WO2014096799A2

WO2014096799A2 - Improvements in and relating to fence posts

Info

Publication number: WO2014096799A2
Application number: PCT/GB2013/053316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Michael Demarest
Original assignee: Vincent Michael Demarest
Priority date: 2012-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: GB201222783D0; GB2509195A; GB201312456D0; WO2014096799A3

Abstract

An extruded fence post (1) is disclosed, for supporting a fence panel between a pair of such posts. The fence post (1) comprises a part tubular fence support (2) from which extends a pair of panel support plates (3a, 3b) for supporting respective edges of separate fence panels when in situ, The fence post also has a face portion (4) positioned remote from but generally parallel with the plane of the pair of panel support plates (3a, 3b). In use, the face portion (4) receives a fence pane! retaining plate (6) securable thereto for capturing the panel between the support plate and the retaining plate. A plurality of posts (1) can be used to support a plurality of panels to form a fence. This extruded fence post (1) is advantageous in that there is no need to lift fence panels above pairs of pre-positioned fence posts when constructing the fence and when performing maintenance of the fence. The fence post further includes an extendable strut (15) that can be used to fix trellis or supply support of the post when installing a fence on sloped terrain.

Description

Improvements in and relating to fence posts

This invention relates to fence posts for supporting fence panels therebetween.

Wooden fence paneis are conventionally attached betwee wooden posts, but suffer the obvious disadvantage that wood shrinks naturally and can lead to the panels becoming loose from the posts causing the pane! and its fixings to get over-stressed and fail when a high wind load is applied. This shrinkage also causes gaps to form between the panel and post which leads to a loss of privacy. An alternative to this use of a wooden post is to use reinforced concrete posts having generally shallow 'U'-shaped channels on opposing sides into each of which a respective edge of a fence panel can be inserted. The use of a reinforced concrete post has the obvious advantage i terms of non- shrinkage but their mode of manufacture means that the channels for a pair of posts are not always the same width and they have tapered side walls to facilitate de-moiding in manufacture. This means that the panels rattle in the wind and can lead to fence paneis popping out with respect to their channels during high wind conditions. A further disadvantage is that concrete posts do not look aesthetically pleasing to the eye, being large and of an industrial nature. They also considerably exceed the recommended weight that a person can lift and carry,

A third alternative post for use in supporting fence panels is through the use of Ή'-section rolled steel posts which are very strong and have the preferred advantage in that the opposing walls forming the channels are almost parallel and therefore are not prone to the problem of fence panels 'popping' out under a high wind !oad. Nevertheless such ro!!ed steel posts are aiso very heavy and, particularly where they are to be used to support relatively high fence panels, whether the panels are constructed on-site or off-site, this often requires the use of lifting equipment due largely to the weight of such posts and the consequent need to ensure that when they are embedded in concrete they remain in the vertical position through the use of props until the concrete has set, Further the front flanges of the posts impede the insertion of prefabricated panels into the channels at ground level, therefore prefabricated panels, which themselves are heavy, must be lifted above the top of the posts so as to insert the panel in the channels of the posts. The only way to avoid this is to progressively put posts and panels in one at a time. This is a very slow process and requires supporting the assembly with props whilst waiting for the wet concrete foundations around the posts to set.

The present invention is derived from the realisation that none of the fence posts referred to above provide a problem-free solution and hence there is a need for an alternative solution which resolves or ameliorates these problems for what should be the essentially simple task of supporting fence panels.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an extruded fence post comprising an elongate tube from which laterally extend a pair of fence panel support piates for supporting respective side portions of separate fence panels when in situ, the tube having a face portion remote from the pair of panel support plates, the face portion receiving, in use, at least one fence panel retaining plate securable thereto for capturing the panels between the support plates and the at least one retaining plate such that a plurality of posts ca be used to s!ideably support a plurality of panels to form a fence.

Preferably, the elongate tube comprises a continuous hollow inner tube defined by contiguous wails of the extrusion.

in a preferred embodiment, the contiguous walls of the tube are rectiiinear in section.

Beneficially, the pair of support plates extend either side of at least one wail of the elongate fence support tube.

Preferably, in use, the pair of support plates and the at least one fence panel retaining piate are co-operable to form at least two outwardly extending channels for receiving side portions of separate fence panels.

