CA1208468A

CA1208468A - Fencing

Info

Publication number: CA1208468A
Application number: CA000439610A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Philip J. Thornton
Original assignee: John Lysaght Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: John Lysaght Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1982-10-26
Filing date: 1983-10-25
Publication date: 1986-07-29
Also published as: GB8328100D0; NZ206047A; GB2130618A; SG71987G; MY8700776A; GB2130618B

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A fence comprises a plurality of rectangular framework units joined in end-to-end continuity over the required fence length. Each of the units consists of two upright side-posts in rectangular array, and in-fill panels which extend of the open centre of the array.
The rails and posts are of the same cross-sectional shape in that each is a channel whereof the flanges extend into incurled sub-flanges spaced apart to accept an in-fill panel edge portion between them. The rails and posts are held in rectangular array by elbows each having one limb to enter a post and be fixed therein and a second limb to enter a rail as a interference fit therein.

Description

8~

The invention relates to fencing means of ~he Xind comprising a number (at least two) of posts adapted to stand uprightly from a site r a pair of rails which extend between and are supported upon each pair of the posts thereby to provide a structure upon which in--fill panels, palings or the like are supported.
There is an obvious economic advantage in roll-forming stael in continuous lengths of the same cross-section and using sections thereof for both posts and rails. ~n addition to having a minimum of diferent components it is advantageous to have both posts and rails o~ identical appearance.
The object of ~his invention is to provide a fencing framework construction which, in addition to rP~uirin~ few different components, i also amenable to simple erection without need for more than "handy-man" 5kill, and without nee~ for on-site work beyond the kind th~t can be carried out with simple tools such as a hammer and a screw-driver.
Another object of the invèntion is the provision of a fencing framework unit which may be used in any required number to constitute a fence of requirad length and i5 suitable for marketing in compact dismantled condition with or without in-fill panel material of conventional kind for lncorporation in the frame~ork upon or during assembly thereof.
l'he invention provides a fencing -Eramework unit comprising:-two post members aach of channel cross-section, wherein , _ z _ -" ~2~846~

the free edges of the channel -Elanges extend into inwardly curled sub-flanges defining between them a space able tG
accept a marginal edge portion of an in-fill channel, two rail members of -the same cross sectional form a~
said post members, and means to hold said post and rail mem~ers in rectangular array with their said spaces directed inwardly of ~hat array, said means comprising, at each corner of said array, an elbow whereof one limb is able to enter one of the members meeting at that corner and is furnished with fastaner devices to fix it relative to that member, and whereof the other limb is able to enter the other one of said me~ting members as an interference fit thereby to load that other limb frictionally against withdrawal ~rom ~hat other member~ `
An example of the invention is illustrat~d in the drawings herewith.
Figure 1 is a perspective~view of a section o~ a fencing ~rame member being either a post or a rail.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an elbow.
Figure 3 is a cross-section of a pair of fencing sections stepped as in a`hill-side site.
Figu~e 4 is an end view along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a plan of a corner post, Figure 6 i5 a plan of an end post, and Figure 7 is a side elevation of a fence in course of erection.
Referring to the drawings, an example of a fence i5 shown, in ~ig~ 7, consisting or four framework units one of , ~z~
which ~8) is complete and th~ remaining three at various stages of assembly~ Each of these units has two post members 9 wherein the free edge of the channel flanges 1O extend into inwardly curled sub-flanges 11, which between them define a space able to accept a marginal edge portion of an in-fill panel such as those indicated at 12 in Figures 3 and 7. This in-fill panel material may be any sheet material commonly used ~or tnat purpose or as cladding material or the like;
for example, sheet steel of sinusoidal or other corrugated profile. Alternatively, the in-fill panels may be oE
plastics material, aluminium and so on.
Each framework unit also includes two rail members 13 of the same cross~sectional shape as the members 9 preferably being portions cut from the same stock; and, which in further preference is produced by conventional roll forming o-f sheet metal strip.
The ~embers 13 ~n~ g in each frameworX unit are furnished with means to hold them in rectangùlar array with the space~ between their sub-flarlges 11 all directed inwardl~
of ~hat array~
The means ~o ho1d the members in array consist of four elbows, one at each corner of the array, o the form shown in Figure ~. These elbows are preferabl~ formed o~ sheet .netal and each has one limb 14 able to en~r a post 9 and be i, secured therein by way of a fastener device such ~s a self-tapping screw as indicated at 15. The other lim~ 16 is able to enter one of the members, such as 13, as an interference fit so tha~ when the whole fence 3.S assembled ~ ~21~3~4~

