GB2592361A

GB2592361A - Fence Panel

Info

Publication number: GB2592361A
Application number: GB2002248.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Messelis Timothy; Synodinos Stefanos
Original assignee: Guardiar Europe BVBA
Current assignee: Guardiar Europe BVBA
Priority date: 2020-02-19
Filing date: 2020-02-19
Publication date: 2021-09-01
Also published as: ZA202207213B; GB202002248D0; WO2021165058A1

Abstract

The fence panel 1 comprises a mesh fence panel 2 to which is connected at least one reinforcing panel 3. A portion of the mesh fence panel is free from reinforcing panels on both surfaces (maintaining visibility through the fence). Each mesh fence panel and reinforcing panel comprises a plurality of connected wires, e.g. of coated high-tensile steel. A first set of wires 2a,3a and a second set 2b,3b may run vertically and horizontally respectively. The spacing of the first set of the reinforcing panel may be smaller than that of the first set of the mesh fence panel, and the spacing of the second set may be larger. The smaller and larger spacings may be 5-30mm and 60-100mm respectively. There may be multiple reinforcing panels rotated 90° relative to the mesh fence panels, extending the entire height thereof and/or attached (e.g. welded) to a surface thereof. The mesh fence panel may have ridges and corresponding channels 4, which may be V-shaped and/or formed by bending the vertical wires.

Description

Fence Panel The present invention concerns a fence panel and a method of manufacturing said fence panel.

Fence panels comprising mesh panels are versatile and easy to construct as they provide visually appealing fencing that can be used for a wide range of applications including perimeter, domestic, sports pitch fencing and high security fences. The mesh spacings can make it difficult for an intruder to cut the wires and they can provide very little food hold, thereby increasing the difficulty of scaling of the fence by an intruder.

For example, EP2509692 discloses a high security fence panel comprising a plurality of first members which are arranged substantially parallel to one another so that they do not cross one another and a plurality of second members which are arranged substantially parallel to one another so that they do not cross one another. The first and second members are arranged to cross each other and are interconnected. The interconnected members are interconnected with one another by means of the members being woven together.

However, means for reinforcing the fence panel are often required in order to provide a stronger fence panel. For example, fence panels that increase the delay time (i.e. the time required for an attacker to breach the fence panel) are desired.

EP0503952 discloses a fence assembly comprising stanchions that support panels.

Each panel comprises a panel member of expanded metal mesh material with horizontal reinforcing members coupled thereto. The reinforcing members are coupled by coupling members which are formed by bending alternate portions of the panel member outwardly of opposite side faces of the panel member.

GB2479782 discloses a fence panel comprising a sheet of mesh material with a first side and a second side and a plurality of reinforcing members secured to at least the first side, wherein the reinforcing members comprise material which is harder than the mesh material. The reinforcing member may comprise a high hardness material encased inside a tubular enclosure.

A fence panel as disclosed in GB2479782 has the disadvantage that it is possible for an intruder to cut through mesh sheet around the reinforcing member with relative ease. Further, the desired hardness level of the reinforcing element is obtained by using a ceramic material inside a tubular enclosure and therefore increases the complexity and expense of the configuration and the overall weight of the fence panel.

ZA201806377 discloses a fence panel which is made from a mesh material and which is reinforced to enhance the capability of the panel. The reinforcing members comprise 10 a cross section which has opposed first and second parallel sides and opposed third and fourth convex sides.

Thus, the arrangements of the art typically include reinforcing members that are solid structures that would not be straightforward to implement or cheap to manufacture. 15 There remains a need for a fence panel which is more cost-effective, uses fewer materials and is easy to manufacture.

Additionally, such solid structures reduce the visibility through the fence panel by creating blind spots, as is it not possible to see through the solid structures. Thus, there is a requirement for a fence panel with both an improved delay time and visibility.