Beneficially, the outwardly extending channels are oppositely disposed to each other.

Alternatively, the outwardly extending channels are perpendicular to eachother.

Preferably, the elongate tube and pair of fence panel support plates are made from aluminium or aluminium alloy.

Preferably, a post protector is fixably arranged onto the top end of the elongate tube.

Desirably, the fence post further comprises a rigid strut at least part of which is moveabiy arranged within at least part of the interior of the elongate tube, the strut having a first end and a second end and being moveable between a first position where the first end of the strut is contained within the tube, or in line with a first end of the tube, and a second position where the first end of the strut is positioned externally from the tube at a distance away from the first end of the tube so as to lengthen the fence post.

Beneficially, when in the first position the second end of the strut is positioned externally from the tube at a distance away from a second end of the tube. This enabies a single strut to provide the support advantage when installing a fence on sloped terrain and then once the fence has been erected, the strut can be moved along the tube to extend from its other end so as to enable trellis to be fixed above the fence panel,

Alternatively, when in the first position the second end of the strut is also positioned withi the interior of the tube.

Preferably, the strut is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube.

Beneficiaiiy, the strut is siideable along at least part of the interior of the tube.

In an alternative embodiment, there is included a first and second strut, wherein the first strut is positioned to extend from the first end of the fence post and the second strut is positioned to extend from a second end of the fence post.

Preferably, wherein there is included a grasping means attached to the first end of the strut for enabling a user to pull the strut so as to actuate movement of the strut from the first position to the second position.

Additionally, there is included a post sleeve arranged around the part of the fence post to be received by the ground.

Beneficially, the post sleeve has a substantially hexagonal cross-section whe arranged around the post. Preferably, the sleeve is bendab!e from a flat net having seven defined zones defined by fold lines, wherein in use, the zones form the sides of the sleeve.

Desirably, in use, two of the zones located at the remote ends of the sleeve are arranged to overlap and are attached together so as to fix the sleeve around the fence post.

in an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fence post arrangement comprising an extruded elongate tube from which lateraily extend a pair of fence panel support plates for supporting respective side portions of separate fence panels when in situ, the tube having a face portion remote from the pair of panel support plates, and at least one fence pane! retaining plate releasabiy securable to the face portion so as to capture the panels between the support plates and the at least one retaining plate such that a plurality of posts can be used to slideably support a plurality of panels to form a fence. Preferably, the at least one panel retaining plate is a facia board.

Desirably, the fence post arrangement further comprises a rigid strut at least part of which is moveably arranged within at least part of the interior of the elongate tube, the strut having a first end and a second end and being moveable between a first position where the first end of the strut is contained within the tube or in line with a first end of the tube to a second position where the first end of the strut is positioned externally from the tube at a distance away from the first end of the tube so as to lengthen the fence post.

Beneficially, when in the first position the second end of the strut is positioned externally from the tube at a distance away from a second end of the tube. This enables one strut to provide the support advantage and then once the fence has been erected_., the strut can be moved along the tube to extend from its other end so as to affix trellis above the fence panel.

Alternatively, when in the first position the second end of the strut is also positioned within the interior of the tube.

Preferably, the strut is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube,

Beneficially, the strut is s!ideabie along at Ieast part of the interior of the tube.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a fence, the method comprising the steps of installing at least two extruded fence posts, each comprising elongate tubes from which laterally extend a pair of fence panel support plates, the tubes having a face portion remote from the respective pair of fence panel support plates; placing a preformed fence panel against a support plate of each of the fence posts; securing at Ieast one fence panel retaining plate to a face portion of the tube of one of the at ieast two fence posts so as to capture the fence pane! between a support plate and the at least one fence panel retaining plate of one of the at least two fence posts so that the panel becomes slideably supported by said fence post.

Beneficially, the method further comprises securing a further support panel retaining plate to the face portion of the tube of the other of the at least two fence posts so as to capture the fence panel between a support piate and the at least one fence panel retaining piate of the other of the at ieast two fence posts so that the panel becomes slideably supported by said other fence post.

