MODULAR FENCE COMPONENT AND RELATED SYSTEM

The present invention relates to modular fence components, methods of manufacturing modular fence components, and a system of using modular fence components.

Fences, such as garden fences, are typically used to mark the boundary of property, prevent people or animals from getting into or out of a territory. Fences also help to maintain the privacy and security of individuals or property protected by a fence.

Many garden fences are constructed by fixing a series of vertical concrete pillars in the ground about 6 feet (1.8 metres) apart. The concrete pillars typically have vertical channels extending substantially along the length of two opposing faces of the pillar. The channels typically have a U-shaped cross-section and they are about 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Wooden fence panels are slotted between opposing concrete pillars to form a fence. The wooden fence panels are typically about 6 ft (1.8 metres) long, about 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 metres) tall (in use) . Although shorter or taller panels are possible. The fence panels typically include a series of thin slats of wood of about 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) thick, which are typically sandwiched between thicker pieces of wood to form a composite structure of perhaps 2 inches in thickness. This sandwich structure helps to maintain structural rigidity and support the thin slats although it can also provide a source of weakness.

In some cases a board, often referred to as a gravel board, made of concrete or pressure-treated strong timber planks are slotted between the concrete pillars before the wooden fence panel. This prevents the wooden fence panel from contacting the ground and becoming damp and rotten.

Wooden fence panels also typically have a piece of timber running along their top edge to strengthen and protect the panels from poor weather.

One problem with the above existing wooden fence panels is that the fence panels are usually flimsy/thin and weak and can over flex in high winds, causing the fence panel to disengage from the concrete pillars. This problem is exacerbated by the wooden fence panels drying and shrinking over time.

Furthermore, wild animals such as foxes and domestic cats and dogs can easily damage fence panels when attempting to climb them. Often the piece of timber running along the top edge can be broken, leaving the fence panel vulnerable to bowing and breaking.

Existing fence panels can also be difficult to install. They have to be lifted to the height of the concrete pillars in order to drop them into the channels. The top of the panel may therefore have to be raised to about 12 feet (3.7 metres) in the air in order to drop the fence panel into the channels of the concrete pillars. This can be difficult, especially in windy conditions, and where there is overhanging vegetation/trees. Permission may have to be sought from neighbours to prune shrubs and trees back in order to install such a fence panel.

In cases where, the wooden fence panel is installed and it directly contacts the ground, the whole fence panel would have to be replaced when it becomes rotten.

Due to the above problems of animal and weather damage it is common for fence panels to have to be replaced every couple of years or more, which can be time consuming, difficult and expensive.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular fence component, a plurality of which are arranged to be utilised to replicate a fence panel, comprising an elongate member mounted on at least two posts, wherein the posts are positioned at opposing end regions of the elongate member; and wherein each post has a projecting portion which extends beyond the length of the elongate member and is arranged to engage a channel in a fence pillar.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular fence component, a plurality of which are arranged to be utilised to replicate a fence panel, comprising an elongate member mounted on at least two blocks with a longitudinal surface of the elongate member facing the blocks laterally displaced from a line between centre regions of the blocks, wherein the blocks are positioned at opposing end regions of the elongate member; and wherein each block attached on a face thereof has a projecting portion which extends beyond the length of the elongate member in the longitudinal direction and is arranged to engage a channel in a fence post.

The present invention has an advantage that a fence can be made up of several modular fence components which would be easier to install or replace when compared to prior art fence panels which were typically 6ft (1.8m) . The modular fence component does not require as much height to install, which means that it is less likely to be entangled in vegetation/trees. A single person could install or replace the modular fence components themselves without the help of others or the help of a stronger person. If a fence becomes damaged or rotten, only the part which is damaged or rotten needs to be replaced, which is more economical. In one method a damaged or rotten modular fence component may be removed from the bottom, the adjacent modular fence component

would then drop down to replace it and a new one can be slotted onto the top of the fence. It would of course be possible to remove all fence components (or indeed only some of them) .

A further advantage of a modular fence component according to the invention is that the modular fence components can be easily adapted to fit into differently spaced fence pillars. A post can be detached and reattached to a shorter or longer elongate member, or an elongate member which has been shortened by a user.

