GB2404673A

GB2404673A - Plastic fencing panel

Info

Publication number: GB2404673A
Application number: GB0318041A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence David Payne
Original assignee: CROWNLEA GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: CROWNLEA GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-01
Filing date: 2003-08-01
Publication date: 2005-02-09
Also published as: GB0318041D0

Abstract

A fencing panel comprises frame 10, 11 and panel members 16 wherein the frame comprises at least two elongate plastic members spaced apart so as to receive the plastic panel member. The panel member comprises at least one planar and substantially rigid member. The frame may comprise four members arranged in a rectangular array and attached together by corner members 13 and the panel member may comprise a matrix of individual panel members.

Description

A Temporary Fencing Panel This invention concerns fencing panels which are erected temporarily, usually around a construction site, the panels being located by steel support plates and/or having downwardly extending legs which locate within concrete or plastics ballast blocks for support. Usually, several such panels are provided and placed end to end with means for attaching together the adjacent ends of the panels to complete the fence. Conventionally, temporary fencing panels of this kind are constructed from galvanised steel and comprise a rectangular frame of tubular members welded together at the comers and having a panel occupying the area defined by the frame. The panel may also be comprised by upright and transverse wires forming a mesh such that the wires are welded together and to the frame to complete the panel. In some cases, the panel may comprise a plain sheet of galvanised steel or the like spot welded at spaced positions around the edges of the panel, to the frame. Such plain panels are used to afford visual security around a constructions site. Although steel panels are generally satisfactory for the purpose, nevertheless if they become damaged or distorted they might be unusable and need to be disposed of. Also, such panels are a considerable weight and are thus difficult to manoeuvre and to transport in large quantities. An object of the present invention is to provide a temporary fencing panel which is much lighter in weight of modular form and thus capable of being readily transported to site prior to assembly, and is capable of being recycled if damaged. According to the present invention there is provided a temporary fencing panel comprising a frame and a panel member occupying the space defined by the frame; characterised in that the frame comprises at least two elongate frame members comprised of plastics material spaced apart to receive between them the panel member; in that the panel member comprises at least one planar substantially rigid panel member of plastics material; and in that the panel member and the frame members are substantially non-removably attached together by fastening means to form a rigid panel. Preferably, the frame comprises four elongate frame members of plastics material arranged in a rectangular array and attached together by comer members. Preferably, a panel member comprises a matrix of individual panel modules attached together and to the frame members by said fastening means. The or each panel module may itself comprise a matrix of upright and transverse webs formed as a single moulding. The fastening means may be rivets caused to pass through peripheral parts of the panel member and the adjacent frame members. The or each panel module may be preformed with apertures to receive the fastening means. The frame members may be preformed with apertures to receive the fastening means. Preferably, the frame members are of tubular form and may include internal or external elongate ribs for additional strength. The comer members may be tubular to receive end regions of the frame members passing into or through the comer members. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an elevation of a temporary fencing panel made in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one part of the panel; Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of a tubular frame member; and Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the attachment of frame members to a comer member. Referring now to the drawings, a temporary fencing panel comprises spaced upright frame members 10 of tubular form and made from plastics material such as recycled polypropylene. The diameter of each upright frame member 10 is in the region of 30 to 40mm. Making up the rectangular frame are a pair of transverse frame members 11 of cylindrical and preferably identical form to the upright frame members 10,although they may be of reduced diameter, say 20mm, for example. The frame members 10 and 11, as can be seen from Fig. 3 have internal elongate ribbing 12 for additional strength. Figs. 1 and 4 show comer members 13 in the form of tubular T pieces preferably made from the same material as the frame members 10 and 11 and adapted to receive the latter internally as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this example the upright frame members 10 pass through the comer members 13 extending above and below the latter, the lower extension being of sufficient length to be located in a conventional recessed concrete, rubber or plastics, block adapted to receive such a temporary fencing panel or located by steel support plates. The upper extension of each upright frame member 10 may be used to support a post or an attachment for a run of barbed wire or other additional security material. Referring now to Figs 1 and 2, the panel within the frame is, in this example, comprised by a matrix of eight individual panel modules one of which is illustrated in Fig. 2. Each panel module is produced by moulding from plastics material such as recycled polypropylene and itself comprises a matrix of upright and transverse webs 15, the peripheral ones of which are available for attachment of the panel modules to each other and to the frame members. One or more of such individual panel modules may be of plain form or may have attached thereto a plain sheet for additional visual security. In addition, one or more such modules may include or have attached thereto a board 16 for advertising purposes or to provide a notice board. The entire temporary fencing panel is assembled by attaching together the upright and transverse frame members 10 and 11 and comer members 13. Rivets or the like can be used for secure attachment of these parts. The panel is then assembled, also by riveting or the like such that the matrix of individual panel modules are attached together and to the adjacent frame members. Preferably, the peripheral parts of each panel module are punched or preformed with apertures to receive the rivets or other fastening means, and if necessary the frame members 10 and 11 may be similarly apertured to receive such means. Thus, a complete temporary fencing panel may be readily assembled for use. Typically, such a panel may be in the region of 1900mm in height by 3450mm in length, and each single panel module may be some 860mm in height and some 830mm in width. The thickness of each of the matrix of webs in each panel module may be in the region of 5mm, and the depth of each module is in the region of 15mm thus to fit easily against the frame members being of some 40mm in diameter. The overall weight of a temporary fencing panel made in accordance with this invention is considerably less than that of typical prior art panels made of galvanised steel. The construction of the panel by the use of rivets or other fastening means involves considerably less technical equipment than is required for welding a conventional panel. Should the panel become damaged in use, its construction from plastics material enables it to be recycled. Unlike conventional temporary fencing panels of steel, panels made in accordance with the invention can be transported to site in modular form and assembled on site by unskilled personnel and without the need for specialised equipment.

Claims

1. A temporary fencing panel comprising a frame and a panel member occupying the space defined by the frame; characterised in that the frame comprises at least two elongate frame members comprised of plastics material and spaced apart to receive between them the panel member; in that the panel member comprises at least one planar substantially rigid panel member of plastics material; and in that the panel member and the frame members, when assembled, are substantially non-removably attached together by fastening means to form a rigid panel.

2. A temporary fencing panel according to Claim 1, wherein the frame comprises four elongate members of plastics material arranged in a rectangular array and attached together by comer members.

3. A temporary fencing panel according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the panel member comprises a matrix of individual panel modules attached together and to the frame members by said fastening means.

4. A temporary fencing panel according to Claim 3, wherein at least some of said panel modules each comprise a matrix of upright and transverse webs formed as a single moulding.

5. A temporary fencing panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastening means are rivets caused to pass through peripheral parts of the panel member and the adjacent frame members.

6. A temporary fencing panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each panel member is pre-formed with apertures to receive the fastening means.

7. A temporary fencing panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame members are pre-formed with apertures to receive the fastening means.

8. A temporary fencing panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame members are of tubular form and include internal or external elongate ribs for additional strength.

9. A temporary fencing panel according to Claim 2, wherein the comer members are tubular to receive end regions of the frame members passing into or through the comer members.

10. A temporary fencing panel according to any preceding claim, in which the frame and panel member are supplied separately thus to be capable of transportation to site in modular form and assembled on site.