Whilst the invention has been disclosed above it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above, or in the following description.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the fence post arrangement,

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fence support and a fence pane! retaining piate of the invention,

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the fence support and an aiternative fence pane! retaining plate of the invention,

Figure 4 is a side view of a fence panel retaining plate and connecting means of the invention,

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fence post arrangement of the invention with a separate facia element,

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fence post arrangement with the fence panel retaining plate as the facia,

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fence post arrangement of the invention with a packing element, Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the fence post arrangement of the invention with an alternative positioning of a packing arrangement,

Figure 9a and 9b are perspective views of a first side of the extruded fence post of the invention from the front showing the retracted and extended states;

Figure 10a and 10b are perspective views of a first side of the extruded fence post of the invention from the back, showing respective retracted and extended states;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the extruded fence post of the invention and the telescopic arm portion;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the extruded fence post of the invention and the sleeve;

Figures 13a to 13e are a perspective view of a method of constructing a fence using the fence post arrangement of Figure ,

Figures 14a to 14d are a top view of a method of constructin a fence using the fence post arrangement of Figure 1 ,

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a protector for a fence post arrangement of Figure 1 , and

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the fence post arrangement include a facia attached to the fence support.

In Figure 1 there is illustrated an extruded fence post 1 having an elongate tube 2 from which laterally extend a first and second support plate 3a, 3b (or a pair of panel support plates), so as to form a 'T-box' section post. The elongate tube 2 is defined by four contiguous walls 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d which collectively are rectilinear in section (e.g. rectangle), although it will be appreciated that the elongate tube 2 ma instead have a single circular or elliptical wall or any other shape imparting a stiffness to the fence post. The first and second support plates 3a, 3b are extensions of a first wall 2a of the elongate tube 2, The elongate tube has a face portion 4 corresponding to at least part of the wall 2c of the elongate tube 2 that is remote from the plane of the first and second support plate 3a, 3b and the first wall 2a. The face portion 2d is parallel to the plane of the first and second support plates 3a, 3b and includes an aperture 5.

The fence post 2 is used in combination with a fence pane! retaining plate 8 as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

In Figure 2 the fence pane! retaining plate 6 has a top-hat shaped cross- section which comprises a central portion 7 from which laterally extend projecting portions 8a, 8b. The face portion 4 receives the fence panel retaining plate 8 and a connection means 9 secures the fence panel retaining plate 8 to the face portion 4. The connection means 9 is, for example, a threaded bolt that cooperates with a thread located in the walls of the aperture 5. Alternatively, the connection means 9 is a self drilling screw which forms its own thread as it penetrates the face portion 4 of the elongate tube 2. This removes the need to predril! an aperture in the face portion of the elongate tube 2.

The first and second support plates 3a, 3b of the fence post 1 and the projecting portions 8a, 8b of the fence panel retaining plate 8 are spaced apart and co-operable so as to form two outwardly extending channels 10a, 10b therebetween extending either side of the elongate tube 2, therefore oppositely disposed to each other. Alternatively, the outwardly extending channels are perpendicular to each other.

The pair of fence panei support plates 3a, 3b support respective side portions of separate fence pane!s when the fence post 2 is in situ and the face portion 4 receives, in use, the fence panel retaining plate 6 as described above. The fence panel retaining plate 6 is secured to the face portion 4 by the connection means 9 and the fence post arrangement 11 captures an end of a fence panel between the support plate 3a and the respective end of the retaining plate 8a. An edge of the fence panel is therefore secured within a channel 10a, 10b of the fence post arrangement 11 , A first end of a fence panel can then be secured within a first channel 10a of a first post and retaining plate arrangement 11 and th other end of the fence panel ca be secured within a first channel 10a' of a second fence post and retaining p!ate arrangement 11 '. Importantly, this arrangement allows the fence paneis to be slideably supported by a pair of fence posts 11 , 1 1 '. The fence panel Is permitted to flex slightly in this arrangement but is prevented from popping out of the channel 10a when the fence pane! retaining plate 8 has been secured against the face portion 4 on application of the connection means 9,

A plurality of fence posts 1 can be used in combination with a plurality of fence panel retaining plates 8 to support a plurality of paneis so as to form a fence.

The fence panel retaining plate 6 is made from aluminium, however Figure 3 shows the fence panel retaining plate 8 made from wood and having a different shape to that of Figure 2, i.e. the fence panel retaining plate 6 is a facia p!ate where Its corners are curved to improve the aesthetics of the facia. The projecting portions now correspond to the edges of the elongate piate 8a, 8b.

