The present invention relates to a fence. The fence relates particularly to a separation of two areas or properties. Such a fence may also relate to a crush barrier.

Fences used in practice are provided with a number of rails which extend substantially in horizontal direction and between which are attached a number of bars. In the fences known in practice the bars are fixed to the rails using welds so that they are formed integrally therewith. A fence is optionally further treated after assembly. Such a further treatment comprises for instance galvanizing of the fence. After this optional further treatment the fence is fixed to a ground surface with uprights, or possibly to a construction such as a building.

A relatively large number of operations are necessary for assembly of the fences known in practice. Further treatments of the assembled fence are performed following welding of bars to rails. This results in a labour-intensive whole.

The present invention has for its object to provide a fence in more efficient manner.

This object is achieved with the fence according to the present invention, comprising: - at least one tubular rail; a number of bars connected to the at least one rail; a number of openings arranged for the bars in the at least one rail such that the bars can be arranged with a clamp fitting. It is possible by providing at least one tubular rail to connect a number of bars to form a fence. The tube can here have any form or profile, such as round, oval, rectangular, U-shaped etc.

In a currently recommended preferred embodiment the at least one rail extends substantially in a horizontal direction. The bars are fixed relative to the at least one rail by providing openings in the rail. The bars are here arranged with a clamp fitting in the opening in the rail. This achieves that, after assembly of the fence with the at least one rail and a number of bars, no welds are required for the purpose of fixing the bars relative to the rail. The clamp fitting used depends on, among other factors, the specific application for the fence and the associated anticipated loads. The number of bars can in principle amount to one, although usually the number of bars will far exceed the number of rails, since a fence usually extends in a horizontal direction and the bars are provided substantially in vertical direction. Other orientations are however also possible. The clamp fitting is realized by giving the opening provided in the rail a form and/or dimension other than the cross-section of the bar. The clamp fitting according to the invention is realized in that this form and/or dimension are not wholly similar, the opening being smaller. Although it is possible according to the invention to optionally apply a further spot weld at the position of the opening in the rail where the bar is positioned, it has been found that this is not usually required from a viewpoint of strength.

The bars used can be of diverse form. The bars are usually round, oval or rectangular. The bars can be provided with a tubular material and/or be of a solid material. In the preferred embodiment the material used according to the invention is manufactured from a type of steel. Other materials such as aluminium are however also possible. Diverse embodiments of a fence are possible according to the invention, wherein the bars are arranged in an opening of a rail using a clamp fitting. It is thus possible for instance to provide two rails between which the bars extend. An opening is provided here on the side of the rail facing toward the other rail so that the bar is placed with an outer end in the tubular rail.

In another embodiment of a fence according to the invention one or both rails are provided with through- openings, i.e. openings on both the underside and the upper side of the rail. The bars are then provided in the opening using a clamp fitting, wherein the outer end of the bar protrudes through the opening.

An additional advantage of the fence according to the present invention is that no further components are necessary for assembly of the fence, such as bolts and screws for securing the bars relative to the at least one rail. The number of components for the fence is hereby limited and assembly further simplified. The clamp fitting can be provided directly between the bar and the rail. This greatly reduces the number of components. Alternatively, the clamp fitting can be provided between the rail and a connecting element, resulting in for instance a pin or rivet connection which engages on the bar. Although this does require an additional component, an advantage of this embodiment is that it is possible to move the bars to some extent relative to the rails. This movement is possible while a robust fence is still realized due to the clamp fitting. Such a movement is advantageous when a fence is placed on an inclining surface, such as a slope, and in other situations.

The fence according to the invention may be used as an separation between two areas, for example as a separation of industrial estates. Also, it is possible to apply the fence as a crush barrier. In this embodiment, preferably, the legs will be provided such that the crush barrier is transportable. In a preferred embodiment of such a crush barrier the legs are rotatable. For example, this is achieved by providing the legs with a spiral shaped groove in which a protruding pen of the lower rail of the crush barrier is placed. By using a spiral shape the leg can be rotated so that by the rotating movement the height will be adjusted. Other embodiments are also possible, such as applying a standard screw threat fitting. By applying rotatable legs, the legs are able to rotate over an angle of 90 during transport. Therefore, more crush barriers can be transported in a container or a truck. This enables a more efficient transport and use of the crush barrier according to the invention. Preferably, the pen of the rail will be placed in an opening of the upright, wherein a groove is provided in the area of the leg inside the upright such that the pen of the upright also will be provided in this groove. Herewith a good connection between the lower rail and the upright is achieved. In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the opening arranged in the at least one rail is provided with a toothing.

