GB2531159A

GB2531159A - Fence

Info

Publication number: GB2531159A
Application number: GB1516969.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Whiteley Christopher
Original assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-01
Filing date: 2015-09-25
Publication date: 2016-04-13
Also published as: GB201417339D0; GB201516969D0

Abstract

The fence has a foot 28 forming a holder 32 with a base 30, and a pole 16 with ballast 34 attached to the end, inserted through the hub fixing them together. The hole and ballast may have sloping walls so that they are tapered, the pole and ballast inserted from below the foot together. The ballast may have a cross shaped projection 38 that inserts into the end of the pole, secured in place with screws or bolts. The base may be rectangular and have a low profile of less than 10mm to reduce the chance of tripping on it. A rail 12 may be connected to the pole by inserting a clip 20 into a hole 24, the clip having a head 22 at a distance a less than the thickness b of the wall of the pole so it compresses the wall when inserted. The pole may have a phosphorescent cap 26 which glows in the dark.

Description

FENCE

This invention relates to a barrier, and in particular to a barrier suitable for temporarily erecting around, for example, a trench or cavity formed in a footpath or walkway to restrict the access of the public and thereby reduce the risk of accident or injury.

Alternative uses include, for example, the use of the barrier to delineate a temporary walkway or the like. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not restricted to such uses.

One form of fence in common use takes the form of rails interconnecting uprights, the uprights being supported upon respective feet. The feet are typically of relatively large dimensions in order to provide stability. Furthermore, they are typically of relatively great thickness so as to be of relatively high weight. The weight of the feet provides ballast, anchoring the fence to the ground and further enhancing this stability of the fence.

Whilst the provision of a fence with feet of relatively large dimensions and of relatively large weight is advantageous in that the stability of the fence may be enhanced, as the feet will normally project into the area in which pedestrians are expected to walk past the barrier, there is an increased risk of tripping or the like. Accordingly, it is desired to provide a fence in which at least some of the disadvantages with known fences are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a fence comprising an upright and a foot, the foot defining a central hub and a base projecting from a lower end of the hub, and a ballast member secured at a lower end of the upright and receivable within the hub to secure the upright to the foot.

The hub is preferably defined by sloping walls, defining an inner cavity of tapering form.

The ballast member is preferably of similarly tapering form. The tapering shape of the cavity and ballast member are preferably such that the ballast member is introduced into the cavity from the underside of the foot.

The ballast member conveniently includes a projection that projects into at least the lower end of the upright. The projection may be of, for example, X-shaped cross section.

The ballast member and upright are preferably secured to one another by screws or bolts. However, it will be appreciated that other fixing techniques may be used.

The base is preferably of square or rectangular shape, but it will be appreciated that other forms are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The base is preferably of low profile form so as to avoid forming a significant trip hazard. By way of example, a majority of the base may have a thickness of less than 10mm.

The fence conveniently further comprises at least one rail secured at an end thereof to the upright. Preferably the rail includes a projection that extends from an end of the rail and includes a spaced head that is receivable within an opening formed in the upright to secure the rail to the upright. A spacing of the head is preferably equal to or less than a rest wall thickness of the material of the upright, such that the mounting of the rail to the upright results in compression of part of the wall material of the upright. As a consequence, undesired movement of the rail is restricted.

A cap is preferably mounted to the upper end of the upright. The cap may be brightly coloured so as to be clearly visible. Preferably, the material of the cap contains a phosphorescent pigment so as to appear to glow under low light conditions. The cap may be shaped to allow other devices, for example lanterns, signage or the like, to be attached thereto.

The invention further relates to a fence comprising an upright and a foot, and at least one rail secured at an end thereof to the upright, the rail including a projection that extends from an end of the rail and includes a spaced head that is receivable within an opening formed in the upright to secure the rail to the upright, a spacing of the head being equal to or less than a rest wall thickness of the material of the upright, such that the mounting of the rail to the upright results in compression of part of the wall material of the upright.

The invention further relates to a fence comprising an upright and a foot, and a cap closing or substantially closing an upper end of the upright, wherein the material of the cap contains a phosphorescent pigment so that the cap appears to glow under low light conditions.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating part of a fence in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlargement illustrating part of the fence of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view illustrating another part of the fence of Figure ito an enlarged scale; and Figures 4 to 6 are views illustrating a similar fence in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures ito 3 of the accompanying drawings, a fence 10 is illustrated that comprises upper and lower rails 12, 14 each of which interconnects a pair of uprights 16 (only one of which is shown). The rails 12, 14 each take the form of elongate plastics moulded or extruded elements of rectangular cross section. Markings and/or coloured panels may be formed or provided on the rails to increase their visibility.