The elongate member may be of any suitable thickness. The elongate member may be about 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) thick up to about 4 inches (10 cm) thick or more. In other embodiments, the thickness of the elongate member may be between roughly 0.5inches (1.3cm) to roughly 1.5 inches (3.8cm) . In yet further embodiments the elongate member may be roughly 1 inch (2.5cm) thick. The elongate member may be any thickness between these ranges.

The thickness of the elongate member may not be limited by the width of the channel in the fence pillar. The elongate member may be thicker than the channel of the fence pillar. The elongate member may not engage the channel of the fence pillar. It is intended however that the elongate member runs parallel with a line between the channels in opposing fence pillars .

An advantage of the elongate member not engaging the channel of the fence pillar is that any thickness of elongate member can be used. An advantage of being able to use any thickness of elongate member is that the modular fence component can be used in a channel of an existing concrete fence pillar and the user can choose to have a lightweight fence with thin elongate members, for example 0.3 inches (0.76 cm) thick, or a

heavy duty/strong fence with extra thick elongate members, for example 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick or more, depending on the fences intended use, purpose or location. Also, existing fence pillars would not have to be changed to accommodate the different thicknesses of elongate members which may be used, which is more economical.

It is conceivable that in some embodiments, especially as the elongate member becomes thinner, for further bracing to be added to the fence component to add strength.

The posts may be mounted to a face of the elongate member.

An advantage of mounting the posts to the face of the elongate member is that the mounting is more resistant to lateral forces, for example created by wind, thus there is less risk of damage. It also does not limit the thinness of the elongate member which can be used.

Conveniently, the elongate members are screwed to the posts. However, other means of attaching the elongate members to the post may be used, such as nails, adhesive, or the like.

The post may be shaped and sized to fit into the channel of the fence pillar. The thickness of the post may be substantially equal to the width of the channel.

An advantage of having a post with a thickness substantially equal to the width of the channel is that it helps to align the modular fence components properly. It also prevents too much lateral movement of the posts in the channels. Too much lateral movement would allow the modular fence components to move in the wind and make noise, or become damaged.

The projecting portion of post extending beyond the length of the elongate member may be provided by offsetting an edge at the end of the elongate member relative to a side of the post.

The projecting portion may extend beyond the length of the elongate member by between about 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) and about 3 inches (7.6 cm) , or between about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm), or between about 0.8 inches (2 cm) and about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) . Alternatively, the projecting portion may be formed by between about 10% and about 90% of the post extending beyond the length of the elongate member, or between about 20% and about 80% of the post extending beyond the length of the elongate member, or between about 25% and about 50% of the post extending beyond the elongate member. The elongate member may be mounted on each post such that the elongate member is in contact with between about 40% and about 75% of each post.

An advantage of providing a portion of post extending beyond the length of the elongate member is that the elongate member does not have to engage the channel of the fence pillar, thus, any thickness of elongate member may be used.

The modular fence component may be arranged to be used with a fence pillar, which may be an existing fence pillar known to those skilled in the art.

One or more modular fence components may be arranged to be stacked upon another modular fence component within channels of two opposing fence pillars.

The modular fence component may comprise two or more elongate members. One or more elongate members may be mounted to the same side or the opposite side of the posts relative to the other elongate member or elongate members. The two or more elongate members may be positioned on the opposing side of the posts relative to the adjacent elongate member.

Where the modular fence component comprises two or more elongate members, adjacent elongate members may be on the same plane or on a different plane relative to each other.

There may be a gap between adjacent elongate members as they are positioned on the posts.

The gap between adjacent elongate members may be between about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) and 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, alternatively between about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) wide, or may be at least about 2 inches (5 cm) wide.

The gap may be a wind gap to allow wind to pass there between, or a gap to allow small animals to pass through.

An advantage of providing a gap between adjacent elongate members is that wind can pass through the fence without damaging the fence, or fence pillars, bowing the elongate members, or blowing the fence down. A gap of about 2 inches (5 cm) allows sufficient wind to pass through to prevent wind damage.

The elongate member and/or posts may comprise wood or any other suitable material.