The projecting portions 8a, 8b, of the fence panei retaining piate are resilient members having a small amount of give thereby allowing them to be bent away from their original position on application of a force, whilst also allowing them to regain their original position on removal of the force, as shown in Figure 4. Flexing or bending the projecting portions 8a, 8b enables the width of the channel 10a, 10 to be adjusted (since the projecting portions 8a, 8b define a first side wall of the respective channeis 10a, 10b) so as to accommodate and firmly hold, for example, fence panels having varying thicknesses.

The inner faces of the first and second support plates 3a, 3b of the elongate tube 2 form the second side wall of the respective channels 10a 10b. The first and second side walls of a channei 10a, overiap an edge of the fence panel and contact the surface of the fence panei so as to clamp or grip th edge of the fence panel between the two side walls of the channels 0a, 10b.

Eliminating the need to screw (or otherwise secure) the fence panels to the fence posts allows fence panels to flex so the don't self destruct and tear apart from the post thereby extending the life of the fence compared to non- flexing fence arrangements. Gripping the fence panel between the walls of the channel 10a, 10b, also ensures that there no gaps are formed between the posts 2 and the panels which makes the fence arrangement peep-proof and noise tight. The channels 10a, 10b of this arrangement are deeper channeis compared to those of commonly used fence posts, thereby enabling fence panels to be more securely held in place and preventing the panels popping out or rattling under high wind loads.

Due to the rigidity of the projecting portions 8a, 8b of the fence pane! retaining piate 8 ther is a point where the projecting portions 8a, 8b cannot be bent any further without causing the projections to break. Therefore it may not be possible to deform the channel to accommodate a particularly narrow fence panel. In such instances a packing element 2, for example a long bead packing element, or other wedging means can be positioned within the gap formed between the inner surface of the projection portion of the fence panel retaining plate and the face of the fence panel, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 8. figure 7 shows the packing element to be an o-ring 12a, for example made of rubber or, alternatively, the packing element may be a Neoprene sponge packer. Figure 8 shows the packing element placed between the Inner faces of the first and second support plates 3a, 3b of the post 2 and the panel

The fence post arrangement 11 can be used to grip complete pre-formed fence panels or loose components for panels (e.g. in a kit form). Horizontal rails (not shown) may also be secured at varying heights between two adjacent fence post arrangements 1 , without the need for other fixings, such as bolts or screws to pass through the rails. Vertical boards can then be attached to the rails e.g. using nails. When the rails are at the required level, vertical boards can then be attached to them using e.g. nails.

On the side of the first and second support plates 3a, 3b remote from the elongate tube 2 are surface formations (not shown) in the form of longitudinal ridges which impart an aesthetically pleasing look to the externally viewable faces of the fence post arrangement 11 and also have the practical advantage of 'capturing' fasteners such as nails or self-drilling and tapping screws which could otherwise 'wander' or skid across a smooth metal surface whe being driven in. These fasteners could be used to further secure panels and posts from theft. The fence panel retaining plate 6 may also include the surface formations so that a facia can be applied, as shown in Figure 5. In an aiternative embodiment, the fence panel retaining plate 6 is a facia board that is attached to the fence post 2 via the threaded bolt 9.

As will be apparent, the use of an extruded aluminium fence post as described has a number of advantages over the use of wood or concrete, including that the fence support is relatively lightweight and yet sufficientl stiff and strong due to its tubular construction to be able to support relatively high fence panels, such as two or more metres high, with whole life cost savings being available due to the much greater recyclability of aluminium compared to wood or concrete posts. In the case of rolled steel Ή'-sections, these are primarily used in engineering and building construction and because of the limited range of sections available the posts can be over-engineered, i.e. they are very strong and very heavy, requiring correspondingly strong and substantial concrete footings even though the fence panels are relatively lightweight. Although the cost of aluminium is generally higher than steel as a material for use in fence posts, it will be appreciated that by using the extrusion approach the post can instead be purpose designed and made specifically for supporting fence panels only and therefore does not need to be over-engineered for that purpose. There is the further advantage that aluminium can be recycled many more times than stee!, wood or concrete and is therefore more economical overall. The arrangement of the fence panel retaining plate 6 used in combination with a T-box shaped fence post is also advantageous because it eliminates any gaps occurring between the panels and posts because the channel wails of the post arrangement 1 overla the ends of the fence panels and hold them at both ends, thus increasing privacy.

