Fence panel and method of fencing

Abstract

A fence according to the invention is erected by successively joining panels along the fence line. Each panel includes a panel wall (113) with side post members (110, 111) and upper and lower rails (112). One of the post members (110) of each panel is formed to receive a picket (116) which may be driven into the ground or otherwise supported, while the other side posts (111) are fixed to the side posts (110) of the adjoining panel.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to fence panels and to methods of erecting fences from panels. Fence panels of the invention may be successively erected and attached to form a continuous fence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Panels according to the present invention are characterized by including a first frame member formed to receive a supporting picket, and a second frame member formed so as to be engageable for support by the first frame member of a similar panel.

[0006] The pole or picket is preferably adapted to be driven into the ground after being received by the first frame member.

[0007] Preferably the panels are completed by top and bottom rails, and the panel wall may be profiled steel sheet such as roofing sheet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In a particular form the invention provides a fencing panel which enables the rapid erection of fences which have many of the characteristics of a paling fence, particularly the repetitive pattern of the pales which make up the fence, with a minimum of tools or special equipment. This is achieved in a panel which includes a frame having rails which are provided with formations which locate and maintain the pales in a desired pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to a presently contemplated embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows in side elevation a panel according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the panel of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary illustration of a first side post.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary illustration of a second side post.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary illustration of a picket.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a fence panel according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

[0018] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a top or bottom rail.

[0019] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a center rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The panel illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 consists of a frame comprising side post members 110 and 111, upper and lower rails 112, and a panel wall 113. The wall 113, which in this embodiment consists of a sheet of roll-formed coated steel profile but may be of any suitable material or combination of materials, is held in place between side flanges 114 of the rails 112, which are in turn fixed to the post 110 by metal screws or other fixing devices 120 passing through flanges 115 which extend inwardly from the post 110 to embrace the edge of the wall 113.

[0021] The post members 111 are in the form of channels, having opposed edge flanges 117 which receive for fixing between them the ends of the rails 112, and a body which is shaped to form a pocket 118.

[0022] The post members 110 and 111, which may be formed from galvanized sheet by stamping and roll-forming, are shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively. It will be observed that the post 110 has formed in its face downwardly disposed tongues 121 which may be pressed outwardly so they are disposed outwardly and obliquely downwardly of the face of the post, while the post 111 has in its face correspondingly spaced apertures 122.

[0023] As shown in the drawings, each post member 111 is attached to the right hand end (as viewed in the drawings) of the panel by means of the flanges 117, by means of screws or other fastening devices driven through the flanges 117 into the side flanges 114 of the rails.

[0024] The pocket 118 formed by the post is dimensioned to receive a picket 116 (FIG.6) having four obliquely disposed flanges which locate the internal corners of the post. In this embodiment the picket is fabricated by a pair of channel sections 123 and 124 having outwardly oblique flanges 125, the channel sections being fixed back to back, for example by welding. The pickets 116 may be formed in other ways, for example by extrusion as a single piece. Although not shown in the drawings, the pickets 116 may be tapered at their lower end to facilitate their being driven into the ground. Such pickets support the fence and enable its assembly by the methods described below.

[0025] With the arrangement thus described, a fence may quickly and easily be erected by locating a first panel at the fence line and driving a picket 116 down through the pocket 118 of the post 111 to fix the panel in place. A second panel may then be engaged with the first as described above, by engaging the tongues 121 of the post 110 of the next panel with the apertures 122 of the post 111 of the first panel. A further picket 116 may then be driven down the pocket 118 of the second panel's post 111. The length of the line of fence is completed by repeating this process. A fence may in this way quickly be erected without special tools, included with only a string line, spirit level and a picket driver.

[0026] The pickets 116 are preferably driven fully into the posts 110, whereupon if desired a cap (not shown) may be placed over the otherwise open upper end of each post.

[0027] It will be understood that where the line of the fence extends across sloping ground, the slope may be accommodated by a providing a partial, rather than complete, vertical overlap of successive panels, by choosing the points of engagement of the respective tongues and apertures 121 and 122.

