GB2520789A

GB2520789A - Interlocking fence

Info

Publication number: GB2520789A
Application number: GB1411076.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Terence Hopes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-11
Filing date: 2014-06-20
Publication date: 2015-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-20
Also published as: GB201316160D0; GB2520789B; GB201411076D0

Abstract

Fence post and slat arrangement. Horizontal panels 9 are arranged above one another with ends (15 fig. 3) in a straight vertical channels (11 fig. 2) in posts 10, such that the bottom edge 17 of an upper slat is gripped between the front surface (16 fig. 3) of a lower slat and the inner surface of the channel by friction. The channel may include a wedge formation (14 fig. 2) at the base to bias bottom slat, and a cap (12 fig. 1) may protect the top of the posts. There may be multiple posts which may contain several grooves to allow many directions of fencing, and there may be several slats. The posts and slats may be reinforced concrete. The slats may be less than half the width of the slot, and may overlap 10 35 percent of the adjacent slats height. Also claimed is a method of erecting, and kit of parts.

Description

INTERLOCKING FENCE

This invention relates to an interlocking fence construction.

Fences are used to delimit the boundaries of fields and cardens, and are sometimes used as barriers to prevent people or animals from crossing from one piece of land to another. Fences are typically built outdoors and can be distinguished from walls in that fences do not usually require a binder such as cement in their construction, whereas walls usually do. Fences are typically made of wooden slats that are fixed to wooden posts using nails or screws.

Fences suffer the drawback of being susceptible to wind damage and they are often blown down' in strong wind. Furthermore, the process of assembling a fence is not usually straightforward because each slat must be manually held while nails or screws are applied to secure the slat in place. This is particularly difficult when a single person is attempting to assemble the fence. When an individual slat has not been properly secured in position, it is susceptible to being blown apart from the rest of the fence by strong winds.

At its most general, the present invention provides a fence having a post with a channel, the fence also having two or more partly-overlapping slats that are gripped within the channel. This provides an interlocking fence construction that is easy for a single person to assemble (or disassemble) and is resistant to wind damage.

In a first aspect, the invention may provide a fence having a pair of upstanding posts and two or more slats extending between the posts, the slats being arranged one above another, each slat having two ends and a front surface and a lower edge. Each post has a straight channel running along its upstanding length, each straight channel retaining a respective end of each slat. The lower edge of an upper slat is gripped between an inner surface of the straight channel and the front surface of a lower slat.

In some embodiments, at least one of said upstanding posts has a formation located at a lower part of the straight channel, the formation being for biasing the lower edge of the lower slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel. Preferably, the formation is a wedge. In some embodiments, each straight channel has a formation for biasing the lower edge of the lower slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel.

Preferably, each respective end of each slat is retained in the straight channel without additional fastening means. Alternatively, a filler such as cement or concrete may be used to fill the space between the slats within the straight channels.

Preferably, each slat has a depth that is less than one-half of a width of said straight channel. In some embodiments, each slat has a depth that is 0.4-0.49-times the width of the straight channel.

Preferably, each slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel. In some embodiments, each slat has a depth that is 0.45 times the width of the straight channel.

When each slat has a depth in the range of 0.4-0.49-times the width of the straight channel, the inventors have found that the interlocking structure of the fence is extremely solid. Without wanting to be bound by theory, depth:width ratios in this range appear to result in a very strong gripping force between the slats and the inner surfaces of the straight channel. This very strong gripping force is readily obtained when constructing a fence of the invention according to the methods below. The gripping force is especially strong when each slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel.

In some embodiments, each slat has a depth of approximately 1.25 inches and the straight channel has a width of 2.75 inches. Hence, in some embodiments, each slat has a depth of about 5/11-times (about 0.45-recurring) the width of the straight channel.

In most embodiments, an upper slat partially overlaps a lower slat such that the lower edge of the upper slat lays below an upper edge of the lower slat. In same embodiments, the lower edge of the upper slat lays below an upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.1-0.35-times the height of the lower slat. Preferably, the lower edge of the upper slat lays below the upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.2-0.25-times the height of the lower slat.

In most embodiments, each slat has approximately equal dimensions to every other slat. Preferably, the width of every slat is the same.

In some embodiments, each slat has a height of 300-450mm, or preferably 325-425mm, more preferably between 350-400mm, most preferably the height of each slat is about 375cm. In some embodiments, the width of each slat is between 1000-2500mm, or preferably 1250-2250mm, more preferably between 1500-2000mm, most preferably the width of each slat is about 1800mm. In some embodiments, each slat has a depth in the range 5-60mm, preferably 10-50mm, more preferably between 20-40mm, and most preferably the depth of each slat is about 30mm.

