GB2458312A

GB2458312A - Fence Panel Support Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2458312A
Application number: GB0804729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Mclean
Original assignee: ZND UK Ltd
Current assignee: ZND UK Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2009-09-16
Also published as: GB0804729D0

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus for supporting a fence panel 102 in an upright orientation. The apparatus comprises a stabilising member 108 having a first end and a second end, and a foot 105 defining a pair of holes (609, 610 figure 7). Each hole is configured to receive an end of a tubular leg of a fence panel. The foot further comprises a locating means for receiving the first end (501 figure 5a) of the stabilising member 108 at a position spaced apart from the holes (609, 610 figure 7). When a lower end of a leg (305 figure 3) of a fence panel 102 is located within a hole (609 or 610 figure 7) the second end (502 figure 5a) of the stabilising member is locatable adjacent to an upper part of the leg to provide support. Alternatively the second end of the stabiliser may be retained within a fence coupler 114 connecting a pair of fence panels. Later embodiments relate to a method of constructing a fence using said apparatus; and apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation comprising an elongate member and a stabiliser.

Description

Fence Panel Support Apparatus

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the first application for a patent directed toward the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation, a fence comprising said apparatus and a method of constructing a fence.

2. Description of the Related Art

Temporary fences are known, for use by the construction industry, in which panels are formed of welded steel tubing and wire. The fence also has feet, formed of concrete, concrete filled plastic, or thermoplastic blocks, that have holes for receiving the legs of the fence panels. Typically a pair of panels share a single foot, and upper parts of their legs are clamped together by a fence coupler.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation, said apparatus comprising: a stabilising member having a first end and a second end; and a foot defining a pair of holes each configured to receive an end of a tubular leg of a fence panel, said foot having locating means for receiving said first end of said stabilising member at a position spaced apart from said holes, such that when a lower end of a straight leg of a fence panel is located within a hole said second end of said stabilising member is locatable adjacent to an upper part of said leg.

Accord ing to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation, said apparatus comprising an elongate member having: a pair of similar holes for receiving a respective end of a tubular leg of a fence panel; and a locating means spaced apart from said holes, said locating means having a retaining element configured to retain an end of a stabilising member received by said locating means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a fence comprising the steps of: positioning a foot on a ground surface, said foot defining a pair of holes; locating a leg of a first fence panel within a first of said holes and a leg of a second fence panel within the other one of said holes; and attaching one end of a stabilising member to said foot and the opposite end of said stabilising member to an upper part of said legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a fence 101; Figure 2 shows the rear perspective view of the fence 101; Figure 3 shows a fence panel 102; Figures 4A and 4B show respectively a perspective view of the fence coupler 111 and the top view of the fence coupler; Figures 5A and 58 show a perspective view of stabilising member 108 and a side view of the stabilising member respectively; Figures 6A and 6B show a perspective view of the foot 105 and third angle projection views of the foot respectively; Figure 7 illustrates the assembly of components of a fence; Figure 8A shows a cross-sectional side view of the fence 101; Figure 8B shows an enlarged view of a portion encircled at 801 in Figure8A; Figures 9A and 9B show respectively the encircled regions 116 of Figure 1 and 117 of Figure 2: Figure 10 shows a first method of anchoring the foot 105 to a ground surface; Figure 11 shows alternative apparatus for holding down the feet of a fence; Figures 12A and 12B show a perspective view of an alternative stabilising member 1208 and a side view of said stabilising member; and Figure 13 shows the stabilising member 1208 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE

INVENTION

Figures 1 and 2 A typical fence 101 embodying the present invention is shown in the front perspective view of Figure 1 and the rear perspective view of Figure 2.

The fence 101 is approximately two metres tall and is typically used to prevent people entering or leaving an area of land. For example, the panel 101 may be used by members of the construction industry for keeping the general public out of a building site.

In the present example, the fence comprises two panels 102 and 103 supported in an upright orientation by three feet 104, 105 and 106 and three corresponding stabilising members 107, 108 and 109. As will be described further below, the fence panels are attached to one another, to the feet and to the stabilising members by panel couplers 110, 111, 112,113, 114 and 115.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the feet and stabilising members extend substantially only to the rear side of the fence panels. Consequently, the front side of the fence, shown in Figure 1, may be arranged to face an area occupied by the general public, so that they are not subjected to a tripping hazard.

