The present invention relates to an anchoring assembly and to an associated fencing.

In industry, the need often arises to install protective enclosures (or barriers) along the perimeter of industrial machines and/or to delimit specific operational areas. This in fact makes it possible to prevent or discourage access by unauthorized persons and to reduce the risk of distracted operators from suffering injury or harm, as a result of contact with or in proximity to elements in motion or in any case with devices that carry out processes that are potentially hazardous to humans.

Enclosures are therefore well known which are constituted by one or more laminar screens (be they continuous panels or reticular grilles), which are kept vertical by respective supporting posts, arranged at the sides.

To ensure the necessary versatility and enable the user or the installation technician to provide the configuration that is appropriate in each instance, usually the enclosures described above are modular, and are assembled starting from kits that comprise a plurality of screens and posts (and corresponding accessories) which can be combined in various ways, in order to deploy the fencing along the perimeter of interest.

Among the other accessories, the kit includes a plurality of anchoring elements, which make it possible to mutually anchor each screen to the posts that support it at the sides, using paired threaded elements, hooks and/or clamps. In such context, it is therefore the task of the installation technician to use such anchoring assemblies to anchor each screen to the respective posts and so provide, progressively, the fencing.

Such implementation solution is however not devoid of drawbacks.

First of all, the need is felt to identify increasingly more practical anchoring elements, in order to speed up the operations of assembly and installation of the fencing (and, similarly, the operations of disassembly, if any). Furthermore, the reference standards require the use of "captive" anchoring elements, which prevent or reduce the risk that the elements specifically used to mutually anchor posts and screens can accidentally detach during the steps of installation or disassembly (or during use). Likewise, it must be impossible to obtain or remove the anchoring without using a tool.

It is even more important to emphasize that many conventional solutions are poorly (or not at all) adapted for use in the food sector: industrial buildings in which foods and beverages are processed are in fact subject to particularly stringent hygienic regulations, to which the enclosures described herein must also evidently adhere. In such context, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and accumulation of dirt, the components of the fencing must be easily washable and the extent of the contact surfaces, and also of the horizontal surfaces, must be as reduced as possible.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing an anchoring assembly that ensures practical and secure methods of assembly of enclosures or barriers.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a fencing that ensures practical and secure methods of mutual anchoring between screens and associated posts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly that ensures the possibility of providing enclosures that are suitable for use in buildings intended to be used in the food sector.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring assembly that is captive, thus reducing or eliminating the risk of accidental disengagement and/or loss of its components.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring assembly that ensures a high reliability and versatility of operation and which can be activated or deactivated only with a tool. Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly and a fencing that adopt an alternative technical and structural architecture to conventional ones.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly and a fencing that can be easily provided starting with elements and materials readily available on the market.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly and a fencing that are of low cost and safely applied.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an assembly according to claim 1, a fencing according to claim 12 and a kit according to claim 13.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the assembly and of the fencing according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fencing according to the invention, provided with six anchoring assemblies according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 1 and shows an anchoring assembly;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pin of the anchoring assembly according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the pin in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the pin in Figure 3;

Figures 6 and 7 are mutually opposite perspective views of a clamp and a stem of the anchoring assembly according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a side view of the components in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the components in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 10 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pin in Figure 3, adapted for coupling to a post;

Figure 12 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a first intermediate step of using an anchoring assembly to assemble the fencing in Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a second intermediate step of using an anchoring assembly to assemble the fencing in Figure 1;

Figure 16 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective view opposite from the view in Figure 15 showing the second intermediate step of using the anchoring assembly;

Figure 18 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a third step of using an anchoring assembly to mount the fencing in Figure 1;

Figure 20 is a greatly enlarged detail of Figure 19.

With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an anchoring assembly for enclosures 100.

It is to be noted from this point onward that both the assembly 1 and the fencing 100 constitute the subject matter of the present discussion and of the protection claimed herein.