In most embodiments, the front surface of the slat is substantially parallel with a rear surface of the slat. Preferably, the front and rear surfaces are parallel. Preferably, the slats are of substantially rectangular cross-section. The lower edge of the slats may have a square profile. Alternatively, the lower edge of the slats may be chamfered or rounded. Likewise, the upper edge of the slats may have a square profile or they may be chamfered or rounded.

In some embodiments, the upstanding posts are made of concrete. In some ertodiments, the slats are made of concrete. The inventors have found that the interlocking structure of the fence is extremely solid when using slats that are made of concrete, especially when the slats have dimensions in the ranges presented above. Without wanting to be bound by theory, it seems that the surface of common concrete blocks provide an extremely strong gripping force between the slats and the inner surfaces of the straight channel, particularly when the slats have dimensions in the ranges presented above.

In most embodiments, the fence has more than 2 slats. In some embodiments, the fence has 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7 or 5, or more than S slats.

In most embodiments, at least one post has two straight channels.

Preferably, the two straight channels are at opposing sides of the post. Incorporating two straight channels in a post allows two or more slats, stacked one-above-another, to be retained on either (opposite) sides of the post. This allows the post to stand at a mid-point of the fence, rather than being an end-post. In preferred embodiments, each post has two straight channels. Having two straight channels in each post allows the fence to incorporate more than two posts wherein two or more slats extend between pairs of adjacent posts, allowing the fence to be made as long as required.

In other ertodiments, one or all of the posts have more than 2 straight channels, e.g. 3 straight channels, or 4 straight channels.

By incorporating one or more posts having 3 or 4 straight channels, fences with I-junctions' or 4-way junctions' can be constructed.

This allows a single continuous fence to delimit several adjacent areas. In some ertodiments, the straight channels are recessed channels; in other embodiments, the straight channels are bolted onto the post.

In some embodiments, each post has a cap. The presence of a cap prevents rain or detritus from entering the channel, which would inhibit the easy asserrJoly/disassembly of the fence. Optionally, the cap can be made difficult to remove to prevent unwanted fence disassembly by unauthorised persons.

In a second aspect, the invention may provide a method of assembling a fence that has a pair of upstanding posts which each have a straight channel running along their upstanding length. The method comprises sliding a first slat down between the upstanding posts, wherein the first slat has two ends that are respectively received by the straight channel of each post. The method further comprises sliding a second slat down between the upstanding posts, the second slat coming to rest when a lower edge of the second slat is gripped between an inner surface of the straight channel and a front surface of the first slat.

In some embodiments, the first slat comes to rest when a lower edge of the first slat is in contact with a formation that is present at a lower part of the straight channel, which formation biases the lower edge of the first slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel. Preferably, the formation is a wedge. Optionally a formation is present in the lower part of each straight channel, which each bias the lower edge of the first slat towards the inner surfaces of the straight channels.

Preferably, the method does not include the step of applying additional fastening means to the first slat or to the second slat.

In other ertodiments, the method includes the further step of applying a filler such as cement or concrete to the spaces between the slats and the straight channels.

In some embodiments, the second slat comes to rest partially overlapping the first slat such that the lower edge of the upper slat lays below an upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.1-0.35-times the height of the lower slat. Preferably, the lower edge of the upper slat lays below the upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.2-0.25-times the height of the lower slat.

In some embodiments, the upstanding posts are made of concrete. In some embodiments, the slats are made of concrete. Preferably, the method further comprises sliding a third slat down between the upstanding posts, the method optionally comprising sliding a fourth, and/or a fifth, and/or a sixth, and/or a seventh, and/or an eighth slat down between the upstanding posts. Optionally, yet more slats can be slid down between the upstanding posts. In some embodiments, the method further comprises placing a cap upon the post.

In a third aspect, a kit of parts for constructing a fence is provided, comprising 2 posts which each have a straight channel that runs along their length, and two or more slats of equal width, wherein each slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel, wherein each slat has two ends that can be respectively received in the straight channel of each post. In some embodiments, at least one of the posts has a formation proximal to one end of its straight channel, the formation being suitable for holding a lower edge of a slat against an inner surface of the straight channel. Preferably the formation is a wedge. In some embodiments, the kit comprises more than 2 posts and a multiplicity of slats. Preferably, the kit consists only of posts and slats as described herein, with no additional fastening means being included.

The invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a top elevation of a post, which constitutes a part of the invention, having two channels. Fig. 1 also shows a cap, which can be secured on top of the post.

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of a post, which constitutes a part of the invention, having two straight channels and a wedge located at a lower part of one channel.

Fig. 3 shows a concrete slat, which constitutes a part of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional side view of a fence, which is an embodiment of the invention. The fence has an upstanding post and four slats, which partly overlap. The ends of each of the four slats are gripped within the channel of the post.

Fig. 5 shows a part-sectional front view of a fence, which is an embodiment of the invention. The fence has two upstanding posts and four slats that extend between the posts.

Fig. 6A shows a sectional top view of part of a prior-art fence having a concrete post with 2 channels in which concrete slats are located.

Fig. 6fl shows a sectional side view of a prior-art fence having concrete slats located within the straight channel of a concrete post.

Fig. 7A shows a sectional top view of part of a fence, which is an embodiment of the invention, having a concrete post with 2 channels in which concrete slats are located.

Fig. 7B shows a sectional side view of part of a fence, which is an embodiment of the invention, having concrete slats partially overlapping within the straight channel of a concrete post.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a top elevation of a post 10, which constitutes a part of the invention, having two straight channels 11. Fig. 1 also shows a cap 12, which can be secured on top of the post. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of a post 10, which constitutes a part of the invention, having two straight channels 11 and a wedge 14 located at a lower part of one channel. The wedge 14 is an example of a formation that can bias a slat against an inner surface 13 of the straight channel 11.

Fig. 3 shows a concrete slat 9, which constitutes a part of the invention, having two ends 15, a front surface 16, a lower edge 17, an upper edge 18, a height 19 and a depth 20.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional side view of a fence 8, which is an embodiment of the invention, having four slats 9, which partially overlap each other, and a post 10. The lower edge 17 of each slat 9 is gripped between an inner surface 13 of the straight channel and the front surface 16 of a lower slat. This arrangement provides a strong interlocking' structure, which is highly damage-resistant.

Additional means to fasten each slat 9 in place are not needed.

Fig. S shows a part-sectional front view of a fence 6, which is an embodiment of the invention, having two upstanding posts 10 and four slats 9 that extend between the posts. Each slat 9 has a height 19.

Each slat 9 partially overlaps a lower slat such that the lower edge 17 of the upper slat lies below an upper edge 18 of the lower slat.

A cap 12 is present on top of each post.

Fig. 6 shows the overlap of prior art slats, which do not have simple square, rounded or chamfered ends, in prior art fences. The fence has a post 10 with channels 11. The lower edge 21 of an upper slat in Fig. 63 rests upon a flat upper edge 22 of a lower slat.

Although there is some overlap with a top protrusion 23 of the lower slat, the upper slat is not gripped between an inner surface 13 of the channel 11 and the front surface of a lower slat. Hence, the slats do not interlock and are not held firmly in place. Instead, the front surfaces 16 of the slats of this prior art fence form a continuous, flat plane wherein each slat merely sits, loosely, on the slat below.

