Fence plinth member

Abstract

Disclosed is a substantially rectangular plinth member for installation at the base of a fence to at least partially close a space between the fence and a ground surface underneath the fence. The plinth member is elongate and comprises a first major surface and an opposite second major surface. The plinth member has a major axis and a minor axis extending perpendicular thereto, the major and minor axes defining a notional centre plane of the plinth member. The plinth member has first and second end margins at its respective opposite ends along the major axis and third and fourth end margins at its respective opposite ends along the minor axis. A plurality of substantially parallel stiffening formations are defined by portions of the plinth member that are displaced from the notional centre plane, extend between the first and second end margins, and are spaced apart between the third and fourth end margins. The stiffening formations are configured such that the plinth member has a greater pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the first major surface than it has when loaded on the second major surface.

Claims

1. A plinth member for installation at the base of a fence to at least partially close a space between the fence and a ground surface underneath the fence, the plinth member being elongate and comprising: a first major surface and an opposite second major surface; a major axis and a minor axis extending perpendicular thereto, the major and minor axes defining a notional centre plane of the plinth member; first and second end margins at its respective opposite ends along the major axis; third and fourth end margins at its respective opposite ends along the minor axis, the third and fourth end margins extending between the first and second end margins, and, together with the first and second end margins, defining a substantially rectangular perimeter margin of the plinth member; and a plurality of substantially parallel stiffening formations that are defined by portions of the plinth member that are displaced from the notional centre plane, that extend between the first and second end margins, and that are spaced apart between the third and fourth end margins, the stiffening formations being configured such that the plinth member has a greater pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the first major surface than it has when loaded on the second major surface.

2. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure load bearing capacity of the plinth member when loaded on the first major surface is at least 1.1 times its pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the second major surface.

3. The plinth member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure load bearing capacity of the plinth member when loaded on the first major surface is at least 1.3 times its pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the second major surface.

4. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the stiffening formations comprise a portion that is displaced by between 15 mm and 40 mm from the notional centre plane.

5. The plinth member as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least some of the stiffening formations comprise a portion that is displaced by between 15 mm and 25 mm from the notional centre plane.

6. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the stiffening formations extend on a first side of the notional centre plane and at least some of the stiffening formations extend on an opposite second side of the notional centre plane.

7. The plinth member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stiffening formations comprise corrugations or ribs, and wherein the corrugations or ribs on the side of the notional centre plane associated with the first major surface have wider peaks or peaks of greater radius than the peaks of the corrugations or ribs on the other side of the notional centre plane.

8. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mass of the portion of the plinth member on the side of the notional centre plane associated with the first major surface is greater than the mass of the portion of the plinth member on the other side of the notional centre plane.

9. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mass of the portion of the plinth member on the side of the notional centre plane associated with the first major surface multiplied by the distance of the centre of mass of that portion from the notional centre plane is greater than the mass of the portion of the plinth member on the other side of the notional centre plane multiplied by the distance of the centre of mass of that portion from the notional centre plane.

10. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the plinth member between the first and second end margins to the length of the plinth member between the third and fourth margins, following the contour of the first major surface, is between 0.5 and 0.8.

11. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, having: a length, measured along the major axis, of between 2 m and 3 m; and a height, measured along the minor axis, of at least 150 mm.

12. The plinth member as claimed in claim 11, wherein the height of the plinth member, measured along the minor axis, is less than 500 mm.

13. The plinth member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second major surfaces, inclusive of the stiffening formations, are configured to allow free drainage of water across those surfaces when the plinth member is oriented with the first and second edge margins substantially vertical.

