AU2014376100B2

AU2014376100B2 - Assembled fence

Info

Publication number: AU2014376100B2
Application number: AU2014376100A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Qinglin Zhu
Original assignee: Xcel Wuxi Security Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Xcel Wuxi Security Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-30
Filing date: 2014-11-18
Publication date: 2016-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-18
Also published as: EP3091149B1; JP2017501323A; EP3091149A4; EP3091149A1; CN103711360A; CN103711360B; AU2014376100A1; WO2015100693A1; JP6454724B2

Abstract

A modular fence comprises transverse bars (10), vertical bars (9) and clamping elements (3). The clamping elements (3) are non-metal elastic pieces. The vertical bars (9) are in clamped connection with the clamping elements (3) through vertical bar inserting holes (3-2) formed on the middle parts thereof. Outer rings of the clamping elements (3) are in inserted connection with the inserting holes (10A) of the transverse bars, outward flanges (3-1) are arranged at the upper end of the outer rings of the clamping elements (3). Slopes (3-5) inclining towards the inner side are arranged on the outer rings below the flanges (3-1). The lower sides of the slopes (3-5) are straight sides (3-4), the outer diameters of the straight sides (3-4) being smaller than that of the flanges (3-1) at the upper ends. Clamping groove (3-6), which are matched with the single side thickness of profiles of the transverse bars (10), are formed between the upper end faces of the slopes (3-5) and the lower end faces of the flanges (3-1). The inner ring faces of the clamping elements (3) corresponding to the slopes (3-5) on the outer ring are provided with protrusions (3-7) protruding inwards. The protrusions (3-7) extend out in a circular-arc shape from the top down, and stretch into clamping holes (9-1) in the vertical bars (9). The lower end faces (3-8) of the protrusions (3-7) abut against the openings of the clamping holes (9-1). The fence can be assembled on site, and the cost is reduced.

Description

Assembled Fence 2014376100 09 Sep 2016

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to an assembled fence.

[0003] Description of the Related Art [0004] For assembled fences in prior art, horizontal rods and vertical rods are snap-fitted through elastic metal snap fasteners. The inventor of the present invention has a Chinese patent, Spring fastening type steel pipe fence, publication No. CN 2613556Y, publicized on April 28, 2004. This patent discloses a spring fastening type steel pipe fence, wherein metal span fasteners are needed to be installed in vertical rods first; projections on two sides of the snap fasteners extend out of the holes on two sides of the vertical rods. Then, the vertical rods and horizontal rods are installed in field. In the field, vertical rods equipped with the elastic snap fasteners are inserted into mating holes of the horizontal rods; the projections on two sides of the elastic snap fasteners automatically spring out of the projections to be snap-fitted with the upper and lower faces in the horizontal steel pipes.

[0005] The metal snap fasteners of this type of assembled fence are required to be installed in the vertical rods first, and then the vertical rods and horizontal rods are installed in field. When the vertical rods equipped with the spring snap fasteners are transported, the snap fasteners are easily damaged and easily scrap parts such as other vertical rods. Additionally, rubber rings are needed to be placed on four sides of the horizontal rods where the vertical rods are inserted to performance waterproof sealing and they prevent damage to the surface coating due to collision between the horizontal rods and vertical rods. Additionally, the metal sap fasteners are high in cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1 [0006] The technical problem to be solved in the present invention is to provide an assembled fence, which is conveniently installed and used, has all parts and components capable of being assembled in field, is low in cost, and protects the horizontal rods and vertical rods against scraping. 2014376100 09 Sep 2016 [0007] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows.

[0008] An assembled fence comprises horizontal rods, vertical rods and snap fasteners. The snap fasteners are non-metal elastic parts. The snap fasteners have vertical rod inserting holes in the middle that are snap-fitted with vertical rod. The outer portions of the snap fasteners are inserted with inserting holes of the horizontal rods.

[0009] The outer portion of each snap fastener has an outward flange. The outer portion below the flange is provided with an inward inclined plane. A straight edge is below the inclined plane. The outer diameter of the straight edge is smaller than that of the upper flange. A clamping groove, which is adapted to the thickness of a profiled unilateral edge of the horizontal rod, is disposed between the upper end face of the inclined plane and the lower end face of the flange.

[0010] The inner portion face of the snap fastener corresponding to the inclined plane on the outer portion is provided with an inward projecting convex block. The convex block extends in a circular arc way from the top down. The convex block extends into a snap-fitting hole formed on the vertical rod. The lower end face of the convex block is pressed against the orifice of the snap-fitting hole of the vertical rod.

[0011] The convex block disposed on the inner portion face of the snap fastener is provided with a groove in the middle. At least one snap-fitting hole of the vertical rod is provided with a projection adapted to the middle groove of the convex block.

[0012] The snap fasteners are made from plastics or rubber.

[0013] At least one inward inclined plane is below the flange of the snap fastener and at least one inward projecting convex block is disposed on the inner portion face. 2 [0014] The cross-section of the horizontal rod is reversed U-shaped. 2014376100 09 Sep 2016 [0015] The cross-section of the horizontal rod is rectangular.

