WO2011158212A1

WO2011158212A1 - Fence arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2011158212A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/052646
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christo Storm
Original assignee: Christo Storm
Priority date: 2010-06-17
Filing date: 2011-06-17
Publication date: 2011-12-22
Also published as: ZA201104491B

Abstract

The invention relates to a fence arrangement (10) and more particularly but not exclusively to a palisade fence arrangement. The fence arrangement (10) includes a fence panel (12) comprising a plurality of interconnected pales (14) positioned adjacent one another so as to form a barrier and a protruding element arrangement (20) which is bolted to a fence panel (12). The protruding element arrangement (20) including at least one protruding element (21 ) that extends from the panel in a plane that is substantially perpendicular relative to the fence panel (12).

Description

FENCE ARRANGEMENT

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a fence arrangement and more particularly but not exclusively, to a palisade fence arrangement.

Many different types of fences are known in the trade, and are erected when a perimeter needs to be secured and protected against unwanted entry. A palisade fence is but one type of fence, and includes a plurality of pales or palisades that are securely positioned adjacent one another in order to form a secure perimeter that presents a physical barrier to entry.

Palisade fences are very popular, but do suffer some drawbacks if used in isolation. For example, these fences can still be scaled due to the palisades all being substantially in the same plane. Also, the installation of these fences are time consuming and requires a certain degree of skill, as a substantial amount of welding has to be performed on site to secure prefabricated fence panels to fence posts that has been anchored in the surface on which the palisade fence is to be used. It is therefore also not desirable to improve the integrity of the fence by adding further obstructions / extensions by way of a welding process after the fence has been erected.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a fence arrangement that will, at least partially, alleviate the above disadvantages.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a fence arrangement which will be a useful alternative to existing security fences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a fence arrangement including: a fence panel comprising a plurality of interconnected pales positioned adjacent one another so as to form a barrier;

a protruding element arrangement which is bolted to the fence panel;

the protruding element arrangement including at least one protruding element that extends from the panel in a plane that is substantially perpendicular relative to the fence panel.

There is provided for the protruding element arrangement to include two protruding elements that are secured to one another, and which are substantially co-planar. Preferably the protruding element arrangement is cross- or X-shaped when viewed from the side.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a protruding element arrangement, suitable for being secured to a fence panel, the protruding element arrangement including:

a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the protruding elements having complementary engagement slots provided therein to enable the protruding elements to engage one another, with the slots being arranged in order for the elements to be substantially co-planar when engaged, and for the elements to be at least partially transverse relative to one another when engaged; and

securing means suitable for securing the protruding elements to a fence panel.

Preferably each engagement slot is in the form of a slot that is angularly offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the element.

Preferably the offset angle is between 40 and 70 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the protruding element, more preferably 50 to 60 degrees, and most preferably 53 to 56 degrees.

There is provided for each protruding element to me made of a length of angle iron, and for the slot to be provided in one of the flanges of the angle iron. A securing bracket may extend from the interconnected protruding elements, and is adapted to be securable to a complementary receiving bracket provided on the frame of the fence panel. The receiving bracket is preferably configured to be bolted onto the fence panel, and the securing bracket is preferably configured to be bolted onto the receiving bracket.

In another embodiment there is provided for a threaded rod to extend from the interconnected protruding elements, the threaded rod in use extending through a complementary aperture provided in the frame of the fence panel.

According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a conversion kit for enhancing the integrity of a palisade fence, the kit including:

protruding elements having a securing bracket secured thereto; and a receiving bracket for securing the protruding elements to the fence panel.

Preferably the protruding elements, securing bracket and receiving bracket is of the type as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of a non- limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a palisade fence panel incorporating a protruding element arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a side view of part of the fence panel of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of two protruding elements prior to engaging one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a fence arrangement in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10, and comprises a plurality of fence panels 12 secured to one another in end-to-end configuration.

Each fence panel 12 includes a plurality of parallel and spaced apart palisades or pales 14 which are secured to a cross-beam 16 in order to form a rigid fence. The cross beam 16 is typically in the form of a length of angle-iron, but could also be in the form of square tubing, or a U-shaped channel.

In accordance with this invention a protruding element arrangement 20 is provided to enhance the integrity of the fence arrangement as a whole, and in particular to provide additional barriers that are substantially perpendicular relative to the remainder of the fence panel so as to prevent scaling of the fence. In a preferred embodiment a protruding arrangement 20 is provided in each space between adjacent pales or palisades 14, but it will be appreciated that the spacing of adjacent protruding arrangements 20 may vary.

In a preferred embodiment, each protruding arrangement 20 comprises two protruding elements 21 that are securable to one another so as to form an X- or cross-shaped barrier when viewed from the side, with the ends of the protruding elements extending from the cross beam 16 in a plane that is substantially perpendicular relative to the fence panel.

