GB2402140A

GB2402140A - Fence post

Info

Publication number: GB2402140A
Application number: GB0312220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ryan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-28
Filing date: 2003-05-28
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Also published as: GB0312220D0

Abstract

A fence post (10) comprises a body (11) having one or more flanges (12, 15), at least one plate (18) and means for attaching a plate to each flange to define a space there between, in use to receive and clamp the side edge of a fence panel. Preferably each flange extends longitudinally and is integral with the body. The post may be hollow and the top end closed with a cap (21).

Description

2402 1 40 Fence Post This invention relates to the erection of fences and

provides apparatus and a method for securing a fence panel to a fence post.

There are numerous fencing arrangements available which are usually erected to enclose a specific area in order to define or protect it. Typically, fence arrangements comprise fencing posts fixed in the ground to which fencing panels are attached. The fencing posts can be made from any solid material such as wood or concrete and the fencing panels are typically constructed from either solid wood with overlapping horizontal strips supported by a surrounding frame or spaced-apart pickets attached to horizontal rails.

Fencing is often erected upon land which is exposed to wind, whereby solid-panelled fences are especially vulnerable to damage. In order for the fencing to withstand such conditions, it needs to be assembled in a manner that renders it secure and robust.

The main area of weakness in a fencing arrangement can be found at the connection between the fencing post and fencing panel. The current methods available for connecting the panels to the post involve the use of fasteners, for example nuts and bolts or even merely nails driven through the frame into the post. In more sophisticated arrangements, the post may be required to be drilled in order to receive the fastener or, in some cases, a groove may be formed in the post in order for it to receive the edge of a panel more securely.

There are several problems associated with the current connection methods. Iirstly, if a fastener is used, then the connection of the panel to the post can be time consuming and expensive. In addition, if the posts have grooves, the width of the groove in relation to the thickness of the panel must be considered. Furthermore, the panels can often easily be detached from the posts producing an opening in the fencing arrangement which would enable intruders to enter the enclosed areas; this problem can also occur with fencing arrangements that include posts with grooves where the panels are thin in relation to the width of the groove. Most importantly, the major problem associated with current fencing arrangements is their vulnerability to adverse weather conditions. The fencing arrangements are unable to withstand extreme winds and are often damaged or blown over.

It is an object of this invention therefore to produce a fencing arrangement which overcomes the above mentioned problems.

In one aspect the invention provides a fence post comprising a body member having one or more projections, a plate member and means for attachment of the plate member to the or each projection to define a space therebetween, in which the projection and the plate member cooperate with each other in use to receive and clamp the side edge region of a fence panel in the space.

The body member of the post may be formed from any type of solid material, preferably metal or concrete. The body member is preferably square or rectangular in cross-section.

The body member may be inserted in the ground or may be anchored by a concrete base or a ground- or concrete-engaging socket of the "METPOST'type.

The or each projection may extend over some or all of the length of the body member and may protrude from one or more sides of the body member. Preferably, the or each projection comprises a longitudinal flange member which may be integrally formed with the body member of the post.

The attachment means may be any suitable type of fastening, preferably nuts and bolts.

The post may additionally comprise a cap which can be of various designs.

In another aspect the invention provides a fencing arrangement comprising two or more posts of the type described in the first aspect with panels disposed therebetween.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of constructing a fence the method comprising inserting a fence post of the type described in the first aspect in the ground, placing the side edge region of a fence panel between a projection and a plate member of the post, and clamping these members together with the attachment means.

In a further aspect the invention provides a kit ol parts lor constructing a fencing arrangement, the kit comprising two or more fence posts of the type described in the first aspect and one or more fence panels.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure I is a side elevation showing a single fence post suitable for use as an adjoining post; I;igure 2 is a plan view of the fence post shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a fence post suitable for use as a corner post; and Figure 4 is a plan view of a fence post suitable for use as an end post.

With reference to Figure 1, the fence post shown generally at 10 has a body member I 1, of which portion A is shown to be below ground level and portion B is above ground level, flange members 12,15, plate member]8 and a cap 21. Each flange member has two apertures therein 16,17;19,20 in order to receive attachment means such as a nut and bolt.

The plate member 18, which corresponds with flange member 12, has two apertures 19, 20, at predetermined points so that, when the plate member and the flange member are aligned, the apertures 137 19 and 14, 20 coincide and the bolts can be fed through the apertures and secured therein with the tightening of the nut. Flange 15 also has a corresponding plate member, not shown.

In use, the edge region of a fence panel (not shown) which has apertures that coincide with those of the flange and plate member is placed between the flange and plate member and clamped therebetween by the nuts and bolts led through the apertures and tightened. Each end of the fence panel is attached to a fence post and a series of panels and posts are built up in the way described in order to produce a fencing arrangement of a particular shape and size as required. When building up a series of fence posts and panels in a straight line, posts of the type shown in Figure 2 are used, in which the flange members 31,32 protrude from the post 30 on opposite sides and in opposite directions. When a fencing arrangement with a corner is required, posts of the type shown in Figure 3 are used, in which the flange members 41,42 protrude from adjacent sides of the post 42. When the final panel of the fencing arrangement has been put in place posts of the type shown in Figure 3 are used, in which there is only one flange member 51 protruding from the post 50.

Claims

Claims 1. A fence post comprising a body member having one or more

projections, a plate member and means for attachment of the plate member to the or each projection to define a space therebetween, in which the projection and the plate member cooperate with each other in use to receive and clamp the side edge region of a fence panel in the space.
2. A fence post according to claim 1, in which the body member is formed from metal or concrete.
3. A fence post according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the body member is square or rectangular in cross-section.
4. A fence post according to any preceding claim, in which the body member is inserted in the ground.
5. A fence post according to any preceding claim which is anchored by a concrete base or

HIM

a ground- or concrete-engaging socket of the "METPOST" type.
6. A fence post according to any preceding claim, in which the or each projection extends over some or all of the length of the body member.
7. A fence post according to any preceding claim, in which the or each projection protrudes from one or more sides of the body member.
8. A fence post according to any preceding claim, in which the or each projection comprises a longitudinal flange member.
9. A fence post according to claim 8, in which the flange member is integrally formed with the body member of the post.
10. A fence post according to any preceding claim, in which the attachment means is nuts and bolts.
11. A fence post according to any preceding claim further comprising a cap.
12. A fencing arrangement comprising two or more posts according to any preceding claim with panels disposed therebetween.
13. A method of constructing a fence, the method comprising inserting a fence post according to any preceding claim in the ground, placing the side edge region of a fence panel between a projection and a plate member of the post, and clamping these members together with the attachment means.
14. A kit of parts for constructing a fencing arrangement, the kit comprising two or more fence posts according to any preceding claim and one or more fence panels.