GB2373260A

GB2373260A - Adjustable fence

Info

Publication number: GB2373260A
Application number: GB0105661A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Lewis
Original assignee: Heras Fencing Systems UK Ltd
Current assignee: Heras Fencing Systems UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-08
Filing date: 2001-03-08
Publication date: 2002-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-08
Also published as: GB0105661D0; GB2373260B

Abstract

An adjustable fence comprises a plurality of vertical posts (3) to which pairs of horizontal rails (5) are attached by means of ball and socket joints (16). The rails are generally C-shaped box sections, having one open side and a plurality of apertures (8) formed in the opposite side; each rail comprises an inner (12) and an outer (13) member defining a channel (14) between them. A plurality of vertical pales (6) pass through the apertures and are retained therein by means of rods (15) which pass through the channels and through holes in the pales. The pales may be angled with respect to the rails, allowing the rails to be adjusted by means of the ball and socket joints within a limited range of movement in any direction. A method of assembling the fence is also disclosed.

Description

Adjustable fence and method of assembly

This invention relates to fences which are adjustable to the required position during installation.

Fences are employed to define property boundaries and to prevent unauthorised access thereto. Fences may therefore be required to be erected on sloping ground surfaces and along boundaries of irregular shape, and must follow the contours of the boundary and of the ground surface. It is therefore desirable that a fence should be both horizontally and vertically adjustable.

Fences are commonly constructed using vertical posts sunk in the ground for support, with horizontal rails attached therebetween, the horizontal rails carrying a plurality of parallel vertical"pales"or strips which together with the rails form panels filling the space between the posts. It is known to provide means enabling a range of adjustment between the horizontal rails and the posts, and between the pales and the horizontal rails. For example, GB 2307256 discloses a fencing system using hinge plates pivoting horizontally and vertically, and pales pivoting on rivets; GB 1180555 discloses a guardrail having pivoting rails and pales. However, the pivoting attachment means between the rails and pales will typically comprise bolts or rivets, and the exposed parts of these, such as the protruding heads, are vulnerable to attack by an intruder armed with a cold chisel, hacksaw or the like.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved fence which may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically and which is convenient to assemble.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence comprising a plurality of vertical posts together with one or more panels arranged therebetween, each panel comprising at least two rails in spaced parallel relationship, and a plurality of vertical pales attached therebetween; each rail having two ends, each end being attached to a post by attachment means, and characterised in that at least one of the rails has a plurality of apertures defined therein, each pale passing through at least one of the said apertures, such that the angle between the pale and the rails is adjustable.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence comprising a plurality of vertical posts together with one or more panels arranged therebetween, each panel comprising at least two rails in spaced parallel relationship, and a plurality of vertical pales attached therebetween; each rail having two ends, each end being attached to a post by attachment means, and characterised in that the attachment means includes a ball-and-socket joint enabling the orientation of the rail to be adjusted relative to the post.

This aspect of the present invention also provides a method of assembling a fence, comprising the steps of : a) attaching a ball to a post by means of a stem formed on the ball; b) assembling two parts of a body around the ball, each said part comprising part of a socket, so as to retain the ball within the socket so as to form a ball-and-socket joint; and c) inserting the body into a rail so as to attach the rail to the post.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a fence according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of one rail of the fence shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of one end of the rail shown in Figure 2 as assembled into the fence shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of one end of the rail shown in Figure 2 together with a socket insert; Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the rail shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of the rail shown in Figure 5, with the socket insert shown in Figure 4 in place;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the socket insert shown in Figure 4, in a disassembled condition ; and Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the socket insert shown in Figure 4 together with other components required to assemble it to a post of the fence shown in Figure 1.

The reference numerals refer to the same parts in each Figure.

Referring to Fig. 1, a fence 1 is installed on uneven ground and comprises a number of panels 2 supported between upright posts 3 which are sunk in the ground 4. Each panel is angled so as to follow the contour of the ground surface.

Each panel 2 comprises a pair of substantially horizontal rails 5, 5', and a plurality of substantially vertical pales 6 supported therebetween. Each rail 5, 5'is attached at each of its two ends to a post 3 by an adjustable attachment means 7. During installation of the fence 1, each panel 2 is first assembled, for example by laying both rails 5,5'on the ground and assembling the pales 6 into the said rails. The posts 3 are sunk into the ground, and the panels 2 attached to the said posts by means of the adjustable attachment means 7. After each panel 2 has been attached at one end to a post 3, the panel 2 may be adjusted by moving its further end to any desired position within the range of movement permitted by the adjustable attachment means 7, both horizontally and vertically. The further end may then be attached to a post 3. The length of each panel may be adjusted to fit the distance between each post and its adjacent post by cutting the rails 5,5'to the required length.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a rail 5 is shown both in plan view, and in longitudinal section at one end where it is assembled into a panel of the fence 1, attached to a post 3 by an adjustable attachment means 7. The post 3 is formed from a square steel box section. The rails 5 are each provided with a plurality of apertures 8, and are identical in form with the rails 5'.

