FENCE/RAILING/GATE ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a fence/railing/gate element comprising a base frame (16) that has a multiplicity of vertical bars (18; 18′) connected to a lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 2″″), wherein the lengths of the vertical bars (18; 18′) are greater than the horizontal distance between two adjacent vertical bars (18; 18′). In order to extend the possible uses of such elements, it is provided according to the invention that between two adjacent vertical bars (18; 18′), in each case one flat filling element (24; 24′) is inserted for filling the space between two adjacent vertical bars (18; 18′), the height of which filling element—measured in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″)—is greater than its width, wherein the support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″) is arranged vertically below the filling elements (24; 24′) and the region vertically above the filling elements (24; 24′) is open.

Claims

1. A fence/railing/gate element comprising a base frame (16 ) that has a multiplicity of vertical bars (18; 18′) connected to a lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″), wherein the lengths of the vertical bars (18; 18′) are greater than the horizontal distance between two adjacent vertical bars (18; 18′), wherein between two adjacent vertical bars (18; 18′), in each case one flat filling element (24; 24′) is inserted for filling the space between two adjacent vertical bars (18; 18′), the height of which filling element—measured in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″)—is greater than its width, wherein the support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″) is arranged vertically below the filling elements (24; 24′) and the region vertically above the filling elements (24; 24′) is open.

2. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the base frame (16) and the filling elements (24; 24′) are made of different materials.

3. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the base frame (16) and the filling elements (24; 24′) are made of the same materials.

4. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the material of the base frame (16) is or includes steel, powder-coated galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, powder-coated aluminum, plastics, metal, composite material, bamboo or, respectively, bamboo-plastic composite material or wood or, respectively, wood-plastic composite material, and the material of the filling elements (24; 24′) is or includes wood, glass, aluminum, plastics, composite material or bamboo or, respectively, bamboo-plastic composite material or wood or, respectively, wood-plastic composite material, HPL, pure plastics, such as acrylic glass or recycled plastics, rocks or stone material, such as fiber cement, concrete, ceramics, slate, etc., and/or carbon material, such as carbon.

5. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein above the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″), horizontal connecting bars (22) are attached to the vertical bars (18; 18′) by means of which the vertical bars (18; 18′) are connected to one another.

6. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 5, wherein sealing material and/or rubber elements are arranged between the horizontal connecting bars (22) and the filling elements.

7. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein sealing material and/or rubber elements are arranged between the vertical bars (18; 18′) and the filling elements (24; 24′).

8. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the vertical bars (18; 18′) have grooves (30) for guiding the filling elements (24; 24′), wherein the widths of the grooves are adapted to the thicknesses of the filling elements (24; 24′).

9. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 8, wherein the grooves (30) are provided with sealing material and/or rubber elements.

10. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″), the vertical bars (18; 18′) and/or the horizontal connecting bars (22 ) are provided with light sources (36; 36′; 36″), for example LED strips.

11. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 10, wherein the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″) is formed as a rectangular tube with slots (34; 34′; 34″) extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube and arranged on the upper side thereof in the region of translucent filling elements (24; 24′), and the light sources (36; 36′; 36″) are strip light sources arranged within the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″).

12. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, in that wherein between the two outer vertical bars (18; 18′) and the respective nearest end of the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″) there is a distance which corresponds to the distance between two vertical bars (18; 18′).

13. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the two outer vertical bars (18; 18′) are fastened to the respective ends of the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″).

14. The fence/railing/gate element according to claim 1, wherein the vertical bars (18; 18′), the lower support profile (20; 20′; 20″; 20′″; 20″″) and/or the horizontal connecting bars (22 ) are formed round, angular or as a special profile as a hollow body or solid made of solid material.

15. A fence, railing or gate with fence/railing/gate elements according to claim 1, wherein each fence/railing/gate element (10) is mounted between two posts (12, 14) provided laterally of each element (10).