The encircled regions 116 of Figure 1 and 117 of Figure 2 are shown enlarged in Figures 9A and 9B.

It should be understood that the fence 101 is simple example having just two fence panels. However, by using additional fence panels, feet, stabilising members and fence couplers, a fence comprising any number of panels may be constructed.

Figures 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 58, 6A and 6B The various components forming the fence 101 are shown separately before assembly in Figures 3, 4A, 48, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B.

Figure 3 shows the fence panel 102, which is substantially identical to the fence panel 103. The fence panel 102 is of a known design, being formed of a first piece of tubular steel 301 formed into a C-shape and a second length of tubular steel 302 extending across the arms of the uH to form a rectangular area. The two lengths of tubular steel are rigidly connected together by a pair of brackets 303 located at either end of the steel tube 302. Lengths of steel wire are then welded to the steel tubes 301 and 302 to form a grill 304 extending across the rectangular area. In use, a central portion of the C-shaped tube 301 forms an upper crossbar, while vertically extending portions provide legs 305 and 306. Portions of the legs 305 and 306 nearest their lower ends are free from the grill 304 and therefore are able to be located within feet during use.

In alternative embodiments, fences are constructed that use other known designs of fence panels. For example, in one such embodiment the fence panels comprise of four substantially straight tubular members welded together to form a rectangular structure. However, in each case, the fence panels include at least two cylindrical members forming legs of the panels, so that they may be received within the holes of the feet (such as 104, 105, 106).

The fence couplers 110 to 115 are all substantially identical, and fence coupler 111 is shown in the perspective view of Figure 4A and the top view of Figure 4B. The fence coupler 111 is formed of two main parts 401 and 402 connected together by a nut 403 and bolt 404. Each of the main parts 401 and 402 defines arched surfaces 405 having a radius of curvature configured to fit around the diameter of the tubular legs 305 and 306 of fence panel 102.

Therefore, as is known, a coupler, such as coupler 111, may be located about the legs of adjacent fence panels, and the two halves 401 and 402 clamped together by tightening the nut 403 and bolt 404 to hold the fence panels together.

It should be noted that the fence coupler is a known design, and may be replaced by other known designs of fence coupler.

The stabilising members 107, 108 and 109 are all of identical design and the stabilising member 108 is shown in the perspective view of Figure 5A and the side view of Figure 5B. The stabilising member comprises a pair of flat metal plates 501 and 502 connected by a straight tubular member 503. The plates 501 and 502 are rigidly attached to opposing ends of the tubular member 503 at angles to said member such that said plates lie in substantially perpendicular planes. This is best seen in Figure 5B. The plate 502 defines an aperture 504 that is sufficiently large to receive a bolt, such as the bolt 404, of a fence coupler.

In the present embodiment, the stabilising member 108 is formed of flat rectangular steel plates (501, 502) welded to the end of a steel tube (503).

The feet 104, 105, 106 are all substantially identical and foot 105 is shown in the perspective view of Figure 6A and the third angle projection views of Figure 6B. In Figure 6B the foot 105 is shown from above at 105A from the side at 105B from below at 105C, from the rear at 105D and from the front at 105E. The foot 105 is essentially an elongate member formed of a metal framework. In the present embodiment, the metal framework is formed of carbon steel elements welded together and galvanised by hot dipping. The framework comprises a number of sections of angle-iron welded together to define a floor surface 601 surrounded by a side-wall 602. A number of struts 603 and 604, in the present case two, extend between opposing parts of the angle iron to provide greater strength and rigidity to the framework. A number of apertures 603, in the present case four, are drilled through parts of the angle iron defining the floor 601. As will be described further below, these apertures may be used to anchor the foot to a ground surface.

At a first end 606 of the foot 105 there are a pair of plates 607 and 608 arranged parallel to each other and to the floor surface 601 of the foot. A first pair of holes 609 and 610 is formed in the upper one of the two plates 607 and similar sized holes 611 and 612 are formed in the lower one of the two plates 608, axially aligned with the first pair of holes. Both sets of holes 609, 610 and 611, 612 are circular and have a diameter sufficiently large to receive a leg, such as leg 305, of a fence panel.

The holes 609, 610, 611 and 612 are located next to the end 606 of the foot 105, so that in use only a small part of the foot extends to one side of the fence and the majority of the foot extends to the other side of the fence.

The foot 105 further comprises a connection tab 613 extending perpendicularly upward from the plate 607, and rigidly attached to said plate.

The connection tab 613 is located between the holes 609 and 610 and lies substantially in the same plane as the axes of said holes. An aperture 614 is formed in the connection tab 613, and has a diameter sufficiently large to receive a bolt, such as bolt 404, of a fence connector. Consequently, in use the tab 613 may be used to connect a panel connector to the foot, as will be described below.

The floor surface 601 and surrounding wall 602 define a recessed area within the foot 105, and the recessed area is effectively divided into two by a post 615 rigidly attached to one of the struts 604. A larger recessed area 616 to one side of the post may be used to receive blocks for weighing-down the foot, as will be described further below. A smaller recessed area 617, adjacent to the second end 618 of the foot 105, is used to receive the plate 501 of stabilising member 108. Thus, the distance between the post 615 and the wall 602 at the end 618 of the foot 105 is arranged to be slightly larger than the length of the plate 501.

A retaining element, in the form of a bar 619, is rigidly attached to the inner surface of the wall 602 at the end 618 of the foot 105. The bar 619 is spaced apart from the floor 601 by a gap that is slightly larger than the thickness of the plate 501 of stabilising member 108. Thus, it is possible to fit an end portion of the plate 501 between the bar 619 and the floor surface 601.

After fitting the plate 501, the bar 619 resists movement of the stabilising member that would otherwise lift the plate out of the recessed area 617.

A number of rubber pads 620, in the present case six, are glued to the underside of the foot 105. In use, the rubber pads improve the stability of the foot, and resist sliding of the foot over the ground on which it rests.

In alternative embodiments, the rubber pads are replaced by one or more elements that, like the rubber pads, increase friction between the foot and a floor surface. Alternative elements may be resilient, like the rubber pads, or may be formed of a rigid material such as a metal.

Figure 7 Assembly of components of a fence is illustrated in Figure 7. To assemble a fence, firstly the feet, such as foot 105, are rested on a ground surface. The ends of legs of a pair of panels, such as panels 102 and 103, are then located through the holes 609 and 611, and 610 and 612 respectively, of a foot.

The lower plate 501 of a stabilising member such as stabilising member 108 is then located within the smaller recessed area 617 at the second end 618 of the foot 105. To achieve this, the stabilising member is held in a substantially vertical orientation and an end portion of the plate 501 is located between the bar 619 and the floor surface 601 of the foot 105. The stabilising member is then rotated with respect to the foot until the plate 501 rests on the floor surface 601 of the foot 105. The upper plate 502 of the stabilising member 108 is then located alongside an upper portion of the legs of the panels 102 and 103. A fence coupler such as fence coupler 114 is disassembled and the main parts 401 and 402 are arranged either side of the plate 502 and the panel legs. Specifically, the first main part 401 is fitted against the front side of the legs, and the second main part 402 is fitted against the rear side of the legs, such that the plate 502 is located between the two parts 401 and 402. The bolt 404 of the coupler is located through the coupler 114 and also the aperture 504 in the plate 502. The nut 403 is then replaced and tightened so that the adjacent legs of the panels 102 and 103 are clamped within the fence coupler 114 and hold the plate 502 between said legs.

A second fence coupler, such as coupler 111, is then disassembled and its main parts 401 and 402 are located either side of the legs and the tab 613 on the foot 105. The bolt 404 of the coupler 111 is then located through the two halves of the coupler and the tab, and the nut 403 is replaced and tightened. Thus, the adjacent legs of the panels 102 and 103 are clamped together and also fixed to the foot 105.

Clearly, to complete assembly of a fence, the process of locating panels within feet and attaching stabitising members and fence couplings is repeated for each leg of all fence panels.

Figures 8A and 8B The fence panel 101 is shown in a cross-sectional side view in Figure 8A and a portion encircled at 801 in Figure 8A is shown enlarged in Figure 8B.

