GB2588147A

GB2588147A - Security fence

Info

Publication number: GB2588147A
Application number: GB1914614.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Whitby Robert
Original assignee: Top Security Fencing Uk Ltd
Current assignee: Top Security Fencing Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-09
Filing date: 2019-10-09
Publication date: 2021-04-21
Also published as: GB201914614D0

Abstract

The security fence comprises first and second square fence posts 2 and at least one mesh panel 1. The panel has three planar sections each extending between a top edge and a bottom edge, a first section being proximate a first side edge, a second section being proximate a second side edge and having substantially the same width as the first section, and a significantly wider third section disposed between the first and second sections. Each of the first and second sections is angled from the third section at substantially 45 degrees towards a rear face of the panel. Each of the fence posts is an elongate square cuboid comprising adjacent first and second side surfaces. The first and second sections of the panel are fixable to the second surface of the first post and first surface of the second post respectively, e.g. using brackets 11 and security bolts 14 engaging holes in the posts. The top of each post may have a cap 6 with front 7 and rear 8 extension arms extending diagonally upwards, preferably supporting barbed or razor wire 10.

Description

Security Fence The present invention relates to a fence, in particular a fence comprising a series of posts supporting mesh panels, and the means by which the mesh panels are secured to the posts.

Background of the invention

Fences and walls exist to make boundaries impassable. They fail if an intruder is able to go over, under or through them. Given the difficulty of digging a tunnel, most wall and fence constructions need only be concerned with preventing an intruder going over or through. It is common for a wall or a fence to have something sharp or otherwise unpleasant at the top, in order to discourage intruders from going over. Walls and fences are designed to be difficult to break in order to prevent intruders from going through.

The present invention is directed to making it difficult for an intruder to break a fence, and thereby prevent him or her from going through. This is achieved primarily by fixing a mesh panel to a post in such a way that it cannot be removed from the external face of the fence.

Acknowledged prior art

The inventor is aware of other fences which have some features in common with the present invention.

DE 10 2009 004207 discloses a fence with posts of square cross section set in a 'diamond' configuration, that is, with a corner rather than a face of the square at the 'front' of the fence. Various fence types are disclosed in cooperation with said posts, including solid sheet fences, chain link fences and vertical and horizontal bar type fences. These connect to the posts in various ways not clearly disclosed in the documents, and none of these ways take full advantage of the 'inward' facing sides of the diamond configured post. Furthermore, with the exception of the solid sheet fence, the disclosed fence types provide ample space for a would-be intruder to pass a tool through to the other side and damage the fence.

US 4883257 discloses a fence with posts having a similar diamond configuration. In this case, the fencing is connected to the posts through a very complex method involving passing into the post itself Although this provides improved security over the previous document, it is very complex, time-consuming and expensive to make.

The present invention seeks to overcome some of the problems with the prior art by providing a fence which connects to a series of diamond configuration posts in a secure but simple manner.

Statement of invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a security fence comprising at least two fence posts and at least one fence mesh panel, the fence mesh panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, the fence mesh panel having three sections, each section extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, a first section of the three sections being proximate the first side edge, a second section of the three sections being proximate the second side edge and having substantially the same width as the first section, and a third section of the three sections being disposed between the first section and the second section, being significantly wider than the first section and the second section, and having a front face and a rear face; wherein each of the three sections is planar, and wherein the plane of the first section is angled from the plane of the third section at substantially 45 degrees rearwards, and wherein the plane of the second section is angled from the plane of the third section at substantially 45 degrees rearwards; wherein each of the fence posts is an elongate cuboid of square axial cross-section, comprising a first side surface and a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface; the fence posts and fence mesh panel being configured such that the first section of the fence mesh panel is fixable in use to the second side surface of a first fence post of the at least two fence posts, and the second section of the fence mesh panel is fixable in use to the first side surface of a second fence post of the at least two fence posts.

The first side surface and the second side surface of the fence posts may comprise fixing holes, by means of which the fence mesh panel can be fixed to the fence posts using fixing brackets with security bolts.

Each fence post has a top end, and a cap may be fixed to the top end of each fence post, and a first extension arm may extend diagonally forwards and upwards from the top of the cap, and a second extension arm may extend diagonally rearwards from the top of the cap. The extension arms may be configured to support at least one length of razor wire or barbed wire.

