AU2005239665A1

AU2005239665A1 - A fence

Info

Publication number: AU2005239665A1
Application number: AU2005239665A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Sherring Turnour
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-01
Filing date: 2005-11-30
Publication date: 2006-06-15

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "A FENCE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: O TITLE 0 cA FENCE O FIELD OF THE INVENTION Z The invention relates to a fence. In particular, the invention relates to a 0 e method and apparatus for a fence that can be assembled.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A wide variety of fences exist for individuals who are planning to erect a fence. Fences come in a wide range of designs and are most commonly c constructed from wood, metal or brick. Varieties of metal fences include: o aluminium fences, steel fences and wire link fences.

0 N Wooden fences are relatively inexpensive when compared to the other varieties of fences, however they have shorter life spans and require substantially higher levers of maintenance. Brick fences are durable and have considerable longevity, however they are extremely expense to install, as they require considerable labour and also a large number of bricks. Brick fences also require a large amount of space and further, if an owner of a brick fence decides that they do not want it anymore it is a difficult task to remove the fence.

Wire link fences are relatively inexpensive and easy to install when compared to other forms of metal fencing. However, wire link fences are not aesthetically pleasing and many property owners prefer not to install them. Wire link fences are also prone to rust and often have exposed wires that are dangerous and have the capacity to cut and injure unwary individuals.

Aluminium and steel fences are both very sturdy and also do not require a large amount of space for installation. However, the various metal elements of the fences must be welded together. The welding requirement substantially increased the cost of construction of a fence. To minimise the amount of welding required at the site at which the fence is to be erected, the components of the fence are often welded together to form panels that are then transported to the location of the fence. However this increases expense due to the additional difficulty of transporting bulky fence panels. In situations where the panels are not suited for the exact dimensions of the planned fence the individual constructing the fence must either alter the fence plan or cut off sections of fence panels, which is a very labour intensive task.

o A number of different fence inventions have been developed to improve C fencing techniques, these include the inventions described in United States o Patents 5,971,365 and 5,492,307. United States Patent 5,971,365 discloses a Z fence and a method for erecting the fence. The fence incorporates horizontal 0 runners that are connected between posts. Vertical poles are fastened, preferably by welding, to the horizontal runners. Therefore, welding is still required to assemble the fence, which makes the assembly a difficult and expensive process.

eUnited States Patent 5,492,307 describes a fence apparatus that includes o a plurality of hollow fence modules. The fence modules include slots that are S adapted to receive connector elements for joining the fence modules together.

The fence modules include channels through which fasteners can be placed in order to secure the fence modules. Unfortunately, the fence is not as sturdy as other varieties of fence construction as the strength of the construction is limited by the strength of the connection created when the fasteners are placed through the channels.

A large number of different fencing options exist ranging from cheaper less durable options to far more expensive and more resilient fencing styles.

Unfortunately, individuals who wish to install a fence that will last for a long period of time have to pay for expensive varieties of fencing. Similarly, individuals that require that the fence secure an environment, for example a swimming pool, have to pay for expensive brick or metal fences.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art or to provide a useful commercial alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a fence comprising: at least two support members; a top rail and a bottom rail attached to said at least two support members, the top rail having a plurality of top rail holes and the bottom rail having a plurality of bottom rail holes; o a plurality of slats extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, 0 wherein said slats are located through said top rail holes and said bottom rail S holes.

Preferably, the support members are posts.

Preferably, the top rail includes a lower top channel that is partially received within an upper top channel.

INormally the upper top channel and the lower top channel are u-shaped.

Preferably, the upper top channel includes an upper top channel web attached to a pair of upper top channel flanges.

0Preferably, the lower top channel includes a lower top channel web attached to a pair of lower top channel flanges.

Preferably, the lower top channel web includes the plurality of top rail holes.

Preferably, the bottom rail includes an upper bottom channel that is partially received within a lower bottom channel.

Normally the upper bottom channel and the lower bottom channel are ushaped.

Preferably, the upper bottom channel includes an upper bottom channel web attached to a pair of upper bottom channel flanges.

Preferably, the lower bottom channel includes a lower bottom channel web attached to a pair of lower bottom channel flanges.