In the preferred, non-exclusive, application, the fencing 100 is intended to be deployed along a perimeter of interest, typically in an industrial building, in order to delimit a specific area and prevent or in any case control access to it, for example to guard against or reduce the risk that individuals could accidentally come into contact with potentially hazardous machinery or that, conversely, the individuals themselves could damage sophisticated and delicate machinery. It is emphasized however that the purposes for which the barrier 100 is deployed along the perimeter of interest may be any, while remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein. The fencing 100 with which the assembly 1 is intended to be used comprises first of all at least one laminar screen 101, which has at least one rigid wire 101a, and at least one post 102, for supporting the screen 101 with vertical orientation. The screen 101 can indeed be positioned, vertically, facing and proximate to the machinery or in any case along the perimeter of interest, on the perimeter of the area to be delimited.

Preferably, the fencing 100 will be provided with at least two posts 102, which, as in the accompanying Figure 1, support the screen 101 at each side (at a respective wire 101a). The possibility is not ruled out however of using a single post 102 associated with one side of the screen 101, the other side being supported by a different structure.

It should likewise be noted that in the preferred application (as in the accompanying figures) the screen 101 is constituted by a grille of rigid wires 101a (or bars, or the like), which are made for example of iron or other metallic materials or even of a polymeric material. In such context, and in the methods that will be illustrated below, the anchoring assembly 1 typically acts on the outermost vertical wire 101a (as in the accompanying figures), but the possibility is not ruled out of having it interact with another vertical wire 101a (for example one of the next innermost ones) or even with a horizontal wire 101a. The screen 101 can also have a different structure, for example comprising a panel provided with a single wire 101a on a side, in order to allow interaction with the assembly 1.

According to the invention, the assembly 1 comprises at least one pin 2 (shown specifically in Figures 2-4) which is provided with a head 3 and a shank 4. The shank 4 is configured to be inserted into a hole 102a which is provided along the post 102, until the head 3 abuts on the post 102 and an end portion of that shank 4 exits on the opposite side. In other words, and as can be clearly seen for example in Figure 5, the transverse cross-section of the shank 4 is chosen to be of such dimensions as to allow insertion into the hole 102a, while this insertion of the head 3 is prevented, which has an enlarged transverse cross-section (with respect to the shank 4 and to the hole 102a). At the same time, the length of the shank 4 (measured along the ideal direction of insertion into the hole 102a) is such that when the head 3 abuts against the post 102, the shank 4 exits partially from the other side with an end portion thereof (the length of which can constitute a fraction of extent chosen at will with respect to the overall length of the shank 4).

In order to allow greater versatility of use and offer different operative positions of the assembly 1 (or the possibility of using multiple assemblies 1 for the same screen 101), numerous holes 102a are provided along the post 102.

The pin 2 has (a variable number of) lateral tabs 5 that can move elastically between a non-deformed configuration, in which they protrude from the lateral surface of the end portion of the shank 4 (Figure 5), and at least one deformed configuration, in which they are kept inside the transverse space occupation of the shank 4. The tabs 5 are therefore arranged at a longitudinal height (with respect to the ideal direction of insertion into the hole 102a) such that, when the head 3 abuts against the post 102, they protrude from the shank 4 at the other side of the latter and therefore they oppose any extraction of the pin 2, thus guarding against its accidental loss (Figures 14 and 16 for example). Conversely, in the step of insertion into the hole 102a, the tabs 5 are automatically pushed toward the deformed configuration, in order to allow the coupling between the pin 2 and the post 102. In order to facilitate the automatic transition to the deformed configuration upon the progressive insertion of the shank 4 into the hole 102a, each tab 5 forms externally a form of outward-inclined ramp (Figure 3), which abuts against the rim of the hole 102a during insertion and guards against the danger of excessively straining the tab 5 (or the rim of the hole 102a). The accompanying figures show a solution in which the shank 4 is provided with two tabs 5, but there can be any number of tabs 5.