16. The fence or railing according to claim 15, wherein the posts have base plates (26, 28).

Description

[0044] In the drawings:

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fence/railing/gate element according to the invention, arranged between two posts in a side view,

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a lateral sectional view of an enlarged detail in the region of the connection between the lower support profile and a vertical bar of the fence/railing/gate element shown in FIG. 1,

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view from below of an enlarged detail in the region of the connection between a vertical bar and adjacent horizontal connecting bars and filling elements of the fence/railing/gate element shown in FIG. 1,

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view from below of an enlarged detail in the region of the connection between a vertical bar and adjoining filling elements of an alternative embodiment according to the invention of the fence/railing/gate element shown in FIG. 1,

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a lateral sectional view of an enlarged detail in the region of the connection between the lower support profile and a vertical bar of the fence/railing/gate element shown in FIG. 1 according to an alternative configuration to FIG. 2,

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a lateral sectional view of an enlarged detail in the region between the lower support profile and a filling element arranged thereabove according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a view from above of the lower support profile in a configuration according to FIG. 6,

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a lateral sectional view of an enlarged detail in the region between the lower support profile and a filling element arranged thereabove according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, and

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a lateral sectional view of an enlarged detail in the region between the lower support profile and a filling element arranged thereabove according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fence/railing/gate element 10 according to the invention, which is arranged between two posts 12, 14.

[0055] The fence/railing/gate element 10 comprises a base frame 16, which comprises a multiplicity of vertical bars 18, which are connected to a lower support profile 20. The vertical bars 18 can be formed round, square or with a different cross-section, namely as a hollow profile or made from solid material. Likewise, the lower support profile 20 can be formed round, square or with a different cross-section, namely as a hollow profile or made from solid material. The configuration of the vertical bars 18 and the configuration of the lower support profile 20 are independent of each other.

[0056] The connection between vertical bars 18 and the lower support profile 20 can be implemented in different ways. In particular, this concerns a welded connection, screw connection, rivet connection, clamp connection, adhesive connection or a plug connection. However, the connection can also be made by pushing matching profiles into each other.

[0057] The vertical bars 18 are arranged spaced apart from each other on the lower support profile 20. The distances between two adjacent vertical bars 18 are significantly smaller than the lengths of the vertical bars 18. Preferably, the distances are selected to be the same.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the vertical bars can be connected to one or more horizontal connecting bars 22 for stabilization and visual enhancement.

[0059] The horizontal connecting rods 22 can again be round, angular or also formed with a different cross-section, namely again as a hollow profile or made from solid material. The configuration of the horizontal connecting bars 22 in turn is independent of the configuration of the vertical bars 18 and the configuration of the lower support profile 20.

[0060] The connection between the horizontal connecting bars 22 and the vertical bars 18 can also be established by welding, screwing, riveting, clamping, gluing or by inserting or pushing them into each other.

[0061] The base frame 16 is thus formed by the lower support profile 20, the vertical bars 18 and the horizontal connecting bars 22.

[0062] The base frame 16 is preferably made of steel, in particular hot-dip galvanized and/or powder-coated steel, stainless steel, in particular powder-coated stainless steel, aluminum, in particular powder-coated aluminum or plastics. Alternatively, the base frame 16 is made of wood or wood-plastic composite materials, in particular bamboo or, respectively, bamboo-plastic composite materials.

[0063] The base frame 16 can also have a surface finish which is formed by painting, sealing, burnishing and anodizing, for example.

[0064] Between each two adjacent vertical bars 18, one flat filling element 24 is inserted to fill the space between two adjacent vertical bars 18. The height of the filling elements 24 is greater than the width of the filling elements 24 measured in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the lower support profile 20. This gives the filling elements 24 an elongated appearance. The filling elements 24 are aligned in such a manner that their long side is vertical.

[0065] The base frame 16 is constructed in such a manner that these filling elements 24 can be inserted vertically from above into the spaces between two adjacent vertical bars 18.

[0066] Advantageously, the base frame 16 —as well as the filling elements 24 —have already been manufactured in the production plant. When erecting a fence, railing or gate, the base frame 16 is erected first between the posts 12, 14 and attached thereto and in a second step, the filling elements 24 are integrated in the base frame 16.

[0067] This two-stage construction allows a weight reduction of the fence panels or railing panels to be erected. This is advantageous so that a fence or railing can be erected with the strength of one or two persons alone without the need of large machines.

[0068] Attaching the fence/railing/gate elements 10 to the posts 12, 14 is preferably carried out with screws. Alternatively, fastening can be carried out by riveting, gluing, clamping, sliding into each other or welding.