Preferably, the upper bottom channel web includes the plurality of bottom rail holes.

Preferably, the top rail is attached to said at least two support members by a top connector having a top backing element attached to a pair of top arm members.

Preferably, the bottom rail is attached to said at least two support members by a bottom connector having a bottom backing element attached to a pair of bottom arm members.

Preferably, at least one middle rail having middle rail holes suitable for the plurality of slats to pass through is attached to both the first and second support members between the top rail and the bottom rail.

0 Preferably at least one locking member is attached to at least one slat.

The locking member may be a locking rail, a locking strap or a rivet.

O In another form, the invention resides in a method for erecting a fence, S incorporating at least two support members, at least two rails and a plurality of 0 slats, including the steps of: attaching a first end of a first rail to a first support member; attaching a second end of the first rail to a second support member; Iinserting the slats into holes that are incorporated into the first rail; attaching a first end of a second rail to the first support members in a position that allows the holes of the first rail and holes of the second rail to face each other; receiving slat(s) into the holes of the second rail; and attaching a second end of the second rail to the second support members.

Suitably, the rails are attached to the support members by connectors.

Preferably, a middle rail that includes middle rail holes suitable for the slats to pass through may be attached to both the first and second support members at a position that is between the first and second rails.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fence according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of fence; FIG. 3a shows a sectional side view of a fence; FIG. 3b shows a sectional side view of a second embodiment of a fence; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a fence; FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment a rail; o FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a (N rail; o FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of Z a rail; CC) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a fence according to fourth embodiment; FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view of a upper portion the fence of FIG 7; ID and FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view of a lower portion the fence of FIG 7.

o DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 0 Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a perspective view of a fence The fence 10 incorporates posts 20 and 2 1, slats 30, a top rail 40 and a bottom rail 50. The posts 20 and 21 are secured within the ground 22, although it should be appreciated that the posts 20 and 21 can be secured to the ground 22 or a fixed object, such as a wall or a concrete ground slab, in instances where it is not suitable to secure the posts 20 and 21 within the ground 22. The slats 30 have an oval shaped cross section and the posts 20 and 21 have rectangular cross sections. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a large range of varieties of cross sections, such as square, circular, oval and rectangular cross sections, may be utilised for the slats 30 and the posts 20 and 21.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is provided a perspective view of a top connector 80, a bottom connector 85, the post 20, the slat 30, the top rail 40 and the bottom rail The top rail 40 incorporates an upper top channel 90 and a lower top channel 100. The upper top channel 90 is formed from two upper top channel flanges 110 and 120 that are interconnected by an upper top channel web 130.

The lower top channel 100 is formed from two lower top channel flanges 140 and 150 that are interconnected by a lower top channel web 160. The upper top channel 90 and the lower top channel 100 are generally U-shaped. The lower top channel web 160 of the lower top channel 100 incorporates top rail holes that are similar in shape to the cross sections of the slats 30. The two upper top channel flanges 110 and 120 include two upper top apertures 170 and 180 respectively and the two lower top channel flanges 140 and 150 include two O lower top apertures 190 and 200 respectively. In use, the lower top channel 100 N is partially received within the upper top channel 90 in the manner described o below. It should be appreciated that a plurality of the upper top apertures 170 S and 180 may be incorporated along the two upper top channel flanges 110 and 0 120, respectively. It should also be appreciated that a plurality of the lower top apertures 190 and 200 may be incorporated along the two lower top channel flanges 140 and 150, respectively. IND IN The bottom rail 50 incorporates an upper bottom channel 210, formed from two upper bottom channel flanges 220 and 230 and a lower bottom channel 240 formed from two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260. The two upper C bottom channel flanges 220 and 230 are interconnected by an upper bottom channel web 270 and the two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260 are interconnected by a lower bottom channel web 280. The upper bottom channel 210 and the lower bottom channel 240 are generally U-shaped. The upper bottom channel web 270 of the upper bottom channel 210 includes bottom rail holes 60 having a similar shape to the cross sections of the slats 30. The two upper bottom channel flanges 220, 230 and the two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260 incorporate the two upper bottom apertures 290 and 300 and the two lower bottom apertures 310 and 320 respectively. In use the lower bottom channel 240 is partially received within the upper bottom channel 210 in the manner described below. It should be appreciated that a plurality of the upper bottom apertures 290 and 300 may be incorporated along the two upper bottom channel flanges 220 and 230, respectively. It should also be appreciated that a plurality of the lower bottom apertures 310 and 320 may be incorporated along the two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260, respectively.

