GB2421519A

GB2421519A - Fence clip

Info

Publication number: GB2421519A
Application number: GB0427681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Butler
Original assignee: MARVILLE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: MARVILLE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-17
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2006-06-28
Also published as: GB0427681D0

Abstract

A fence clip for an open or t-shaped cross section fence post 4 comprises a wrap around section 2 and a panel section 3. The wrap around section engages with the fence post and the panel section defines a jaw to retain the edge of a fence panel. The wrap around section may be malleable to adapt to the shape of a post. The panel section may comprise: apertures to accommodate a nail or screw, gripper teeth or an interference fit for further attaching the panel to the clip. Also provided is a fence arrangement including the clip.

Description

Fencing CuD The present invention relates to fencing and more particularly

to fencing clips utilised with respect to open posts in order to secure fencing panels to those posts in order to provide a fence.

It is known to provide fencing in domestic gardens and other environments by securing wooden timber panels of overlapping feather edge wood sections between posts. Originally these posts were solid wood or otherwise secured vertically in the ground with the panels nailed to the post as appropriate. It will be appreciated that such securing of the panel to the post is not ideal in that it is dependent upon nails passing between panel members into the post such that natural shrinking and distortion with respect to these wooden products can reduce the strength of securing the panel to the post resulting in detachment during gusts of wind. More recently, H cross section concrete posts have been used with the panels secured in channels formed in adjacent posts. These concrete posts are pre-cast and generally of a significant weight generally in excess of fifty five kilograms. Furthermore, the panels must be lifted into the opposing channels in adjacent posts rendering fencing a two-man job. Furthermore, these manipulation processes with respect to the posts and panels are cumbersome and generally difficult to perform with a high level of safety, etc. In view of the above it will be appreciated that it is desirable to provide an open post where the panel can be laterally pushed adjacent to the post and then secured without lifting of the panel. Furthermore, and of further importance, open posts have a reduced crosssectional area resulting a reduced weight for the post and so are more acceptable for safety and manipulation requirements.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a fencing clip for an open fence post, the clip comprising a wrap around section and a panel section, the wrap around section shaped to engage in use an open fence post to retain association with the post, the panel section itself or with a portion of the fence post in use defining a jaw for an edge of a fence panel in order to retain that panel, the wrap around section and the panel section respectively shaped for close association with respectively a fence post and edge of a fence panel in use.

Typically, the wrap around section is malleable to adapt to the shape of a post in use, typically such malleability is as a result of hammer percussive force.

Advantageously, the panel section is malleable to adapt to the shape of a panel edge in use. Typically such malleability is achieved through percussive force.

Possibly, there are two panel sections either side of the wrap around section. Generally, the two panel sections are in an opposed orientation in line with each other. Alternatively, the two panel sections are perpendicular to each other.

Generally there are means to secure the wrap around section to the post. Additionally, there are means to secure the panel section to the panel edge. Generally, these means comprise an aperture in the wrap around section or the panel section to accommodate a nail or screw. Additionally, the means may incorporate gripper teeth for interference engagement in use with an opposed part of the post or panel edge. Generally, interference engagement will be provided.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a fence arrangement comprising a fence post, a fence panel and a fencing clip as defined above.

Typically, there are a plurality of fencing clips at spaced locations upon the fence post.

Typically, the arrangement also includes a gravel board at the base below the fence panel and the gravel board secured in use by one of the fencing clips extending between a bottom edge of the fencing panel and a top edge of the gravel board.

Normally, a fencing panel is secured between two fencing posts with the respective fencing clips facing inwardly of the posts towards each other.

Generally, the open fencing post comprises a T cross section with at least one ledge, which in association with a part of the panel section of the fencing clip defines the jaw to secure an edge of the fencing panel in use.

Generally, the open fence post is formed from a cast concrete structure.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a schematic cross section of a first embodiment of a fencing clip associated with an open post and fencing panels in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a second embodiment of a fencing clip in accordance with the present invention associated with an open post and a fencing panel; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of a fencing clip in accordance with the present invention associated with an open post and fencing panels; Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of a fence panel and gravel board associated with fencing clips in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 schematically illustrates in plan view a number of differing open post cross sections with appropriate fencing clips in accordance with the present invention; and, Fig. 6 is a schematic view of an open fence post with fencing panel in accordance with the present invention secured through fencing clips.

As indicated above, open fencing posts are advantageous for at least two reasons, namely that they weigh less and therefore are easier to manipulate safely and also allow the panels to be laterally slid into position rather than lifted for securing between opposed channels in H cross section posts. Clearly however open fence posts by their nature do not incorporate a self locating mechanism for fencing panels secured between adjacent fencing posts at appropriate spacings. In such circumstances it is necessary to provide some form of retention between the post and fencing panel which is convenient to use but also ensures robust association to withstand weathering, etc and wind gusts.

