GB2314355A

GB2314355A - Fencing system

Info

Publication number: GB2314355A
Application number: GB9711570A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neelesh Uppal
Original assignee: ALUMINIUM STRUCTURE Pte Ltd
Current assignee: ALUMINIUM STRUCTURE Pte Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-22
Filing date: 1997-06-04
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Also published as: GB9711570D0; SG75798A1; AU2616997A

Abstract

A fencing system comprising an elongate fence post 2,3 having at least one channel 13 extending along the fence post; and at least one fixing means 14 engagable within the channel, the fixing means and the channel having cooperating means to secure the fixing means in the channel, the fixing means further having (a) a fence receiving portion for enclosing a part of fencing to secure the fencing between the fence post and the fixing means; (b) a tension wire securing means or (c) an anchoring means for an intermediate runner.

Description

"A fencing system" THIS INVENTION relates to a fencing system which is quickly and easily erected using a minimum of tools and which is capable of being erected around corners or bends.

Existing fencing systens comprise a plurality of vertical fence posts which are held in the ground by being embedded in a concrete footing. Tension wires are run between fence posts and support a length of chain link fencing. The respective elements of the fencing system are usually fastened together by means of nuts and bolts.

Typically the fence posts and other elements of the fencing system are manufactured using mild steel which is perceived to be of the requisite strength.

Fencing systems should be able easily to change direction by going around corners or bends. However, this is difficult to achieve with existing fencing systems which use either a specifically designed fence post incorporating the bend or corner or a plate cf L-shaped cross section or the like which must be Ce'ded onto the basic fence post.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fencing system which is quickly and easily erected using a minimum of tools and which is capable of being erected around corners or bends.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a fencing system comprising: an elongate fence post having at least one channel extending along the fence post; and at least one fixing means engagable within the channel, the fixing means and the channel having cooperating means to secure the fixing means in the channel, the fixing means further having a fence receiving portion for enclosing a part of fencing to secure the fencing between the fence post and the fixing means.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a fencing system including at least one tension wire to maintain the tension in a length of fencing, which fencing system comprises: an elongate fence post having at least one channel extending along the fence post; and at least one tension wire securing means engagable within the channel, the tension wire securing means and the channel having co-operating means to secure the tension wire securing means in the channel and the tension wire securing means having a projection adapted to carry a tensioning means to tension a tension wire of the fencing.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a fencing system including an intermediate runner to strengthen the structure of the fencing, which fencing system comprises: an elongate fence post having at least one channel extending along the fence post; and at least an intermediate runner anchor means engagable within the channel, the anchor means and the channel having cooperating means to secure the anchor means in the channel and the anchor means having means to engage one end of an intermediate runner, the other end of the intermediate runner being engagable with a further anchor means engagable within the channel of an adjacent fence post.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary section of the fencing embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a fence post of the fencing system of Figure 1 embedded in a concrete footing, part of the fence post being shown in phantom; Figure 3 is a detail of part of an end fence post of the fencing system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view of the fence post of Figure 3 along section C-C of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of a flat block for use with and shown located in the end fence post of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a detail of part of an intermediate fence post of the fencing system of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a vie'.4 of the fence post of Figure 6 along section B-B of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a detailed view of a fencing clip for attachment to the fence post shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a top view of an intermediate runner clip for use with the fence posts of Figures 4, 7 and 14; Figure 10 is a side view of an intermediate runner insert for attachment to an intermediate runner and to the intermediate runner clip of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a section of an intermediate runner; Figure 12 is a section of an extension arm for use with the fence posts of Figures 4 and 7; Figure 13 is a side view of part of a fence post fitted with the extension arm of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a section of another fence post for use with the fencing system embodying the present invention; Figure 15 is a section through a cap for the fence post of Figure 14; and Figure 16 is a section showing the runner of Figure 15 attached to a cover; Figure 17 is a section through another cover for attachment to the runner of Figure 15; Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of a further exemplary section of the fencing embodying the present invention; Figure 19 is a side view of the barrier system of Figure 18, the fence posts being mounted in bases fixed to a concrete foundation; Figure 20 is a section through one of the bases of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a view from above of the base of Figure 20; Figure 22 is a detailed view of a hinge clip for attachment to the fence post shown in Figure 7; Figure 23 is a view from above of two fence posts fitted with two hinge clips, one of the fence posts being fitted with a gate, the gate being shown in a closed position; and Figure 24 is a view from above of two fence posts fitted with two hinge clips, one of the fence posts being fitted with a gate, the gate being shown in an open position.

Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary section of fencing 1 embodying the present invention is shown. The fencing 1 comprises a plurality of vertical fence posts 2,3 held in the ground. All the fence posts 2,3 are identical.

A fence post 2,3 located at an end of the fencing 1 is termed an end post 2 and a fence post 2,3 located between such end posts 2 is termed an intermediate post 3. In the example of Figure 1, a single end post 2 is located at the left end of the section of fencing 1 and four intermediate posts 3 are located to the right thereof. Figure 1 also shows three intermediate runners 4 which are positioned diagonally from the top of one fence post 2,3 to the bottom of an adjacent fence post 2,3 in order to act as bracing members to strengthen the fencing structure. Three tension wires 5 are secured to and run horizontally from three locations on the end post 2: one from a point near the top of the post; one from the middle of the post; and one from a point near the foot of the post. Typically, at least two tension wires are required for most applications. More than three tension wires 5 may, of course, be used. The means by which the tension wires 5 are attached to the end post 2 is described later in the description. The tension wires 5 support a length of chain link fence which is attached at a number of points to the respective intermediate posts. The link fence extends from the bottom of the posts to the top of the posts. Figure 1 shows the fencing 1 turning a corner at the third intermediate post 3. Of course, more than four intermediate posts 3 can be used between end posts 2.

Each fence post 2,3 is embedded in a concrete footing 6 so as to be firmly held in the ground. This arrangement is shown in Figure 2. The portion of the fence post 2,3 embedded in the footing 6 is coated with bitumen or the like to prevent corrosion of the fence posts 2,3.

The fence posts 2,3 embodying the present invention are shown in section in Figures 4 and 7. As previously mentioned, the fence posts 2,3 themselves are identical to one another. End posts 2 are distinguished from intermediate posts 3 by the attachments or accessories fitted to the respective fence posts 2,3. The basic fence post 2,3 comprises an elongate aluminium extrusion in the shape of a regular cruciform 7 having four arms 8 of equal length (40mm). Each arm 8 of the cruciform 7 branches into a T-shaped section, the two branches 9,10 of each T section extending perpendicularly from the respective arm 8 of the cruciform. The free edges 9A,lOA of the branches 9,10 fold back on themselves. The free edge 9A,lOA of one branch 9,10 is spaced apart from the free edge 10A,9A of a neighbouring branch 10,9 and thus, each pair of neighbouring free edges 9A,10A defines a pair of jaws 11.

The surfaces 9B,10B of the free edges 9A,10A which face one another to make up the jaws 11 are provided with barbs 12.

Accordingly, each fence post 2,3 has four pairs of jaws 11. Behind each pair of jaws 11 is a channel 13 bounded by two arms 8 of the cruciform 7.

The fence posts 2,3 are oriented in the ground so that one pair of jaws 11 opens in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fencing is laid. In the case where an intermediate fence post 3 is located on a corner, the fence post 3 is oriented such that one pair of jaws 11 opens in the direction of the apex of the corner.

Referring to the details of the end post 2 shown in Figures 3 and 4, six substantially parallelogram-shaped elongate flat blocks 14 having two acute corners, an example of which is shown in Figure 5, are located at equispaced intervals in the channel 13 behind one pair of jaws 11. The blocks 14 are pushed into the channel 13 through the opening between one pair of jaws 11 of the post 2. The two acute corners of the block 14 engage the inside of the channel 13 behind the jaws 11. The blocks 14 each have a threaded hole 15 which is located substantially in the centre of the block 14 and which is accessible through the jaws 11 of the post 2.

Two elongate flat bars 16 are provided which each have three through holes 17 along their lengths. The bars 16 are wider than the width of the opening of the jaws 11.

Typically, one bar 16 is located along the lower half of the post 2 and the other bar is located along the upper half of the post 2. A vertical strip of the chain link fencing is located between the bars 16 and the fence post 2. Bolts are passed through the holes in the bars 16 and register in the threaded holes 17 in the flat blocks 14 in the channel 13. The bolts are tightened and the chain link fencing becomes sandwiched and securely held between the jaws 11 of the fence post 2 and the bars 16.

Figures 6 and 7 show an intermediate post 3. One of the jaws 11 of this post 3 opens in a direction perpendicular to direction in which the fencing 1 is to be laid. Thus, the chain link fence abuts the jaws 11 of the post 3. A number of fencing clips 18 are provided to secure the chain link fencing to the intermediate post 3.

