GB2586778A

GB2586778A - A fence panel

Info

Publication number: GB2586778A
Application number: GB1910872.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Corsham Lyn
Original assignee: Fence Sense Ltd
Current assignee: Fence Sense Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-30
Filing date: 2019-07-30
Publication date: 2021-03-10
Also published as: GB201910872D0

Abstract

The fence panel 110 is formed from an impervious material and comprises a hollow body for water storage. An inlet 115 and outlet 114 are provided for receiving and releasing water respectively. One or more ribs 116 may connect a front face 111 and a rear face 113 of the panel, which may be made from synthetic plastic (e.g. ABS), preferably recycled. The outlet, which may be lower than the inlet, may include a valve, tap or other flow control feature. The fence panel may comprise a photovoltaic or thermal solar panel, means of observing the water level, display screen, downpipe or gutter, anti-climb paint, hanging basket, waterfall, electric socket, CCTV camera, light, awning and/or pump.

Description

A Fence Panel

Field

The present invention relates to a fence of the type comprising separate panels. Fence panels are well-known and are usually formed from wooden sheets, planks or slats Fence panels are strong, durable and straightforward to install. Background Fences consist of two main components: posts and panels. The posts are typically buried or concreted into the ground and the panels are adapted and dimensioned to fit between pairs of adjacent fence posts.

Fence panels may be received in or connected to the fence posts, for example by way of screws or nails; or they are sized to fit into a slot between adjacent posts; or panels joined to posts by way of bespoke connectors.

There are many types of wooden fences and they can be erected quickly and have a natural appearance. However, fence panels require regular maintenance. The wooden panels can also discolour in sunshine and so require regular staining or application of wood preservatives in order to maintain appearance and in order to inhibit rot.

A problem encountered with gardens, especially in drier climates and throughout summer months, is the need to water lawns, plants and vegetables. The use of water butts or storage tanks to some extent meets this demand but does not always alleviate the problem.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a sturdy fence panel that requires less maintenance.

Another aim of the invention is to reduce the amount of water required to irrigate plants and vegetation.

The present invention arose in order to meet these aims and to provide a means for reducing the risk of flash flooding.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence panel which is formed from an impervious material which has a hollow body for storing water; an inlet is provided for receiving water; and an outlet is provided through which stored water flows from the hollow body.

By using the fence panel as part of a water storage system, it is possible to reduce the risk of flash flooding, for example by directing excess rainwater from rooves or gutters, into the hollow body of a fence panel for storage therein.

Ideally the inlet is closable, and the outlet has a tap or valve which when opened enables stored water, contained in the hollow body of the fence panel, to pass, for example into a watering can or through a hose.

Ideally the hollow fence panel is formed from regions which are defined by bulkheads or fillets. The bulkheads or fillets connect one face of a fence panel to another face. These bulkheads or fillets ensure that the hollow panel does not bulge or sag when it is warmed, as otherwise a large unsupported sheet of an impervious material, such a synthetic plastics material, for example nylon or polypropylene, might distort or sag under the weight of water contained within it. In particular it is important that sagging is avoided when the synthetic plastics material is softened by way of direct sunlight for example.

Fence panels may be supplied in a kit form to be assembled by connecting together opposite faces at interconnects and/or along edges. In one preferred embodiment, gaskets, as well as a synthetic sealant, are also provided to ensure interconnects and edges are sealed once they have been connected together.

Optionally the fence panel may be formed from a synthetic plastics material, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Alternatively the fence panel may be fabricated using recycled synthetic plastics material.

In some embodiments of the fence panel an inlet and an outlet may be located closer to a lower edge so as to permit water to pass from the hollow fence panel or for receiving water from a gutter, downpipe or water butt.

Optionally a fence panel includes an outlet with a valve. Advantageously the fence panel includes a tap for switching flow on and off.

In an alternative embodiment fence panels are provided ready for use and have predefined edges which are shaped to fit into existing channels formed in posts for receiving a fence panel or formed for example in edges of concrete posts.

