FENCE

Abstract

The present application provides a fence panel comprising: a plurality of upright members, and at least one rail connected to each of said upright members, wherein the at least one rail comprises: an external casing defining a rail channel and comprising at least one aperture, wherein each of the upright members extends through an aperture into the rail channel, and an inner plate that extends along at least part of the length of the rail channel, wherein the inner plate is at least partly enclosed by the external casing, wherein the inner plate comprises a flat portion comprising a plurality of openings that rests against the upright members and two angled portions connected to opposite sides of the flat portion and extending away from said upright members and wherein the plurality of upright members each comprise a projection that extends into one of said openings to connect said upright member to the rail.

Claims

1. A fence panel comprising: a plurality of upright members, and at least one rail connected to each of said upright members, wherein the at least one rail comprises: an external casing defining a rail channel and comprising at least one aperture, wherein each of the upright members extends through an aperture into the rail channel, and an inner plate that extends along at least part of the length of the rail channel, wherein the inner plate is at least partly enclosed by the external casing, wherein the inner plate comprises a flat portion comprising a plurality of openings that rests against the upright members and two angled portions connected to opposite sides of the flat portion and extending away from said upright members and wherein the plurality of upright members each comprise a projection that extends into one of said openings to connect said upright member to the rail.

2. The fence panel according to claim 1 wherein the external casing comprises at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture opposite the at least one first aperture, wherein each of the upright members extends through a first and second aperture and thereby extends through the rail channel.

3. The fence panel according to claim 1 wherein the external casing comprises a plurality of apertures such that each upright member extends through a different aperture.

4. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the external casing comprises one aperture extending along at least part of the length thereof, such that all of the upright members extend through the same aperture.

5. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of an aperture is greater than the cross-section of an upright member extending therethrough.

6. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the external casing comprises a lip adjacent to an aperture and extending into the rail channel.

7. The fence panel according to claim 6 wherein the lip is connected to the lower side of the external casing and is angled towards the inside of the external casing, away from said lower side and partly over said aperture.

8. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate comprises portions having a first width alternating with portions having a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

9. The fence panel according to claim 8 wherein the width of the inner plate varies gradually between a portion having a first width and a portion having a second width, thereby forming a wave strip shape.

10. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate extends the entire length of the rail channel.

11. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate comprises a slot hole to secure said inner plate to the external casing.

12. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the fence panel comprises at least two rails.

13. The fence panel according to claim 12 wherein the external casing of at least one rail comprises apertures on only one side of said external casing.

14. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of upright members each comprise a first projection and a second projection, wherein the first projection extends into one of the openings on the inner plate to connect the upright member to the rail, and the second projection is positioned on the opposite side of the upright member to the side with the first projection.

15. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a screw with a screwhead, and the openings each comprise an elongated hole, wherein each elongated hole comprises a section with a width greater than the diameter of the screwhead and a section with a width less than the diameter of the screwhead.

16. The fence panel according to claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a pin.

17. A fence comprising: at least two adjacent fence posts, and a fence panel according claim 1, the fence panel comprising a plurality of upright members located between adjacent fence posts, and at least one rail extending between the adjacent fence posts.

18. The fence according to claim 17 wherein the external casing is clamped to at least one of the fence posts and/or wherein the external casing is bolted to at least one of the fence posts.

19. The fence according to claim 17, wherein at least one end of at least one of the fence posts is connected to a surface.

20. The fence according to claim 17, wherein the end of at least one of the fence posts is embedded in the surface, or wherein the end of at least one of the fence posts comprises a base plate for affixing said fence posts to the surface.

21. A method for assembling the fence panel according to claim 1, in which the projection comprises a screw with a screwhead, and the openings each comprise an elongated hole, wherein each elongated hole comprises a section with a width greater than the diameter of the screwhead and a section with a width less than the diameter of the screwhead, comprising the steps of: a) sliding the inner plate at least part of the way into the rail channel of the external casing; b) inserting each of a plurality of upright members through an aperture in the external casing and into the rail channel, such that the screw on each of the upright members aligns with the section of a corresponding elongated hole on the inner plate having a width greater than the diameter of the screwhead and such that the inner plate is interposed between the upright member and the screwhead; c) sliding the inner plate further into the rail channel such that the screw on each of the upright members aligns with the section of the elongated hole having a width less than the diameter of the screwhead; and d) securing the inner plate to the external casing.