The assembly 1 further comprises at least one clamp which in turn comprises a first jaw 6 and a second jaw 7 (Figures 6-10 for example). The second jaw 7 can be abutted with a base surface 7a thereof against the post 102 and has a recess 8 therealong (Figures 6, 7, 9, 10 for example) which is configured to receive the shank 4 (the end portion of it) with interference. So in fact, after the shank 4 has been inserted into the hole 102a, the second jaw 7 can be abutted (on the opposite side to the head 3) against the post 102, taking care to force the insertion of the shank 4 (the end portion) into the recess 8. The coupling with interference impedes the subsequent disengagement and therefore, in a manner similar to the tabs 5, guards against accidental loss.

The rigid wire 101a can be clamped between the jaws 6, 7, in a position that is spaced apart from the base surface 7a (and therefore from the post 102). In other words, and as can be seen in Figure 2, the jaws 6, 7 are shaped so that, when they are brought together and mutually tightened, the respective areas for receiving and retaining the wire 101a are spaced apart from the base surface 7a (and from the post 102).

The assembly 1 also comprises at least one at least partially threaded stem 9, which can be inserted into the jaws 6, 7 and into the shank 4 until it is screwed into a female thread which is provided inside the pin 2 (and preferably inside its head 3), with consequent mutual tightening of the jaws 6, 7 and clamping in place of the rigid wire 101a. The insertion and therefore the screwing of the stem 9 respectively into the jaws 6, 7 and into the pin 2 obtain a plurality of results, enabling the assembly 1 to achieve the set aim. In fact, during the progressive insertion the stem 9 (with its enlarged tip 9a) makes the jaws 6, 7 approach each other until they are mutually tightened, thus enabling the clamping in place of the wire 101a. As the insertion continues (having first abutted the second jaw 7 against the post 102), the stem 9 is introduced into the female thread and so locks the jaws 6, 7 (and with them the wire 101a) to the post 102, in so doing obtaining the mutual anchoring of the latter and of the screen 101, thus ensuring the possibility of assembling the fencing 100.

In particular, the recess 8 has (preferably but not exclusively) a shape that is substantially complementary to that of the shank 4 (at least of its end portion). Furthermore, the recess 8 is provided, along its lateral surface, with a plurality of protrusions 10, for determining the reception with interference of the shank 4 in the recess 8. The possibility is not ruled out however of obtaining the coupling (the reception) with interference according to other practical methods, which in any case remain within the scope of protection claimed herein.

More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures for the purposes of non-limiting example of the invention (see in particular Figures 6, 7, 9, 10), each protrusion 10 is constituted substantially by an elongated ridge, which extends along the ideal direction of insertion of the shank 4 into the recess 8.

With further reference to the preferred, non-exclusive embodiment (and to Figure 9), the recess 8 is provided with six ridges (protrusions 10), which are mutually parallel and distributed along the lateral surface of the recess 8. In any case it should be noted that it is possible to provide assemblies 1 that comprise any number of ridges, and/or other types of protrusions 10.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, of significant practical interest but which does not limit the application of the invention, the second jaw 7 comprises a block 7b which is provided with the base surface 7a. The block 7b is passed through by a through passage which defines, with one end portion, the recess 8 and is configured (is chosen to be of suitable dimensions) in order to allow the insertion of the stem 9.

It is to be noted that the block 7b has, in an upward region and in a downward region, wedge-shaped side walls, so as not to present horizontally-arranged surfaces when assembly of the fencing 100 is complete. More specifically, the block 7b has a lateral groove 11, which is configured to accommodate a length of the wire 101a. Noting that typically the screens 101 are provided with wires 101a that are circular in cross- section, the groove 11 will also preferably have a circular/curvilinear bottom or progression, but the possibility is not ruled out in any case of adopting different shapes (for example a flat bottom), for wires 101a both with a circular cross-section and with another cross-section. In the embodiment in the accompanying figures the wire 101a is accommodated in a groove 11 which is arranged in a substantially intermediate position along the side of the block 7b. The possibility is not ruled out however of also receiving the wire 101a on the base of the block 7b opposite from the base surface 7a (so that the wire 101a is still kept spaced apart from the base surface 7a and from the post 102).