Using wood has a benefit that it is relatively cheap and easy to obtain. It can be strong and/or flexible. A wooden modular fence component may also be aesthetically pleasing for some users.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system of fencing comprising a plurality of modular fence components according to the first aspect of the invention, which are arranged in channels of opposing fence pillars, wherein the plane of at least one elongate member is offset relative to the plane of an adjacent elongate member which is within the same opposing fence pillars, wherein there is a gap between the offset adjacent elongate members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system of fencing comprising a plurality of modular fence components and a plurality of fence posts, in which a plurality of the fence components are arranged in channels of opposing fence posts, with each fence component comprising an elongate member mounted on at least two blocks, wherein the blocks are positioned at opposing end regions of the elongate member; and wherein each block has a projecting portion, projecting beyond the length of the elongate member in a longitudinal direction thereof, each block engages a channel in one of the fence posts, and wherein the elongate member is not aligned with a line between a central region of each fence post between which it is situated.

The or each modular fence component may have only one elongate member attached to the blocks.

The or each modular fence component may have one or more elongate member attached only on one side of the blocks .

The or each modular fence component may be arranged to create a wind gap in the fencing system.

The elongate members of the or each modular fence component may be arranged to create a wind gap in the fencing system.

The plane of each elongate member may be offset relative to the plane of each adjacent elongate member.

The channels in the fence pillar may be between about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) and about 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, alternatively between about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) and 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) wide, or about 2 inches (5 cm) wide.

The elongate members may be arranged such that there is a substantially lateral gap between adjacent elongate members. In use, the elongate members may be arranged such that there is no or substantially no vertical gap between adjacent elongate members. A gap between adjacent elongate members may be formed by offsetting the plane of one elongate member relative to the plane of the adjacent elongate member. A gap may be formed between adjacent elongate members of adjacent modular fence components by installing the modular fence components in opposite orientations .

A benefit of utilising modular fence components in opposite orientations is that identical modular fence components can be used to form gaps in the fence by alternating the orientation. Thus, the user has the option of having no gaps, one or two gaps or a plurality of gaps using the same modular fence component. This may save on costs of producing or buying different types of fence components to provide a fence with different gap formations and may allow the user to adapt or change the fence to their needs.

A benefit of providing the gap by offsetting the planes of adjacent elongate members and/or having a substantially lateral gap is that privacy is maintained as it is not easy for a person to see through the gap or gaps in the fence.

Adjacent modular fence components may be secured together by fixing a strip or rod of material to two or more adjacent modular fence components.

A benefit of securing the modular fence components is that they cannot be disassembled easily, which provides enhanced security. The modular fence components have a benefit of being resistant to disassembly when the securing strip or rod of material securing the fence together is arranged on the opposite side of the fence to a person attempting to disassemble the fence.

In some embodiments, especially as the elongate member becomes thinner, bracing may be added across the elongate members of fencing components. The bracing may be vertical and possibly attached to the elongate members. Alternatively, or additionally, the bracing may be angled from the vertical and attached to the posts of the fencing components and/or the elongate members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular fence component suitable for use in the system of any previous aspect of the invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system of fencing comprising a plurality of modular fence components according to the first aspect of the invention, which are arranged in

channels of opposing fence pillars, wherein the plane of each elongate member is aligned with each other elongate member.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a modular fence component comprising mounting at least two posts to an elongate member, wherein the posts are positioned at opposing end regions of the elongate member, and wherein each post projects from a face of the elongate member, and wherein a portion of each post extends beyond the length of the elongate member and is arranged to engage a channel in a fence pillar.

The above method of the invention has an advantage of being cheap, easy and fast to produce, requiring minimal carpentry skills.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making a fence comprising slotting one or more modular fence components according to the first aspect of the invention into channels of opposing fence pillars.

The method of making a fence may further comprise the step of slotting at least one modular fence component into the channels of opposing fence pillars in the opposite orientation to at least one other modular fence component within the same opposing fence pillars.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system of fencing comprising a plurality of modular fence components arranged in respective channels of opposing fence pillars, wherein the modular fence components comprise laterally projecting end sections, and wherein the laterally projecting end section of at least one modular fence component is arranged to project in the opposite direction to a laterally projecting end section of an adjacent fence panel which is arranged within

the same opposing fence pillars, such that there is at least one gap in between the adjacent fence panels.