As shown in Figure 3, each rail 12, 14 has a fitting 18 secured to each end thereof. By way of example, the fittings 18 may include parts that are press fitted into the ends of the rails 12, 14. Alternatively, they may be adhered, screwed or otherwise secured in position. Each fitting 18 has a pair of projections 20 formed thereon, projecting away from the associated rail 12, 14, each projection 20 including an enlarged head 22 spaced from the remainder of the fitting 18 by a distance a.

The uprights 16 take the form of plastics material mouldings or extrusions of hollow generally square cross section of substantially uniform wall thickness b. The walls of the uprights 16 are formed with appropriately positioned and shaped openings 24 whereby the heads 22 of the fittings 18 can be inserted into the uprights, the openings 24 being of keyhole like form so that once the heads 22 have been inserted, downward movement of the rails 12, 14 results in the rails 12, 14 being secured to the uprights.

The wall thickness b of the uprights 16 is preferably slightly greater than the spacing of the heads 22 from the remainder of the fittings l8so that the parts of the wall material of the uprights 16 trapped between the heads 22 and the remainder of the fittings 18 is slightly compressed, restricting or minimising undesired relative movement between the uprights 16 and the rails 12, 14.

The upper end of each upright 16 is conveniently closed by a cap 26. The cap 26 may be press fitted to the upper end of the associated upright 16. Alternatively it may be, for example, adhered, welded, screwed or otherwise secured in position. Preferably the cap 26 is of moulded plastics material form, and the material thereof conveniently incorporates a phosphorescent pigment so that the cap 26 appears to glow under low light conditions. Each cap 26 may include a lamp, for example of solar powered form, to assist pedestrians in seeing the fence in poor light conditions. Alternatively, or additionally, it may include a fitting or bracket to allow other components or devices, such as lanterns, signage or the like, to be secured to or mounted upon the fence 10.

Each upright 16 has a foot 28 associated therewith, the foot 28 serving to hold the upright 16 in an upstanding configuration thereby providing stability to the fence 10.

The foot 28 comprises a base 30 of, for example, generally square or rectangular shape, although other shapes such as round or elliptical shaped bases may be preferred in some applications. The base is of relatively thin form. For example, at least half of the base 30 may be of thickness less than 10mm. As a consequence, whilst the base 30 may need to be of relatively large area in order to provide a required level of stability to the fence 10, the low profile nature of the base 30 may be such that the trip hazard formed thereby is minimal.

The foot 28 further includes a central hub 32 upstanding from the base 30, the base 30 projecting outwards from the lower end of the hub 32. The hub 32 is preferably formed by four sidewalls, each of which is angled such that the hub 32 defines an interior space, cavity or void of tapering cross-section, tapering from a maximum adjacent to the base 30 to a minimum at a location spaced from the base 30.

The foot 28 is conveniently of one piece moulded plastics material construction, and the shape of the hub 32 is conveniently such as to permit a number of feet 28 to be stacked or nested with one another so as to permit storage and transport thereof in a relatively efficient manner.

Within the void defined by the hub 32 is located a ballast member 34. The ballast member 34 takes the form of a relatively dense plastics material moulding and comprises a body part 36 shaped to conform, generally, with the shape of the void.

Integrally formed with the body part 36 is an upwardly extending projection 38 of X-shaped cross section, the projection 38 being shaped and of dimensions such that it can be received within a lower end part of the upright 16, the limbs of the X-shaped cross-section extending across the diagonals of the upright 16. As a consequence, the projection 38 may serve to enhance the rigidity of the upright 16 whilst not obstructing the introduction of the projections 20 through the openings 24 thereof. Whilst a projection 38 of X-shaped cross-section represents one possibility, it will be appreciated that the projection 38 may be of other forms. For example, it may be solid and shaped to include recesses aligned, in use, with certain of the openings 24 to ensure that the attachment of the rails to the uprights 16 is not impeded.

