GB2324826A

GB2324826A - Fence panel installation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2324826A
Application number: GB9807573A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Croston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-23
Filing date: 1998-04-08
Publication date: 1998-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-08
Also published as: GB9807573D0; GB9708203D0; GB2324826B

Abstract

Apparatus for assisting the installation or removal of eg a fence panel (4) from between two posts (2) comprises a guide means (6,7a-c) for guiding the panel (4) while it is being raised, lowered or tilted clear of the posts (2). The apparatus is mounted on a post (2), preferably as a pair of such guides (6), each on a separate post (2). The guides (6) may be interconnected for rigidity and adjustment may be provided to enable the apparatus to be used on a fence on a slope. Means may be provided to support the panel (4) as well as guide it, and a high friction coating may be provided on the guide means (7a-c) to lessen the likelihood of the panel (4) slipping. Means may be provided to assist with the raising or lowering of the panel; the apparatus is intended to improve the ease with which work may be carried out on eg a fence single-handedly.

Description

Title: Apparatus for the installation and maintenance of fences, and the like DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for the installation, removal and maintenance of fences, and the like.

A common type of boundary fencing consists of concrete posts which are secured into the ground at spaced apart intervals and have wooden panels slotted between adjacent posts. This type of fencing is widely used because individual sections of the fencing can be removed and/or replaced when required without having to take down the entire fence and the panels provide a relatively cheap and satisfactory means of forming a barrier between neighbouring land. However, the installation and maintenance of such fencing is difficult, generally requiring at least two pair of hands to accomplish the task. The large panels, typically varying in height between im to 2m and 2m wide, have to be lifted clear of the top of the concrete posts to enable the panels to be inserted therebetween by means of slots provided in the posts. This clearly hampers installation of the fencing and requires a large amount of physical energy to be expended in carrying out the work.

Furthermore, the installation and maintenance of the fencing can be dangerous due to the instability of each panel when it is raised free of the posts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, conveniently positioned apparatus to enable easier and safer installation, removal and maintenance of fence panels and the like, with all operations being carried out from one side of the fence.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to enable the installation, removal and maintenance of fence panels and the like to be carried out single-handedly.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for installing and removing panels from between adjacent posts, particularly in the form of fences, comprising guide means mountable on a fence post whereby a panel is raisable in said guide means until clear of the fence posts and then tiltable for removal from the guide means past the fence posts.

Preferably, a pair of guide means is provided by the apparatus of the invention whereby a guide is mounted to the top of adjacent posts by suitable attachment means.

The pair of guides allow the panel to be moved in a vertical direction through the guide means as the panel is raised above the fence posts and then tilted in a controlled manner to lower the panel to the ground.

Each guide means preferably comprises a generally vertical member having a plurality of spaced apart projections extending laterally therefrom, between which the panel may be guided, and means for attachment to a fence post. The member is preferably in the form of a rod, bar, shaft or pole.

The length of the guide means is preferably adjustable or guide means of different lengths may be provided to accommodate a fence that is situated on a slope, the lower post being provided with a guide of greater length than the post situated further up the slope. The guide of greater length is preferably provided with at least one additional projection extending laterally therefrom.

Preferably, the projections are in the form of pegs or plates which extend substantially perpendicularly to the vertical member. However, the angle of the projection relative to the member may be adjustable to accommodate a fence on a sloping site. The projections are positioned such as to enable the panel to be moved in a vertical direction and tilted with respect thereto. For example, two projections may extend from points along the same vertical plane of the member and a third projection may be positioned diagonally above therefrom. Preferably, a fourth projection is also provided towards the base of the member for guiding the panel between or from the other projections and may provide means for resting the top of the panel against prior to the installation thereof.

Furthermore, one or more of the projection may extend to form a connection between the members mounted on adjacent posts. Alternatively, a separate rod may be provided to connect adjacent members, being attached at each end to a projection of the respective member. The rod preferably comprises a telescopically extendable pole being dimensioned to fit into or over the ends of the projection and being secured thereto by suitable fastening means.

Alternatively, the guide means may be provided by a channel in a generally vertical member, the member having attachment means for securement to the post.

The channel preferably has a first vertical section for guiding the panel as it is raised or lowered between the posts and a second section, continuous with the first, which is angled relative thereto for controlled tilting of the panel.

It is to be appreciated that the guide means may be made of any suitably strong material to withstand the weight of the panel. Preferably, the material is a reinforced metal. The projections are preferably secured to the member by means of welding or are formed as part thereof. Alternatively, the projections may be secured to the member using fastening means, such as nuts and bolts.

