GB2563339A - Enclosure and method of assembling an enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of assembling an enclosure comprises taking support posts, panels, panel holders and mounting brackets, the panel holders being mounted on the support posts by the mounting brackets and the panel holders being arranged in pairs to hold the panels in place between them. When a post 112 has been fixed in the ground, a slideable bracket 100 is mounted thereon. Upper and lower collar portions 104a and 104b extend around the post 112, the latter being secured to the post by bolt 110. The channel portion supports a panel holder 124 to which it is attached by bolts 108. An operative OP is seen tightening the bolts 108 to ensure a firm connection between the panel holder and the bracket 100. The operative works comfortably at a height only slightly greater than his own.

Description

Enclosure and Method of assembling an Enclosure

The present invention relates to an enclosure, and to a method of assembling the same. It is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with a temporary enclosure and a method of assembling or erecting such an enclosure .

Temporary enclosures are used in many situations to prevent unwanted or unauthorised access to a space. One such application is on a construction site, where it is often a requirement that members of the public be prevented from accessing the site for reasons of their own safety, and sometimes to prevent theft of plant and/or materials from the site. A temporary barrier, sometimes known as a hoarding, is usually erected around the perimeter of the site .

In the past, such temporary structures have been made of wood, and have comprised a series of wooden posts concreted into holes in the ground at intervals around the perimeter, with plywood sheets or panels then affixed thereto.

One problem with enclosures of this kind is that the wooden panels, and sometimes the posts, become damaged over time due to exposure to the elements, particularly rainwater. This problem becomes greater the longer the site is under construction. Another problem arises when construction ends and the enclosure must be disassembled and removed. It is often difficult and time consuming to remove the panels from the posts, and to remove the posts from the ground, so that the most cost-effective approach is often to destroy the enclosure rather than re-use it.

In our UK Patent Number GB2300435, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, we proposed a temporary fencing system that addresses the above-mentioned problems .

However, recent developments in safety regulations have required operatives to use raised platforms for part of the erection process. This is to avoid the potential hazards that operatives face when working on a stepladder to access fixtures that are beyond reach from the ground. Addressing this problem can be both time consuming and expensive as it necessitates the use of extra equipment. Accordingly the present invention aims to address this potential drawback with the prior system.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an enclosure system comprising a plurality of support posts, a plurality of panels, a plurality of panel holders and a plurality of mounting brackets, the panel holders being mounted on the support posts by the mounting brackets and the panel holders being arranged in use to hold the panels in place; wherein at least a first set of the brackets are slideable brackets, arranged for axial sliding movement on the post, and comprise an elongate body, a first portion for engaging the panel holder and a second portion for engaging the post, and wherein the first and second portions are axially spaced at opposed ends of the elongate body.

The panel holders may be arranged in use to retain upper and/or lower edges of the panels.

In a preferred arrangement the panel holder is of a channel-section shape. More preferably the panel holder comprises first and second walls, which may be substantially parallel. A first one of the walls is preferably longer than a second wall. More preferably the first wall is at least twice the length of the second wall. The panel holder may be arranged to be held by the mounting bracket such that the longer of the two walls is closer to the post.

In a preferred arrangement the posts are arranged in use substantially upright.

Preferably the first portion of the slideable bracket is located above the second portion of the slideable bracket in use.

The panel holder preferably comprises a channel for receiving an edge of the panel in use. In a preferred arrangement there is a panel holder and a bracket at each end of the post. Preferably there is a slideable bracket and a panel holder at an upper end of the post in use.

At least some of the panels may be arranged to overlap or abut an adjacent panel along substantially vertical panel edges in use.

The slideable brackets are preferably arranged to be slideable to allow adjustment of the panels with respect to the posts .

The slideable brackets may be arranged to slide on the posts to retain firmly the panels between the panel holders .

The first portion of the slideable bracket may have a first fixing element for engaging the panel holder.

The second portion of the slideable bracket may have a second fixing element for engaging the post.

The first and/or second fixing element may comprise a friction fixing such as a bolt or a screw.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting bracket for use in an enclosure system comprising a plurality of posts and a plurality of panels, the bracket being arranged in use to slide axially on a post, and comprising an elongate body, a first portion for engaging a panel holder and a second portion for engaging a post, and wherein the first and second portions are axially spaced at opposed ends of the elongate body.