The present invention provides a fencing clip which is normally used in collective numbers on an open fence post in order to retain a fencing panel in use. The fencing clip has a wrap around section which closely engages the open fence post to ensure good association. Typically, the wrap around section can slide upon the open post upwards and downwards to assume a desirable position. The fencing clip also incorporates a panel section which either itself or in association with the part of the fencing post creates a jaw of sufficient depth to provide retention of an edge of the panel in use. Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate three differing embodiments of a fencing clip in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a fencing clip 1 in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the clip 1 comprises a wrap around section 2 and a panel section 3. The wrap around section 2 closely reciprocates an open fence post 4 in terms of its cross sectional shape in order to provide good retained association between the clip 1 and the post 4. Nevertheless, the clip 1 can slide upwards and downwards on the post in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The panel section 3 as can be seen defines a jaw in which fencing panels 5, 6 are located and retained by their edges in the jaw defined by the panel section 3. As can be seen, typically the fence panels 5, 6 are also secured through screws 7, 8 passing through slots in an outward side of the panel section 3. The first embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 is of a generally continuous fence configuration where panels 5, 6 are substantially in alignment to define a fence perimeter barrier in use.

As indicated above, close association between the clip 2, both in terms of the wrap around section 2 and the panel section 3 is important in order to ensure good location of the panels 5, 6 and retention of that location upon the post 4. In order to facilitate this close association in terms of reciprocal shape between the clip 1 and the post 4 and panels 5, 6, it is possible for the clip 1 to be malleable normally under hammer or mallet percussive force into closer reciprocal shaping with the respective post 4 and panels 5, 6. Nevertheless, the clip should also be sufficiently strong to ensure good panel 5, 6 location in use when subjected to weathering and wind gusts, etc. It will be noted that the fence post 4 is of an open nature in which shoulder ledges 9, 10 are formed upon which the panel sections 3 act for engagement and presentation of jaws for retention of the panels 5, 6. These open fence posts 4 are generally of a lighter weight and so are easy to manipulate by installers. The post 4 can be considered as a H section split down the centre beam in order to define the post with ledges 9, 10 in a squat T section. With the clip 1 in accordance with the present invention, a jaw is created which to a certain extent replicates the groove provided in such a H cross section fence post over spaced portions of the post in use and as will be described later with respect to Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a fencing clip in accordance with the present invention in which the clip 11 provides a termination to a fencing barrier. In such circumstances a single fencing panel 16 is secured by a panel section 13 in a jaw defined by that section 13 with a wrap around section 12 closely associated with an open fence post 14. As previously with Fig. 1 the wrap around section 12 closely reciprocates the cross sectional shape of the post 14 to ensure good retention of location and this shaping can be further enhanced by malleability in the section 12 and percussive force adaptation. The panel 16 as indicated previously is secured in the jaw of the panel section 13 and this may be reinforced through a fixing means such as a screw or nail 17 passing through a slot or aperture in an outer part of the panel section 13. In such circumstances the second embodiment depicted in Fig. 2 is similar to the first embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 but with only a single panel section 13 as part of the clip 11. Nevertheless, the panel 16 will be securely presented in the jaw formed by the panel section 13 in association with an adjacent post (not shown) at the other side of the panel 16.

Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a clip 23. It will be understood that with respect to fence barriers it is necessary to provide for corners when the direction of the fence barrier changes. In such circumstances the clip 23 presents respective panel sections 23a, 23b in a perpendicular relationship with respect to jaw presentation to respective fence panels 25, 26. Between the panel sections 23a, 23b a wrap around section 22 is provided to closely engage in terms of reciprocal shaping with an open fence post 24. In such circumstances as described previously, the clip 21 creates a substantial right angle turn in a fence barrier created by the panels 25, 26. The clip 21 ensures close association and retention of the clip about the post 24 for appropriate presentation of the panel sections 23 in jaws created for retention of the panels 25, 26.

Panel section 23a is of a conventional arrangement as described and similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, the jaw created by the panel section 23a comprises a U section associated with a shoulder ledge 20 of the post 24. Within this U section defining a jaw, an end edge of the panel 26 is retained by overlap as well as typically by provision of a securing means such as a screw or nail 27.

Panel section 23 comprises a single upstanding section of the clip 21 which in association with an opposed shoulder ledge 29 of the post 24 creates a jaw for engagement and capture of an end of the fence panel 25. This retention of the panel 25 is further enhanced by provision of a fixing means such as a nail or screw secured through a slot in the upstanding section of the clip 21 and penetrating the end of the panel 25.

