GB2622438A

GB2622438A - Perimeter structures and component parts thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2622438A
Application number: GB2213648.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Wilkinson Brian
Original assignee: Fastline Steel Services Ltd
Current assignee: Fastline Steel Services Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-16
Filing date: 2022-09-16
Publication date: 2024-03-20
Also published as: GB202213648D0

Abstract

A perimeter structure (e.g. fencing, spectator railing, knee railing) comprises a plurality of substantially hollow posts linked together via rails that extend between the tops of adjacently positioned posts. The rails are received within notches at the tops of the posts and then held in position by post caps that are also received in the post tops. The present invention also provides the posts and the post caps used in the perimeter structure. Additional barrier components may be provided between the posts. The shape of the notch and abutment surface of the caps may retain the rail in a particular orientation and prevent rotation. The rail may be of a constant cross section except for where it is engaged by the post and cap.

Description

PERIMETER STRUCTURES AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOF

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a perimeter structure, such as fencing or railings, and in particular a connection system for attaching the horizontal rails of a perimeter structure to the upstanding posts of such perimeter structures.

Background of the Invention

Perimeter structures are commonly employed in a variety of environments to delimit separate spaces/regions within said environments. Perimeter structures can come in many forms, ranging from brick built walls to fencing. Fences can be made 10 from a variety of materials, with wood and metal fences particularly common.

Whilst brick built walls are considered particularly effective perimeter structures, the skilled labour and time needed for their construction has led to the development of alternative perimeter solutions, particularly when the barrier needs to extend over longer distances The construction of fences involves the installation of multiple fence posts in series at predetermined distances along the perimeter of a space/region that is to be enclosed. Once the posts are in place, horizontal railings/panels can be secured between the adjacent fence posts to create the perimeter structure.

Despite the fact that fencing can be erected much quicker than walls, the time and labour involved in constructing a perimeter structure over an extended distance can still be significant. This has driven the need for ever more efficient methods of securely connecting together the components of fencing and the like.

One common construction approach for perimeter structures, such as fencing and railing, comprises a core combination of a plurality of posts, which are secured relative to the ground (e.g., having an end partially buried in the ground or another type of footing) at spaced apart locations, that are connected together with a rail that extends between the top ends of adjacently positioned posts.

In order to retain the rails, which are typically hollow, in position between adjacently positioned posts, each post is provided with a suitable shaped spigot that projects from the post at a point close to the top of the post.

The spigot is shaped so that it can be inserted into either end of each rail. The rail and the spigot can then be secured together using suitable fixings, such as grub screws.

Although the provision of the spigot(s) on the post provides a more efficient method of securing rails between adjacent posts during the installation of the fencing, the process of manufacturing the posts is made more complicated due to the welding works required to attach the spigot(s) to the post.

In an alternative construction approach, the posts can be provided with apertures rather than spigots in a region close to the top thereof. The process of cutting apertures in the posts is less time consuming than welding spigots onto the posts. The apertures are shaped so as to enable a rail to be inserted into the post. In this way the rails are secured between adjacently positioned posts.

Both of these identified approaches require a certain amount of precision to ensure that a rail is engaged with two adjacent posts at the same time. This can be difficult to achieve for single operatives working alone, which can inevitably slow down the rate at which the perimeter structure is constructed.

Summary of the Invention

With a view to providing a perimeter structure that can be constructed quickly and efficiently whilst still retaining structural strength, the present invention provides a perimeter structure in accordance with claim 1.

The present invention also provides a post cap for use in a perimeter structure, wherein the post cap is in accordance with claim 12. Further, the present invention also provides a perimeter structure post in accordance with claim 20 and a method of constructing a perimeter structure in accordance with claim 21.

Specifically, a first aspect of the present invention provides a perimeter structure comprising a plurality of posts linked together via rails that extend between the tops of adjacently positioned posts; wherein each post comprises a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall region, said outer wall region having at least one rail receiving notch located therein at an end of the post; and further comprising a post cap for each post, each cap being securely receivable within the hollow interior region of a post, and wherein each post cap has a least one rail abutment surface that co-operates with a rail receiving notch to retain a rail within the rail receiving notch.