Screws 40 are used to secure the upright to the ballast member 34. Preferably, as shown, the screws 40 are positioned such that in the assembled fence 10 they are obscured by parts of the foot 28.

In use, with each upright 16 secured to an associated ballast member 34, to assemble the fence 10 the upper end of the upright 16 is introduced into and through the void of the hub 32 of an associated foot 28 from the underside of the foot 28, the upright 16 and foot 28 being moved relative to one another until such time as the body 36 of the ballast member 34 is located within the void of the hub 32. The upright 16 and ballast member 34 are thus introduced as a single unit through the void of the hub 32. Once in this position it will be appreciated that with the foot 28 stood upon a ground surface, the combination of the relatively large area of the base 30 and the presence of the ballast provided by the body 36 serves to allow the upright 16 to be stood in an upstanding configuration with a good level of stability. With the upright 16 standing in a desired location, rails 12, 14 may be attached thereto as outlined hereinbefore to form the fence 10, restricting pedestrian access to, for example, cavities or trenches or other areas to which it is desired to restrict access. The relatively thin base 30 presents only a minimal trip hazard to pedestrians.

As described hereinbefore, the rails 12, 14 are aftached is such a fashion that little, if any, relatively movement of the rails 12, 14 relative to the uprights 16 is permitted, in use, as a result of the compression of the wall of the upright 16 between the head 22 and the main part of the fitting 18.

The use of the ballast member 34 not only serves to provide a sufficient level of ballast to enable the upright 16 to be supported with a desired level of stability but also results in the provision of a convenient technique for securing the upright to an associated base, avoiding the need to flare or stretch parts of the upright as is typically the case, with the result that the upright is subjected to less stresses and so is less susceptible to breakage.

When not in use, the fence 10 can be disassembled for storage and/or transportation, the disassembled fence comprising a series of rails 12, 14, feet 28 which, as mentioned hereinbefore, can be stacked or nested, and a series of uprights 16 with ballast members 34 secured thereto.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate another embodiment of a fence 10 that is very similar in form to that of Figures 1 to 3, and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The nature of the fence 10 of Figures 4 to 6 is substantially the same as described hereinbefore with reference to Figures 1 to 3, and so will not be described herein in further detail.

Whilst specific designs of fence are outlined hereinbefore, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A fence comprising an upright and a foot, the foot defining a central hub and a base projecting from a lower end of the hub, and a ballast member secured at a lower end of the upright and receivable within the hub to secure the upright to the foot.
2. A fence according to Claim 1, wherein the hub is defined by sloping walls, defining an inner cavity or void of tapering form.
3. A fence according to Claim 2, wherein the ballast member is of tapering form conforming with the shape of the void of the hub.
4. A fence according to Claim 3, wherein the tapering shape of the void and ballast member are such that the ballast member is introduced into the void from the underside of the foot.
5. A fence according to Claim 4, wherein the ballast member and upright are introduced into the void as a unit.
6. A fence according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ballast member includes a projection that projects into at least the lower end of the upright.
7. A fence according to Claim 6, wherein the projection is of X-shaped cross section.
8. A fence according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ballast member and upright are secured to one another by screws or bolts.
9. A fence according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base is of square or rectangular shape.
10. A fence according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base is of low profile form so as to avoid forming a significant trip hazard.
11. A fence according to Claim 10, wherein a majority of the base has a thickness of less than 10mm.
12. A fence according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one rail secured at an end thereof to the upright, the rail including a projection that extends from an end of the rail and includes a spaced head that is receivable within an opening formed in the upright to secure the rail to the upright, a spacing of the head being equal to or less than a rest wall thickness of the material of the upright, such that the mounting of the rail to the upright results in compression of part of the wall material of the upright.
13. A fence according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cap mounted to the upper end of the upright, the material of the cap containing a phosphorescent pigment so as to appear to glow under low light conditions.
14. A fence comprising an upright and a foot, and at least one rail secured at an end thereof to the upright, the rail including a projection that extends from an end of the rail and includes a spaced head that is receivable within an opening formed in the upright to secure the rail to the upright, a spacing of the head being equal to or less than a rest wall thickness of the material of the upright, such that the mounting of the rail to the upright results in compression of part of the wall material of the upright.
15. A fence comprising an upright and a foot, and a cap closing or substantially closing an upper end of the upright, wherein the material of the cap contains a phosphorescent pigment so that the cap appears to glow under low light conditions.