14. A kit for constructing a fence panel, the kit comprising: a pair of posts, each of the posts defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first portion for embedment in ground on which the fence panel is to be constructed and a second portion that is to extend from the ground, the second portion having an upper end distal from the first portion and a lower end proximal to the first portion; an upper rail for interconnecting the pair of posts at or adjacent the upper ends of their second portions; a lower rail for interconnecting the pair of posts adjacent the lower ends of their second portions at a location spaced from their first portions; one or more infill member for installation in a first space bounded by the upper and lower rails and the portion of the posts between the upper and lower rails, wherein the one or more infill member at least partially infills the first space; one or more elongate plinth member for installation in a second space defined between the lower rail and a portion of the posts below the lower rail, each said one or more plinth member comprising: a first major surface and an opposite second major surface; a major axis and a minor axis extending perpendicular thereto, the major and minor axes defining a notional centre plane of the plinth member; first and second end margins at its respective opposite ends along the major axis; third and fourth end margins at its respective opposite ends along the minor axis, the third and fourth end margins extending between the first and second end margins, and, together with the first and second end margins, defining a substantially rectangular perimeter margin of the plinth member; and a plurality of substantially parallel stiffening formations that are defined by portions of the plinth member that are displaced from the notional centre plane, that extend between the first and second end margins, and that are spaced apart between the third and fourth end margins, the stiffening formations being configured such that the plinth member has a greater pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the first major surface than it has when loaded on the second major surface, wherein, with the one or more plinth member installed in the second space: the one or more plinth member extends between the posts, and the stiffening formations of the one or more plinth member extend substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of each post.

15. A fence panel comprising: a pair of posts comprising a first post and a second post, each of the posts defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first portion for embedment in ground on which the fence panel is to be constructed and a second portion that is to extend from the ground, the second portion having an upper end distal from the first portion and a lower end proximal to the first portion; an upper rail interconnecting the pair of posts at or adjacent the upper ends of their second portions; a lower rail interconnecting the pair of posts adjacent the lower ends of their second portions at a location spaced from their first portions; one or more infill member installed in a first space bounded by the upper and lower rails and the portion of the posts between the upper and lower rails, wherein the one or more infill member at least partially infills the first space; one or more elongate plinth member for installation in a second space defined between the lower rail and a portion of the posts below the lower rail, each said one or more plinth member comprising: a first major surface and an opposite second major surface; a major axis and a minor axis extending perpendicular thereto, the major and minor axes defining a notional centre plane of the plinth member; first and second end margins at its respective opposite ends along the major axis; third and fourth end margins at its respective opposite ends along the minor axis, the third and fourth end margins extending between the first and second end margins, and, together with the first and second end margins, defining a substantially rectangular perimeter margin of the plinth member; and a plurality of substantially parallel stiffening formations that are defined by portions of the plinth member that are displaced from the notional centre plane, that extend between the first and second end margins, and that are spaced apart between the third and fourth end margins, the stiffening formations being configured such that the plinth member has a greater pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the first major surface than it has when loaded on the second major surface, wherein, with the one or more plinth member installed in the second space: the one or more plinth member extends between the posts, and the stiffening formations of the one or more plinth member extend substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of each post.

