GB2561140A

GB2561140A - Fence post and clip system

Info

Publication number: GB2561140A
Application number: GB1615214.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bentley John
Original assignee: Supreme Concrete Ltd
Current assignee: Supreme Concrete Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-07
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2018-10-10
Also published as: GB201615214D0

Abstract

The fence post assembly comprising a bracket or clip 20 having a protrusion and a pair of arms for extending around the edges of a fence panel 30, and a post 10 having at least one recess or bore for receiving the protrusion. There may be a plurality of recesses along the length of a post for receiving a plurality of clips. Clips may be moulded plastic or metal and the protrusion may be cylindrical with a series of ribs providing an interference fit into the recess. The posts may be concrete with cast or drilled recesses and panels may be wooden. Also claimed is a kit of parts, a clip and a method of assembly. The method may include locating a panel in a clip retained in an upper most recess at an angle to the vertical, rotating the panel and clip in the recess, and sliding the panel into additional clips.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Fence post and clip system

Abstract Title: Fence post and clip assembly for garden partition (57) The fence post assembly comprising a bracket or clip 20 having a protrusion and a pair of arms for extending around the edges of a fence panel 30, and a post 10 having at least one recess or bore for receiving the protrusion. There may be a plurality of recesses along the length of a post for receiving a plurality of clips. Clips may be moulded plastic or metal and the protrusion may be cylindrical with a series of ribs providing an interference fit into the recess. The posts may be concrete with cast or drilled recesses and panels may be wooden. Also claimed is a kit of parts, a clip and a method of assembly. The method may include locating a panel in a clip retained in an upper most recess at an angle to the vertical, rotating the panel and clip in the recess, and sliding the panel into additional clips.

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FENCE POST AND CLIP SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a fence post assembly or a fence assembly comprising a fence post and clips for holding the edges of fence panels. Aspects of the invention relate to a kit of parts for use in constructing a fence, to a fence post assembly, to a fence assembly, to a fence post, to a clip, to a method of assembling a fence post, and to a method of assembling a fence assembly.

BACKGROUND

Various systems for holding fence panels such as wooden garden fence panels are known. For example, it is known to provide concrete fence posts having an “I” shaped cross section provide a groove for receiving an edge of a fence panel and a pair of flanges for extending around the edge of the fence panel along opposite edges of the fence post.

These “I” shaped concrete fence posts are simple to manufacture, but are heavy and expensive and can be off-putting to customers in the DIY market. In addition, inserting a fence panel between a pair of these fence posts may be difficult, especially in the case of tall fence posts, since it is necessary to lift the fence panel above the top of the fence posts and align the fence panel with the fence posts before the fence panel can be lowered into the grooves of the fence posts.

It is also known to provide simple square or rectangular section wooden fence posts, which are lighter and cheaper than “I” shaped concrete fence posts. Fence panels may be attached directly to such fence posts using nails or screws, or alternatively attached indirectly via separate fittings that are attached to the fence posts using nails or screws. However, these fence posts are less durable, and attaching a fence panel to a pair of these fence posts may be time consuming and difficult.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts for forming a fence post assembly, the kit of parts comprising a fence post and a clip, wherein the fence post comprises at least one recess, wherein the clip comprises a protrusion and a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel, and wherein the protrusion is configured to be received within the recess provided in the fence post to thereby mount the clip to the fence post.

The invention provides a simple, user-friendly attachment system for mounting a fence panel relative to a fence post. The invention also eliminates the need to provide a fence post (and particularly a concrete fence post) with a longitudinal groove configured to receive an edge of a fence panel and a pair of flanges configured to extend around the edge of the fence panel hold the fence panel, thereby reducing the size, weight, material usage and manufacturing and distribution costs of the fence post.

It will be appreciated that the fence post may comprise a plurality of recesses, and that any features described in relation to the recess may apply equally to each of the recesses. In addition, it will be appreciated that the kit of parts may comprise a plurality of the clips to be mounted to the fence post, and that any features described in relation to the clip may apply equally to each of the clips.

The clip may comprise a body portion from which the arms extend. The body portion may be at least substantially planar. The arms may extend from opposite ends of the body portion.

The arms may be integrally formed (for example integrally moulded) with the body portion.