The aim of the present invention is to address at least some of these requirements.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence panel comprising a mesh fence panel comprising a plurality of intersecting wires connected together, wherein the mesh fence panel has two opposed surfaces and one or more reinforcing panels connected to said mesh fence panel and extending partly across at least one of the surfaces thereof, wherein each reinforcing panel comprises a plurality of intersecting wires connected together to form a mesh and wherein there is a portion of the mesh fence panel that is free from the one or more reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof.

The term "fence panel" is to be construed in accordance with the normal use of the word to relate to a panel that can be used in combination with fence posts to create a fence. The fence panel is therefore not self-supporting and is not generally used to create a fence or other barrier alone, without some form of support.

The term "mesh" is to be construed to cover a sheet of intersecting solid wires that are interconnected to create apertures. The mesh may comprise a plurality of wires extending in a first direction and a plurality of wires extending in a second direction, such that each of the wires in the first direction intersects each of the wires in the second direction, or at least some of the wires in the first direction intersect at least some of the wires in the second direction. The mesh of the fence panel and the one or more reinforcing panels may be the same or may be different.

It has surprisingly been found that a much greater time is required for an attacker to breach the fence panel when the fence panel comprises one or more reinforcing panels in accordance with the present invention, thereby providing an increased delay time for an intruder to cut and/or damage the fence, for example with cutting tools.

Such cutting tools may comprise hand and/or power cutting tools.

Additionally, reinforcing panels according to the present invention comprise a plurality of intersecting wires connected together to form a mesh and therefore ensure visibility 20 through the mesh reinforcing panels and therefore through the fence panel.

A fence panel according to the present invention therefore increases visibility whilst maintaining an increased delay time for any intruders trying to breach the fence. Further, the mesh configuration offers no climbing aids for intruders and reduces the opportunity of successful attack by hand and/or powered cutting tools.

The one or more reinforcing panels according to the present invention also comprise a plurality of intersecting wires connected together to form a mesh structure and therefore do not require any extra material or construction stages. A fence panel with reinforcing panels according to the present invention therefore increases the ease of construction and provides a simpler, more cost-effective arrangement compared to fence panels disclosed in the prior art, particularly if the mesh of the one or more reinforcing panels is the same as the mesh of the mesh fence panel.

A fence panel according to the present invention comprises a portion of the mesh fence panel that is free from the reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof. There may be one or more portions of the mesh fence panel that are free from the reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof There may be a plurality of portions of the mesh fence panel that are free from the reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof.

The plurality of portions of the mesh fence panel that are free from the reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof may be evenly spaced across the fence panel. A plurality of reinforcing panels may be spaced evenly across the fence panel.

The portions of the mesh fence panel comprising an overlap between the mesh fence panel and a reinforcing panel may be construed to have a double skin configuration. While there is still some visibility through this double skin configuration, there is better visibility through the portions without the reinforcing panel. Thus, having a plurality of portions that are free from a reinforcing panel improves the visibility through the fence panel.

A fence panel according to the present invention therefore provides a sufficiently zo strong fence panel with increased visibility and a reduced cost of materials compared to fence panels comprising a double skin configuration across the full surface area of the fence panel. This helps to reduce the overall weight of the fence panel, allows for ease of construction, increases the overall transparency of the fence panel and provides a cost-effective approach, surprisingly without significantly reducing protection from an intruder.

The mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels may comprise a first set of wires and a second set of wires. The first set of wires may extend perpendicular to the second set of wires. This creates a strong mesh panel using the minimum possible material.

The first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or in the one or more reinforcing panels may all be on the same side of the second set of wires in the respective panel. The first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or in the one or more reinforcing panels may be on alternate sides of the second set of wires in the respective panel. The second set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or in the one or more reinforcing panels may be on alternate sides of the first set of wires in the respective panel.

Preferably the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels are formed from wire having a core diameter of less than 4 mm, preferably less than 3.5 mm and more preferably about 3 mm.