A clamp fitting is realized in efficient manner according to the invention by providing a toothing. The toothing can be shaped in different ways, including a sawtooth, a block-shaped tongue and so on. The toothing provided in the opening blocks a movement of the bar relative to this opening in effective manner. This means that some force must be exerted to place the bar in the opening during assembly of the bar and the rail. The toothing arranged in the opening will also bend to some extent during insertion of the bar into the opening. Experiments have shown that in an embodiment this bending amounts to about 0.1 mm. The effect of the clamp fitting embodied in the form of a toothing is that the toothing as it were digs into the material of the bar such that the bar cannot be moved back out of the opening. With a correct dimensioning of a toothing the force required to pull an arranged bar out of the opening exceeds many times the force necessary to arrange the bar in the opening. This "dig-in effect" brings about an effective assembly of the fence according to the invention. The toothing can be provided on the bottom side, the top side and the sides of the rails.

At least four teeth are preferably provided in the opening. A good fixation of the bar in the opening is hereby realized in the peripheral direction of the bar. Still more preferably, at least ten teeth are provided in the opening. Fixing forces are hereby better distributed along the peripheral direction so that the force per individual tooth is further limited.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention a first rail and a second rail are provided between which a number of bars extend, wherein the first and second rails are provided with an opening with toothing on the sides of the first and second rail facing toward each other.

A stable and rigid construction of the fence is realized by providing a first and a second rail between which the bars extend. Providing the toothing on the mutually facing sides of the rails achieves that the bar is fixed in all directions relative to the rails. This is realized in that the bar is introduced from a first direction into the opening of the first rail and is introduced from a second, opposite direction into the opening of the second rail. Owing to the "dig-in effect" the bar cannot be moved in one of the two directions, since it is fixed by at least one of the two rails. A stiff construction is hereby obtained which remains stable even in the case of a load during use which far exceeds the force required for assembly of the bars and the rails. A robust fence is hereby obtained.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the at least one rail and the bars are of material galvanized before assembly.

Galvanized fences have in practice a number of relevant advantages in respect of appearance and maintenance. In the current fences known in practice an assembled fence is optionally further treated and thereby galvanized. Because welding of the individual parts of the fence is not required according to the invention, it is possible to make use of galvanized material. A further treatment for the purpose of galvanization is hereby avoided. This not only limits transport of assembled fencing to a galvanizing plant and back, the throughput time for manufacture of a fence according to the invention is also greatly reduced because fewer process steps are necessary.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention a mechanical fixation of the bars to the at least one rail is provided.

A further strengthening of the fence according to the invention is realized by a mechanical fixation. Use is preferably made here of a rivet and/or spot weld connection of a bar to a rail. In an advantageous embodiment the at least one rail is provided as a ϋ-profile, wherein an additional mechanical connection is preferably realized at the position of the legs of the profile.

The invention further relates to a device for manufacturing a fence as stated above.

The same effects and advantages as those described for the fence also apply to such a device. The invention also further relates to a method for manufacturing a fence, comprising the steps of: providing a number of bars and at least one rail; arranging openings in the at least one rail, wherein the bar is fixable with a clamp fitting relative to the rail; and pressing together the number of bars and the at least one rail.

The same effects and advantages as described for the fence and/or the device also apply for such a method. A toothing is preferably provided when openings are arranged in the at least one rail. The above stated "dig-in effect" is hereby achieved with the associated advantages. Such a toothing can advantageously be realized with laser cutting, with which a large number of forms of the toothing can be realized in relatively simple manner. The material of the bars and/or rails can further be provided in advantageous manner from galvanized material, with the associated logistical and efficiency advantages as described above.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the openings in the at least one rail are positioned opposite the bars, after which the bars are pressed into the opening. By positioning the openings in the rail prior to pressing of the bars into the opening a whole fence can be assembled in a single pressing movement, this subject to the fence configuration.

