GB2518294A

GB2518294A - Improved anchoring means

Info

Publication number: GB2518294A
Application number: GB1413943.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Antony Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-07
Filing date: 2014-08-06
Publication date: 2015-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-06
Also published as: GB201314108D0; GB2518294B; GB201413943D0

Abstract

A fence post anchor 201 for securing a portion of a fence having an anchor member 203, with a first end 203a attachable to a portion of a fence, and a second end 203b having a portion made of a material of higher density than the first end, so that it is heavier than the first end, allowing a relatively short but stable anchor. The first end may include at least one bore 205,206 that may engage one of more fence sections. The higher density material may be a removable circular insert. The anchor member may taper from a wide second end to a narrow first end. The second end may have a bore 220 for receiving bracing rod 222. The anchor may also have an abutment portion formed by a recess (430 fig. 8) for supporting a further portion of the fence. The first end 203a may be formed of low density PVC while the second end may comprise high density PVC or metal.

Description

Improved Anchorill2 Means The present invention relates to an improved anchoring means, in particular an anchoring means for use with fencing both at ground level and on the edge of a roof.

In the event that construction is being undertaken at ground level, it is known to use temporary fencing to surround the construction site, in order to cordon off the area and prevent the general public from accessing the construction site, The temporary fencing typically comprises a number of metallic fencing panels placed end to end, each end of each one being anchored in an anchoring means.

A typical anchoring means used with temporary fencing comprises an elongate member having two bores for receiving and retaining the ends of two adjacent fencing panels. The elongate nature of the elongate member, such that the elongate member protrudes some distance out perpendicularly from the fencing panels, provides a stabilising effect, which is further improved by the placement of a weight (such as a plurality of heavy stones) at the opposite end of the elongate member to the bores, in order to provide a cantilever effect, thereby providing added stability and reducing the likelihood of the temporary fencing toppling over. A typical anchoring means, in situ with fencing panels, is shown in Figure 1.

Despite being a commonly used means for facilitating temporary fencing, the typical anchoring means used, and in particular its elongate nature, presents a potential tripping hazard. Moreover, the haphazard nature of the placement of stones on the elongate member can provide an unreliable stabilising means, as well as presenting in itself, a further potential tripping hazard.

In the event that the flat roof of a building is able to be accessed, it is known to provide the roof with edge protection comprising fencing in the form of railings for example, around its perimeter, to prevent falls from the roof. The roof edge protection typically comprises a number of fencing panels placed end to end, each fencing panel having a first end being anchored in a first anchoring means, and a second end being anchored in a second anchoring means.

A typical anchoring means used with roof edge protection comprises an elongate member having a bore at one end thereof, for receiving the end of a fencing panel.

The elongate nature of the elongate member provides a stabilising effect, such that the elongate member protrudes some distance out perpendicularly from the fencing panels. This stabilising effect is further improved by the anchoring of the anchoring means to the roof itself, for example by means of a bolt passing through the opposite end of the elongate member to that end which includes the bore, thereby directly affixing the anchoring means to the roof Alternatively, this stabilising effect is further improved by the placement of a weight on the elongate member.

Despite being commonly used means for facilitating roof edge protection, the typical anchoring means used, and in particular its elongate nature, presents a potential tripping hazard. Moreover, the elongate nature of the anchoring means results in the anchoring means being precluded from use in the vicinity of skylights and air conditioning units, with the result that the roof edge protection is more unstable in that vicinity. Moreover, the requirement to drill the roof in order to affix the elongate member to the roof using a bolt is often undesirable.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome one or more of the

above disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, the device comprising an anchor member having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising attachment means for engaging a portion of a fence, and said second end comprising at least a portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of said first end.

This provides the advantage that the anchor member does not need to be elongate, thereby alleviating the potential tripping hazard, since the required anchoring action is facilitated by virtue of the heavier second end as opposed to an elongate cantilever effect.

Preferably, said attachment means comprises at least one first bore, Preferably, said attachment means is adapted to engage a plurality of portions of a fence.

Preferably, said portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of said first end comprises an insert having a substantially circular cross section.

Preferably, said anchor member tapers towards said first end.

Preferably, said second end is wider than said first end.

This provides the advantage that the insert having a higher density than the material of the first end can be larger, further facilitating the removal of the requirement for the anchor member to be elongate, in view of the resultant additional mass of the second end.

This also provides the advantage that the heavy mass of the second end is evenly distributed, thereby reducing the pressure applied to the surface upon which the anchoring means is disposed, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage.

Preferably, said second end comprises a second bore for engaging a portion of an elongate bracing element.

This provides the advantage that the anchoring means provides a more stabilising effect, reducing the likelihood that the fence will topple over.

Preferably, the anchoring device further comprises an elongate bracing element wherein a first end of said elongate bracing element is disposable in said second bore and a second end of said elongate bracing element is attachable to a portion of said fence.

This provides the advantage of further improving the stability of the fence.

Preferably, said portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of said first end comprises a removable insert.

The anchoring device may frirther comprising an abutment portion adjacent said first end for supporting a further portion of a fence.

Preferably, said abutment portion is formed by a recess.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a prior art anchoring device, showing the anchoring device in situ with a fence; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2a shows a side view of the first embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, showing the anchoring device in situ with a fence; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, showing the anchoring device in situ with a fence; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, showing the anchoring device in situ with a fence; and Figure 7 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence; Figure 9 is an exploded view of an anchor member of the anchor device of Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the anchor member of Figure 9.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, a first embodiment of an anchoring device is represented generally by reference numeral 1.

