GB2573156A

GB2573156A - A panel

Info

Publication number: GB2573156A
Application number: GB1806886.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Baker Joseph
Original assignee: Perforated and Stamped Products Ltd
Current assignee: Perforated and Stamped Products Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-27
Filing date: 2018-04-27
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-27
Also published as: GB201806886D0; GB2573156B

Abstract

The fence panel 100 has two spaced apart parallel perforated sheets102, 104, wherein the apertures 120 in a first sheet are offset with respect to apertures 122 in the adjacent sheet. The apertures allow air flow through the panel to minimise wind loading, but as they are offset do not allow a clear line of sight straight through the panel. The panels may be powder coated aluminium, wood or plastic. A lip or flange 106, 108, 110, 112 may extend along the edge of each sheet allowing interconnection and spacing of the sheets. The apertures may have the same shape, size and spacing, e.g. an array of round holes spaced by 25 mm, with a diameter of 20mm. The sheets may be 20-100mm apart. There may be an intermediate perforated sheet sandwiched between the sheets. An illumination device may be included between the sheets. Also claimed is a kit of parts, and a system comprising the panel and two elongate support members.

Description

A PANEL

The present invention relates to panels and in particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to fence panels.

Conventional fence panels are typically erected around a boundary for privacy and security. Such fence panels for domestic applications are typically made of overlapping or abutting wooden slats. These wooden panels are typically attached to wooden fence posts or are slotted into channels of concrete posts set in the ground. However, these conventional fences are prone to being blown over in strong wind conditions in view of them being ‘closed’ to the wind. The fence panels are generally damaged and need replacing and the posts may need resetting in the ground. Conventional fence panels for commercial applications are typically made of an open grid structure of metal wire so are less prone to being blown over or damaged by a strong wind but provide no privacy.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a fence panel configured to provide privacy and security whilst allowing a wind to pass therethrough.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a fence panel that is lightweight and easy to assemble and install.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel for a fence, comprising: a first panel member having a plurality of first apertures disposed in a first sheet-like portion thereof; and a second panel member having a plurality of second apertures disposed in a second sheet-like portion thereof; wherein the first and second panel members are spaced apart in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sheet-like portions to define a cavity therebetween, and wherein the first apertures are offset with respect to the second apertures in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Optionally, the first apertures do not overlap the second apertures when the panel is viewed in the first direction.

Optionally, the first and second apertures have substantially the same shape and size.

Optionally, centres of adjacent ones of the first and second apertures are spaced apart by around 25 mm in the second direction.

Optionally, the first and/or second apertures have a maximum width of around 10 to 20 mm.

Optionally, the first and second sheet-like portions are spaced apart by around 20 to 100 mm, aptly around 50mm.

Optionally, the first and second sheet-like portions are substantially parallel with respect to each other.

Optionally, the panel further comprises at least one intermediate panel member located between the first and second panel members and having a plurality of further apertures disposed therein.

Optionally, the further apertures have a maximum width which is less than a maximum width of the first and second apertures.

Optionally, the first panel member comprises at least one first flange extending from the first sheet-like portion, and the second panel member comprises at least one second flange extending from the second sheet-like portion.

Optionally, each flange is adapted to be connected together.

Optionally, the panel comprises at least one bracket extending between the first and second panel members.

Optionally, the panel comprises at least one illumination device located within the cavity.

Optionally, each panel member is substantially rectangular.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising at least one panel according to the first aspect of the present invention and at least two elongate support members for supporting the panel.

Optionally, each support member comprises a longitudinal channel adapted to receive an edge region of the panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a first panel member having a plurality of first apertures disposed in a first sheet-like portion thereof; and a second panel member having a plurality of second apertures disposed in a second sheet-like portion thereof; wherein the first and second panel members are connectable to be spaced apart in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sheet-like portions to define a cavity therebetween, and wherein the first apertures are offset with respect to the second apertures in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Optionally, the kit further comprises at least one intermediate panel member locatable between the first and second panel members and having a plurality of further apertures disposed therein.

Optionally, the kit further comprises a plurality of elongate support members for supporting the panel members when connected together.

Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a panel according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the panel of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 illustrates a plan section through an edge region of the panel of Figures 1 and 2.