In the case a fence is provided with two rails it is possible to position the fence with the openings on both sides relative to the bars and, if desired, to press the rails simultaneously over the bars. This has an efficiency advantage since the production time for assembling a fence according to the invention is hereby reduced. In addition, both rails can be placed over and against the bars with a single load resulting from the necessary pressing force. The teeth of the toothing preferably bend to some extent in the opening during pressing. This relates to the above-mentioned "dig-in effect". This prevents the bar being moved back out of the opening in a direction opposite to that in which it is arranged. Two rails are preferably provided between which bars extend. By providing the toothing in the opening of the rails on the sides facing toward each other, a stiff, stable and robust construction is obtained in the above stated manner since the bar cannot move at all in any direction. In addition to the clamp fitting a mechanical connection, as described above for the fence, can be arranged between the bars and the rail(s) in order to increase the strength of the fence still further. According to the present invention with the above described method it is also possible to produce a fence in the shape of a crush barrier. Preferably, a curved upper rail is provided, with which in use two substantially vertical side parts are provided forming the side of the crush barrier. A lower rail will be connected with bars as mentioned above. Additionally, the lower rail is connected to the side parts with a pen-hole or pen-groove connection. For placing the pen of the lower rail in a hole or groove of the side part, the side parts will be pulled outward during assembly. After positioning the pen or pens the side parts will be released and is the lower rail connected with the side parts. Preferably, the rotatable legs will be applied duding positioning, partly being placed into the side parts. By providing the legs with a spiral shaped groove, they are rotatable relative to the pen or pens of the lower rail. This will bring about the above mentioned effects and advantages.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are further elucidated on the basis of the preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a view of the fence according to the invention; figure 2 shows a view of an alternative embodiment of the fence according to the invention; figures 3A and B show a view of the possible toothing in the fence of figure 1; figures 4A and B show a view of an alternative toothing in the fence of figure 2; figure 5 shows a view of a further alternative toothing; figure 6 shows a process diagram according to the invention; - figure 7 shows a view of a further alternative embodiment of the fence according to the invention; figures 8A and B show a view of the connection in the fence of figure 7; and figure 9 shows a view of a device for manufacturing a fence according to the invention.

- figure 9 and 10, show a vies of the fence embodied as a crush barrier when in use; figure 11 and 12, show a view of the crush barrier of figures 9 and 10 in transport; - figure 13A and B, shows a view of the connection of the lower rail and the leg when in use and during transport; figure 14, shows a view of the groove of figure 13A and B; - figure 15-19, show views of the steps for achieving a crush barrier; figure 20 and 21, show views of further alternative toothings; figure 22, shows a view of a pile of crush barriers for transport; figure 23, shows a view of a simplified arrangement of figure 24; and figure 24, shows a view of the device for preparing a fence according to the invention. A fence 2 (figure 1) is provided with an upper rail 3 and a lower rail 4. A number of bars 6 are provided between the rails. Bars 6 are fixed with an outer end into openings 7 provided in rails 3,4. In the shown embodiment openings 7 are provided on the sides of rails 3, 4 facing toward each other. A flat top side of fence 2 is hereby obtained. Openings 7 (figures 3A and B) are provided with a toothing with teeth 8 and notches 10. Tn the shown embodiment four teeth 8 are provided per opening 7.

Fence 2 (figure 1} is attached to uprights 12 placed on a ground surface 14. Upright 12 is provided for this purpose with a foot 16 which is fixedly connected to surface 14. The top side of upright 12 is provided with a cap or cover 18. Fence 2 is connected to upright 12 using bracket 20. An alternative embodiment of fence 22 (figure 2) comprises an upper rail 24 and a lower rail 26, between which extend bars 28. Rails 24, 26 are provided with through-openings 30, i.e. an opening 30 in the top and bottom sides of rails 24, 26. A toothing (figures 4A and B) with notches or recesses 32 and teeth 34 is provided on the underside of upper rail 24 and on the top side of lower rail 26. Tooth 34 is embodied as a kind of tongue or block. Fence 22 is placed with upright 36 on a ground surface 38, wherein foot 40 forms the connection between upright 36 and surface 38. The top side of upright 36 is provided with a cap or cover 42. Fence 22 is attached to upright 36 using a bracket 44. The outer ends of bars 28, which protrude on either side of rails 24, 26, are provided with caps or covers 46.

A further alternative embodiment shows an opening 48 (figure 5) in a rail 50 in which four tongues or teeth 52 are provided in an arrangement that is to some extent resilient.