An example of such a fencing clip 18 is shown in Figure 8.

The fencing clip 18 comprises two resilient spaced apart legs 19,20 which are joined together by a body 21. The body 21 is in the form of a flattened loop. The outer surfaces 22 of the legs 19,20 are barbed or provided with a serrated surface 23. The free edges 24 of the legs 19,20 are slightly tapered. The legs 19,20 are spaced apart such that the distance between the outer surfaces 22 of the legs 19,20 is slightly greater than the distance between the free edges 24 of the neighbouring branches 9A,10A which define the jaws 11. Accordingly, the clip legs 19,20 can be forced into the jaws 11 so that the barbs 23 on the jaws 11 engage with the barbs 23 on the clip legs 19,20, the tapered free edges 24 of the clip legs 19,20 making location in the jaws 11 easier. In this manner, the clip 18 cannot be taken out of the jaws 11 and is secured therein. When the clips 18 are pushed into the jaws 11 a portion of the chain link fence is located in the body 21 of the clip 18 such that the body 21 encloses the portion of the chain link fence and when the clip 18 is secured in the jaws 11, the chain link fencing is captured by the clip 18 and held in the body 21 between the clip 18 and the post 3. The inside surfaces 19A,20A of the legs 19,20 are provided with a pair of opposed semi-circular grooves. A clip 18 is removable from a post 2,3 by engaging the ends of a 90" nose plier into the grooves and pulling the legs together.

In order to reinforce the fencing 1, the fencing system also provides for intermediate runners 4 which can be attached to the end posts 2, to intermediate posts 3 at corners and to intermediate posts 3 in a long section of fencing 1. The intermediate runners 4 are designed to attach to the bottom of one post 2,3 and to the top of an adjacent post 2,3, i.e. diagonally acrcss a chain link fencing panel.

An intermediate runner 4 comprises a hollow extruded aluminium tube 25 of square section as shown in Figure 11. The intermediate runner 4 is fixed to a pair of posts 2,3 by a pair of anchor points 26 comprising intermediate runner clips 26 and a pair of inserts 27 which each fit inside one end of the intermediate runner 25. The intermediate runner clips 26 are of similar construction to the fencing clips 18 except that the body portion 21 of the intermediate runner clip 26 is formed with two spaced apart flanges 28 extending from the body portion 21 in the opposite direction to the clip legs 19,20 (the same reference numerals are used for corresponding components of the fencing clips 18 and the intermediate runner clips 26).

A hole 29 is formed in each flange 28. The holes 29 are coaxially aligned so that a bolt 30 (see Figure 3) can be passed through the holes 29 and secured therein by a nut (not shown).

One intermediate runner clip 26 is located at the top of a first fence post 2,3 and pushed into the jaws 11 which open in the direction of a second fence post 2,3, i.e. in the direction of the fencing 1. The other intermediate runner clip 26 is located at the bottom of the second fence post 2,3 and pushed into the jaws 11 which open in the direction of the first fence post 2,3, The intermediate runner clips 26 are locked into position in the jaws 11 in the same way in which the fencing clips 18 are secured.

An example of one of the inserts 27 is shown in Figure 10 and comprises a hook portion 31 for hooking over and capturing the bolt 30 located between the two flanges 28 of one of the intermediate runner clips 26 and a neck portion 32 having a similar section to the intermediate runner 25 but slightly smaller for being inserted in one end of the intermediate runner 25. The hook portion 31 is dimensioned to hook around the bolt 30 located between the two flanges 28. A collar 33 is provided between the neck portion 32 and the hook portion 31 to abut one end of the intermediate runner 4 when properly located in the intermediate runner 4. To erect the intermediate runner 4, the intermediate runner clips 26 are attached to the respective posts 2,3. The inserts 27 are fitted into each end of the intermediate runner 4 such that the hook portions 31 open substantially down-ardly when the intermediate runner 4 is in the diagonal position. The bolts 30 slide through the hook portions 31 and the respective intermediate runner clips 26 on the posts 2,3.

The intermediate runner clips 26 are also used as the means for securing the tension wires 5 to the end fence posts 2. However, instead of the bolt 30 being located in the holes 29 in the projecting flanges 28, a known stretching bolt is used having a hook at one end to hook on the end of the tension wire 5.

In some security applications it is desirable to include a deterrent to prevent people from scaling the fence. One embodiment of the fencing system provides a barbed wire top section constructed by inserting an extension arm 34 in the top portion of each post 2,3.