22. A method for assembling the fence panel according to claim 1, in which the projection comprises a pin, comprising the steps of: a) inserting the pin through a corresponding opening on the inner plate, thereby connecting each upright member to the inner plate; and b) passing the plurality of upright members through the aperture of the external casing, such that the inner plate is moved inside the rail channel of the external casing.

23. A method of installing a fence according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: a) installing a first fence post; b) attaching the fence panel according to claim 1 to the first fence post; and c) installing a second fence post and attaching the second fence post to the fence panel, or attaching a second fence post to the fence panel and installing the second fence post.

24. A method of installing a fence according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: a) installing a first and a second fence post; and b) attaching the fence panel according to claim 1 to the first and second fence posts.

25. A kit for assembling the fence according to claim 1, comprising: at least two fence posts, a plurality of upright members, and at least one rail, wherein the at least one rail comprises: an external casing defining a rail channel and comprising at least one aperture, and an inner plate capable of extending along at least part of the length of the rail channel, wherein the inner plate comprises a flat portion comprising a plurality of openings capable of resting against the upright members and two angled portions connected to opposite sides of the flat portion and capable of extending away from the upright members and wherein the plurality of upright members each comprise a projection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0108] The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following examples and figures, in which;

[0109] FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation of the fence in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0110] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of an upright member and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0111] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an upright member and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0112] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of upright members and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0113] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of two upright members and an inner plate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0114] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of upright members and a rail in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0115] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of an upright member and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0116] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section of an upright member and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0117] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section of an upright member and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

[0118] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of two upright members and a rail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] FIG. 1 illustrates a fence 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fence 10 comprises a plurality of fence posts 11 (only one of which is shown), a plurality of upright members 12 and three rails 13a, 13b, 13c. The three rails 13a, 13b, 13c all extend between adjacent fence posts 11 and connect each of the upright members 12. The upright members extend through the lower two rails 13a, 13b, but do not extend through the upper rail 13c. Thus, the fence 10 has a flat top, defined by the upper rail 13c.

[0120] Section A of the fence 10 is racked, demonstrating how the fence can be used on inclined ground. In this section, the plurality of upright members 12 are parallel to the fence post 11, but are not perpendicular to the rails 13a, 13b, 13c. The rails 13a, 13b, 13c are all parallel to one another.

[0121] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the joint between an upright member 21 and a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rail comprises an external casing 22, which has a rectangular cross-section. The external casing 22 has a first aperture 23 on the top side of the casing, and a second aperture 24 on the bottom side of the casing. There is a plurality of first apertures 23 along the length of the external casing 22, whereas there is a single second aperture 24 extending the full length of the external casing 22. The upright member 21 extends all the way through the external casing 22.

[0122] The rail also comprises an inner plate 25. The inner plate 25 comprises a flat portion 26 that rests against the upright member 21 and two angled portions 27 connected to opposite sides of the flat portion, which extend away from the upright member 21. The two angled portions 27 are in contact with the corners of the external casing 22. The lower angled portion 27 is held in place in the external casing 22 by lip 28, which is angled upwards at 45°, away from the lower side of the external casing 22. The inner plate 25 is therefore interposed between the lip 28 and the side of the external casing 22 parallel to the upright member 21.

[0123] The inner plate 25 is connected to the upright member 21 by a steel pin 29 on the upright member 21, which extends into the corresponding opening on the inner plate 25, thus preventing any further translational movement. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member.

[0124] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an upright member and a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. The upright member 31 extends through the external casing 32 via opposed apertures 36a, 36b in the external casing 32. As with FIG. 2, the external casing 32 comprises a plurality of first apertures 36a along its length and a single second aperture 36b, which extends the full length of the external casing 32.

[0125] Inner plate 33 is connected to the external casing 32 and is secured by a slot hole 34a on the inner plate 33, which aligns with a slot hole 34b on the external casing 32. A conventional fastening means can then be used, such as a bolt or a screw, to connect the inner plate 33 to the external casing 32. The upright member 31 is connected to the inner plate 33 by a pin 35 on the upright member 31, which extends through an opening in the inner plate 33. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member.