A pale 6 is shown assembled into the rail 5, and passes through one of apertures 8 in the rail. Each pale 6 is conveniently formed from a round steel bar or tube, and has a hole 10 bored across its diameter at each position where it intersects

respectively the rails 5 and 5', as explained in more detail below.

A further aperture 9 is provided at each end of each rail 5, 5', in order to retain the adjustable attachment means 7 in position as described below. Alternatively, a plurality of apertures 9 may be provided in order to allow the adjustable attachment means to be attached at any convenient point by cutting the rail 5,5'to the required length. The aperture 9 as shown here may be provided only on the inner longitudinal member 12 of each rail 5, 5', as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figure 4, a perspective view shows one end of the rail 5 together with a socket insert 11 which forms part of the adjustable attachment means. The rail is formed as a generally C-shaped box section as shown in the drawings, having one open side 32, and is conveniently made from steel. The apertures 8 are formed opposite the open side; each pale 6 passes through an aperture 8 and through the open side, allowing the pale to pivot about the aperture within a limited range of movement. The rail 5 comprises an inner longitudinal member 12 which closely fits within an outer longitudinal member 13; an aperture 8 is shown which has not yet been fitted with a pale 6. Apertures 9 are here provided only in the inner member 12, and hence cannot be seen. However, they are identical in function with the apertures 9 which are shown in Figure 2 provided in both members 12 and 13.

Apertures 8 comprise cooperating holes in identical positions in both the inner and outer members. However, each said hole in the inner member 12 is of slightly larger diameter than the corresponding hole in the outer member 13. When a pale 6, having an external diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the said hole in the outer member 13, is inserted through the aperture 8, its angle with respect to the rail 5 may therefore be varied by a greater extent before it abuts against the edges of both of the said holes, than would be possible if both of the holes comprising the aperture 8 were of the same diameter as that in the outer member 13.

Figure 5 shows a slightly modified rail 5 in cross section. The inner member 12 of the rail has a slightly different cross sectional shape to that shown in Fig. 4, but both forms are functionally identical.

Referring now to Figures 3,4 and 5, a channel 14 is defined between the outer member 13 and the inner member 12, which channel 14 intersects each aperture 8 across the diameter thereof. During assembly of a panel 2, a pale 6 is inserted into

each of apertures 8 in the rail 5, and into the corresponding aperture 8 in the rail 5', so as to form a complete panel 2 as shown in Figure 1. Care is taken to ensure that each of the holes 10 in each pale 6 lines up with the channel 14 in rails 5 and 5' respectively. An elongate member such as a rod 15 is then inserted into each channel 14 in rails 5 and 5'respectively so as to pass through each hole 10, thereby retaining the pales 6 to the said rails. Each hole 10 is preferably made to taper inwardly so as to help to locate the rod 15 during assembly, and the rod 15 may be similarly provided with a tapered end.

The diameter of the rod 15 is such that the rod 15 may be angled within each hole 10 by a defined degree, allowing each pale 6 to be angled with respect to each of the said rails as herebefore described and as illustrated in Figure 1. Preferably the diameter of the rod 15 is chosen to permit only that degree of movement between the pales 6 and the said rails which is required to bring the said panel into its

installed position. This ensures that each pale 6 is unable to move or rattle in the said rails after installation of the panel. Where a rod of too large a diameter is employed, it may prevent the panel from achieving the required angular displacement; where the diameter of the said rod is too small, the said pales may be loose within the said rails.

An annular grommet of resilient material, such as rubber or plastics material, may be provided in each aperture 8 between each pale 6 and its corresponding rail 5 or

5'.

In order to facilitate the installation of each panel 2 at its required angle in the vertical plane, each rail 5 and 5'must also be capable of vertical displacement with respect to the post 3 to which it is attached. This range of movement is facilitated during installation of the fence by means of the adjustable attachment means 7 as shown in Figure 1, which also facilitates simultaneous movement horizontally so as to enable the fence 1 to follow the boundary of the property which it encloses.