It will be appreciated although described with respect to a fence post with a generally T cross section that other open fence posts could be utilised with a fencing clip of the present invention provided that there is sufficient cross sectional shape to ensure retentive association between the clip and the open fence post as well as provide a jaw within which an edge of a fencing panel can be secured. It will also be understood that in terms of actual use of the fencing clip in accordance with the present invention, typically a number of such clips will be retained upon the same fencing post and therefore the clip should be able to slide upwards and downwards upon the fencing post to achieve position.

In view of the inherent weight of fencing posts as well as fencing panels, easy manipulation is important, and in such circumstances care will be taken with respect to the reciprocal shaping between the fencing clip and the post for such positional presentation in use. It is important that the clips can slide upwards and downwards such that a fencing post can be "loaded" with fencing clips in accordance with the present invention and then the fencing panel brought into close proximity to the fencing post and the fencing clips then slid into position either upwards or downwards upon the post for retention of the panel.

Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate three typical embodiments of a fencing clip in accordance with the present invention but it will be appreciated that other shapes and presentations between the wrap around section and the panel section could be provided particuJarly with respect to creating corners of differing angles.

Fig. 4 illustrates, with fence posts removed, a schematic front view showing positioning of fencing clips in accordance with the present invention in a fencing arrangement. Thus, a fence panel 35 is presented above a gravel board 40 with fencing clips 31 at spaced positions in order to secure the panel and gravel board 40 to posts (which are not shown) but it will be appreciated are at either end of the panel 35 and gravel board 40. In such circumstances it will be appreciated that the clips 31 grip an edge 32 of the panel 35 and also of the gravel board 40.

A bare minimum number of location points in order to secure a panel at each edge 32 is two location points created by clips 31 b, 31 c at one end and 3lbb, 31cc at the other end. Similarly, the gravel board 40 is secured by clips 31a, 31b at one end and 3laa, 3lbb at the other end. In such circumstances the panel will be retained in an upright presentation necessary as a fencing barrier. Although a minimum of two location points on each edge is required for presentation it will be understood that more clips 31 could be provided.

For consistency, as will be sen, the clips 31b, 3lbb are arranged to be of a larger size than the other clips 31a, 31c, 3laa, 31cc such that they can overlap both the top edge of the gravel board 40 and the bottom edge of the panel 35. Generally this overlap will be at least in the order of 25 millimetres either side of the junction dividing the top edge of the gravel board 40 and the bottom edge of the fencing panel 35. In such circumstances the clip 31b, 3lbb will have a width in the order of 50 millimetres whilst the other clips 31a, 3laa, 31c, 31cc may have a width of only 25 millimetres.

In terms of installing a fencing arrangement in accordance with the present invention it will be appreciated that initially the posts (not shown in Fig. 4) will be appropriately secured in a ground surface 33. Once upright presentation of the open fence posts has been achieved, clips 31 in accordance with the present invention will be slid over the posts until they are stacked upon the posts above the ground 33. In such circumstances a gravel board 40 can then be manipulated by initial presentation over the stack of clips such that the gravel board slides into the jaws created by the panel sections of the clips and so generally remains upright through that association. It will be understood that the bottom clip 31a, 3laa will generally remain close to the ground 33 whilst in order to present the fence arrangement the fencing panel 35 will be presented initially upon the top edge of the gravel board 40 and then manipulated into position. Once the panel 35 is in position the clips 31b, 31c, 3lbb, 31cc will be slid upward upon the fence post to their appropriate spaced positions. Normally this will be achieved by initially slipping the uppermost clip 31c, 31cc to its appropriate position and then securing that clip 31 c, 31cc as required to the post and at least the panel as described previously. It will be understood that a panel in this situation is secured by the edge to edge abutment contact between the bottom edge of the panel 35 and the top edge of the gravel board 40 as well as the clips 31 c, 31cc. In order to more fully secure the panel 35, the clips 31b, 3lbb will be slid upwards in order to overlap both the panel 35 and the gravel board 40 as described previously. The clips 31 b, 31 bb will be secured in this position in order to thereby retain the panel 35 and the gravel board 40 appropriately. As indicated above, it will be appreciated that more clips 31 could be provided at further locations upon the edge 32 of the panel 35 as well as the gravel board if required.