16. A method of using a fence panel to retain ground on one side of the fence panel that is higher than ground on the other side of the fence panel, the method comprising: providing a fence panel comprising: a pair of posts comprising a first post and a second post, each of the posts defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first portion for embedment in ground on which the fence panel is to be constructed and a second portion that is to extend from the ground, the second portion having an upper end distal from the first portion and a lower end proximal to the first portion, an upper rail interconnecting the pair of posts at or adjacent the upper ends of their second portions, a lower rail interconnecting the pair of posts adjacent the lower ends of their second portions at a location spaced from their first portions, one or more infill member installed in a first space bounded by the upper and lower rails and the portion of the posts between the upper and lower rails, wherein the one or more infill member at least partially infills the first space, one or more elongate plinth member for installation in a second space defined between the lower rail and a portion of the posts below the lower rail, each said one or more plinth member comprising, a first major surface and an opposite second major surface, a major axis and a minor axis extending perpendicular thereto, the major and minor axes defining a notional centre plane of the plinth member, first and second end margins at its respective opposite ends along the major axis, third and fourth end margins at its respective opposite ends along the minor axis, the third and fourth end margins extending between the first and second end margins, and, together with the first and second end margins, defining a substantially rectangular perimeter margin of the plinth member, and a plurality of substantially parallel stiffening formations that are defined by portions of the plinth member that are displaced from the notional centre plane, that extend between the first and second end margins, and that are spaced apart between the third and fourth end margins, the stiffening formations being configured such that the plinth member has a greater pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the first major surface than it has when loaded on the second major surface; embedding the first portion of each of the posts in the ground; and installing the one or more plinth member in the second space such that: the first major surface of the one or more plinth member faces toward the ground to be retained; the one or more plinth member extends between the posts, and the stiffening formations of the one or more plinth member extend substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of each post.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the principles disclosed herein will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fence panel comprising a plinth member embodying the presently disclosed principles;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken horizontally through the fence panel of FIG. 1 along line II-II;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partial length of the plinth member used in the fence panel of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a plinth assembly comprising two lapped plinth members embodying the presently disclosed principles;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 4, but showing an alternative plinth member embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(9) Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a fence panel 10 comprising a pair of posts, including a first post 12 and a second post 14. Each of the posts defines a longitudinal axis A and comprises a first portion 12a, 14a for embedment in ground on which the fence panel is to be constructed and a second portion 12b, 14b that is to extend from the ground. The second portion 12b, 14b has an upper end 12b1, 14b1 distal from the first portion 12a, 14a and a lower end 12b2, 14b2 proximal to the first portion. An upper rail 16 interconnects the posts 12, 14 at or adjacent the upper ends of their second portions 12b, 14b. A lower rail 18 interconnects the posts 12, 14 adjacent the lower ends of their second portions 12b, 14b at a location spaced from their first portions 12a, 14a. One or more infill member, such as roll formed, profiled sheets 20, is installed in a first space S1 bounded by the upper and lower rails 16, 18 and the portion of the posts 12, 14 between the upper and lower rails. In the illustrated embodiment, the infill members 20 substantially completely infill space S1. One or more plinth member 22 is installed in a second space S2 defined between the lower rail 18 and a portion of the posts 12, 14 below the lower rail. The plinth member 22 extends between the posts 12, 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ground surface at the front of the fence panel 10 is at the same level as the ground surface at the rear of the fence panel, the space S2 extends from the lower rail 18 to the ground surface under the fence panel, and plinth member 22 substantially completely closes space S2. In other embodiments, the ground surface at the front of the fence panel 10 may be at a different level to the ground surface at the rear of the fence panel, the space S2 may extend from the lower rail 18 to the lowermost of the front and rear ground surface, and plinth member 22 may substantially completely close space S2 to retain the ground under the fence panel 10. In yet further embodiments, irrespective of whether the front and rear ground surfaces are at the same or a different level, the space S2 may extend from the lower rail 18 to the lowermost of the ground surfaces, and plinth member 22 may partially close space S2.

(10) Plinth member 22 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Plinth member 22 is elongate and comprises a first major surface 22a and an opposite second major surface 22b, and a major axis X and a minor axis Y extending perpendicular thereto. The major and minor axes X, Y define a notional centre plane of the plinth member 22. The plinth member 22 has first and second end margins 22c, 22d at respective opposite ends along the major axis X, and third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f at respective opposite ends along the minor axis Y. The third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f extend between the first and second end margins 22c, 22d, and, together with the first and second end margins, define a substantially rectangular perimeter margin of the plinth member 22. A plurality of substantially parallel stiffening formations 24 extend between the first and second end margins 22c, 22d. The stiffening formations 24 are spaced between the third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f and are configured such that the plinth member 22 has a greater pressure load bearing capacity when loaded on the first major surface 22a than it has when loaded on the second major surface 22b. In use, the stiffening formations 24 extend substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axes A of the posts 12, 14.

(11) The configuration of the plinth member 22, and especially of the stiffening formations 24, is such that the pressure load bearing capacity P1 of the plinth member 22 when loaded on the first major surface 22a is at least 1.1 times the pressure load bearing capacity P2 of the plinth member when loaded on the second major surface 22b. In other embodiments, P1 is up to around 1.5 times P2.

(12) As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stiffening formations 24 are defined by portions of the plinth member 22 that are displaced from its notional centre plane P. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening formations 24 comprise corrugations or ribs, which are formed from planar portions 24a with smoothly curved transition portions 24b therebetween. The stiffening formations 24 on a first side of the notional centre P plane of the plinth member 22 have wider peaks 24c than the peaks 24d of the stiffening formations 24 on the second side of the notional centre plane P. In the illustrated embodiment, the peaks 24c, 24d of the stiffening formations 24 are displaced by about 25 mm from plane P. In other embodiments, the stiffening formations 24 may be displaced from plane P by a greater or lesser extent.

(13) It will be appreciated that in plinth member 22, the mass M1 of the portion of the plinth member on the first side of plane P is greater than the mass M2 of the portion of the plinth member on the second side of plane P. Moreover, M1 multiplied by the distance of the centre of mass of M1 from plane P is greater than M2 multiplied by the distance of the centre of mass of M2 from plane P. As such, capacity of the plinth member 22 to bear load on the first side of plane P (i.e., on the first major surface 22a) is greater than its capacity to bear load on the second side of plane P (i.e., on the first major surface 22b).