As shown in Figure 8A, the first end 606 of the foot 105 is rigidly attached to a lower portion of the leg 306 of panel 102 by the fence coupling 111; an upper part of the leg 306 is rigidly connected to the upper end of the stabilising member 108 by the fence coupling 114; and the lower end of the stabilising member 108 is connected to the second end 618 of the foot 105.

The connection between the stabilising member 108 and the foot 105 is shown in further detail in Figure 8B. The plate 501 at the end of stabilising member 108 is located in the smaller recessed area 617 of the foot 105, with a front edge 802 of the plate 501 located between the bar 619 and the floor surface 601. A rear edge 803 of the plate 501 rests against the post 615. The post 615 therefore prevents movement of the plate 501 along the foot in one direction and the wall 602 at the end 618 of the foot 105 prevents movement in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the bar 619 prevents the plate 501 from inadvertently lifting out of the recessed area 617.

As the three elements, namely the panel leg 306, the stabilising member 108, and the foot 105, effectively form a triangle the structure is provided with strength and rigidity.

Although this structure is rigid it is easily disassembled. Disassembly substantially comprises the reverse of the steps of assembly. Therefore, to disassemble, the upper coupler 114 is removed, to free the upper end of the stabilising member 108, and the stabilising member 108 is rotated upwards, such that the angle between it and the foot 105 is increased. This allows the rear edge 803 of the plate 501 to be lifted above the post 615 while the front edge of the plate 802 remains underneath the bar 619. After clearing the post 615, the plate 501 is then withdrawn from beneath the bar 619. Disassembly of the structure is then completed by removing or loosening the lower coupling 111 and lifting the panels away from the foot 105.

It should therefore be understood that the bar 619, in co-operation with the plate 501, provides a retaining means that latches the stabilising member 108 to the foot 105 while ever the stabilising member is held at an angle to the foot, as shown in Figure 8A. However, the stabilising member 108 is easily unlatched from the foot I 05, by rotating it to increase the angle between it and the foot.

Figures 9A and 9B The encircled regions 116 of Figure 1 and 117 of Figure 2 are shown enlarged in Figures 9A and 96 respectively. As shown in Figure 9B, the end portion of the leg 305 of panel 102 extends through the hole 610 in plate 607 and hole 612 in plate 608, while the end of the leg rests on the floor surface 601 of the foot 105. Similarly, an end portion of a leg 905 of the panel 103 extends through holes 609 and 611 while its end rests on the floor surface 601.

Figures 9A and 9B also illustrate the location of the tab 613 sandwiched between the two halves 401 and 402 of panel coupling 111.

Figure 10 A first method of anchoring the foot 501 to a ground surface is shown in Figure 10. Each aperture 605 in the foot 501 is provided with a peg 1001. The pegs are similar to tent pegs in that they have a first pointed end 1002 for penetration of a ground surface and a second end 1003 having a turned over portion configured to hold the foot 501 against the ground surface.

As an alternative to the pegs 1001, it is possible to locate bolts, such as a rawlbolts, through the apertures 605.

Anchors such as pegs or bolts may be used on penetrable ground, such as bare earth, turf, etc. However, where it is required to erect a fence on hard ground, such as concrete, that cannot be easily penetrated, alternative methods of holding down the feet are used, as will be described below.

Figure 11 Alternative apparatus for holding down the feet of a fence is shown in Figure 11. The apparatus essentially consists of a substantially rectangular block of heavy material, such as concrete, concrete filled plastic, or thermoplastic, such as block 1101 shown in Figure 11. The block 1101 is dimensioned to be a good fit within the larger recessed area 616 of the foot 501, and therefore lateral movement of the block is resisted. In addition, a strap 1102 provided with a buckle 1103 is used to hold the block firmly within the recessed area of the foot. As illustrated in Figure 11, the strap is located through slots 1104 formed in the wall 602 of the foot 501.

Figures 12A and 12B An alternative stabilising member 1208 is shown in the perspective view of Figure 12A and the side view of Figure 12B. The stabilising member 1208 is similar to the stabilising member 108, in that it has a first plate 1201 of the same form as plate 501, a second plate 1202 of the same form as plate 502, and the two plates are connected by a tubular member 1203. However, the stabifising member 1208 differs from stabilising member 108 in that its tubular member 1203 is not completely straight but is bent at a position 1204. The purpose of such a bend is illustrated in Figure 13.

Figure 13.