The protrusion may be integrally formed with the body portion. The protrusion may, for example, be integrally moulded with the body portion. Alternatively the protrusion may be welded to the body portion or attached to the body portion by an adhesive. The protrusion may extend from a central portion of the body portion in a direction opposite to the arms.

The protrusion may be generally cylindrical, although other shapes are also possible. The protrusion may be substantially solid, or may alternatively be split, in which case the protrusion may include one or more arms. The protrusion may have a length in the range 15 to 35mm, and may have a diameter or width in the range 5 to 20mm.

The protrusion may be configured to be press fitted into the recess.

The protrusion may be configured to be received within the recess with an interference fit to thereby secure the protrusion within the recess. An interference fit between the protrusion and the recess may help to secure the clip to the fence post. However, it will be appreciated that an interference fit between the protrusion and the recess is not required in all embodiments, and that in some embodiments the protrusion may be held within the recess simply by a fence panel held between the arms of the clip preventing movement of the clip in a direction away from the fence post.

The protrusion may comprise a plurality of ribs configured to resist removal of the protrusion from the recess. The ribs may be circumferentially arranged around the protrusion. Alternatively one or more other surface features may be provided on the protrusion to resist removal of the protrusion from the recess.

The clip may be configured to be mounted to the fence post by location of the protrusion with the recess alone. It may therefore not be necessary to engage any other feature of the clip with the fence post or introduce any further mechanical fasteners in order to mount the clip to the fence post. It will be appreciated that the clip may include a plurality of protrusions configured to be received within a common recess or a corresponding plurality of recesses in the fence post, in which case the clip may be configured to be mounted to the fence post by location of the protrusions with within the recess or corresponding plurality of recesses alone.

The protrusion and the recess may be configured to enable the clip to be rotated relative to the fence post while the protrusion is located within the recess to mount the clip to the fence post. It may therefore be possible to insert a fence panel between the arms of the clip at a convenient angle and then rotate the fence panel (together with the clip) relative to the fenced post before sliding the fence panel through the clip into a final position, thereby facilitating insertion of the fence panel between the arms of the clip.

The arms may be at least substantially planar.

One or both of the arms may comprise an aperture (for example a hole) extending therethrough for receiving a fastener for securing a fence panel to the clip. Alternatively the arms may not include any apertures for receiving a fastener, in which case a user may choose to drill holes through one or both of the arms either before or after mounting a fence panel between the arms for receiving a fastener for securing the fence panel to the clip.

The clip may be formed of a metal or a plastics material.

The fence post may be formed of concrete.

The recess may comprise an at least substantially cylindrical bore.

The fence post may comprise a depression formed around the recess that is configured to receive at least a portion of the clip. For example, the recess may be configured to receive at least a portion of (and optionally the entirety of) the body portion of the clip from which the arms and the protrusion extend. The depression may be configured to receive the body portion of the clip such that an outer surface of the body portion is at least substantially flush with the outer surface of the fence post. The size and shape of the recess may match the portion of the clip.

The recess may extend through a thickness of the fence post and have openings at opposing side faces of the fence post such that the protrusions of two clips may be received within the recess to thereby mount the two clips to opposite sides of the fence post.

The fence post may comprise a plurality of the recesses spaced apart along a height of the fence post.

Optionally the recesses may provide openings on a single side of the fence post only or on a pair of opposing sides of the fence post only. In this case the fence post may be configured for mounting clips to a single side face of the fence post only or to a pair of opposing side faces of the fence post only. In this case all of the recesses may extend in the same direction perpendicular to a length direction of the fence post. Alternatively the recesses may provide openings on adjacent sides of the fence post, and optionally on all four sides of the fence post. In this case the fence post may be configured for mounting clips to adjacent side faces of the fence post and/or to all four side faces of the fence post. In this case one or more of the recesses may extend in a first direction perpendicular to the length direction of the fence post and one or more other recesses may extend in a second direction perpendicular to the length direction of the fence post and perpendicular to the first direction.

The fence post may comprise at least one recess located towards a first end (for example an upper end) of the fence post, and a set of recesses located in central portion of the fence post and/or towards an opposing second end (for example a lower end) of the fence post. The set of recesses may be for receiving clips for holding a fence panel. The at least one recess located towards the first end of the fence post may be for receiving at least one clip for holding a trestle.

