WO2008154676A1

WO2008154676A1 - Fencing mesh, a fencing system and methods of construction thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008154676A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashley Dean Olsson; Ashley Norman Olsson; Nathanael Dean Olsson; Stafford James Olsson; Kieran Blake Olsson
Original assignee: Ashley Dean Olsson; Ashley Norman Olsson; Nathanael Dean Olsson; Stafford James Olsson; Kieran Blake Olsson
Priority date: 2007-06-18
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: ES2665278T3; BRPI0813475B1; AU2008265494A1; EP2167763A1; WO2008154677A1; HUE036443T2; PL2167763T3; EP2167763A4; CA2690613C; CA2690613A1; BRPI0813475A2; EP2167763B1

Abstract

A prefabricated fence panel assembly (1) comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel (2) and tensioning wire support elements (3) disposed along the length of the mesh panel (2). Each support element (3) is adapted to be secured to spaced apart fence posts thereby, in use, to support the mesh panel (2) so as to form a fence. Each support element (3) is connected to the mesh panel (2) prior to formation of the fence.

Description

Fencing Mesh, A Fencing System And Methods Of Construction Thereof

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to fencing and more particularly to fencing mesh, a fencing system, and associated methods of manufacture.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in agricultural applications to block the passage of animals, such as livestock, and/or pests, such as rabbits, into and between different paddocks or sections of land, and will be described predominantly in this context. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Other uses for the invention may include, for example, safety fencing on construction sites, temporary fencing for security or crowd control, and animal enclosures for zoos or circuses. The invention may be used to provide permanent or temporary fencing structures for these and other purposes.

BACKGROUND ART

The following description of the prior art is intended to place the invention in an appropriate technical context and allow the potential benefits of it to be properly understood.

However, any reference to prior art throughout the specification should not be construed as an express or implied admission that such art is widely known or is common general knowledge in the field.

In order to construct a wire mesh fence, a fencer will typically first anchor fence posts into the ground at regular intervals. The fencer then threads plain tensioning wires of relatively heavy gauge through holes in the posts (in the case of star or T-shaped pickets), or otherwise attaches the wires to the posts. These wires are then tensioned or strained, before being tied off in the strained condition. Usually at least three and often up to five such tensioning wires are required.

Finally, the fencer ties one or more mesh panels to the tensioning wires at discrete points, using wire ties or other suitable means, lightly strains the mesh panels, and finally ties them off to the posts and the tensioning wires. In this way, the tensioning wires effectively provide support for the lighter gauge mesh panels, which typically do not in themselves have sufficient structural integrity to support the necessary tensioning loads independently.

As is well known by those skilled in the art, this method of fencing is a tedious, time- consuming, labour-intensive and costly process. It requires the fencer to thread each of the tensioning wires individually through numerous holes along the row of posts, which often necessitates several trips along the entire length of each section of the fence. This method of threading the wires through the holes in the posts also degrades the longevity of the tensioning wires, as a portion of the protective coating applied to the wires by the manufacturer will be removed from the wires as they are pulled through the holes in the posts. At least one further trip is usually required in order to subsequently attach the mesh panel(s) to the tensioning wires. That attachment process, typically involving large numbers of individual wire or other suitable ties at suitable spacings throughout the mesh, is also painstaking and time-consuming.