Wires of such diameters have been found to vibrate under attack by a grinding tool and have sufficient strength to resist attack by tools such as bolt cutters, thereby increasing the time required for an intruder to breach the fence.

Preferably the wires have a tolerance of at least ± 0.05 mm, preferably at least ± 0.06 mm and more preferably about ± 0.07 mm.

The fence panel may also include other reinforcing members in addition to the one or more reinforcing panels. Such reinforcing members may include flat bars, round bars, sheets, and/or other reinforcing members conventionally used in the art, all of which may be made from metal such as steel.

The reinforcing members may be positioned between the reinforcing panels. The reinforcing members may not be present between all of the reinforcing panels.

The mesh fence panel may comprise vertical and horizontal wires. The one or more reinforcing panels may comprise vertical and horizontal wires.

It will be understood that vertical is defined relative to the surface on which the fence panel is to be positioned, which defines the horizontal.

The first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels 30 may be vertical wires. The second set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels may be horizontal wires.

At least some of the wires from a first set of wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may extend parallel to at least some of the wires from a first set of wires of the mesh fence panel. All of the first set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels may extend parallel to the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel.

At least some of the wires from a second set of wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may extend parallel to at least some of the wires from a second set of wires of the mesh fence panel. All of the second set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels may extend parallel to the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel.

This enhances the transparency of the fencing and ensures that visibility through the 10 fence panel is not impeded, which is useful if, for example, CCTV cameras are located behind the fencing and directed outwardly at potential intruders.

The spacing between the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be different to the spacing between the wires of the mesh fence panel. The spacing between the 15 wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be the same as the spacing between the wires of the mesh fence panel.

The spacing between the first set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels may be smaller than the spacing between the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel. 20 Thus, the spacing between the vertical wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be smaller than the spacing between the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel.

The spacing between the second set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels may be larger than the spacing between the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel. Thus, the spacing between the horizontal wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be larger than the spacing between the horizonal wires of the mesh fence panel.

Preferably, the spacing between the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or between the first set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is 30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 13 mm or less. Preferably, the spacing between the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or between the first set of wires in the one or more of reinforcing panels is 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more.

Preferably, the spacing between the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or between the second set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is 100 mm or less, preferably 90 mm or less, most preferably 80 mm or less. Preferably, the spacing between the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or between the second set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is 60 mm or more, preferably 70 mm or more.

The mesh fence panel may have a first spacing between adjacent horizontal wires and a second spacing between adjacent vertical wires which is larger than the first spacing.

The one or more reinforcing panels may have a first spacing between adjacent horizontal wires and a second spacing between adjacent vertical wires which is smaller than the first spacing.

Such spacings result in apertures that are too small for an attacker to easily gain a foothold, thereby providing anti-climb properties. Further, such spacings do not impede vision and therefore excellent visibility is maintained.

The spacing between the first set of wires and the second set of wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels may create mesh apertures of 100 mm x 30 mm or less, preferably 90 mm x 20 mm or less, most preferably 80 mm x 13 mm or less. The intersecting wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels may create apertures of between 60 and 100 mm by between 5 and 30 mm.

The portion of the fence panel comprising both the mesh fence panel and a reinforcing panel may comprise apertures of 30 mm x 30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm x 20 mm or less, most preferably 13 mm x 13 mm or less. The portion of the fence panel comprising both the mesh fence panel and a reinforcing panel may comprise apertures of between 5 and 30 mm by between 5 and 30 mm. These apertures sizes result from the spacings of the wires in both the mesh fence panel and the reinforcing panel.

The inventors have found that including apertures of this size maintains the transparency of the fencing, even with two layers of mesh in the portion comprising a reinforcing panel and a mesh fence panel. This is useful if, for example, CCTV cameras are located behind the fencing and directed outwardly at potential intruders.