The spacing between the set of recesses and the at least one recess located towards the first end of the fence post may be greater than the spacing between the recesses of the set of recesses.

The fence post may have a substantially rectangular (including square) cross-section perpendicular to its length direction.

The fence post may have a substantially constant cross section along its length direction.

The fence post may not include any longitudinally extending groove for receiving an edge of a fence panel and/or any longitudinally extending flanges for extending around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel. The fence post may therefore have a reduced size, lower weight, lower material usage and lower manufacturing and distribution costs than a conventional “I” section fence post.

The kit of parts may be for assembling a domestic garden fence.

The kit of parts may be for assembling a fence using standard garden fence panels.

The arms may have inwardly facing surfaces that are spaced apart by 20 to 100mm or 50 to 60mm.

The fence post may have a height in the range 1 to 3m. The fence post may, for example, have a height of approximately 1.5m (+/- 0.15m) or 1.8m (+/- 0.15m) or 2.1m (+/- 0.15m) or 2.4m (+/- 0.15m).

The fence post may have a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fence post and aligned with an axis of the recess of 30 to 80mm, or 45 to 65mm.

The fence post may have a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fence post and perpendicular to an axis of the recess of 50 to 150mm, or 75 to 125mm.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a fence post assembly comprising a fence post and a clip, wherein the fence post comprises a recess, wherein the clip comprises a protrusion and a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel, wherein the protrusion is located within the recess to mount the clip to the fence post.

The fence post assembly may comprises a plurality of the recesses and a corresponding plurality of the clips, wherein the protrusion of each clip is located within one of the recesses to mount the clips to the fence post.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a fence assembly comprising a pair of fence post assemblies as described above and a fence panel located between the fence post assemblies, wherein the fence panel is located between and held by the arms of the clip(s) of each of the fence post assemblies.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a fence post comprising at least one recess for receiving a protrusion of a clip for holding an edge of a fence panel, wherein the recess is configured to mount the clip to the fence post. The fence post may include any of the features described above in connection with the fence post of the kit of parts.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a clip for attachment to a fence post, the clip comprising a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel and a protrusion that is configured to be received within a recess in the fence post to thereby mount the clip to the fence post. The clip may include any of the features described above in connection with the clip of the kit of parts.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a fence post assembly, the method comprising:

obtaining a fence post and at least one clip, the clip comprising a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel; and inserting a protrusion of the clip into a corresponding recess in the fence post to thereby mount the clip to the fence post.

The step of inserting the protrusion into the recess may comprise pushing the protrusion into the recess to form an interference fit between the protrusion and the recess to thereby secure the protrusion within the recess.

The method may further comprise repeating the step of inserting the protrusion into the recess for at least one additional clip to thereby mount a plurality of the clips to the fence post.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a fence assembly, the method comprising:

assembling two fence post assemblies as described above; securing the fence posts to the ground; and inserting a fence panel between the arms of at least one clip of each of the fence post assemblies.

The step of inserting the fence panel between the arms of at least one clip of each of the fence post assemblies may comprise:

inserting the fence panel between the arms of a first clip of each of the fence post assemblies; and then rotating the fence panel together with the first clips relative to the fence posts.

In this way it may be possible to insert the fence panel between the arms of the first clips (for example the upper-most clips of the fence post assemblies) at a convenient angle before rotating the fence panel into its final angle in alignment with the fence posts.

The method may further comprise, after the step of rotating the fence panel together with the first clips relative to the fence posts, sliding the fence panel relative to the first clips to thereby insert the fence panel between the arms of one or more additional clips of each of the fence post assemblies.