The anchoring device 1 comprises an anchor member 3 having a first end 3a and a second end 3b. As can be clearly seen from Figures 2 and 3, the anchor member 3 has a tapered shape, with the first end 3a being more tapered than the second end 3b; that is, the first end 3a is generally narrower than the second end 3b, with the second end 3b being bulbous in nature. The first end 3a and the second end 3b are rounded, and the anchor member 3 has a generally teardrop shape.

The first end 3a of the anchor member 3 comprises attachment means in the form of a first bore 5, extending part way through the depth D of the anchor member 3, the first bore 5 being open at its upper end 5a. The first bore 5 is adapted to receive a portion of a fence in the form of the lower portion of a leg 9 of a railing assembly.

The anchor member 3 comprises two types of material, each having a different density. In particular, the second end 3b of the anchor member 3 comprises a portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of the first end 3a, for example, high density PVC or a suitable metal. The first end 3a can for example, be made from low density PVC. This serves to ensure that the anchoring means 1 is heavier at its second end 3b. In particular, the second end 3b comprises a circular insert 11 having a profile broadly matching the profile of the second end 3b, and being made from a denser material than the remainder of the anchor member 3.

In use, the anchoring device is placed near the edge of a roof, for example, with the leg 9 of one end of a railing assembly being disposed and retained within the first bore 5. A corresponding leg at the opposite end of the railing assembly is similarly disposed and retained within the first bore of a further anchoring device.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of an anchoring device is represented generally by reference numeral 101.

The anchoring device 101 is similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3, comprising a tapered anchor member 103 having a first end 103a and a second end 103b, wherein the second end 103b is wider than the first end 103a.

However, the anchoring device 101 differs from the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 in that the first end 103a of the anchor member 3 comprises attachment means in the form of two first bores 105 and 106.

In use, the anchoring device 101 is placed on the ground, with a leg 109 of one end of a first fencing panel being disposed and retained within the first bore 105. A corresponding leg 109 of a second fencing panel is disposed and retained with the first bore 106. The opposite ends of the first and second fencing panels are disposed and retained in further anchoring device as required.

With reference to Figure 6, a third embodiment of an anchoring device is represented generally by reference numeral 201.

The anchoring device 201 is similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 and Figures 4 and 5 respectively, comprising a tapered anchor member 203 having a first end 203a and a second end 203b, whereby the second end 203b is wider than the first end 203a.

In this embodiment, the first end 203a of the anchor member 203 comprises attachment means in the form of two first bores 205 and 206.

However, the anchoring device 201 differs from the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 in that the second end 203b of the anchor member 203 comprises a second bore 220 for receiving an elongate bracing element 222. A first end 222a of the elongate bracing element 222 is disposable in the second bore 220 and a second end 222b of the elongate bracing element 222 is attachable to a portion of the fence.

The elongate bracing element 222 serves to provide a further means for stabilising the fence by means of reducing the likelihood of the fence from toppling over.

It is to be appreciated that the simplicity of the anchoring device facilitates the application of the bracing element 222, thereby ensuring that the bracing element 222 can be quickly and easily deployed, when required.

It is to be appreciated that the bracing element 222 of the anchoring device 201 of Figure 6 can be applied to the anchoring devicc 1, 101 of any of the other embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 7, a fourth embodiment of an anchoring device is represented generally by rcferenee numeral 301.

The anchoring device 301 is similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 and Figures 4 and 5 respectively, comprising a tapered, teardrop-shaped anchor member 303 having a first end 303a and a second end 303b, wherein the second end 303b is wider than the first end 303a.

In this embodiment, the first end 303a of the anchor member 303 comprises attachment means in the form of a first bore 305.

However, the anchoring device 301 differs from the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 in that the anchor member 303 is tapered along its depth. In particular, the depth M of g the first end 303a is greater than the depth M' of the second end 303b. This difference in depth whereby the second end 303b is thinner than the first end 303a affords the anchor member 303 with a wedge-like shape, thereby lowering the centre of gravity of the second end 303b and providing the anchoring device 301 with improved stability.

Referring to Figures 8 to 10, an anchoring device 401 of a fifth embodiment of the present invention has an anchor member 403 which, similarly to the anchoring device of Figure 6, has a pair of first bores 405, 406, and a circular insert 411 having a second bore 420, for receiving a first end 422a of an elongate bracing element 422, the second end 422b of which is attachable to a part of the fence, However, the anchor member 403 differs from the anchor member 203 of Figure 6 in that the anchor member 403 is provided with a recess 430 adjacent its first end 403a against which a lower edge of the fence can abut for improved stability.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anchoring device suitable for use in anchoring at least a portion of a fence, the device comprising an anchor member having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising attachment means for engaging a portion of a fence, and said second end comprising at least a portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of said first end.
2. An anchoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one first bore.
3. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said attachment means is adapted to engage a plurality of portions of a fence.
4. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of said first end comprises an insert having a substantially circular cross section.
5. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said anchor member tapers towards said first end.
6. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said second end is wider than said first end.
7. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said second end comprises a second bore for engaging a portion of an elongate bracing element.
8. An anchoring device according to claim 7, ftirther comprising an elongate bracing element wherein a first end of said elongate bracing element is disposable in said second bore and a second end of said elongate bracing element is attachable to a portion of said fence.
9. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said portion made from a material having a higher density than the material of said first end comprises a removable insert.
10. An anchoring device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, further comprising an abutment portion adjacent said first end for supporting a further portion of a fence.
11. An anchoring device according to claim 10, wherein said abutment portion is formed by a recess.
12. An anchoring means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.