GB2365457A

GB2365457A - Securing fence panel within groove of post

Info

Publication number: GB2365457A
Application number: GB0114260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Leslie Price
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-11
Filing date: 2001-06-12
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-12
Also published as: GB0114260D0; GB0016866D0; GB2365457B

Abstract

A device for securing a fence panel within the groove of a post, e.g. of concrete, comprises a backplate 1 adapted to lie against a vertical edge member 8 of a fence panel, and side springs 3 which exert pressure against the sides of the post groove. A sprung tongue 4 may exert pressure against the bottom of the groove, and the device may be fitted either removably, in which case portion 2 is bent over the top of member 8 and fixings pass through holes A and slots C, or non removably in which case portion 2 fits lower down the panel edge 8 and coplanar with backplate 1 so that fixings passing through holes A, B are not accessible. The pressure exerted by springs 3 can be varied by insertion of a screwdriver blade into apertures 5 to flex sides 3.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> THE INVENTION RELATES TO A FENCE LOCKING SYSTEM A large proportion of fencing systems comprises of multiples of square concrete posts, driven into the ground at regular intervals, situated in-between these posts is sections of wooden fencing. The posts themselves are normally square and contain recesses running their entire length on two or more sides capable of accepting the fencing placed between them. The fencing when erected or replaced is normally slid down from above the posts into place. Fencing and posts are available in various heights. A system of inserting a gravel board situated between the base of the wooden fence and the ground is sometimes adopted to prevent the fence touching the ground, which would lead to premature rotting of the wood. The fencing system enables the wooden sections to be readily available for replacement when requiered.

The system has shortfalls in that by being readily removable the fencing can simply be pushed upwards, thus completely removed or partially leaving a large gap underneath. This allows undesirable persons to simply slide the fencing upwards and enter the property which the fencing was intended to protect.

A second shortfall is that unless a gravel board is used, the wooden fence panel simply rests on the ground leading to premature rotting of the wood. These gravel boards are normally heavy and cumbersome and provide transportation problems.

A problem also encountered is that in high wind conditions the fence panels will audibly rattle causing nuisance to nearby residents. This is due to the fact that the groove in the concrete post is wider than the width of the fence panel.

A fourth problem is that the distance between the posts is sometimes excessive for the panel it contains, normally due to incorrect erection of the posts, or a warped or incorrectly sized panel. This in extreme cases will lead to the panel falling out or being blown out in windy conditions.

The object of this invention is to provide a fence locking system, which when in place will lock the panels in place in the correct fitted position along all relevant axis, vertically horizontally and laterally, so that it cannot be moved or increased pressure is required to move the fence along any of the axis, It will also give the user an option of fitting, so that it can be fitted permanently whereby once device is fitted to the panel and the panel is in place between the concrete posts, the only way of gaining full access to the device in order to remove it would be to damage the panel itself or the concrete post. It would also give an option where the user could position the device on the panel prior to the panel being inserted, so that if required, the device can be removed prior to the panel itself being taken out from between the posts, this may be required for maintenance purposes. It is desirable that the device be capable of supporting the fence panel so that then need for gravel boards can be eliminated if required by the user. The device would be capable of being adjusted either before or after the panel was fitted so as to increase or decrease the pressure applied between the device, the fence and the post As the general method of fitting the

panels in between the posts is to slide them down vertically, a means to assist the fitting of the device into the groove located within the post is incorporated so that the device progressively engages into the groove. The device itself will provide a means to increase the pressure required to move the fence in any axis by placing pressure, friction or other force, or a combination of such forces between the device, fence panel and concrete post in any combination. The device is attached to the outer upright edges of the panel, this being the parts that would interlock with the concrete post and will do so by exerting pressure onto the internal edges of the groove contained within the post. Accordingly this invention provides a device, hereinafter referred to as a clip, which increases the pressure required to move a panel in the vertical horizontal or other axis Once the clip is correctly fitted and the panel inserted between the concrete posts. The clip itself will provide means so that it can be attached to the fence panel by suitable means, using nails screws or other means. This will be either a permanent fix, meaning that once fitted and the panel in place, destruction or part destruction of the panel would be necessary in order to remove the clip, or movement of the supporting posts themselves would have to take place. This attachment could also be of a removable nature, whereby the clip could be positioned so as to allow access by the user, whereby the clip, once fitted, and the panel in place could be removed prior to the panel itself being removed. These methods of attachment are accomplished by using positioning of the clip, slots and grooves or combinations of these and the provision of a recovery tab to aid removal. The clip will incorporate means to apply pressure onto the inner walls and the bottom of the grooves located in the posts once the panel is slid into place. Accordingly two side springs and a bottom spring are provided. The side springs place pressure onto the inner walls of the groove whilst the bottom spring places pressure on the bottom of the groove. The side springs will be adjustable so that they can be adjusted either before or after the panel containing the clip is slotted into the grooves in the posts. This may be incorporated into the design of the spring so that it can be crushed prior to being inserted into the groove so that it offers no pressure on the sides of the groove when slid into place. Conversely the spring may be made wider so that it applies greater pressure when fitted. A means to adjust the side springs once the panel and clip are in place is also feature and is provided by adjustment slots allowing the user to insert a suitable tool into the slots and prise the spring open. The bottom spring is also adjustable prior to the clip being inserted into the groove by simply bending it out so as to increase the pressure applied to bottom of the groove. Both types of spring are effectively self-adjusting as the panel on which the clip is attached is slid into place vertically .The normal method of inserting wooden fence panels between concrete posts is to lower the panel into the groove from above the erected posts, this is especially the case where the panel is a replacement for a old one situated between existing posts. As the clip is effectively a force fit into the groove a means to assist the clip enter the groove is present in that the side springs have engaging tabs incorporated. As the clip starts to approach the groove the engaging tabs initially engage with the groove prior to the side springs engaging. As the tabs engage they will guide the clip into the groove so that the side springs start to engage and pressure is applied to the inner walls of the groove.

Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to a person skilled in the fencing hardware field, in addition to those already described without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, multiples of any of the springs in the device may be made or the device may be for a different shaped groove, or the means of fitting or retrieval may be altered ,devices which attach to either the post or the fence and interlock or encompass either to provide resilient pressure between the fence and post will be possible. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description and the appended claims.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, all fixings omitted for clarity and in which; Figure 1 shows the entire clip showing relevant features Figure 2 shows Front view of the clip Figure3 shows Side view of clip showing how bottom spring 4 protrudes from Base plate 1 Figure 4 shows view looking upwards towards engaging tabs 6, tabs omitted for clarity.

Figure 5 show the type of fencing described namely the fence panels 7, posts 9 and gravel boards 13, the weatherboard 12 and the relevant position of the clip in corner of each panel 7.

Figure 6 shows clip fixed to panel upright 8 prior to the panel 7 being slid into place .All fixing omitted for clarity. This figure shows clip in the non removable position having been secured using holes A and B. Engaging tabs 6 clearly shown Figure 7 shows Clip secured to panel upright 8 in removable position having been secured at this stage using slots C.

Figure 8 shows Clip secured to panel upright 8 in removable position having been secured at this stage using slots C and holes A. The Recovery tab 2 has now been bent over to engage with the top of the fence upright 8.

Figure 9 shows Plan view of the post 9, the panel upright 8 and the clip showing how the clip side springs 3 interact and grip the inner walls 10 of the groove in the post whilst the bottom spring 4 interacts and grips with the bottom 11 of the groove. This view shows the clip in the

non-removable position with the recovery tab 2 in the vertical position, nailed into the vertical side of the post upright as positioned in Figure 6.All fixings omitted for clarity.

Figure 10 shows I s the same as In fig 9, however clip is in the removal position and the retrieval tab 2 is now clearly visible, the tab having been bent over at approx ninety degrees so that it is fixed to the top of the panel upright 8 as in Fig 8.

Figure 11 shows Fence upright situated in the groove of the post 9, with clip fitted in the non removable position, even when fitted Adjusting slots 5 in side springs 3 and engaging tabs 6 would still be visible. Depth of groove reduced for clarity.

Figure 12 shows View of post 9, with fence upright in position and clip fitted. This view is taken looking directly at groove in post. Side springs3, adjusting slots 5 and engaging tabs all still visible whilst part of clip hidden is shown in the form of broken lines.

Figure 13 shows Post 9, with clip in position, fence upright omitted for clarity, prior to being forced down into position. Engaging tabs 6 shown partly engaging groove in the post allowing easy sliding of clip into it Figure 14 shows Type of post 9 for which clip is designed for. This example has only two grooves, other types may vary, and for example corner posts may have four.

Figure 15 shows Plan view of Figure 14 All references to a receiving groove in the following mean the groove in the fence post in its entirety .The inner walls of the groove 10 and bottom of the groove 11 are referred to individually as and when required for clarity.

As shown in Figure 1 the clip provides two methods of attachment, referred to as removable and non removable using a combination of the positioning of the clip and holes A, B or slots C. Holes A and B would be used when the clip was attached to the panel in the non removable position as shown in Figures 6,9, 11 and 12-Nails, screws or similar fixings would normally be used. Holes A and slots C would be used to provide a means to attach the clip to the fence panel, in conjunction with relevant positioning, so that the clip would be in the removable position as shown in Figure 8

The base plate 1 forms the main body of the clip and supports the means to apply pressure to the groove in the concrete post that is provided for in the form of two side springs 3. Which provide pressure to the internal edges of the groove and the back spring 4 that provides pressure on the bottom of the groove in the post. Also attached is the retrieval tab that aids recovery of the clip when used in the removable position.