Some relatively coarse mesh panels in the prior art are formed from wire that would be sufficiently heavy in gauge to be independently tensionable. However, with traditional fencing techniques, even mesh of this type requires either the use of separate tensioning wires, or the use of large numbers of ties to attach the mesh directly to the posts. This is because there is no way of threading the wires of the mesh directly through the holes in traditional fence posts. Moreover, known mesh panels of this type, having relatively large apertures, are not effective in blocking rabbits or other animal pests of similar size.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or minimise one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prefabricated fence panel assembly comprising: a substantially elongate mesh panel; and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is adapted to be secured to spaced apart fence posts thereby in use to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fencing system comprising: at least two fence posts adapted to be positioned in spaced apart relationship; and a prefabricated fence panel assembly comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is adapted to be secured to the fence posts thereby in use to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fence comprising: at least two fence posts positioned in spaced apart relationship; a prefabricated fence panel assembly extending between the fence posts, the fence panel assembly comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is secured to the fence posts, thereby to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the support element is a support wire extending substantially continuously along the length of the mesh panel and adapted to be connected to spaced apart fence posts. In some embodiments, this support wire is a tensioning wire adapted to be tensioned between the fence posts. In other embodiments, the support wire is composed or arranged to provide the requisite support for the mesh panel, without the need for tensioning. It will be appreciated that the term "wire" is defined throughout the specification to mean an elongate member of any suitable size, shape, configuration and material. In some embodiments the wire may not be made of metal. The wire may be flexible or relatively inflexible. The wire may also comprise a series of relatively rigid or flexible components interlinked to form a chain.

In one embodiment, rather than being substantially continuous, the support element comprises one of a series of discrete attachment formations disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein each attachment formation is adapted to be secured to a respective fence post.

In some embodiments of the invention, the support element takes the form of a single tensioning wire. Preferably, this wire extends in use along or adjacent to an upper longitudinal edge of the mesh panel.

In some embodiments of the invention, the fence panel assembly comprises two tensioning wires. Preferably, a first tensioning wire extends in use along or adjacent an upper longitudinal edge of the mesh panel. In one preferred form, a second wire extends in use along or adjacent a lower longitudinal edge of the mesh panel. In another preferred form, a second tensioning wire extends in use along the length of the mesh panel intermediate an upper longitudinal edge of the mesh panel and a lower longitudinal edge of the mesh panel, thereby in use defining an overhanging section below the second tensioning wire. In some embodiments of the invention, the fence panel assembly includes three tensioning wires. Preferably, a first wire and a second wire extend in use along the length of the mesh panel as described above for the embodiments comprising two tensioning wires. Preferably, a third wire extends in use along the length of the mesh panel intermediate the first and second wires.

In still further embodiments, the fence panel assembly includes more than three tensioning wires. Preferably, the first, second and third wires in use extend along the length of the mesh panel as described above. Preferably, at least one other wire extends along the length of the mesh panel intermediate the first and second wires.

Preferably, the tensioning wires extend substantially parallel to one another, although it should be appreciated that this need not necessarily be the case. Preferably, the overhanging section is adapted to be located in use in a shallow trench, thereby to prevent pests such as rabbits passing beneath the lower longitudinal edge of the mesh panel. In alternative embodiments, the overhanging section is folded to form a fold line. In one preferred form, the overhanging section is folded at an angle of about 90 degrees. In another form, the overhanging section is folded at about 180 degrees. However, it will be appreciated that the overhanging section may be folded at any desired angle, or into any desired shape. Preferably, the overhanging section is folded to correspond in use to the topography of the surface of the ground below the lower longitudinal edge of the mesh. More preferably, in some embodiments, the overhanging section is folded such that the fold line contiguously abuts the surface of the ground below the lower longitudinal edge, substantially along the length of the mesh panel. In one specific embodiment, the mesh panel is about 915mm wide and of indefinite length.

In another specific embodiment, the mesh panel is about 1050mm wide. In these embodiments, a first tensioning wire preferably extends in use along an upper longitudinal edge of the mesh panel. Preferably, a second tensioning wire extends along the mesh panel at a substantially constant distance of about 915mm from the first wire. It will be appreciated that in the 915mm wide mesh panel, the second wire extends in use along the lower longitudinal edge of the panel, while in the 1050mm wide panel, the second wire extends in use along the length of the mesh panel at a substantially constant distance of about 135mm from the lower longitudinal edge of the mesh panel. In one preferred form, a third tensioning wire extends along the length of the mesh panel at a substantially constant distance of about 380mm from the first wire. In an alternative form, the third wire extends along the length of the mesh panel at a substantially constant distance of about 480mm from the first wire.

