GB2370050A

GB2370050A - Fence panel and connector therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2370050A
Application number: GB0126123A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Morgan
Original assignee: PRESCO PRESSINGS
Current assignee: PRESCO PRESSINGS
Priority date: 2001-10-31
Filing date: 2001-10-31
Publication date: 2002-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-31
Also published as: GB2370050B; GB0126123D0

Abstract

A fence panel connector (10) for mutually securing a post (26) and a rail (24) of a fence panel in a desired configuration. The connector (10) comprises first and second locating members (18a,18b) extending from opposite sides of a body portion (12) of the connector (10). The first and second locating members (18a,18b) define, at least in part, a post-receiving channel (20a) and a rail-receiving channel (20b) respectively, each channel (20a,20b) having an open face through which, in use, the respective post (26) or rail (24) is received, such that in use each locating member (18a,18b) abuts a respective one of the post (26) and rail (24).

Description

FENCE PANEL AND CONNECTOR THEREFOR The present invention relates to a connector adapted for use in a fence panel and to a fence panel incorporating such a connector.

Temporary fencing, of the kind used in and around building sites or other sites to be secured, is typically made up of fence panels which are interconnected by removable adjustable clamps which enable adjacent panels to be connected together in mutual alignment or mutually inclined, as desired. Each fence panel comprises a rectangular metal frame formed of a pair of hollow tubular posts and upper and lower horizontal hollow tubular rails. The frame is in-filled with metal mesh or solid metal sheet.

The lower ends of the posts are located in large mounting blocks, typically made of concrete or plastic composite, in order to fix the fencing panels in position. The frame is typically made by the welding of the ends of the rails to the posts. This welding operation is difficult to perform satisfactorily without weakening the tubes or the rails. One solution to this problem is disclosed in our copending application GB 9930888 in which connectors are provided for interconnecting the posts and the rails. Referring to Figure 1, each connector 2 has slotted body regions 4 arranged in a"T"configuration for receiving a post and a rail respectively. The regions 4 can be clamped around the post/rail with the latter being held in the desired position by mutually securing pairs of flanges 6.

The need to weld the rails and the posts together can be avoided, and the frame can be assembled easily, simply by inserting the posts and rails into the respective body portions, squeezing the respective flanges into mutual engagement so as to urge the body portions into clamping abutment with the post and the rail, and securing the mutually abutting flanges together. Although the aforementioned connector solves certain problems, it is relatively complex in shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fence panel connector.

According to the present invention there is provided a panel fence connector for mutually securing a post and a rail of a fence panel in a desired configuration, said connector comprising first and second locating members extending from opposite sides of a body portion of the connector, wherein the first and second locating members define, at least in part, a post-receiving channel and a rail-receiving channel respectively, each channel having an open face through which, in use, the respective post or rail is received, such that in use each locating member abuts a respective one of the post and rail.

It will be understood that the provision of open-faced channels into which the post and rail are received offers the significant advantage that the connector can be located onto the fence panel with the posts and rails prepositioned in their desired configuration. This is of particular benefit if a connector has to be removed and replaced for any reason. It is impossible to remove a single connector and replace it with a connector having the known"T"configuration. Instead, both connectors at the end of a rail or post would have to be removed and replaced.

Thus, the present invention also resides in a panel fence connector for mutually securing a post and a rail of a fence panel in a desired configuration, said connector comprising a post-receiving channel and a rail-receiving channel, each channel having an open face through which, in use, the respective post or rail is received, such that the rail and post can be received in the respective receiving channels when pre-configured in the desired configuration.

The receiving channels defined by the locating members may provide a close sliding fit, frictional fit or snap fit for the respective post or rail.

Preferably, the receiving channels are slightly oversize, i. e. provide a close sliding fit for the respective post or rail. Preferably, the body portion is a plate-like member. Such a body portion provides strength and rigidity to the connector. Preferably, the body portion is provided with at least one strengthening rib.

Preferably, each locating member is provided with at least one hole extending from an external surface thereof to the respective receiving channel. In use, each hole serves as an access point through which the locating member can be secured to the rail or post, preferably by welding, although the connector could be screwed, bolted or otherwise secured through each hole.

Preferably, the connector is of unitary construction, the locating members being extensions of the body portion. More preferably, said extensions are formed by bending opposite sides of the plate-like body portion out of the plane of the body portion. Most preferably, said extensions have a partcircular section such that the receiving channels are part-cylindrical and therefore capable of receiving a tubular rail or post. Preferably, the receiving channels are mutually spaced apart. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the receiving channels are substantially mutually perpendicular, such that in use, a post and rail are received in a mutually orthogonal configuration. The present invention also relates to the use of a connector in accordance with the present invention in assembling a fence panel and to a fence panel having posts and rails and comprising at least one connector in accordance with the present invention.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known connector, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connector in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 3 is a side view of the connector of Fig 2 in use to hold in position a post and rail of a fence panel. Figure 4 is a side view of part of a panel fence in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a connector 10 is formed from a single sheet of cold rolled steel, stamped and pressed into the desired shape. The connector 10 comprises a main plate-like body portion 12 of basic triangular shape with a curved cut-out 14 at one apex. A pair of ribs 16 extend across the body portion 12 parallel to the side of the body portion 12 opposite the cut-out 14. The ribs 16 provide additional strength and rigidity to the connector 10 in use. Each side of the body portion 12