The basic material for manufacture of a fence 2,22 (figure 6} is provided in a first step 54. For the shown embodiments of fence 2,22 this is galvanized material. Use is made for the uprights of a diameter of about 60.3 mm with a centre-to-centre distance of 242 cm, and the uprights are galvanized in standard thermal manner. Use can be made for this purpose of so-called tube-60 profile. Bars 6,28 are provided in the shown embodiment with a centre-to-centre distance of 120 mm. This is particularly suitable for schools and playgrounds. The diameter of the bars amounts to 25 or 30 mm in the shown embodiment. In step 56 the basic material is then placed in a laser cutter for cutting step 58. Openings are here cut into rails 3,4,24,26, wherein toothings are provided at the desired location. In step 60 the preparatory materials are then placed in a pressing device for positioning step 62, wherein openings are positioned relative to bars 6,28. In a possible embodiment of such a pressing device bars are placed at a fixed desired centre-to-centre distance from each other using for instance stops, after which rails 3,4,24,26 are positioned relative thereto. During preparatory step 64 the bars 6,28 positioned relative to rails 3,4,24,26 are then placed relative to the pressing parts of the pressing device for the purpose of the pressing step 66. During pressing step 66 rails 3,4,24,26 are pushed or pressed over bars 6,28. The toothing also bends here to some extent with the relative movement of bar 6,28 relative to rail 3,4,24,26. In the shown embodiments of fences 2,22 this bending amounts to about 0.1 mm, thereby bringing about a "dig-in effect". During removal step 68 the assembled fence 2,22 is removed from the pressing device and further displaced for finishing in step 70. Step 70 optionally comprises for instance providing caps or covers 46, optional spot welding and/or riveting, applying polyester coating and colours and connecting fence 2,22 to uprights 12,36. Fence 2,22 can then be placed on a ground surface 14,38. Foot 16,40 can be embodied as a prefabricated concrete foot. A strengthening plate (not shown) can optionally be applied for additional stability. Uprights 12,36 are optionally driven for instance about 80 cm into the undisturbed ground in order to provide fence 2,22 with sufficient stability.

A fence 72 (figure 7) is provided with an upper rail 74 and lower rail 76 between which are provided bars 78. In the shown embodiment fifteen bars 78 are present in a fence part situated between two uprights (not shown) . Rail 74 is a U- shaped profile with a side 80 connected to leg 84 with a connecting part 82. In the shown embodiment of fence 72 the width of rails 74,76 is 50 mm, the height of side 80 about 22 mm, the length of connection 82 about 11 mm and of leg 84 about 18 mm. The opening between legs 84 amounts to 26 mm with a material thickness of about 1 mm. The angle of connection 82 to parts 80,84 amounts to about 135°. Leg 84 is provided with a so-called star hole 86, i.e. an opening with toothing as described above for other embodiments. In the shown embodiment lower rail 76 is formed and oriented in the same manner as upper rail 74.

The connection between bar 78 and rail 74 is formed by star hole 86 having an opening 88 with toothing 90 (figures 8A and B) . A riveted connection is realized here by connecting rivets 92 in the directions indicated respectively with arrows C and D, using star hole 86. Star hole 86 is pressed/recessed inward to some extent here. As described above, a robust connection between bar 78 and rail 74 is realized due to toothing 90. Owing to this connection it is possible to provide fence 72 in robust manner, wherein a rotation of bars 78 is possible relative to rails 74,76, for instance in the directions indicated by arrows A and B (figure 7). This is advantageous in the case of, among others, an inclining surface, such as in the case of a slope. In the case bar 78 protrudes through profile 74 (figure 8B) the top side of rail 74 must be provided with an opening 94. In order to make a rotation possible, opening 94 is provided with an oval form or as slotted hole, wherein the long sides are preferably provided with a narrowed portion, or a narrow contact edge or tooth, with which bar 78 is fixed to some extent, although a small rotation remains possible. The part of bar 78 protruding through uprights 74 can optionally be provided with a so-called anti-climb strip (not shown) . It is optionally also possible to provide a spot weld at the position of the riveted connection in order to further increase the robustness.

Crush barrier 202 (figures 9-12) is provided with an upper rail 203 and a lower rail 204. Between the rails a number of bars are provided. Bars 206 will be connected with one end in openings 207 that are provided in rails 203,204. In the illustrated embodiment openings 207 are provided in the sides of rails 203, 203 that are directed towards each other. This enables a flat upper side of crush barrier 202. Openings 207 are provided with a toothing with teeth 208 and notches 210 (see also figures 20 and 21) . In the illustrated embodiment 33 teeth 208 are provided for each opening 207. Crush barrier 202 is provided with side parts 212. Side parts 212 are placed on ground surface 214. Hereto, part 212 is provided with a leg 216 which is rotatably connected with side part 212 and rail 204 via pen 214 (figures 13A and B).