The method of assembling a fence post assembly and the method of assembling a fence assembly may include any steps associated with normal use of the fence post and clip as described above.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a fence assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate a fence post according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 9a to 9d schematically illustrate assembly of a fence assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 10 illustrates alternative fence posts according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a fence assembly 1 according to one possible embodiment of the present invention. The fence assembly 1 comprises a plurality of moulded concrete fence posts 10 that are secured to the ground 100 in any conventional manner, for example by being inserted into pre-prepared holes which may be filled with concrete and/or using post spikes or stands. Each of the fence posts 10 is provided with three clips 20 along a first panel-facing side 10a thereof and three clips 20 along an opposing second panel-facing side 10b thereof. The clips 20 act to hold conventional wooden domestic garden fence panels 30 between pairs of adjacent fence posts 10. Figure 1 illustrates the fence assembly comprising three fence posts 10 and two fence panels 30, but it will be appreciated that the fence assembly may generally include any number of fence posts 10 with a fence panel 30 located between each pair of adjacent fence posts 10.

Figure 2 illustrates one of the moulded concrete fence posts 10 in isolation. The fence post 10 is illustrated both from a panel-facing side 10a thereof (that is a side of the fence post 10 that is configured to face towards a fence panel 30 in use) and from a front 10c thereof (that is a side of the fence post 10 that faces outwardly from the fence assembly 1 in use rather than towards a fence panel 30.) It will be appreciated that the term front is not limiting but is used for illustrative purposes only, and that the front of the fence post 10 could equally be regarded as a back of the fence post 10.

The fence post 10 is elongate, with a height of 1525mm (though other heights are also envisaged). The fence post 10 has a substantially constant, substantially rectangular cross-section along its length that tapers inwardly from the back 10d towards the front 10c thereof from 60mm to 55mm, as illustrated in Figure 3, in order to aid removal from a fence post mould during manufacture of the fence post 10. The fence post has a width of 100mm across its panel facing sides 10a, 10b.

The fence post 10 comprises three recesses 11 each formed as a circular bore extending through the thickness of the fence post 10 from one of the panel-facing sides 10a through to the opposing panel-facing side 10b.

Each of the recesses 11 has an opening at each of the opposing panel-facing sides 10a, 10b of the fence post 10. The recesses 11 run in the same direction in parallel with each other and perpendicular to a length direction of the fence post 10. Along each of the panel-facing sides 10a, 10b, the opening of each of the recesses 11 is surrounded by a rectangular depression 12 formed in the panel-facing side 10a, 10b that extends across the width of the fence post 10. Each depression 12 is configured to receive a portion of one of the clips 20 in use, as described below. The upper-most recess 11 and depressions 12 are most clearly visible in Figure 4, which illustrates the top section of the fence post 10. The recesses 11 and depressions 12 may each be moulded into the fence post 10. Alternatively the recesses 11 may be drilled into the fence post after moulding and/or the depressions 12 may be ground into the fence post after moulding.

Figures 5 to 8 illustrate one of the clips 20 in isolation. The clip is made of moulded metal or a moulded plastics material. The clip 20 comprises a planar rectangular body portion 21 and a pair of arms 22. The arms 22 are each integrally moulded with the body portion 21, and extend outwardly at 90 degrees from opposite ends of the body portion 21 to define a channel for receiving and holding an edge of a fence panel 30 in use. The channel has a width of approximately 54mm (between the inwardly facing surfaces of the arms 22) in order to receive a standard garden fence panel 30. Each arm 22 is planar and rectangular, and comprises a hole 23 extending through its thickness through which a fastener such as a bolt or a screw may be passed to secure a fence panel 30 to the clip 20 in use.

The clip 20 further comprises a substantially cylindrical protrusion 24 that is integrally moulded with the body portion 21 and extends outwardly from a central portion of the body portion 21 in a direction opposite to the arms 22. The protrusion 24 is configured to be press fitted into one of the recesses 11 of a fence post 10 with an interference fit to thereby secure the clip 20 to the fence post 10. It will be appreciated that the clip 20 may be detached from the fence post 10 after it has been secured to the fence post 10 by insertion of the protrusion 24 into a recess 11 of the fence post 10 if a sufficient force is applied to the clip 20. However, the protrusion 24 is configured to provide significant resistance to outward movement of the protrusion 24 from the recess 11 to, at the very least, prevent accidental detachment of the clip 20 from the fence post 10.

The distal end of the protrusion 24 is chamfered to aid insertion of the protrusion into a recess 11 of a fence post 10. The protrusion 24 also comprises a plurality of circumferential ribs 25 that are configured to resist removal of the protrusion 24 from a recess 11 of a fence post 10 once the protrusion has been inserted into the recess 11.