The attachment means for securing each of the guide means to the posts preferably comprises at least one clamp or bracket for fixing around the post.

Alternatively, the guide means may be mounted on the post and restrained by clamping to an adjacent panel, structure or by fixing to the ground.

It is preferable that the member of the guide means is provided with clamping means comprising an upper and lower grip and upper screw cramp for fastening around the post. The screw cramp provides the principle means or rigidly clamping the member of the guide means to the post. The clamping means may be joined to the member by welding or fastening means, such as nuts and bolts, or may be formed as part thereof.

Preferably, the clamping means is adjustable to accommodate different sized posts. It is preferable that the upper grip and cramp are continuous with the lower grip and that the grips are positioned such that one upper grip clamps around one side of the post and the upper cramp and lower grip clamp around the opposite side thereof.

It is preferable that the clamping means is provided with a flange extending therefrom for supporting the member of the guide means. Preferably, the lower grip is provided with the flange extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom for supporting the member. The member is preferably attached to the lower grip by means of nuts and bolts such that the clamping means is adjustable along the length of the member in order to accommodate variations in the depth of post.

Additionally or alternatively, wedges or bolts may be used to secure the clamping means to the post. Preferably, one or both grips of the wedge-type clamping means are provided with tapered sides for receiving a wedge to tighten the clamp around the post and to allow the grips to fit around posts of varying diameter.

It is preferable that the wedge be attached to the clamping means by a chain or the like.

Alternatively, the guide means may be provided with guide restraints in the form of brackets for fixing to the posts, the guide means being held in the vertical direction by its own weight and horizontally by the restraints. Preferably, one bracket is provided around the top of one side of the post and a second bracket is provided lower down the opposite side of the post. A further restraint may be provided around another region of the post, as required Preferably, the brackets are attached to the member of the guide means by any suitable means, such as bolts, or is welded thereto. It is preferable that the positioning of the restraint is adjustable to enable the apparatus to attach to different sizes of post.

It is to be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention may be assembled onto a post at a corner of a fencing boundary where two perpendicular panels join with a third panel from an adjacent property.

Preferably, a high friction surface is provided on one or more of the projections to reduce the speed by which the panel is lowered, for example, if the panel was falling too rapidly during removal thereof. It is preferable that the high friction surface is provided on the highest projection diagonally above from the projections extending from the same vertical plane of the member. Alternatively or additionally, means may be provided to lock the panel in position if the panel should become unsupported during the installation or removal thereof.

The apparatus of the present invention may also include means for assisting in the raising of the panel, such as manually or electrically operated pulleys or an electrically driven roller in place of one or more of the projections.

The apparatus may also be provided with a receiving bracket which may be placed at ground level to receive the lower edge of the panel. The receiving bracket may be free-standing or have an attachment for fixing the bracket to a concrete base panel of the fencing, for example by means of a loop. The bracket is preferably in the general shape of an elongated L whereby the back of the panel can rest against the upper side of the bracket and the base of the panel sits on the horizontal ledge of the bracket. Preferably, the ledge of the bracket is also provided with a lip extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom to assist in holding the panel in place. It is preferable to provide at least two receiving brackets at spaced apart intervals to support the panel.

The receiving brackets preferably support a trough for receiving the panel.

Preferably, a sheet is also provided which extends from the rear side of the trough to the guide means attached to the top of the posts. Preferably, the sheet is fixed to the guide means by means of a hook provided on each of the guides. It is preferable that the hook is attached to the member of the guide means. The sheet may be provided with sides extending generally perpendicularly therefrom to surround the panel. The sheet may be made of any suitable material but preferably is of a plastics material or coated therewith such as to provide a splash screen which is waterproof and may be easily wiped clean after carrying out maintenance work to the panel.

A plurality of backing rods may also be provided between the guide means and the trough to assist in the movement of the panel. Additionally, a pair of lugs extending substantially horizontally from the backing rods or sheet just above the top of the trough or receiving bracket may be provided for supporting the panel to provide access to its edges during the application of protective finishes and assisting in the inversion of the panel.

