GB2466927A

GB2466927A - Fence Panel Post Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2466927A
Application number: GB0900318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-12
Filing date: 2009-01-12
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-12
Also published as: GB2466927B; GB0900318D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a fence panel post apparatus 10 and a method of erecting the fence panel without having to lift the fence panels the full height of the fence posts, which is difficult especially in high winds. The fence post apparatus comprises a rigid elongate post 12 having a fence panel channel 26 at or adjacent to at least one longitudinal side (20 figure 4) of the post and at or adjacent to a ground end 22 of the post. A stepped portion 28 adjacent to the longitudinal side extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the post towards an upper end 24 opposite the ground end. A fastening plate element 14 is fastenable to the post and together with the stepped portion, forms a further fence panel channel (50 figure 4). A later embodiment relates to a method of erecting a fence panel 48 using said apparatus 10.

Description

Fence Panel Post Apparatus The present invention relates to fence panel post apparatus and to a method of erecting a fence panel using such apparatus.

Fence posts having channels for slidably holding a fence panel are widely known and are supplied in various sizes and materials. However, they all require fixing of the fence post at the required position and then vertically raising of the fence panel to the maximum height of the post to allow sliding of the panel into the preformed channel of the post. The height of raising of the panel can typically be 150 cm to 180 cm or higher, and the panel must be substantially vertical at this height to enable feeding into the rigid channel of the post. For most people, this cannot be undertaken alone, and even with assistance can be dangerous since ladders are typically required. The process becomes ever more hazardous especially during windy weather.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to this problem, thereby allowing safe single-handed erection of fence panels using posts with channels in which the panels can slide.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided fence panel post apparatus comprising: a rigid elongate post body having a fence panel channel at or adjacent to at least one longitudinal side of the body and at or adjacent to a ground end of the body, and a stepped portion at or adjacent to the said one longitudinal side and which extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the body towards an upper end opposite the ground end; and a fastening plate element which is fastenable to the post body and which, together with the stepped portion, forms a further fence panel channel.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 16, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of erecting a fence panel using fence panel post apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: a) locating a ground end of the post body in the ground so that the fence panel channel extends a short distance upwardly from the ground; b) sliding a fence panel into the fence panel channel so that it is supported by fence panel channel whilst abutting or substantially abutting the stepped portion of the post body; c) fastening the fastening plate element to the post body so that at least a portion of the fence panel above the fence panel channel is held captive by the then formed further fence panel channel.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of in use fence panel post apparatus, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention and supporting fence panels; Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of a preformed fence panel channel of the fence panel post apparatus; Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of engagement means of the apparatus for engaging a fastening plate element with the fence panel channel; and Figure 4 shows a fastening device for fastening the fastening plate element to a post body of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment offence panel post apparatus which comprises a rigid elongate post body 12 and a fastening plate element 14. The post body 12 is preferably formed of cast concrete, but may be extruded plastics or even metal. The post body 12 has a front 16, a back 18 and two opposing sides 20 which interconnect the front 16 and back 18. The post body 12 also includes a ground end 22 and an upper end 24. At or adjacent to the ground end 22 is a preformed fence panel channel 26 which has a longitudinal extent which extends in parallel or substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the post body 12 and which extends a short distance along the longitudinal extent of the post body 12. The fence panel channel 26 is at or adjacent to the side 20 of the post body 12.

The post body 12 also includes a longitudinal stepped portion 28 which extends from the fence panel channel 26 to or adjacent to the upper end 24. The stepped portion 28 is provided at or adjacent to the side 20 of the post body 12 so as to align with the fence panel channel 26.

A similar fence panel channel 26 and stepped portion 28 are preferably also provided on the opposite side 20 of the post body 12. As such, a lateral cross-section of the post body 12 at the fence panel channels 26 is substantially uniformly H-shaped along the extent of the channels, and a lateral cross-section of the post body 12 at the stepped portions 28 is substantially uniformly T-shaped along the longitudinal extent with the bar of the T being at the back 18 of the post body 12 and the foot of the stem being at the front 16 of the post body 12.

The fastening plate element 14 is also preferably cast concrete, extruded plastics or even metal. The fastening plate element 14 is typically a rectilinear or straight rigid elongate plate which has a longitudinal extent that preferably matches or substantially matches a longitudinal extent of the stepped portions 28.

Engagement means 30 are provided to engage a lowermost end of the fastening plate element 14 with an uppermost end of a wall 32 of the fence panel channel 26 adjacent to the stepped portion 28 and at the front 16 of the post body 12. The engagement means 30, in this embodiment, comprises two spaced rigid pins 34 which project from the lowermost end of the fastening plate element 14, and two complementary holes 36 in the uppermost end of the wall 32 of the fence panel channel 26.

The fastening plate element 14 and the post body 12 also include matching or substantially matching apertures 38, 40 at or adjacent to their upper ends 24, 42 for receiving a, preferably screw-threaded, fastening device 44. The fastening device 44 fastens the upper end 42 of the fastening plate element 14 to the upper end 24 of the post body 12.

In use, the ground end 22 of the post body 12 is initially firmly embedded in the ground 46 at a position at which the fence is to be erected so that the fence panel channel 26 projects a short distance above the ground 46. Preferably, the fence panel channel 26 projects a distance which is suitable to accommodate a height of a gravel board as well as a portion of a fence panel 48. For example, the fence panel channel 26 may have a channel length in the range of 45 cm to 60 cm. However, if a gravel board is not to be used, then the channel length may only need to be, for example, in the range of 15 cm to cm. Obviously, other channel lengths may be considered, but preferably the above-ground channel length does not exceed half the above-ground height of the length of the post body 12, and more preferably it does not exceed a third of the length of the post body 12.

