U.S. patent application number 10/598666 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for electrically insulated fence.
Invention is credited to Chad M. Edens, Rudolph R. Edens, Alan A. Valentine.
Application Number | 20070194293 10/598666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34994431 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070194293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edens; Chad M. ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
Electrically insulated fence
Abstract
An electrically insulated fence including a substrate of a rigid
wire mesh fence, with a coating or covering there on, rendering the
fence electrically isolated, in order to deter electrocution of
maintenance workers coming into contact with the electrically
charged fence. All surfaces, which may be contacted by the
maintenance worker, are preferably either coated or covered with an
extruded piece of electrically insulating material.
Inventors: |
Edens; Chad M.; (New
Baltimore, MI) ; Edens; Rudolph R.; (Clay Township,
MI) ; Valentine; Alan A.; (Algonac, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARGILL & ASSOCIATES, P.L.L.C.
56 MACOMB PLACE
MT. CLEMENS
MI
48043
US
|
Family ID: |
34994431 |
Appl. No.: |
10/598666 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 14, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/08420 |
371 Date: |
September 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60552628 |
Mar 12, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 3/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/019 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14 |
Claims
1. A perimeter fence assembly, comprising: an electrically
insulated and isolated fence assembly covering; an extruded fence
post covering made of an insulated or an electrically insulating
material; wherein said electrically isolating jacket covers the
structural portion of the fence.
2. The fence of claim 1, where in the electrically insulating
material may be selected from the group consisting of thermal
plastic, thermoset, and plastic materials.
3. The electrically insulating material of claim 2, where in the
material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride coating, ceramic,
including alumina, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and other
electrically insulating ceramic formable materials.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/552,628 filed on Mar. 12,
2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an electrically isolated
industrial coated wire mesh fence, and more particularly to an
electrically isolated and insulated fence assembly for use in an
industrial plant to prevent injuries from electrocution.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Conventional perimeter fences are well known in the art,
including one of the most common types of coated wire mesh or chain
link fences for surrounding operating machinery. However,
practitioners of those inventions have become aware of certain
problems, which are presented by those prior art inventions. One
particular problem that has plagued users has been industrial
accidents which may occur in an industrial plant when a worker
comes into contact with an electrically charged fence. An
electrically charged fence may occur accidentally when an errant
live wire comes into contact with a metal fence. This accidental
electrification of the fence makes any worker that comes into
physical contact with the fence a prime candidate for
electrocution.
[0006] Therefore, it would be an advantage to the industry to
provide an electrically insulated and isolated fence assembly so
that a worker that contacts an accidentally electrified fence
assembly would not have a chance to become electrocuted. It would
also be desirable, in the industrial plant setting, to have an
electrically insulated and isolated fence assembly which is always
in an electrically insulated state in order to prevent
electrocutions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the above-noted advantages and desires of
the industry, the present invention provides an electrically
insulated and isolated fence assembly which remains insulated and
isolated at all times due to its construction. The fence assembly
of the present invention essentially includes an electrical
isolation jacket to be worn around all of the metal mesh fence
sections so that any one who touches the fence is protected from
electrocution. The fence assembly may include an extruded fence
post and rail design which is thereafter either PVC coated or is
adapted to receive any other type of electrically insulating post
cover made of any suitable moldable or coatable material, such as a
plastic material including thermoplastic or thermoset materials,
including but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene,
polyurethane or any other suitable plastic material. Materials
having the property of being electrically insulating work well for
this application. In the preferred embodiment, including the design
of such an extruded cover piece, the cover is combined with the
plastic coating or electrically insulating layer covered material
to be utilized over the metallic portion of the fence, thereby
yielding an electrically insulated and isolated fence assembly
which meets or exceeds all of the advantages and desires of the
industry.