Brief description of drawings

the present invention will be described clearly with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a front view of a fence mesh panel and a plan view of two posts with three fence mesh panels attached, according to the present invention; Figure 2 depicts a rear view of a post on a base plate, and a plan view of a post on a base plate with two fence mesh panels attached, according to the present invention; Figure 3 depicts a side view of the top of a post, with a cap and two extension arms, according to the present invention; Figure 4 depicts a plan view of a post with a cap, according to the present invention; Figure 5 depicts a plan view of a post with a cap and two extension arms, with two fence mesh panels attached to the post, and razor wire attached to the extension arms, according to the present invention; Figure 6 depicts a fixing bracket for securing a fence mesh panel to a post, from various angles, according to the present invention; and Figure 7 depicts a plan view of a post connected to two fence mesh panels by means of fixing brackets, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

This specification uses 'front', 'rear', 'inside', 'outside', and similar equivalent phrases. 'Front' and 'outside' are interchangeable, and refer to the side of the fence structure, when in use, outside the area enclosed by the fence. 'Rear' and 'inside' are interchangeable, and refer to the side of the fence structure, when in use, inside the area enclosed by the fence. More generally, relative terms like 'top' and 'bottom' assume the 'in use' orientation of the features of this invention, as will be clear to a person skilled in the art. Relative directions such as 'left' and 'right' are to be understood from the perspective provided by context.

Figure 1 depicts a fence mesh panel section 1, from either a front and rear perspective. Thc mesh panel is composed of rigid vertical wires securely fixed to rigid horizontal wires. The wires are preferably of metal, such as steel, although other material of sufficient resilience and strength is contemplated. The wires of the mesh panel are preferably relatively close together for improved security. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical wires are 3 inches (76.2 mm) apart from the centre of one wire to the centre of the next, and the horizontal wires are 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) apart from centre to centre. The wire is preferably gauge 8 AWG (approximately 3.3 mm diameter). In another preferred embodiment, the vertical wires are 36 mm apart centre to centre, the horizontal wires are 28 mm apart centre to centre, and the wire diameter is 5.5 mm.

The fence mesh panel as a whole is substantially planar, but has a bend 3 at both sides, such that a portion at the far left and the far right of the fence mesh panel bend inwards at substantially a 45-degree angle. The lower part of Figure 1 depicts two fence posts 2 of the present invention, from an overhead perspective. A middle fence mesh panel 1 is attached to each of the posts 2, and left and right fence mesh panels 1 are partially shown, attached to respectively to the left and right fence posts 2.

Figure 2 depicts a rear view of a fence post 2 with a base plate 4 attached to the bottom of the fence post 2. The fence post 2 is preferably made of metal, such as steel or aluminium, although other materials of sufficient strength and resilience are contemplated. The base plate is preferably made of the same or a similar material, and the attachment between the two is effected, for example, by welding. The fence post 2 is also provided with holes 5, by means of which the fence mesh panel 1 can be attached as will become apparent below. The holes 5 are closer together towards the top and the bottom of the fence post 2 than they are in the middle. This is to make the fence mesh panel 1 more secure in its attachment to the fence post 2 at the points most -vulnerable to attack, namely the top and the bottom. The lower section of Figure 2 depicts a fence post 2 from an overhead perspective. The base plate 4 can be seen to be substantially rectangular, and the fence post 2 is attached to the base plate at its front side, which is one of the two shorter sides of the rectangle. Two fence mesh panels 1 are attached to the fence post 2, and shown in part. The square section fence post 2 is installed diamond-toview in order to gain the maximum strength and least deflection from the section used.

Figure 3 depicts a top section of a fence post 2 with additional security toppings, comprising a cap 6 fixed to the top of the fence post 2. The cap 6 serves to protect the fence mesh panel 1 fixings from attack from over the top of the post. The cap 6 extends beyond the edges of the top of the fence post, extending further on the rear side than on the front side. Attached to the top of the cap 6, for example by welding, are two extension arms 7, 8: a front extension arm 7 and a rear extension arm 7. As will become apparent, the extension arms support an additional security feature such as barbed wire or razor wire. Holes 9 are provided in the extension arms 7, 8 fin this purpose. The front extension arm 7 extends diagonally forwards and upwards. The rear extension arm 8 extends diagonally backwards and upwards. I bach arm may be provided with a plastic cap (not shown) at the distal end, opposite the fence post cap 6. The cap 6 and extension arms 7, 8 are preferably made of metal, such as steel or aluminium, although other suitable materials are contemplated.