The retrieval tab 2 is an extension of base plate and is capable of being bent over the top of the fence panel upright so it forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the back plate .It also houses Holes A. This is capable of being gripped by pliers or similar and its purpose is to provide a means whereby the user can grab it after the fixings have been removed in holes A and use it to recover the clip when used in the removable position.

The adjustable side springs 3 are responsible for applying pressure to the inner edges of the groove in the concrete post. In this example they consist of inverted u shaped pressed metal, situated at either side of the base plate and running the entire length of it. The closed end of the a shape incorporates adjustment slots .The inner edges, adjacent to the base plate 1 are designed to fit around the outer edges of the fence panel upright to aid positioning and the outer edges are the widest point of the clip .The outer edges of the springs are the widest point of the clip and it is these surfaces that press against the inner edges of the groove in the post. Adjustment of the springs can take place in three ways. To make the springs wider adjustment can be achieved by placing a suitable tool into the open end of the inverted a shape and prising it open. This will not only increase the pressure applied by the springs but effectively increases the overall width of the clip. This increase in the distance between the inner and outer edges of the springs can also be achieved by inserting an appropriate tool into the aforementioned adjustment slots at the closed end of the a shape. Again the springs are simply prised open. To make the distance between the inner and outer edges of the springs smaller they are simply pressed together, this will make the overall width of the clip thinner. The outer edges of the springs also incorporate the engaging tabs 6.

The adjustable bottom spring 4 housed in the baseplate 1 and consists of a pressing from the baseplate itself, so it forms a spring 4, which protrudes from the rear of the clip. Its purpose is to press against the bottom of the groove in the post and to apply pressure to the same, assisting to stop horizontal movement of the fence between posts. It can be adjusted prior to being slid into the receiving groove simply by being pressed proud of baseplate. As the fence panel is slid into the groove, the bottom spring 4 presses against the bottom of the receiving groove and is self-adjusting from this point after the clip slides into position.

Adjustment slots 5 are situated in the side springs at the closed end of the inverted u shape. These slots provide access to the space between the outer edge and the inner edge of the side springs. To open the springs using the slots, the user would insert a suitable tool, for example a bladed screwdriver, into the slots and simply force the edges

apart. These slots are still visible even when the clip is fitted and the fence in place and it is these slots that provide adjustment of the side springs after the panel is in place.

Engaging tabs 6 are two extensions of the side springs attached to the outside edges of the springs and are situated at the bottom of the clip. The engaging tabs themselves are angled towards the inside edges of the side spring so that they engage with the inner edge of the groove 10 prior to side springs as the clip is slid into place. The bottom edge of the tab is also angled from the open end of the inverted a shape towards the closes end so that its bottom edge progressively engages with the corner of the groove where the inner edge 10 meets bottom of the groove 11.

FITTING. When fitting the fence panel between two posts using two clips and it is required that the clips cannot be removed without causing damage to the fence, the following method would be employed; The clips would be nailed onto the fence panel upright towards the top of the upright using holes A and B, as shown in Figure 6.Note that the retrieval tab is still vertical and is nailed to the side of the upright. One clip would be positioned on either side providing one clip per slot. The side springs 3 would be adjusted so that the width between the outer edges of the side springs is slightly greater than the width of the receiving groove in the post. The bottom spring would be pressed out so the clip would give the side profile as shown in Figure 3. The fence would then be slid vertically down along the receiving grooves in the post until the engagement tabs met with the receiving groove. Increased pressure would then be applied to the top of the fence panel to force it down; in turn forcing side springs 3 and bottom spring 4 to engage. When the fence 7 was at the required height the weatherboard 12 would be fixed into place and the process would be complete.

When fitting the fence panel between two posts using two clips and it is required that the clips can be removed without causing damage typically the following would take place. The clip would be nailed to the panel upright using grooves C. and would be positioned so that the top of the baseplate 1 was level with the panel upright as shown in Figure 7.Note that this time the retrieval tab is left standing above the top of the panel upright. The retrieval tab is then bent over through approx ninety degrees as shown in Figure 8. And fixed to the top of the upright using holes A. The side and bottom springs would be adjusted as previously described and the fence and clip would be forced into place into the receiving groove. When the desired position was achieved the weatherboard would be nailed into place, hiding the retrieval tab from general view.

If for some reason it was necessary to remove the clips, prior to removing the fence panel, then the following would take place; The weatherboard 12would be removed revealing the retrieval tab 2 .The fixings inserted through holes A would be removed and the retrieval tab would be levered up and grabbed using pliers or similar. The tab 2 would be pulled using the pliers and enough vertical force applied to pull the clip clear of the fixing used in slots C. If the clip could not initially simply be pulled out using the retrieval tab 2 then the pressure applied by the side springs 3 would be weakened as described. The panel could then be removed.