Generally, the clips 31 will have a jaw width in the order of that necessary to allow sliding upon the edge 32 of the panel 35 and will extend inwards of the panel by in the order of 50 millimetres to ensure good retention of the panel in position on the posts. As indicated above fencing clips in accordance with the present invention generally comprise a wrap around section for retentive association with an open fence post and panel sections to retain the fence panels in position. Fencing clips will be arranged such that a range of panel orientations can be accommodated as required. Thus, clips may be turned upside down in order to change the direction of the end or termination clip 11 depicted in Fig. 2 and the right angle turn clip 21 depicted in Fig. 3.

It will be understood from the above that one of the objectives of the present invention is to reduce both fence post weight and the amount of weight which must be shifted in manipulation of a panel in use. Thus, fence erection may be performed by a single individual rather than require two people for manipulation and retention of panel position during a securing process. Such singleton fence installation may be further facilitated by temporary location of the clips through gripper teeth which can engage the surface of the panel 35 and possibly the gravel board 40 through a percussive hammer or mallet action. These gripper teeth will retain by interference position of the clip till more robust securing mechanisms, such as nails and screws as described previously, can be used to provide a more robust retention and association between the panel 35 and clip 31 and therefore the fence post.

It will be understood that the clips in accordance with the present invention will generally be formed from a steel or other metal which as indicated may allow a degree of malleability to adopt close reciprocal shaping to the fence post and panel.

Modifications and alterations to the embodiments of the invention described above will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the clips may include reinforcing ribs to strengthen the clip in desired orientations for better retention of the panel 35 in association with the clip and therefore fence posts. Furthermore, in order to remove rattle with respect to the clips associated with the posts, these clips may incorporate dints or sprung leaves which effectively create jammed association with the post but in such circumstances it will be appreciated that the clip should still be able to slide relatively freely during the fence installation stages.

It will be understood by appropriate shaping of the fencing clip that almost any open fencing post profile can be accommodated by the present invention. The fencing clip similarly must be able to slide over the post as well as present the panel section for securing the fencing panel. Thus, the fencing clip may be formed from steel, a plastics material or even wood, dependent upon requirements. Similarly, the fencing panel may be formed from a steel, plastics or wood material providing the necessary association between the fencing post and the panel can be achieved readily to retain fencing clip position on the post. In terms of manufacture, the fencing clip will generally be formed by any suitable method including pressing, moulding or extruding as required.

By use of the present fencing clip as indicated it is possible to use an open fence post which on a like for like basis for material type will be generally lighter than a closed H cross-section post previously used for retaining fence panels. Nevertheless, it will be understood that the open fence post will still require and have significant structural strength to bear the fencing panels as well as buffeting as a result of wind gusts and weathering.

A further feature of the present invention is that the clips are allowed to slide upwards and downwards on the open post, and therefore work on a fence barrier can be peormed either side of that barrier and therefore a fence can be totally erected by access to Only one side of a boundary.

Fig. 5 illustrates a number of different open post and fencing clip combinations in accordance with the present invention. In Fig. 5a an I cross- section steel beam 511s utilised in order to allow a clip 52 to slide upwards and downwards as required with a wrap around section 53 secured about one end of the beam 51 and panel sections 54 open jawed to receive panels in order to form a fencing barrier.

Fig. 5b shows substantially the same fencing clip 52 but presented upon a simple T cross-section steel beam 61. In such circumstances it will be noted that the wrap around section 53 still extends around a side of the beam 61 with panel sections 54 again presenting jaws to receive fencing panels.

In Fig. Sc an angle iron open fencing post 71 is again associated with a fencing clip 54 in a similar fastener to that shown in Figs. 5a and 5b. In such circumstances, the wrap around section 53 only engages the outer flat of the angle iron fence post 71, but it will still be appreciated that the panel sections 54 still present jaws for receipt and presentation of fencing panels in use. In the above circumstance it will be appreciated that the same fencing clip 54 can be utilised with a number of differing open post configurations 51, 61, 71 in order to present jaws in the form of panel sections 54 to receive fencing panels in use.

Figs. 5d to 5g illustrate further alternative fencing post and fencing clip combinations which are of a more bespoke nature with respect to their particular configurations.

Fig. 5d illustrates a triangular fence post 81 with a fencing clip 82 wrapped around the post 81 in order to present panel sections 84 to receive fencing panels as required. It will be noted that a wrap around section 83 still extends around the bulk of the post 81 and can be slid upwards and downwards in order to position the panel sections 84 appropriately for receipt and presentation of the fencing panels in use. A triangular fence post 81 may be useful in order to create a desired aesthetic appearance and also may provide greater strength with respect to fence barrier presentation to forces presented in the direction of arrowhead X. Fig. 5e illustrates a square fence post 91 with a fencing clip 92 wrapping around that post 81 with a wrap around section 93 which extends completely around three sides of the post 91 and a significant proportion of a fourth side of the post 91. In such circumstances, panel sections 94 are presented in order to receive fencing panels in order to create a barrier either side of the post 91.