[0126] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of upright members and a rail and demonstrates how a fence according to an embodiment of the present invention is able to rack. The plurality of upright members 41 may extend vertically atop an inclined terrain. Each of the upright members 41 is connected to the rail 44 by a pin 43 on the upright member 41, which extends through an opening in the inner plate 42. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member. The upright members 41 are free to rotate about said pin 43. The result of this rotation is that the rail 44 is no longer perpendicular to the upright members 41, whilst each of said upright members 41 are parallel to one another and to the fence posts (not shown). Thus, the fence can be used on sloping terrain.

[0127] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the connection between an upright member 51 and the inner plate 52 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The inner plate 52 comprises a flat portion 53 that rests against the upright member 51 and two angled portions 54 connected to opposite sides of the flat portion 53. The upright member 51 comprises a screw 55, which has been partially screwed into the upright member 51 such that the screwhead of the screw is separated from the upright member.

[0128] The inner plate 52 is interposed between the screwhead and the upright member 51, so that the upright member 51 is secured in place. This is achieved by passing the screwhead through an elongated hole 56 in the inner plate 52, which has a section with a width greater than the diameter of the screwhead. The inner plate 53 is then moved relative to the upright members 51 such that the screw is moved along the elongated hole 56 to a section in which the width of the elongated hole 56 is less than the diameter of the screwhead, thereby holding the upright member 51 in place as shown in FIG. 5. This method of connection may be termed a “slide and lock” mechanism.

[0129] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the connection between upright members 61 and the rail in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The rail comprises inner plate 62 and external casing 63. The external casing comprises a plurality of first apertures 64a along its length and a single second aperture 64b, which extends the full length of the external casing 62. Each upright member 61 comprises a pin 65, which connects said upright member 61 to the inner plate 62 by extending through a corresponding opening on the inner plate 62. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member. This prevents any further translational movement of the upright member 61, permitting only rotational movement about the axis of the pin 65.

[0130] This method of assembly may be termed a “push and lock” mechanism, as the upright members 61 and inner plate 62, which are connected, are inserted upwards through the aperture 64b on the lower side of the external casing 63 and out through the aperture 64a on the upper side of the external casing 63, such that the inner plate 62 is positioned inside the rail channel of the external casing 63 and connected thereto. Thus, the inner plate 62 “locks” into place inside the rail channel defined by the external casing 63.

[0131] The inner plate in this embodiment varies in width along its length, comprising sections with a greater width 66a alternated with sections having a smaller width 66b. The width of the inner plate 62 varies gradually between the section of greater width 66a and the section of lesser width 66b, to create a wave strip shape. The inner plate 62 is only in contact with the external casing 63 at those sections where the width is greatest.

[0132] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of the joint between an upright member 71 and a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rail comprises an external casing 72, which has a rectangular cross-section. The external casing 72 has an aperture 73 on the bottom side of the casing, but no aperture on the top side of the casing. Therefore, the upright member 71 does not extend all the way through the external casing 72 and, as such, this figure illustrates an embodiment in which the rail extends along the top of the upright member 71. The aperture 73 is a single aperture extending the full length of the external casing 72.

[0133] The rail also comprises an inner plate 74. The inner plate 74 comprises a flat portion 75 that rests against the upright member 71 and two angled portions 76 connected to opposite sides of the flat portion, which extend away from the upright member 71. The two angled portions 76 are in contact with the corners of the external casing 72. The lower angled portion 76 is held in place in the external casing 72 by lip 77, which is angled upwards at 10°, away from the lower side of the external casing 72. The inner plate 74 is therefore interposed between the lip 77 and the side of the external casing 72 parallel to the upright member 71.

[0134] The inner plate 74 is connected to the upright member 71 by a steel pin 78 on the upright member 71, which extends into the corresponding opening on the inner plate 74, thus preventing any further translational movement. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member.

[0135] The cross-section of the upright member 71 at the top 79 of said upright member 71 is greater than the cross-section of the rest of the length of the upright member 71. The dimension perpendicular to the length of the rail channel of the upright member 71 gradually increase in size, such that the size of the cross-section of the upright member 71 is greatest at the very top. The top of the upright member 71 contacts both the inner plate 74 and the side of the external casing 72 furthest from the inner plate.

[0136] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section of the joint between an upright member 81 and a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rail comprises an external casing 82, which has a rectangular cross-section. The external casing 82 has a first aperture 83 on the top side of the casing and a second aperture 84 on the bottom side of the casing. There is a plurality of first apertures 83 along the length of the external casing 82, whereas there is a single second aperture 84 extending the full length of the external casing 82. The upright member extends through the first aperture 83 but not through the second aperture 84. Therefore, the upright member 81 does not extend all the way through the external casing 82. As such, this figure illustrates an embodiment in which the rail extends along the bottom of the upright member 81.