Detailed Description

As shown in the Figures, a fence panel 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a pair of spaced apart panel members 102,104. Each panel member 102,104 is substantially sheet-like and has an upturned flange 106,108,110,112 along each edge region. Each flange is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the main sheet-like portion of the respective panel member and extends along the entire length of the respective edge region of the panel member. Alternatively, one or more of the flanges extend at a different angle to the main portion of the respective panel member and/or may be intermittent, i.e. comprise a plurality of flanges spaced apart along the respective edge region. The main portions of each panel member 102,104 are sized so that the flanges of one panel member fit inboard of the flanges of the other panel member when the panel is assembled, as shown in Figure 3. The flanges are used to connect the panel members together by suitable means, such as adhesive and/or rivets, bolts, screws, clips, interlocking teeth, or the like. The connection may be releasable to allow the panel members to be selectively parted for disassembly or fixed to be permanently connected together.

Each of the panel members 102, 104 has a plurality of spaced apart apertures 120,122 provided in the main sheet-like portion thereof. As shown best in Figure 2, the apertures 120 in a first one of the panel members 102 are offset with respect to the apertures 122 in the second one of the panel members 104. The offset is such that the apertures 120 in the first panel member 102 do not overlap with the apertures 122 in the second panel member 104 when the panel 100 is viewed from either side in a substantially perpendicular direction. This offset arrangement prevents a person seeing through the fence panel when either close up to the panel or from a distance, and thus provides privacy.

The apertures 120,122 in each panel are shown as substantially circular holes but may be other suitable shapes and sizes of aperture, e.g. oval, triangular, square, rectangular, and/or slotted, or the like. The apertures in one panel may be different in shape and/or size to the apertures in the other panel. Furthermore, one or both panels may include a variety of differently shaped and/or sized apertures. Desirably the apertures in one or both panels may be configured to provide a visual effect such as a picture, logo, word, or the like, and/or the inner surface of one of the panels may be coloured to present a visual effect to a person viewing the inner surface through the apertures of the other panel.

When assembled, the main sheet-like and perforated portions of each panel member 102,104 are oriented substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart in the perpendicular direction to thereby provide a cavity therebetween. The depth of the cavity is around 20 to 100 mm and is aptly around 50 mm to provide an optimal level of visual privacy and air flow through the panel. This cavity fluidly communicates the apertures 120 in one panel 102 with the apertures 122 in the other panel 104, particularly adjacent apertures, to thereby provide an air inlet and air outlet and an air flow path therebetween to allow air (wind) to pass through the assembled panel from an upstream side to a downstream side of the panel. This air flow path in turn reduces the resistance of the panel to wind hitting the panel, and in turn the forces subjected to the panel by the wind, to prevent the same from being damaged and/or blown over. The offset apertures and cavity also force the wind to take a longer path through the panel compared to a substantially straight, i.e. perpendicular, path through the panel. This acts to dampen/slow the wind flow through the panel such that the panel acts as a baffle. The cavity of air in the panel may also desirably act to attenuate sound. One or more brackets may extend between the panel members to eliminate any significant movement/vibration of the panel members with respect to each other. Where one or both of the panels has at least one non-perforated region, such a region may be used to locate sound attenuation material within the panel. Additionally, or alternatively, a photovoltaic cell may be disposed within the panel for generating usable electricity from solar rays passing into the cavity at an angle incident to the panel. Furthermore, an illumination device, such as an LED strip light, may be located in the cavity and along the upper edge of the panel to thereby illuminate the cavity and apertures. The lower edge region of the panel may be open to allow light from within the panel to illuminate the ground below the panel. Furthermore, the apertures of the downstream side of the panel, for example, may be used to support an object, such as a bird feeder, rack/shelf, BBQ utensils, plant pot hanger, or the like, whilst not significantly impeding air flow through the panel.

Optionally, the assembly may include at least one intermediate panel located between the outermost panels 102,104. The intermediate panel/s may have differently sized and spaced apertures to the outer panels. For example, the intermediate panel may have substantially circular apertures of around 3mm diameter which are spaced in a triangular pitch of around 5mm. This provides the intermediate panel with around 33% free/open space for air to flow therethrough.

The outer panels may each have substantially diamond shaped apertures having a width of around 20mm and a spacing of around 25mm. The outer panels 102,104 may be spaced apart by around 50mm and the intermediate panel may be centrally located between them, i.e. around 25mm from each outer panel. Such an arrangement provides desirable visual privacy and sufficient air flow and sound attenuation.