Fig. 5f illustrates a cylindrical open fencing post 101 with a fencing clip 102 wrapped substantially around the circumference of that post 101. In such circumstances, panel sections 104 are presented to extend away from the post 101 in order to receive a fencing panel in accordance with the present invention. The clip 102 through a wrap around section 103 is allowed to slip upwards and downwards on the post 101 in order to present the panel sections 104 appropriately. it is also possible that the clip 102 may be deflectable in order to clip onto the post 101 by a lateral pressing action, but in such circumstances it will be appreciated that this may reduce the resilient association between the clip 102 and the post 101 for achievement of a robust fence barrier. Nevertheless it will be understood that as illustrated in Fig. 5f the panel sections 104 are presented offset to one side of the post 101, and in such circumstances once the panels are held in the panel sections 104 there will be resistance to release deformation of the clip 102.

Fig. 5g illustrates provision of a rectangular fence post 111 with a fencing clip 112 secured around it. In such circumstances it will be appreciated that the clip 112 and post 111 operate in a similar fashion to that described with respect to Fig. 5e. A wrap around section 113 engages the post 111 about three sides and a significant proportion around the edges of the fourth side in order to present panel sections 114 for receipt of fencing panels in accordance with the present invention in order to create a fencing barrier.

Fig. 6 provides a schematic view of an open fence post 121 to which a fence panel 122 is secured through fence clips 123. As can be seen, the fence clips are spaced along the posts 121 in order to provide appropriate retention of the panel 122. The clips 123 may slide upwards and downwards in the direction of arrowhead S to achieve the position whilst the clips 123 have apertures or other means whereby the panel 122 can be secured to the clip and therefore be held in association with the open post 121. It will be noted that the post 121 incorporates ledges 125 which are utilised in association with the clips 123 in order to appropriately present and retain the panel 122. In such circumstances the panel as described previously can be simply laterally slid into position in the direction of arrowhead L and then the clips 123 slid into appropriate position. By such an approach a fence barrier can be created by posts 121 and panels 122 from one side 126 of a boundary line.

It will be understood that the open fencing posts in accordance with the present invention can be formed as illustrated in a number of shapes and from a range of materials including metals such as steel and woods along with concrete, etc. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A fencing clip for an open fence post, the clip comprising a

wrap around section and a panel section, the wrap around section shaped to engage in use an open fence post to retain association with the post, the panel section itself or with a portion of the fence post in use defining a jaw for an edge of a fence panel in order to retain that panel, the wrap around section and the panel section respectively shaped for close association with respectively a fence post and edge of a fence panel in use.
2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wrap around section is malleable to adapt to the shape of a post in use.
3. A clip as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wrap around section is malleable as a result of hammer percussive force.
4. A clip as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the panel section is malleable to adapt to the shape of a panel edge in use.
5. A clip as claimed in claim 4 wherein the panel section is malleable through percussive force.
6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are two panel sections either side of the wrap around section.
7. A clip as claimed in claim 6 wherein the two panel sections are in an opposed orientation in line with each other.
8. A clip as claimed in claim 6 wherein the two panel sections are perpendicular to each other.
9. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are means to secure the wrap around section to the post. l'.
10. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are means to secure the panel section to the panel edge.
11. A clip as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein these means comprise an aperture in the wrap around section or the panel section to accommodate a nail or screw.
12. A clip as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the means may incorporate gripper teeth for interference engagement in use with an opposed part of the post or panel edge.
13. A clip as claimed in claim 12 wherein interference engagement will be provided.
14. A fencing clip for an open fence post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. A fence arrangement comprising a fence post, . a fence panel and a fencing clip as claimed in any preceding claim.
16 A fence arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein there are a plurality of fencing clips at spaced locations upon the fence post.
17 A fence arrangement as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the arrangement also includes a gravel board at the base below the fence panel and the gravel board secured in use by one of the fencing clips extending between a bottom edge of the fencing panel and a top edge of the gravel board.
18. A fence arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein a fencing panel is secured between two fencing posts with the respective fencing clips facing inwardly of the posts towards each other.
19. A fence arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the open fencing post comprises a I cross section with at least one ledge, which in association with a part of the panel section of the fencing clip defines the jaw to secure an edge of the fencing panel in use.
20. A fence arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19 wherein the open fence post is formed from a cast concrete structure.
21. A fence arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.