with the post 9 stanaing rigidly upright, the Erictional resistance to separation of limbs 16 from the rail members i3 sufficient to ensure retention, each to the other, of the rail m~mber and the elbow concerned.
Each of the limbs 16, is designed to be an interference fit with tne rail member to receive it~ and its leading edge is preferably furnished with lead-in ears 17; the3e being outwardly bent corner portions as shown in Figure 2 which substantially and freely over-span the sub-flanges llA as indicated in Figure 4.
Figure 5 merely indicates the arrangement of posts to be adopted when a fence is required to exte~d around a 90 COL ner .
Figure 6 merely illustrates an additional reinforcement post 9A which may be applied to the end of a framework unit where a fence is required to come ~o an end.
To construct a rence the posts g are positioned firmly upright in ~he ground in conventional manner. Figure 3 shows - an adjoining pair of framework units, in which the neighbouring two posts are s~rewed together with an elbow insertcd through the opening between the outer edges 11 and ~2 at the end of the post~ as shown in Figures 3 and 4 mhe bottom rail 13 is slid over the horizontai lim~ of the inserted elbow.
Once the framework of the posts and bottom ra;ls has been erected for the length of the fence, as indicated at the right hand end of Figure 7, the in-~ill panels and top rails can be added. An elbow is inserted in the top of each g ---` 12~

upright ~ost in a mirror image postion to the bottom elbow and is fastened by a screw 15 to the post. The edge margin~
of the in-fill panel shee-ts are inserted into the bottom r~i~
one at a time. A top rail is held above the sheets, tilted and slid over the elbow limb, locking the top rail in place at one end. The four~h elbow is placed in the other end of the rail and lowered over the sheets until the elbow is lodged and fastened into the top of the post. ~aturally, where the top rails extenaing from a post are at the same level, the one screw will serve to hold a elbow in each post. A cap may be used to close the open end or the top of each upright post~

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PRIVILEGE OR PROPERTY IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:-

1. A fencing framework unit comprising:
two post members each of channel cross-section, wherein the free edges of the channel flanges extend into inwardly curled sub-flanges defining between them a space able to accept a marginal edge portion of an in-fill channel, two rail members of the same cross sectional form as said post members, and means to hold said post and rail members in rectangular array with their said spaces directed inwardly of that array, said means comprising, at each corner of said array, an elbow whereof one limb is able to enter one of the members meeting at that corner and is furnished with fastener device to fix it relative to that member, and whereof the other limb is able to enter the other one of said meeting members as an interference fit thereby to load that other limb frictionally against withdrawal from that other member.

2. A unit according to claim 1 wherein said members are roll-formed sections and said elbows are formed out of sheet steel.

3. A unit according to claim 2 wherein the elbow limb frictionally engaged with one of said rails has its leading end furnished with lead-in ears able freely to overspan the sub-flanges of the member into which that limb is inserted.

4. A kit of components for assemblage into a unit according to Claims 1,2 and 3, said kit comprising;
two post members each of channel cross-section wherein the free edges of the channel flanges extend into inwardly curled sub-flanges defining between them a space able to accept a marginal edge portion of an in-fill panel, two rail members of the same cross-sectional form as said post members, and fastening means useable to hold said post and rail members in rectangular array, said fastening means comprising four elbows having one limb able to enter and be secured within a post member, and a second limb able to enter one of said rail members as an interference fit relative thereto.