The manner in which the rails are connected to the post is such that a perimeter structure can be quickly constructed from a plurality of posts, rails, and post caps, even by a single operative working alone. The provision of the open notch in the top end of each post enables the operative to drop/slot the rail into the notch and then trap it there with the post cap.

Preferably each rail abutment surface may be shaped to be complementary to a rail. In this way the level of surface contact made between the post cap and the rail 10 can be maximised, which increases the strength of the connection formed between the rail, the post, and the post cap.

Further preferably, the rail receiving notch of the post and the rail abutment surface of the post cap may co-operate to completely surround a section of rail. It is appreciated that by contacting a region of the rail around an entire outer surface thereof the combination of the post and the post cap further enhance the extent to which the rail is retained in position on the post.

Preferably, when viewed in cross-section, the outer wall region of each post has a shape that is selected from circle, triangle, square, rectangle, and other polygonal shapes. Further preferably the outer wall region has a square cross-sectional shape.

Preferably, when viewed in cross-section, each rail has a shape that is selected from circle, triangle, square, rectangle, and other polygonal shapes. Further preferably the rail has a circular cross-sectional shape.

As noted above, the posts of the perimeter structure comprise a hollow region in which the post cap can be received. Preferably each rail is also hollow. Selecting hollow rails helps to reduce the amount of material used to make the rails and can also help to reduce their weight.

Preferably each rail may comprise at least one slot that is configured to receive the outer wall region of the post and/or the rail abutment surface of the post cap and thereby prevent the rotation of the rail within the rail receiving notch.

The provision of one or more slots in the rail ensures that once the rail has been trapped between the post and the post cap, it is prevented from spinning about its longitudinal axis. Preferably the rail is provided with two parallel slots on opposite sides of the rail.

Further preferably, with the exception of said at least one slot, the cross-sectional shape of the rail along the majority of the rail's length may be incompatible with the rail receiving notch of the post and/or the rail abutment surface of the post cap. For example, the rail may have a different cross-sectional shape or rail may have the same cross-sectional shape as the notch, only bigger.

In this preferred arrangement the slot in the rail must be aligned with the rail receiving notch before it can be received by the post. This not only prevents the rail from spinning, but it also prevents the rail from sliding back and forth along its longitudinal axis relative to the posts.

Although the post and post cap can be made of suitable plastic materials, preferably both the post and the post cap are made of metal. Further preferably the post cap is made of softer metal than the post. This allows the post cap to accommodate a certain amount of deformation when it is inserted into the hollow interior region of the post.

A particularly suitable combination is considered to be a steel post and an aluminium post cap. However other combinations are considered appropriate.

It is envisaged that in its broadest application, the perimeter structure of the present invention simply comprises a plurality of posts that are connected to one another by rails retained at the tops of the posts. Perimeter structures of this type can be used as railings, such as those used around the outside of a sports pitch.

However, with that said, it is envisaged that additional components may be included to enhance the barrier characteristics of the perimeter structure of the present invention. Preferably, therefore, the perimeter structure may further comprise additional barrier means attached between adjacently positioned posts. These may take the form of a plurality of vertical bars/slats or a wire grill/mesh.

It is envisaged that the additional barrier means may be attached to the posts and/or the rail retained between the posts.

In a second aspect of the present invention a post cap for a perimeter structure post is provided, said post cap comprising a main body with at least one rail abutment surface configured to be securely received within a hollow interior region of said perimeter structure post; and wherein said at least one rail abutment surface co-operates with the perimeter structure post to retain a rail in position relative to the top end of the perimeter structure post.

Preferably each rail abutment surface may be shaped to be complementary to a rail. As noted above, increasing the amount of surface contact made between the post cap and the rail helps to increase the quality of the connection formed between the rail, the post, and the post cap.

Preferably the post cap comprises a skirt portion provided around an edge of the main body and said at least one rail abutment surface is located on the skirt portion. It is envisaged that providing the rail abutment surface on the skirt helps to reduce the amount of material need to make the post cap.

Preferably the post cap may further comprise one or more ribbed projections configured to wedge the post cap within the hollow interior of a perimeter structure post.

