GB2416906A - Sign for use with palisade fencing - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a display system for use with palisade fencing. The display comprises a sign (100) coupled to a support post (110), said support post (110) being arranged for engagement with a substantially vertical post (12) of the palisade fencing. The support post (110) may engage with the vertical post (12) of the fencing by having a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of the vertical post (12). Preferably the support post (110) has a substantially T-shaped or I-shaped cross section. A banner-type sign (210) may be suspended between two display systems.

Description

Improvements in and relating to fencing The present invention relates to

improvements in fencing, particularly fencing of the palisade type. Palisade fencing generally comprises a plurality of vertical support posts, planted securely in the ground, which are provided with a plurality of horizontal posts spanning the gap between adjacent vertical support posts. The horizontal posts are securely attached to the vertical posts at each end. The horizontal posts are then further provided with a plurality of vertical struts at periodic intervals along their length, which struts form the main body of the fence Part of such a prior art palisade fence 10 is illustrated in Figure 1. Only one panel is shown, but in reality, the fence may consist of any number of such panels, as required.

The vertical support posts 12 are planted firmly into the ground 20, and preferably set securely into concrete. The vertical posts 12 are I-shaped in cross-section, such that the horizontal posts 14 can be accommodated in the one of the pair of recessed portions so provided.

The pair of horizontal posts 14 are securely bolted into position in the vertical supports 12, Alternatively, they may be riveted, welded or otherwise fixed into position.

In the specific example shown in Figure 1, only a two horizontal posts 14 are provided, but in different fencing configuration, more may be required.

Positioned to span the gap between the horizontal posts 14 are a plurality of vertical struts 16. The struts 16 extend beyond the horizontal posts in upward and downward directions so that the fence panel 10 provides as much security as possible.

The vertical struts are formed to have a V- or W-shaped cross-section, for increased rigidity. The upper ends of the vertical struts 16 are provided with a sharpened lo and/or pointed region to deter scaling of the fence.

All the various parts 12, 14, 16 of the fence 10 are formed from steel, providing a strong, robust, environmentally rugged and easy to install fencing solution.

The panels may be provided as individual parts as described above or, preferably, as entire panels as shown in Figure 1.

Palisade fences of the type illustrated in Figure 1 are commonly used to provide a high-security barrier around a site. Typically the site may be a commercial or residential property or, increasingly, around cellular telephone base stations, which are often positioned in remote locations and thus vulnerable to vandalism or pilfering.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system for use with palisade fencing, comprising a sign coupled to a support post, said support post being arranged for engagement with a vertical support of the palisade fencing.

The sign system according to embodiments of the invention can comprise a single support post, bearing a panel, or it may comprise a banner-type sign which is supported between two or more spaced-apart support posts.

In the banner-type systems, the sign is preferably supported on one or more elongate supports, which are tensioned and strung between one or more support posts.

The support post is arranged for engagement with the vertical support post of the palisade fencing by having a cross-sectional shape closely matching that of the vertical support post such that it can simply be slotted onto it. Additional fixing means, such as screw, bolts or rivets may also be provided.

Various other preferred features of the invention will be

apparent from the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a prior art palisade fencing panel;

Figures 2a and 2b show a first embodiment of the invention; and Figures 3a and 3b shows a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2a shows how a palisade fence 10, of the type know from the prior art, can be provided with a sign 100. The sign 100 is attached firmly to one of the vertical posts 12 in a semi-permanent fashion.

The sign can be added to warn of a potential danger within the fenced area, as shown in Figure 2a or advertising or other informational signs can be used.

Figure 2b shows in detail how the sign 100 is attached to the vertical post 12. The sign comprises two main parts: the information panel 120 and the attachment shoe 110. The informational panel is a printed panel of sheet metal.

Other materials, such as woods or plastics could also be used.

The attachment shoe 110 is a hollow portion shaped to provide a close fit to the I-shaped vertical post 12. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 2b, the attachment shoe 110 has a generally T-shaped cross-section for placement onto the post 12. To provide a semi- permanent attachment, the shoe 110 is secured in place by a bolt or screw 112 which is fitted through a threaded portion of the shoe 110 and engages with the post 112.

Embodiments of the invention, as shown in Figure 2 allow informational or advertising signs to be quickly, securely and safely added to existing palisade fencing with no alterations required to the existing fencing.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, where a larger, banner-type sign 200 can be displayed on existing palisade fencing 10.

The banner-type sign 200 comprises a flexible sheet 210, bearing the desired sign information and a plurality of support posts 220.

Each support post 220 is arranged to be positioned, semi- permanently, onto one of the vertical posts 12 of the palisade fencing system 10. The support post 220 includes attachment means which operate in the same way as has been lo described in relation to the first embodiment in Figure 2a. However, in Figure 3b, one support post has a T-shaped cross-section for engagement with the vertical post 12, and the other support post has an I-shaped cross-section to correspond with the I-shaped cross-section of the vertical post itself.

The flexible sign 210 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as printed plastics or tarpaulin material, and may preferably be perforated to reduce the effect of windage on the sign. The width of the sign is chosen such that it is ideally slightly less than a multiple of the distance between any two vertical posts. In the examole shown in Figure 3a, the sign is just below the width of two panels of palisade fencing 10.

To secure the sign in position, it is attached to two elongate supports 240, which are fastened securely to support posts 220. The elongate supports fit through suitable channels in the upper and lower edges of the sign 210.

The elongate supports 240 are preferably formed from nylon webbing material, as this offers a lightweight and strong solution.

At a first end, the elongate supports are provided with a loop or eyelet which engages with a nut and bolt 250 and two protrusions 255, as shown in Figure 3b. In this way, a first end of the elongate supports is fixed to one of the support posts.

At a second end, the elongate supports are provided with a ratchet mechanism 230, which is then firmly secured to the support post. The ratchet mechanism allows the elongate supports 240 to be placed in tension and ensures that the sign 210 remains in a vertical position. As an alternative to using a ratchet mechanism 230, the elongate supports, particularly if provided in the form of rope or cable, may be tensioned using a turnbuckle.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3a, an additional support 220 is provided at a mid point of the sign 200.

The sign may be fastened to the intermediate support post for additional stability if required. In cases where the sign spans several panels, then several intermediate support posts may be provided.

Prior to embodiments of the present invention being available, it was common to erect a sign lower down on the palisade fencing, but a disadvantage of such a solution is that it can provide a step part way up the fence, making it easier for someone to scale the fence, and compromising the very security which the fence is intended to provide.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and lo drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (8)

1. A display system for use with palisade fencing, Comprising a sigr, coupled to a support post, said support post being arranged for engagement with a substantially vertical support of the palisade fencing.

2. A display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the system comprises a single support post, bearing a panel.

3. A display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the system comprises comprise a banner-type sign, which is supported between two or more spaced-apart support posts.

4. A display system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sign is preferably supported on one or more elongate supports, which are tensioned and strung between one or more support posts.

5. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support post is arranged for engagement with the vertical support post of the palisade fencing by having a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of the vertical support post.

6. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein additional fixing means are provided to secure the support post to the vertical support of the palisade fencing. 3G

7. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support post has a substantially T-shaped or I-shaped cross-section. q

8. A display system as hereinbefore described and having particular reference to the accompanying drawings.