The skilled man will appreciate that preferred features of any one embodiment and/or aspect of the invention may be applied to all other embodiments and/or aspects of the invention.

The skilled man will also appreciate that the term pillar has been used thus far to mean a vertical fence post and that this type of pillar may also be referred to as a post, without any change in meaning. Furthermore the term post has been used thus far to mean a block positioned at the end of an elongate member and that this type of post may also be referred to as a block, without any change in meaning.

The present invention will be further described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure 1 - illustrates a modular fence component according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2A - illustrates an alternative embodiment of the modular fence component with different shaped posts; Figure 2B - illustrates another alternative embodiment with different shaped posts;

Figure 3A - illustrates an alternative embodiment of the modular fence component with two elongate members, both arranged on the same side of the posts; Figure 3B - illustrates an alternative embodiment of the modular fence component with two elongate members arranged on the opposite side of the posts relative to each

other in order to provide a gap in between the two elongate members ;

Figure 4 - illustrates a plurality of stacked modular fence components arranged as a fence, with the position of the elongate members being alternated to provide gaps in the fence;

Figure 5A - illustrates the installation of a modular fence component into the channels of opposing fence pillars; Figure 5B - illustrates a stacking arrangement of a plurality of modular fence components which are arranged alternately in channels of opposing fence pillars to provide wind gaps;

Figure 6 - illustrates a fence made up of a plurality of modular fence components stacked in between two opposing fence pillars with the elongate members arranged on the same side of the posts, such that there are no gaps; and

Figure 7 A - illustrates a plan view of one end of a modular fence component engaged into a channel of a fence pillar; Figure 7B - illustrates a plan view of one end of a modular fence component engaged into a channel of a fence pillar, with a thicker elongate member mounted onto the posts of the modular fence component.

With reference to Figure 1, a modular fence component 1 comprises a elongate member 3 with a front and a back face 2, 4. In this embodiment the elongate member 3 is as a rectangular plank of wood about 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide, about 6 ft (1.8 metres) long and with a thickness of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) . However, the elongate member 3 may be of any suitable shape, size or material which is easily determined by the skilled person.

Two posts 5a, 5b are mounted, with nails or screws, onto the elongate member 3 at opposite end regions of the elongate member 3 and on the same face 4 of the elongate member 3. Alternatively a post 5a, 5b and elongate member 3 may be joined together or mounted by other means such as adhesive, or they may be integrally formed.

The posts 5a, 5b are oblong wooden posts, with a substantially rectangular cross-section. The posts 5a, 5b are about 6 X 2 X 3 inches (15.2 X 5 X 7.6 cm) in dimension. However it will be appreciated that the posts 5a, 5b may be of any suitable dimension or cross-section shape determined by the skilled person.

The posts 5a, 5b are mounted to the elongate member 3, such that the longitudinal axes of the posts 5a, 5b are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 3. The length of the posts 5a, 5b is roughly equal to the width of the elongate member 3 such that the ends of each post 5a, 5b is generally flush with the top and bottom edges of the elongate member 3. The posts are also mounted such that part of the posts 5a, 5b project about 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond the longitudinal length of the elongate member 3, to form a step 11a, lib at both ends of the modular fence component 1. The steps 11a, lib are formed between a projecting portion 6 of the posts 5a, 5b and the ends of the elongate member 3.

Figure 2 A shows an alternative modular fence component 101 where the elongate member 3 is mounted on posts 15a, 15b, which have a substantially triangular cross-section. Figure 2B shows another alternative modular fence component 201 where the elongate member 3 is mounted on posts 35a, 35b, which have a substantially trapezoid cross-section. Other cross sections, such as square, are equally possible.

Figure 3A shows another embodiment of a modular fence component 301 which has two elongate members 3a, 3b each of about 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide mounted on two posts 105a, 105b of about 12 inches long. In alternative embodiments three or more elongate members may be mounted on two posts 105a, 105b. The posts 105a, 105b are substantially the same length as the combined width of the two elongate members 103a, 103b. Both elongate members 3a, 3b are mounted on the same side of the posts 105a, 105b, such that there is no substantial gap between the elongate members 3a, 3b.