It is envisaged that adopting the ribbed projections on the outside of the post cap ensures that the post cap can initially be inserted into the interior hollow region of the post with relative ease, before becoming wedged against the inside of the wall(s) of the post as the post cap is urged further into the hollow post.

Further preferably, the extent to which the ribbed projections extend from the post cap may decrease the further away from the main body they extend. That is to say, the portions of the ribbed projections closest to the main body are more pronounced than the portions of the ribbed projections furthest away from the main body.

In those embodiments of the post cap that comprise a skirt portion, said ribbed projections are preferably located on the skirt portion.

Preferably the main body may be provided with an outer lip that limits the extent to which the post cap can be inserted into the hollow interior region of the perimeter structure post. The outer lip ensures that each post cap is inserted the same distance into their respective post.

It is envisaged that the post cap could be formed from plastic or metal. Although the skilled person will appreciate suitable plastics for this purpose, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is considered to be particularly suitable as it can be injection moulding. In the case of metal post caps, various types of steel (e.g. mild steel) and aluminium are considered suitable.

Preferably the post cap is made from metal and even more preferably aluminium. Aluminium is considered particularly preferable because it is soft enough, relative the metals commonly used to construct posts (e.g., steel), to absorb a certain amount of deformation without completely losing its shape. This enables the post cap to be securely wedged into the hollow interior region of a post. Metals, such as aluminium, are also preferable over plastics because they can be painted.

Preferably the post cap may be shaped to be securely received within the hollow interior region of a perimeter structure post that has a square or rectangular cross-section. Although other shapes of post are considered possible, such as circular posts, square and rectangular posts are preferred due to their structural strength, even when hollow.

In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a perimeter structure post for use in the perimeter structure of the present invention, said perimeter structure post comprising a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall region, said outer wall region being provided with at least one rail receiving notch located at one end of the perimeter structure post.

Providing the notch in the top end of the outer wall enables a rail to be simply 25 dropped/slotted into position by a single operator, which facilitates quicker construction of a perimeter barrier over an extended distance when compared to existing construction methods (e.g. rail and spigot, rail and aperture).

It is envisaged that the post could again be formed from plastic or metal. As before the skilled person will appreciate suitable plastics for this purpose (e.g. ABS).

Again, various types of steel (e.g. mild steel) and aluminium are considered suitable for the posts.

It is appreciated that the perimeter structure post can be used in combination with the post cap of the second aspect of the present invention to deliver a perimeter structure according to the first aspect of the present invention.

A forth aspect of the present invention provides a method of constructing a perimeter structure, said method comprising: a) anchoring a plurality of perimeter structure posts to the ground at predetermined distances apart, each post having a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall region that is provided with a rail receiving notch in a top end thereof; b) locating a rail into the respective rail receiving notches of adjacently positioned posts; c) inserting a post cap into the hollow interior region of each perimeter structure post, wherein each post cap has a rail abutment surface that is configured to co-operate with the rail receiving notch and thereby retain the rail within the rail receiving notch.

One particular benefit of the manner in which the rail is received by the rail receiving notches is that a single operative can simply lie the rails in the posts and then, once they are in position, come back and secure them in place by hammering a post cap into the open end of each post, thereby trapping each rail in turn. This makes it much easier, and therefore quicker, for a single operative to construct the perimeter structure of the present invention that is the case for some of the known methods described in the background of the invention section, (e.g. rail and spigot, rail and aperture).

In its broadest construction, the perimeter structure of the present invention may consist of a single rail connected between the tops of two adjacently positioned posts. However, it is envisaged that perimeter structures of much greater length formed from several posts positioned in series around a chosen perimeter also fall within the scope of the present invention.

With that said, preferably each post may have more than one rail receiving notch and each post cap may have a corresponding number of co-operating rail abutment surfaces. In this way an extended length of perimeter structure can be constructed by increasing the number of posts and rails used. This also allows for corners and junctions to be formed in the perimeter structure.

Preferably the post cap may be provided with one or more ribbed projections configured to wedge the post cap within the hollow interior region of the post; and whereby the step of inserting the post cap into the post involves applying a blunt force to urge the post cap into the hollow interior region of the post.