The ability of the fence panel retaining plate 8 to flex or bend due to the resilient nature of the projection portions 8a, 8b of the retaining plate 8 enables the post arrangement to be universal i.e. to be used with a wide variety of fence panels or rails of varying thicknesses or widths.

In Figures 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b there is shown a rigid strut 15 which is moveably arranged within the interior of the elongate tube 2. The strut 15 has a first end 15a, for example a leading end, and a second end (not shown), for example a trailing end, and is moveable between a first position where the first end of the strut 15 is contained within the tube 2 or in line with a first end 2e of the tube 2 to a second position where the first end 15a of the strut 15 is positioned extemaliy from the tube 2 at a distance away from the first end 2e of the tube 2 so as to lengthen the fence post 1.

Changing the length of the fence post 1 may be desirable to allow for a trellis (not shown) to be fixed above a fence panel, or to support the fence post 1 from below when the fence is being installed on sloping ground while the concrete or other material used to infill the post hole sets.

The strut 15 is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the tube 2 and along the Interior of the tube. In the first, retracted position the leading end of the strut 15 is positioned within the interior of the tube 2 such that the first end of the strut is surrounded by the walls 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the tube, or in line with a first end 2e of the tube 2, In the second, extended position the fence post is increased in length by an amount equating to th length of the strut 15c extending therefrom. The strut is slideabie along at least part of the interior of the tube so as to move the strut between the first and second position, or vice versa.

As illustrated in Figure 12, the arm portion 15 is made from wood, but other materials may be used as desired, e.g. plastics. At the first end of the fence post is included a grasping means (not shown) formed of an eyeiet and a length of a piece of string or other cord. To actuate movement of the stmt along the interior of the tube 2 of the post 1 the user must hold the end of the string that is remote from the end of the strut on to apply a pulling force on it so as to puil the strut from the first position to the second position.

!n a first arrangement, the fence post 1 can include a single strut (not shown) located to cause extension of one end of the tube 2e, and which can be moved to subsequently cause extension of the other end of the tube by applying a pulling force to the grasping means. When the strut is in the first position, i.e. when the first end of the strut is contained within the tube, or in Sine with the first end of the tube the second end of the strut may be located in one of two configurations. In the first configuration the second end of the strut may be positioned externally from the tube at a distance away from a second end of the tube. Whereas, in the second configuration, the second end of the strut may also be positioned within the interior of the tube.

Alternatively in a second arrangement, as shown in Figure 9b a first and second strut may be used, wherein the first strut is located to extend from a first end 2e of the tube of the fence post and the second strut is !ocated to extend from a second end 2f of the tube of the fence post 1. The combined length of the first and second struts cannot equate to greater than the total length of the tube 2 if the first and second struts are to be retracted simultaneously. It is, however envisaged that the combined length of the first and second struts can be less that the length of the tube 2 of the fence post 1 , if desired.

The struts 15 are held in the first (retracted) or second (extended) position by securing the fence panel retaining plate 6 to the face portion 4 of the tube 2 via the connection means 9. The connection means 9 therefore extends through the face portion 4 of the rube 2 and through to the strut 5 located within at least part of the tube 2. Alternatively, the strut 15 can be held directly by a second connection means 16 and the fence panel retaining plate 6 may be connected subsequently by the first connection means 9.

To move the strut 15 from the first stored position to the second extended position for use, or vice versa, the fence panel retaining plate 8 and hence the connection means 9, or alternatively the second connecting means 16, must be removed. The strut 15 may then be slid from the first position to the second position by the user, or vice versa, via the grasping means.

In figure 13 there is shown a post sleeve 17 that can be arranged around the part of the T~box post 1 to be received in the ground. The sleeve is created from a sing!e sheet of corrugated plastic which, in use, is wrapped tightly around the T-box shaped post 1 The sheet is shaped via pre-scored lines 18 allowing for the sheet to be bent along the score lines 18. The Sines define seven zones 19 and the sheet is arranged to enable two zones located at the remote ends 20a, 20b of the sheet to overlap. The two zones located at the remote ends are fixed together by staples, or a tab and cooperating slot arrangement to form the substantially hexagonal sleeve. Alternatively, other suitable forms of fixing the remote ends may be applied, for example a screw or pin member may be applied.