It is to be appreciated that the individual components of the apparatus may be made of different types of material. For example, the components which support the weight of the panel need to be made of a sufficiently strong material, such as a reinforced metal whilst other components such as the splash screen may be made of a plastics material. The component parts may be produced as part of a complete kit or as individual parts therefor.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is schematic diagram of a fence fitted with a pair of guides according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of a guide shown in Figure 1; Figure 3a is a side elevation of a guide shown in Figure 1; Figure 3b is a perspective view of the guide shown in Figure 1 showing part of the clamping means only; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of a fence illustrating the removal of a fence panel from between concrete posts using the guides of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a guide mounted to a fence according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is the rear view of the apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus for the maintenance of a fence according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inversion of a fence panel using a preferred apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a fence consisting of spaced apart concrete posts 2 having wooden panels 4 slotted therebetween. The height of the fence may be in excess of 1 sum and hence, the installation of the panels into the slots of the posts, and their removal therefrom, requires a great deal of effort, normally being a two-man job. The apparatus of the present invention provides means for assisting in the removal and re-insertion of the panels between the posts, for example during the installation of fencing and maintenance thereof. The basic features of the apparatus are a pair of guides 5 having attachment means 8 to enable the guides to be mounted onto the top of adjacent posts 2. The guides keep the panels in an upright position whilst removing the panel from the post. Once the base of the panel is lifted free of the posts, the panel may be held at its base and tilted such that the panel is removed from the guides and away from the posts in a controlled, supported and safe manner.

Referring to Figures 2, 3a and 3b of the accompanying drawing, a preferred embodiment of a guide for the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. It is to be appreciated that, in the majority of situations, a pair of guides would be required to allow satisfactory removal of a panel from between adjacent posts, each post being provided with a guide 5. The guide 5 comprises a member 6 having projections 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The guide has clamping means 8 for securing the guide to the post of the fencing system.

The projections 7a and 7b are positioned one above the other extending from the same vertical plane of the member 6. Projection 7c is positioned towards the top of the member spaced diagonally from the projections 7a and 7b. The final projection 7d is situated towards the base of the member 6 below the top of the post 2. The projections are secured to the member by any suitable means. Preferably, the projections are secured by welding or formed as part of the member such that the joint between the projections and the member can withstand the force exerted thereon by the fence panel. However, the projections may be adjustable to alter the angle of the projection relative to the member. This would allow the apparatus to be used for the removal of the fence panel from between posts situated on a slope. The member and projections are preferably made of a reinforced metal or other suitably strong material.

Alternatively or additionally, projection 7b (or 7d) may extend to connect the two members 6 by means of a rod to provide additional stability to members 5, if required (not shown). The rod may be formed from a telescopic pole with ends larger (or smaller) in diameter than the projection and be extended to locate outside (or inside), and fixed to, projection 7b. The fixings may be in the form of, for example, pins placed through diametrically positioned vertical holes drilled in both the rod and projection. However, any suitable fixing means may be employed.

It is to be appreciated that the projections may be adjustable to alter the angle of the projection relative to the member. This would allow the apparatus to be used for the removal of a fence panel from between posts situated on a slope.

The member 6 and projections 7 of the guide means are secured to the post by clamping means 8 having an upper grip 10, upper cramp 10a and lower grip which are joined to the member by, for example welding or fastening means such as nuts and bolts. The clamping means fits over the top of the post 2 with the grip 10 being pressed against the opposite side of the post by means of cramp 10a. Grip 12 is pressed against the post to react the lateral and transverse loads which occur during installation and removal of panels. This enables the guide means to be secured to the posts easily from one side and without damaging (eg. splitting) the concrete of the post. Alternatively, the guide means may be mounted on a post and restrained by clamping to an adjacent post, structure or by fixing to the ground.

Preferably, the clamping means may be adjusted to accommodate different sized posts. For example, the upper grip 10 may be welded to the lower grip 12 which is provided with a flange 16 extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom.

The flange supports the member 6 of the guide means and is attached thereto by means of nuts and bolts 23. The member is provided with a series of slots such that it may be secured to the flange of the lower grip at a number of points, thereby enabling the apparatus to accommodate different sized posts. The sides of the clamping means are also tapered to accommodate a wedge 14 to tighten the grips around the post and allow the apparatus to fit around posts of varying diameter. The wedge may be provided with means for attachment to the clamping means 12, such as a chain (not shown) to prevent the wedge being separated from the rest of the apparatus. A receiving bracket (not shown) may also be placed at ground level or, if applicable, be attached to a concrete base panel of the fencing, to receive the base of the lowered panel (refer to Figure 7).