The upper top channel 90, the lower top channel 100, the upper bottom channel 210 and the lower bottom channel 240 may be press formed folded or roll formed from steel sheets.

The top connector 80 and the bottom connector 85 are formed from two top arms 320 and 330 and two bottom arms 340 and 350 respectively that are interconnected by a top backing 360 and a bottom backing 365 respectively. The two top arms 320, 330 and the two bottom arms 340 and 350 incorporate two top arm apertures 360 and 370 and two bottom arm apertures 380 and 390 o respectively. The top backing 360 and the bottom backing 365 incorporate two N top backing apertures 400 and 410 and two bottom backing apertures 420 and O 430, respectively.

Z To construct a fence 10, posts 20 and 21 are fixed within the ground 22.

0 e Commonly, when the fence 10 is to be erected the posts 20 and 21 are placed in suitably sized holes and the holes are filled with concrete. The number of posts 20 and 21 required to assemble the fence 10 will depend upon the length of the

IND

IN fence 10 and the number of alterations in direction that there are along a course of the fence 10. When the posts 20 and 21 have been secured the bottom o connector 85 is attached to the post 20, usually slightly above the ground 22.

0 The bottom connector 85 is attached to the post 20 by placing the bottom backing 365 against the post 20 and inserting pop-rivets (not shown) through the two bottom backing apertures 420 and 430 and into the post 20. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that other fastening means such as screws or adhesive would also be suitable in all instances within this description where pop-rivets are utilized. The bottom connector 365 is attached to the post with the two bottom arms 340 and 350 extending away from the bottom backing 365 towards the post 21.

A second bottom connector (not shown) is attached to post 21 at a point on the post 21 that is at about an equal height to the point that bottom connector is attached to post 20. The second bottom connector is attached to the post 21 so that a pair of bottom arms (not shown) of the second bottom connector extend away from a bottom backing (not shown) of the second bottom connector. The second bottom connector is attached to the post 21 in a similar manner to that which bottom connector 85 is attached to post When the bottom connector 85 has been attached to the post 20 and the second bottom connector has been attached to the post 21 a first end of the lower bottom channel 240 of the bottom rail 50 partially receives the two bottom arms 340 and 350 so that exterior surfaces of the two bottom arms 340 and 350 rest against interior surfaces of the two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260 respectively. The lower bottom channel 240 then partially receives the two bottom arms of the second bottom connector such that the two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260 of an opposing end of the lower bottom channel O 240 rest against the two bottom arms (not shown) of the second bottom 0 N connector.

O Following this step the lower bottom channel 240 of the bottom rail 50 is partially received within the upper bottom channel 210 as described above, such that interior surfaces of the two upper bottom channel flanges 220 and 230 rest against exterior surfaces of the two lower bottom channel flanges 250 and 260 IN respectively. This manner of arranging the lower bottom channel 240 and the upper bottom channel 210 creates a box section to provide strength of the cbottom rail 50. This is shown in FIG. 3a. In another embodiment of the bottom o rail 50 the upper bottom channel 210 is received partially within the lower bottom 0 N channel 240 as shown in FIG. 3b.

When the upper bottom channel 210 and the lower bottom channel 240 are positioned correctly the bottom rail 50 is secured by inserting pop rivets through the upper bottom aperture 290, the lower bottom aperture 310 and the bottom arm aperture 380 and also through the upper bottom aperture 300, the lower bottom aperture 320 and the bottom arm aperture 390.