The circumferential ribs 25 are separated by circumferential grooves 26 that may be either moulded into the protrusion 24 or cut into the protrusion 24 after moulding of the clip 20. The ribs 25 and grooves 26 are shaped such that each rib 25 has a chamfered leading edge (that is the edge furthest from the body portion 21 of the clip 20) and a comparatively flat trailing edge (that is the edge closest to the body portion 21 of the clip 20).

The chamfered leading edges of the ribs 25 aid insertion of the protrusion 24 into a recess 11 of a fence post 10, while the flat trailing edges of the ribs 25 act as stops that help to resist removal of the protrusion 24 from a recess 11 of a fence post 10. The circumferential arrangement of the ribs 25 (at 90 degrees to the axis of the protrusion 24) helps the protrusion 24 to be rotated within a recess 11 of a fence post 10 while still remaining securely within the recess 11, therefore allowing the clip 20 to be rotated relative to the fence post during assembly of a fence assembly 1, as described below.

The body portion 21 of the clip 20 is of substantially the same dimensions as the depressions 12 provided in the fence post 10. In this way, the body portion 21 is configured to be received within a depression 12 surrounding a recess 11 of a fence post 10 when the clip 20 is mounted to the fence post 10 by inserting the protrusion 24 into the recess 11. In particular, because the body portion 21 is of the same depth as the depression, the outwardly facing surface of the body portion 21 can be arranged substantially flush with the outer surface of the fence post 10.

When the fence post assembly is in its assembled state, with the clips 20 fitted to the fence post 10, the arms 22 of the clips 20 define vertical channels that act to hold a fence panel in place between adjacent posts 10. Thus, the arms 22 of the clips 20 negate the need for the ‘groove’ of a conventional concrete fence post. By virtue of the clips 20, the cross-section of the fence post 10 according to the invention can be made smaller than the cross-section of a conventional concrete fence post thereby giving rise to an overall saving of both size and weight.

The above-described fence post 10 is therefore simpler, smaller, lighter, easier to manufacture and cheaper to distribute than prior art fence posts, especially compared to conventional concrete T” section fence posts which are bulkier due to the comparatively more complex shape including grooves and flanges for receiving fence panels. The above-described combination of the fence posts 10 and the clips 20 also provides a more user friendly system for mounting fence panels 30 between fence posts.

The above system is apt to be constructed from durable materials such as concrete and plastics such that, unlike wooden fence post systems, the system is durable and displays good weather resistance.

An exemplary method of assembly of the fence assembly 1 of Figure 1 according to one possible embodiment ofthe present invention will now be described.

As a first step, a plurality ofthe fence posts 10 and clips 20 are obtained, together with a plurality of the standard garden fence panels 30. The fence posts 10 are secured to the ground 100 in the desired positions for example by being inserted into preprepared holes which may be filled with concrete.

The clips 20 are then fitted to the fence posts 10 by pressing the protrusions 24 of the clips 20 into the recesses 11 of the fence posts 10 to provide a plurality of fence post assemblies as illustrated in Figure 9a. If necessary, a hammer or other suitable tool may be used to tap the clip into place.

In the embodiment shown, a pair of clips 20 is mounted to each end of each recess 11 by pressing a protrusion 24 of a clip 20 into each end of the recess 11, with the clips facing in opposite directions, away from the post. In this way, each fence post 10 is provided with a plurality of clips 20 along each panel facing side 10a, 10b thereof. It will be appreciated that the clips 20 could equally be fitted to the fence posts 10 before the fence posts 10 are secured to the ground 100.

Once the fence posts 10 have been secured to the ground 100 and the clips 20 have been secured to the fence posts 10, one of the fence panels 30 may be installed between a pair of adjacent fence post assemblies as follows.

The upper-most inwardly-facing clips 20 of the fence post assemblies are rotated to a convenient angle for receiving the fence panel 30 (for example with their arms 22 and channels extending horizontally or near horizontally). The fence panel 30 is then inserted between the arms 22 of the upper-most clips 20 by sliding the fence panel 30 into and through the channels defined between the arms 22, as illustrated in Figure 9b (which shows a cross-section taken through the fence panel 30 facing towards one of the fence posts 10).

