GB2447662A

GB2447662A - Extension bracket for fence posts

Info

Publication number: GB2447662A
Application number: GB0705282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Rimington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-20
Filing date: 2007-03-20
Publication date: 2008-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-20
Also published as: GB0705282D0; GB2447662B

Abstract

An extension bracket for fence posts, comes in the form of a U-shaped member A which can be slid into the mortice holes of fence posts C, so as to extend the area of support provided to fence cross or arris rails B. This may be of particular help when replacing wooden cross rails between existing concrete fence posts which are already fixed in position in the ground. With the concrete fence post already in position, the ends of the cross rails may need to be shortened in order to move them into engagement with the mortices. The extension bracket will accommodate the shortened ends, and still provide structural rigidity to the overall fence structure.

Description

Sheet 1

FENCE MORTICE BRACKET

Description

The present invention relates to a bracket used to secure the cross rails or arris rails to mortice type fence posts that are sighted in the ground, although it could be used when erecting posts and fencing from new.

The common method used at present is to trim the ends of the arris rails to form a rectangular shape which slides into the rectangular slots in the post, thus forming mortice joint between rail and post.

This method can only be used satisfactorily whilst posts are being sited.If replacement arris rails need to be secured to existing sited posts, which is typical when concrete posts have been used, another method must be found. The mortice bracket solves this problem to give a simple secure result without having to remove the existing posts.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a simple method of securing the cross rail or arris rail to an existing sited post using the original mortice slot in the post and without using extra screws nails etc to fix the bracket in place, which would be a problem if the posts were concrete. The final fixing of the mortice bracket is accomplished by a clamping action which takes place when the fence boards are finally fixed in position.

A first aspect of the invention provides a bracket to enable the cross rail or arris rail to be slid into position between existing posts positioning them correctly and securely, whereby the mortice bracket slides into the existing slot in the post and protrudes from the inner faces of the post. The cross rail or arris rail is cut to fit between the posts, but having saw cuts at the ends to enable the rail to slide onto the protrusion of the bracket into the correct position.

A second aspect of the invention provides a bracket to enable the cross rails or arris rails to slide into position with a corner post. Method as in the first but of different length to accept depth of slot in corner post.

A third aspect of the invention provides a bracket to enable the cross rails or arris rails to slide into position between two posts only ie a single bay of fencing.

Method as in first but of different length, protrudes into the post by no greater than one half the width of the post.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a bracket to enable the cross rails or arris rails to slide into position with an end post. Method as in the first but of different length, can protrude into the post over half the width of the post.

SHEET 2 The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 Shows an isometric view of the Mortice Bracket.

Figure 2 Shows Mortice Brackets in position on a centre post.

Figure 3 Shows Mortice Brackets in position on a corner post.

Figure 4 Shows Mortice Brackets in position for replacing a single bay Fencing.

Figure 5 Shows Mortice Brackets in position on an end post.

Figure 6 and 6a Show two methods of cuts sawn into position at the ends of the cross rail or arris rail.

Figure 7 and 7a Show two exploded views of assemblies relating to both methods of saw cuts illustrated in figures 6 and 6a.

Figure 8 and 8a Show assemblies of exploded views 7 and 7a.

Figure 9 Shows the final clamping of the Mortice Bracket between the fence boarding and the cross rail or arris rail.

Refering to 7 and 7a the exploded views of the assemblies.The Mortice Bracket A slides into the mortice slot of post C.The cross rail or arris rail B slides from top to bottom into the protruded end of Mortice Bracket A. The final position is when the bottom of rail B seats with bottom of Mortice Bracket A. SHEET 3 The arrangement will now be explained in more detail.

The cross rail or arris rail B is usually made from wood but could be made from any other suitable material. The first saw cut on the end of the rail runs parallel to the hypotenuse or front face of the rail. The centreline of the saw cut being the size between the inner faces of the two formed uprights of the bracket A plus half the material thickness of the bracket.Thjs would represent the alternative method shown in figure 6a.A second saw cut is at ninety degrees to and the same depth as the first.This will create the face at which the inner base of the bracket will settle. A further cut ninety degrees to the second cut leaves an open area enabling the rail to slide freely onto the bracket as shown in figure 6. The width of saw cut must be greater than the material thickness of the bracket, so as to allow the rail to slide freely over the bracket. All saw cuts will be carried out with the aid of a saw gauge.

The Mortice Bracket A would preferably have the uprights formed across the grain of the material for added strength to the forms.The material thickness being thinner than the width of saw cuts in the ends of the cross rail or arris rail, to enable a free fit between rail and bracket. It is preferred that the formed sides of the bracket are parallel to each other. The size of the bracket would change to suit various slot sizes in various post sizes. The length of the bracket may change through both post size differences, and individual posts, i.e. corner posts, centre posts and end posts. The bracket may be made from stainless steel or coated steel as examples.

The post C could be of any size but must have rectangular slots, as a means of holding the cross rails or arris rails B. These slots can be of any size which is usually dependent on the size of the post. As concrete posts have a significantly longer life than the actual fencing, it is therefore envisaged that the bracket will be used mainly, but not solely on concrete posts.

The fence boards as shown in figure 9 are as atandard, but the I and last plank of a bay when nailed in position will clamp all brackets into position.

Claims

SHEET 4

I) In combination the bracket A slides into the slot sited in post C, leaving the bracket protruding each end of the post, as shown in figure 2. The cross rail or Arris rail B is cut to length to slide between inner faces of posts C. The ends of the cross rails or Arris rails are sawn as in figure 6, so as to slide onto the brackets into position.

The fence boarding is finally nailed into position thus clamping the brackets into position.

2) A combination as claimed in Claim 1 whereas the cross rails or Arris rails are sawn to the alternative method shown in figure 6A.

3) A combination as claimed in I or 2 whereas the bracket A is shortened to Suit a corner post as shown in figure 3.

4) A combination as claimed in 1 or 2 whereas the bracket A is shortened to suit replacing a single bay of fencing as shown in figure 4.

5) A combination as claimed in I or 2 whereas the bracket A is shortened to suit an end post as shown in figure 5.

6) A combination as claimed in 1,2,3 or 5 whereas the posts C are not sited in the ground.

7) A combination as claimed in 1 -6 whereas the posts are of different materials, 8) A combination as claimed in 1-7 whereas the posts and therefore the Mortice slots are of different sizes.

9) A combination as claimed in 1-5 whereas the inner face of the front upright of the bracket slides onto the front face of the cross rail, or Arris rail whilst the adjacent parallel leg slides wholly into the sawcut on the end of the cross rail or Arris rail.

10) A combination as claimed in 9 whereas the whole bracket assembly is finally clamped into position by the fencing board, thus eliminating the use of screw or nail fixings through the bracket.