Once two of the post bodies 12 are embedded a sufficient distance apart to receive a fence panel 48 therebetween, the fence panel 48 is lifted up and slid into the respective fence panel channels 26 whilst abutting the stepped portion 28 of the post body 12.

Since the fence panel channels 26 are not particularly high, the fence panel 48 does not need to be lifted very high from the ground 46, and the stepped portion 28 guides the fence panel 48 into the channels 26.

The fence panel 48 is thus supported by the fence panel channels 26 whilst the fastening plate element 14 is offered up to the front 16 of the post body 12. The pins 34 are located in their respective holes 36 so that the fastening plate element 14 seats on the channel wall 32, and the fastening device 44 is engaged, thus securely fastening the fastening plate element 14 to the post body 12. The fastening device 44 may be a security type of device, having a continuously smooth head at one end to prevent or inhibit removal from one side 20.

With the fastening plate element 14 fastened to the post body 12, a further fence panel channel 50 is effectively formed between the fastening plate element 14 and the stepped portion 28 which holds an edge of the fence panel 48 captive. The fence panel channel 26 and the further fence panel channel 50, in this embodiment, abut or substantially abut so as to be coaxial or substantially coaxial, thus providing a channel along the entire or substantially entire longitudinal extent of at least the portion of the post body 12 which in use is above ground 46.

The fence panel channel 26 is in part formed by the back 18 of the post body 12 having a flanged back portion 52 extending the entire longitudinal extent of the portion of the post body 12 above ground 46, and a flanged front portion 54 provided on the front 16 of the post body 12.

The fence panel channel may be formed by a further stepped portion provided on the post body and a separate further fastening plate element which is fastenable to the further stepped portion. This would be advantageous in that the post body could be extruded as one piece. The further fastening plate element would obviously be typically much shorter in length than the above described fastening plate element.

It is also feasible that the stepped portion could be formed by a separate flange back plate attachable to the post body having a, for example, square lateral cross-section.

The fastening plate may be shorter, and may be spaced from the fence panel channel, In this case, the engagement means may alternatively include a further fastening device as described above.

The fence panel post apparatus is preferably provided as a kit of parts for assembly on-site.

Although the fence panel channel and the stepped portion are provided on two sides of the post body, they may only be provided on one side to accommodate, for example, wall abutment. Furthermore, the fence panel channel and the stepped portion may be provided on more than two sides, for example, to accommodate an intersection of fences.

The fastening plate element may be ornate or plain.

The post body may be formed of a composite material, or the post body may be one material, such as concrete, whilst the fastening plate element may be another material, such as wood or plastics.

It is thus possible to provide fence panel post apparatus which has a short support channel at or adjacent to ground level preformed prior to embedding for supporting the fence panel whilst the fastening plate element is engaged. The fence panel thus does not need to be lifted to a dangerous height to be slidably received in the channel, and no ladder is required. The fence panel post apparatus significantly improves safety, and is simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Dispensing with the need to raise fence panels to a high position reduces the chance of obstruction by overhead obstacles, such as tree branches and the eaves of houses or guttering. The fence panels can also be easily removed for maintenance and repair or replacement.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Fence panel post apparatus comprising a rigid elongate post body having a fence panel channel at or adjacent to at least one longitudinal side of the body and at or adjacent to a ground end of the body, and a stepped portion at or adjacent to the said one longitudinal side and which extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the body towards an upper end opposite the ground end; and a fastening plate element which is fastenable to the post body and which, together with the stepped portion, forms a further fence panel channel.
2. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said fence panel channel has a longitudinal extent sufficient to accept a gravel board and at least part of a fence panel.
3. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastening plate element is elongate and, when fastened to the post body, extends to an upper end of the stepped portion.
4. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening plate element is seatable on an end of the said fence panel channel.
5. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said fence panel channel and the further fence panel channel abut or substantially abut.
6. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further fence panel channel extends from the said fence panel channel to the upper end of the post body.
7. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said fence panel channel and the further fence panel channel are coaxial or substantially coaxial.
8. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising engagement means for engaging the fastening plate element with a wall of the said fence panel channel.
9. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the engagement means is at least one pin and hole.
10. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pin is provided on one end of the fastening plate element and the hole is provided in an end of the wall of the said fence panel channel.
11. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein two said pin and holes are provided in spaced relationship.
12. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fastening device for fastening the fastening plate element to the post body.
13. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fastening device includes a screw-threaded fastener.
14. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein another said fence panel channel is provided at or adjacent to the opposite longitudinal side of the body and at or adjacent to the ground end of the body, and another said stepped portion is provided at or adjacent to the said opposite longitudinal side.
15. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post body is concrete, metal or extruded plastics.
16. Fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said fence panel channel is formed by a further stepped portion at or adjacent to the said at least one longitudinal side of the body and at or adjacent to a ground end of the body, and a further fastening plate element which is fastenable to the post body and which, together with the said further stepped portion, forms the said fence panel channel.
17. Fence panel post apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A method of erecting a fence panel using fence panel post apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a) locating a ground end of the post body in the ground so that the fence panel channel extends a short distance upwardly from the ground; b) sliding a fence panel into the fence panel channel so that it is supported by fence panel channel whilst abutting or substantially abutting the stepped portion of the post body; and c) fastening the fastening plate element to the post body so that at least a portion of the fence panel above the fence panel channel is held captive by the then formed further fence panel channel.