Once this step has been performed, the fence panel 30 may then be rotated into alignment with the fence posts 10 (generally in a substantially vertical plane) while still received between the arms 22 of the upper-most clips 20, as illustrated in Figure 9c. As the fence panel 30 is rotated, the upper-most clips 20 rotate together with the fence panel 30, with the protrusions 24 of the upper-most clips 20 rotating in their respective recesses 11 of the fence posts 10.

With the fence panel vertical, the fence panel 30 may then by lowered into the arms 22 of the remaining lower clips 20 (which each have their arms and channels aligned with the length direction of the fence posts 10) by allowing the fence panel 30 to slide downwardly between the arms 22 of the upper-most clips 20 until the fence panel 30 reaches the ground, as illustrated in Figure 9d. The fence panel 30 may then optionally be secured to the clips 20 by drilling holes through the edges of the fence panel 30 at the locations of the holes 23 in the arms 22 of the clips 20, and then fitting bolts or other fasteners through the arms 22 of the clips 20 and the edges of the fence panel 30.

This process may then be repeated for each remaining fence panel 30 to build a fence assembly 1 including multiple panels.

The step of inserting the fence panel 30 between the arms 22 of the upper-most clips 20 at a convenient angle before rotating the fence panel 30 into alignment with the fence posts 10 makes the fence assembly 1 significantly easier to assemble, particularly compared to a fence assembled using conventional concrete “I” section fence post, which require each fence panel to be aligned with the fence posts above the tops of the fence posts before the fence panel can be lowered into the grooves in the sides of the fence posts. However, it is also possible to assemble the above described fence assembly 1 by aligning each of the clips 20 (including the upper-most clips 20) with the fence posts 10, such that the arms of the clips 20 define a vertical channel, and raising the fence panel vertically above the upper-most clips 20 before lowering the fence panel 30 vertically into the arms of the clips 20.

In the above-described embodiment, the recesses 11 of each fence post 10 are aligned with each other and extend in the same direction perpendicular to the length direction of the fence post 10. However, in some cases a fence post may equally comprise a first set of recesses extending through the fence post in a first direction perpendicular to the length direction and a second set of recesses extending in a second direction perpendicular to the length direction and the first direction. Such a fence post may, for example, be used to form a corner of a fence assembly, with clips being mounted to two adjacent sides of the fence post to hold respective fence panels arranged at 90 degrees to each other.

Figure 10 illustrates alternative fence posts 10’, 10”, 10”’ that may be used in the assembly of fence assemblies in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. The fence posts 10’, 10”, 10’” illustrated in Figure 10 are generally similar to the fence post 10 illustrated in Figure 2 in both design and use, except for differences in the height of the fence posts, the number of recesses, and the locations of the recesses. In particular, the fence posts 10’, 10”, 10’” illustrated in Figures 10a to 10c each comprise a set of recesses 11’, 11”, 11’” located in or towards their centres and a further recess 11’, 11”, 11’” located towards an upper end thereof. The recesses of the set are intended for receiving clips for holding a fence panel in the manner described above, while the further recesses are intended for receiving clips for holding a separate trestle.

Although fence posts of various cross-sectional sizes have been described, it will be appreciated that the cross section may of any suitable size. In particular, it is envisaged that, if desired, a fence post made of a lightweight cementitious material maybe of comparatively large size whilst still retaining a comparatively low weight.

Many modifications may be made to the above examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for forming a fence post assembly, the kit of parts comprising a fence post and a clip, wherein the fence post comprises at least one recess, wherein the clip comprises a protrusion and a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel, and wherein the protrusion is configured to be received within the recess provided in the fence post to thereby mount the clip to the fence post.

2. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a body portion from which the arms extend.

3. A kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein the arms are integrally formed with the body portion.

4. A kit of parts according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the protrusion is integrally formed with the body portion.

5. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusion is configured to be press fitted into the recess.

6. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusion is configured to be received within the recess with an interference fit to thereby secure the protrusion within the recess.

7. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusion comprises a plurality of ribs configured to resist removal of the protrusion from the recess.

8. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip is configured to be mounted to the fence post by location of the protrusion with the recess alone.

9. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusion and the recess are configured to enable the clip to be rotated relative to the fence post while the protrusion is located within the recess to mount the clip to the fence post.

10. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the arms are at least substantially planar.

11. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the arms comprises an aperture extending therethrough for receiving a fastener for securing a fence panel to the clip.

12. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip is formed of a metal or a plastics material.

13. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post is formed of concrete.

14. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess comprises an at least substantially cylindrical bore.

15. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post comprises a depression formed around the recess that is configured to receive at least a portion of the clip.

16. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess extends through a thickness of the fence post and has openings at opposing side faces of the fence post.

17. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post comprises a plurality of the recesses spaced apart along a height of the fence post.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 17, wherein the fence post comprises at least one recess located towards a first end of the fence post, and a set of recesses located in central portion of the fence post and/or towards an opposing second end of the fence post.

19. A kit of parts according to claim 18, wherein the spacing between the set of recesses and the at least one recess located towards the first end of the fence post is greater than the spacing between the recesses of the set of recesses.

20. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has a substantially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its length direction.

21. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has a substantially constant cross section along its length direction.

22. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post does not include any longitudinally extending groove for receiving an edge of a fence panel and/or any longitudinally extending flanges for extending around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel.

23. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the kit of parts is for assembling a domestic garden fence.

24. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the kit of parts is for assembling a fence using standard garden fence panels.

25. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the arms have inwardly facing surfaces that are spaced apart by 20 to 100mm or 50 to 60mm.

26. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has a height in the range 1 to 3m.

27. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fence post and aligned with an axis of the recess of 30 to 80mm, or 45 to 65mm.

28. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post has a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fence post and perpendicular to an axis of the recess of 50 to 150mm, or 75 to 125mm.

29. A fence post assembly comprising a fence post and a clip, wherein the fence post comprises a recess, wherein the clip comprises a protrusion and a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel, wherein the protrusion is located within the recess to mount the clip to the fence post.

30. A fence post assembly according to claim 29, wherein the fence post assembly comprises a plurality of the recesses and a corresponding plurality of the clips, wherein the protrusion of each clip is located within one of the recesses to mount the clips to the fence post.

31. A fence assembly comprising a pair of fence post assemblies according to claim 29 or 30 and a fence panel located between the fence post assemblies, wherein the fence panel is located between and held by the arms of the clip(s) of each of the fence post assemblies.

32. A fence post comprising at least one recess for receiving a protrusion of a clip for holding an edge of a fence panel, wherein the recess is configured to mount the clip to the fence post.

33. A clip for attachment to a fence post, the clip comprising a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel and a protrusion that is configured to be received within a recess in the fence post to thereby mount the clip to the fence post.

34. A method of assembling a fence post assembly, the method comprising:

a. obtaining a fence post and at least one clip, the clip comprising a pair of arms configured to extend around an edge of a fence panel to hold the fence panel; and

b. inserting a protrusion of the clip into a corresponding recess in the fence post to thereby mount the clip to the fence post.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the step of inserting the protrusion into the recess comprises pushing the protrusion into the recess to form an interference fit between the protrusion and the recess to thereby secure the protrusion within the recess.

36. A method according to claim 34 or claim 35, further comprising repeating the step of inserting the protrusion into the recess for at least one additional clip to thereby mount a plurality of the clips to the fence post.

37. A method of assembling a fence assembly, the method comprising:

a. assembling two fence post assemblies in accordance with any of claims 34 to 36;

b. securing the fence posts to the ground; and

c. inserting a fence panel between the arms of at least one clip of each of the fence post assemblies.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein the step of inserting the fence panel between the arms of at least one clip of each of the fence post assemblies comprises:

a. inserting the fence panel between the arms of a first clip of each of the fence post assemblies; and then

b. rotating the fence panel together with the first clips relative to the fence posts.

39. A method according to claim 38, further comprising, after the step of rotating the fence panel together with the first clips relative to the fence posts, sliding the fence panel relative to the first clips to thereby insert the fence panel between the arms of one or more additional clips of each of the fence post assemblies.

40. A kit of parts, fence post, clip, fence post assembly, fence assembly or method substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the examples.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1615214.2 Examiner: Mr Tom Simmonds