a front elevation of a barrier comprising support devices according to the invention; Figure 11 shows a side elevation of the barrier shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a bracket; Figure 13 is a schematic representation of support members according to one aspect of the invention; Figure 14 shows front, side and plan views of one of the support members shown in Figure 13; and Figure 15 is an oblique projection of a cage according to one aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9 support members also act as connecting members.

In Figure 1, a corner of a cage 10 comprising wire mesh sections 3 is shown. The wire mesh sections 3 are joined together by support members 1, which are angled in section and further described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

As shown in Figure 1, wire mesh sections comprise wires 6 and 7 joined at their intersections and forming spaces 5. To assemble the cage 10, wire mesh sections 3 are brought into abutment with the inner surfaces of support member 1 so that tabs 2 pass through the spaces 5 in the mesh. Retaining means in the form of wires 4 are then inserted through apertures 8 in the tabs 2. To disassemble cage 10, wires 4 are simply withdrawn from tabs 4.

Figure 1 shows that apertures 8 are of greater diameter than wires 4. This facilitates simple assembly of the structure.

Tabs 2 are not located on the support members 1 at points where other connecting members (see Figures 2 to 8) may intersect.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the connecting member 1 comprises an angled profile which is preferably made from a metal or metal alloy.

Each of the inner faces of the angled profile is provided with a row of tabs 2. The tabs 2 are formed by stamping out squares of material so that the tab is joined to the angled profile along one side of the square. Each tab is provided with an aperture 8 through which a wire 4 may be passed.

The included angle of the support member 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is substantially a right angle. This is suitable for forming an enclosure which is essentially in the shape of a cube. However, in may be desirable to make an enclosure having a different shape, e.g. hexagonal, or octagonal. By providing support members whose included angles correspond to the included angles of the desired shape, e.g. 60 degrees for a hexagon, any desired shape of enclosure can be made.

Figures 5 and 6 show a connecting member 11 comprising a flat profile of metal or metal alloy having spaced apart tabs 13, each tab having an aperture 14. This type of connecting member is used where one side of the cage is wider than one wire mesh section. Adjacent wire mesh sections can be joined together by the connecting member 11 which is substantially flat in profile, and has two rows of tabs spaced apart and substantially parallel.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a connecting member 20 is shown comprising a flat profile 21 of metal or metal alloy having spaced apart tabs 22, each tab having an aperture 23. This type of connecting member is used where one side of the cage is taller than one wire mesh section.

Adjacent wire mesh sections can be joined together by the connecting member 20 which is substantially flat in profile, and has two rows of tabs spaced apart and substantially parallel.

Figure 9 illustrates an assembly 30 comprising four wire mesh sections 34 which are connected together by connecting members 33, 35 comprising tabs 37. Tabs 31, 37 are apertured, and when the wire mesh sections have been placed upon the connecting members 33, 35, wires 32, 35 are passed therethrough so as to lock the wire mesh sections 34 in position. Connecting member 33 underlies connecting member 35, and the wires 36 overlie wires 32, thereby preventing the two connecting members 33, 35 from being separated. The extreme ends of connecting members 33, 35 are not shown, but to make a relatively rigid assembly, angled profiles as shown in Figures 2 to 4 would be attached around the edge of the assembly. This increases the rigidity of the structure.

Figures 10 and 11 show a barrier 40 comprising a wire mesh panel 45 attached to support members, the said support members comprising a pair of uprights 41 mounted on base plates 43. Tabs 42 extend from the uprights 41 at right angles thereto. The horizontally extending wires of the wire mesh panel 45 rest upon the upper surfaces of tabs 42. The wire mesh panel 45 is secured in place by the insertion of locking wires 44 through apertures in the tabs 42 in front of the panel.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 14, support members 54 are provided with a plurality of tabs 55, each being provided with an aperture 57 through which a retaining means in the form of a wire or a rod may be passed to secure a panel as shown in Figures 1, 9 and 10. One end of each support member 54 is mitred so that three support members 54 may be brought together at a corner as shown in Figure 13. Tabs 55 are formed by punching, to leave an aperture 56.

