GB2389595A

GB2389595A - Support for lower corner of fence panel

Info

Publication number: GB2389595A
Application number: GB0318505A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Waldron
Original assignee: In Q Bator Ltd
Current assignee: In Q Bator Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-31
Filing date: 2001-10-31
Publication date: 2003-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-31
Also published as: GB2389595B; GB0318505D0

Abstract

A support 64,. Fig 5, for a lower corner of a fence panel comprises a bracket 65 for securing to the post and a stirrup 73 which depends from bracket 65, being pivoted at 77. The arrangement allows for positioning of the corner of the panel below a post receiving socket of a ground spike. Fig 1 shows in front view a rigid equivalent, the stirrup 31 ,13, 32 being spaced from post 23 for the same purpose.

Description

( Feocmg System This invention relates to a fencing system.

Generally, fencing systems comprise a series of spaced upright fence posts, lower end portions of which are located in concrete-filled dug-out recesses in ground, and a series of fence panels, each being located in relation to and extending between respective pairs of the posts.

In one such fencing system, the posts and panels are of timber and the panels are located us relation to the posts by means of U-shaped brackets. The bases of these are nailed to the posts in upper and lower positions to form vertical channels and the panels are then lowered between the arms of the U-shaped brackets so that end edge margins of the panels He located between the arms of the brackets, which are finally secured to either side of the panels by nails.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fencing system including a support member for supporting a fence panel, the support member comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to a fence post and a stirrup depending Dom the bracket for receiving a lower portion of the fence panel therein.

Also according to He present invention, there is provided a support member for use in such a system.

In effect, lower comers of each fence panel are located in support members such that the weight of the panel is supported wholly by the support members.

Furennore, a support member, when secured to a fence post, provides support for a fence post during construction of a fence so that it is not necessary to provide temporary support by means of blocks.

( Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the

accompanying drawings of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the dravnngs: Figure I is an elevation of an embodiment of a support member of a fencing system in accordance with the present invention and shown mounted on a fence post, Figure 2 is a view from one side of the embodiment of the support November shown in Figure t Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the embodiment of the support member shown in Figures I and 2, Figure 4 is an elevation of another embodiment of a support member of a fencing system in accordance wide the present invention, Figure 5 is a view from one side of tle support member shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the support member shown in Figures 4 and 5. Refernng now to Figures I to 3 of the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a support member 30 of a fencing system in accordance with the present invention. The support member 30 is formed from a metal sheet which is cut and bent to provide a rectangular base portion 13, contiguous with elongate rectangular front and rear portions 31, 32 extending upwardly from opposite ends of the base portion 13, and rectangular mounting webs 16, 17 contiguous And and bent at right angles to the respective Wont and rear portions 31, 32 so that the mounting webs 16, 17 extend towards one another above and perpendicular to the base portion 13. The mounting webs 16, 17 are provided with apertures 18.

( in order to prepare the apparatus for use, the support member 30 is secured to a fence post 23 at a predetermined location corresponding to a desired lower position of a fence panel (not shown) in use, when the post 23 is in an upright position supported either in prepared ground or in a spike adapted to receive the post 23 and inserted in the ground. The support member 30 is secured to the post 23 by means of nails 24 the shanks of which are driven into the post 23 through the respective apertures 18 of the support member 3Q.

A sinular procedure is carried out with regard to other posts 23 ready to receive corresponding fence panels.

Each fence panel, in turn, is first placed on the &round so that upper portions of the panel are located by upper fence panel support members (not shown). The fence panel is then lifted until lower edges of the panel are above corresponding lower support members 30 and the fence panel is then lowered so that it seats on the lower support members 30.

The elongate front and rear portions 31, 32 of the support members 30 provide for positioning of a lower portion of a fence panel nearer to ground if construction of a fencing system in accordance with the present invention is to be carried out using ground spikes having specially adapted upper recess portions for receiving lower end portions of fence posts, the spikes being driven into the ground for receiving the fence posts rather than recesses being dug into the ground to receive the posts and the posts then being concreted in the recesses. With such elongate Wont and rear portions, which provide a stirrup configuration, it is possible to locate a lower portion of a fence panel below upper edges of Me recess portions of the spikes, such recess portions generally extending upwardly from die ground in use, because the front and rear portions 31, 32 extend outwardly and downwardly of the upper recess portions of the ground inserted spikes and, therefore, fence panels may be located relative to corresponding fence posts at any desirable height from the ground.

( Refenng now to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment of a support member 64 for use in a fencing system in accordance with the present invention. The support member 64 composes a bracket 65 formed of plastics material havmg a rectangular base 66 and lugs 67, 68 extending from a surface of the base 66 at opposite ends thereof. The base 66 is provided with apertures 69, 70 for receiving nails (not shown) for attaching the bracket 65 to a fence post. Each of the lugs is provided with a recess 71, 72. The support member 64 also comprises a stirrup 73 in the form of a rod bent in a U-shape configuration 74 and bent out of the plane of the U-shape configuration 14 to form a pair of spaced parallel limbs 75, 76 end portions of which are Conned at right angles to provide spindles 77, 78. The spindles 77, 78 are sprung into corresponding apertures 71, 12 in the lugs 67, 68 of the bracket 65.

In use, the bracket 65 Is secured to a fence post located in an upright position in ground, the bracket 65 being secured to the post at a predetermined height from the ground, and a fence panel is lifted on to the siinup 13 so that a lower corner of the fence panel is received within and is supported by the U-shape configuration 74, which effectively extends outwardly from the adjacent fence post.

It will be appreciated that the support member 64 may be used in association with other fence panel support members in a fencing system in accordance with the present invention or may be used in any other fencing system.

It will also be appreciated that a fencing system in accordance with the present invention provides for construction of fences single-handed because it is only necessary to lift a fence panel to the height of the lower support members 30 or 64. Furthermore, there is no requirement to nail a fence panel to a fence post.

Claims

s Claims

1. A fencing system including a support member for supporting a fence panel, the support member comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to a fence post and a stirrup depending from the bracket for receiving a lower portion of the fence panel therein

2. A fencing system as claimed in Claim I wherein the Sti'TUp is substantially U-

shape in configuration.

3. A fencing system as claimed m Claim 2 wherein ends of the U-shape configuration are pivotally located in the bracket.

4. A fencing system as clauned in any one of the preceding Claiins wherein a portion of the stirrup remote from the bracket is contained in a plane extending at an angle to a plane containing a portion of the stirrup adjacent the bracket.

5. A support member for use in a fencing system as claimed in any one of Me preceding Claims.

6. A support member substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A fencing system substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A support member substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Figures I to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A fencug system including a support member for supporting a fence panel relative to a fence post the support member comprising a first portion having a base panel adapted to be secured to the fence post and a second portion extending downwardly beyond the nrst portion and spaced outwardly from the base panel, die second portion being of substantially U-shape configuration for receiving a lower corner of the fence panel therein.

2. A fencing system as claimed m Claim 1 wherem the second portion is a wire component havmg tile U-shape cosfignu-ation and wherein opposite ends of the wire component are pivotally connected to the first portion.

3. A fencing system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a portion of the wire component remote frosts flee base panel is contained us a Platte extending at an angle to a plane containing a portion of the wire component adjacent the base panel. 4. A support member for use in a fencing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.

5. A fencing system substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of tle accompanyug drawings.