Aptly, each panel 102,104 is between around 6 feet (around 1830 mm) in length and around 2 to 6 feet (around 610 mm to 1830 mm) high to correspond with the dimensions of a standard fence panel to allow the panel to be located between existing fence posts if required. A number of panels may be stacked on top of each other to form, for example, a 6ft (around 1830mm) high panel, e.g. 2 x 3ft (around 915mm) high panels or 3 x 2ft (around 610mm) high panels may be stacked on top of each other and each panel may be differently coloured and/or may have different patterns of apertures therein. Each panel 102,104 is around 1,5mm thick. Each flange 106,108,110,112 is around 50 mm deep and the flange depth of the inboard panel may be used to set the spacing between the main sheet-like portions of the panels, as shown in Figure 3. Each aperture 120,122 of the illustrated embodiment is around 20 mm in diameter and the centres of adjacent apertures in each panel are spaced apart by around 20-30 mm. Each panel 102,104 is aptly a powder coated aluminium but may be any suitable material, such as steel, plastics, wood, or the like, and may have any suitable coating/finish. Each panel is aptly made by a suitable manufacturing process, such as punching and folding. The thickness of the assembled panel may correspond to the width of a channel along the length of a support post, e.g. prefabricated concrete post, to allow a plurality of panels to be easily and quickly slotted in between preinstalled posts. A suitable fixing, such as a secure post cap and/or security screws, may be used to secure each panel to the posts and prevent the same being maliciously removed. For example, the flanges extending along the side regions of each panel may have a plurality of spaced apart holes for receiving fasteners, e.g. screws, to securely attach the panel to a support surface, such as a post or wall, and the screws may have security heads preventing them being removed by a conventional tool or the heads may be frangible allowing them to be knocked/snapped off the shank to prevent the screw being removed.

Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore provide a fence panel configured to provide privacy and security whilst allowing wind to pass therethrough which significantly reduces its resistance to wind and in turn the risk of the fence being damaged or blown over. The fence panel aptly acts as a baffle to slow wind passing therethrough and is lightweight, strong and easy to store, transport, assemble, and install.

Claims

1. A panel for a fence, comprising: a first panel member having a plurality of first apertures disposed in a first sheet-like portion thereof; and a second panel member having a plurality of second apertures disposed in a second sheet-like portion thereof; wherein the first and second panel members are spaced apart in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sheet-like portions to define a cavity therebetween, and wherein the first apertures are offset with respect to the second apertures in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the first apertures do not overlap the second apertures when the panel is viewed in the first direction.

3. The panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second apertures have substantially the same shape and size.

4. The panel according to any preceding claim, wherein centres of adjacent ones of the first and second apertures are spaced apart by around 25 mm in the second direction.

5. The panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second apertures have a maximum width of around 20 mm.

6. The panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sheet-like portions are spaced apart by around 20 - 100 mm.

7. The panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sheet-like portions are substantially parallel with respect to each other.

8. The panel according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one intermediate panel member located between the first and second panel members and having a plurality of further apertures disposed therein.

9. The panel according to claim 8, wherein the further apertures have a maximum width which is less than a maximum width of the first and second apertures.

10. The panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the first panel member comprises at least one first flange extending from the first sheet-like portion, and the second panel member comprises at least one second flange extending from the second sheet-like portion.

11. The panel according to claim 10, wherein each flange is adapted to be connected together.

12. The panel according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one bracket extending between the first and second panel members.

13. The panel according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one illumination device located within the cavity.

14. The panel according to any preceding claim, wherein each panel member is substantially rectangular.

15. A system comprising at least one panel according to any preceding claim and at least two elongate support members for supporting the panel.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein each support member comprises a longitudinal channel adapted to receive an edge region of the panel.

17. A kit of parts comprising: a first panel member having a plurality of first apertures disposed in a first sheet-like portion thereof; and a second panel member having a plurality of second apertures disposed in a second sheet-like portion thereof; wherein the first and second panel members are connectable to be spaced apart in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sheet-like portions to define a cavity therebetween, and wherein the first apertures are offset with respect to the second apertures in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

18. The kit according to claim 17, further comprising at least one intermediate panel member locatable between the first and second panel members and having a plurality of further apertures disposed therein.

19. The kit according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising a plurality of elongate support members for supporting the panel members when connected together.

20. The kit according to claim 19, wherein each support member comprises a longitudinal channel adapted to receive an edge region of the panel.