A FENCE SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fence, a fence module, a kit of parts for a fence module, and a method of erecting a fence from fence modules.

BACKGROUND ART

Modular fencing systems have made It possible for people with only basic technical skills to erect their own fences. These pre-assembled modules usually come from the supplier ready to erect and interlock in a contiguous fashion one next to other, so as to create a fence.

A problem with these systems however is that the modules are quite large, typical being sized between 1.2m and 1.8rπ in height and between 0.9m and 2.5m in length. This obviously creates difficulties associated with their transport and handling.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide a fence and fence module that substantially ameliorates the aforementioned difficulties, or at the least provides the public with a useful alternative to known modular fencing systems.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one form of this invention there is proposed a fence module that is assembled from component parts before it can be erected so as to form a part of a fence, wherein said component parts are adapted to be packaged together.

Preferably, the component parts of the fence module are packaged into an elongate container of substantially constant cross-sectional size and shape.

Preferably, the elongate container is a box.

Preferably, the box is approximately 1.2 to 1.6m x 0.29 to 0.32 x 0.2m in size.

Preferably, the module includes a pair of rails, and at least one elongate member adapted to extend between the rails.

Preferably, when assembled, the module is arranged so that the rails are substantially parallel to one another, and these rails support the or each elongate member there between.

Preferably, a plurality of substantially equi-spaced apart elongate members are supported between the rails so as to be orthogonal to the rails.

Preferably, a first rail is positioned at or toward a top edge of the module, and the second rail is positioned at or toward a bottom edge of the module.

Preferably, the or each elongate member is retained by a lug extending from each of the rails.

Preferably, the or each elongate member is adapted to be disposed upon a lug.

Preferably, there is a further member fixed to each rail, so that the further member appears to be a continuation of an elongate, member.

Preferably, there is a first further member adapted to be connected to the upper rail, and a second further member adapted to be connected to the lower rail.

Preferably, the rails and elongate members are made from tubular steel.

Preferably, a first fence module is connected to a further fence module using a connector.

Preferably, an assembled fence module is connected to a post by a bracket.

Preferably, an assembled fence module is connected to a post by a hinge, so as to create a gate.

Preferably, when the module forms part of a gate, the upper and lower rails of the fence module are connected by side members, which are in turn connected to the post by a hinge.

Preferable, the post is a unitary member.

Alternatively, the post may be comprised of at least two portions. This may be necessary when additional height is required.

Preferably, a joining member joins the portions of the post together.

Preferably, the portions of the post are adapted to fit in the container for the fence module.

In a further form the invention may be said to reside in a fence comprised of at least two of the aforementioned fence modules.

Preferably, the two fence modules are positioned and adjoined along one edge so as to be contiguous with one another.

Preferably, two fence modules are adjoined by a joining member that joins the ends of a pair of rails from respective modules.

A kit of parts for the fence module as in any one of the preceding claims to a fence module-

Preferably, the kit of parts includes at least one rail and at least one elongate member.

Preferably, the kit of parts includes a post, and means for connecting the fence module to the post.

Preferably, the kit of parts includes any connectors or fasteners required to facilitate assembly of at least one module.

It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that two or more modules may be packaged together, the limitation being one of how much an average person can lift and handle safely.

Preferably, the kit of parts is adapted to be packed into an elongate container.

Preferably, the elongate package Is an elongate box.

In a further form the invention may be said to reside in a method of erecting a fence using a fence module as described above, including the steps of removing the or each module from its respective or indeed shared container and assembling these, assembling at least one post and fixing this in or to the ground, and connecting an assembled fence module to the post.

Preferably, the method includes the further step of attaching a further assembled fence module to the first assembled fence module using a connector.

In a further form the invention may be said to reside in a kit of parts for a fence module characterised in that the kit of parts is adapted to be packaged together in the container.

In a further form the invention may be said to reside in a kit of parts for a fence module that is assembled from component parts before it can be erected so as to form a part of a fence, said component parts being adapted to be packed into an elongate package of substantially constant cross-sectional size and shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with respect to the preferred embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a plan view of an assembled fence module forming part of a gate;

Figures 1 A through J are detailed views of portions of the assembly in Figure 1 ;

Figure 2 is a plan view of two adjoined, assembled fence modules forming part of a fence;

Figures 2A though G are detailed views of portions of the assembly in Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a plan view of an assembled fence module according to a further embodiment, forming part of a gate;

Figures 3A through J are detailed views of portions of the assembly in Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a plan view of two adjoined, assembled fence modules, these being according to a further embodiment; and

Figures 4A through G are detailed views of portions of the assembly in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figure l , where there is illustrated a fence module 1 forming part of a gate assembly.

It is envisaged that one or more of these fence modules 1 would be purchased in an elongate box of a size and weight which is such that an average person could lift and handle this box comfortably.

The module 1 includes an upper rail 2 and a lower rail 4. These rails 2 and 4 being lengths of square sectioned steel tubing. A series of lugs 6 (refer to detail view 1 H) is welded to the lower side of the top rail, and the upper side of the lower rail at equi-distant positions along the length of each rail respectively. Each of these lugs 6 accepts an end of an elongate member 10 thereon with a press fit. These elongate members 10 are lengths of round steel tubing.