The stabilising member 1208 of Figures 12A and 12B is shown in use in Figure 13.

Where greater stability is required from a temporary fence, such as fence 101, additional weight may be loaded onto the feet to hold them down.

In order to allow several blocks of the same size to be used, the stabilising member 1208 is bent to allow a greater space for the stacking of the blocks.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 13 up to three blocks 1101 may be stacked one upon the other on top of a foot 501, and the bend in the stabilising member 1208 allows the stacked blocks to be accommodated.

As shown in Figure 13 the strap 1102 is used to hold all three blocks 1101 together on top of the foot 105.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation, said apparatus comprising: a stabilising member having a first end and a second end; and a foot defining a pair of holes each configured to receive an end of a tubular leg of a fence panel, said foot having locating means for receiving said first end of said stabilising member at a position spaced apart from said holes, such that when a lower end of a straight leg of a fence panel is located within a hole said second end of said stabilising member is locatable adjacent to an upper part of said leg.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said locating means is configured to allow said first end of said stabilising member to be releasably connected to said foot while preventing said first end from sliding along said foot.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said stabilising member has a first plate at one end of said stabilising member and a second plate at an opposite end located substantially perpendicular to said first plate.
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said locating means includes a retaining means configured to latch together said stabilising member and said foot.
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said locating means includes a retaining means configured to: latch together said stabitising member and said foot when said stabilising member extends at a defined angle to said foot; and allow said stabilising member to be unlatched from said foot by rotating said stabilising member from said defined angle.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said locating means comprises a recessed area formed in said foot.
7. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said locating means comprises a recessed area formed in said foot, said recessed area has a surrounding wall and a retaining element extending inwards from said wall to provide said retaining means.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said second end of said stabilising member has an attachment member for receiving a fastener of a panel coupler.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said foot has an attachment member configured to receive a fastener of a panel coupler such that a panel coupler is attachable to said foot.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said foot is formed of a metal frame.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims I to 10, wherein said holes are formed adjacent to one end of said foot so that in use said foot substantially extends to only one side of a fence panel supported by said foot.
12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said apparatus further comprises a number of ground anchors and said foot comprises a number of apertures configured to receive a respective ground anchors.
13. Apparatus according to any one of claims I to 12, wherein said apparatus further comprises a block for weighing-down said foot, and said block and said foot are configured to fit together to prevent relative lateral movement of said block.15. A fence comprising apparatus according to any preceding claim and a number of fence panels, wherein a leg of a fence panel is located within a hole of said foot and the second end of said stabilising member is retained within a fence coupler connecting a pair of fence panels.16. Apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation, said apparatus comprising an elongate member having: a pair of similar holes for receiving a respective end of a tubular leg of a fence panel; and a locating means spaced apart from said holes, said locating means having a retaining element configured to retain an end of a stabilising member received by said locating means.17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said locating means includes a retaining means configured to: retain an end of a stabilising member when said stabilising member extends at a defined angle to said elongate member; and allow said stabilising member to be released from said elongate member by rotating said stabilising member from said defined angle.18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said locating means comprising a recessed area for receiving a plate and a retaining element configured to resist lifting of such a plate from said locating means while allowing the plate to be removed by rotation of said plate.19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said recessed area has a surrounding wall and said retaining element extends inwards from said surrounding wall.20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said elongate member is formed of a metal framework.21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein said holes are formed adjacent to one end of said foot whereby in use said foot substantially extends to only one side of a fence panel supported by said foot.22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein said elongate member defines a plurality of apertures having axes substantially parallel with axes of said holes, so that said elongate member is attachable to a surface by locating anchors through said apertures.23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein said apparatus further comprises a block for weighing-down said elongate member, and said block and said elongate member are configured to fit together to prevent relative lateral movement of said block.24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein one or more elements are located on an underside of said elongate member to increase friction.25. A method of constructing a fence comprising the steps of: positioning a foot on a ground surface, said foot defining a pair of holes; locating a leg of a first fence panel within a first of said holes and a leg of a second fence panel within the other one of said holes; and attaching one end of a stabilising member to said foot and the opposite end of said stabilising member to an upper part of said legs.26. Apparatus for supporting a fence panel in an upright orientation substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.27. A method of supporting a fence panel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.