FENCING

The invention relates generally to fencing. More specifically, the invention relates to fencing, for example metal fencing, which can be provided as a plurality of pre- assembled fencing panels.

Fences are known which include vertical fence members retained in place by one or more horizontal rails. When each of the fence members is installed as an individual item installation can be time consuming.

To at least partially mitigate this problem, it is known to provide pre-assembled fencing which is generally supplied as a sub-assembly comprising panels formed of a number of fence members with, typically, two horizontal rails. The pre-fabricated panels are erected on site and held in position between two spaced apart posts. Problems may arise when the ground is not level between the posts and conventional fencing panels are used. It is also known to provide some of the fence member-rail joints with a degree of flexibility to allow for local adjustment.

For example, EP 1370738 discloses fence panels comprising fence members with lugs which project from their outer surface to engage recesses in the rail. A locking piece, which is a length of angled metal, must be inserted into the end of the rail to retain the fence members in place. This arrangement requires the fence members to be maintained in position simultaneously while the locking piece is inserted into the end of the rail. This operation can be cumbersome, especially with long fence panels.

EP 1016768 discloses a fence assembly comprising fence members with spring clips which project from their outer surface through holes to engage recesses in the underside of a channel sectional rail. A tool is required to insert the spring clip into one end of the fence member, which further complicates assembly.

Accordingly, there is a need for fencing which is easier to fabricate and/or which has improved flexibility over prior art fences.

It is a non-exclusive object of the invention to provide fencing with joints which are rendered flexible by an improved arrangement.

It is a further non-exclusive object of the invention to provide fencing which is less complex and/or faster and/or easier to manufacture and/or assemble on site.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a section of fence comprising at least one pale, a rail through which the pale extends, and support means extending along the rail, said support means being deformable, in use, to engage the pale when the pale is inserted into the rail.

Preferably, the fence member comprises a projection, wherein the engaging means is deformable, in use, to engage the projection.

Alternatively, the fence member comprises a recess or hole, wherein the engaging means is deformable, in use, to engage the recess or hole.

Preferably, the support member comprises a length of channel section with a through hole, wherein the fence member extends through the through hole.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a section of fence comprising a fence member, a rail and engaging means, wherein the engaging means is arranged, in use, to limit lateral movement but allow pivotal and longitudinal movement of the fence member relative to the rail.

Preferably, the rail comprises a hole, wherein the fence member extends through the hole.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a section of fence comprising a fence member and a rail, wherein the rail comprises two opposing surfaces with holes in opposing portions of the two opposing surfaces, one of the holes being longer than the other, the fence member extending through the holes and being engaged in the rail by deformable engaging means.

Preferably, the fence member comprises a projection, wherein the engaging means engages the projection.

Alternatively, the fence member comprises a recess or hole, wherein the engaging means. engages the recess or hole.

Preferably, the section of fence further comprises support means such as a support member, the support member comprising said engaging means. More preferably, the support member is at least partially located in the volume defined by the rail.

Preferably, the engaging means is arranged, in use, to limit lateral movement but allow pivotal movement of the fence member relative to the rail. More preferably, the engaging means is deformable, in use, to engage the projection.

Optionally, the support means comprises a length of channel section. Preferably, the channel section comprises a through hole, wherein the fence member extends through the hole.

Preferably, one or both of the side walls of the channel section converges toward the other. More preferably, the sidewalls comprise slots or holes at or near one or both of their terminal edges for engaging the projection.

Alternatively, one or both of the side walls of the channel section diverges from the other. Preferably, the sidewalls comprise slots or holes near one or both of their terminal edges for engaging the projection.

Alternatively, the side walls of the channel section are parallel to each other. Preferably, the sidewalls comprise slots at one or both of their terminal edges for engaging the projection, wherein the deformable engaging means comprises an entry portion of the slot which may be undersized in at least one direction relative the protrusion.

Preferably, the at least one slot or hole is long enough in the longitudinal direction of the rail to allow longitudinal movement of the at least one fence member relative the support member.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the holes in the rail are slightly wider than the width of a fence member and long enough to allow a fence member to pivot therein.

Preferably, said support means is, in use, movable relative to the rail, for example, in a direction along the principal axis of the rail.

Preferably, the rail comprises a tubular section. The tubular section may comprise generally rectangular welded section.

Alternatively, the rail comprises a channel section with a ledge extending inwardly from one or both of the side walls.

Optionally, the support member is formed integrally with the rail.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a section of fence comprising; inserting a fence member through a rail which has deformable support means extending therealong, urging the fence member relative to said support means such that the fence member causes a deformable portion of said support means to deform and engage the fence member.

Preferably, the method comprises a further step of inserting the support member into the volume defined by a rail before inserting the fence member into the support member, the rail comprising a hole through which the fence member is inserted.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the engagement between the fence and said support means is provided by restoring the original shape of the deformed portion of the support means.