Optionally adjoining fence panels may be interconnected internally via a channel or plug at a base of each fence panel, which enables a head of water to be produced for example when fence panels are disposed at different heights and staggered along a slope.

An advantage of connecting panels together at different heights is that where several fence panels are so connected, by way of a hose or similar conduit, a head of water is achieved which may be sufficient to produce a jet of water from a hose that is connected to a lower region of the lowest fence panel, as this may be several metres below the highest fence panel in a set of interconnected panels.

An advantage of the hollow fence panels is that water collected and stored in them, for example from rainwater runoffs, gutters or rooves, can be fed into an upper fence panel and stored so that hollow fence panels serve as a reservoir enabling the water to be used during dryer summer months.

Another advantage of the hollow fence panels is that rainwater, which might otherwise cause flooding, can provide a sink for storm water. Thus an interconnected series of hollow fence panels enables what might be several hundred litres of water to be collected, and so can help prevent flooding a courtyard, garden or patio area.

Preferred examples of the Invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following Figures in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a fence panel; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a fence panel; Figure 3 shows another example of a fence panel; Figure 4 shows a view of a fence with a screen printed or formed on its outer surface; Figures 5 show diagrammatic views of alternative embodiments of fence panels; Figure 6 shows a fence panel which is overlaid with solar panels; Figure 7 shows an example of a fence panel with slots, cuttings or apertures through which water flows; Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a fence panel 810 which has recesses on which hanging baskets may be slung; Figure 9 shows a diagrammatical view of an alternative embodiment of a fence panel connected to a down pipe; Figure 10 shows another example of a fence panel which is connected to a gutter and a downpipe; and Figure 11 shows examples of plants in fertiliser bags or in hydroponic beds or conventional growing environments which are watered via hoses connected to a fence panel according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the Invention Referring to the Figures, and initially to Figure 1, fence panel 110 comprises front face 111 and a rear face 113. The fence panel 110 is connected to a post 112 along its left hand side.

Typically the front 111 and rear face 113 are spaced apart by a gap of around 6 to 12 cm. Inter-connecting the front face 111 and rear face 113 are strengthening ribs or fillets 116 shown as hidden detail. At an upper edge of fence panel 110 is an inlet port 115. On a lower edge of fence panel 110 is an outlet port 114.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a fence panel 210 which has a coating to prevent people climbing or plants clinging thereto. The coating is shown diagrammatically by v-shaped chevrons 206. Fence panel to 210 is fitted to a post 202 along its left-hand edge. Post 202 is an optional support for an imager, such as a closed circuit TV camera 207 (CCTV) as well as a light source (not shown). On a lower edge of fence panel 210 is an outlet port 214.

Figure 3 shows an example of a fence panel 310 with integral lighting with post 312 and outlets 314 positioned along its lower edge.

Figure 4 shows a view of a fence panel 410 with a screen 412 printed or formed on its outer surface, possibly with a system so that it can be retracted. Fence panel 410 has outlets 414 along its lower edge which allow water to flow from the hollow interior either to a water butt (not shown) or to an irrigation system (not shown).

Optionally mirror reflective panels (not shown) may be placed on a front face of fence panel 414. In an alternative arrangement a white screen may be used onto which images may be projected or a liquid crystal or light emitting polymer display (not shown) may be provided onto which images may be displayed. A guttering for 415 is also provided along a top edge of the panel 410 which is configured and arranged to collect rainwater.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of alternative embodiment of fence panel 510 with outlets 514 at its lower edge and an image 516 is printed on the surface of the panel 510.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown another version of a fence panel 610 which is overlaid with solar panels 616. Along a lower edge of the fence panel 610 are shown outlets 614 which connect to an irrigation system (not shown).