[0008] Although the invention will be described by way of examples
hereinbelow for specific embodiments having certain features, it
must also be realized that minor modifications that do not require
undo experimentation on the part of the practitioner are covered
within the scope and breadth of this invention. Additional
advantages and other novel features of the present invention will
be set forth in the description that follows and in particular will
be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination or may be
learned within the practice of the invention. Therefore, the
invention is capable of many other different embodiments and its
details are capable of modifications of various aspects which will
be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art all without
departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly,
the rest of the description will be regarded as illustrative rather
than restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of
the expected scope and various embodiments of the present
invention, reference shall be made to the following detailed
description, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like parts are given the same reference
numerals, and wherein;
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
electrically isolated fence assembly made in accordance with the
present inventions;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective cutaway view of one
embodiment of the various members detailing the location of the
sense receptors;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a corner bracket of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective cross sectional view of
the most preferred embodiment of the post;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an electrically insulated post
cover made in accordance with the presence invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an end cap to be received on top of the
post shown in FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 7 is yet another embodiment of a post base; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of
the present invention showing an insulated perimeter fence.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an electrically insulated and isolated
fence assembly generally denoted by numeral 10 made in accordance
with the present invention, which preferably includes an extruded
post 12, preferably made of aluminum, and also including an
insulating cover 14 thereover, where the insulating cover 14 is
made of an appropriate electrically insulating material, especially
thermoplastic or thermoset materials, and more preferably either an
extruded polypropylene or extruded PVC or a mesh that is coated
with PVC. However, post 12 may be of any suitable configuration,
including a conventional steel tube coated with PVC or the like, so
long as it is rendered electrically isolated. Post 12 is preferably
capped with an end cap 16 in order to achieve more protection. Post
12 incorporates a design to receive corner brackets 18 which
receive frame members 24. Post 12 is attached to the floor by a
post base 20, which provides rigidity to the fence assembly.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a frame member,
generally denoted by the numeral 24, which includes an extruded
profile 26 and a rib member 28. In this particular embodiment, one
side of frame 24 may include a single rib 28, while the other side
of frame 24 includes multiple ribs 30. As with any fence, the fence
itself is to be received within wire mesh receiver cavity 32. Wire
mesh is not shown in FIG. 1, although it is generally accepted that
a coated wire mesh fence would be in the middle of the frame member
24. Further embodiments of the fence may include any commercially
available fencing or barrier material, including, but not limited
to acrylic sheets, plastic fencing, plywood, or any combination
thereof.
[0020] Also extruded into frame member 24 is preferably a fastening
cavity 34 for receiving an extruded jacket in order to provide the
electrical insulation, which is desired. Although polypropylene is
preferred any suitable plastic material may be used. Extruded frame
member 24 may also include an optional tang 36 emanating from the
circumference of frame member 24. Tang 36 is useful for other
applications, including attachment to the upright post 12. For ease
of manufacturing, a tang may be included on all frame members 24,
and then used for all applications, even though it might not be of
any help for the horizontally mounted frame members, as seen in
FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a useful corner bracket, generally
denoted by the numeral 40, which includes a frame receiver 42 and a
tang receiver 44. Within the circumference of frame receiver 42,
there is preferably a fastening cavity 46 and a strengthening
gusset 48. Although these are optional, they are most preferable
for the present applications. Tang 36 shown in FIG. 2 is received
within tang receiver 44 of FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the
most preferred embodiment of post 12 of FIG. 1. This is shown in
greater detail, and the post configuration is generally denoted by
the numeral 50, including angular receivers 52 extruded out of the
sides of post 12 in order to provide a great deal of adjustability
and angles to be made in the fence itself. Angular receivers 52 are
shown as being provided in multiplicity to provide multiple options
to anyone installing this type of fence, and allowing for many
different angles. In the post 50 illustrated in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4, there are shown four 90.degree. parallel receivers
54, and four intermediately angled angular receivers 52. These
receivers, collectively, are designed to receive the tang 36 of the
framing members illustrated as element 54 in FIG. 2. In practice,
the post 12 of FIG. 1 receives the tang 36 of FIG. 2 and yields the
frame assembly as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a core-out feature
56 in order to remove some of the weight of post 50. Post cover
receivers 58 are illustrated in FIG. 4 and they are adapted for
receiving a plastic cover, and especially adapted for receiving an
extruded polypropylene or polyurethane insulating cover as
described more fully with reference to FIG. 5. Surrounding the post
cover receivers 58 are numerous outer post structural supports
60.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an electrically insulating post cover
manufactured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention, and is generally denoted by the numeral 62. This
electrically insulating cover is preferably made of polypropylene,
but may be made of any plastic, including thermoplastic or
thermoset material. As long as the material is formable,
extrudable, or the like, and has a property of being electrically
insulating, that material is suitable for this application.