Preferably, the method comprises a further step of inserting the support member into the rail before inserting the fence member through the hole in the rail.

In this specification the term "section of fence" relates to a fence panel or a part thereof, which panels are to be retained between a pair of supports, for example upright supports such as a pair of posts, a wall and a post or a pair of walls. A fence panel will typically comprise a rail and one or more pales, usually a plurality of pales and a pair of substantially parallel rails.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 A is an elevation of a fence according to the invention;

Figure 1 B is a side view of the pre-assembled fence panel of the fence of

Figure 1A; Figure 2 is a plan view of a rail from the fence of Figure 1 A;

Figure 3 is a plan view of an support member from the fence of Figure 1 A;

Figure 4A is a side view of the support member of Figure 3;

Figure 4B is an end view of the support member of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end view of the rail assembly showing the manner in which the fence member engages the support member;

Figure 6 is an elevation of the pre-assembled fence panel of Figure 1 A adapted to accommodate a surface inclination of approximately 30°;

Figure 7 is an elevation view of a pre-assembled fence panel of the invention incorporating a bow top fence member;

Figure 8 is an elevation of the pre-assembled fence panel of Figure 7 adapted to accommodate a surface inclination of approximately 20°

Referring to Figure 1A and 1 B, there is shown a fence F comprising a pre-assembled fence panel S secured between two metal, cement or concrete end posts 1 which are embedded in a substrate (not shown). The pre-assembled fence panel S includes two parallel and generally horizontal rail assemblies 2 through which pass metal fence members 4.

The fence members 4 are round tubular bars with two through holes (not shown), substantially perpendicular to the principal axis, in each of which is located and secured a dowel 5. The dowels 5 in this embodiment are interference fit within as aperture of each fence member 4 such that an equal portion of each dowel 5 protrudes from either side of the fence member 4.

Referring to Figures 1 B and 2, each rail assembly 2 includes a rail 3 which houses a support member 6. The rail 3 is an elongate tube of generally rectangular section which is shaped from flat sheets and welded at the abutted margins. Holes 31 , 32 are formed in opposing wall portions of the rail 3 at regular intervals. The holes 31 formed in the upper wall of the rail 3 and are oval in shape, wherein the major axis of the oval coincides with the longitudinal axis of the rail 3. The width of the holes 31 is slightly larger than the diameter of the fence members 4.

The holes 32 formed in the lower wall of the rail 3 and are also oval in shape, wherein the longitudinal axis of the oval coincides with the longitudinal axis of the rail 3. The

width of the lower holes 32 is substantially equal to the width of the upper holes 31 , while the length of the lower holes 32 is substantially greater than the length of the upper holes 31. One of the longitudinal ends of each lower hole 32 coincides with one longitudinal end of its corresponding upper hole 31. The lower holes 32 also include rectangular dowel apertures 33 perpendicular to and extending from the longitudinal sides thereof. Each end of the rail 3 includes a hole 34 in the upper wall of the rail 3 and a slot 35 in an opposing portion of the lower wall of the rail 3.

As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the support member 6 is a length of channel section having a base 64 from which side walls 61 upstand, the side walls 61 converging toward each other. The upper portions 62 of the side walls 61 are substantially perpendicular to the base 64 of the channel 6 and have a plurality of equi-spaced slots

63. The depth of the slots 63 is substantially equal to, or slightly larger than, the diameter of the dowel 5 and each slot 63 extends into the converging portion of the sidewalls 61. The width of the slots 63 is substantially greater than the diameter of the dowel 5, the purpose of which is described below. Holes 65 are formed in the base 64 along the longitudinal axis of the support member 6 and correspond substantially in shape and size to the holes 31 in the rail 3. However, the holes 65 in the base 64 of the support member 6 further include rectangular dowel apertures 66 perpendicular to and extending from its longitudinal sides.

Referring to Figures 1A and 1 B, a support member 6 is located in each of the two generally horizontal rails 6 such that the holes 65 in the support member 6 are in alignment with the holes 31 , 32 in the rails 3. A plurality of fence members 4 extend through the holes 31 , 65, 32 such that the dowels 5 engage the slots 63 in the support member 6 and are retained between the upper wall of the rail 3 and bottom edge of the slot 63.

The dowels 5 are not fixed to the support member 6 and, as previously mentioned, the width of the slots 63 is substantially greater than the diameter of the dowel 5.

Consequently, the fence members 4 are free to pivot about the principal axis of the dowel 5. As the fence member 4 pivots about the dowel 5, the support member 6 slides in the longitudinal direction of the rail 3 to allow the corresponding portion of the fence member 4 adjacent the lower wall of the rail 3 to swing. The length of the slots

63 permits the support member 6 to slide with respect to the dowels 5. The swinging fence member 4 abuts the edge of the hole 65 in the support member 6 and causes a relative sliding motion between the support member 6 and the rail 3.

