Fence Construction Systems

Abstract

A fence construction system in which panels are formed by attaching pickets to rails using fastening means that is located inside the rails. In one system, the pickets are fastened to a rail by a common locking rod. In another system the pickets are deformed inside the rail by a crimping tool. Equipment that assists assembling the panels may be provided. Top or bottom rails may also have a support structure provided within the rail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/549,772, filed Sep. 19, 2005, which is in turn a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/AU2004/001791, filed Dec. 20, 2004, which was published in the English language on Oct. 12, 2006, under International Publication No. WO 2005059279. The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to construction of fences, in particular but not only to systems for construction of pool fences or balustrades. The systems might also be suitable for other structures which in some cases have picket-like features in common with fences, such as ladders or walls.

Pool fences are constructed in a wide variety of ways. A standard pool fence typically has a number of aluminum panels that are formed separately and then placed in position together. Each panel has two or more horizontal rails that support a series of vertical pickets. The panels are assembled by passing the pickets through apertures in the rails. Each picket is then usually welded or crimped to the rails and the assembled structure is painted. The rails and pickets come in many forms and may be assembled in a wide variety of structures.

The existing methods of construction require each picket to be individually handled and fastened to the rails. Each panel typically has 20-30 pickets so the methods are generally slow with a significant cost of manual labor. The need to paint the panel after the pickets have been fastened to the rails can also be a disadvantage. Structural weaknesses are sometimes experienced in panels where the pickets do not extend beyond the top rail. In these systems the top ends of the pickets lie within the top rail and can be difficult to fasten sufficiently strongly to the rail.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide for improved construction of pool fences, or at least to provide an alternative to existing systems.

In one aspect the invention resides in a fence having at least one hollow rail and a plurality of pickets supported by the rail, wherein the pickets enter the rail by passage through respective entry apertures in the rail, and are fastened to the rail by fastening means located inside the rail.

In one embodiment, each picket includes a fastening aperture located within the rail and the fastening means includes a rod that passes through the fastening apertures and thereby prevents further passage of the pickets through their respective entry apertures. Preferably the fastening apertures are located adjacent an inner surface of the rail and the rod has been forced through the fastening apertures against resistance from the inside surface of the rail.

In another embodiment, the fastening means includes a portion of each picket located inside the rail that has been deformed after entry of the picket within the rail and thereby prevents further passage of the pickets through their respective entry apertures. Preferably the portion of each picket that has been deformed within the rail has a partly flattened shape that no longer matches the shape of the respective entry aperture in the rail.

In one part of the fence, the pickets pass through the rail from one side to the other. Preferably the fence has two parallel rails that support the pickets and the pickets pass fully through at least one of the rails.

In another part of the fence the pickets pass though only one side of the rail and end within the rail. Preferably the rail has an internal wall and the pickets end in respective apertures of the internal wall.

In a further aspect the invention resides in a fence having at least one hollow rail and a plurality of pickets supported by the rail, wherein the rail has an external wall with entry apertures for the pickets, and an internal structure for holding end portions of the pickets, and wherein each picket enters the rail through a respective entry aperture and has an end portion which is held by the internal structure.

Preferably the internal structure of the rail includes a wall with holding apertures for respective end portions of the pickets. Preferably the holding apertures are aligned with the entry apertures so that the pickets are perpendicular to the rail. Alternatively the holding apertures are offset from the entry apertures so that the pickets are not perpendicular to the rail.

In one embodiment the internal structure is moveable within the rail to vary the alignment of the holding apertures and the entry apertures. In another embodiment the internal structure includes a plurality of flanges which receive end portions of respective pickets.

Preferably the pickets are fastened to the rail by fastening means provided inside the rail. The fastening means may be a rod that connects the pickets within the rail. Alternatively the fastening means is a deformed portion of each picket within the rail.

In another aspect the invention resides in a method of forming a picket structure, including: providing a hollow rail to support a plurality of pickets, passing each picket at least partly through the rail, and fastening the pickets to the rail from within the rail.

In one embodiment, fastening the pickets includes threading a rod through apertures in the pickets inside the rail. Threading the rod includes deformation of the rail through interaction between the rod and an inside surface of the rail.

In another embodiment, fastening the pickets includes deforming the pickets inside the rail. Preferably deforming the pickets includes passage of a crimping device through the rail.

In another aspect the invention resides in a picket construction having a rail and a plurality of pickets supported by the rail, each picket being fastened to the rail by fastening means located within the rail.

The construction may be a fence or balustrade, or a similar structure having similar rail and picket features such as ladder.

In another aspect the invention resides in equipment for constructing panels for a fence or picket structure as outlined above.

In another aspect the invention may be said to reside in a panel having two parallel posts, two parallel rails and a plurality of pickets supported by the rails, wherein the rails are fastened to the posts by pins through apertures in the ends of the rails.

