GB2460722A

GB2460722A - Extension for fence posts

Info

Publication number: GB2460722A
Application number: GB0810864A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Brendan Harrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-13
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Also published as: GB0810864D0

Abstract

A fence post extender 100 comprising means 1 for engaging a fence post; means 2 for extending the height of a fence post; and a moveable wall portion 110 on the height extension means. The moveable wall portions 110 may be provided by making cuts 112 in the fence post extender to facilitate bending of the moveable wall portions 110. The extender may have a symmetrical C cross-section, an arm of which may carry the moveable wall portion. The moveable wall portion may fill or cover a recess in the fence post, and may inhibit movement of a fence panel relative to the fence post. The moveable wall portion may also be provided at 75mm from the end of the extender, and extend a distance of 75mm along the extender. There may be a plurality of moveable wall portions.

Description

Fence Post Cover The present invention relates to fence post covers.

The use of fence posts extending vertically from the ground is a well known technique for supporting panels or rails in a fence. However, if a fence is to extend over sloping ground it may be difficult to achieve accurate alignment of the fence posts in the vertical direction, and a range offence posts of different lengths may be required.

Furthermore, the materials typically used for fence posts, and the techniques typically used for fixing fence posts into the ground make it difficult to alter the amount of post extending from the ground once the post has been fixed.

Both of these issues can be addressed by using a fence post cover as described in GB 2439546. However, the fence post cover as described may not enable a premium aesthetic finish to be achieved when used with panels of different heights. Furthermore, panel fences as described in GB 2439546 may be relatively insecure, in that the panel can sometimes be slid upwards between the fence posts allowing access underneath the panel.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether identified herein or otherwise.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence post extender comprising a fence post engaging means arrangeable in use to engage a fence post, and further comprising an extension means to extend the height of the fence post when the fence post engaging means engages a fence post, the extension means comprising a moveable wall portion.

Suitably, with the fence post extender arranged in use with a fence post comprising a recess the moveable wall portion is moveable to fill or cover at least a part of the recess.

Suitably, with the fence post extender arranged in use with a fence post and a fence panel, the moveable wall portion is moveable to inhibit movement of the fence panel relative to the fence post.

Suitably, the extender is generally C-shaped in cross section, the C-shaped cross section comprising a back portion and arms extending from the back portion, the arms extending to a free edge and having a bend or fold between the free edge and the back portion. Suitable the extender is generally C-shaped and the moveable wall portion arranged proximate to a free edge thereof. Suitably, the moveable wall portion is defined between cuts in a wall of the fence post extender. Suitably, the moveable wall portion is provided in an arm.

Suitably, the moveable wall portion is provided in an arm between the bend or fold thereof and the free edge thereof.

Suitably, the moveable wall portion is provided at an end portion of the extension means. Suitably, the moveable wall portion is provided from a distance of 75mm from an end of the extension means. Suitably, the moveable wall portion extends a distance of 75mm along the extension means in the axial direction Suitably, the extender comprises a plurality of moveable wall portions. Suitably, the extender comprises two moveable wall portions. Suitably, the extender has reflective symmetry. Suitably, the extender is generally C-shaped in cross section and has reflective symmetry about a plane running parallel to its length and bisecting the C-shaped cross section.

Suitably, the fence post extender is in use maintained in position by engaging an interior surface thereof with a fence post, and/or by engagement with the ground.

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 front perspective view of a fence post extender according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of the fence post extender of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the fence post extender of Figure 1 with a fence post, two fence panels and a second fence post extender; Figure 4 shows a plan view similar to Figure 3, but in which moveable wall portions of the fence post extender of have been rearranged.

As shown in Figures 1-4, a fence post extender 100 according to an example embodiment of the present invention comprises a first end 1 for in use receiving an end portion of a first fence post and a second end 2 comprising an extension means. The fence post extender 100 is of substantially constant cross section along its length, and in cross section is generally C-shaped. In this embodiment the C-shaped cross section comprises a planar back portion and planar arms extending perpendicularly from the back portion, the arms extending to a free edge and having a further 90 degree fold therein.