In use, a zone 19 forms a side wall of the substantially hexagonal sleeve when it is wrapped around the fenc post 1. When the fence post surrounded by the sleeve 17 is placed in a pre~dug hole and surrounded by concrete, the sleeve 17 pushes towards the fence post 1 to form a socket.

The sheet is made from a corrugated polypropylene sheet (Correx^®) which enables the sleeve 17 to act as a self drainabfe and ventilated fence post foundation. Due to the ability for the sleeve to be manufactured and transported as a flat sheet, the sleeve is extremely cheap to produce and can be transported at a very low cost.

Accordingly, the invention also extends to a method of constructing a fence, the method comprising the steps of installing a first and second fence post 1 , 1', each comprising elongate tubes 2 from which laterally extend a pair of fence panel support plates 3a, 3b. The tubes 2 have a face portion 4 remote from the respective pair of fence pane! support plates 3a, 3b. Next a pre-formed fence pane! is placed against a support p!ate 3a of the first and second fence posts 1, 1'. A fence panel retaining plate is then secured to a face portion 4 of the elongate tube 2 of the first fence post 1 so as to capture the fence panel between a fence panel support plate 3a and the fence panel retaining plate 6 of the first fence post 1 so that the panel becomes s!ideabiy supported by the first fence post 1.

The fence panel retaining plate 8 is secured to the face portion 4' via a connection means 9, thereby forming a channel 10a into which the edge of a panel is slideab!y captured.

A further support panel retaining plate 8' is secured to the face portion 4 of the tube 2' of the second fence post 1 ' so as to capture the other end of the fence panel between a fence panel support plate 3a' and the fence pane! retaining plate 8' of the second fence post 1' so that the pane! also becomes s!ideably supported by the second fence post Γ. The process is repeated until a fence is formed.

This method, as illustrated in Figures 13a-13e and 14a-14d, allows panels to be installed or removed from one side only. This allows easy repairs and treatment, or other maintenance, avoiding possible neighbour disputes and damage to plants by spraying in situ. For example the panel can be removed by unscrewing the connection means 9 to enable removal of the fence panel retaining plate 8, thereby allowing access to the pane! which ca then be removed for re-treatment or repair. The panel can then be replaced and the retaining plate 6 repositioned and secured into place by re-application of the connection means 9. This same method can be applied to remove any panel for temporary access as desired. The fence post footings of the lighter aluminium posts need not use concrete. Instead, the earth that was dug to form the fence post hole can be used to back-fill the hole and the earth can be compacted progressively around the post to fix it in position. Setting the fence post in the ground in this, way is known as the 'rammed back footing' method. This method eliminates the need to remove what was previously surplus earth from the site and the need for cement, aggregates and water. Therefore, any corrosive effects on the post, caused by the lime in the cement, is also eliminated. This saves money and is better for the environment.

The unique profile of the T box-shape of the post provides a tighter fit and key into the ground when using the 'rammed back footing' method, enabling the resistance of high wind loads applied to the panels. When compared to a square or rectangular post, the T box-shape of the post is better suited to this method of post footing.

The aforesaid method is particularly convenient when erecting fences in places with restricted access for carting concrete for post footings and where there is difficult terrain to be accessed. The fence post is made of extruded aluminium which is light in weight compared to the steel, timber or concrete posts, and therefore is easier to transport or move to the fence line and place accurately into the holes safely by hand, being only 20% of the weight of their contemporaries.

A further advantage is that the fence panels can be positioned between a pair of fence posts without the need for lifting them above the fops of the fence posts to insert them into the grooves in the posts. In areas with a high accident risk, e.g. roadsides where there may be vehicle damaged posts, posts are generally secured in the ground with concrete, however this makes replacement of vehicle damaged posts very difficult and costly to remove, replace and to recycle. Therefore, fence posts that are back- filied and compacted with the earth that was dug out to provide the post footings are easier to replace, whilst also saving on the cost of concrete foundations. Further, traffic management costs to protect the works can be reduced because the operation is much quicker than conventional methods and recycling of the post is much easier and more cost effective as there are no concrete foundations (with posts permanently attached) to dispose of via expensive landfill sites.