In some embodiments, the mesh panel is formed from a relatively light gauge material that would be unable independently to withstand the application of operatively effective tensioning forces in situ, or resist the force applied during any animal impact, without being excessively deformed or otherwise being rendered unsuitable for use as a fencing structure. In other embodiments, however, the mesh panel is suitable for effective tensioning, in which case the invention advantageously provides a convenient system for securing the fence panel assembly to suitable fence posts.

In one preferred form, the mesh panel comprises a woven mesh panel. In one embodiment, the wires forming the woven mesh panel are twisted together at regular intervals. In one embodiment, the wires forming the mesh are interwoven in non-orthogonal relationship, so as to form a planar array of contiguous substantially hexagonal openings in the mesh, although it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, different geometric shapes and relationships may be employed.

The average maxim dimension of each opening is preferably between 10mm and around 100 mm, and more preferably between 30mm and around 80mm in size. In one embodiment, two parallel sides of each hexagonal opening are defined by respective lengths over which adjoining wires of the mesh are uniformly twisted together as an integral part of the associated weaving pattern.

Preferably, complementary fence posts according to a subsidiary aspect of the invention are adapted to releasably secure at least one support element. Each fence post according to this aspect preferably comprises at least one keeper connected to the post for securing a support element relative to the post. In one embodiment, the keeper is movable between a holding position in which the support element is held relative to the post and a release position in which the support element may be released from the post. The keeper may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. In one embodiment, the fence post comprises at least one opening extending within the post, whereby in the holding position the keeper secures the support element internally within the confines of the post.

The opening may be of any suitable size and shape. In one embodiment, the opening takes the form of a slot extending within the post such that each support element, such as a tensioning wire, when held by the keeper, extends transversely to the length of the post. The slot preferably has an open end and a blind end. The slot may extend linearly or at different angles within the post. The slot may extend, for example, horizontally, vertically and/or curvedly within the post.

The slot may have upper and/or lower grooves in which the keeper or a part of the keeper may locate when in either the holding or release position. The blind end may be tapered so as to "grab" the wire.

In one preferred embodiment, with the post in the conventional vertical orientation, the slot extends initially in a generally horizontal direction and then downwardly in a generally vertical direction, such that the slot is defined by a horizontal portion and an adjoining vertical portion. The keeper is preferably arranged such that in the holding position, the corresponding support element is retained in the vertical portion of the slot, such that horizontal loads acting on the support element are predominantly not transferred to the keeper.

In one embodiment, the keeper is pivotally connected to the post, and supported for rotation between the holding and release positions. In one embodiment, the keeper has a pivot point and a centre of mass relatively disposed such that the keeper is biased by gravity toward the holding position. In other embodiments, a spring biasing mechanism may be used, or the keeper may be releasably retained in the holding position by a fictional or interference fit, or by a mechanical locking arrangement. In one embodiment, an abutment formation is provided on the fence post, to prevent excessive rotational excursion of the keeper, beyond the holding position. In one embodiment, an abutment formation, and optionally the same abutment formation as described above, is provided to prevent excessive rotational excursion of the keeper, beyond the release position. The keeper may also comprise more than one type of retainer for holding the support element within the opening.

The fence post may include a plurality of keepers spaced along the length of the post, so as to secure a corresponding plurality of support elements relative to the post. While it will be appreciated that each fence post may be manufactured with at least one keeper, it is also intended that in other embodiments, the keepers may be connected to the fence posts at the installation site, either before or after the posts have been set in position.

In other embodiments, the support elements themselves may comprise fasteners for securing the panel assembly to the fence posts. Such fasteners in some embodiments are adapted to connect directly to the fence post, advantageously facilitating use of the invention with traditional fence posts. However, these fasteners may alternatively be adapted to connect to special-purposes keepers on the fence posts.

The fence posts may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. The post may, for example, take the form of a pipe, a beam, a stake or a picket, and may be formed from metal, plastics, wood or other suitable materials. In one preferred embodiment, the post is a star picket or a T-shaped picket formed from painted, galvanised or otherwise coated steel.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making a prefabricated fence panel assembly, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a substantially elongate mesh panel; b) providing at least one support element, and c) securing the at least one support element to the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is adapted to be secured to spaced apart fence posts thereby in use to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

In some embodiments, the at least one tensioning wire is woven through the mesh panel, either at the time of formation of the mesh panel, or subsequently. In other embodiments, the tensioning wire is attached to the mesh panel by an adhesive, by welding, by mechanical fastening formations or by another suitable attachment technique. The method of attachment may be dependent upon the material properties of the mesh panel and the support element.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a fence, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing at least two fence posts positioned in spaced apart relationship; b) providing a prefabricated fence panel assembly comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel; c) extending the prefabricated fence panel assembly between the fence posts; and d) securing the at least one support element to the fence posts so as to form a fence. Preferably, the fence panel assembly is manufactured off-site and delivered to the desired installation site. Alternatively, the fence panel assembly may be constructed, at least partially, at the installation site prior to the fence being erected. Reference to the panel assembly being prefabricated is intended to encompass both of these variations, among others. The fence panel assembly is preferably constructed by the method as described in the fourth aspect of the invention. Preferably, the fence panel assembly is provided in the form of a wound-up roll and the step of extending the fence panel assembly involves the process of progressively unwinding the roll. In one preferred form, there is provided a line of fence posts positioned in spaced apart relationship, wherein the support element or elements are attached to successive fence posts as the fence panel assembly is progressively unrolled along the line of posts. Preferably, the step of providing at least two fence posts positioned in spaced apart relationship comprises the step of anchoring the fence posts to a surface. However, it will be appreciated that existing fence posts may also be used. In some embodiments, the method includes the step of attaching at least one keeper to each fence post for securing a support element relative to the fence post. In some embodiments, the mesh is formed from a relatively light gauge metal wire with apertures sufficiently small to block the passage of rabbits and other rodents of similar size, and the support elements, in the form of tensioning wires, are formed from a relatively heavier gauge metal wire. It should be appreciated, however, that other suitable materials may be used, for both the mesh and the support elements. For example, the mesh may alternatively be formed from suitable plastics materials, treated fabric or the like. The support elements may also be formed from suitable synthetics or plastics materials, whether multi-stranded or mono-filament in from, including those formed from nylon, rayon, polyester, PET, "Kevlar", "Vectran" or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 1 is a front elevation of a fence panel assembly of indefinite width and length according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a fence panel assembly of indefinite width and length according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fence formed from the fence panel assembly of figure 1 and a pair of complementary fence posts, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative form of fence post for use with the fence panel assemblies shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the fence post of Figure 4, showing the keeper in the holding position, securing a tensioning wire to the fence post; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the keeper in the release position.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring initially to figures 1 and 2, the invention provides a prefabricated fence panel assembly 1, having a substantially elongate mesh panel 2 and support elements, preferably in the form of tensioning wires 3, disposed along the length of the panel. As best shown in figure 3, the tensioning wires are, in use, connected to spaced apart fence posts 4 to support the mesh panel 2. In other embodiments (not shown), the support element comprises one of a series of discrete attachment formations disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein each attachment formation is adapted to be secured to a fence post to support the mesh panel. In the preferred embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2, the assembly 1 includes a first tensioning wire 5 extending along or adjacent to the upper longitudinal edge 6 of the panel, a second tensioning wire 7 extending along a lower region of the panel 2, and a third tensioning wire 8 located between the first and second wires. It will be appreciated, however, that the number of tensioning wires is variable, and that in alternative embodiments the panel assembly may include one, two or more than three tensioning wires. As shown in the drawings, the tensioning wires 3 preferably extend parallel to one another, although it will be appreciated that this need not necessarily be the case.

In the embodiment of figure 1, the second tensioning wire extends along or adjacent to the lower longitudinal edge 9 of the panel. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in preventing the passage of rabbits and other pests into and between paddocks, in situations where the ground surface beneath the fence is relatively flat and it is relatively simple to orient the lower edge 9 of the fence panel flush with the ground (not shown).

Figure 2 shows another preferred embodiment, where the second tensioning wire 7 extends intermediate the lower edge 9 of the mesh panel and the first tensioning wire 5, forming an overhanging section 10 at the bottom of the panel assembly. This embodiment is preferably used in applications where the ground is relatively uneven and may otherwise result in gaps occurring between the ground and the lower edge 9 of the installed fence panel assembly. This embodiment is also advantageous for applications where it is difficult to evenly anchor the fence posts 4, causing, for example, each tensioning wire to be attached to adjacent fence posts 4 at varying heights above the ground.

In these applications, the overhanging section 10 is preferably dug into a shallow trench (not shown) below the fence panel, in order to prevent the migration of rabbits and other pests into and between paddocks, by restricting their passage between the mesh panel and the ground. Alternatively, the overhanging section may be folded at 90° so as to extend parallel to and closely adjacent the ground to achieve the same purpose. In these alternatives, the overhanging section 10 is preferably folded to correspond to the topography of the ground and may advantageously be folded to abut depressions such as holes in the surface, or protrusions, such as boulders.

The drawings show a substantially rectangular mesh panel 2 of indefinite length. However, it will be appreciated that the mesh panel may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. In one embodiment, the mesh panel 2 is about 915mm wide. In another embodiment, the mesh panel is about 1050mm wide. In these embodiments, the first tensioning wire 5 extends along the upper longitudinal edge 6 of the mesh panel 2. The second tensioning wire 7 extends at a substantially constant distance of about 915mm from the first wire. It will be appreciated that in the 915mm wide panel, the second tensioning wire 7 extends along the lower longitudinal edge 9 of the panel, while in the 1050mm wide panel the second tensioning wire 7 extends at a substantially constant distance of about 135mm from the lower longitudinal edge 9 of the mesh panel, thus forming the overhanging section 10. In one preferred form, the third tensioning wire 8 extends along the length of the mesh panel at a substantially constant distance of about 380mm from the first tensioning wire 5. In an alternative form, this third wire 8 extends at a substantially constant distance of about 480mm from the first tensioning wire 5. As shown in the drawings, the mesh panel 2 is preferably formed from a relatively light gauge wire. Typically, it would be difficult for such a mesh to independently withstand the application of operatively effective tensioning forces in situ without deforming or otherwise rendering the mesh unsuitable for use as a fencing structure. In the embodiment shown, the mesh panel is formed from a woven mesh, in which the wires of the mesh are twisted together at regular intervals, and more specifically are interwoven in non-orthogonal relationship, so as to form a "netting" pattern comprising contiguous substantially hexagonal openings defined by respective "cells" 11. The average maximum dimension of each opening is preferably between 10mm and around 100 mm, more preferably between 30mm and around 80mm, and in this embodiment is around 45mm in size. Two parallel sides of each hexagonal opening are defined by respective lengths over which adjoining wires of the mesh are uniformly twisted together as an integral part of the associated weaving pattern. Optionally, the tensioning or support wires may also be integrated into the weaving pattern.

Advantageously, in this case, the relatively heavier gauge tensioning wires 3 support the substantial tensioning loads needed to provide a strong and stable fencing structure, while also supporting the lighter gauge mesh panels. In addition, the relatively small apertures formed by the light gauge mesh are advantageously sized to prevent the passage of rabbits and other pests into and between paddocks, while simultaneously providing a lightweight and easily supportable fence panel assembly. In other embodiments, however, the mesh panel 2 may be suitable for direct tensioning, in which case the in-built tensioning wires 3 may simply provide reinforcement and a relatively convenient system for securing the fence panel assembly to the fence posts. In still further embodiments, the mesh panel and tensioning wire may be composed and arranged such that for the purposes of the intended fencing application, neither component requires tensioning. In such cases, the support wire simply serves to support the mesh and provide a means for connecting the mesh to the posts and in this context, it should be understood that references to "tensioning wire" do not necessarily infer a requirement for tensioning.

