GB2445175A

GB2445175A - Water fence

Info

Publication number: GB2445175A
Application number: GB0620126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul William Ashpole; Rachel Lorraine Ashpole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-11
Filing date: 2006-10-11
Publication date: 2008-07-02
Also published as: GB0620126D0

Abstract

The Flat Pack Water Fence comprises vertical rectangular section plastic tubes (A) located on a base tube (B) at the bottom and a lid tube (C) at the top. This assembly is sandwiched between two panels of plastic sheeting or wood planking and held upright at each end by plastic, wooden or concrete fence posts. Rainwater from house drainpipes or other collecting sources is piped into the Fence. Drain taps are provided at suitable points.

Description

I

WATER FENCE

Background

Recent changes in the dimate have affected the UK and 4 of the hottest years on record have occurred in the last 10 years. According to the Met office, the average temperature in the UK has risen by 1 degree Celsius since the 1960's The last few years have experienced much less rainfall in the south east of England and reservoirs are at an all time low. Water authorities have imposed hosepipe bans. Drought orders were applied for and then retracted at the last moment when more rain than usual fell in August 2006.

These events demonstrate how close the 20 million residents in the southeast came to real constraints in the use of water. The Flat Pack Water Fence has been designed as a product not only for homes affected by the current shortage of water and the ever-increasing threat of more extreme weather as a result of global warming but also to save water costs for any home subject to rainfall which can be collected. (Whereas this paragraph focuses on the rainfall problem in the UK, the principle has application in many countries).

The humble water butt has been in service for a long time. Its shape is awkward and wasteful of space in a country where the majority of gardens are small in size. Many water butts would be required to hold a significant quantity of water. There is a need for water storage devices whose shape and location within the garden do not rob valuable space whilst providing capacity for all garden and other exterior domestic needs e.g. car and patio washing. Provided reasonable care is exercised to maintain system cleanliness, with treatment by water purifying tablets or chemicals, or by the use of a simple water purifying device, the stored water can be used for human consumption in times of severe drought when, for example, stand-pipe arrangements are in force The idea of storing water in a wall or fence is not new. The innovation of this new concept is the construction out of separate components enabling purchase in flatpack form -always a popular choice for D.I.Y. In addition, because of the design, the Fence can be made visually appealing and not unlike traditional wooden fences in appearance -a vital ingredient in order to achieve neighbourhood acceptance.

Construction is simple and well within the capability of the amateur. An individual 6 ft by 6 ft panel of the Flat Pack Water Fence has a capacity of up to 190 litres. It does not intrude into valuable garden space and can be linked from one panel to the next to form a boundary fence. In even the most modest of gardens it will be possible to store in excess of 1000 litres of valuable rainwater.

Statement of invention

The Flat Pack Water Fence provides an easy method of storing a sizeable volume of rainwater for use in the garden, other exterior purposes and even for drinking water. It comprises three sections -a centre section sandwiched between two outer panels. The exterior of the outer panels, whether in plastic or wood, will have an appearance similar to that of a smart wooden fence and can be in a variety of colours and designs. The intenor section can be made in several ways, two of which are shown in Figures 1 & 2.

Figure 1. the plastic reservoir version of the Fence, comprises vertical rectangular section plastic tubes located on a base tube at the bottom and a lid tube at the top. This assembly is sandwiched between two panels of vertically or horizontally arranged wooden or plastic slats held upright at each end by plastic (or wooden or concrete) fence posts. Rainwater from the house drainpipes or other collecting sources is piped into the centre section. Drain taps are provided at suitable points.

Figure 2. the rubber reservoir version of the Fence, comprises a large bladder or bag made from rubber that is suspended on a metal or plastic frame between the fence posts. The top edge and both side edges of the rubber bladder are threaded through the supporting horizontal post. This assembly is sandwiched between two panels of vertically or horizontally arranged wooden or plastic slats held upright at each end by plastic (or wooden or cona-ete) fence posts. Rainwater from the house drainpipes or other collecting sources is piped into the centre section. Drain taps are provided at

suitable points.

Advantages 1. The provision of a means to store a sizeable volume of rainwater for use in times and seasons of water shortage.

2. The provision of a sturdy fence likely to tolerate all the elements likely to be experienced in the UK up to the strength of the fence post footings to withstand wind.

3. The convenience of purchase at a local retail outlet as a fiat pack and of transporting several panels inside and on the roof rack of a family car.

4. The ability for the typical DIV person to construct and install the product.

5. A pleasing product appearance compatible with other fendng likely to be found in neighbourhood gardens and thus acceptable in the community.

6. Virtually maintenance free in service with a long life.

7. Water distribution points along the whole length of the garden or as far as the fence extends.

Introduction to drawings

Figure 1 (plastic reservoir) is an exploded view of the two side panels and the central core of the Flat Pack Water Fence. It shows all the essential features of the design.