[0069] The posts 12, 14 can be made of steel, in particular hot-dip galvanized and/or powder-coated steel, stainless steel, in particular powder-coated stainless steel, aluminum, in particular powder-coated aluminum, or plastics, or of wood or, respectively, wood-plastic composite materials, in particular bamboo, or, respectively, bamboo-plastic composite materials. In addition, the posts 12, 14 may be provided with a surface finish, e.g. by painting, sealing, burnishing or anodizing.

[0070] The posts 12, 14 are either anchored in the ground or subsoil, e.g. by burying, setting in concrete or screwing onto masonry or a foundation, a concrete slab or stairs. In particular in the case of screwing, the posts 12, 14 are provided with base plates 26, 28.

[0071] Thanks to the base plates 26, 28 on the posts 12, 14 it is also possible to install a fence or railing without anchoring, wherein the fence or the railing will remain standing due to its dead weight.

[0072] The filling elements 24 are preferably made of wood, glass, aluminum, plastics or wood or, respectively, wood-plastic composite materials, in particular bamboo or, respectively, bamboo-plastic composite materials.

[0073] Moreover, filling elements 24 can also be formed by means of textiles or fabrics. In a particular embodiment, such textiles or fabrics are advantageously stretched onto a frame.

[0074] The filling elements 24 either rest directly on the lower support profile 20 or are arranged spaced apart from the lower support profile. The first case is advantageous if a privacy screen and/or wind protection reaching down to the ground is to be provided. In this case, it is even possible to insert filling elements 24 into the lower support profile 20, for which purpose the lower support profile 20 accordingly has a groove, for example. The second case is advantageous if permanent moisture in the region between the lower support profile 20 and the filling elements 24 is to be avoided, for example if the filling elements 24 are made of wood or other materials that are sensitive to moisture.

[0075] The vertical bars 18 and optionally additional horizontal connecting bars 22 prevent the filling elements 24 from tilting sideways, i.e. to the right or left and backwards or forwards.

[0076] In addition, sealing material and/or rubber elements may be placed between the horizontal connecting bars 22 and/or the vertical bars 18 and the filling elements 24 to further stabilize the filling elements 24 and to prevent movement, in particular rattling.

[0077] According to a particular further development of the invention, one or more light sources, such as LED strips, are located on the base frame 16, preferably on or along the lower support profile 20. Such light sources make it possible to light up translucent materials as filling elements 24, such as glass, for example. If, on the other hand, the filling elements 24 are made of opaque materials, the light sources are arranged on the base frame 16 in such a manner that the fence/railing/gate element 10 can be illuminated either on one side or on both sides.

[0078] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to arrange the light sources on the vertical bars 18 and/or on the horizontal connecting bars 22.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a possibility of connecting a vertical bar to the lower support profile 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this example, the vertical bars 18 are inserted laterally into the support profile 20. The vertical bars 18 and the support profile are matched to each other in such a manner that a form fit is achieved. The selected profiles and shapes are only examples; various variants are possible.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a possible installation of the filling elements 24 between vertical bars 18 and horizontal connecting bars 22. In this embodiment, the filling elements 24 are clamped between the connecting bars 22 by inserting, e.g., rubber elements or other sealing materials between the filling elements 24 and the horizontal connecting bars 22 or the vertical bars 18.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment in which the filling elements 24′ are formed to be thinner than in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, e.g. as glass panes or aluminum or plastic plates. These filling elements 24′ are pushed into grooves 30 of the vertical bars 18′. The filling elements 24′ can be secured in these grooves 30, e.g. by clamping with sealing material or rubber elements, by gluing, screwing or riveting. In this embodiment, the horizontal connecting bars 22 are dispensable and therefore not illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows an alternative possibility—instead of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2—of connecting a vertical bar 18″, formed as a rectangular tube, to a lower support profile 20′, likewise formed as a rectangular tube. The rectangular tube of the vertical bar 18″ is welded to the lower support profile 20′ thereby forming weld seams 32.

[0083] In an alternative embodiment, the vertical bars 18 are formed to be solid, while the lower support profile 20′ is formed as a tube. Conversely, in another alternative embodiment, the lower support profile 20 is solid, while the vertical bars are tubes.