[0137] The rail also comprises an inner plate 85. The inner plate 85 comprises a flat portion 85a that rests against the upright member 81 and two angled portions 85b connected to opposite sides of the flat portion, which extend away from the upright member 81. The two angled portions 85b are in contact with the corners of the external casing 82. The lower angled portion 85b is held in place in the external casing 82 by lip 86, which is angled upwards at 10°, away from the lower side of the external casing 82. The inner plate 85 is therefore interposed between the lip 86 and the side of the external casing 82 parallel to the upright member 81.

[0138] The inner plate 85 is connected to the upright member 81 by a steel pin 87 on the upright member 81, which extends into the corresponding opening on the inner plate 85, thus preventing any further translational movement. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member.

[0139] The rail further comprises a plastic insert 88. The plastic insert 88 is interposed between upright member 81 and the external casing 82, and is shaped such that it is in contact with both the upright member 81 and the side of the external casing 82 furthest from the inner plate. The plastic insert 88 extends along the entire length of the external casing, and prevents the external casing 82 from rotating about the upright member 81.

[0140] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section of the joint between an upright member 91 and a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rail comprises an external casing 92, which has a rectangular cross-section. The external casing 92 has an aperture 93 on the bottom side of the casing, but no aperture on the top side of the casing. Therefore, the upright member 91 does not extend all the way through the external casing 92 and, as such, this figure illustrates an embodiment in which the rail extends along the top of the upright member 91. The aperture 93 is a single aperture extending the full length of the external casing 92.

[0141] The rail also comprises an inner plate 94. The inner plate 94 comprises a flat portion 94a that rests against the upright member 91 and two angled portions 94b connected to opposite sides of the flat portion 94a, which extend away from the upright member 91. The two angled portions 94b are in contact with the corners of the external casing 92. The lower angled portion 94b is held in place in the external casing 92 by lip 95, which is angled upwards at 70°, away from the lower side of the external casing 92. The inner plate 94 is therefore interposed between the lip 95 and the side of the external casing 92 parallel to the upright member 91.

[0142] The inner plate 94 is connected to the upright member 91 by a steel pin 96 on the upright member 91, which extends into the corresponding opening on the inner plate 94, thus preventing any further translational movement. This pin can be fixed on the upright member or can extend through a hole in the upright member.

[0143] The upright member 91 further comprises a steel screw 97. The steel screw 97 is partially screwed into the upright member 91 such that the screwhead is separated from the upright member 91. The steel screw 97 projects from the side of the upright member opposite the side comprising the steel pin 96. The screwhead of the steel screw 97 is in contact with the external casing 92. This prevents the external casing 92 from rotating about the upright member 91, which otherwise can cause the inner plate 94 to become detached from the external casing 92.

[0144] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the connection between upright members 101 and the rail in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The rail comprises external casing 102 and inner plate 103. Each upright member 101 comprises a first steel screw 105, which connects said upright member 101 to the inner plate 103 by extending through a corresponding opening on the inner plate 103 (not shown), such that the inner plate 103 is interposed between the screwhead of the first steel screw 105 and the upright member 101.

[0145] The inner plate in this embodiment varies in width along its length, comprising sections with a greater width 104a alternated with sections having a smaller width 104b. The inner plate 103 is only in contact with the external casing 102 at those sections where the width is greatest.

[0146] Each upright member 101 further comprises a second steel screw 106, which extends through an opening on said upright member 101 and contacts the external casing 102. The second steel screw 106 prevents the external casing 102 from rotating about the upright member 101, which can otherwise cause the inner plate 103 to become detached from the external casing 102.

[0147] The second steel screw 106 is connected to the first steel screw 105 via a screw plate 107. The screw plate 107 comprises the second steel screw 106 and a hole 108. The second steel screw 106 is screwed into the screw plate 107. During manufacture, the screw plate 107 is inserted internally into the upright member 101 such that the screw plate 107 bends into a U-shape, and such that the second steel screw 106 extends through an opening on the upright member 101. The first steel screw 105 may then be screwed through the upright member 101 and into hole 108 on the screw plate 107. This first steel screw 105 provides the projection with which the upright member 101 is connected to the inner plate 103, whilst also securing the screw plate 107 in place inside the upright member 101.