U.S. patent application number 11/991300 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for fence assembly.
Invention is credited to Daniel Charles Underwood.
Application Number | 20090152522 11/991300 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37808422 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090152522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Underwood; Daniel Charles |
June 18, 2009 |
Fence assembly
Abstract
A fence assembly comprising a plurality of panels with a panel
about to be connected to panel. The panel is shown in part with a
dappled appearance at due to the inclusion of a shrink-wrap cover
applied to the panel. All other panels also have a similar coating.
The panel has a based form of a rigid mesh. The shrink-wrap
material is applied to the mesh as a flat panel. The panel with the
shrink-wrap so applied is then folded over at the top and bottom to
form rail as a lower rail and an upper rail. The panels taper so
the spacing between the upper and lower rails is wider at one end
than the other so the panels are effectively left and right handed.
A star picket is driven ground through the overlapping rails. A cap
is applied to the posts and held by a retainer and pin.
Inventors: |
Underwood; Daniel Charles;
(Queensland, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37808422 |
Appl. No.: |
11/991300 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
September 1, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2006/001289 |
371 Date: |
April 15, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/161
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/24 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/16 20060101
E04H017/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2005 |
AU |
2005904826 |
Claims
1. A fence assembly comprising panels formed from a covered rigid
mesh adjacent panels having overlapping sections of the panels, the
overlapping sections of the panels forming a post pass through
passage means, and there being post means interconnecting the
adjacent panels at the overlapping sections and passing through
post pass through passage means.
2. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein the panels are
covered with a shrink-wrap plastics coating so the panels are
impermeable to passage of dust, adjacent panels having longitudinal
upper and lower flanges spaced at their ends so that the flanges of
one panel fits inside the flanges of the other panel in overlapping
relation, the mesh at the flanges at the region of overlap forming
the post pass through passage means and in conjunction with the
post forming an operative pivot means enabling construction of an
non-straight fence, and the post means interconnecting the adjacent
panels at the overlapping sections.
3. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein the post means
connects the panels at a pivot means so that the post functions as
a pivot pin passing through the overlapping sections of the
adjacent panels.
4. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein the panels are
formed from a pre-shrink wrapped rigid mesh sheet formed while flat
and having folded upper and lower rails formed by folding over
upper and lower edges of the mesh respectively.
5. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein the panels are
formed from a pre-shrink wrapped rigid mesh sheet formed while flat
and having folded upper and lower rails formed by folding over
upper and lower edges of the mesh respectively, the rails so formed
have end apertures formed by a portion of the mesh, the end
apertures of adjacent panel rails overlapping, a post being able to
operatively pass through overlapping upper and lower rail apertures
to connect the panels together in a hinge pin configuration.
6. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each panel tapers
to one end so that the narrow end of an adjacent panel fits inside
the wide end of the next adjacent panel at the region of
overlap.
7. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a
cap applied to the post.
8. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a
cap applied to the post, the cap comprises a mushroom shaped cap
having a hollow stem section which fits over the post.
9. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a
cap applied to the post, the cap including a groove so that a strap
secured to the post may pass over the cap to retain the cap in
operative position.
10. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post is
driven into the ground a predetermined distance suited to the panel
height and therefore the panel height may be adjusted by adjusting
the post height.
11. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a
cap applied to the post and each post has spaced holes so that a
pin may be inserted through one of the holes to enable the panel
position on the post to be adjusted.
12. A fence assembly according to claim 1 wherein each post has a
cap applied to the post and a strap, comprising a U-shaped filament
having eyelets at its free ends passes over the top of the post
cap, the eyelets being positioned in-line with a hole passing
through the post, and a pin is inserted through the eyelets and the
hole in the post.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to a fence assembly and in particular
but not limited to a temporary fence assembly for use adjacent to
construction sites or the like as a barrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The art of fencing is a crowded art. In particular the field
of portable fencing and temporary fencing is well developed and
over many years there has not been a truly inexpensive and
effective barrier that may be easily installed and utilising
readily available materials. Thus there remains a need for ever
more efficient use of materials and labour in a field that is
crowded with all manner of fencing variations and combinations.
Thus there is always a need for fencing that is cheap and
economical to make and install there being a long felt need to
optimise these two factors but still ensure that the fencing is
adequate for the intended purpose. Recent granted patents show that
there continues to be a need for cost effective and improved
fencing in a competitive field. The present invention relates to
the use of rigid mesh panel as the basic element in the assembly. A
search of the patent literature reveals relevant recent patents
that also use rigid mesh as the basic element. These include U.S.
Pat. No. 6,581,914, U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,250, U.S. Pat. No.