(14) In the illustrated embodiment, stiffening formations 24 extend from both sides of plane P. In other embodiments, stiffening formations 24 (and the displaced portions of the plinth member 22 that define them) may extend from only one side of plane P and may, for example, comprise alternating ribs and pans.

(15) In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening formations 24 extend between the first and second end margins 22c, 22d along the full length of the plinth member 22. In other embodiments, the only part way along the plinth member 22 and may, for example, terminate inboard of the first and second end margins 22c, 22d. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening formations 24 extend substantially parallel to the third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f, but, in other embodiments, may extend at an angle to the third and fourth end margins.

(16) In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the plinth member 22 measured between the first end margin 22c and the second end margin 22d is approximately 2.7 m, which is a common fence panel width. However, the plinth member 22 may be longer or shorter, as required, for fence panels of longer or shorter width. In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the plinth member 22 measured between the third end margin 22e and the fourth end margin 22f is approximately 325 mm. However, in other embodiments, the plinth member 22 may be of greater or lesser height.

(17) As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f are configured to allow lapping of the third end margin 22e of one plinth member 22 with the fourth end margin 22f of another plinth member 22 to form a plinth assembly 220. A stiffening formation 24 on the first (higher pressure load capacity) side of the notional centre plane P of the plinth member 22 is provided in both the third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f When the two plinth members 22 are lapped as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a stiffening formation 24 in the third end margin 22e of the upper plinth member 22 is lapped over a stiffening formation 24 in the fourth end margin 22f of the lower plinth member 22. In another embodiment, a stiffening formation 24 on the second (lower pressure load capacity) side of plane P of the plinth member 22 may be provided in both the third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f, with the stiffening formation 24 in the third end margin 22e of one plinth member 22 being lapped over the stiffening formation 24 in the fourth end margin 22f of the other plinth member 22 when two plinth members 22 are lapped. The plinth members 22 in FIGS. 5 and 6 are shown oriented at an angle to horizontal, as would be the case when used in a fence panel 10 that is sloped to more closely follow a sloping ground surface. To facilitate good fit with posts 12, 14, which even in a sloped fence panel 10 are vertical, the longitudinal ends of the angled plinth members 22 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are trimmed at an angle such that they will be substantially vertical when connected to the posts 12, 14.

(18) The plinth member 22 is configured to be stackable with the first major surface 22a of one plinth member 22 facing the second major surface 22b of a like plinth member 22. When stacked, the plinth members 22 are substantially coterminous, along their third and fourth end margins 22e, 22f, and, if they are of the same length, also along their first and second end margins 22c, 22d.

(19) The stiffening formations 24 are configured to allow free drainage of water across the first and second major surfaces 22a, 22b when the plinth member 22 is oriented with the first and second edge margins 22c, 22d oriented substantially vertically.

(20) In the illustrated embodiments, plinth member 22 is roll formed from pre-coated steel, such as galvanised steel with or without an outer paint layer(s). The galvanised steel sheet from which the plinth member 22 is roll formed has a base metal thickness of 0.8 mm. In other embodiments, the plinth member 22 may be formed from a material having a different base thickness and/or from another material, such as a different metal and/or may have its profile imparted using a method other than roll forming, such as by extrusion of a billet of material through a die.

(21) Having described the plinth member 22 in some detail, other particulars of the fence panel 10 will now be more fully described.

(22) As best seen in FIG. 2, each of the posts 12, 14 defines a corresponding elongate channel 12c, 14c. The channel 12c of post 12 faces toward the channel 14c of post 14. The first end margin 22c of the plinth member(s) extends into channel 12c and the second end margin 22d of the plinth member(s) extends into channel 14c. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second end margins 22c, 22d of the plinth member(s) 22 and channels 12c, 14c have a relative configuration that facilitates snug engagement of the first and second end margins in the channels. However, the first and second end margins 22c, 22d of the plinth member(s) 22 may alternatively or additionally be fixedly connected to the respective post 12, 14, such as by screws 30, bolts or other mechanical fasteners, which may, for example, extend through the sidewalls of channels 12c, 14c and into the first and second end margins 22c, 22d of the plinth member(s) 22.