Therefore, various ceramics such as alumina, silicone nitride,
silicon carbide would also be suitable. Cover 62 includes an outer
surface 64 into which cutouts 65 have been made in conjunction with
tear-off cutouts 68 on the interior surface such that these
sections can be ripped out if the cover is put over a post, such as
post 50 in FIG. 4, but needs a section to be eliminated in order to
allow for an angular receiver 52 to receive tang 36. This makes the
cover 62 completely versatile for many installation angles and
applications, and the tear-off cutouts 68 and 65 will allow someone
in the field to merely rip off the plastic in a particular area for
as long as it is needed to be torn off in order to make it
adaptable to receive tangs in their desired configuration. Note
also that key fastener 66 projects inwardly from the body of cover
62 and is designed to be received by post cover receiver 58 as
illustrated in FIG. 4. Key fastener 66 may have many different
configurations, any one of which will mate with the post cover
receiver 58 and lock therein in order to deter someone from
removing the cover and thereby possibly electrocuting
themselves.
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates an end cap, which is generally denoted by
the numeral 70, and which is designed to be received on top of post
50 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The interior diameter dimension of end
cap 70 is closely mated to the exterior diameter dimension of post
50, and will slip thereon in order to prevent electrocution. End
cap 70 is also made of an electrically insulating material as those
described hereinabove, and may be made of polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyurethane, or any other suitable plastic or
thermoplastic, or any type of ceramic material, or any other
suitable material as long as it is electrically insulating.
[0026] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the post base in accordance
with the present invention, and includes a post receiver generally
denoted by the numeral 80. Post receiver 80 includes the post
receiving channel 86 and is attached to post receiving base 88 by
strengthened brace gussets 82. Apertures 84 in drilled-through base
88 allow for adjustable and easy installation onto the floor of a
shop in order to receive the electrically isolated fence.
[0027] Finally, we now look at FIG. 8, an insulated perimeter fence
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and
is generally denoted by the numeral 100. A coated wire mesh fence,
such as this shown coated wire mesh fence 102 is installed between
two upright posts 104 as shown in this illustration. Posts 104 are
held within post bases 106, acting as receivers for an electrically
insulated frame member 108 that holds and secures the coated wire
mesh fence 102. Clearly, coated wire mesh fence 102 may be of any
suitable configuration for the application, as long as it is
electrically insulating. Preferably, coated wire mesh fence 102 is
a wire mesh fencing material made of interlocking metal wire and is
preferably dipped into an electrically insulating material,
preferably a PVC solution, thereby coating the metal and rendering
the fence itself electrically insulating. Thereafter, these
sections may be slid into receivers within frame 108 as disclosed
with regard to FIGS. 1 through 4 above. The tangs of frame member
108 (not shown here) are received within post 104 and secured
therein. Referring back to FIG. 2, the mesh screen receiver 32 of
the frame members 24, act as receivers for the coated wire mesh
fence 102.
[0028] In summary, numerous benefits have been described which
result from employing any or all of the concepts and the features
of the various specific embodiments of the present invention, or
those that are within the scope of the invention. The electrically
insulated fence acts as a protective measure for maintenance
workers.
[0029] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the
principles of the invention and its practical applications to
thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the
invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that
the scope of the invention be defined by the claims which are
appended hereto.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0030] This invention finds particular utilities in the
manufacturing art, and is especially used for perimeter fencing
used around dangerous manufacturing machines.
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