[0084] In these alternative embodiments, too, the connections between the lower support profile and vertical bars can be formed by weld seams.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows an alternative configuration of the lower support profile 20″, which supports translucent glass plates or translucent plastic plates as filling elements 24′. The support profile 20″ is formed as a rectangular steel tube with slots 34, which are located on the upper side of the support profile 20″, as illustrated in Fig. 7, which shows a view from above of the support profile 20″ illustrated in FIG. 6—but without filling elements 24′.

[0086] Inside this support profile 20″, LED strips 36 are arranged which are mounted, e.g. by gluing, on a support body 38, in particular a rectangular tube, made of plastic, in particular PVC. The arrangement of LED strip 36 and support body 38 is pushed laterally into the support profile 20″ and screwed to the support profile 20″ by means of screws 40, in particular countersunk screws. In this way, the translucent filling elements are illuminated 24′ from below and diffusely emit the fed light to the surroundings via their lateral surfaces.

[0087] In this embodiment, there are holes in the lateral posts 12, 14 which are located at the level of the lower support profile 20″ and through which electrical lines are led to the LED strips 36.

[0088] FIG. 7 shows 34 drain holes 42 next to the slots, through which liquid that has entered during a galvanizing process can drain off again. These drain holes 42 are preferably located in the region of the vertical bars 18″, which are formed as pipes, so that liquid—which accumulates in the vertical bars 18″ during the galvanizing process—can drain off again at the end of this process.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows another alternative configuration of the lower support profile 20″. In this configuration, the slot 34′ is wider than the translucent filling element 24′ which, e.g., is formed as tempered glass (Einscheibensicherheitsglas, ESG) or as translucent plastic plate. Therefore, the filling element 24′ is embedded in the support profile.

[0090] Within the support profile 20′″ there is a support body formed as a C-profile 38′ which is attached to the bottom part of the support profile 20′″. The C-profile is open at the top. Within the C-profile, there is a LED strip 36′ with a multiplicity of LEDs 44 mounted on a circuit board 46. This LED strip 36′ is encapsulated in the C-profile with epoxy resin 48 which extends up to the upper edge 50 of the C-profile. The translucent filling element 24′ rests with its lower edge or, respectively, side surface on the epoxy resin 48, so that light can enter directly from the epoxy resin 48 irradiated by the LEDs 44 into the translucent filling element 24′.

[0091] FIG. 9 shows another alternative configuration of the lower support profile 20′″. In this configuration, the slot 34″ is also wider than the translucent filling element 24′, which in turn is designed, for example, as ESG (tempered glass) or as a translucent plastic plate. The filling element 24′ is therefore embedded into the support profile.

[0092] Within the support profile 20′″ there is again a support body 38″ formed as a C-profile which is attached to an intermediate part of the support profile 20″″. The C-profile is again open at the top. Within the C-profile, there is an LED strip 36″ with a multiplicity of LEDs 44 mounted on a circuit board 46. This LED strip 36′ is encapsulated in the C-profile with epoxy resin 48 which extends to the upper edge 50 of the C-profile. The translucent filling element 24′ in turn rests with its lower edge or, respectively, side surface on the epoxy resin 48 so that light from the epoxy resin 48 irradiated by the LEDs 44 can enter directly into the translucent filling element 24′.

[0093] The support profile 20″″ according to FIG. 9 differs from the support profile 20′″ according to FIG. 8 in that it has a channel 52 in the lower area which is used to accommodate voltage supply lines and/or data lines. Via these lines, sensors can be supplied with power and data of the sensors can be send to a control unit or control module. The channel 52 can advantageously be provided in its lower area with slots for the drainage of rainwater.

[0094] Overall, the invention therefore makes it possible to provide an easy-to-install fence or railing as well as easy-to-install gates which, depending on the embodiment, are used as privacy screens, wind protection, property boundaries, fall protection and/or for visual appearance.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference list: 10 Fence/railing/gate elements 12 post 14 post 16 base frame 18, 18′, 18″ vertical bar 20, 20′, 20″, 20″′, 20″″ lower support profile 22 horizontal connecting bar 24, 24′ filling element 26 base plate 28 base plate 30 grooves 32 weld seam 34, 34′, 34″ slot 36, 36′, 36″ LED strip 38, 38′, 38″ support body 40 screw 42 drain hole 44 LED 46 circuit board 48 epoxy resin 50 upper edge 52 channel