The invention may also be said to reside in any alternative combination of features that are indicated in this specification. All equivalents of these features are deemed to be included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, of which:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows components of a panel for a pool fence;

FIG. 2 shows an assembled panel having pickets held by three rails;

FIG. 3 shows an assembled panel having pickets held by two rails;

FIG. 4 shows one way of fixing the pickets within the rails using a locking rod;

FIG. 5 shows another way of fixing the pickets within the rails by crimping;

FIG. 6 shows how a top rail structure may be strengthened;

FIG. 7 shows how the structure in FIG. 6 may be used in a raked panel;

FIG. 8 shows the structure and operation of equipment that may be used to fix the pickets in the rails;

FIG. 9 shows various crimping components for the equipment in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an alternative component for the equipment in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 shows alternative equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings it will be appreciated that the invention can be implemented in various ways for a range of different picket-like structures, such as pool fences, balustrades, ladders, walls and the like. This description of pool fence embodiments is given by way of example only.

FIG. 1 shows the main components of a panel for a pool fence including a bottom rail 10, mid rail 11, a top rail 12, a number of pickets 13, two posts 14, locking rods 15 and top pins 16, and bottom pins 17. These components may be provided in a wide range of numbers, shapes, and sizes, and may be assembled in different ways, depending on the purpose and style of the fence. The components are usually provided has hollow tubes or other sections of a metal such as aluminum or steel.

FIG. 2 shows how the panel may be assembled. The pickets 13 pass through pairs of apertures in the bottom and mid rails 10, 11 and in this example, enter but do not exit the top rail 12, which has apertures on one side only. The rails are fixed in apertures in the posts 14 using the bottom and top pins 16, 17. Traditionally the pickets are fastened to the rails by external welding or crimping. In this case the pickets are fastened by internal means, such as the locking rods 15 which thread the pickets, or by internal crimping.

FIG. 3 shows part of a panel of another fence having bottom and mid rails 30, 31 only, and again by way of example. The pickets 32 pass through apertures in each rail and are fastened to the rails. Only a single post 33 is shown. It will be appreciated that the panels may be formed in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes, with large or small numbers of pickets.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show two ways of fastening a picket to a rail from within the rail, using a locking rod, such as rod 15 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4a, a top rail 40 and one end of a picket 41 are shown in cross section. The picket passes through an aperture on the underside 43 of the rail. A locking rod 42 passes through an aperture in the picket, located inside the rail, and deforms the underside of the rail. The aperture in the picket partly overlaps with the aperture in the rail. Manual or machine generated force is required to insert the rod and causes the deformation. The rod threads all of the pickets in the panel.

FIG. 4b shows an alternative in which the inside of the rail includes a guide 45 for the locking rod 42. The guide may be continuous within the rail or interrupted by transverse apertures for the pickets, depending on the width of the guide. Apertures in the pickets are aligned with the guide as indicated. In both FIGS. 4a and 4b the pickets are shown as ending within a top rail, but may also pass through the rail as in a bottom or mid rail.

FIG. 5 shows another way of fastening a picket within a rail to form a panel or other structure. In this example, bottom rail 50 and top rail 51 hold the picket 52. The picket has been deformed in portions 53 and 54 within each rail, by crimping for example. A typically circular picket is deformed into a relatively flattened cross section within the rails and this prevents removal of the picket from either rail and securely fastens the picket into a panel.

FIG. 6 shows an enhancement of FIG. 5. In this example, top rail 60 now includes a support structure 61 which engages one end of the picket 62 to strengthen the panel once assembled. A portion of the picket has been crimped between within rail and below the support structure. Bottom rail 63 functions as before. In FIG. 6b the support structure is indicated as a plate 65 with a series of apertures. In FIG. 6c the support structure is a hollow section with a series of apertures or a continuous flange within the rail. In FIG. 6d the plate in FIG. 6b is held by fixtures on the in side walls of the rail. In FIG. 6e, the support structure is adapted for a bottom rail or mid rail 68 and allows the pickets to pass through the rail. It will be appreciated that a wide range of internal structures are possible for the same or similar effect.

FIG. 7 shows how the enhancement may assist with a raked panel such as required in a banister. In FIG. 7a the rails 70 are not perpendicular to the pickets 71, and the pickets pass only partially through both the top and bottom rails. Posts 73 are generally parallel to the pickets. As shown in FIG. 7b this may require a support structure 74 similar to that in FIG. 6a, but enabling the apertures for the pickets to be offset within the rail. The structure may be slidable within the rail to assist assembly and installation of the panel on site. FIGS. 7c and 7d show how a slidable plate 75 or flange 76 may be formed within the rail. Note that the apertures in the support structure may be elongated in the case of circular pickets to accommodate the angular deviation.

FIG. 8 schematically shows equipment for crimping a series of pickets inside a set of rails to form a panel. In FIG. 8a the equipment includes a frame having a first portion 80 for holding a pair of rails to form a panel and a second portion 81 for holding a crimping device that passes through the rails. The rails lie in brackets 82 on frame portion 80 while the crimping device has two separate tools 83 that are aligned with the brackets 82. Each tool is fixed at one end to a moveable carrier 84 by a bracket 85 and passes through a second bracket 86 at the other end for alignment with a respective rail, shown in further detail in FIG. 8b. In this example, bracket 86 includes two plates 87 and a series of pins 88 which define a path for the tools 83.