Referring to Figure 7 which shows an example of a fence panel 710 which has one or more slots, cuttings or apertures 712 formed along an upper part of the fence panel 710 through which water flows either into a collection pond or water bath or water coffin 709 so that water can overflow from slots, cuttings or apertures 712 and flow over a patterned or textured surface of the panel 710 which may be rendered so as to appear as a wall or as stones or as rock.

An advantage of this is that it is eye appealing and can be aesthetic addition to a garden or pond. Another advantage is that this process acts to aerate the water and so helps keep the water fresh.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a fence panel 810 which has recesses or connections 811 for supporting or receiving hanging baskets 813. Posts 812 and 815 are located wither side of and support fence panel 810. Outlets 814 are formed along the lower edge of the panel 810 and are opened as and when it is desired to drain the fence panel or to receive a hose or other connector (not shown).

In addition valves (not shown) may be fitted and adapted to drip water, from the fence panel reservoir, at a controlled rate to water plants on the baskets. The valves may be provided in a face of the fence panel and act as an irrigation system open (not shown) for other plants which may be growing in the ground close to the fence panel 810.

Figure 9 shows a diagrammatical view of an alternative embodiment of a fence panel 910 connected to a down pipe 912 which receives water via the downpipe 912 from a gutter 919. Removable stoppers 915 are used to plug outlets 914 at the base of the panel 910.

Figure 10 shows another example of a fence panel 1110 which is connected to a gutter 1112 and a downpipe 1115. Square or circular downpipes may be used and a suitable adapter (not shown) may be provided for connection to each shape of downpipe 1115.

A water butt 1120 may be supplied for connection to the fence panel 1110 in order to receive water stored in the fence panel 1110 or to supply water to the fence panel 1110.

Figure 11 shows examples of plants in fertiliser bags or in hydroponic beds or conventional growing environments which are watered via hoses 5002 which are interconnected using interconnects such as T-junctions 5022. The hoses 5002 are connected to fence panels 1110 using interconnects such as T-junctions 5022 hose connectors.

It is appreciated that in all the aforementioned panels valves with automatic control means may be provided so as to limit and control the flow of water. The valves (not shown) may be automatically controlled or they may be timed or there may be a combination of these control devices.

In an alternative embodiment separate fence panels may be interconnected by way of a connector which includes a fluid connector so as to allow separate reservoirs defined in each panel to be connected.

A visual inspection means may be formed in a panel so as to enable observation of a level of water inside the body of the fence panel. For example alerts may be fitted to the panels in order to indicate a level to which water occupies the hollow fence panel.

Variation may be made to the embodiments described, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A fence panel which is formed from an impervious material which has a hollow body for storing water; an inlet is provided for receiving water; and an outlet is provided through which stored water flows from the hollow body.
2. A fence panel according to claim 1 wherein at least one rib connects front and rear faces of the panel.
3. A fence panel according to either claim 1 or 2 formed from a synthetic plastics material, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
4 A fence panel according to either claim 1 or 2 formed from a recycled synthetic plastics material.
A fence panel according to any preceding claim wherein an inlet and an outlet located closer to a lower edge so as to permit water to pass or receiving water.
6. A fence panel according to claim 5 wherein an outlet includes a valve.
7. A fence panel according to claim 6 wherein an outlet includes a tap for switching flow on and off.
8. A fence panel according to claim 7 wherein a controller switches flow on and off.
9. A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a solar panel.
10.A fence panel according to claim 9 wherein the solar panel is a photovoltaic (PV) panel and generates electricity.
11.A fence panel according to claim 9 wherein the solar panel includes a pathway for heating water.
12.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a visual inspection means formed in a panel to enable observation of a level of water in the panel.
13.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a screen or a display (not shown) on which images are displayed.
14.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a downpipe and/or gutter.
15.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a panel coated with anti-climb paint.
16.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes at least one hanging basket.
17.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a waterfall feature.
18.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes an electric socket.
19.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a closed circuit TV (CCTV) system.
20.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a hook box.
21.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes an integral light.
22.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes an awning.
23.A fence panel according to any preceding claim includes a pump.