The top connector 80 is attached to the post 20 by inserting pop rivets through the two top backing apertures 400 and 410 and into the post 20. The top connector 80 is attached at a point on the post 20 that is about the length of the I slat 30 above the bottom connector 85. A second top connector (not shown), identical to top connector 80, is attached at a height on the post 21 that is at about the height at which the top connector 80 is attached to post When the top connector 80 and the second top connector have been attached to posts 20 and 21 respectively, the slats 30 are situated in bottom rail holes 60. Commonly, the slats 30 will be able to stand upright with the support provided by the bottom rail holes When the top connector 80 and the second top connector have been attached to posts 20 and 21 and the slats 30 have been inserted into top rail holes 70, the lower top channel 100 of the top rail 40 receives the two top arms 320 and 330 such that one end of the interior surfaces of the two lower top channel flanges 140 and 150 abut against exterior surfaces of the two top arms 320 and 330 respectively and interior surfaces of an opposing end of the two lower top channel flanges 140 and 150 abut against the exterior surfaces of the o two top arms (not shown) of the second top connector. When the lower top Cl channel 100 is placed in the above position the slats 30 are received into the top o rail holes Z When the lower top channel 100 is attached to the top connector 80 and Mn the second top connector then the upper top channel 90 is positioned such that the interior surfaces of the two upper top channel flanges 110 and 120 of the upper top channel 90 abut against exterior surfaces of the two lower top channel

IND

ID flanges 140 and 150 of the lower top channel 100. This arrangement of the Clupper top channel 90 and the lower top channel 100 improves the strength of the 0 top rail 40. The upper top channel 90 and the lower top channel 100 are secured Nl to the top connector 80 by the insertion of pop rivets through upper top aperture 170, lower top aperture 190 and top arm aperture 360 and also through upper top aperture 180, lower top aperture 200 and top arm aperture 370. The upper top channel 90 and the lower top channel 100 are secured to the second top connector by similar means.

The process described above is repeated for every pairing of posts and 21 that are required to complete the fence Referring to FIG. 4, there is provided a second embodiment of the fence that incorporates a middle rail 440. The middle rail 440 incorporates an upper middle channel 450 and a lower middle channel 460. The lower middle channel 460 is partially received within the upper middle channel 450. The upper middle channel 450 incorporates two upper middle channel flanges 470 and 480 and an upper middle channel web 490. The lower middle channel 460 incorporates two lower middle channel flanges 500 and 510 and a lower middle channel web 520.

The lower middle channel flange 510 of the lower middle channel 460 incorporates lower middle apertures (not shown) that are suitably aligned with upper middle apertures (not shown) that are incorporated into the upper middle channel flange 480 of the upper middle channel 450. The upper middle channel flange 470 of the upper middle channel 450 incorporates upper middle apertures 471 that are suitably aligned with lower middle apertures (not shown) that are incorporated into the lower middle channel flange 500 of the lower middle channel 460. The upper middle channel web 490 incorporates upper middle rail holes 530 and the lower middle channel web 520 incorporates lower middle rail O holes (not shown) that the slats 30 pass through. It should be appreciated that a N plurality of the upper middle apertures 471 and the lower middle apertures may o be incorporated along the two upper middle channel flanges 470 and 480 and Z the two lower middle channel flanges 500 and 510, respectively.

0 eTo include the middle rail 440 of the second embodiment of the fence the slats 30 are inserted through the lower middle rail holes (not shown) that are incorporated into the lower middle channel web 520 and also through the upper IN middle rail holes 530 prior to attaching the top rail 40. When the middle rail 440 is situated at an appropriate height the middle rail 440 is attached to posts O and 21 in the same manner that top rail 40 and bottom rail 50 are attached to the 0 c posts 20 and 21. It should be appreciated that a number of middle rails 440 could be incorporated between the top rail 40 and the bottom rail 50 in this fashion.

Referring to FIG Sa, shows an alternative embodiment a rail 101 (top or bottom) of the fence 10. The rail 101 incorporates two lower channel safety edges 540 and 550 and two upper channel safety edges 560 and 570. The two lower channel safety edges 540 and 550 and the two upper channel safety edges 560 and 570 ensure that the fence 10 does not have any sharp edges that would injure a person who came into contact with the fence Referring the FIG 5b, there is provided another alternative embodiment of a rail 103 (top or bottom), which incorporates two lower channel catch safety edges 580 and 590 and two upper channel catch safety edges 600 and 610.