By allowing the dowel 5 to move longitudinally with respect to the rail 3, the length of the holes 31 , 65, 32 can be minimised. This, in turn, minimises the size of the gaps between the fence member 4 and the edges of the holes 31 , 65, 32 which allows for an assembly with greater flexibility of inclination whilst remaining within EN standards for finger traps. This arrangement also provides an enclosed assembly which is tamper proof and visually neat.

In use, the pre-assembled fence panel S is adapted to accommodate the requisite inclination and secured to the end posts 1. In order to minimise the clearance between the fence members and the holes 31 , 65, 32 in the rail assemblies, this embodiment has been limited to an inclination of 30 degrees. This results in gaps below the "finger trap" range of 8mm to 25mm between the fence member 4 and the edges of the holes 31 , 65, 32.

The pre-assembled fence panel S is secured to the end posts 1 by fish plates 8 fixed to each end of the rail 3 by a fastener 7 as shown in Figure 6. The fastener 7 is a nut and

bolt arrangement wherein the bolt passes through the hole 34 at the end of the rail 3. Access to the underside of the fastener is provided by the slot 35, for example to tighten or loosen the nut. The orientation of the fish plates shown in Figures 1A and 1 B is by way of example only and can be modified to suit particular requirements for any given installation.

The present invention allows for simplified assembly of the pre-assembled fence panel S. A preferred method of assembly for the embodiment of Figures 1 A to 6 includes: i. inserting dowels 5 into the dowel holes (not shown) in a plurality of fence members 4 such that each dowel 5 projects equally from either side of the fence member 4; ii. inserting a support member 6 into each of the first and second rails such that the holes 65 in the first support member 6 are adjacent to and aligned with the holes 32 in the lower wall of the rails 3 to form a pair of rail assemblies 2; iii. inserting the top of the fence members 4 from the bottom of the first rail assembly 2 through holes 32, 65, 31 of the first rail assembly 2 stopping the upper dowel 5 below the hole 32 in the upper rail assembly 2; iv. urging the fence members 4 such that the dowels 5 pass through the rectangular dowel apertures 33, 66 in the first and second rail assemblies 2 and resiliently urge the side walls 61 of each support member 6 apart until the dowels 5 are aligned with the slots 63, at which point the support members 6 return to their original shape, thereby engaging and retaining the dowels 5;

Figure 5 is a graphical representation of step (v) above and shows the resilient deformation of the support member 6, wherein the movement of the side walls 61 during insertion and engagement of the fence member 4 are depicted by arrows A and B respectively.

It should be appreciated that the rail assembly 2 described above may be inverted, wherein the dowel apertures 33, 66 are in the top of the rail assembly 2 and the fence member 4 is inserted and urged in a downward direction through the rail assembly 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the pre-assembled fence panel S' includes bow top fence members 400. This fence panel S' is similar to the fence panel S of Figures 1 to 6 wherein like references represent like components and consequently these will not be described herein.

Each bow top fence member 400 is a round tubular bar formed into two elongate portions joined together at the top by a curved portion. In order to enable rotation of the bow top fence members 400, dowels are only present in one of the two elongate portions of the bow top fence member 400. The elongate portion with the dowels 5 has two dowel holes (not shown) substantially perpendicular to the principal axis. Two dowels 5 are force-fitted into an aperture of the fence member 400 such that an equal portion of each dowel 5 protrudes from either side of the fence member 400.

In use, the pre-assembled fence panel S' can be adapted to accommodate the requisite inclination as shown in Figure 8. In order to minimise the clearance between the fence members and the holes 31 , 65, 32 in the rail assemblies, this embodiment has been limited to an inclination of 20 degrees. This results in gaps below the "finger trap" range of 8mm to 25mm between the fence member 400 and the edges of the holes 31 , 65, 32.

A preferred method of assembly for the embodiment of Figure 7 includes:

i. inserting a first and second support member 6 into a first and second rail 3 such that the holes 65 in the support members 6 are adjacent to and aligned with the holes 32 in the lower wall of the rails 3 to form a pair of rail assemblies 2; ii. inserting the two bottom ends of the fence members 400 from the top of the first rail assembly 2 through holes 31 , 65, 32 of the first rail assembly 2 and positioning the first rail assembly 2 adjacent the top curved portion of the fence member 4 and the second rail assembly 2 adjacent and above the lower dowel hole; iii. inserting dowels 5 into the upper dowel holes (not shown) located in the one of the two elongate portion of each fence member 400 such that each dowel 5 projects equally from either side of the fence member 400; iv. urging the fence members 400 such that the dowels 5 pass through the rectangular dowel apertures 33, 66 in the first and second rail assembly 2 and resiliently urge the side walls 61 of each support member 6 apart until the dowels 5 are aligned with the slots 63, at which point the support member 6 returns to its original shape, thereby engaging and retaining the dowels 5;