Referring to Figures 3 and 8, the adjustable attachment means 7 comprises a balland-socket joint 16, which comprises a substantially spherical ball 17 retained within a substantially spherical socket 18 so that the ball 17 may rotate freely in any direction within the socket 18 within a limited range of movement. The ball 17 is attached to the post 3, and the socket 18 is formed within the socket insert 11, which is attached securely to the rail 5 or 5'as hereinafter described.

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable attachment means 7, comprising the socket insert 11 and the ball 17. The ball 17 has a threaded stem 19 which is adapted to engage a matching thread within the inner bore of an internally threaded insert 20. The threaded insert 20 is inserted into a hole 21 in the tubular post 3 and secured therein by swaging, riveting or any other convenient means. An annular seat 22 may be introduced between the threaded insert 20 and the post 3 before securing the said threaded insert therein.

The ball 17 may be provided with a screwdriver slot 23 which facilitates its insertion into the threaded bore of the threaded insert 20 so that it is securely retained therein.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the socket insert 11 comprises a body 30 having first and second parts comprising a female part 24 and a male part 25 which are adapted to fit securely together, for example by means of locating pegs 28 and corresponding sockets 29. The socket 18 is formed half in the female part and half in the male part, and the socket insert 11 is assembled by placing the female and male parts in position around the ball 17 so that the ball is trapped therebetween within the socket 18.

Each of the female and male parts is equipped with resilient retaining means comprising an outwardly protruding resiliently deformable member 26. The female part 24 is provided with an outwardly protruding lug 27.

Referring to Figures I and 4, during attachment of an already assembled panel 2 to a post 3, a ball 17 is first fitted to the said post, and the said female and male parts of the socket insert 11 are assembled around it so that the ball 17 is trapped within the socket 18.

The assembled socket insert 11 is then inserted into one end of the rail 5 or 5' through the open side thereof, and the said rail pushed onto the said socket insert so that the members 26 snap into place within the said rail. The said female and male parts of the said socket insert are held together by the rail. In practice, both rails 5 and 5'are so attached simultaneously to a post 3. The body 30 of the socket insert 11 covers the end of the rail 5 or 5', retaining the rod 15 within the channel 14 and preventing access thereto.

Referring now to Figure 6, a cross section through one end of the rail 5 into which a socket insert 11 has been assembled shows the members 26 in their extended position. During assembly the lower edges 31 of the rail 5 are forced down over the members 26, compressing them inwardly. When the socket insert is fully inserted the members 26 spring out to lock it securely in position; the lug 27 locates in an aperture 9 which is provided in the inner sleeve 12 as described above, retaining the socket insert longitudinally within the rail. It is then very difficult to remove the socket insert without destroying the rail.

The ball 17 and its threaded stem 19 are preferably made from a hard steel such as high speed steel so as to resist attack by means of a hacksaw or the like, and the socket insert 11 is preferably made from a steel alloy so as to resist attack by means of heat.

Each rail 5, 5'may be formed as a single piece rather than as two cooperating longitudinal members, each pale 6 being attached thereto by means enabling the angle therebetween to be adjusted. For example, each pale 6 may be retained between rails 5 and 5'by means of a middle section of the pale 6 which is formed with a diameter greater than that of each aperture 8, each end of the pale 6 having a section of lesser diameter. The ends of the pales are then inserted into the respective apertures 8 in each of the said rails so that the said rails abut against shoulders on the pales 6 which are formed between the said sections of different diameter.

The pales 6 may be provided with grooves in place of the holes 10, each pale being retained within the rail by an elongate member which engages the grooves. The rod 15 may be formed as a resilient member which can flex to permit the required degree of movement between the pales 6 and the rails 5, 5'.

The rails 5 may be of different construction from the rails 5' ; for example, only rails 5 may include the channels 14 and rods 15. More than two rails may be provided for each panel.