The small apertures of the mesh fence panel and/or of the one or more reinforcing panels have been found to eliminate foot and finger holds for people to climb the fence panel. The small apertures also ensure the fence panel according to the invention is highly resistant against the use of hand and/or power cutting tools, thus creating a delay from any possible intruders.

The spacing between the horizontal wires of the mesh fence panel may be the same as the spacing between the vertical wires of the reinforcing panel and/or the spacing between the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel may be the same as the spacing between the horizontal wires of the reinforcing panel. Thus, the overall mesh panel structure of the reinforcing panel and the mesh fence panel may be the same.

This reduces manufacturing costs, while creating a very tight mesh configuration, which is extremely difficult to cut as it is highly resistant to cutting tools, thereby increasing the delay time. This configuration also does not unacceptably restrict visibility.

At least some of the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may run parallel to the wires of the mesh fence panel. Most of the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may run parallel to the wires of the mesh fence panel. All of the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may run parallel to the wires of the mesh fence panel.

The one or more reinforcing panels may be the same or a different height to the mesh fence panel. Preferably, the one or more reinforcing panels extend the entire height of 30 the mesh fence panel The length of the one or more reinforcing panels may be perpendicular to the length of the mesh fence panel. The term "length" herein is used to refer to the longest dimension of the panel.

This enhances the strength of the fence panel, thereby increasing the difficulty with which a tool can breach the fence panel and therefore increasing the delay time.

S The fence panel may comprise a plurality of reinforcing panels.

The plurality of reinforcing panels may be positioned at spaced apart intervals from one another. The plurality of reinforcing panels may be spaced apart from one another along the length of the mesh fence panel.

The intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels may include 1 or more vertical wires of the mesh fence panel that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels, preferably 2 or more vertical wires of the mesh fence panel that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels. The intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels may include at least 3 and preferably at least 5 vertical wires of the mesh fence panel that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels.

The intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels may include up to 10 vertical wires of the mesh fence panel that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels, preferably up to 5 vertical wires vertical wires of the mesh fence panel. Thus, the intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels may include between 1 and 10 vertical wires of the mesh fence panel that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels, preferably between 2 and 5 vertical wires of the mesh fence panel that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels.

The width of the intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels may be between 2x and 5x the width of the reinforcing panels.

The intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels may all be equal. The spacing between the plurality of reinforcing panels may differ. The intervals between the reinforcing panels are preferably sufficiently small to maintain a high delay time.

This ensures that there are sufficient regions of the fence panel that are free from the reinforcing panels to provide good visibility through the fence panel while maintaining a sufficient delay time.

The plurality of reinforcing panels may all be located on one of the opposed surfaces of the mesh fence panel. The opposite surface to that which the reinforcing panels are located may be substantially flat.

This can prevent the reinforcing panels from being removed from the fence panel, thereby ensuring a sufficient delay time.

The one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to the surface of the mesh fence panel. The one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to the surface of the mesh fence panel in an appropriate manner, for example by means of welding or through the use of suitable fasteners. The one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to the surface of the mesh fence panel over the entire surface of the reinforcing panel or at individual points of contact.

The one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to the mesh fence panel using 20 fastening means such as clamps, screws or nuts (e.g. rivet nuts). This means that the reinforcing panels can be attached to a mesh fence panel that has already been installed in order to create a fence panel according to the present invention.

The one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to the mesh fence panel by welding. The reinforcing panel may be welded to the mesh fence panel at a plurality of point welds. The welding of the one or more reinforcing panels to the mesh fence panel ensures the reinforcing panel cannot easily be separated from the mesh fence panel, thereby increasing the security of the fence panel.

Attaching the one or more reinforcing panels to the mesh fence panel by welding also makes cutting difficult for intruders, particularly when using conventional bolt or wire cutters.

A first of the two opposed surfaces of the mesh fence panel may comprise one or more raised ridges and a second of the two opposed surfaces of the mesh fence panel may comprise one or more corresponding indented channels.