It will be appreciated that the support member 6 is not fixed relative to rails 2 and is translatable along the principal axis of the rail 2. Thus, as a degree of inclination of the panel 1 is required (due to inclination in the substrate) the support member 6 slides relative to the rail 2 causing the fence members 4, 4' to adopt a non perpendicular relationship with the rail 2. It will be appreciated that the rail 2, fence member 4, 4' angular relationship is facilitated by the relative dimensional arrangement of the holes 31 , 32 in the rails 2. It will be further appreciated that the base wall 64 of the support member 6 occludes the lower aperture 32 of the rail 2 as the rail 2 to fence member 4, 4' angle changes to accommodate the inclination of the substrate.

Variations to the methods described above are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the order in which the dowels 5 are inserted and/or engaged, that is the upper dowels 5 and lower dowels 5, may be reversed and/or the sequence described may be varied or steps omitted or added without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, the urging operation to engage the dowels 5 with the support member may be completed for multiples of the fence members 4, 400.

Moreover, although the embodiments described above are pre-assembled panels S, S', the invention relates to a section which can be of any length. The number of rails 3 is not limited to two, for example the fence section may comprise one, three or more rails 3. One or more additional rails may be provided which do not include support members. The orientation of the rail 3 may be reversed, wherein the dowel apertures

33, 66 are on the top of the rails 3 and the fence members 4 are urged in a downward direction.

Whilst the dowels 5 in the embodiments described herein provide projections which engage the support member 6, it is envisaged that the support member 6 may comprise a projection which engages a recess or hole in the fence member 4, 400.

Incorporating deformable engaging means into the support member 6 provides several advantages. For example, a simplified assembly which does not require separate locking members or individual deformable engaging means incorporated into each individual fence member.

Consequently, forming a deformable engaging and/or supporting means within the rail may be advantageous. For example, alternative embodiments of the present invention

may comprise the support member being integrally formed with the rail. Additionally or alternatively, the rail itself may comprise a channel section with a portion of one or both side walls that either converge or diverge, which side walls are resiliently urged apart.

Furthermore, the arrangement described herein results in simplified manufacturing requirements. In particular, by separating rails 3 and support members 6, simple tubular and channel sections may be used.

Consequently, it should be appreciated that although the support member 6 of the embodiments described above include a length of channel section 6 with converging side walls 61 with slots 63 for engaging the dowels 5, alternative arrangements are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, there may be a separate support member for each hole. The support member may comprise straight side walls with an alternative engaging means, for example slots at the terminal edges of the straight sidewalls, wherein the fence member is inserted with its protrusions oriented in the longitudinal direction of the rail, rotated through 90 degrees and lowered into the slots.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the slots 63 may provide a deformable portion incorporated into the shape of a slot, for example by providing an entry portion which is undersized relative the protrusion. The support means may comprise one straight side wall and one angled sidewall to provide the deformable engaging means. Additionally or alternatively, the projection may comprise a spring or other resilient urging means, for example a spring-loaded dowel.

Whilst the fence members 4 described above are round tubular bars, further embodiments of the invention are envisaged wherein they may be of any cross- sectional shape and solid or partially solid rods or the like.

Furthermore, whilst the rails 3 described herein are tubular in cross-section, it should be appreciated that a variety of cross-sectional shapes are envisaged. For example, the rails 3 may comprise lengths of channel section with ledges extending inwardly from the terminal ends of their sidewalls to retain the support member 6.

The dowels 5 may be secured to the fence members 4 by other means, for example by welding or using snap rings, without departing from the scope of the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the slot 63 and internal surfaces of the rail 3 may be sized and dimensioned such that the dowel 5 is retained in the hole of the fence member without the use of securing means. It is also envisaged that the dowels are replaced by projections formed on or secured to the outer surfaces of the fence member by any suitable means.

Moreover, the fasteners 7 which fix the fish plates 8 fixed to each end of the rail 3 may comprise a rivet which passes through the hole 34 at the end of the rail 3. Alternatively, the fasteners 7 may be any suitable fastening means without departing from the scope of the invention, such as security fixings comprising frangible portions (e.g. shearing heads or nuts).

Furthermore, the use of fish plates to secure the pre-assembled fence section to the end posts in the embodiments described herein may be replaced by any suitable securing means.

It will be appreciated that the fence of the invention does not provide finger or other 'pinch' traps. In order to meet certain guidelines, the distance between fence members 4, 400 is usually limited to 89 mm (although this distance can be varied). Moreover, in the bow top embodiment the distance that the bow top protrudes above the top rail is designed to prevent or at least reduce the likelihood that that gap could provide a head or neck trap. It has also been found that the fence of the current invention has significantly less rattle than prior art fences when installed in a site of use.