(23) In fence panel 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the rails 16, 18 is generally U-shaped in transverse cross section, comprising a web with flanges extending from opposite ends thereof to define an elongate channel 16c, 18c. The channel 16c of the upper rail 16 faces toward the channel 18c of the lower rail 18. The infill member(s) 20 have a first (lower) end that extends into channel 18c and an opposite second (upper) end that extends into channel 16c. The first and second ends of the infill member(s) 20 may be fixedly connected to the respective rail 18, 16, for example by screws, bolts or other mechanical fasteners, or by mechanical or frictional interlock. In other embodiments, a third rail of similar configuration to rails 16, 18 may interconnect the posts 12, 14 and may be located below rail 18. In such embodiments, the channel of the third rail faces downwardly away from channel 18c, and the third end margins 22f of the plinth member(s) 22 and the channel of the third rail have a relative configuration that facilitates engagement of the third end margins of the plinth member(s) in the channel of the third rail.

(24) In embodiments where the fence panel 10 comprises a single plinth member 22 in space S2, the portion of the posts 12, 14 below the lower rail 18 has a length that is greater than a height of the plinth member 22 measured along the minor axis Y of the plinth member. In embodiments where the fence panel 10 comprises an assembly 220 of lapped plinth members 22 in space S2, the portion of the posts 12, 14 below rail 18 has a length that is greater than a height of the plinth assembly 220 measured along the minor axis Y of the plinth members 22. As such, in either case, when the plinth member 22 or plinth assembly 220 is installed with its upper end adjacent the lower rail 18, the first portion 12a, 14a of the posts extends beyond the lower end of the plinth member or plinth assembly.

(25) In the fence panel 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the infill member(s) 20 is a roll formed, profiled sheet. In other embodiments, however, the infill member 20 may be: a planar, rigid sheet; a mesh, such as a mesh of expanded metal or a woven or welded wire mesh; a plurality of spaced apart pickets or palings; any other barrier for inhibiting the passage of people or animals between the posts 12, 14; and/or may be profiled using a method other than roll forming, such as extrusion.

(26) As discussed above, a fence panel 10 comprising plinth member(s) 22 can be used to retain ground in circumstances where the ground on one side of the fence panel 10 is higher than the ground on the other side. When used for this purpose, the first portion 14a of each of the posts 14 is embedded in the ground to a sufficient depth below the ground level on the lower side of the fence panel 10, and a plinth member 22 or plinth assembly 220 is installed in the second space S2 such that the first major surface 22a of the plinth member(s) 22 faces toward the ground to be retained.

(27) An alternative embodiment of a plinth member 22′ is shown in FIG. 7. This embodiment has many features in common with the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, where corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding features with corresponding functionality. In the FIG. 7 embodiment, however, the plinth member 22′ has smoothly curved stiffening formations 24, with the stiffening formations 24 on the first side of its notional centre plane P having peaks 24c of greater radius than the peaks 24d of the stiffening formations 24 on the second side of the notional centre plane.

(28) It will be appreciated that configuring the plinth member 22, 22′ to have a higher pressure load capacity on one side of its nominal centre plane P than on the other side facilitates the plinth member 22, 22′ being suitable for retaining ground by orienting the higher pressure load capacity side toward the retained ground without overdesigning the side of the plinth member that is not required to retain ground. As such, the plinth member requires less sheet steel for its manufacture than would be the case if the plinth member 22, 22′ was designed to be strong enough to retain ground but had an equal load bearing capacity on both sides (as the non-ground retaining side of the plinth member 22, 22′ would be overdesigned in terms of its pressure load bearing capacity). For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, plinth member 22 uses sheet steel that is 510 mm wide prior to roll forming, with that dimension being reduced to the approximately 325 mm height of plinth member 22 after roll forming. However, if the plinth member 22 were formed with wide peaked stiffening formations on both sides of its nominal centre plane P (such that both sides have a pressure load capacity sufficient to retain ground), substantially wider sheet steel would need to be used to form the plinth member due to the wider peaked stiffening formations on the second side increasing the path length between the third and fourth edge margins of the plinth member. Similarly, if the plinth member 22 is extruded from a billet of material, it requires less material from the billet than would be required for a plinth member that had wide peaked stiffening formations on both sides of its nominal centre plane P.

(29) It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.