5,542,649, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,602, U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,279, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,586,753, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,080 and U.S. Pat. No.
5,184,800.
[0003] In some situations the appropriateness of particular
barriers is questionable as to the cost and efficacy. For example,
as is occasioned temporary barriers range from flexible roll out
perforated plastics sheeting which is very cheap, usually used near
pedestrian traffic, but may be easily displaced by wind or minor
impacts to rigid structures. The rigid structures which are very
expensive are usually used near vehicular traffic.
[0004] While many of these patents describe fencing that is
suitable for the application to a temporary or portable fence, they
have a number of disadvantages relating to use. These include
problems with ease of assembly/disengaging, difficulties associated
with ease of relative panel movement to account for non-straight
fence requirements and difficulties inhibiting flow of site debris
particularly dust through the fence.
OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly it is an objection of the present invention to
provide a fence assembly that enables a non-straight fence to be
easily assembled from mesh panels and wherein a cheap and effective
fence is provided and where the invention provides a useful
alternative to the prior art.
[0006] In one broad aspect there is provided a fence assembly
comprising panels formed from a covered rigid mesh adjacent panels
having overlapping sections of the panels, the overlapping sections
of the panels forming a post pass through passage means, and there
being post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at the
overlapping sections and passing through post pass through passage
means.
[0007] In one preferred form the invention provides a fence
assembly comprising panels formed from a covered rigid mesh
preferably covered with a shrink-wrap coating, adjacent panels
having overlapping sections of the panels, the overlapping sections
of the panels forming part of an operative pivot means enabling
construction of an non-straight fence, and there being post means
interconnecting the adjacent panels at the overlapping
sections.
[0008] In another preferred form the panels are covered with a
shrink-wrap plastics coating so the panels are impermeable to
passage of dust, adjacent panels having longitudinal upper and
lower flanges spaced at their ends so that the flanges of one panel
fits inside the flanges of the other panel in overlapping relation,
the mesh at the flanges at the region of overlap forming the post
pass through passage means and in conjunction with the post forming
an operative pivot means enabling construction of an non-straight
fence, and the post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at
the overlapping sections.
[0009] Preferably the post means connects the panels at the pivot
means so that the post functions as a pivot pin passing through the
overlapping sections of the adjacent panels.
[0010] The panels are preferably formed from a pre-shrink wrapped
rigid mesh sheet formed while flat and having folded upper and
lower rails formed by folding over upper and lower edges of the
mesh respectively. Thus the rails have end apertures formed by a
portion of the mesh, the end apertures of adjacent panel rails
overlapping and a post is able to operative pass through
overlapping upper and lower rail apertures to connect the panels
together in a hinge pin configuration. Preferably, each panel
tapers to one end so that the narrow end of an adjacent panel fits
inside the wide end of the next adjacent panel at the region of
overlap.
[0011] Preferably, each post has a cap applied to the post.
Typically, the cap comprises a mushroom shaped cap having a hollow
stem section which fits over the post. The cap also preferably
includes a groove so that a strap secured to the post, usually by a
pin, may pass over the cap to retain the cap in operative
position.
[0012] Each post is usually driven into the ground a predetermined
distance suited to the panel height and therefore the panel height
may be adjusted by adjusting the post height.
[0013] Preferably, each post has spaced holes so that a pin may be
inserted through one of the holes to enable the panel position on
the post to be adjusted. In one embodiment a strap, comprising a
U-shaped filament, typically wire, having eyelets at its free ends
passes over the top of the post, usually over the cap, the eyelets
being positioned in-line with one of the holes in the post and then
a pin is inserted through the eyelets and the hole in the post. In
this case the panel slides down onto the pin. This means the panel
may either rest on the ground or subject to how far the post is
driven into the ground the bottom of the panel may be held above
ground.
[0014] Preferably, an extruded coping is applied to the upper rail
of the assembled fence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In order that the present invention can be more readily
understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be
made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the invention and wherein:--
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a fence including a
non-straight fence assembly according to the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cutaway part view of a an operative pivot means
derived from overlapping rail sections and a star picket as post
and hinge pin.