adjacent the cut-out 14 is bent to provide an arcuate extension 18a, b to the body portion 12. Between each arcuate extension 18a, b and the body portion is defined an open-faced channel 20a, b, each channel 20a, b extending from the cut-out 14 along the respective side of the body portion 12. Three spaced apart holes 22 are provided through each extension 20a, b into the respective channel 18a, b.

In use, the connector 10 will generally be pushed onto a first pole (rail 24 or post 26) through the open face of one of the receiving channels 20a such that the pole 24 is located in that receiving channel 20a and is in abutment with one of the extensions 18a (which therefore serves as a locating member). The connector 10 is spot welded in place, the welding being effected through the holes 22 provided in the extension 18a. A second pole (post 26 or rail 24) is subsequently presented to the open face of the other receiving channel 20b and located in that receiving channel 20b such that the end of the second pole 26 abuts the side of the first pole 24 (Figure 3), with the two poles 24,26 being mutually perpendicular.

The second pole 26 is then welded in place in the same manner as the first pole 24.

Referring to Figure 4, a fence panel 30 comprises two posts 26 and two rails 24 held together by four connectors 10 (only partly shown in Figure 4) as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, to form a framework which is in-filled with a wire mesh 32. Each connector 10 is welded at a corner where adjacent rails 24 and posts 26 meet. A lower portion of each post extends through the cut-out 14 in the associated connector 10 and defines a leg 26a of the fence panel 30. It will be understood that the provision of the cut-out 14 enables the length of the leg 26a to be adjusted according to individual application requirements.

Once the fence panel 30 has been assembled, it is often desirable to galvanise it by immersion in a galvanising tank to prevent rust. In contrast to the known connectors 2, the simple structure of the connectors 10 of the present invention does not result in pooling of the galvanising fluid, and in addition results in more complete galvanising. Pooling of galvanising fluid can be problematic in that over time it leaches out and corrodes the connectors 2.

In use, fence panels 30 can often be damaged, eg. through corrosion, which may require replacement of one of the connectors. Once the old connector has been cut away, it is a relatively simple operation to present a connector 10 in accordance with the present invention to the abutting post 26 and rail 24, which are received into the open-faced post and rail receiving channels 20a, 20b respectively without having to separate the mutually abutting post 26 and rail 24. Once the connector 10 is welded in place, the repair has been effected without interfering with any of the other connectors. This type of repair cannot be accomplished using the known connectors 2, since it is impossible to mount the connector 2 to a pair of abutting poles. Instead, a second connector 2 would have to be removed so that one of the rail or post is freely moveable. Such an arrangement is clearly unsatisfactory requiring double the time to effect a repair, and the use of two connectors where perhaps only one is damaged.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A panel fence connector for mutually securing a post and a rail of a fence panel in a desired configuration, said connector comprising first and second locating members extending from opposite sides of a body portion of the connector, wherein the first and second locating members define, at least in part, a post-receiving channel and a rail-receiving channel respectively, each channel having an open face through which, in use, the respective post or rail is received, such that in use each locating member abuts a respective one of the post and rail.
2. A panel fence connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving channels defined by the locating members provide a close sliding fit, frictional fit or snap fit for the respective post or rail in use.
3. A panel fence connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receiving channels are slightly oversize, and so provide a close sliding fit for the respective post or rail in use.
4. A panel fence connector as claimed in any preceding claim 4, wherein the body portion is provided with at least one strengthening rib.
5. A panel fence connecter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each locating member is provided with at least one hole extending from an external surface thereof to the respective receiving channel.
6. A panel fence connector as claimed in any preceding claim which is of unitary construction, the locating members being extensions of the body portion.
7. A panel fence connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein said extensions have a part-circular section such that the receiving channels are part-cylindrical and therefore capable of receiving a tubular rail or post.
8. A panel fence connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion is a plate-like member.
9. A panel fence connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein said extensions are formed by bending opposite sides of the plate-like body portion out of the plane of the body portion.
10. A panel fence connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receiving channels are mutually spaced apart.
11. A panel fence connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal axes of the receiving channels are substantially mutually perpendicular, such that in use, a post and rail are received in a mutually orthogonal configuration.
12. A panel fence connector for mutually securing a post and a rail of a fence panel in a desired configuration, said connector comprising a postreceiving channel and a rail-receiving channel, each channel having an open face through which, in use, the respective post or rail is received, such that the rail and post can be received in the respective receiving channels when pre-configured in the desired configuration.
13. A fence panel connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
14. A fence panel having posts and rails and comprising at least one connector in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13.