Fig. 7 shows the overlap of slats in an embodiment of the invention, in which the slats have simple square ends. The fence has a post 10 with channels 11. The lower edge 17 of an upper slat in Fig. 73 overlaps with a lower slat such that it is gripped between the inner surface 13 of the channel 11 and the front surface 16 of a lower slat. Hence, the slats interlock and are held firmly in place. The front surfaces 16 of the slats of the fence of the invention form a zig-zag' profile wherein the end of each slat is firmly gripped between inner surface 13 of the channel 11 and the front surface 16 of the slat below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fence comprising a pair of upstanding posts and two or more slats extending between the posts, the slats being arranged one above another, each slat having two ends and a front surface and a lower edge, each post having a straight channel that runs along its upstanding length, wherein each straight channel retains a respective end of each slat, wherein the lower edge of an upper slat is gripped between an inner surface of the straight channel and the front surface of a lower slat.
2. A fence according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said upstanding posts has a formation located at a lower part of the straight channel, the formation being for biasing the lower edge of the lower slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel.
3. A fence according to claim 2, wherein the formation is a wedge.
4. A fence according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein each respective end of each slat is retained in the straight channel without additional fastening means.
5. A fence according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein each slat has a depth that is less than one-half of a width of said straight channel.
6. A fence according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein each slat has a depth that is 0.4-0.49-times the width of the straight channel.
7. A fence according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein each slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel.
8. A fence according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein an upper slat partially overlaps a lower slat such that the lower edge of the upper slat lays below an upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.1-0.35-times the height of the lower slat.
9. A fence according to claim 8, wherein the lower edge of the upper slat lays below the upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.2-0.25-times the height of the lower slat.
10. A fence according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the upstanding posts are made of concrete.
11. A fence according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the slats are made of concrete.
12. A fence according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the fence has more than 2 slats.
13. A fence according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the fence has 4 slats.
14. A fence according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein at least one post has two straight channels.
15. A fence according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein at least one post has more than two straight channels.
16. A fence according to claims 14 or claim 15, wherein the fence comprises more than 2 posts, wherein two or more slats extend between pairs of adjacent posts.
17. A fence according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein each post has a cap.
18. A fence substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 1-5, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7E.
19. A method of assembling a fence having a pair of upstanding posts which each have a straight channel running along their upstanding length, the method comprising sliding a first slat down between the upstanding posts, wherein the first slat has two ends that are respectively received by the straight channel of each post, wherein the method further comprises sliding a second slat down between the upstanding posts, the second slat coming to rest when a lower edge of the second slat is gripped between an inner surface of the straight channel and a front surface of the first slat.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first slat comes to rest when a lower edge of the first slat is in contact with a formation that is present at a lower part of the straight channel, which formation biases the lower edge of the first slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the formation is a wedge.
22. The method of any one of claims 19-21, wherein the method does not include the step of applying additional fastening means to the first slat or to the second slat.
23. The method of any one of claims 19-22, wherein each slat has a depth that is less than one-half of a width of said straight channel.
24. The method of any one of claims 19-23, wherein each slat has a depth that is 0.4-0.49-times the width of the straight channel.
25. The method of any one of claims 19-24, wherein each slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel.
26. The method of any one of claims 19-25, wherein the second slat comes to rest partially overlapping the first slat such that the lower edge of the upper slat lays below an upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.1-0.35-times the height of the lower slat.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the lower edge of the upper slat lays below the upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.2-0.25-times the height of the lower slat.
28. The method of any one of claims 19-27, wherein the upstanding posts are made of concrete.
29. The method of any one of claims 19-28, wherein the slats are made of concrete.
30. The method of any one of claims 19-29, further comprising sliding a third slat down between the upstanding posts, the method optionally comprising sliding a fourth slat down between the upstanding posts.
31. The method of any one of claims 19-30, wherein at least one post has two straight channels.
32. The method of any one of claims 19-31, wherein at least one post has more than two straight channels.
33. The method of any one of claims 19-32, wherein the fence comprises more than 2 posts, the method comprising sliding a slat down between a first pair of adjacent posts, the method further comprising sliding a slat down between a second pair of adjacent posts.
34. The method of any one of claims 19-33, further comprising placing a cap upon each post.
35. A method substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 1-5, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B.
36. A kit of parts for constructing a fence as defined in any one of clams 1-18, comprising 2 posts which each have a straight channel that runs along their length, and two or more slats of equal width, wherein each slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times a width of the straight channel, wherein each slat has two ends that can be respectively received in the straight channel of each post.
37. A kit of parts according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the posts has a formation proximal to an end of its straight channel, the formation being suitable for holding a lower edge of a slat against an inner surface of the straight channel.
38. A kit of parts according to claim 37, wherein the formation is a wedge.
39. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 36-38, wherein the posts are made of concrete.
40. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 36-39, wherein the slats are made of concrete.
41. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 36-40, wherein the kit comprises more than 2 posts and a multiplicity of slats.