In some embodiments of the invention, such as that described above, the mesh panel 2 comprises a plurality of interwoven wire strands. In other embodiments, the mesh panel comprises a plurality of substantially horizontally extending and substantially vertically extending wires that are connected to one another, either by interweaving or by other means. The invention also provides a method of making a fence panel assembly 1 as described above. In accordance with this method, the fence panel assembly is constructed by securing at least one tensioning wire 3 along the length of a mesh panel 2. This may be done at the time of formation of the mesh panel, or subsequently. The tensioning wires are preferably woven through the mesh panel, but may alternatively be attached to the panel by adhesive tape, gluing, stapling, stitching, welding or other suitable means. In other embodiments, each tensioning wire may be integrally formed with the mesh panel.

Prior to construction of a fence 12, the fence panel assembly 1 is pre-fabricated, either at the intended installation site or at an off-site location and thereafter delivered to the site. Preferably, the manufactured fence panel assembly 1 is provided in a roll (not shown).

Advantageously, this facilitates storage, transportation and installation. Although less preferred, various sized sheets of fence panel assembly may alternatively be provided. However, it will be appreciated that a roll of the mesh panel assembly is significantly easier to manoeuvre on site than flat, elongate sections of the same length. On site, a line of fence posts 4 are provided in spaced apart relationship. In preferred embodiments of the invention, fence posts 4 are provided in a fencing kit, together with the fence panel assembly 1, and are set into position at the desired installation site. However, it will be appreciated that other fence posts, including previously installed fence posts, may also be used.

The fence posts 4 are typically anchored by being partially driven into the ground. However, it will be appreciated that the posts may be anchored or otherwise fastened to any suitable surface, such that each post extends vertically, horizontally or at any other desired angle.

That is, the post could extend at any suitable angle from, say, a bridge or building.

As best shown in figures 5 and 6, each fence post 4 comprises at least one keeper 13 pivotally connected to the post 4 by a pin 14. The keeper 13 is rotatable between a holding position, as shown in figure 5, in which a corresponding tensioning wire 3 is held relative to the post, and a release position, as shown in figure 6, in which the wire may be released from the post.

In the embodiment shown, the keeper is gravitationally biased toward the holding position of figure

5.

The fence post 4 has an L-shaped slot 15 located adjacent the pin 14. The slot is defined by a horizontal portion 16 and an adjoining vertical portion 17. To secure a tensioning wire, the keeper is first rotated into the release position. An abutment surface 18 on the keeper comes into contact with a stop pin 19 on the fence post 4 to prevent excessive rotation of the keeper beyond the release position. The wire is then inserted into the vertical portion 17 of the slot 15. Following this, the keeper is simply released, allowing it to rotate under gravity to the holding position such that the corresponding tensioning wire 3 is retained in the vertical portion 17 of the slot. The keeper 13 also includes an abutment formation, in the form of a tab 20, which comes into abutting contact with the stop pin 19 to prevent excessive rotational excursion of the keeper, beyond the holding position. Advantageously, in the holding position, horizontal loads acting on the tensioning wire are reacted by the sides of the vertical portion of the slot and thus are predominantly not transferred to the keeper. This helps to prevent the keeper from being inadvertently damaged or worn as a result of normal loads applied to the fence, for example by cattle or normal tensioning loads. To release the wire, the keeper 13 is rotated to the release position and the wire is then removed from the slot 15.

While it will be appreciated that the fence posts 4 may be manufactured complete with suitable keepers 13, it is also intended that in other embodiments, the keepers may be connected to the posts at the installation site, either before or after the posts have been positioned. In preferred embodiments, each fence posts has a plurality of keepers 13 spaced along its length, in order to engage multiple tensioning wires in the fence panel assembly. The number and location of the keepers 13 preferably corresponds to the tensioning wires 3 in the panel assembly 1. In other embodiments (not shown), the tensioning wires themselves may comprise fasteners for securing the tensioning wires to the fence posts. In some embodiments, such fasteners are adapted to connect directly to the fence post, advantageously facilitating use of the invention with traditional fence posts. However, the fasteners may alternatively be adapted to connect to respective keepers 13 on the fence posts. In still further embodiments (also not shown), discrete support elements may be secured to the mesh panel, as part of the prefabrication process, to facilitate connection to the fence posts, thereby obviating the need for tensioning wire(s) in particular applications.