Various modifications to the principles described above would suggest themselves to the skiiied person. For example, the material for the resilient first and second ends 8a, 8b of the fence pane! retaining plate 6 may be any material that provides the desired resilient property e.g. composite material, metal, plastic etc.

A fence post arrangement may have only a single channel, rather than two or more channels. Such a fence post arrangement can be applied to terminate a plurality of linear fence post arrangements, known as 'end posts'.

To increase the longevity of the post life, the posts are set in plastic sleeves to ensure the prevention of corrosion caused by cement which could occur on contact with the post with the concrete foundation.

To further increase the longevity of the post life, a protector in the form of an end cap 1.3 is positioned at the to edge of the post, as shown in Figure 15. The end cap protects this vulnerable region from weather conditions e.g. rain. The end cap can be formed from aluminium or piastic. The post cap is formed of a plate having a front iip. The end cap is bonded, e.g. glued, under its front lip and onto the top edge of the box-section of the post support. It is not fixed to the panel so as to retain the panels ability to flex free of the post.

Figure 16 shows an alternative arrangement where a timber facia 14 is also attached to the outer surface of the pair of support plates 3a, 3b of the fence post 1 , this being for cosmetic purposes only.

Claims

1. An extruded fence post (1) comprising an elongate tube (2) from which lateraiiy extend a pair of fence panel support plates (3a, 3b) for supporting respective side portions of separate fence panels when in situ, the tube (2) having a face portion (4) remote from the pair of panei support plates (3a, 3b), the face portion (4) receiving, in use, at least one fence panel retaining plate (8) securable thereto for capturing the panels between the support plates (3a, 3b) and the at least one retaining plate (8) such that a plurality of posts can be used to slideabiy support a plurality of panels to form a fence.

2. An extruded fence post (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate tube (2) comprises a continuous hollow inner tube defined by contiguous walls (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of the extrusion.

3. An extruded fence post according to claim 2, wherein the contiguous wails (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of the tube are rectilinear in section.

4. An extruded fence post according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pair of support plates (3a, 3b) extend either side of at least one waii (2a) of the elongate fence support tube (2).

5. An extruded fence post according to claim 4, wherein, in use, the pair of support plates (3a, 3b) and the at least one fence panei retaining plate (8) are co-operable to form at least two outwardl extending channels (10a, 10b) for receiving side portions of separate fence panels.

6. An extruded fence post according to claim 5, wherein the outwardly extending channels (10a, 10b) are oppositely disposed to each other. 2! 3

7. An extruded fence post according to claim 5, wherein the outwardly extending channels (10a, 10b) are perpendicu!ar to each other.

8. An extruded fence post according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate tube (2) and pair of fence panel support plates (3a, 3b) are made from aluminium or aluminium alloy.

9. An extruded fence post (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein a post protector (13) is fixably arranged onto the top end of the elongate tube (2). 0. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the fence post (1) further comprises a rigid strut (15) at least part of which is moveably arranged within at least part of the interior of the elongate tube (2), the strut (15) having a first end and a second end and being moveable between a first position where the first end of the strut (15) is contained within the tube (2), or in line with a first end of the tube (2), and a second position where the first end of the strut (15) is positioned externally from the tube (2) at a distance away from the first end of the tube (2) so as to lengthen the fence post (1 ).

11. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein when in the first position the second end of the strut (15) is positioned externally from the tube (2) at a distance away from a second end of the tube (2).

12. An extruded fence post (1) according to claim 10, wherein when in the first position the second end of the strut (15) is aiso positioned within the interior of the tube (2).

13. An extruded fence post (1) according to claims 10 to 12, wherein the strut ( 5) is moveable along the iongitudinai axis of the elongate tube (2).

14. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to claim 10 to claim 13, wherein the strut (15) is s!ideabie aiong at ieast part of the interior of the tube (2).

15. An extruded fence post (1) according to claims 1 to 10, wherein there is included a first and second strut (15), wherein the first strut is positioned to extend from the first end (2e) of the fence post (1) and the second strut (15) is positioned to extend from a second end (2f) of the fence post (1 ),

16. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to claims 10 to 15, wherein there is included a grasping means attached to the first end (15a) of the strut ( 5) for enabling a user to pull the strut (15) so as to actuate movement of the strut (15) from the first position to the second position.

17. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to any preceding ciaim, wherein there is included a post sleeve (17) arranged around the part of the fence post (1) to be received by the ground.

18. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to claim 17, wherein the post sleeve (17) has a substantially hexagonal cross-section when arranged around the post (1).

19. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the sleeve (17) is bendabie from a flat net having seven defined zones (19) defined by fold lines (18), wherein in use, the zones ( 9) form the sides of the sleeve (17).

20. An extruded fence post (1 ) according to claim 19, wherein in use, two of the zones located at the remote ends (20a,20b) of the sieeve are arranged to overlap and are attached together so as to fix the sleeve (17) around the fence post (1).

21. A fence post arrangement (11 ) comprising an extruded elongate tube (2) from which laterally extend a pair of fence panel support p!ates (3a, 3b) for supporting respective side portions of separate fence panels when in situ, the tube (2) having a face portion (4) remote from the pair of panel support plates (3a, 3b), and at least one fence panel retaining plate (6) re!easabiy securab!e to the face portion (4) so as to capture the panels between the support plates (3a, 3b) and the at least one retaining plate (6) such that a plurality of posts can be used to slideabiy support a plurality of panels to form a fence.

22. A fence post arrangement (1 1 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one fence panel retaining plate (8) is a facia board.

23. A fence post arrangement (1 1 ) according to claims 21 to 22, wherein the fence post (1 ) further comprises a rigid strut (15) at least part of which is moveabiy arranged within at least part of the interior of the elongate tube (2), the strut (15) having a first end (15a) and a second end and being moveable between a first position where the leading end (15a) of the strut (15) is contained within the tube (2) or in line with a first end of the tube (2) and a second position where the first end (15a) of the strut (15) is positioned externally from the tube (2) at a distance away from the first end of the tube so as to lengthen the fence post (1 ),

24. An extruded fence post arrangement (11 ) according to claim 23, wherein when in the first position the second end of the strut (15) is positioned externally from the tube (2) at a distance away from a second end of the tube (2).

26. An extruded fence post arrangement (11 ) according to claim 23, wherein when in the first position the second end of the strut (15) is also positioned within the Interior of the tube (2).

28. A fence post arrangement (1 1) according to claims 21 to 25, wherein the strut (15) is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube (2).

27. A fence port arrangement ( 1 ) according to claims 21 to 26, wherein the strut (15) is slidable along at least part of the inferior of the tube (2).

28. An extruded fence post arrangement ( 1 ) according to claims 21 to 23, wherein there is included a first and second strut (15), wherein the first strut is positioned to extend from the first end (2e) of the fence post (2) and the second strut is positioned to extend from a second end (2f) of the fence post (2).

29. An extruded fence post arrangement (11) according to claims 21 to 28, wherein there is included a grasping means attached to the first end (15a) of the strut (15) for enabiing the user to pull the strut (15) so as to actuate movement of the strut (15) from the first position to the second position.

30. A method of constructing a fence, the method comprising the steps of installing at least two extruded fence posts (1 ), each comprising elongate tubes (2) from which laterally extend a pair of fence panel support plates (3a, 3b), the tubes (2) having a face portion (4) remote from the respective pair of fence panel support p!ates (3a, 3 b),

placing a pre-formed fence panel against a support plate (3a) of each of the fence posts;

securing at least one fence panel retaining plate (8) to a face portion (4) of the tube (2) of one of the at least two fence posts (1 ) so as to capture the fence panel between a support plate (3a) and the at Ieast one fence pane! retaining plate (8) of one of the at least two fence posts (1) so that the panel becomes s!ideabiy supported by said fence post (1).

31. A method of constructing a fence according to claim 30, wherein the method further comprises securing a further support panel retaining plate (8) to the face portion (4) of the tube (2) of the other of the at Ieast two fence posts so as to capture the fence pane! between a support plate (3b) and the at ieast one fence panel retaining plate (8) of the other of the at Ieast two fence posts (1 ) so that the pane! becomes siideably supported by said other fence post (1 ).

32. An extruded fence post as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.