The elongate portion may be arranged to connect the first and second portions in the manner of a strut or brace. The elongate portion is preferably of a length that is a multiple of the diameter of the post, and preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, times the diameter of the post.

The invention also includes a method of assembling an enclosure, the enclosure comprising support posts, panels, panel holders and mounting brackets, the panel holders being mounted on the support posts by the mounting brackets and being arranged in use to hold the panels in place, wherein the method comprises fixing a plurality of the posts in the ground, positioning panel holders at upper and lower locations between a pair of the posts, placing a panel between the panel holders and retaining the panel between the panel holders by sliding at least one bracket axially on at least one post from a first position to a second position, wherein the method comprises engaging a panel holder with a first portion of the bracket and releasably engaging the post with a second portion of the bracket, which second portion is spaced axially from the first portion.

The method preferably comprises mounting an upper panel holder on a post using an upper slideable bracket having the first and second portions, such that the first portion is arranged in use above the second portion.

The method preferably comprises lifting the upper slideable bracket from an initial position to the first position. The method may include lowering the upper slideable bracket from the first position to the second position.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows in front view a portion of a temporary enclosure, according to the prior art;

Figure 2 shows the temporary enclosure of Figure 1 in schematic, part-sectional side view;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a component of a temporary enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4 to 7 are schematic views in close-up showing part of an erection method of temporary enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 8 to 13 are larger schematic views showing the erection method of Figures 4 to 7;

Figures 14 to 26 show an apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 27a to 27e show schematically an alternative erection method using the apparatus of Figures 14 to 26.

Turning to Figures 1 and 2, these show generally at 10 a temporary enclosure, for securing and controlling access to a site, such as a construction site, according to the prior art.

The enclosure comprises a plurality of upright steel support posts 12 which are set into the ground, represented at 14 in plastic sockets 16, using concrete represented at 18. The posts 12 carry upper and lower mounting brackets 20 and 22 respectively which are used to mount upper and lower panel holders 24, 26 respectively on the posts 12. The panel holders 24 and 26, comprise elongate, u-shaped steel channel sections which retain upper and lower edges of steel panels 28 between them.

The steel panels abut or overlap at their upright edges to form a substantially continuous enclosure.

The brackets 20 and 22 are secured to the posts 12 by bolts 30 that pass through the bracket and bear against the post. The panel holders are secured to the brackets 12 by bolts 32 that pass through the bracket and bear against the panel holder.

Figure 3 shows in perspective view a steel mounting bracket 100 in accordance with the present invention for mounting panels in an enclosure system of the kind previously described. The bracket 100, which is designed to be used at an upper end of a post (not shown) comprises an elongate body portion 102, an upper portion 104 for engaging a panel holder (not shown) and a lower portion 106 for engaging the post.

The upper portion 104 comprises a first collar portion 104a for locating around a post and a channel portion 104b for retaining a post holder. The channel portion includes two bolts 108 which in use pass through the channel portion and can be tightened to grip a panel holder retained in the channel portion.

The lower portion 106 comprises a second collar portion 106a for locating around a post. The lower collar portion 106a has a bolt 110 which can pass through the collar portion to grip the post.

Figures 4 to 7 show, schematically, close-up views of several stages during erection of a temporary enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 4, a post 112 has been fixed in the ground, shown at 118. A slideable bracket 100 is mounted thereon. Upper and lower collar portions 104a and 104b extend around the post 112, the latter being secured to the post by bolt 110. The channel portion 104b supports a panel holder 124 to which it is securely attached by bolts 108. An operative OP is seen tightening the bolts 108 to ensure a firm connection between the panel holder and the bracket 100. The operative works comfortably at a height only slightly greater than his own.

In Figure 5, the operative loosens the bolt 110 securing the bracket 100 to the post 112, using a wrench W in direction of Arrow Al. The bolt 110 is not completely loosened, so that the bracket can slide on the post when the operative lifts it, whilst not slipping down the post. The same is done with brackets at adjacent posts {not shown).

In Figure 6, the operative OP pushes upwards on the loosened bracket so that it, and the panel holder it supports, becomes raised. Because of the shape and structure of the bracket 100, having an elongate body portion 102 separating the upper and lower portions 104 and 106, the operative is able to raise the panel holder high above his head in the direction of arrow A2, and still retighten the bolt 110, without requiring a platform on which to stand. The elongate portion connects the upper and lower portions in the manner of a strut or brace. The elongate portion is preferably of a length that is a multiple of the diameter of the post, and preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, times the diameter of the post, so that the effective reach of the operative is substantially increased.

In Figure 7 the operative OP re-tightens the bolt 110 using the wrench W, in the direction of arrow A3, to maintain the vertical position of bracket 100, and hence panel holder 124, on the post 112. During the loosening, raising and re-tightening of the bracket 100 the operative can grasp the bracket on the elongate body 102 or else the lower portion 106 whilst the panel holder is considerably higher than he could reach were it not for the geometry of the bracket 100.

Figures 8 to 13 are larger schematic views showing the erection method of Figures 4 to 7. In Figure 8 several posts 112 have been erected by mounting them in the ground 118. One pair of the panel holders 124 has been mounted between two of the posts by securing them, one above and one below, to mounting brackets 100.

In Figure 9 the operatives OP have erected more of the panel holders 124, and in Figure 10 they have begun raising the panel holders to a greater height, prior to installing panels. They do this by following the process depicted in Figures 4 to 8. In Figure 11 the operatives are shown continuing to raise all of the brackets and panel holders in this part of the planned enclosure, in readiness for the panels .

In Figure 12 the panels are being installed. The panels are of steel with vertically expending corrugations, the amplitude of which is slightly less than a channel gap of the panel holders so that the top and bottom edges of the panels can be accommodated in the channel. Adjacent panels overlap at their vertical edges to interlock the corrugations and form a continuous hoarding. The raised position of the upper panel holders enables ready access for the operatives to slot the panels in the channel of the lower panel holders .

Once the panels are installed, the brackets are lowered together with the panel holders, so that the panels become more securely gripped and retained by their upper and lower edges. The operatives have no problem handling panel holders even though they are well above their heads, because of the elongate body of the brackets.

Turning to Figures 14 to 26, there is depicted an upper part of an alternative slidable upper bracket 200u. The upper bracket 200u has substantially the form of the bracket 100 described above with reference to Figure 3. The bracket has an upper portion 204 for engaging a channel-section panel holder 224 which is itself arranged to retain a panel shown at 228. Bolts 208 pass through the upper portion of the bracket 200u to engage with the panel holder 224, so as to retain the latter securely in position. It is to be noted that only the upper part of the bracket 200u is shown in the drawings, for reasons of clarity. The remaining features, for securing the bracket to an upright post, are omitted.

It can be seen from Figure 14 that the panel holder 224 is a channel-section member, in which a rear side 224a is of a length roughly twice that of a front side 224b. The reasons for this will become apparent as the installation of a panel is discussed below.

The panel holder 224 is of a length greater than a panel width, and generally determines the spacing between the posts in the assembled hoarding, as will be explained below.

When the panel 228 is to engage the panel holder 22 4, the panel is first rested against the panel holder 224 and is then lowered in the direction of Arrow A2-1.

Figure 15 shows a lower bracket 2001, again with a portion 204 for engaging a panel holder 224, itself for retaining the lower edge of the panel 228. The lower bracket 2001 may be of a similar shape to the upper bracket 200u, but does not need to have the elongate portion (corresponding to 102 in the Figure 3 embodiment) as it does not need to be manipulated above the height of an operative.

In Figure 16 the upper edge of the panel 228 is offered up to the panel holder 224 in the direction of Arrow A2-2. Figure 17 shows the panel resting against the rear wall 224a of the panel holder. Note that the longer rear edge aids in the location of the panel in the holder. Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 18, the lower edge of the panel approaches the lower bracket 2001.

Figure 19 shows the panel 228 fully inserted into the upper panel holder 224. As the panel becomes fully inserted, its lower edge clears the front side 224b of the lower panel holder 224, as depicted in Figure 20.

Figure 21 illustrates the panel 228 lowered for engagement with the lower panel holder. It still projects above the front wall 224b of the upper panel holder, by a distance D.

In Figure 22 the panel is shown clearing the front wall 224b of the lower panel holder 224. The panel 228 is then rested against the rear wall 224a of the panel holder (Figure 23), before being lowered in the direction of Arrow A2-3 into the lower panel holder 224.