The inventors have found that the mesh fence panels are strengthened by the incorporation of one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels. As the mesh fence panel is generally planar, the creation of an indented channel on one surface thereof will be understood to create a corresponding raised ridge on the opposite surface, located in the same position of the fence panel and having the same dimensions.

The one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels may be present in the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels.

The incorporation of one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels enhances the strength and rigidity of the fence panel, thereby making the fence panel highly resistant to cutting tools. Such incorporation is advantageous because it is relatively low-cost and does not affect visibility.

The one or more raised ridges may all be on one surface of the fence panel, with the one or more corresponding indented channels on the opposite surface thereof.

This can mean that the fence panel is more difficult for an intruder to climb. This also reduces the overall depth of the fence panel and makes for a more aesthetically pleasing fence panel, without restricting the visibility of the fence panel.

There may be a plurality of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels, which may extend parallel to one another. The dimensions of each of the plurality of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels may be identical to one another.

This can reduce manufacturing costs, while providing a strong and rigid fence.

The one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels may extend horizontally along part or all of the fence panel. The plurality of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels may be spaced vertically from one another.

The mesh fence panel may comprise vertical and horizontal wires, wherein the one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels of the mesh fence panel may be formed from bends in the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel. The horizontal wires may be on the surface comprising the indented channels, rather than on the surface comprising the raised ridges.

Preferably, both the mesh fence panel and the one or more reinforcing panels comprise vertical and horizontal wires, wherein the one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels may be formed from bends in the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel and the one or more reinforcing panels.

Preferably, the mesh fence panel and the one or more reinforcing panels will comprise one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels in the same positions, thereby following the same contours as one another. This increases the difficulty of separating the one or more reinforcing panels from the mesh fence panel.

The one or more raised ridges may be substantially U-shaped or V-shaped. This will be understood to mean that the cross-section of the raised ridge is substantially U-shaped or V-shaped. The corresponding indented channel with have the same cross-section as the raised ridge. Preferably, the one or more raised ridges may be substantially V-shaped.

This helps to strengthen the overall fence panel and makes it extremely difficult for an intruder to scale the fence, while also being easy to manufacture.

The number of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels may be at least 1, at least 2, at least 3 or at least 4.

The wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be made from metal, preferably steel and more preferably high tensile steel.

The high tensile steel may have a weld strength of at least about 30%, of at least about 40%, or of at least about 50%. Preferably, the high tensile steel has a weld strength of about 50%.

The high tensile steel may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 N/mm2, 10 preferably at least about 300 N/mm2, more preferably at least about 400 N/mm2.

The high tensile steel of the wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels ensures the wires are sufficiently robust. The wires according to the present invention have a high level of resistance against cutting, cropping and grinding. High tensile steel makes the wires incredibly difficult to cut through with standard hand and/or powered cutting tools, thereby increasing the time taken for an intruder to breach the fence panel.

The wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the wires of the one or more reinforcing 20 panels may be coated. The wires may be PVC coated. The PVC coating may be free of lead, cadmium, DEHP and/or DOP.

The wires may be polyester coated. The wires may be pre-treated prior to coating. The pre-treatment may comprise galvanisation of the wires and/or application of an adhesion coating to the wires. Pre-treatment of the wires ensures a long product lifespan, optimal adhesion of the coating to wire and ensures strong welded joints. The coated wires may provide protection from corrosion. The coating therefore ensures the coated wires have a long product lifespan with low maintenance and means that the fence panel can be located in a variety of environments.

The wires may be coated at a minimum thickness of 200 pm in accordance with EN 10245 Steel wire and wire products.

Preferably the coated wires have a core diameter of less than 4 mm, preferably more than 3 mm and most preferably about 3.4 mm.

The intersecting wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the intersecting wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to each other at some or all of the intersections.

The intersecting wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the intersecting wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be attached to each other in any appropriate way, for example, by means of welding or through use of suitable fasteners. Preferably, the intersecting wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the intersecting wires of the one or more reinforcing panels may be welded together.