There are a series of ornamental spires 12 welded to the upper rail 2 so as to extend upwardly from this. These spires 12 are positioned at equi-distant positions along the length of the rail 2 so that when assembled, each of these spires is aligned with an elongate member 10. These elongate members 10 are made from circular steel tubing.

Similarly, there are a series of lower extensions 14 welded to, and extending downwardly from the lower rail 4. These lower extensions 14 are made from the same steel tubing as the elongate members 10. They are positioned at equi-distaπt

positions along the length of the rail 4 so that when assembled, each is aligned with an elongate member 10. The ends of these lower extensions are plugged with a plastic end stop 15.

The rails 2 and 4 are supplied to the purchaser with upper 12 and lower extensions 14 already welded to the respective upper 2 and lower 4 rails.

There is a pair of side members 20 comprised of two portions 22, and 24 that are joined by a connector 28. These two portions of the side member 22, and 24 are made from the same size of square steel tubing.

The connector 28 has opposing ends adapted to be received in the end of one of these portions 22 and 24 with a push fit, and a middle portion that is of the same size as the tubing from which the side members are made.

Once assembled, a series of aligned holes pass thorough each of the portions 22 and 24 of the side member 20 being joined and the connector 28. These holes permit a matching number of bolts 36 to be passed there through, and these bolts 36 then secure the components in position with cooperating nuts. This arrangement gives the joint great strength and rigidity.

A plastic foot 40 is inserted into the lowermost end of the lowermost portion 26 of the side member 20.

The uppermost end of the uppermost side member is covered with an end cap 42.

The rails 2 and 4 are secured to the assembled side members 20 by moulded brackets 30 (see detail view 1 A and 1 B). These brackets incorporate a collar 32 that is adapted to accept an end of the rail 2 or 4 therein, and a base portion 34 that is adapted to abut a portion of the side member assembly, 22 in this case.

Once assembled, a series of aligned holes in each of the base portion 34 of the bracket and the side member 22 permit a pair of bolts 36 to be passed there through, and these bolts 36 then secure the components in position with a pair of cooperating nuts. Similarly, there are aligned holes in the ends of the rails and the collar portion 32 of the brackets 30, which permit a bolt 38 to be passed there through, and this then secures these components together in the same fashion.

When assembled, the completed gate is connected to a post by fixing a hinge between a side member 20 and the post.

Referring now to Figure 2, where there is a fence assembly including a post 50 comprised of two portions 52 and 54 joined by a linear joining member 28 of the type described previously. Building a post out of joined sections will be necessary where the post required would be longer than the container in which the components are sold.

The rails 2 and 4 of the fence module 1 are then fixed to the post 50 by a bracket 30, which is also of the type described previously.

A linear connecting assembly 70 has been used to connect two fence modules 1 in a contiguous fashion so as to form part of a longer fence assembly.

This connecting assembly 70 includes an internal connector 72 that is similar to the connector 28 described previously, in that it has opposing ends adapted to be received in the end of a rail 2 or 4 with a push fit, and a middle portion that is of the same size as the tubing from which the rails are made.

The connecting assembly also utilises a pair of external plates 74 that are adapted to be laid over the joining point to reinforce the same. Once assembled, a series of aligned holes pass thorough each of the external plates 74, the rails being joined

and the internal connector 72. These holes permit a matching number of bolts 36 to be passed there through, and these bolts 36 then secure the components in position with cooperating nuts.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, where there is illustrated a fence panel 100 according to a further form of the invention, the fence panel 100 forming part of a gate similar to that in Figure 1.

This panel is constructed in much the same fashion as the panel 1 described above, except for the fact that each of the spires has been replaced by a length of tube 102 that has been bent into a U-shape. The ends of this U-shaped tube 102 are welded to the upper rail 2. The diameter of the bend in the tube is the same as the distance between adjacent elongate members 10 ₁ so that each end of each Li- shaped tube 102 is aligned with an elongate member 10 when assembled.

Furthermore, the side member 20 in this instance is a single piece of square steel tubing, that is, it is not comprised of two pieces joined by a connector as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

When assembled, the completed gate is connected to a post by fixing a hinge between a side member 20 and a post.

Referring now to Figure 4, where a linear joining assembly 70 has again been used to connect two fence panels 100 in a contiguous fashion so as to create a long fence similar to that in Figure 2. These panels are attached to a post 50 comprised of two portions 51 and 53 joined by virtue of being bolted together through abutting flanges.

An advantage of these fence modules is that all of the component parts of a module can be packed in an elongate box of the approximate dimensions 1.20 to

1.6m x 0.29 to 0-32m x 0.2m, that is then relatively easy to handle and transport. Boxes of this size can are not so heavy that an average adult cannot lift one comfortably, and they can also be quite easily stacked in the back seat or boot of an average family car.

A further advantage of these panels is that their simple construction requires few tools, and limited technical ability to facilitate assembly. In fact it is intended that all of the bolts will be adapted to by turned using an Allen key (or hex wrench), and that this Allen key will be supplied in the box.

It is considered then that the fence module according to the present invention would be of particular use to those then who have limited technical ability and/or indeed few tools.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.