Figure 2 (rubber reservoir) is an exploded view of the two side panels and the central core of the Flat Pack Water Fence. It shows all the essential features of the design.

Detailed desaiption Figure 1 -plastic reservoir The centre structure of each fence panel is simple and consists of a lattice of rectangular section plastic pipes to contain the water. The vertically arranged pipes [Al fit into a horizontal base pipe [B] and a horizontal lid pipe [C]. The base pipe serves to provide structural rigidity and the means for equalizing water level. The lid pipe also serves to provide structural rigidity and to prevent debris falling into the system. All pipes are glued using plastic cement and form a rigid water-tight structure.

The two side panels [E], made from plastic or wood, which are located either side of the basic structure, serve to further strengthen the assembly but their main purpose is to cover the pipes and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the fence panel.

These side panels, if made from plastic, can be formed from individual slats or as a complete structure, are coloured and the outside faces are contoured to simulate a wooden fence e.g. a wood lapped freshly creosoted fence or a white vertical panelled fence, etc. If the side panels are made from wood, they will consist of indMdual slats.

The basic structure is virtually hidden by the side panels and therefore can be made from recycled plastic. Because the basic structure is strong and ngid, the side panels can be relatively thin and this will be reflected in the cost of production and overall weight of the product. To make transportation easier (an important feature for a flat pack product purchased at a D.l.Y. retail outlet), the plastic side panels cast in one piece could be made smaller e.g. instead of one panel of 6 ft by 6 ft, there could be two panels of 6 ft by 3 ft.

At both ends of the lid pipe and the base pipe is a tenon which fits into a corresponding mortice in a conventional fence post, secured into the ground using a metal spike e.g. Metpost or Kwikpost At one end of the lid pipe [C] is a hole [DJ for a connection from the rainwater source. At each end of the base pipe is a hole [G] for a connector pipe [I-I]. The connector pipes [H] are flexible plastic or rubber pipes Which permit the flow of water from one panel to the next. In the centre of the base pipe is a hole [I] for a tap for draining water from the system for use on the garden or other destination.

In order to cater for sloping ground sites, two variations of the standard fence post can be manufactured -a post 12 inches longer than standard for slopes of around I in 6 and one 6 inches longer than standard for slopes of around I in 12. The mortice holes on one side of these longer posts are staggered from those on the other by 12 inches and 6 inches respedively. Special connector pipes 12 inches and 6 inches respectively longer than standard would be provided with each such post.

Detailed description Figure 2-rubber reservoir

The centre structure of each fence panel is simple and consists of a large rubber bladder to contain the water, suspended on a metal or plastic frame. The bladder [A] is threaded through a horizontal bar IB] which is supported on two poles [C] via securing bolts. The poles [C] are secured to a plastic, wooden or concrete fence post with bolts to form a rigid structure. The lid [DI also serves to provide structural rigidity and to prevent debris falling into the system.

The two side panels [EJ, made from plastic or wood, which are located either side of the basic structure, serve to further strengthen the assembly but their main purpose is to cover the bladder and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the fence panel.

These side panels, if made from plastic, can be formed from individual slats or as a complete structure, are coloured and the outside faces are contoured to simulate a wooden fence e.g. a wood lapped freshly creosoted fence or a white vertical panelled fence, etc. If the side panels are made from wood, they will consist of individual slats.

Because the basic structure is strong and rigid, the side panels can be relatively thin and this will be reflected in the cost of production and overall weight of the product. To make transportation easier (an important feature for a flat pack product purchased at a D.l.Y.

retail outiet), the plastic side panels cast in one piece could be made smaller e.g. instead of one panel of 6 ft by 6 It, there could be two panels of 6 ft by 3 ft.

At one end of the lid pipe is a hole [F] for a connection from the rainwater source through to the bladder. At each end of the base of the bladder is a hole [G] for a connector pipe.

The connector pipes [H] are flexible plastic or rubber pipes which permit the flow of water from one panel to the next In the centre of the bottom of the rubber bladder is a hole [I] for a tap for draining water from the system for use on the garden or other destination.

in order to cater for sloping ground sites, two variations of the standard fence post can be manufactured -a post 12 inches longer than standard for slopes of around 1 in 6 and one 6 inches longer than standard for slopes of around 1 in 12. The attachment points on one side of these longer posts are staggered from those on the other by 12 inches and 6 inches respectively. Special connector pipes 12 inches and 6 inches respectively longer than standard would be provided with each such post

Claims

Claims 1. A fence system designed to hold a sEeable volume of rainwater

which has been captured from a roof area.
2. The invention is a variation on standard fence panels and is a departure from standard water holding constructions.
3. The fiat pack design will allow collection and transport to the home in the back and on the roof rack of a typical family car.
4. The design permits an appearance Which is visually appealing and similar to the typical quality wooden garden fence.