The extension arm 34 is preferably formed from aluminium extrusion and comprises an elongate strip 35 having a strengthening rib 36. One end of the strip 35 fits tightly in one of the channels 13 at the top of the fence post 2,3 and leaves a majority of the extension arm 34 exposed. Typically the exposed portion of the extension arm 34 is bent to project over one side of the fencing 1 at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees. Three lengths of aluminium barbed wlre 37 are run along the top portion of the fencing 1 and are fixed to the exposed portions of the extension arms 34 by split pins (not shown). Preferably, the strengthening rib 36 also abuts the corner of the cruciform. A bolt may be inserted through the strip 35 to engage the strengthening rib 36. When the bolt is tightened against the strengthening rib 36, the extension arm is sandwiched more tightly in the channel 13.

In the above described embodIments of the invention, the fence posts 2,3 are typically 2.6m in length, 0.5m being embedded in the ground. The flat bars 16 are approximately 0.9m in length.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a modular fencing system suitable for low fencing applications, typically having a height of 1.5m or less.

The fencing system is identical to that described above except that a slightly modified aluminium extrusion is used for the posts 2,3. An example of an extrusion for a low fence post 38 is shown in Figure 14 (the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts of the regular fence posts 2,3 and the low fence posts 38). The difference lies in the provision at the centre of the cruciform 7 of the low fence post 38 of a thick core 39.

The core 39 extends along the length of the post 38 and is formed with four cylindrical recesses 40,41,42,43 one recess being located in each channel 13 of the post 38.

The recesses provide an anchor for the various attachments or accessories associated with the low fencing system to be secured to the posts 38 by way of, for example, securing the appropriate accessory using a self-tapping screw engagable in one of the recesses 40,41,42,43.

Referring to Figure 15, each post 38 in the low fencing modular system is preferably topped with a runner 46 which is fitted over a number of posts 38 through a runner clip 44. The runner clip 44 is formed with a plurality of holes which allow self-tapping screws to pass through the runner clip 44 and engage in the recesses 40,41,42,43 of the post 38. Preferably the outer surface of the runner clip 44 is formed with barbs 45. A top cover 46 comprising a further length of aluminium extrusion formed with corresponding barbs 47 is seated over the runner 44 and is pressed thereon to engage the barbs 45,47 with one another to secure the cover 46 to the runner 44.

As shown in Figure 16, the cover 46 has an angular crosssection. Figure 17 shows another cover 46 having an alternative rounded cross-section.

Referring to Figure 18, a further embodiment of the present invention provides a barrier system. Instead of using chain link fencing, a plurality of intermediate runners 4, two in the example of Figure 18, are located horizontally between each pair of fence posts 2,3. The intermediate runners 4 are secured to the fence posts 2,3 using the same components as when the intermediate runners 4 are fitted diagonally. The tops of the posts 2,3 are capped with a runner clip 44 and a top cover 46 as hereinbefore described.

Figure 19 is a side view of the barrier system of Figure 18. However, in this embodiment, the fence posts 2,3 are mounted in bases 50 fixed to a concrete foundation.

A base 50 is shown in more detail in Figures 20 and 21.

The base 50 is cast and comprises a circular base plate 51 and a centrally mounted sleeve 52 projecting from the plate 51. The sleeve 52 has a substantially hexagonal section so as to receive a bottom portion of a respective post 2,3.

The sleeve is drilled with a hole 53 to accept a bolt to secure a post within the sleeve 52. The plate 51 has three radially equispaced holes 54 located around the periphery of the sleeve 52, each hole 54 for receiving a bolt (not shown) for securing the plate 51 to the concrete foundation.

Figure 22 is a detailed view of a hinge clip 55 for attachment to the fence post 2,3 shown in Figure 7. The hinge clip 55 is similar to the fence clip 18 shown in Figure 8 and the same reference numerals are used to denote like components. The hinge clip 55 comprises two resilient spaced apart legs 19,20 which are joined together by a body 21. The body 21 is in the form of a flattened loop. The outer surfaces 22 of the legs 19,20 are barbed or provided with a serrated surface 23. The free edges 24 of the legs 19,20 are slightly tapered. The legs 19,20 are spaced apart such that the distance between the outer surfaces 22 of the legs 19,20 is slightly greater than the distance between the free edges 24 of the neighbouring branches 9A,10A which define the jaws 11. Accordingly, the clip legs 19,20 can be forced into the jaws 11 so that the barbs 23 on the jaws 11 engage with the barbs 23 on the clip legs 19,20, the tapered free edges 24 of the clip legs 19,20 making location in the jaws 11 easier. In this manner, the clip 18 cannot be taken out of the jaws 11 and is secured therein.

