GB2362895A

GB2362895A - Security fence bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2362895A
Application number: GB0011942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gilda Annie Wilby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-17
Filing date: 2000-05-17
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-17
Also published as: GB2362895B; GB0011942D0

Abstract

Fence bracket 4 is adapted to overlie a slotted post 1 and at least one panel member 3. The bracket 4 comprises an elongate central member, two bracket legs 5, and a pair of oppositely directed flanges 6. Each flange 6 is provided with at least one aperture through which a screw 7 is fitted and attached to the panel 3. By the tightening of the screw 7 the panel 3 is secured against the edge of 'tumble home' 10 in slots 9 in the slotted post 1. An interface 8 may be disposed between the bracket 4 and the post 1 to prevent rattling.

Description

2362895 SECURITY CLAMP ASSEM13LY Present invention relates to a security

clamp assembly particularly for use in securing fence panels against a slotted post. However said security clamp can be utilised in other analogous situations.

Over the last few years it has become the practise in suburban gardens to insert concrete, wood or metal slotted posts at regular intervals to the ground and to slide fence panels into slots formed in said slotted fence posts. These have proved to be popular and represent a cheap way of delineating one person's property from another whilst simultaneously providing privacy.

Unfortunately although they provide security from view, they do not provide security from unauthorised ingress since it is only necessary to slide the panels within the slotted posts to gain entry into the property. Burglars have long realised the efficacy of this approach. This means that either the panels may be slid out of engagement with the slotted posts and stolen themselves or more importantly the panels may be replaced after illegal ingress.

Just as importantly one of the problems with panels of this type is that particularly after they have been erected for a period panels tend to rattle in the slotted posts especially in windy conditions. This problem tends to increase with age and currently there is no readily available means of stopping the rattling.

The present invention seeks therefore to overcome these problems simply.

The present invention provides therefore an assembly of a slotted fence post and at least one fence panel adapted to co-operate in said.slotted fence post, characterised in that a bracket member is adapted to overlie said post and lock said at least one panel into said slot.

1 In a preferred form of the invention the bracket may comprise a top hat configuration in crosssection and is provided with elongate central member, two bracket legs disposed at either end of said central member, and directed outwardly of said legs, a pair of oppositely directed flanges which in use are preferably provided with apertures to accommodate a joining member or screw.

The legs of said bracket may extend over a portion only of the unslotted portion of the post so that the flanges are spaced from the panel in use, an aperture for ajoiner being provided in each said flange; said joiner acting to stress the panel edge against the slot in use. Preferably joiner is a screw which may be formed with means upon the head to restrict pilfering.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the slotted post may be formed with a tumble-home within the slot so that the panel may be readily locked therein and may be freely repositioned should the panel shrink in use. Traditionally and alternatively an interface which may be formed of rubber or wooden strip may be interposed between bracket and the slotted post to absorb the necessary rattling phenomenon.

In use at least one bracket is required between each adjacent panels to bridge the post. It is preferred that this is positioned intermediate the vertical height of the panel so as the lock the panels against the butted posts.

The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in transverse cross-section a slotted post and panel assembly to which the invention has been applied.

A slotted post 1 having an overall length of about 21/2metres is provided with two opposed elongate slots 9. The slots are provided with tumblehome portions 10 for purposes which will be elucidated later. The panel member 3 is provided with a panel support 2 of a width such 2 that it fits easily within the slot 9 in accordance with known procedures.

According to the present invention a bracket 4 is provided with a pair of legs 5 downwardly depending thereftom; each of said legs being provided with an outwardly directed flange member 6 provided in each case with an aperture to accommodate a screw member 7. The bracket 4 is formed of a galvanised metal material which is stamped from a sheet material having a gauge sufficient to provide a measure of resilience and strength. Interposed between the post 1 and the under side of the bracket 4 may be an interface 8 formed of a rubber or wood material again for purposes to be elucidated later.

In use slotted post is secured at approximately 2 metre intervals and fence panels which have a size of about 1. 85 metres are slid within the slots 9 such that the panel member 3 is to the outside of the property whereas the panel support 2 faces inwardly. The bracket 4 is then secured about the slotted post 1 in the fashion shown in Figure 1. It will be noted that the flange 6 and the screw member 7 are spaced from the panel 2. This is intentional since it allows a degree of take-up when for example the panels begin to rattle because they have reduced in thickness through efflux of time.

Further positioning of the screw 7 causes the flange 6 and hence the bracket 4 to be stressed about the post 1 because of the co-operation of the screw member 7 in the panel support 2. This causes the edge of the panel support member 2 to move into juxtaposition with the tumble-home and effectively locks the panels against the posts. This arrangement makes it very difficult to remove a panel without first undoing the screw and since the panel is to the interior of the property access from the outside of the property is denied. Even if an approach is made from the property side of the panel it will be necessary to undo screw 7 before sliding the panel away.

This may be substantially prevented by providing that the head of the screw can be only screwed in by a special tool operated in accordance with known previous procedures.

3 If the panel through efflux of time reduces in thickness it is only necessary to tighten the screw 7 to cause the panel support 2 to be urged once again into contact with the tumble-home 10 for the panels to become rattle free again.

The invention therefore provides a measure of security and protection against the irritation of rattling at a modest cost.

The invention also provides therefore an assembly as herein before said forth and also a method of securing panels as herein before setforth.

4

Claims

2.

4. 5.

6.

7.

An assembly of a slotted fence post and at least one fence panel adapted to co-operate in a slotted fence post, characterised by a bracket member adapted to overlie said post and lock said at least one panel into said slot. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises a top hat configuration in cross-section with an elongate central member, two bracket legs, and directed outwardly from said legs, a pair of oppositely directed flanges generally in parallel with said central member. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the legs of said bracket are adapted to extend over a proportion only of the unslotted portion of the post so that the flanges are spaced from the panel in use, an aperture for a joiner being provided in each said flange, said joiner acting used to stress the panel edge against a tumble-home in the slot of the post. An assembly according to any preceding claim when the joiner is a screw. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the screw head is formed with means adapted to prevent pilfering. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the slotted post comprises a tumble-home within the slot so that a co-operating panel may be readily locked therein. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein an interface is disposed between said bracket and said post to ameliorate rattling.

8. An assembly as hereinbefore setforth with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.

9. A method of providing security to a panelled fence which comprises utilising an assembly as said forth in any one of claims 1 to 8.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows d 1 () 2,5 2. 3.

4.

5.

6.

An assembly of a slotted fence post and at least one fence panel adapted to cooperate therewith, a bracket member adapted to overlie said post and lock said at [cast one panel into said slot, and the bracket comprising a top hat configuration in cross-section with an elongate central member, two bracket legs and directed outwardly from said legs a pair of oppositely directed tlanges generally in parallel with the said central member, characterised in that the legs of said bracket are adapted to extend over a proporti 1 on only of the unslotted portion of the post so that the flanges are spaced ftom the panel in use. an aperture for a joining member being provided in each said flange, said joining member acting used to stress the panel edge against a turnble-home in the slot of' the post An assembly according to claim 1 when the joining member is a screw. An assembly according to claim 2 when the screw head is formed with means adapted to prevent pilfering, An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the slotted post comprises a tumble-home within a pair of post slots so that respective co-operating panels may be readily locked therein. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein an interface is disposed between said bracket and said post to ameliorate rattling. An assembly as hereinbefore setforth with reference to, andlor as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing. A method of providing security to a panelled fence which comprises utilising an assembly as said forth in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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