Figure 4 depicts a cap 6 from an overhead perspective. The top of the fence post 2 is shown in dashed lines, and it can be more clearly seen how the cap 6 extends beyond the rim of the fence post 2 all the way around, with a greater extension at the rear. The weld lines of the extension arms 7, 8 are also shown. The cap 6 can either be welded or spigot fixed to the top of the fence post 2.

15r depicts a fence post 2 from an overhead perspective, with the front shown to the left and the rear shown to the right. Two fence mesh panels 1 are attached to the fence post 2, as well as a cap 6 and a front extension arm 7 and a rear extension arm 8. Razor wire 10 is shown supported by the extension arms 7, 8. Tn the depicted embodiment, three lengths of razor wire are depicted supported by each of the front extension arm 7 and the rear extension arm 8, although this could of course be varied.

Figure 6 depicts a fixing bracket 11 used in fixing a fence mesh panel 1 to a fence post 2. The fixing bracket 11 is shown from three perspectives: a first edge, a rear face, and a second edge. The fixing bracket 11 comprises a first planar section, and has a lip extending perpendicularly from the first planar section, all the way around. Gaps 13 are provided in the bp and into the edge of the first planar section, for receiving wires of the fence mesh panel 1 so that the fixing bracket 11 can be placed over the fence mesh panel 1. A hole 12 is provided to receive a screw or a bolt or other fixing means such as a security bolt 14, to secure the fixing means to a fence post 2. The fixing bracket is preferably made from metal, such as steel. The fixing bracket also incorporates a steel lug that protects the fixing bolts 14 from attack.

Figure 7 depicts two fixing brackets 11 in use on a fence post 2. Two fence mesh panels 1 are held in the gaps 13 by the fixing brackets 11. The fixing brackets 11 are held in place by bolts 14 which pass through the holes 12 in the fixing brackets 11 and one of the holes 5 in the fence post 2. The security welded fence mesh panels 1 have the ends press-formed to accommodate the fixing brackets 11 being installed to the inner faces. The secure fixing bolts 14 are produced in grade 10.9 high tensile steel case hardened after manufacture. They are installed using a special one-way drive tool, having a choice of a non-removable version if needed.

So far, the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment as depicted in the figures. These are provided to aid the skilled person make the invention, and are not limiting. The scope of the invention is determined by the

Claims

Claims 1. A security fence comprising at least two fence posts and at least one fence mesh panel, the fence mesh panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, the fence mesh panel having three sections, each section extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, a first section of the three sections being proximate the first side edge, a second section of the three sections being proximate the second side edge and having substantially the same width as the first section, and a third section of the three sections being disposed between the first section and the second section, being significantly wider than the first section and the second section, and having a front face and a rear face; wherein each of the three sections is planar, and wherein the plane of the first section is angled from the plane of the third section at substantially 45 degrees rearwards, and wherein the plane of the second section is angled from the plane of the third section at substantially 45 degrees rearwards; wherein each of the fence posts is an elongate cuboid of square axial cross-section, comprising a first side surface and a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface; the fence posts and fence mesh panel being configured such that the first section of the fence mesh panel is fixable in use to the second side surface of a first fence post of the at least two fence posts, and the second section of the fence mesh panel is fixable in use to the first side surface of a second fence post of the at least two fence posts.
2. A security fence according to claim 1 wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the fence posts comprise fixing holes, by means of which the fence mesh can be fixed to the fence posts using fixing brackets with security bolts.
3. A security fence according to claim 1 or claim 2 whereM each fence post has a top end, and a cap is fixed to the top end of each fence post, and a first extension arm extends diagonally forwards and upwards from the top of the cap, and a second extension arm extends diagonally rearwards from the top of the cap.
4. A security fence according to claim 3 wherein the extension arms are configured to support at least one length of razor wire or barbed wire.