In FIG. 8a, a pair of chains 90 drive the carrier 84 back and forth in the frame portion 81 which in turn drives the tools 83 of the crimping device back and forth through the brackets 86. The chains rotate in a two-part cycle around axles 91 driven by a motor 92. Leaf springs 93 mounted on frame 81 provide tension in the chain and accommodate variations in the motion caused by the action of tools 83 when crimping pickets in a panel. It will be appreciated that different panel structures will require different arrangements of the brackets 82 and that in general a wide variety of equipment is conceivable as alternatives to the frame structure and components shown here.

FIGS. 8b to 8g show the equipment of FIG. 8a in action to produce a simple panel. In FIG. 8c a pair of rails 95 have been placed in brackets 82, in alignment with the tools 83 of the crimping device. The carrier is at the start of a cycle. In FIG. 8d the carrier 84 has moved from right to left in frame 81 pushing the tools 83 into their respective rails and has reached half way in the cycle. In FIG. 8e a series of pickets 96 have been inserted through the rails with the rods 83 held stationary. In FIG. 8f the carrier has moved back through the frame 81 pulling the tools through the rails and crimping the pickets inside the rails, to complete the cycle. The complete panel is removed in FIG. 8g.

FIG. 9 schematically shows action of a crimping tool in FIG. 8. In FIG. 9a, a tool 100 is positioned then pulled through a rail 101 containing series of pickets 102, seen from above in cross section. In this example the tool includes two parallel elongate rods or bars, having opposed and thickened end portions 103. The end portions of the bars remain together and sequentially compress the portions of the pickets within the rail. In this case the tool is passed into the rail before insertion of the pickets. FIG. 9b shows alternative crimping tools, including bars having rounded wedge portions 105, stepped wedge portions 106, and a roller assisted wedge portion 107.

FIG. 10 shows a further alternative crimping tool intended for rapid processing of an assembled panel in which the pickets are already located in the rails. In FIG. 10a the tool includes a bar 110 with a wedge 111 mounted on an arm 112. A slider 113 is also mounted on the arm 112 and is able to move back and forth in relation to the wedge. The arm passes through an aperture 114 in the slider. An inclined surface 115 assists the slider to move onto the wedge. The slider and the wedge are formed from a relatively rigid or dense material such as hardened steel.

In FIG. 10b the slider 113 is aligned with the bar 110 as the tool is inserted in a rail 118 containing pickets 119. The slider is within the width of the bar and passes the pickets without crimping. As the tool is withdrawn the slider relocates onto the wedge and is deflected out of alignment with the bar. The slider effectively extends beyond the width of the bar thereby contacting and deforming the pickets within the rail as the bar is withdrawn. It will be appreciated that a variety of different tools having an action of this general kind can be designed.

FIG. 11 shows further equipment as an alternative to the equipment in FIG. 8, and could be used with the crimping tools of either FIG. 9 or 10. The equipment includes a frame having a first portion 110 for holding one or more rails to form a panel and a second portion 111 for holding a crimping tool that passes through the rails. In this example, two rails would be placed in brackets 112 on frame portion 110, aligned with two rods 113 that pass through brackets 114, similar to FIG. 8b. Each rod is fixed at one end to a moveable carrier 115 which is driven back and forth between the frame portions by a ram 116, and held in place on portion 111 by sleeves 118. The ram is in turn driven by a motor or pump 117 under automatic or manual control.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of forming a picket structure, including: providing a hollow rail to support a plurality of pickets, passing each picket at least partly through the rail, and fastening the pickets to the rail by movement of a fastening tool through the rail.

2. A method according to claim 1 including providing a pair of hollow rails to support the pickets, passing each picket entirely through at least one of the rails, and fastening the pickets to the rails from within the rails.

3. A method according to claim 1 including: passing the fastening tool longitudinally one way through the rail before passing the pickets laterally through the rail, and then drawing the tool back through the rail to fasten the pickets from within the rail.

4. A method according to claim 1 further including passing the pickets laterally through the rail and then passing the fastening tool longitudinally back and forth through the rail to fasten the pickets from within the rail.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the fastening tool is a crimping tool which deforms the pickets within the rail.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the fastening tool causes transverse flattening of the pickets with the rail.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the picket structure is a fence panel or a ladder.

8. Apparatus for forming a picket structure including: a frame for supporting one or more rails of the structure in position to receive pickets, a fastening tool mounted on the frame in alignment or for alignment with the rail, and a tool driver that drives the fastening tool through the rail to fasten the pickets to the rail from within the rail.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the frame supports a structure having two parallel rails and the fastening tool has two parallel deforming rods aligned with each of the rails.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each rod of the fastening tool has an expanded end portion that crimps the pickets within the rail.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the driver pushes the tool through the rails before the pickets are placed in the rails and then pulls the tool back through the rails to fasten the pickets in place.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the driver pushes and pulls the tool into and out of the rails after the pickets are in place.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the picket structure is a fence panel or a ladder.

14. A picket structure formed by the method of claim 1 or the apparatus of claim 8.