An L-shaped section 56 is attached to the body 21.

A first part 57 of the L-shaped section 56 extends directly away from the body 21 and a second part 58 projects at 90 from the first part 57. The second part 58 terminates in a substantially cylindrical loop 59 adapted to receive 2 hinge bolt (not shown). In use, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, two hinge clips 55 are located in the jaws 11 of respective posts 2,3 such that in the closed position shown in Figure 23, one hinge clip is located above the other, the cylindrical loops 59 are aligned and a hinge bolt 60 is used to pass through the two loops 59. This allows the two hinge clips 55 to pivot about the hinge bolt 60.

One of the posts 2,3 upon which the hinge clips 55 are mounted is shorter than the other and is not fixed to the ground. The shorter post is therefore able to pivot with respect to the first post. The shorter post is provided with a gate 61 or door or the like. Preferably each gate 61 is mounted on a pair of hinge clips 55.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A fencing system comprising: an elongate fence post having at least one channel extending along the fence post; and at least one fixing means engagable within the channel, the fixing means and the channel having cooperating means to secure the fixing means in the channel, the fixing means further having a fence receiving portion for enclosing a part of fencing to secure the fencing between the fence post and the fixing means.

2. A fencing system according to Claim 1, wherein the fixing means is a clip having two legs and a body, the body including the fence receiving portion for enclosing the part of the fencing to secure the fencing between the fence post and the fixing means.

3. A fencing system according to Claim 2, wherein the fencing is chain link fencing and the body of the clip encloses a link in the chain link fencing.

4. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has more than one channel.

5. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has four channels equispaced around the fence post.

6. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each channel has a pair of jaws.

7. A fencing system according to Claim 6, wherein the co-operating means to secure the fixing means in the channel comprise barbs on the jaws and barbs on the fixing means.

8. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each fence post is formed from an aluminium extrusion.

9. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each fixing means is formed from an aluminium extrusion.

10. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fencing is attached to the fence post by means of a plurality of blocks located in the channel and a bar located outside the channel, a part of the fencing being sandwiched between the bar and the blocks.

11. A fencing system including at least one tension wire to maintain the tension n a length of fencing, which fencing system comprises: an elongate fence post having at least one channel extending along the fence post; and at least one tension wire securing means engagable within the channel, the tension wire securing means and the channel having co-operating means to secure the tension wire securing means in the channel and the tension wire securing means having a projection adapted to carry a tensioning means to tension a tension wire of the fencing.

12. A fencing system according to Claim 11, wherein the projection comprises a pair of flanges having co-aligned holes through which the tensioning means comprising a stretching bolt is located.

13. A fencing system according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the tension wire securing means is formed from an aluminium extrusion.

14. A fencing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 in combination with the fencing system of any one of Claims 11 to 13.

15. A fencing system including an intermediate runner to strengthen the structure of the fencing, which fencing system comprises: an elongate fence post having at least one channel extending along the fence post; and at least an intermediate runner anchor means engagable within the channel, the anchor means and the channel having cooperating means to secure the anchor means in the channel and the anchor means having means to engage one end of an intermediate runner, the other end of the intermediate runner being engagable with a further anchor means engagable within the channel of an adjacent fence post.

16. A fencing system according to Claim 15, wherein the engagement means comprises a bar on the anchor means to which a hooked portion at one end of the intermediate runner is attached.

17. A fencing system according to Claim 16, wherein the hook portion is provided as an insert at one end of the intermediate runner.

18. A fencing system according to Claim 16 or 17, wherein the engagement means of the anchor means slides into the hook portion to secure the intermediate runner to the fence post.

19. A fencing system according to any one of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the intermediate runner extends diagonally from one fence post to the adjacent fence post.

20. A fencing system according to any one of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the intermediate runner extends substantially horizontally from one fence post to the adjacent fence post.

21. A fencing system according to Claim 20, wherein a plurality of horizontally extending intermediate runners are provided between one fence post and the adjacent fence post.

22. A fencing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 14 in combination with the fencing system of any one of Claims 15 to 21.

23. A fencing system according to any preceding claim, wherein a runner is provided on top of the posts, which runner is fixed to each of the post tops.

24. A fencing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying Figures.