Once the fence posts are in position, the fence panel assembly 1 is extended along the post line and the tensioning wires are progressively installed, so as to be secured to the fence posts by the respective keepers. In one preferred embodiment, the fence panel assembly is provided in the form of a wound-up roll (not shown). This facilitates the installation process by allowing the panel assembly to be progressively unwound along the post line, with the fencer securing the tensioning wires along the way. With the panel assembly thus in position, it is then tensioned (if tensioning is required) in the usual way. In alternative embodiments, the fence panel assembly may be provided in the form of flat-packed sheets, as distinct from rolls. A preferred embodiment of a fence 12 comprising the fence panel assembly of figure 1 is shown in figure 3. However, it will be understood that an alternative embodiment of a fence may comprise the fence panel assembly of figure 2, or any other fence panel assembly according to the invention. In addition, it will be appreciated that a fence may be constructed having both a fence panel assembly 1 as well as one or more separate tensioning wires (not shown), to increase the effective height or strength of the fence.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a fence panel locator (not shown) is used to insert the tensioning wires 3 of the fence panel assembly 1 into the respective keepers 13 of a fence post 4 simultaneously. In one embodiment, the locator comprises an elongate body, one or more handles extending from one side of the body, and a row of wire-engaging teeth extending from another side of the body. In use, the tensioning wires are engaged with the teeth which are then collectively manipulated relative to the post by the fencer using the handles, such that the tensioning wires 3 engage their respective keepers 13 substantially simultaneously, before being released from the locator.

The fence panel assembly of the present invention provides a number of advantages, particularly when used as part of a system in conjunction with the complementary fence posts according to the invention. Most significantly, it avoids the need to attach mesh panels to separately threaded tensioning wires on site, and allows all of the tensioning wires (or other support elements) together with the mesh to be progressively attached to a series of fence posts in a single pass. In the past, multiple runs along the fence line, together with numerous painstaking wire- threading and tying-off operations, would usually have been required in order to achieve the same result. On a commercial scale, this improvement represents large savings in terms of materials, labour, time and cost. Moreover, storage, transportation and handling are greatly improved, as the fence panel assembly can be rolled up and manoeuvred as a single component. In these and other respects, the invention represents a practical and commercially significant improvement over the prior art. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A prefabricated fence panel assembly comprising: a substantially elongate mesh panel; and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is adapted to be secured to spaced apart fence posts thereby in use to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

2. A fencing system comprising: at least two fence posts adapted to be positioned in spaced apart relationship; and a prefabricated fence panel assembly comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is adapted to be secured to the fence posts thereby in use to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

3. A fence comprising: at least two fence posts positioned in spaced apart relationship; a prefabricated fence panel assembly extending between the fence posts, the fence panel assembly comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is secured to the fence posts, thereby to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

4. A method of making a prefabricated fence panel assembly, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a substantially elongate mesh panel; b) providing at least one support element, and c) securing the at least one support element to the mesh panel, wherein the at least one support element is adapted to be secured to spaced apart fence posts thereby in use to support the mesh panel so as to form a fence, and wherein the at least one support element is connected to the mesh panel prior to formation of the fence.

5. A method of constructing a fence, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing at least two fence posts positioned in spaced apart relationship; b) providing a prefabricated fence panel assembly comprising a substantially elongate mesh panel and at least one support element disposed along the length of the mesh panel; c) extending the prefabricated fence panel assembly between the fence posts; and d) securing the at least one support element to the fence posts so as to form a fence.

6. The prefabricated fence panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the support element is a support wire extending substantially continuously along the length of the mesh panel and adapted to be connected to said spaced apart fence posts.

7. The prefabricated fence panel assembly of claim 6, wherein the support element is a tensioning wire adapted to be tensioned between the fence posts.