AU2016204766B2 - A temporary fence - Google Patents

Abstract

A fence joining system having one or more substantially vertical posts with each of the posts having one or more rail slits opening to an interior chamber of said post. One or more substantially horizontal elongated rails are connected to each of said posts, each end of the rails having an end projection with a key slot, the projection including a key slot to engage the bottom of the slit when the projection has been fully inserted into the slit and the rail is at right angles to the post. Instead of rails the system could also use panels having multiple key slots.

Description

I

A temporary fencing system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the present invention relates generally to a temporary event fencing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to the joining of a temporary event fencing system of the rail and post type having one or more generally horizontal rails or a panel that interconnect with a plurality of generally upright fence posts to enclose or separate an area and that is relatively quick and easy to install and where the rail cannot be disengaged by moving only in the horizontal or vertical plane. Even further the present invention provides for a temporary fencing system that does not require the use of tools, loose pins, or fasteners to assemble.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of fencing systems to enclose an area or separate one area from another has been well known for a very long time. Fences have also been commonly utilized to separate property boundaries, prevent entry into a particular area and keep people within an area. Relatively recently, there has been in an increase in the use of temporary fencing, such as that being used in construction areas or events that whilst not needing to be of a solid construction nevertheless needs to be sturdy and not easily disassembled once installed.

[0003] The most common type of temporary event fencing is post type fence that comprises a series of generally vertical or upstanding posts mounted on bases that stand on the ground. Disposed between the posts are various configurations such, typically one or more generally horizontally disposed rails interconnecting each pair of adjacent posts. The rails are attached to the posts typically by the use of brackets or pins. Disposed between the rails may be numerous structures such as pickets or a continuous mesh.

[0004] Whilst the above existing fencing designs provide a sturdy structure some take time to assemble and disassemble due to their intricate or small components which is obviously costly for the user, and others allow the panels or rails to be accidently or maliciously disconnected by simply lifting in a vertical plane.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a temporary fencing system to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a more efficient and secure alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one form of the invention a fence joining system, comprising one or more substantially vertical posts, each of said posts having one or more rail slits opening to an interior chamber of said post; one or more substantially horizontal elongated rails connected to each of said posts, each end of said rails having an end projection with a key slot; the projection including a key slot to engage the bottom of the slit when the projection has been fully inserted into the slit and the rail is at right angles to the post.

[0007] In preference the posts are of a square configuration and each post can accommodate an upper and a lower rail.

[0008] In a further form of the invention there is proposed a fence joining system, comprising: one or more substantially vertical posts, each of said posts having one or more rail slits opening to an interior chamber of said post; a panel connected to each of said posts, each end of the panel having an end projection with a key slot; the projection including a key slot to engage the bottom of the slit when the projection has been fully inserted into the slit and the panel is at right angles.

[0009] In preference each panel has two projections with a key slot at either end thereof

[0010] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a joined rail to a post as per the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a rail and a post before the rail is joined to the post;

[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a rail attached to a post at a 45 degree angle;

[0015] Figure 4 is the post and rail of Figure 3 but rotated through 90 degrees;

[0016] Figure 5 illustrates the typical methods that rails are fastened to posts currently; and

[0017] Figure 6 illustrates an alternative known method of attaching a rail to a post.

DRAWING COMPONENTS

[0018] The drawings include the following integers. joining system 12 post 14 post side 16 rail 18 slit projection 22 key slot 24 slit bottom 26 base 28 bottom slit aperture 32 pin 34 L-shaped member 36 aperture 38 flange

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0020] The present invention provides for the joining system of a temporary fence. As illustrated in Figures 1-4 the fencing system 10 includes a post 12, generally of a square configuration having sides 14. A rail 16 is adapted to engage slit 18 in the post through a hooked projection 20. However the projection being hooked enables it to engage the slit by inserting the rail into the post and using a key slot 22 that engages the bottom of the slit 24. The projection may attached to the rail by well-known means such as a snap fit arrangement, an interference fit, or a ball type connection, without intending to limit it to any particular one. It may even be attached by well-known fasteners, or utilised to secure the panel components together.

[0021] The reader will now appreciate that the rail is then attached to the post and can only be removed if the rail is raised vertically and moved horizontally at which point it may disengage from the post.

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[0022] At the same time the clearance afforded by the key slot allows the installation of the fence joiner system over undulating ground.

[0023] The slit 18 is also slightly wider than the thickness of the projection enabling the rail to be rotated in the horizontal plane up to some 90 degrees as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. This allows a 900 corner to be made using one standard post.

[0024] To assist in keeping the post vertical a base 26 engages the ground and to construct a fence the post also includes a bottom slit 28. The base may further include, assisting in its stability when on a soft surface, an aperture 30 that may accommodate a peg to be inserted into the ground much like a tent.

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates some of the more common methods of joining this type of fencing including where a rail passes through a slot in the post and is locked in place using a pin 32. Such arrangements takes time to assemble and do not enable the rail to be rotated with respect to the post in the horizontal plane. Other methods do not accommodate uneven ground, are slow to assemble, or can be unintentially disassembled. Figure 6 is an alternative current known method of attaching a rail to a post. In this case an L-shaped member 34 engages an aperture 36 in a flange 38 that is attached to a post. Such an arrangement can easily be dissembled by simply lifting the rail.

[0026] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a quick and relatively secure method of attaching a rail to a post whilst providing security against it being easily disassembled.

[0027] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0028] Thus it is to be understood that various other features may be present including but not limited to: (a) the post may be of a rectangular or even of a circular configuration (b) the post may include multiple slits both circumferentially and vertically (c) the projection may be of different shapes

(d) where there is a panel there may be two or more projections on either side.

[0029] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Editorial Note

2016204766 non sequential pages, description ends page 5 and claims should be page 6 and not page 7.

Claims (6)

1. A fence joining system, comprising: one or more substantially vertical posts, each of said

posts having one or more rail slits opening to an interior chamber of said post;

one or more substantially horizontal elongated rails connected to each of said posts, each

end of said rails having an end projection with a key slot;

the projection including a key slot to engage the bottom of the slit when the projection has

been fully inserted into the slit and the rail is at right angles to the post; wherein the dimensions of the slit and the key slot enable the rail to pivot horizontally over a

pre-determined angle.

2. A fence joining system as in claim 1 wherein the pre-determined angle is at least 90 degrees.

3. A fence joining system as in claim 1 wherein the posts are of a square configuration and each

post can accommodate an upper and a lower rail.

4. A fence joining system, comprising: one or more substantially vertical posts, each of said

posts having one or more rail slits opening to an interior chamber of said post;

a panel connected to each of said posts, each end of the panel having an end projection with

a key slot;

the projection including a key slot to engage the bottom of the slit when the projection has

been fully inserted into the slit and the panel is at right angles to the post;

wherein the dimensions of the slit and the key slot enable the rail to pivot horizontally over a

pre-determined angle.

5. A fence joining system as in claim 4 wherein each panel has two projections with a key slot

at either end thereof.

6. A fence joining system as in claim 4 wherein the pre-determined angle is at least 90 degrees.