42. A kit of parts substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 1-5, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B.Amendments to the claims have bn filed as followsCLAIMS1. A fence comprising a pair of upstanding concrete posts and two or more concrete slats extending between the concrete posts, the concrete slats being arranged one above another, each concrete slat having two ends and a front surface and a lower edge, each concrete post having a straight channel that runs along its upstanding length, wherein each straight channel retains a respective end of each concrete slat, wherein the lower edge of an upper concrete slat is gripped between an inner surface of the straight channel and the front surface of a lower concrete slat wherein the front surface of each concrete slat is substantially parallel with a rear surface of the concrete slat, and wherein each respective end of each concrete slat is retained in the straight channel without additional fastening means, IC) wherein the straight channel has straight edges.cy) 2. A fence according to claim 1, wherein at least one of 0 said upstanding concrete posts has a formation located at a lower part of the straight channel, the formation being for biasing the C\J lower edge of the lower slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel.3. A fence according to claim 2, wherein the formation is a wedge.4. A fence according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is less than one-half of a width of said straight channel.5. A fence according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is 0.4-0.49-times the width of the straight channel.6. A fence according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel.7. A fence according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein an upper slat partially overlaps a lower slat such that the lower edge of the upper slat lays below an upper edge of the lower slat by a distance that is 0.1-0.35-times the height of the lower slat.8. A fence according to claim 7, wherein the lower edge of the upper concrete slat lays below the upper edge of the lower concrete slat by a distance that is 0.2-0.25-times the height of the lower concrete slat.9. A fence according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the fence has more than 2 concrete slats. IC)10. A fence according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the fence has 4 concrete slats.(0 11. A fence according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein at (\4 least one concrete post has two straight channels.12. A fence according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein at least one concrete post has more than two straight channels.13. A fence according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the fence comprises more than 2 concrete posts, wherein two or more concrete slats extend between pairs of adjacent concrete posts.14. A fence according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein each concrete post has a cap.15. A fence substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 1-5, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B.16. A method of assembling a fence having a pair of upstanding concrete posts which each have a straight channel running along their upstanding length, the method comprising sliding a first concrete slat down between the upstanding concrete posts, wherein the first concrete slat has two ends that are respectively received by the straight channel of each concrete post, wherein the method further comprises sliding a second concrete slat down between the upstanding concrete posts, the second concrete slat coming to rest when a lower edge of the second concrete slat is gripped between an inner surface of the straight channel and a front surface of the first concrete slat wherein the front surface of each concrete slat is substantially parallel with a rear surface of the concrete slat, and wherein the method does not include the step of applying additional fastening means to the first slat or to the second concrete slat, IC) wherein the straight channel has straight edges.cy) 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first concrete slat 0 comes to rest when a lower edge of the first concrete slat is in (0 contact with a formation that is present at a lower part of the (\4 straight channel, which formation biases the lower edge of the first concrete slat towards the inner surface of the straight channel.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the formation is a wedge.19. The method of any one of claims 16-18, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is less than one-half of a width of said straight channel.20. The method of any one of claims 16-19, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is 0.4-0.49-times the width of the straight channel.21. The method of any one of claims 16-20, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times the width of the straight channel.22. The method of any one of claims 16-21, wherein the second concrete slat comes to rest partially overlapping the first concrete slat such that the lower edge of the upper concrete slat lays below an upper edge of the lower concrete slat by a distance that is 0.1- 0.35-times the height of the lower concrete slat.23. The method of claim 22, wherein the lower edge of the upper concrete slat lays below the upper edge of the lower concrete slat by a distance that is 0.2-0.25-times the height of the lower slat.24. The method of any one of claims 16-23, further comprising sliding a third concrete slat down between the upstanding concrete posts.IC) 25. The method of any one of claims 16-24, wherein at least one concrete post has two straight channels. C?)0 26. The method of any one of claims 16-25, wherein at least one concrete post has more than two straight channels. (427. The method of any one of claims 16-26, wherein the fence comprises more than 2 concrete posts, the method comprising sliding a concrete slat down between a first pair of adjacent concrete pasts, the method further comprising sliding a concrete slat down between a second pair of adjacent concrete posts.28. The method of any one of claims 16-27, further comprising placing a cap upon each concrete post.29. A method substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 1-5, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B.30. A kit of parts for constructing a fence as defined in any one of clams 1-15, comprising 2 or more concrete posts which each have a straight channel that runs along their length, and two or more concrete slats of equal width, wherein each concrete slat has a depth that is 0.44-0.46-times a width of the straight channel, wherein each concrete slat has two ends that can be respectively received in the straight channel of each concrete post wherein the front surface of each concrete slat is parallel with a rear surface of the concrete slat, and wherein each respective end of each concrete slat can be retained in the straight channel without additional fastening means, wherein the straight channel has straight edges.31. A kit of parts according to claim 30, wherein at least one of the concrete posts has a formation proximal to an end of its straight channel, the formation being suitable for holding a lower edge of a concrete slat against an inner surface of the straight channel.LI') 32. A kit of parts according to claim 31, wherein the formation is a wedge. C?)0 33. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 30-32, (0 wherein the kit comprises more than 2 concrete posts and a (\4 multiplicity of concrete slats.34. A kit of parts substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 1-5, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B.