The ball may be attached to a rail and the socket formed in a member attached to the post.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fence comprising a plurality of vertical posts together with one or more panels arranged therebetween, each panel comprising at least two rails in spaced parallel relationship, and a plurality of vertical pales attached therebetween; each rail having two ends, each end being attached to a post by attachment means, and characterised in that at least one of the rails has a plurality of apertures defined therein, each pale passing through at least one of the said apertures, such that the angle between the pale and the rails is adjustable.
2. A fence according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said attachment means includes a ball-and-socket joint enabling the orientation of the rail to be adjusted relative to the post.
3. A fence according to any previous claim, characterised in that each rail has a plurality of apertures defined therein, and each pale passes through one aperture in each rail.
4. A fence according to any previous claim, characterised in that the pales are attached to at least one rail by means of an elongate member which is retained within the said rail and engages with each pale.
5. A fence according to claim 4, characterised in that the said elongate member is a rod which passes through a hole in each pale.
6. A fence according to claims 4 or 5, characterised in that at least one rail comprises a first longitudinal member retained within a second longitudinal member so as to define a channel therebetween, the said elongate member being retained within the channel, each said aperture comprising a hole in the first longitudinal member cooperating with a hole in the second longitudinal member.
7. A fence according to claim 6, characterised in that each hole in the first longitudinal member is of a different diameter from the corresponding hole in the second longitudinal member.
8. A fence according to any previous claim, characterised in that at least one rail comprises a generally C-shaped box section having one open side, the said apertures being formed opposite the open side.
9. A fence comprising a plurality of vertical posts together with one or more panels arranged therebetween, each panel comprising at least two rails in spaced parallel relationship, and a plurality of vertical pales attached therebetween ; each rail having two ends, each end being attached to a post by attachment means, and characterised in that the attachment means includes a ball-and-socket joint enabling the orientation of the rail to be adjusted relative to the post.
10. A fence according to Claim 9, characterised in that the ball of the ball-andsocket joint has a stem attached to the post, and the socket is attached to the rail.
11. A fence according to claim 10, characterised in that the socket is formed within a socket insert comprising a body which is retained within one end of the rail.
12. A fence according to claim 11, characterised in that the body is retained within one end of the rail by one or more resiliently deformable members projecting outwardly from the body.
13. A fence according to claims 11 or 12, characterised in that the socket insert comprises at least two parts, the two parts being retained together by the rail and together forming the socket.
14. A fence according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the ball and the stem are made from a hard steel resistant to cutting by means of a hacksaw or the like.
15. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).

15. A fence according to claim 10, characterised in that the stem is attached to the post by means of an internally threaded insert, the internally threaded insert being retained within a hole in the post, the stem being threaded and screwed into the internally threaded insert.

16. A fence according to any of claims 9 to 15, characterised in that each rail comprises a generally C-shaped box section having one open side.

17. A method of assembling a fence, comprising the steps of : a) attaching a ball to a post by means of a stem formed on the ball ; b) assembling two parts of a body around the ball, each said part comprising part of a socket, so as to retain the ball within the socket so as to form a ball-and-socket joint; and c) inserting the body into a rail so as to attach the rail to the post.

18. A fence substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

19. A method of assembling a fence substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

20. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A fence comprising a plurality of vertical posts and one or more panels arranged therebetween; each panel comprising at least two rails in spaced parallel relationship, and a plurality of vertical pales attached therebetween; each rail having two ends, each end being attached to a post by attachment means; characterised in that the attachment means includes a ball-and-socket joint comprising a ball trapped within a socket, such that the socket retains the ball and the orientation of the rail is horizontally and vertically adjustable relative to the post.

2. A fence according to Claim 1, characterised in that the ball-and-socket joint comprises a ball having a stem attached to the post, and a socket attached to the rail.

3. A fence according to claim 2, characterised in that the socket is formed within a body which is retained within one end of the rail.

4. A fence according to claim 3, characterised in that the body is resistant to removal from the rail after assembly.

5. A fence according to claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the body includes one or more outwardly projecting, resiliently deformable members which retain it within the rail.

6. A fence according to any of claims 3-5, characterised in that the body comprises at least two parts, the two parts being retained together by the rail and together forming the socket.

7. A fence according to any of claims 2-6, characterised in that the ball and the stem are made from a hard steel resistant to cutting by means of a hacksaw or the like.

8. A fence according to any of claims 2-7, characterised in that the stem is attached to the post by means of an internally threaded insert, the internally threaded insert being retained within a hole in the post, the stem being threaded and screwed into the internally threaded insert.

9. A fence according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each rail comprises a generally C-shaped box section having one open side.

10. A fence according to any previous claim, characterised in that at least one of the rails has a plurality of apertures defined therein, and each pale passes through at least one aperture, such that the angle between the pales and the rails is adjustable.

11. A fence according to claim 10, characterised in that the pales are attached to at least one rail by means of an elongate member which is retained within that rail and engages with each pale.

12. A method of assembling a fence, comprising the steps of : a) attaching a ball to a post by means of a stem formed on the ball;

b) assembling two parts of a body around the ball, each part comprising part of a socket, so as to retain the ball securely within the socket so as to form a ball-and socket joint; and c) inserting the body into a rail so as to attach the rail to the post.

13. A fence substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

14. A method of assembling a fence substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.