Preferably the method may further comprise attaching an additional barrier means between the adjacently positioned posts. As noted above, the introduction of additional barrier means, such a bars/slats or wire grid/mesh or panels help to further enhance the barrier properties of the perimeter structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The various aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a perimeter structure according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a section of the perimeter structure shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows an exploded close up view of a preferred embodiment of the perimeter structure connection system; Figure 4a shows preferred embodiments of a square perimeter structure post and its corresponding post cap; Figure 4b shows the components of Figure 4a after the post cap has been inserted into the perimeter structure post; Figure 5 shows a variant of the post cap shown in Figures 4a and 4b; Figure 6 shows a further variant of the post cap shown in Figures 4a and 4b; Figure 7a shows preferred embodiments of a circular perimeter structure post and its corresponding post cap, and Figure 7b shows the components of Figure 7a after the post cap has been inserted into the perimeter structure post.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

It is envisaged that the connection system employed in the perimeter structure of the present invention can be effectively used in a wide range of perimeter solutions, ranging from security fencing that encircle an entire property through to spectator barriers for sporting venues to individual knee rails.

Despite the different applications of the above identified perimeter solutions, each structure essentially comprises a horizontal rail connected between the top ends of adjacently positioned vertical posts. As such, it will be appreciated that the connection system described herein with reference to the preferred embodiments can be usefully employed across a wide range of perimeter solutions without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures, it should be understood that, whilst the preferred embodiments shown are spectator barriers that are commonly installed around the perimeter of a sports pitch, perimeter structures for different purposes can be formed by simply adjusting the dimensions of the posts and the rails. That is to say, the posts and rails could be made longer for security fencing or shorter in the case of knee rails.

Turning now to Figure 1, a preferred example of the perimeter structure 1 of the present invention. The perimeter structure 1 shown in Figure 1 is a spectator barrier having three connected sections 1 a. Whilst only three sections are shown, it will be appreciated that, as they usually extend along at least one side of a sports pitch (e.g., a football or hockey pitch), spectator barriers would typically comprise several sections la connected together in series.

The spectator barrier 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises four posts 2 that are secured relative to the ground at spaced intervals.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person a range of approaches can be used to secure the posts in position. For example, the lower ends of the posts can be secured in a hole in the ground using concrete. Alternatively, the posts can be received within a weighted base structure that sits on the ground.

It is envisaged that as the connection system of the present invention relates to the attachment of rails across the tops of posts, it can be applied regardless of the approach employed to secure the posts of the perimeter structure in place.

The posts 2, which are preferably made from a suitable durable metal, examples of which include galvanised steel and aluminium, are provided with a hollow interior region. The hollow interior region may preferably extend the entire length of the post, but for the purposes of the present invention it is only essential for the top region of the post (i.e., the uppermost region of the post when it has been secured relative to the ground) to be hollow.

Of course, forming the entire post 2 as a hollow structure reduces the material and manufacturing costs whilst also reducing the overall weight of the posts, which also help to make the installation process easier.

Although the hollow posts 2 shown in Figure 1 have a square shaped cross-section, it is envisioned that other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., circular or triangular) could also be employed without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

In the case of the spectator barriers, including the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the posts 2 are typically spaced between 1-2 metres apart. Once again, it is appreciated that the distance between adjacently positioned posts can be varied from one type of perimeter structure to another without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

Extending between each set of adjacently positioned posts 2 is a horizontal rail 3. The rail 3 is attached to each post 2 within an uppermost region thereof. The upper end of each post 2 is provided with a post cap 4, which is received within the hollow region at the uppermost end of the posts 2.

Although the positioning of rail 3 between adjacent posts 2 serves to create a perimeter structure 1 that clearly defines the boundary around a sports pitch, it is envisaged that the effectiveness of the spectator barrier can be enhanced by the use of additional barrier means.

In the case of the barrier 1 shown in Figure 1, mesh panels 5 is secured between the posts 2 in the space located below the rails 3. The mesh panel 5 not only helps the barrier 1 to more effectively prevent spectators from getting on to the playing surface, but it also limits the loss of balls from the field of play.

Once again, it will be appreciated by the skilled person that other types of barrier means could be employed in addition to the core perimeter structure of the posts and rail. Such barrier means include: further rails, whether arranged horizontally, vertically, or diagonally; overlapping slats, or panels.

The interaction of the various components of the spectator barrier 1 shown in Figure 1 will be better appreciated from the exploded view of a single section 1a of the barrier shown in Figure 2.

Each post 2 is provided with at least one rail receiving notch 6 formed in their uppermost end (i.e. their top end when the post is secured in position relative to the ground). Each notch 6, which is formed in the outer wall of the post 2, extends from the top end of the post along limited length of the post 2.

It is envisaged that the extent to which the notch 6 extends down the post 2 will be essentially dictated by the size/shape of the rail 3 and the post cap 4 that are to be received therein. In this regard, the depth of the notch 6 is preferably limited to an extent that the received rail 3 extends between the uppermost regions of adjacently positioned posts.

Another benefit of limiting the depth of the rail receiving notches 6 is that it avoids introducing structural weakness into the post 2, which is at least partially hollow (i.e. at its top end), by removing too much of a post's outer walls.

The interaction of the rail receiving notches 6 and the rail 3 will be described in more detail below we reference to the other figures. However at this stage it is sufficient to say that the rails 3 slot into the notches 6 of adjacently positioned posts 2. In order to enable this, the notches 6 of the adjacently positioned posts 2 are aligned facing one another.

As noted above, the notches 6 make it quicker and easier for a single operator to position a rail 3 between a pair of adjacently positioned posts 2. In contrast to the spigot based systems that are common in the state of the art, which require the operator to guide the ends of a rail onto the spigots or adjacently positioned posts, in the present invention the rail 3 can simply be dropped into position within the notch 6 in the top end of the posts 2. This can represent a significant timesaving over an extended distance of fencing.

The skilled person will appreciate that the rail receiving notches 6 can be formed in number of ways, for example the posts 2 could be cast with then notches 6 present or the notches 6 could be cut into the walls of the posts after they have been formed.

The mesh 6, which serves to increase the barrier characteristics of the spectator barrier 1, is secured to the posts 2 by way a suitable fixings 7a, 7b, which can take the form of screws, bolts or even rivets. It is envisaged that a range of suitable fixing methods can be employed to attach the mesh 5 without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

The interaction of the post 2, rail 3 and the post cap 4 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3, 4a and 4b. The post 2 shown in Figure 3 is hollow along its entire length and its outer walls are provided with two rail receiving notches 6 at the uppermost end of the post 2. As noted above, the uppermost end of the post 2 is the opposite end of the post to the end that engages, whether directly or indirectly, with the ground.

The notches 6, which it is envisaged would preferably be cut into the walls at the end of the post 2 using a suitable tool, are shaped to receive a rail 3 therein. The depth of the notches 6 is such that the entire rail is received within the notch. That is to say, the top surface of the rail does not project above the top end of the post 2 when the rail is correctly seated within the rail receiving notch 6.

It is envisioned that in a first, more basic arrangement of the present invention (not shown), the notch can be shaped such that it is slightly wider than the rail it receives, and the rail is formed with a constant cross-section along its entire length.

However, in the preferred arrangement shown in Figure 3 the width of the notch 6 is actually narrower than the rail 3 is along the majority of its length. In order to enable the rail 3 to be received, the rail 3 is provided with a slotted region 10 that serves to reduce the effective width of the rail at a specific point along its length. It is at this point that the rail 3 is received within the notch 6.

It is envisaged that the slots 10 are cut into the rail in the factory using suitable cutting tools prior to the application of a weatherproofing coating (e.g. paint). Laser cutters are considered particularly effective for forming the slots.

With that said it is also envisaged that, when there is a need to vary the length of the rails to accommodate a bespoke perimeter design, the slots 10 can be added to the rail on site during the installation of the perimeter barrier. Should it be necessary to cut the rails down to size on site the slots can easily be made with suitable tools, and then an anticorrosion coating and/or paint can be applied to the slotted region.

Adopting this preferred arrangement helps to ensure that the rails 3 are positioned with the correct overlap of each post 2. In addition, because the slot 10 shown is only formed around part of the rail's outer surface, it prevents the rail from rotating within the rail receiving notch 6.

At the lowest point of the notch 6 the post wall 2a is provided with a curved region 12 that has a complementary shape to the rail 6. The complementary region 12 maximises the contact between the rail and the post 2.

Once the slot 10 has been aligned with the post 2, the rail 3 can be dropped/pushed into the rail receiving notch 6, where it will be fully supported by the curved region 12 By way of a specific example, each post 2 is preferably a square hollow section (SHS) that is 60cm by 60cm with 2.5mm outer walls and each rail 3 is a circular hollow section (CHS) with a diameter of 48.3mm and 3mm wall thickness. Both the post 2 and the rail 3 are preferably made of steel. Each rail receiving notch 6 is about 36mm wide and about 43mm deep. The radius of the curved region 12 is about 25mm. Each slot 10 in the rail 3 is 7mm deep and 5mm wide.

The skilled person will appreciate that the above dimensions are given merely as an indication of a working embodiment of the present invention and that alternative dimensions might suitably be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In order to retain the seated rail 3 in position within the notch 6 of each post 2 a post cap 4 is required.

The post cap 4 is configured to be inserted into the open top end post 2 and pushed into direct contact with the rail 3 seated in the rail receiving notch 6. In this way, the post cap 4 traps the rail 3 within the notch 6 and prevents it from being lifted out of the rail receiving notch 6.

A preferred embodiment of the post cap 4 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4a and 4b, wherein Figure 4a shows the post cap 4 and the post 2 separated and Figure 4b shows the post cap 4 inserted into the post 2.

The post cap 4, which is preferably made of metal, comprises a main body 10 that has a very similar, if not identical, cross-sectional shape to that of the post 2 into which the post cap is to be inserted. In the preferred embodiment shown, the top surface of the main body 10 is substantially flat, but it is envisaged that the top surface of the main body 10 may take different shapes.

Examples of alternative post cap shapes include dome caps, embossed caps and pointed caps. It is also envisaged that the post caps may be provided with additional functionality, in the form of a cup holder, a phone holder or even a phone charging point.

The underside of the main body 10 is provided with a skirt portion 8, which extends away from the main body around its outer edge. The dimensions of the skirt portion 8 are such that it can be inserted into the hollow interior region of the post 2 that is defined by the post's outer walls 2a.

As the skirt portion 8 of the post cap 4 is smaller than the opening in the top end of the post, it can be readily inserted into the post 2. However, it is envisaged that in order to securely retain the post cap 4, and by association the rail 3, within the post 2, additional retaining means are preferably employed.

It is envisioned that the post cap 4 can be secured in position within the end of the post 2 by suitable fixings, such as bolts or screw that are driven through the outer wall of the post and into the post cap. However, with that said, the preferred approach shown in the preferred embodiments shown in the figures involves the provision of a plurality of ribbed projections 11 on the skirt portion 8 of the post cap 4.

The ribbed projections 11 extend outwards from the skirt portion 8 and, in so doing, contact the inside of the post's outer walls 2a when the post cap 4 is inserted into the post 2. The interaction of the ribbed projections 11 with the outer walls 2a serves to wedge the post cap 4 in position within the top end of the post 2.

As noted above, the post cap 4 is preferably formed from metal. In those embodiments where the post cap is formed from metal it is considered highly preferable that the metal used to form the post cap 4 is a softer metal than the metal used to form the post 2. In one exemplary example of this, the post 2 may be formed from steel and the post cap 4 may be formed from aluminium.

Forming the post cap 4 from a softer metal, such as aluminium, enables the ribbed projections 11 of the post cap to deform slightly when the post cap 4 is inserted into the top end of the post 2.

It is envisaged that during the construction of a perimeter structure according to the present invention, a blunt force may be used to drive the post cap 4 into the post 2. This is especially true in embodiments where both the post and the post cap are both made of metal As will be appreciated from Figure 4b, in particular, the shape of the main body 10 is such that the post cap 4 cannot be fully inserted into the hollow interior of the post 2. In the preferred embodiment shown, the main body is provided with a lip that extends outwards beyond the skirt portion 9. When the post cap 4 is inserted into the post 2, the lip of the main body 10 abuts against the top of the post's outer walls 2a and limits the further passage of the post cap 4 into the post 2.

The post cap 4 is provided with a rail abutment surface 9 which is configured to contact the rail 3 when the post cap is inserted into the top end of the post 2.

Although it is envisioned that the rail abutment surface can take any form provided it is capable of trapping the rail 3 against the rail receiving notch 6, it is considered preferable that the shape of the post cap's rail abutment surface 9 is complementary to that of the rail 3.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4b the rail abutment surface 9, which is provided on the skirt portion 8, is curved in shape like the lower region 12 of the notch 6. The curve of the rail abutment surface 9 has correspondence with a portion of the rail 3. Once again, the complementary nature of the post cap's rail abutment surface enables the post cap 4 to make the maximum surface contact with the rail, which further helps to securely retain the rail 3 in position within the rail receiving notch 6.

The skirt portion 8 of the post cap 4 shown in Figures 3, 4a and 4b is provided with a curved rail abutment surface 9 on each side of the post cap. However it is envisaged that the number of rail abutment surfaces provided on the post cap of the present invention can vary without departing from the general scope of the present invention. Indeed it is envisaged that a square post cap could be provided with between one and four rail abutment surfaces that, in the case of multiple rail abutment surfaces, are arranged in different relative positions.

By way of example, Figures 5 and 6 show two variants of post cap 4. The post caps are shown as transparent in these figures so that the arrangement of the rail abutment surfaces can better appreciated.

In the post cap 4a shown in Figure 5 the skirt portion 8a is provided with two curved rail abutment surfaces 9a. The rail abutment surfaces 9a are arranged perpendicular to one another. It is envisaged that this variant of the post cap 4a would be suitable for a corner post where the rails 3 extend from the post at a right angle to one another (see middle sections of perimeter barrier 1 shown in Figure 1).

In the post cap 4b shown in Figure 6 the skirt portion 8b is again provided with two rail abutment surfaces 9b. However, in this variant the rail abutment surfaces 9b are arranged in alignment with one another. That is, they run along parallel sides of the skirt 8b. It is envisaged that this variant of the post cap 4a would be suitable for a straight run of the perimeter barrier.

Although neither of the variants of the post cap shown in Figures 5 and 6 are provided with external rib projections, it is envisaged that they could be employed. With that said, it is appreciated that the increased surface area of the skirt portion would also facilitate the use of fixings (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc...) to secure the post cap within the top end of the post 2.

Figures 7a and 7b show an alternative preferred embodiment, which employs a hollow post 20 with a circular cross-section and a corresponding post cap 22.

Once again the post 20, which is preferably formed from a suitable metal, such as galvanized steel, comprises a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall 20a. Rail receiving notches 21 are provided in the outer wall at the top end of the post 20.

At the lowest point of the notch 21 the post wall 20a is provided with a curved region 27 that has a complementary shape to the rail 6. Once again, the complementary region 27 maximises the contact between the rail and the post 20.

The post cap 22 is also preferably formed from metal, and further preferably a metal that is softer than the metal used to form the post 20 (e.g., aluminium). One additional advantage of using metal rather than plastic to form the post cap is that the post and the post cap can both be powder coated, which can provide a more continuous finish across the perimeter structure.

Once again the post cap 22 has a main body 23 with a skirt portion 24 extending from its underside. The shape of the skirt portion 24 is circular so that it can be inserted into the circular opening at the top end of the post 20.

A curved rail abutment surface 25 is formed in the skirt portion 24 to enable the post cap 22 to maximise the surface contact made with the rail 3.

Further, the skirt portion 24 is provided with externally projecting ribs 26 (only one of which is visible in Figure 7a) that serve to wedge the post cap against the inside of the hollow post. It is envisaged that additional or alternative post cap retaining means, such as fixings (i.e., bolts or screws) may be employed to retain the post cap 22 in situ within the end of the post 20.

Although the rail is omitted, it will be appreciated from Figure 7b that when the post cap 22 is in situ it co-operates with the notch 21 to define a continuous contact surface that is capable of encircling the entire rail. This, in turn, serves to trap the rail in the rail receiving notch 21.

Claims

Claims 1. A perimeter structure comprising a plurality of posts linked together via rails that extend between the tops of adjacently positioned posts; wherein each post comprises a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall region, said outer wall region having at least one rail receiving notch located therein at an end of the post; and further comprising a post cap for each post, each cap being securely receivable within the hollow interior region of a post, and wherein each post cap has a least one rail abutment surface that co-operates with a rail receiving notch to retain a rail within the rail receiving notch.
2. The perimeter structure of claim 1, wherein each rail abutment surface is shaped to be complementary to a rail.
3. The perimeter structure of claim 2, wherein the rail receiving notch of the post and the rail abutment surface of the post cap co-operate to completely surround a section of rail.
4. The perimeter structure of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein, in cross-section, the outer wall region of each post has a shape that is selected from circle, triangle, square, rectangle, and other polygonal shapes.
The perimeter structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in cross-section, each rail has a shape that is selected from circle, triangle, square, rectangle, and other polygonal shapes.
The perimeter structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each rail is hollow.
7. The perimeter structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rail comprises at least one slot that is configured to receive the outer wall region of the post and/or the rail abutment surface of the post cap and thereby prevent the rotation of the rail within the rail receiving notch.
8. The perimeter structure of claim 7, wherein, with the exception of said at least one slot, the cross-sectional shape of the rail along the majority of the rail's length is incompatible with the rail receiving notch of the post and/or the rail abutment surface of the post cap.
9. The perimeter structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein both the posts and the post caps are made of metal.
The perimeter structure of claim 9, wherein the post caps are made of a softer metal than the posts.
11. The perimeter structure of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising additional barrier means attached between adjacently positioned posts.
12. A post cap for a perimeter structure post, said post cap comprising a main body with at least one rail abutment surface configured to be securely received within a hollow interior region of said perimeter structure post, and wherein said at least one rail abutment surface co-operates with the perimeter structure post to retain a rail in position relative to the top end of the perimeter structure post.
13. The post cap of claim 12, wherein each rail abutment surface is shaped to be complementary to a rail.
14 The post cap of claim 12 or 13, wherein the post cap comprises a skid portion provided around an edge of the main body and said at least one rail abutment surface is located on the skirt portion.
15. The post cap of claim 12, 13 or 14, further comprising one or more ribbed projections configured to wedge the post cap within the hollow interior of the perimeter structure post.
16. The post cap of claim 15, wherein said ribbed projections are located on the skid portion.
17. The post cap of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the main body is provided with an outer lip that limits the extent to which the post cap can be inserted into the hollow interior region of the perimeter structure post.
18. The post cap of any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the post cap is made from metal and preferably aluminium.
19. The post cap of any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the post cap is shaped to be securely received within the hollow interior region of a perimeter structure post that has a square or rectangular cross-section.
20. A perimeter structure post for use in the perimeter structure of claims 1 to 11, said perimeter structure post comprising a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall region, said outer wall region being provided with at least one rail receiving notch located at one end of the perimeter structure post.
21. A method of constructing a perimeter structure, said method comprising: a) anchoring a plurality of perimeter structure posts to the ground at predetermined distances apart, each post having a hollow interior region surrounded by an outer wall region that is provided with a rail receiving notch in a top end 5 thereof; b) locating a rail into the respective rail receiving notches of adjacently positioned posts; c) inserting a post cap into the hollow interior region of each perimeter structure post, wherein each post cap has a rail abutment surface that is configured to co-operate with the rail receiving notch and thereby retain the rail within the rail receiving notch.
22 The method of claim 21, wherein each post has more than one rail receiving notch and each post cap has a corresponding number of co-operating rail abutment surfaces.
23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the post cap is provided with one or more ribbed projections configured to wedge the post cap within the hollow interior region of the post, and whereby the step of inserting the post cap into the post involves applying a blunt force to urge the post cap into the hollow interior region of the post.
24. The method of claim 21, 22 or 23, further comprising attaching an additional barrier means between the adjacently positioned posts.