Where extra security is desired or where the use of a gravelboard 13 is omitted then it may be desirable to use four clips per panel, one in each corner. The two clips at

the top could be fitted in either way, removable or non-removable as previously described. However a different method is required for inserting the two lower clips, as once they are lowered into the receiving grooves, to force the clip almost the entire length of the post would prove difficult and would probably result in damage to the fence. To overcome this problem, the side springs are adjusted so that so that the overall width of the clip is less than that of the receiving groove and subsequently offer no pressure against the inner walls 10 of the groove. When inserted they would slide down the entire length of the receiving groove until resistance was met from the engaging tabs on the two clips at positioned at the top of the fence. The fence would then be forced down into the required position and the two side springs on the lower clips could be adjusted using slots 5.

It should be noted that because the side springs are visible when the clip is fitted and the fence panel in place, it is possible to increase the pressure exerted by side springs using slots 5 as previously described or to decrease the pressure by levering the outer edge of the of the springs 3 away from walls 10 of the receiving groove.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for securing fence panels to grooved fence posts so once fitted to the panel and the panel located in the groove it provides resistance, so the panel cannot be moved or additional pressure is required to move it had the device not been fitted, comprising of a baseplate as a means of attachment, a retrieval tab to aid recovery, means of applying pressure to the internal surfaces of a groove in a fence post, this pressure being fixed or adjustable and a means to assist the fitting of the device into the groove. 2. A device as claimed in claim one where the device, once fitted to the wooden fence slots into the groove on the concrete post and contains side springs, which place pressure on the inner walls of the groove. 3. A device as claimed in 1 or 2, which contains a spring, which places pressure on the bottom of the groove in the post. 4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, which allows the springs to either, self adjust or be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the pressure exerted by the device. S. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, which incorporates a means to assist fitting of the device into the groove of the post once the device has been fitted to the fence and the panel is slid into place between the posts. 6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which provides a means to secure the device to the fence panel so it cannot be removed from the panel once the panel is in place between posts without damaging the fence panel or the device itself 7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that provides a means to secure the device to the fence panel so that it can be removed once the panel is in place without causing damage to the panel itself, prior to the panel being removed. 8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that provides a means to adjust pressure exerted by the side springs either before or after the panel is fitted between posts and the device is engaged in the groove

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9. A device as claimed in any proceeding claim, which is made from metal, plastics material or from a combination of these materials. 10. A device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings 11. A device for locating a fence panel within a groove of a support post, said device comprising resilient means wherein in use said device is attached to once side of said fence panel and located within said groove such that resilient pressure is exerted against said inner walls of said groove by the said resilient means so as to securely locate the fence panel within the said support post groove.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A device for securing fence panels to grooved fence posts so once fitted to the panel and the panel located in the groove it provides resistance, so the panel cannot be moved or additional pressure is required to move it had the device not been fitted, comprising of a baseplate adapted in use to lie against the vertical edge of a fence panel as a means of attachment, a retrieval tab joined to the base plate but capable of allowing disconnection of the device from the fence panel, means of applying pressure to the internal surfaces of a groove in a fence post, this pressure being fixed or adjustable and a means to assist the fitting of the device into the groove. 2. A device as claimed in claim one where the device, once fitted to the wooden fence slots into the groove on the concrete post and contains side springs, which place pressure on the inner walls of the groove. 3. A device as claimed in 1 or 2, which contains a spring, which places pressure on the bottom of the groove in the post. 4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, which allows the springs to either, self adjust or be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the pressure exerted by the device. 5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, which incorporates a means to assist fitting of the device into the groove of the post once the device has been fitted to the fence and the panel is slid into place between the posts. 6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which provides a means to secure the device to the fence panel so it cannot be removed from the panel once the panel is in place between posts without damaging the fence panel or the device itself 7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that provides a means to secure the device to the fence panel so that it can be removed once the panel is in place without causing damage to the panel itself, prior to the panel being removed. 8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim that provides a means to adjust pressure exerted by the side springs either before or after the panel is fitted between posts and the device is engaged in the groove

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9. A device as claimed in any proceeding claim, which is made from metal, plastics material or from a combination of these materials. 10. A device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings 11. A device for locating a fence panel within a groove of a support post said device comprising resilient means wherein in use said device is attached to once side of said fence panel either permanently or temporarily with means to assist fitting of device into groove of support post and facility s to remove the device whilst it is fitted in situation and located within said groove, so that resilient pressure is exerted against all inner walls of said groove by the said adjustable resilient means so as to securely locate the fence panel within the said support post groove.