The fence panel may further comprise a means for connecting said fence panel to fence posts at either end thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a fence panel as described herein, comprising connecting the reinforcing panels to the mesh fence panel such that there is a portion of the mesh 20 fence panel that is free from the reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof.

This method provides a simple and low cost manner in which to create a fence panel with a high delay time and good visibility.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for a fence comprising one or more fence panels as discussed above and a plurality of fence posts.

Thus, also envisaged by the present invention is a fence comprising one or more fence 30 panels as discussed above, each fence panel being connected to a fence post at each end thereof.

The fence posts may have a conventional shape, including but not limited to square, T-shaped, I-shaped and Y-shaped fence posts The fence posts may comprise a central portion and two flanges at opposite ends of said central portion, extending perpendicularly from both sides of the central portion parallel to one another. The fence panel may be positioned between the flanges and abutting the central portion of the fence post.

The fence panel may be connected to the fence posts in any conventional manner, including but not limited to bolts, screws and clamps.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following to examples and figures, in which; Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of a fence panel in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the fence panel of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a top plan view of the fence panel of Figure 1 before and after bending; Figure 4 illustrates a profile view of the fence panel of Figure 1 and Figure 3 (after bending).

Figure 5 illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the fence panel employed by the embodiment of Figure 2, showing an indented channel of the fence panel; and Figure 6 illustrates a front elevation of a fence panel in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a portion of a fence panel (1) is shown according to the invention.

The fence panel (1) includes a mesh fence panel (2) comprising a plurality of intersecting wires welded together (2a, 2b) and a plurality of reinforcing panels (3) also each comprising a plurality of intersecting wires welded together (3a, 3b). The reinforcing panels (3) are all welded to the mesh fence panel (2). The plurality of reinforcing panels (3) are all located on one surface of the fence mesh panel (2) and are positioned at even intervals along said surface. The intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels (3) include three vertical wires of the mesh fence panel (2a) that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels (3). Both the mesh fence panel (2) and plurality of reinforcing panels (3) comprise vertical (2a, 3a) and horizontal wires (2b, 3b).

In this embodiment, the wires of the mesh fence panel (2) and reinforcing panels (3) are formed from high tensile steel with a weld strength of 50% and a tensile strength of 400 N/mm2. The core diameter of all of the vertical and horizontal wires (2a, 2b, 3a, to 3b) is 3 mm.

The spacing between the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel (2a) is the same as the spacing between the horizontal wires of the reinforcing panels (3b). The spacing between the horizontal wires of the mesh fence panel (2b) is the same as the spacing between the vertical wires of the reinforcing panels (3a) As seen in Figure 1, the wires of the reinforcing panels (3) and the wires of the fence mesh panel (2) form a double skin configuration in the portions where the panels overlap. In this embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing panels (3) extend the entire height of the mesh fence panel (2). This enhances the overall strength of the fence panel and provides a rigid fence that is hard to cut using hand and/or power cutting tools, thereby requiring a much greater time for an attacker to breach the fence panel.

The spacing of the horizontal wires in the mesh fence panel is suitably 30 mm or less, e.g. 20 mm or less or 13 mm or less and/or is suitably 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more. The spacing of the horizontal wires in the mesh fence panel in the embodiment of Figure 1 is 12.7 mm. The resulting vertical mesh opening height of 9.7 mm (equating to the spacing of 12.7 minus the wire diameter of 3.00) is too small for an attacker to insert their fingers to obtain a handhold on the mesh. Hence, it is impossible to climb without a tool such as a grappling hook or ladder.