Figure 3B shows another embodiment of a modular fence component 401 where two elongate members 3a, 3b are mounted on two posts, 105a, 105b. The elongate members 3a, 3b are mounted on the opposite side of the two posts 105a, 105b relative to each other such that the plane of each elongate member 3a, 3b is offset relative to each other and that there is a substantial gap 10 in between the elongate members 3a, 3b of about 2 inches wide.

Figure 4 shows four modular fence components 1, 1', 1" 1'" which are stacked together such that posts 5a, 5a', 5a", 5a'" and 5b, 5b', 5b", 5b'" are stacked end-to-end respectively. In use, the modular fence components 1, 1', 1" 1'" would be stacked substantially vertically, with the projecting portion 6 of the posts 5a, 5a', 5a", 5a"' and 5b, 5b', 5b", 5b'" being received in channels within pillars.

The orientation of each modular fence component 1, 1', 1", 1"' is alternated in the stack, such that a elongate member 3, 3', 3", 3"' is mounted on the opposite side of the posts 5a, 5a', 5a", 5a'", 5b, 5b', 5b", 5b'" and in a different plane in respect to the nearest adjacent elongate member or elongate members 3, 3', 3", 3'" and there is a gap 10a, 10b, 10c between each elongate member 3, 3', 3", 3'".

With reference to Figure 5, two opposing substantially vertical concrete fence pillars 7a, 7b are positioned in the ground (not shown) , at about 6ft apart. Alternatively the fence pillars 7a, 7b, may be positioned at any other suitable length apart, depending on the length of the modular fence component to be used. Materials other than concrete may be used for the fence pillar, which will be known to those skilled in the art.

The fence pillars 7a, 7b have substantially vertical channels 9a, 9b along their length. The channels are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. In alternative embodiments each fence pillar may have two, three or four channels, each channel occupying one face of the fence pillar. Modular fence components

1, 1' , 1" , 1' " are slidably engaged into the channels 9a, 9b of the opposing pillars 7a, 7b such that they are stacked one on top of another to form a fence such that the projecting portions 6 are received in each channel 9a, 9b. The modular fence components 1, 1' , 1" , 1" ' are orientated alternately in order to provide a plurality of lateral gaps 10a,

10b, 10c between each modular fence component 1 , 1' , 1" , 1' " . Thus, the plane of one elongate member (for example the elongate member 3 of fence component 1) is offset relative to the plane of an adjacent elongate member (ie the elongate member 3 of fence component 1') such that a wind gap is provided between the elongate members.

Looking at this Figure, it will be seen that the posts of the modular fence components 1, 1 ' , 1 " , 1 " ' engage the channels 9a, 9b, but that the elongate member is not aligned with the channels 9a, 9b (ie it is not aligned with a line 14 between a central region 12 of each fence post between which it is situated). Indeed, the elongate member is aligned with an outer region of the pillar and is substantially parallel to a line 14 between centre regions 12 of the two opposing fence posts between which it is mounted.

A series of fence pillars 7a, 7b, each fitted with a plurality of modular fence components 1 is used to form a boundary fence (not shown) .

With reference to Figure 6, modular fence components 1, 1 ' , 1 " , 1 ' " are stacked and held in between two opposing pillars 7a, 7b. The modular fence components 1 , 1' , 1" , 1" ' are all in the same orientation relative to each other to form a fence with no substantial gaps in between the modular fence components 1, 1 ' , 1" , 1 " ' .

Figure 7A and B shows a plan view of the end part of two alternative embodiments of a modular fence component 1 , 501. In both embodiments the projecting portion 6 of the post 5a is engaged into the channel 9a of the fence pillar 7a. The elongate member 3, 103 does not engage the channel 9a of the fence pillar 7a. Figure 7A shows the modular fence component 1 with a relatively thin elongate member 3 mounted to the post 5a, whereas Figure 7B shows the modular fence component 501 with a relatively thick elongate member 103 mounted on the post 5a. The thickness of the elongate member 103 is greater than the width of the channel 9a.