The C-shape is chosen with internal dimensions equal to or slightly larger than the external dimensions of parts of a known standard fence post. Fence posts having dimensions to correspond with the fence post extender 100 are typically cast in concrete, in cross section are generally H-shaped, and are commonly used to support wooden panels in concave portions of the side faces. The fence post extender 100 is slid onto the top of a fence post, with the internal faces of the C-shape abutting or lying close to a convex part of the fence post. Figure 3 shows a plan view of two fence post extenders 100 in place on a fence post P. Also shown in Figure 3 are fence panels F. Once a concrete or similar fence post has been fixed into the ground, for example by setting into a concrete, it is extremely difficult to reposition, or replace it. In some circumstances, the owner of a fence may decide that a taller fence is required, or may decide that the aesthetic appearance of the fence is to be improved. The example embodiments of fence post extender described herein provide a simple and effective way of extending the height of a fence post, by providing a suitable distance between the first and second ends of the fence post extender, i.e. a distance which is greater than the height of the fence post with which the extender is to be used.

However, the appearance of the fence made up of extenders 100, posts P and panels F will depend on the relative height of the extenders 100 and the panels F. For example, if the panels F have a top edge which sits lower than the height of the top of the extenders, an opening may exist in the region A between the extenders and above the top edge of the panel.

By providing moveable wall portions 110 the opening may be conveniently filled, to provide an improved aesthetic appearance.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the moveable wall portions 110 are provided by making cuts 112 in the fence post extender to facilitate bending of the moveable wall portions 110 into the region A once the fence post extenders 100 and panels F are in place on the post P. The cuts 112 may be complete or partial cuts or a predetermined line or point of weakness to facilitate movement of the moveable wall portions 110. In the embodiment shown in the Figures the moveable wall portions 110 are located in the region between 75mm and 150mm from the second end 2. In this embodiment an opening above the region filled by the moveable wall portions 110 and at the extremity of the second end 2 is suitably filled by a top cap which slides into the fence post extenders 100 from above. In alternative embodiments the position and size of the moveable wall portions may be different from the embodiment shown, according to the relative sizes of the fence post, panel, extender and top cap to be used. Although the arrangement in Figures 3 and 4 shows two fence post extenders 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that one of the extenders shown in Figures 3 and 4 need not comprise moveable wall portions, as a single extender 100 with two moveable wall portions can be used to fill both the regions A. The exemplary embodiments of the fence post extender described above may conveniently be formed from a metallic material. Steel based materials offer a good balance between strength, cost and ease of working. Example embodiments may be galvanized, painted or otherwise treated for protection or to give a desired surface finish. Example embodiments may be formed by casting, extrusion or folding from sheet material.

With the fence post extender in place, a taller fence panel than can be supported by the first fence post alone can be supported properly along the whole vertical extent of it edge. The fence post extenders described herein, and the methods of use thereof enable the height of a fence to be increased simply, securely and at low cost, compared to replacing an original fence post with a longer one, and give aesthetic and security improvements.

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 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

Claims 1. A fence post extender comprising a fence post engaging means arrangeable in use to engage a fence post, and further comprising an extension means to extend the height of the fence post when the fence post engaging means engages a fence post, the extension means comprising a moveable wall portion.
2. The fence post of claim 1, wherein with the fence post extender arranged in use with a fence post comprising a recess the moveable wall portion is moveable to fill or cover at least a part of the recess.
3. The fence post extender of claim 2, wherein with the fence post extender arranged in use with a fence post and a fence panel, the moveable wall portion is moveable to inhibit movement of the fence panel relative to the fence post.
4. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, wherein the extender is generally C- 0) shaped and comprises a moveable wall portion arranged proximate to a free edge thereof.

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5. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, wherein the moveable wall portion is Q 20 defined between cuts in a wall of the fence post extender.

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6. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, wherein the extender is generally C-shaped in cross section, the C-shaped cross section comprising a back portion and arms extending from the back portion, the arms extending to a free edge and having a bend or fold between the free edge and the back portion.
7. The fence post extender of claim 6, wherein the moveable wall portion is provided in an arm.
8. The fence post extender of claim 7, wherein the moveable wall portion is provided in an arm between the bend or fold thereof and the free edge thereof.
9. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, wherein the moveable wall portion is provided at an end portion of the extension means.
10. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, wherein the moveable wall portion is provided from a distance of 75mm from an end of the extension means.
11. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, wherein the moveable wall portion extends a distance of 75mm along the extension means in an axial direction of the fence post extender.
12. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of moveable wall portions.
13. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, comprising two moveable wall portions.
14. The fence post extender extender of any preceding claim comprising one or more of plane of reflective symmetry.
15. The fence post extender of any preceding claim, generally C-shaped in cross section and having reflective symmetry about a plane running parallel to its length and bisecting the C-shaped cross section.
16. The fence post extender of any preceding claim arranged such that in use the fence post extender maintained in position by engaging an interior surface thereof with a fence post, Q and/or by engagement with the ground. L()Q 20
17. A fence post extender substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. (\J