Alternatively, the guide means 5 may be provided with guide restraints in the form of brackets 32, 34, 36 for fixing to the post 2, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. The guide means is held in the vertical position by its own weight and horizontally by the restraints. Preferably, a bracket 32 is attached to the guide member 6 by means of bolts 38 and fits over the top of the corner of the post. Another bracket 34 is provided lower down the member on the opposite side of the post to the bracket 32 such that the guide means may be slid over the top of the post and held in position. A further bracket 36 may also be provided to assist in stabilising the guide means, if required. One or more of the brackets is preferably adjustable relative to the guide member to allow the apparatus to accommodate different sizes of post.

It is to be appreciated that the apparatus may be assembled onto a post at a corner of a fencing boundary where two perpendicular panels 4a, 4b join with a third panel 4c from an adjacent property, as shown in Figure 5.

In operation, the fence panel 4 is pushed vertically upwards through the slots 9 of the fence posts 2, being guided by the projections 7a, 7b and 7c (as shown in Figure 4), having the rear side of the panel against projections 7a and 7b and the front side of the panel passing along projection 7c. This removes the need to have a second person to support the panel as it is freed from the posts because the guides prevent the panel from falling away from the posts. Once the panel is lifted clear of the top of the posts the panel is tilted such that it passes between projection 7b and 7c (as illustrated by arrow a in Figure 4). The panel can then be carefully lowered to the ground with the top of the panel coming to rest on projection 7d.

It is to be appreciated that the relative positioning of the projections in order to guide the panel as described above may be achieved in a number of ways. For example, by the projections extending from different regions of the member. The number of projections may also be greater or less than four but preferably is at least three.

One or more of the projections of the guide means may be provided with a high friction surface to assist in controlled lowering of the panel to ground level. This results in the apparatus being safer, for example, should the panel be accidently dropped whilst being removed from between the posts. Preferably, the high friction surface is provided on the highest projection (7c in Figures 2 to 4) such that if the manual support of the panel is removed, the panel rotates about the lowest projection (7d in Figures 2 to 4) and contacts the high friction surface on the highest projection.

This slows down the movement of the panel such that the panel comes to rest without damage or injury. Alternatively or additionally, means may be provided to lock the panel in position should it become unsupported during installation or removal.

Additional features may be included in the apparatus of the present invention to enable a panel to be temporarily removed from the posts to allow, for example, the carrying out of maintenance work thereon, such as creasoting. Referring to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, an apparatus for the temporary removal and maintenance of a fence panel is illustrated. The posts 2 of the fencing are provided with guides 5 according to the present invention, as described above in relation to Figures 1 to 4. A pair of receiving brackets 40 are fitted to the concrete base panel 3 of the fencing or, if not appropriate, the brackets may be formed such that they may be free-standing. The receiving brackets 40 preferably support a trough 42 and a sheet 44 extends between the guides 5 and the trough 42, being attached to the rear wall of the trough and fastened to the guides by means of hooks 46 attached to the member 6 of the guides. Backing rods 45 (not shown) may also be provided between the hooks 46 and trough 42. A pair of lugs 48 extend generally perpendicularly from the backing rod or sheet just above the top of the trough 42.

In use, the panel 4 of the fence 2 is removed from the posts using the guides 5 as hereinbefore described. The panel is lowered into the trough 42 which is supported by the brackets 40 and allowed to rest against the backing rods 45 and sheet 44, thereby enabling work, such as painting, to be carried on the panel. The sheet 44 also acts as splash screen to protect the rest of the fence from the coating being applied to the panel and also assists in protecting the wet coating applied to the panel whilst it is drying.

Following completion of the work on one side of the panel, the panel 4 may be inverted such that the other side of the panel is accessible. The inversion of the panel is readily achieved using the apparatus of the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings. The lower edge of the panel 4 is lifted clear of the trough 42 (position "a" in Figure 8) and then pulled down and outwards (positions "b" and "c") until the top edge of the panel comes to rest on the lugs 48.

The bottom edge is then raised vertically such that the previously top edge now rests in the trough 42 (represented by arrow "d" in Fig.8) The panel 4 can then be returned to the posts 2 by carrying out the reverse of the steps shown in Figure 4. The panel is slid between projection 7b and 7c until clear of the top of the posts 2. The panel is then pushed against projection 7a which is rigidly secured to the member 6 of the guides and lowered into the slots 9 of the concrete posts. The guides may then be unclamped and removed, together with the other components of the apparatus, to be used elsewhere.

Additional means for assisting in the raising of the panel may be included in the apparatus of the present invention. For example, a system of manually or electrically operated pulleys may be provided or one or more of the projections may be in the form of an electrically driven roller.