[0028] As mentioned above, the panel wall 113 may take any suitable form. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the panel is in the form of a roll-formed steel sheet. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 the panel is formed from overlapping wooden pales.

[0029] The panel illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 comprises a metal frame having side posts 110 and 111 constructed in the same manner as described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6. In this case, however, the panel wall consists of a number of overlapped wooden pales 316, and the panel is completed by a pair of top and bottom rails 312 and a pair of opposed center rails 314 and 315.

[0030] The pales 316 are held in place in the panel by the rails 312, 314 and 315. The upper ends of the pales are located in a channel formed by the upper rail 312, and lower ends are similarly located in a channel formed by the lower rail. The pales are furthermore held between the opposed center rails 314 and 315. FIGS. 11 and 12 show in detail the relevant features of these rails. (It will be understood that while only the bottom rail 312 is illustrated here, the top rail can be identical to it). Each of the rails may be formed in galvanized sheet steel by stamping and roll-forming.

[0031] The bottom rail 311 consists of a bottom web 319 with a pair of side flanges 320. Each of the side flanges has an in-turned edge flange 321, provided with spaced recesses 322 for the reception of a pale 316. It will be observed that the recesses 322 of the opposed edge flanges 321 are staggered to accommodate, and indeed after, the regular overlapping pattern of the pales 316.

[0032] The center rails 314 and 315 have a vertical web 326 and upper and lower edge, flanges 327, again provided with spaced recesses 328 for the reception of the Pales 316. Only the center rail 314 is illustrated, as it will be understood that the rail 315 is similar, with a relatively staggered location of the recesses 328 so as to repeat the pattern of recesses established by the rails 310 and 311.

[0033] A fence is erected from panels of the kind illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 in the same manner as that described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0034] The pattern of palings can of course be vaned from that shown. Other changes to the configuration of the elements of the panel, which has been illustrated by way of example only, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, panels having panel walls of different kinds, for example the steel and paling walls described above can be alternated in a continuous line of fence.

[0035] It will also be understood that the invention may be embodied in ways other than that illustrated. For example, where a temporary fence is to be erected such as for event or safety fencing, free-standing poles may be employed instead of pickets driven into the ground, and alternative formations may be adopted for the inter-engagement of the successive panels.

Claims

1. A fence panel including

a first frame member formed to receive a supporting picket, and

a second frame member formed so as to be engageable for support by the first frame member of a similar panel.

2. A panel according to claim 1 wherein the picket is adapted to be driven into the ground.

3. A panel according to claim 1 further including upper and lower rails and at least one panel member mounted between said rails and between said frame members.

4. A panel according to claim 3 wherein each frame member is provided with a pair of spaced flanges on the said of said frame member facing said panels member.

5. A panel according to claim 4 wherein the ends said rails are fixed between said flanges.

6. A panel according claim 1 wherein said second frame member engages with the first frame member of a similar panel by means of inter-engaging formations on the faces of said, frame members facing away from their respective panel members.

7. A panel according to claim 6 wherein said formations are located at multiple constantly spaced locations on said frame members thereby enabling the engagement of said members with a chosen amount of overlap.

8. A panel according to claim 6 in which said formations, on the first frame member include apertures for the reception of projections formed on said second member.

9. A panel according to claim 3 in which said panel member is formed from overlapping pales, said rails being formed with horizontal flanges shaped to constrain said pales in a desired overlapping relationship.

10. A panel according to claim 9 in which said panel further includes at least one intermediate rail disposed between said upper and lower rails, said intermediate rail being formed with at least one horizontal flange shaped to constrain said pales in a desired overlapping relationship.

11. A method of erecting a fence from panels according to claim 1, including the steps of

positioning a first fence panel on the line of the fence to be erected;

locating a picket within the first frame member of the first panel;

engaging the picket with the ground;

engaging the second frame member of a further panel with the first frame member of the first panel, and

repeating the above steps in relation to the further and subsequent panels.