[0016] When the cross-section of the horizontal rod is rectangular, the inserting hole aperture on one end face of the inserting hole of the horizontal rod can be greater than the opposite inserting hole aperture on the other end face.

[0017] Beneficial effects: Due to configuration of the non-metal elastic snap fasteners, all fence parts including the snap fasteners can be assembled in field. During transport, the snap fasteners are not assembled with the vertical rods, so the snap fasteners are not damaged and avoid the problem of scraping parts such as other vertical rods, and using rubber rings on four sides of the horizontal rods inserted with the vertical rods to performance waterproof sealing and prevent damage to the surface coating due to collision between the horizontal rods and the vertical rods is not needed. Additionally, the snap fasteners are non-metal parts with low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is an assembling view of connection among vertical rods, horizontal rods and snap fasteners in the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is a structural view a sectioned snap fastener.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the jointed snap fastener and horizontal rod.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a vertical rod.

[0022] Figure 5 is an assembling view of connection between the horizontal rod with a reversed U-shaped cross section, the vertical rod and the snap fastener.

[0023] Figure 6 is a structural view of a fence door.

[0024] Figure 7 is a partial enlarged view of portion A in Figure 6.

[0025] Figure 8 is a sectional view of Figure 7.

[0026] Figure 9 is a structural view of a fence including piles.

[0027] Figure 10 is a partial enlarged view of portion B in Figure 9. 3 [0028] Figure 11 is a sectional view of Figure 10. 2014376100 09 Sep 2016 [0029] Figure 12 is a partial enlarged view of portion C in Figure 9.

[0030] Figure 13 is a sectional view of Figure 12.

[0031] In the drawings: 3-snap fastener; 3-1-flange, 3-2-vertical rod inserting hole, 3-4-straight edge, 3-5-inclined plane, 3-6-clamping groove, 3-7-convex block, 3-8-lower end face, 3-9-groove, 9-vertical rod, 9-1-vertical rod snap fitting hole, 10-horizontal rod, 10A-horizontal rod inserting hole, 10-1-profiled unilateral edge, 10A-1 -inserting hole aperture on one end face of the horizontal rod, 10A-2-inserting hole aperture on the other end face of the horizontal rod

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present invention is described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0033] An assembled fence comprises horizontal rods 10, vertical rods 9and snap fasteners 3. The snap fasteners 3 are non-metal elastic parts. The snap fasteners 3 have vertical rod inserting holes 3-2 in the middle that are snap-fitted with vertical rod 9. The outer portions of the snap fasteners 3 are inserted with inserting holes 10A of the horizontal rods.

[0034] The outer portion of each snap fastener 3 has an outward flange 3-1. The outer portion below the flange 3-1 is provided with an inward inclined plane 3-5. A straight edge 3-4 is below the inclined plane. The outer diameter of the straight edge 3-4 is smaller than that of the upper flange 3-1. A clamping groove 3-6 which is adapted to the thickness of a profiled unilateral edge 10-1 of the horizontal rod 10 is disposed between the upper end face of the inclined plane 3-5 and the lower end face of the flange 3-1.

[0035] The inner portion of the snap fastener 3 corresponding to the inclined plane 3-5 on the outer portion is provided with an inward projecting convex block 3-7. The convex block 3-7 extends in a circular arc way from the top down. The convex block 3-7 4 extends into a snap-fitting hole 9-1 formed on the vertical rod 9. The lower end face 3-8 of the convex block 3-7 is pressed against the orifice of the snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9. 2014376100 09 Sep 2016 [0036] The convex block 3-7 disposed on the inner portion face of the snap fastener 3 is provided with a groove 3-9 in the middle. At least one snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9 is provided with a projection 9-2 adapted to the middle groove 3-9 of the convex block 3-7.

[0037] The snap fasteners 3 are made from plastics or rubber.

[0038] At least one inward inclined plane 3-5 is below the flange 3-1 of the snap fastener 3 and at least one inward projecting convex block 3-7 is disposed on the inner portion face.

[0039] The cross-section of the horizontal rod 10 is reversed U-shaped.

[0040] The cross-section of the horizontal rod 10 is rectangular. In such case, the inserting hole aperture 10A-1 on one end face of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod 10 can be greater than the opposite inserting hole aperture 10A-2 on the other end face.