The spacing of the vertical wires in the mesh fence panel (2) is suitably 100 mm or less, preferably 90 mm or less, most preferably 80 mm or less and/or is suitably 60 mm or more, preferably 70 mm or more. The spacing of the vertical wires in the mesh fence panel (2) is 76.2 mm in the embodiment of Figure 1. The resulting horizontal mesh opening width of 73.2 mm (equating to the spacing of 76.2 minus the wire diameter of 3.00) is too narrow for an attacker to insert a foot in order to gain a foothold on the fencing Thus, the mesh apertures of the mesh fence panel (2) are suitably between 60 and 100 mm by between 5 and 30 mm, and are 76.2 mm by 12.7 mm in this embodiment.

The portion of the fence panel (1) comprising both the mesh fence panel (2) and a to reinforcing panel (3) comprises apertures that are suitably 30 mm x 30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm x 20 mm or less, most preferably 13mm x 13 mm or less and are 5 x 5 mm or more, preferably 10 x 10 mm or more. These mesh apertures are 12.7 mm x 12.7 mm in this embodiment.

The spacing between the vertical (2a) and horizontal (2b) wires in the mesh fence panel and between the vertical (3a) and horizontal (3b) wires in the reinforcing panel, as well as the mesh apertures of the mesh fence panel (2c) and reinforcing panel (3c), can be more clearly seen in Figure 5.

The size of the mesh apertures is sufficiently great in relation to the thickness of the wires to make the fencing substantially transparent (e.g. to CCTV cameras) even in the regions comprising both the mesh fence panel (2) and a reinforcing panel (3). The size of the mesh apertures makes the fence panel highly resistant against the use of hand and/or power cutting tools and almost impossible for any intruders to climb.

The fence panel is laterally strengthened by the incorporation of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels (4), which are more clearly shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5. This results in a robust structure which is difficult for an intruder to both cut and climb.

In this embodiment, the mesh panels are uniformly PVC coated, wherein the coating is free of lead, cadmium, DEHP and DOP. The thickness of the coating is 200 pm in this embodiment, in accordance with EN 10245-2 Steel wire and wire products.

The height of the fence panel is about 3 m in this embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, where the raised ridges and corresponding indented channels (4) can be more clearly seen. Both the mesh fence panel (2) and the plurality of reinforcing panels (3) comprise raised ridges and corresponding indented channels (4) and are shown to follow the same contours. This makes separation of the plurality of reinforcing panels (3) from the mesh panel (2) extremely difficult.

Referring to Figure 3, the fence panel according to the invention can be seen before bending and after bending. In this embodiment, both the mesh fence panel (2) and the plurality of reinforcing panels (3) are bent and comprise raised ridges and corresponding indented channels, as can be seen by the uniform arrangement in the plan view after bending of Figure 3. The structure after bending enhances the strength and rigidity of the fence panel and has been found to make the fence panel highly resistant to cutting tools. It has been found to increase the delay time for any possible intruders to penetrate the fence panel.

As shown in Figure 4, both the mesh fence panel and reinforcing panels comprise one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels (4) to laterally strengthen the fence panel. There is suitably a plurality of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels (4) and in this embodiment, there are four. The raised ridges shown in Figure 4 are all substantially V-shaped, run parallel to one another and have the same dimensions. This enhances the strength of the fence panel and does not unnecessarily increase the overall depth of the fence panel, as well as increasing the ease of manufacture. The raised surfaces make the fence panel extremely difficult for an intruder to climb.

Figure 5 provides a magnified view of a portion of the fence panel employed by the embodiment of Figure 2, and illustrates one of the indented channels (4) of the fence panel in more detail. The indented channel in the embodiment as shown is substantially V-shaped. It can be seen clearly in Figure 5 that the visibility through the fence is not overly restricted, even in the portion where there is an overlap of the mesh fence panel (2) and a reinforcing panel (3).

As discussed in relation to Figure 1, the size of the mesh apertures (2c, 3c) means that the fence panel (1) is highly resistant against the use of hand and/or power cutting tools and is very hard to climb because an intruder cannot gain a strong hand or foot S hold to scale the fence.