In use, leg 216 consists of a vertical part 218 (see also figure 14) with a first end 220 placable in side parts 212. The other end 222 is rejuvenated such that leg part 224 is placable on top of this. Leg part 224 will be fixed on vertical part 218 by butting end 222.

Pen 214 is placed in opening 226 of side parts 212. Vertical part 218 is provided with a groove 228 which in the present embodiment is provided over an angle of 90° over part 218. In the present embodiment pen 214 is located in used state of crush barrier 202 in the lowest end of groove 228 (figure 9,10 and 13A), such that a stable position of foot 216 is achieved. In another embodiment pen 214 is placed in the transport condition of crush barrier 202 in the top end of groove 228 (figure 11, 12 and 13B). Among other things for transport and storage leg 216 will be rotated over an angle of 90° to reduce space (figure 22) . Herewith pen 214 is located in the top end of curve 228.

In the illustrated embodiment leg 216 is about 49 mm higher than in the used state. Herewith the required space reduces even more. In the illustrated embodiment leg 216 has a width of approximately 500 ram, a height of about 200 mm up to the underside of side parts 212. Crush barrier 202 has a width of about 2500-3000 mm and a height of about 1150 mm. The curve between top rail 203 and side parts 212 has a radius of about 100 mm. The side parts 212 have a length of about 950 mm, with a tube diameter of about 38 mm and a wall thickness of about 1.5 mm. Pen 214 has a length of about 30 mm and a diameter of about 18 mm. The heart to heart distance between bars is approximately 120 mm. Other dimensions are also possible according to the invention.

A square hole 148 (figure 21) can be applied as an alternative for star hole 48 or another shape, like opening 207. Hole 148, or another hole, can be applied from one side only, in other words at one side of the rail. The bar in this embodiment ends on one side of the rail. Hole 148, or another hole, can also be applied on two sides, in other words, two-sided, on two sides of the rail. Such a rail with two-side holes 148 can be applied as a top or bottom. Also it is possible to apply an intermediate rail with two-sides holes 148, possibly in combination. Preferably, holes 148 will be applied in the intermediate with a little more space and/or additional connection parts may be applied between the upper rail and the intermediate rail. Obviously combinations of these aspects are also possible.

In device 122 (figure 23) for the assembly of a fence 2,22,72,202, and in the present embodiment specifically crush barrier 103,202 the bars 206 are placed from above with grabber 124 on the desirable location with positioning guide 126. Guide 126 determines the mutual distance of bars 128 in the achieved fence 130. An upper rail 132 and lower rail 134 will be pushed with hydraulically driven push elements 136 over openings 132 provided in rails 134. When fence 130 relates to crush barrier side parts 136 of fence 130 will be pushed outwards during assembly with clamps or grippers 138 (see figures 15-19) . Side parts 136 will bend outwards and groove 228 and opening 226 will be positioned relative to pen 214 and bottom rail 204,134. After that side parts 136 will be released from clamp 138 to achieve a connection between rail 204,134 and side parts 136,212 and leg 216, wherein in the present embodiment the leg is rotatable. Herewith a crush barrier is realized. Obviously, parts of the simplified device 122, such as gripper 124 and/or clamps 138 may also be applied in device 96 as will be explained in the following.

Fence 72,202 is manufactured in similar manner to fences 2,22 as discussed above. Fences 2,22,72,202 are assembled on a device 96 {figure 24) . Device 96 is provided with a feed station 98 for bars 100 placed at a fixed mutual distance in the direction of arrow E. If desired, outer ends of bars 100 are shaped with shaping unit 102. Rails 104,106 are pressed over bars 100 in the direction of respective arrows F and G using a servo-driven pressing rod 108. The number of pressing steps depends on the desired configuration of the fence. The optionally required openings in bars 100 are provided in advance by punching device 110. Feed of rails or profiles takes place using feed 114. Punching unit 116 provides openings in rails 104,106 prior to pressing of rails 104,106 over bars 100 by pressing rod 108. A fence 112 is hereby obtained. At a subsequent position spot welds can be provided for fence 112 using welding unit 118. Fence 112 is displaced here by transport unit 120. In an optional further step inter alia an anti-climb strip can be provided using a spot weld at the position of bars 100. The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. One of the possibilities is for instance to provide alternative types of toothing adapted to the material used and the application.