When the fence 10 is assembled the two lower channel catch safety edges 580 and 590 and the two upper channel catch safety edges 600 and 610 interconnect, preventing disassembly of the fence 10 and protects individuals from injury due to contact with sharp edges.

Referring the FIG 6, there is provided a provided another alternative embodiment of a rail 102, which incorporates a two upper lips 620 and 630 and two lower lips 640 and 650. When the fence 10 is assembled two upper lips 620 and 630 and two lower lips 640 and 650 provide a stronger rail structure assisting in the overall strength of the fence FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of a fence that includes locking rails 660. The locking rails 660 are attached to the slats 30 by fasteners such as o rivets. The locking rails 660 are attached slats 30 after they have been passed 0 c through the top rail holes 70 and the bottom rail holes 80. The locking rails 660 assist in preventing the unwanted removal of the slats 30 from the top rail 40 and 0 S the bottom rail 50 once the fence 10 is assembled.

It should be appreciated that other types of locking members may be used instead of the locking rail 660. For example a locking strap may be connected to the slats to prevent the unwanted removal of the slats 30 from the top rail 40 and the bottom rail 50. It should also be appreciated that the locking member (in the form of a locking rail or a locking strap) may be attached to all or only some of the slats. Further, it should be appreciated that individual locking members, in the form of rivets or screws, may be attached to each of the slats individually to prevent the removal of the slats 30 from the top rail 40 and/or bottom rail It should also be appreciated that different shaped upper and lower channels disclosed may be combined to form new top rails 40 and bottom rails in a fence. The rails may have various strength characteristics as required.

Hence, the method and apparatus of the present invention thus provides a solution to the problem of inefficient fencing means by virtue of providing a durable fence that can be easily transported and easily assembled that in particular removes the need for welding during assembly.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

3. The fence of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the top rail includes a lower top channel that is partially received within an upper top channel or visa versa.
4. The fence of claim 3 wherein the upper top channel includes an upper top channel web attached to a pair of upper top channel flanges. The fence of claim 3 wherein the lower top channel includes a lower top channel web attached to a pair of lower top channel flanges.
6. The fence of claim 5 wherein the lower top channel web includes the plurality of top rail holes.
7. The fence of claim 1 wherein the lower the bottom rail includes an upper bottom channel that is partially received within a lower bottom channel or visa versa.
8. The fence of claim 7 wherein the upper bottom channel includes an upper bottom channel web attached to a pair of upper bottom channel flanges.
9. The fence of claim 7 wherein the lower bottom channel includes a lower bottom channel web attached to a pair of lower bottom channel flanges. The fence of claim 9 wherein the upper bottom channel web includes the plurality of bottom rail holes.
11. The fence of any one of the preceding claims wherein the top rail is attached to said at least two support members by a top connector having a top backing element attached to a pair of top arm members.
12. The fence of any one of the preceding claims wherein the bottom rail is attached to said at least two support members by a bottom connector having a O bottom backing element attached to a pair of bottom arm members. N 13. The fence of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one middle o rail having middle rail holes suitable for the plurality of slats to pass through is Z attached to both the first and second support members between the top rail and 0 the bottom rail.
14. The fence of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one locking member is attached to at least one slat. INO O 15. The fence of claim 15 wherein the locking member is a locking rail.
16. The fence of claim 15 wherein the locking member is a locking strap. S 17. The fence of claim 15 wherein the locking member is a rivet. S 18. A method for erecting a fence including the steps of: attaching a first end of a first rail to a first support member; attaching a second end of the first rail to a second support member; inserting the slats into holes that are incorporated into the first rail; attaching a first end of a second rail to the first support members in a position that allows the holes of the first rail and holes of the second rail to face each other; receiving slat(s) into the holes of the second rail; and attaching a second end of the second rail to the second support members.
19. The method of claim 18 including the step of attaching a middle rail, that includes middle rail holes suitable for the slats to pass through, to both the first and second support members at a position that is between the first and second rails.
20. The method of claim 18 including the step of attaching a locking member to at least one of the slats. Dated This 3 0 TH Day of November 2005 ANDREW SHERRING TURNOUR By His Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY