Fence panel
A fence panel is provided that includes a first set of horizontal parallel spaced apart wires sandwiched between a second and third set of vertical wires spot-welded to either side of the first set of wires. At least some of the individual wires of the second set are opposite wires of the third set to form adjacent pairs of vertical wires. The wires are made from high tensile steel with a diameter of between 2 and 8 mm and the elements of the second and third sets are spaced apart 3 to 10 times as far as the elements of the first set of wires. The fence panel has a length of about 3 m, height of about 3m and weight of about 10.5 kg/M2.
This invention relates to a fence panel and, more particularly, to a fence panel of a grid-like construction.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTIONFences used in and around prisons, highways, airports and the like must provide good visibility therethrough, even when viewed at an acute angle, and must be robust enough so as not to be easily breached.
Fences of a grid-like construction with vertical wires spaced relatively far apart in relation to horizontal wires are known. Such a configuration generally allows good visibility through the fence. However, a fence constructed of a single set of vertical and horizontal wires may not be robust enough.
Grid fences of the type described above, but where pairs of adjacent horizontal wires are fixed on opposite sides of the uprights, are also known. These fences, however, have been known to be broken by inserting a lever between pairs of horizontal wires and prising them apart. They can also be breached by severing a number of adjacent uprights at the same horizontal level and biasing the broken ends apart to create a gap. Finally, these fences have also been known to topple when strong horizontal forces, such as powerful winds, occur, and generally require a lot of material for their construction, making them relatively expensive and heavy.
In this specification any reference to the “horizontal” or “vertical” orientation of an element, wire or fence panel will be understood to refer to the fence panel in its operative upright position.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of this invention to provide a fence panel that, at least partially, alleviates some of the abovementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with this invention there is provided a fence panel comprising a first set of horizontal parallel elongate elements spaced apart to form a panel having first and second sided; a second set of vertical parallel elongate elements fixed to the first side of the panel; and a third set of vertical parallel elongate elements fixed to the second side of the panel, wherein at least some of the elements of the third set are opposite elements of the second set to form adjacent pairs of vertical elongate elements.
Further features of the invention provide for the second set of elements and the third set of elements to be spot-welded to the first set of elements; for the elongate elements to be high tensile steel wire; and for the steel wire to have a diameter of between 2 mm and 8 mm.
Still further features of the invention provide for the second set of elements to be spaced apart 3 to 10 times as far as the first set of elements; and for the first set of elements to be spaced about 13 mm apart and the second set of elements to be spaced about 76 mm apart.
The fence panel may have a length of about 3 m, a height of about 3 m; and a weight of about 10.5 kg/m2.
According to one aspect of the invention the third set of elongate elements may extend partway along the height of the panel and the first set extend along the full height of the panel to form a fence panel having single vertical elongate elements at its operatively upper section and pairs of vertical elongate elements at its operatively lower section.
The invention extends to a fence including a plurality of fence panels according to the invention supported by uprights.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:
It will be understood that the fence panels described may be supported by various structures, including upright steel poles or concrete pillars. Such structures are well-known and are not described herein.
The fence panel (20) shown in
However the fence panel (20) of
The typical weight of a fence panel shown in
Intersecting wires of the fence panel can be welded together by means of a mechanical hand operated process or by means of a semi of fully automated process.
The invention therefore provides a fence panel or relatively lightweight construction, having elongate elements that cannot easily be broken by being prised apart with a lever, which is of a relatively robust construction and does not easily topple and which provides good visibility through the fence panel when viewed at an acute angle.
It will be appreciated that other embodiments of a fence panel may be devised that fall within the scope of the invention, especially as regards the exact configuration thereof. For example, it is not necessary for the second set of elements to all be in pairs. A configuration with every third element in pairs with two single wires between every pair could be used.
The fence panel can also have pairs of adjacent vertical elongate elements at its operatively lower section and single vertical elongate elements of the second set at the operatively upper section of the fence panel. It has been found that breaches in security fences normally occur at eye level or lower. This section can therefore be constructed as described in the invention, while the higher part of the fence panel can be constructed with only two sets of wires, similar to the fence panel shown in
The fence panel (50) will typically have a width of about 3 metres and a height of 3 metres or higher, up to about 6 metres.
Claims
1. A fence panel comprising:
- a first set of horizontal parallel elongate elements spaced apart to form a panel having first and second sides;
- a second set of vertical parallel elongate elements fixed to the first side of the panel; and
- a third set of vertical parallel elongate elements fixed to the second side of the panel;
- wherein at least some of the elements of the third set are opposite elements of the second set to form adjacent pairs of vertical elongate elements.
2. A fence panel as claimed in claim 1 in which the second set of elements and the third set of elements are spot-welded to the first set of elements.
3. A fence panel as claimed in claim 1 in which the elongate elements are high tensile steel wire.
4. A fence panel as claimed in claim 3 in which the steel wire has a diameter of between 2 mm and 8 mm.
5. A fence panel as claimed in claim 1 in which the second set of elements are spaced apart 3 to 10 times as far as the first set of elements.
6. A fence panel as claimed in claim 5 in which the first set of elements are spaced about 13 mm apart and the second set of elements are spaced about 76 mm apart.
7. A fence panel as claimed in claim 1 having a length of about 3 m and a height of about 3 m.
8. A fence panel as claimed in claim 1 having a weight of about 10.5 kg/m2.
9. A fence panel as claimed in claim 1 in which the third set of elongate elements extends partway along the height of the panel and the first set extends along the full height of the panel to form a fence panel having single vertical elongate elements at its operatively upper section and pairs of vertical elongate elements at its operatively lower section.
10. A fence including a plurality of fence panels as claimed in claim 1 supported by uprights.
11. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 25, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 26, 2006
Inventor: Michael Rodenburg (Constantia)
Application Number: 11/410,991
International Classification: E04H 17/16 (20060101);