When the panel 228 rests against the lower panel holder 224 the upper bracket 200u is lowered, by releasing it from its engagement with the post to which it is mounted (not shown). This has the effect of lowering (Figure 25) the upper panel holder 224 onto the upper edge of the panel 228, in the direction of Arrow A2-4, so that the panel becomes securely retained between the upper and lower panel brackets (see Figure 26).

The provision of a panel holder having a longer rear wall 224a makes installation from below much easier. This is because the installing operative is able simply to lean the panel against the rear wall and cause it to slide up, and then down in order to locate the lower edge of the panel in the lower panel holder.

In the example shown, the rear wall is integrally formed as part of the channel-section panel holder. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the panel holder could comprise a substantially u-shaped section with a separate plate, or sheet, member positioned alongside the rear wall, preferably between the rear wall and the bracket 200, effectively to extend the length of the rear wall. The separate plate and the channel section can be held together inside the bracket 200 by the bolts 208.

In order to provide the functional benefits outlined above, it is envisaged that the rear wall 224a should be longer than the front wall 224b, preferably more than 50% longer, and more preferably at least twice the length of the front wall.

Turning to Figures 27a to 27e to these show schematically various stages in which an operative erects a hoarding using apparatus according to the embodiment described in Figures 14 to 26.

In Figure 27a an operative OP holds a panel 228 ready for mounting onto a post 212 that itself is securely located in a ground surface 18. The post 212 has upper and lower mounting brackets 200u and 2001. The upper and lower brackets 200u and 2001 retain panel holders 224 inside them, as described above in relation to Figures 14-26.

In Figure 27b the operative leans the upper edge of the panel 228 against the rear wall 224a of the panel holder. The operative then slides the panel upwards against the panel holder in the direction of arrow A2-5 {Figure 27c) before lowering the panel to engage its lower edge in the lower panel holder 224 retained in the lower bracket 200 (Figure 27d). Finally, the operative lowers the upper bracket 200u to securely retain the panel in between the brackets 200u and 2001 on the post.

Embodiments of the present invention allow an operative safely to erect a hoarding whilst effectively working at a height potentially well above his head, without the need for a platform or other apparatus to be erected.

The panel system described herein allows post centres to vary from e.g. a minimal 300mm space to 5m centres. In contrast, previously considered hoarding panel systems have post centres that have to be dug at set positions due to panel size (normally 2m widths) . This can be inconvenient when the post foundations have to be dug where there are underground services that must be avoided.

Using the system described herein this problem can be avoided as the post position can be varied almost limitlessly.

In addition, if different heights of hoarding are required, e.g. 3m high instead of 2m high, previously considered hoarding systems require the making of a completely new 2m x 3m panel frame and longer sheets.

The system described herein allows for the use of the same framework, with a post extension, so that longer sheets can be inserted without the need for extensive re-fabrication.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (5)

1. A method of assembling an enclosure, the enclosure comprising support posts, panels, panel holders and mounting brackets, the panel holders being mounted on the support posts by the mounting brackets and being arranged in use to hold the panels in place, wherein the method comprises fixing a plurality of the posts in the ground, positioning panel holders at upper and lower locations between a pair of the posts, placing a panel between the panel holders and retaining the panel between the panel holders by sliding at least one bracket axially on at least one post from a first position to a second position, wherein the method comprises engaging a panel holder with a first portion of the bracket and releasably engaging the post with a second portion of the bracket, which second portion is spaced axially from the first portion.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the method comprises mounting an upper panel holder on a post using an upper slideable bracket having the first and second portions, such that the first portion is arranged in use above the second portion.

3. A method according Claim 1 or 2, wherein the method comprises lifting the upper slideable bracket from an initial position to the first position.

4. Ά method according to any of Claims 1 to 3r wherein the method includes lowering the upper slideable bracket from the first position to the second position.

5. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the method comprises the steps of: leaning an upper edge of a panel against a rear wall of an upper panel holder mounted by an upper bracket, sliding the panel upwards against the upper panel holder, lowering the panel to engage a lower edge of the panel in a lower panel holder mounted by a lower bracket and lowering the upper mounting bracket to retain the panel.