Conveniently, the first jaw 6 comprises a plate 6a, which can be applied to (pressed on) the second jaw 7 on the opposite side to the base surface 7a, by the action of the stem 9 (and of its tip 9a in particular), which can be inserted into a respective through orifice 12 provided along that plate 6a (until the tip 9a abuts against the latter).

The first jaw 6 further comprises at least one raised lug 6b, which extends substantially perpendicular from a margin of the plate 6a and has an indentation 13 (clearly visible for example in Figures 6-8), which is configured to accommodate a length of the wire 101a (different from the one that goes into the groove 1 1). Therefore, when the jaws 6, 7 are mutually tightened, against the wire 101a (against respective lengths) one flank (and/or the bottom) of the groove 11 press on one side, and the bottom (and/or one flank) of the indentation 13 press on the other side, so achieving the desired clamping in place by friction. It should be noted that in a manner similar to the groove 11, the profile of the indentation 13 can also preferably be chosen to be circular or in any case curvilinear, but other possibilities are not ruled out. More specifically, in order to give greater stability to the clamping in place of the wire 101a and therefore of the mutual anchor point between the screen 101 and the post 102, the first jaw 6 comprises two (or even more) lugs 6b, which extend from two mutually opposite margins of the plate 6a and which have respective indentations 13 (for corresponding lengths of the wire 101a).

In the preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying figures for the purposes of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, the head 3 of the pin 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape structure and is provided with two flattened-out lateral features 3 a, in order to allow facilitated interaction with a manipulation tool (if required).

With further reference to such preferred shape, the shank 4 is constituted substantially by a hollow sleeve, which defines internally a channel 14 which is coaxially arranged in communication with the female thread of the head 3 (the female thread is not shown in the accompanying figures but its placement is entirely intuitive for a person skilled in the art in light of what has been explained up to this point). It is therefore the channel

14 that receives the stem 9, which is already inserted into the orifice 12 and into the through passage of the block 7b, in order to allow the coupling of the jaws 6, 7 to the pin 2.

More specifically, each tab 5 is elastically appended to an edge of a respective window 15, which is provided in a corresponding flattened-out portion of the lateral surface of the end portion of the shank 4. Each window

15 is effectively facing the channel 14 and when the tabs 5 are pushed toward the deformed configuration, they tend to return toward the channel 14.

As already anticipated, in addition to the assembly 1 a further object of the present discussion (and of the protection claimed herein) is a fencing 100 that comprises at least one laminar screen 101, which is provided with at least one rigid wire 101a, and at least one post 102, for supporting the screen 101 with vertical orientation.

The fencing 100 according to the invention therefore comprises an anchoring assembly 1 according to what is shown in the foregoing pages.

It is to be noted that the kit composed of a screen 101, a post 102 (or rather two posts 102) and one or more assemblies 1 that ensure their mutual anchor point effectively constitutes a basic modular unit, which can be repeated when desired to form enclosures 100 (which in any case remain within the scope of protection claimed herein) that are adapted to delimit areas with any perimeter, in terms of both shape and of dimensions (each post 102 can be associated with two or even more screens 101, side-by- side).

Therefore an object of the present discussion and of the protection that is claimed with it is also a kit for providing (assembling) enclosures 100, which comprises a plurality of laminar screens 101, each having at least one rigid wire 101a, a plurality of posts 102, each one for supporting at least one respective screen 101 with vertical orientation, and a plurality of anchoring assemblies 1 according to what is already explained in the foregoing pages.

In the kit, the installation technician can therefore find the screens 101 to be distributed as desired along the perimeter of interest, and also the posts 102 to be used to support them and the assemblies 1 for obtaining the anchoring.

The use of the assembly and of the fencing according to the invention have already been effectively explained in the foregoing pages, a brief summary is also given below.

In order to obtain the assembly of a fencing 100, and in particular the mutual anchoring of a screen 101 and of a post 102, first of all the pin 2 needs to be inserted into a hole 102a of the post 102, until the head 3 abuts against it and so that the shank 4 exits on the other side (where the screen 101 is to be supported) with its end portion. The configuration in Figures 13-14 is accordingly obtained.

As already noted, during the insertion the tabs 5 are elastically deformed, automatically, in order to return later to the non-deformed configuration and oppose the subsequent extraction (which can happen only by pressing on the tabs 5).

Subsequently, the second jaw 7 can be abutted with its base surface 7a against the post 102, so that the shank 4 (its end portion) is inserted into the recess 8. The coupling with interference guards against the danger that the second jaw 7 might accidentally detach (disengagement can occur only by forcing the detachment of the second jaw 7).

Once this point has been reached, it is possible to locate a length of the wire 101a at the groove 1 1, by arranging the screen 101 in the vertical configuration that it is intended to assume when the fencing 100 is completed. It is emphasized again that the groove 1 1 is spaced apart from the base surface 7a and thus the wire 101a is kept spaced apart from the post 102.

To complete the clamping in place, the stem 9 needs to be inserted first into the orifice 12 of the first jaw 6 (of the first plate 6a), and then into the through passage of the second jaw 7 and into the channel 14 of the shank 4, and then it is screwed with a tool into the female thread provided in the pin 2. By means of screwing, the two jaws 6, 7 are mutually tightened (immobilizing the wire 101a between the groove 11 and the indentation 13), while the clamp (the jaws 6, 7 themselves) is in turn firmly pinioned to the pin 2. Such anchoring point can be removed only by using a tool to unscrew the pin 2.

In a mode of use that is absolutely equivalent, before positioning the wire 101a and the screen 101, it is possible to partially insert the stem 9 into the jaws 6, 7 (without causing the mutual clamping), and then place such jaws along the post 102 (effectively, as shown in Figures 15-18) and then proceed to place the wire 101a and the screen 101 and clamp them in place. It should be noted that the accompanying Figures 1-2 show an embodiment in which each assembly 1 (there are 6 in the figures) acts on one of the outer (vertical) wires 101a of the screen 101. In an absolutely equivalent manner, for example by adequately dimensioning the block 7b and the position of the groove 11, the jaws can interact with a more inner vertical wire 101a. Or, by orienting the components of the assembly 1 differently (and optionally employing different parts of the groove 11 and of the indentation 13), the jaws can be deployed to clamp a horizontal wire 101a.

Thus it has been seen that the assembly 1 makes it possible to assemble a fencing 1 in a practical and rapid manner (by mutually coupling each screen 101 and the respective posts 102), by carrying out a few simple steps of short duration.

It is very important to note that by using the assembly 1, the wire 101a (and in general the screen 101) is kept at a distance from the post 102 and therefore in the fencing 100 according to the invention the zones of contact between different components are reduced to a small number (they are reduced effectively to the base surface 7a, which is of limited extent, and very little else). The wire 101a is in turn clamped only at small lengths which are trapped between the jaws 6, 7. At the same time, the block 7b preferably does not present horizontal surfaces (nor does the totality of the assembly 1, or the near-totality). In the assembly 1 and in the fencing 100 (and in the kit) according to the invention, both the areas in mutual contact and the horizontal surfaces (potential areas where bacteria and impurities can accumulate) are therefore very reduced, and this makes them easily washable and more generally fully adapted for use in buildings intended to be used in the food sector.

It should be noted that in order to be used in the food sector, all the components illustrated above of the fencing 100 and of the assembly 1 can be made of stainless steel, while not ruling out the use of other materials (metallic, polymeric, or of another nature).

It is likewise to be noted that the assembly 1 according to the invention is of the captive type, in that it is provided with contrivances (the tabs 5 and the protrusions 10 in particular) that are adapted to reduce or eliminate the risk of accidental disengagement and/or loss of its components.

The simplicity of the components and their practicality of use ensures the reliability of the assembly 1, which is shown to be versatile, it being possible to use it at any point of the post 102 and with different wires 101a (horizontal or vertical) of the screen 101.

Finally it should be noted that, in compliance with some regulations in the sector, the complete clamping in place (and release, if any) of the wire 101a can be done only with a tool (a wrench or a screwdriver) with which to cause the screwing or unscrewing of the stem 9.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be substituted with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.