[0041] During installation, the outer portion of the snap fastener 3 is aligned with the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod and then is inserted downward. At this time, the hole wall of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod contacts the inward inclined plane 3-5 of the outer portion of the snap fastener 3, and the hole wall of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod presses the inclined plane 3-5 of inward to drive the snap fastener 3 to move downward. When the snap fastener 3 moves downward to the position of the clamping groove 3-6, the hole wall of the inserting hole 10A of the horizontal rod releases the pressed inclined plane 3-5, and then the inclined plane 3-5 springs out and enters a hollow cavity in the middle of the horizontal rod, and the profiled unilateral edge 10-1 of the horizontal rod 10 is clamped with the clamping groove 3-6. In such circumstances, by 5 the effect of the clamping groove 3-6, the profiled unilateral edge 10-1 of the horizontal rod 10 and the snap fastener 3 keep upward and downward locking relationship and the snap fastener 3 cannot move up and down, thus maintaining the fixed relationship between the rubber ring and the horizontal rod. 2014376100 09 Sep 2016 [0042] The vertical rod 9 is inserted into the vertical rod inserting hole 3-2 of the snap fastener 3. The holed face of the vertical rod fits the face of the inward projecting convex block 3-7 of the snap fastener 3. The holed face contacts the arced face of the convex block 3-7 on the inner portion face of the snap fastener 3 to press the convex block 3-7 of the snap fastener 3 toward two sides such that the vertical rod 9 moves downward smoothly.

[0043] When the vertical rod 9 is inserted downward in a way that the vertical rod inserting hole 3-2 is just fitted with the convex block 3-7 of the snap fastener 3, the holed face of the vertical rod releases the pressed convex block 3-7 of the snap fastener 3, so the convex block 3-7 springs out and enters the snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9.

[0044] When the vertical rod 9 is continuously inserted downward, the holed face of the vertical rod contacts the arced face of the convex block 3-7 on the inner circular face of the snap fastener 3, and the convex block 3-7 is re-pressed to exit from the snap-fitting hole 9-1 of the vertical rod 9. When the second vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1 is just fitted with the convex block 3-7 on the inner circular face of the snap fastener 3, the holed face of the vertical rod releases the pressed convex block, and then the convex block 3-7 on the inner circular face of the snap fastener 3 springs out and enters the second vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1. In such circumstances, the projection 9-2 on the vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1 and the groove 3-9 in the middle of the convex block 3-7 on the inner circular face of the snap fastener 3 keep a downward locking relationship, so the vertical rod cannot be inserted downward continuously; the aperture of the vertical rod snap-fitting hole 9-1 and the lower end face 3-8 of the convex block 3-7 on the inner circular face of 6 the snap fastener 3 keep an upward locking relationship, so the vertical rod cannot be pulled upward. Thus, the snap fastener 3 and the vertical rod 9 keep fixed. 2014376100 09 Sep 2016 [0045] In the present invention, the connecting structure of the horizontal rods 10, vertical rods 9 and snap fasteners 3 can be applied to the connection of the horizontal rods, vertical rods and doorframe of a fence door, and to the connection of the fence and piles. See Figures 6-13 respectively.

[0046] A detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments of the invention is provided above along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the description above in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practised according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

[0047] Throughout this specification and the claims that follow unless the context requires otherwise, the words 'comprise' and 'include' and variations such as 'comprising' and 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0048] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge of the technical field. 7

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An assembled fence, comprising horizontal rods (10), vertical rods (9) and snap fasteners (3), characterized in that, the snap fasteners (3) are non-metal elastic parts; snap fasteners (3) have vertical rod inserting holes (3-2) in the middle that are snap-fitted with the vertical rods (9); outer portions of the snap fasteners (3) are inserted with inserting holes (10A) of the horizontal rods; wherein, the outer portion of each snap fastener (3) has an outward flange (3-1); the outer portion below the flange (3-1) is provided with an inward inclined plane (3-5); a straight edge (3-4) is below the inclined plane; an outer diameter of the straight edge (3-4) is smaller than that of the upper flange (3-1); a clamping groove (3-6) which is adapted to the thickness of a profiled unilateral edge (10-1) of the horizontal rod (10) is disposed between the upper end face of the inclined plane (3-5) and the lower end face of the flange (3-1); wherein, an inner portion of the snap fastener (3) corresponding to the inclined plane (3-5) on the outer portion is provided with an inward projecting convex block (3-7); the convex block (3-7) extends in a circular arc way from the top down; the convex block (3-7) extends into a snap-fitting hole (9-1) formed on the vertical rods (9); and a lower end face (3-8) of the convex block (3-7) is pressed against an orifice of the snap-fitting hole (9-1) of the vertical rod (9).
2. The assembled fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the convex block (3-7) disposed on the inner portion face of the snap fastener (3) is provided with a groove (3-9) in the middle; at least one snap-fitting hole (9-1) of the vertical rod (9) is provided with a projection (9-2) adapted to the middle groove (3-9) of the convex block (3-7).
3. The assembled fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the snap fasteners (3) are made from plastics or rubber.
4. The assembled fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, a second inward inclined plane (3-5) is below the flange (3-1) of the snap fastener (3) and a second inward projecting convex block (3-7) is disposed on the inner portion face.
5. The assembled fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cross-section of the horizontal rod (10) is reversed U-shaped.
6. The assembled fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cross-section of the horizontal rod (10) is rectangular.
7. The assembled fence according to claim 1, characterized in that, an inserting hole aperture (10A-1) on one end face of the inserting hole (10A) of the horizontal rod (10) is greater than an opposite inserting hole aperture (10A-2) on the other end face.