Figure 6 provides an alternative embodiment of the fence panel employed by the embodiment of Figure 1. In this embodiment, the intervals between the plurality of reinforcing panels (3) include two vertical wires of the mesh fence panel (2a) that are not in contact with the reinforcing panels (3). The spacing between the reinforcing panels is sufficiently small to maintain a high delay time, whilst maintaining excellent visibility.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A fence panel comprising: a mesh fence panel comprising a plurality of intersecting wires connected together, wherein the mesh fence panel has two opposed surfaces and one or more reinforcing panels connected to said mesh fence panel and extending partly across at least one of the surfaces thereof, wherein each reinforcing panel comprises a plurality of intersecting wires connected together to form a mesh and wherein there is a portion of the mesh fence panel that is free from the one or more reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof.
2. The fence panel according to Claim 1, wherein the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels comprise a first set of wires extending perpendicular to a second set of wires.
3 The fence panel according to Claim 2, wherein the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels are vertical wires and wherein the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels are horizontal wires.
4. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, wherein the spacing between the first set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is smaller than the spacing between the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel.
The fence panel according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the spacing between the second set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is larger than the spacing between the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel.
6 The fence panel according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the spacing between the first set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or between the second set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is 100 mm or less, preferably 90 mm or less, most preferably 80 mm or less and/or is 60 mm or more, preferably 70 mm or more.
7 The fence panel according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the spacing between the second set of wires in the mesh fence panel and/or between the first set of wires in the one or more reinforcing panels is 30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less, most preferably 13 mm or less and/or is 5 mm or more, preferably 10mm or more
8 The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the intersecting wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the one or more reinforcing panels create apertures of between 60 and 100 mm by between 5 and 30 mm.
9. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein a portion of the fence panel comprising both the mesh fence panel and a reinforcing panel comprises apertures of between 5 and 30 mm by between 5 and 30 mm.
10. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the spacing between the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels is the same as the spacing between the wires of the mesh fence panel.
11. The fence panel according to Claim 10 wherein the spacing between the horizontal wires of the mesh fence panel is the same as the spacing between the vertical wires of the reinforcing panel and/or wherein the spacing between the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel is the same as the spacing between the horizontal wires of the reinforcing panel.
12. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein at least some of the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels run parallel to the wires of the mesh fence panel.
13. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the one or more reinforcing panels extend the entire height of the mesh fence panel.
14. The fence panel according to any one of Claims ito 13, comprising a plurality of reinforcing panels.
15. The fence panel according to Claim 14, wherein the plurality of reinforcing panels are all located on one of the opposed surfaces of the mesh fence panel.
16. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the one or more reinforcing panels are attached to a surface of the mesh fence panel.
17. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the one or more reinforcing panels are attached to the mesh fence panel by welding.
18. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the first of the two opposed surfaces of the mesh fence panel comprises one or more raised ridges and wherein the second of the two opposed surfaces of the mesh fence panel comprises one or more indented channels that correspond to the one or more raised ridges.
19. The fence panel according to Claim 18, wherein the mesh fence panel comprises vertical and horizontal wires, and wherein the one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels of the mesh fence panel are formed from bends in the vertical wires of the mesh fence panel.
20. The fence panel according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the one or more raised ridges and corresponding indented channels are substantially V-shaped.
21. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein there is a plurality of raised ridges and corresponding indented channels.
22. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 21, wherein the wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels are made from high tensile steel.
23. The fence panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 22, wherein the wires of the mesh fence panel and/or the wires of the one or more reinforcing panels are coated.
24. A method of manufacturing a fence panel according any one of Claims 1 to 23 comprising connecting the reinforcing panels to the mesh fence panel such that there is a portion of the mesh fence panel that is free from the reinforcing panels on both surfaces thereof.
25.A kit for a fence comprising one or more fence panels according to any one of Claims 1 to 23 and a plurality of fence posts.