A pair of apertures 58 is provided on each flange of each support member 54. This enables the three support members 54 shown in Figure 13 to be secured together by means of fastener 50 which is in the form of a bracket. The fastener is placed on the inside of the support members 54 when assembled as shown in Figure 13 so that apertures 52 are aligned with apertures 58. Bolts are passed through the aligned apertures and then secured with nuts to provide a rigid structure. Each face 51 of the bracket 50 is provided with a rectangular shaped aperture 53 in which the end of a retaining wire or rod may locate.

Figure 15 shows a cage 62 comprising a plurality of support members 54 releasably attached together by brackets 50. For the sake of clarity, only one bracket 50 is shown, although a bracket is provided at each corner of the cage. The bracket is shown in detail in Figure 12. A segment 59 of a wire mesh panel is shown attached to one of the support members 54. Each side of the cage would be provided with a wire mesh panel, and one or more of the panels may be provided with a door. The lower support members 54 are attached, preferably by bolts, to channel members 60 into which a tray 61 may slide. This is particularly useful when the cage is used to house animals, since it allows litter to be removed without needing to gain access to the cage.

Support members 54 are shown in detail in Figure 14.

As can be seen from the figures, the support member of the invention can simply support, or in addition it can function as a connecting member.

Claims

1) A device for supporting at least one panel having apertures, the device comprising a support member having a plurality of protrusions adapted to pass through and extend beyond the apertures in a panel, and retaining means co-operable with the said protrusions to releasably secure the panel to the said member.

2) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the or each panel comprises a mesh section.

3) A device according to Claim 2, wherein the apertures through which the protrusions pass are the spaces in the mesh.

4) A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the mesh sections comprise wire mesh or perforated or expanded metal or plastics panels.

5) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein each protrusion is provided with an aperture through which the retaining means passes to releasably secure a panel to the said support member.

6) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises a length of wire or a rod.

7) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusions are in the form of tabs.

8) A device according to Claim 7, wherein the tabs are an integral part of the support member.

9) A device according to Claim 8, wherein each tab is formed by bending a portion of the support member so that the bent portion is substantially perpendicular to the said support member.

10) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member is substantially planar, curved, or angled in section, the angled sections comprising at least two flanges.

11) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein each support member is provided with one or more rows of protrusions.

12) A device according to Claim 11, wherein the support member is provided with more than one row of protrusions, so that the support member may also function as a connecting member, one panel being attached to the support member by means of the protrusions on one flange, and another panel being attached to the support member by means of the protrusions on the other flange.

13) A device according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 or 12 when dependent on Claim 10, wherein the included angle between flanges of a support member which is angled in section is suitably substantially a right angle.

14) A device according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein a row of protrusions is provided on each flange of the support member.

15) A device according to Claim 15, wherein the protrusions are provided on the inner sides of the flanges.

16) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the ends of the support member are adapted to co-operate with the ends of other similarly adapted support members.

17) A device according to Claim 16, wherein adaptation comprises mitring the flanges of the angled section.

18) A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a fastener to fasten together at least two support members.

19) A device according to Claim 18, wherein the fastener is in the form of a bracket.

20) A device according to Claim 19, wherein the bracket is releasably attachable to the support members by securing means.

21) A device according to Claim 18 or 20, wherein the fastener is adapted to be releasably attachable to the insides of the support members.

22) A device according to any of Claims 19 to 21, wherein the bracket is adapted to fasten together three support members.

23) A device according to Claim 18, wherein the ends of the support members are inserted into the fastener.

24) A device according to Claim 23, wherein the fastener is provided with slots into which the support members are inserted.

25) A device according to Claim 23 or 24, wherein the fastener is provided with apertures through which the retaining means may pass.

26) A device according to any of Claims 18 to 25, wherein the retaining means pass into or through the fastener, and the fastener cooperate with a supporting member to lock the retaining means in place.

27) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member is formed as a plastics moulding.

28) A a cage comprising a plurality of panels having apertures attached one to another by support members according to any of Claim 1 to 27.

29) A cage according to Claim 27, wherein the cage is provided with a tray removably mounted beneath the floor of the cage.

30) A support device substantially as shown in, or described with reference to, Figures 1 to 14.

31) A cage substantially as shown in, or described with reference to, Figure 15.