It is to be appreciated that the component parts of the apparatus of the present invention may be made in various shapes and sizes and of various types of material other than those specifically referred to herein. For example, the guide may in the form of a member having a moulded channel with a vertical section for the raising or lowering of the panel and an angled section to allow controlled tilting thereof.

Alternatively, additional or fewer projections may be utilised to produce a guide. The length of the guide means and/or the angle of the projections relative to the member may be adjustable to accommodate fences that are situated on a slope. For example, the post situated lower down the slope is provided with a guide means that having a member of greater length that the post situated further up the slope. The longer member may also be provided with one or more additional projections. The component parts may be produced as a complete kit or sold separately.

The present invention provides a useful method and apparatus for installing and removing panels from between concrete posts and the like to enable such work to be carried using less effort and less manpower. The process is also less dangerous since the guides act to stabilise the panel as it is removed from the posts. The apparatus also allows maintenance of the panel to be carried out near to the fence on both sides thereof with the minimum amount of effort and to re-insert the panels between the slots of the concrete posts.

Claims

1. An apparatus for installing and removing panels from between adjacent posts comprising guide means mountable on a post whereby a panel is raisable in said guide means until clear of the posts and then tiltable for removal from the guide means past the fence posts.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of guide means is provided for mounting to the top of adjacent posts by suitable attachment means.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide means comprises a generally vertical member and means for attachment to a fence post, the member having a plurality of spaced apart projections extending laterally therefrom between which the panel may be guided.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the guide means is adjustable in length.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein guide means of different lengths are provided for attachment to adjacent posts situated on a slope, the lower post being provided with a guide of greater length than the post situated further up the slope.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide of greater length is provided with at least one additional projection extending laterally therefrom.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the projections are in the form of pegs or plates which extend substantially perpendicularly to the vertical member.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the projections are positioned such as to enable the panel to be moved in a vertical direction and tilted with respect thereto.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein two projections extend from points along the same vertical plane of the member, a third projection is positioned diagonally therefrom, and a fourth projection is provided towards the base of the member for guiding the panel between or from the other projections.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein one or more projections extend to form a connection between members mounted on adjacent posts.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a rod is provided between adjacent members, being connected at either end to a projection of the respective member.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide means is provided by a channel in a generally vertical member, the member having attachment means for securing to the post.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the channel has a first vertical section for guiding the panel as it is raised or lowered between the posts and a second section, continuous with the first, which is angled relative thereto for controlled tilting of the panel.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the guide means is mounted on the post and secured thereto by clamping to an adjacent panel, structure or by fixing to the ground.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13, wherein the attachment means for securing the guide to the post comprises at least one clamp or bracket for fixing around the post.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the clamping means is adjustable to accommodate different sized posts.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the member of the guide means is provided with clamping means comprising an upper and lower grip and upper screw cramp for fastening around the post.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the clamping means is joined to the member by welding, fastening means, or is formed as an integral part thereof.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein the upper grip and cramp are continuous with the lower grip and the grips are positioned such that the upper grip clamps around one side of the post and the upper cramp and lower grip clamp around the opposite side thereof.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19 wherein the clamping means is provided with a flange extending therefrom for supporting the member of the guide means.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lower grip is provided with the flange, extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom for supporting the member.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 wherein wedges and/or bolts are provided to secure the clamping means to the post.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein one or both grips of the clamping means are provided with tapered sides for receiving the wedge to tighten the clamp around the post.

24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 14, wherein the guide means is provided with restraints in the form of brackets for fixing to the posts.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the bracket is provided around the top of one side of the post and a second bracket is provided lower down the opposite side of the post.

26. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 25, wherein a high friction surface is provided on one or more of the projections.

27. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to lock the panel in position if the panel becomes unsupported during installation or removal thereof.

28. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to assist in the raising and lowering of the panel.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein manually or electrically operated pulleys are provided to raise and lower the panel.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein an electrically driven roller is provided in the form of a projection to assist in raising of the panel.

31. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one receiving bracket is provided at or near ground level to receive the lower edge of the panel.

32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein the receiving bracket is freestanding.

33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein the receiving bracket is provided with an attachment for fixing to a concrete base of a panel.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, 32 or 33 wherein the bracket is in the general shape of an elongated L.

35. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the receiving bracket supports a trough for receiving the panel.

36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein a sheet is provided extending from the rear side of the trough to the guide means.

37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein a plurality of backing rods are provided between the guide means and the trough to assist in movement of the panel.

38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein a pair of lugs are provided extending substantially horizontally from the backing rods or sheet just above the top of the trough or receiving bracket.

39. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.