[0018] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are respective section, side view and
end view of a panel and rail construction;
[0019] FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective section and side views of a
preferred panel;
[0020] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the embodiments of FIGS. 3A
to 3C but in a shorter panel;
[0021] FIGS. 6A to 6C corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 4A to
4B but in a smaller panel;
[0022] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate various accessories; and
[0023] FIGS. 10 to 17 illustrate the assembly process
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 there is
illustrated a fence assembly 10 comprising a plurality of panels
11, 12, 13 and 14 with a panel 15 about to be connected to panel
11. The panel 11 is shown in part with a dappled appearance at 16
and 17 due to the inclusion of a shrink-wrap cover applied to the
panel 11. All other panels also have a similar coating. The panel
11 has a based form of a rigid mesh. The shrink-wrap material is
applied to the mesh as a flat panel. The panel with the shrink-wrap
so applied is then folded over at the top and bottom to form rail
18 as a lower rail and 19 an upper rail. The panels taper so the
spacing between the upper and lower rails is wider at one end than
the other so the panels are effectively left and right handed. This
enable the narrow end of one panel to be inserted inside the wide
end of the next panel It is usual to provide a positioning sticker
at one end to identify the right or left ends.
[0025] By reason of the mesh dimension and the selection of the
rail width for rails 18 and 19 the end of the rail is created with
a suitably sized plastic covered aperture at 20 and 21 which may
simple be cut or speared through so that a star picket 22 may punch
through to form the apertures 20 and 21 to secure the panel in its
operative position by driving the star picket into the ground.
[0026] The panel 11 is 2400 mm long and the panel 12 is 1125 mm
long, the height of the panels is nominally 1070 mm high. The rails
18 and 19 simply overlap so the respective end apertures 20 and 21
are positioned in overlapping configuration so that the star picket
may pass through the overlapping apertures to connect the panels
together as shown in the assembled portions of the fence in FIG.
1.
[0027] The star picket is so sized and the aperture of the folded
rail section so chosen that the panels are able to rotate with the
star picket 22 operatively performing the function of a pivot pin
thus the combination provides a pivot means at the juncture between
adjacent panels. Thus the panels may be positioned say at 90
degrees the post 22 driven into position and then the panel so
connected may be swung through various angles up until the straight
on position as panels 11 and 12 illustrated so that either a
straight or non-straight fence may be formed. Thus the basic fence
of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0028] In addition to this in FIG. 1 reflective warning tape is
adhered to the panels as illustrated at 23. This will be described
further below in relation to FIG. 3A.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates in more detail the preferred arrangement
at the pivot connection between adjacent panels such as 11 and 15
whereby the star picket 22 is capped by a cap 24 held in place by a
wire retainer 25. The wire retainer itself is retained by a
latching pin 26 as illustrated passing through a hole in the post.
An extruded plastic coping 26 is applied to the upper rail 19, the
upper rail 19 in this case including return flange 27, the coping
26 having an outer surface 28 which may be marked in accordance
with the striped warning marking illustrated on the tape 23 of FIG.
1. An alternative again is that the tape 23 may be applied to the
coping 26 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.
[0030] The coping is an extrusion illustrated in FIG. 7 while the
retainer and latching pin are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.
The process for assembly of a barrier on-site is illustrated with
regard to FIGS. 10 to 17 and the steps involved are set out as
follows: [0031] 1. Check for underground services. [0032] 2.
Visualise where the barrier is to be placed. [0033] 3. Run a string
line between beginning and end points of each straight section.
[0034] 4. Lay panels out along the line. [0035] 5. Cut a small
cross (FIG. 11) in plastic membrane at both ends of top and bottom
flanges in each panel. [0036] 6. Stand the first panel at left hand
end of the line. [0037] 7. Ensure the flanges of the panel face
away from you and the positioning sticker is positioned to the
right (FIG. 10). The panels are folded with the left-hand end
slightly narrower than the right-hand end so larger end can overlap
the narrower end. [0038] 8. Place a 650 mm long star picket (FIG.
12, 13) through the cuts in the top and bottom flanges on the
left-hand end of the panel, with holes in picket furthest away from
you. [0039] 9. Drive picket into ground until second hole from top
of picket is approx 50 mm above the top flange (FIG. 13). [0040]
10. Stand the second panel and place its narrower end into the
wider end of the first panel overlapping the second panel by 50 mm.
[0041] 11. Place a second star picket through the cuts in the
overlapped flanges of the first and second panels, and drive picket
into ground same as Step 9. [0042] 12. Repeat Steps 10 and 11 until
all panels have been erected. [0043] 13. Place a cap (FIG. 15) onto
top of each picket. [0044] 14. Place cap retainer (FIG. 6) over cap
into locating groove. [0045] 15. At each picket, lift panels approx
50 mm so retainer passes through cuts in top flanges. [0046] 16.
Line up holes in retainer with second hole from the top of the
picket, and place latching pin through all 3 holes (FIG. 17).
Bottom of barrier will be approx 50 mm off ground. Where a retainer
& latching pin cannot be used, a 550 mm nylon cable tie may be
used to retain the caps in place.
[0047] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative
example of the present invention many variations and modifications
thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set
out in the appended claims.
* * * * *