Each protruding element 21 comprises a body, preferably made of angle iron, having a proximal zone 21.3, a first end 21.1 and a second end 21.2. The first end 21.1 is an operatively upper end, and may terminate in a fork formation, whereas the second end 21.2 is an operatively lower end that may terminate in a pointed formation. Complementary engagement slots 21.4 are provided in the proximal zones 21.3 of the protruding elements 21. In a preferred embodiment a protruding element 21 is made from a length of angle iron that comprises two perpendicular webs, wherein a slot is provided in one web, and the other web remains solid. The slotted web then receives the solid web of the other protruding element, in order to engage one another at a predetermined angle. The angle of the slot is between 40 and 60 degrees, and preferably between 53 and 55 degrees. The two protruding elements are welded to one another so as to form the rigid X- or cross-shaped structure. The configuration of the slots is not an arbitrary choice, but is in fact an important selection that allows the two transverse angle iron sections to be co-planar when connected to one another, while also resulting in a configuration where the two elements are more or less perpendicular relative to one another.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a securing bracket 22 is welded to the protruding elements 21 , and is used to secure the elements relative to the fence, and more particular the cross-beam 16. N order to achieve this, the fence arrangement 10 furthermore includes a receiving bracket 30 for use in securing the protruding arrangement 20 to the fence panel 12, and more particularly to the cross-beam 16. The receiving bracket 30 is securable to the cross-beam 16 and to the securing bracket 22 of the protruding arrangement in a bolted configuration, thus negating the requirement for any in-situ welding. The receiving bracket 30 in particular includes a base 31 having a slot 32 configured and dimensioned to receive an end of the securing bracket 22 therein. The end of the securing bracket 22 and the base 31 (which have aligned apertures provided therethrough) can then be bolted to one another so as to secure the securing bracket 22, and hence the protruding arrangement 20, relative to the cross-beam 16, and hence the fence panel 12.

The base 31 of the receiving bracket 30 is in turn secured to the crossbeam 16 by way of an adjustable clamp formation 34, which comprises two clamping flanges that are displaceable relative to one another, and which can in particular be displaced towards one another when a bolt 37 is tightened, so as to in use clamp the cross-beam therebetween. The clamping flanges have serrated edges 36 which aid in improving engagement between the flanges and the cross-beam. Significantly, the configuration and location of the bolts 37 is such that the bolts are hidden below the second ends 21.2 of the protruding elements 21 when the protruding arrangement 20 is secured to the receiving bracket 30. The only bolts that are therefore exposed are the bolts 33 used to secure the securing bracket 22 to the receiving bracket 30, and the nuts of these bolts can be secured in position using a fastening agent such as Loctite®, or may even be tack welded.

It has however also been found that a much simpler configuration would also suffice, where a threaded rod or bolt is welded to the protruding elements, which is then secured to the fence panel. A hole is the provided in the fence panel, and the threaded rod is simply bolted to the fence panel.

The inventor believes that the fence arrangement, and the enhancement kit for a fence described above, will be useful in that it will improve the integrity of existing palisade fences, whilst being relatively easy to install whether at the outset, or as a retrofit in-situ.

It will be appreciated that the above is only one embodiment of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A protruding element arrangement, suitable for being secured to a fence panel, the protruding element arrangement including:

a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the protruding elements having complementary engagement slots provided therein to enable the protruding elements to engage one another, with the slots being arranged in order for the elements to be substantially co-planar when engaged, and for the elements to be at least partially transverse relative to one another when engaged; and securing means suitable for securing the protruding elements to a fence panel.

2. The protruding element arrangement of claim 1 in which each engagement slot is in the form of a slot that is angularly offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the element.

3. The protruding element arrangement of claim 2 in which an offset angle is between 53 and 56 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the protruding element.

4. The protruding element arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 3 in which each protruding element is made from a length of angle iron, and wherein the slot is provided in one of the webs of the angle iron.

5. The protruding element arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4 in which a securing bracket extends from the interconnected protruding element, the securing bracket being adapted to be securable to a complementary receiving bracket provided on the frame of the fence panel.

6. The protruding element arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4 in which a threaded rod extends from the interconnected protruding elements, the threaded rod in use extending through a complementary aperture provided in the frame of the fence panel.

7. The protruding element arrangement of claim 1 substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures.

8. A fence arrangement including:

a fence panel comprising a plurality of interconnected pales positioned adjacent one another so as to form a barrier; a protruding element arrangement which is bolted to the fence panel;

9. The fence arrangement of claim 8 in which the protruding element arrangement includes two protruding elements that are secured to one another, and which are substantially co-planar.

10. The fence arrangement of claim 8 or 9 in which the protruding element arrangement is cross- or X-shaped when viewed from the side.

1 1. The fence arrangement of claim 8 substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures.